Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,079, George Wilson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Wilson, George or Willson.
S. 23079
CONTENTS
b. 1757 at Simsbury, Hartford Co. Conn. & res. there at end. m. 1832 res. Phelps, Ontario Co. N.Y.

New York 24.524
George Wilson
of Canton in the State of N. York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Roberts of the left- commanded by Col. Pettibone in the Col. m. line for 13 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Jan. 1834 and sent to David McNeil Phelps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $108.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending March '34 21.66 $129.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 128
Let Hon. J. Dickson 6 June 34
Dead Letter to Prussian Agent James G. Austin 22 nd Nov 1843

1 Brief N o 7986
George Willson
86.66 21.66 108.33
14.
detail of Claimant, Witness required
18 Sep: 1832 24 Nov.
Page 83.
David McNeil
Aft

N o 7986
BRIEF in the case of  George Willson of Phelps -  of Ontario County - in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Before a Court in
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 — 3 — private Gen. Capt: Lemuel Roberts - Col o   1777 — 3 — " Pettibones Regt.   From 1777 until the close of the War was in the minute Service under Capt: Jonathan Calk. Col o of the Phelps, Roberts, Goodwin, Calk and others  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
none mentioned -
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
at Simsbury Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
1 living Witness & traditional evidence -
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
The impression of the seal is indistinct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ad
Examining Clerk.

7986
George Wilson
Admitted Private 13 months
David McNeil Phelps

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
August 8 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement,  shewing the Service of George Wilson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 - 3 - Pn Capt - Adney   1777 - - 3 - "   1778 - 4 - "   1778 - 3 - "   13  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Further proof in this case should be produced. It cannot be admitted that so long a course of service for the proof has not been made in our case at the same period.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
To many different periods should be susceptible of proof - There are numerous applicants for pensions who failed to...

Sept 1. 1843.
One of Geo. Willard N.Y.
W. Evans
J. B. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
FREE

Pheeps Ontario County N.Y. August 29 th 1843
Enclosed I send You the application of Mrs. Hildreth, Mrs. Brooks & Mrs. Steeter only surviving Children of George Willson a Revolutionary pensioner. Said Willson having recently died without a Widow surviving — I have no form for such application, but have drawn a Declaration for them & there with send his Certificate — if this is not the proper course, will You be kind enough to instruct me what course they should take
Very Respectfully Yours
James J. Austin
J. L. Edwards Esq.

George Willson Declaration
17986
Passed

STATE OF NEW YORK, Ontario - COUNTY, } ss. George Willson - a resident of Phelps in the county of Ontario and State of New York - aged seventy five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
ON this Sixth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County now sitting He enlisted in the year 1776 a private in Capt. Samuel Roberts Volunteer Company of Connecticut Militia in Col. Pettibones Regiment and served during this year three months - resided at the time of his enlistment in Simsbury, County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, from which Town he marched first to New Haven, from thence to New York, where he joined General Washingtons Army, while at New York, was engaged in a skirmish with the enemy, at a time when they attempted to land at Turtle Bay, on the Sound - Their object was supposed to be, to surround the City, and make prisoners of Washingtons Army, which then lay at New York - at the end of this Campaign he received a verbal discharge and returned home - In the year 1777 he again entered service does not recollect the month a drafted Militia man, in Captain Jonathan Cales Company of Connecticut Militia, in Col. Nath. Phelps Regiment, and served three months, marched from the Town (and County aforesaid) to Horse Neck, in the State of Connecticut at which place he remained the principal part of the time of his enlistment - assisted during this Campaign in taking prisoners a number of Tories near Horse neck, was verbally discharged at the expiration of his services, and returned home - From the year 1777 until the close of the war, he was in the minute service under Captains, Roberts, Goodwin, Case, and others of Connecticut Militia from the Town in which he resided (Simsbury aforesaid) was frequently out from one to four weeks at a time, which consumed a great proportion of his time - His services were generally performed, at Horse neck, Crumpond, and sometimes on the Hudson River - Was born in the year 1757. In Simsbury, County of Hartford and State of Connecticut - in which Town he resided after the war until the year 1799 - when he emigrated to Phelps, County of Ontario and State of New York, where he has since resided - has no documentary evidence of service, but is well acquainted with Darius Seager, who served with him in the Revolution a part of the time, was with him in his two campaigns, at Horse Neck and at New York - and that he is well acquainted with Eliza Seager and Elizabeth Ray who reside in his neighborhood and who will testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his having served in the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
in open Court,
Charles Crane, Clerk.
2 1/2 10 8 9 11 1 2 1 1

