Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32037, John Watson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Watson, John
S 32037
CONTENTS

Connecticut 28.904
John Watson — of Middlebury in the State of Conn — who was a Pvt in the ————— commanded by Captain Sanford of the R ————— commanded by Col. Gallup in the Conn ————— line for Ohio:
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of July 32 to John Watson ————— and his wife Mary Watson —————
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 34 60 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep: " 10 — $ 70 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Rice — Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 48

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex Probate District of East Haddam
Exh. 115 July 1780 / a 6m dis 9 Dec 1780
vs East Haddam
On this 10 th day of August A.D 1832, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, now sitting being a Court of Record, having a clerk and seal, John Watson a resident of the town of East Haddam, County of Middlesex, State of Connecticut and District aforesaid, aged sixty eight 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 7 th 1832. That he enlist- -ed in the army of the United States in the year 1780 in the month of June as deponent thinks, with one Spencer who was a Lieutenant, (the Deponent thinks his first name was Ichabod who had enlisting orders) The deponent served in a Regiment (the number he does not recollect) of the Continental line under the following named officers The Brigade to which Deponent belonged was commanded by General Parsons - The Regiment by Colonel Sherman the names of