I, Darius Seager resident of the Town of Phelps, County of Ontario and State of New York do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with George Willson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Declaration and knew him well during his term of Service at New York and at Yonkers Neck, was with him in each Campaign, and knows him to be the Identical Person mentioned in Said Declaration, and believe the Declaration made by the said George Willson to be substantially correct. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - Darius Seager in open Court, Charles Crane, Clerk.
We, Elijah Seager  residing in the town of Phelps in the County of Ontario and State of New York and Timothy Ray  residing in the Town County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Willson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Elijah Seager Timothy Ray in open Court, Charles Crane Clerk.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Elijah Seager, Darius Seager and Timothy Ray who have signed the preceding Declaration certificates are residents of the Town of Phelps in the County of Ontario and State of New York and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Crane -- Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Willson -- for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Twenty-seventh day of August A. D. 1832. Charles Crane

Revolution
23079 INVALID.
File No. 23,079
George Willson
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 452
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Comptroller's Office September 24 th 1837
I Olisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, certify that it appears by the books of the Pay Table, that the 18 th Reg t commanded by Col. Jonathan Pitkin were ordered to march to New York on the 11 th of August 1776. I have not been able to find the roll of this regiment, or any evidence how long it was in service. The expence of the Reg t is charged to the United States.
That under date September 6 th 1779 there is charged the United States the pay roll of Capt. Jonathan Cosey's company, at Horse neck, £3133, 2, 9. But I cannot find any roll of his company; also under same date his pay roll at New Haven. Amount £352, 9, 2.
Under date of February 10 th 1779 I find the pay roll of Capt. Samuel Roberts, charged the United States as guards of the convention troops from Massachusetts through Connecticut in 1778.

That in 1777 Capt. Abiel Pettibone was one of the Captains in the two regiments raised by the General Assembly in May of that year; and to serve until the 1 st of January 1778. Of these regiments Roger Enos & John Dye were Colonels. But I find no pay rolls of either of them, or any evidence long they were in actual service.
E. Phelps

State of New York, } Personally appeared before me the undersigned one Dutchess County ss. } 3 of the Judges of the County Courts for said County, George Willson, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, That he served during the Revolutionary War, The Periods mentioned below and in the following grades v I served a period 3 months in the year 1776 in Capt. Roberts Volunteer Company - I served a period 3 months in the year 1777 in Capt. Jonathan Cady Company - That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot bear positively as to the precise length of his services from the year 1777 until the close of the war, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than  the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades In the year 1778 I served a period Three months, of In the year 1779 I served a period Four months In the year 1780 I served a period Three months In the year 1781 I served a period Four months In the year 1782 I served a period Two months - And for such service I claim a pension - I think my first Three month Campaign commenced on the first day of June in the year 1776 - and my second Three month Campaign commenced on the first of May 1777 - The reason of my not obtaining the Certificate of a Clergyman to my declaration was, on account of no one residing in my neighbourhood - I know my age to be Seventy Five years, from a Record kept in Simsbury, in the State of Connecticut -
Sworn to and subscribed this 13th day of December 1832
Geo. H. [unclear] M. J. [unclear]
David Merrill Judge of the County Courts

State of New York } Personally appeared before me the Subscriber Catskill County ss: } one of the Judges of the County Courts, for said County, Darius Seager, who on his oath, deposed and said That He was born in the Town of Simsbury, County of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, That George Wilson, whose Declaration is hereto annexed, was born in the same Town, That He was always acquainted with him, before and during the War, and since the War - That the said Wilson did serve Three months in Capt. Samuel Roberts Volunteer Company of Connecticut Militia in Col. De Witt's Regiment, in one Campaign, most of the time at New York I think, he enlisted at the same time this deponent did - About the first day of August in the year 1776 - That this deponent was a member of the same Company at the time, and out during the same Campaign - He also knows of his having served Three months, at Horn's Creek in the year 1777 in Capt. John Stone's Company in Col. Joseph Phelps Regiment of Connecticut Militia - That recollects when the said Wilson enlisted I think it was on the first day of August of this year - That this deponent was at the time a member of the same Company, and out during the same Campaign - That after his services during this Campaign at Horn's Creek, this deponent cannot clearly recollect of any further services, by the said Wilson - That he knows the said Wilson was always a good Whig, and a friend to his Country - Given to and subscribed this 15th day of December 1832 } Darius Seager
David Merrill Judge of the County Courts And the said Judge to hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Darius Seager whose Certificate is above written, that he is a credible person, and that his Certificate is entitled to credit David Merrill Judge of the County Courts

State of New-York, Ontario County ss. I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County, hereby certify, that David McNeil whose name is sub- scribed to the within certificates of Affidavit, was at the the respective dates thereof a Judge of the courts of said county; & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the said signatures to be his proper acts and deeds.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Canan- daigua, this 31st. day of December A.D. 1832.
Charles Crane.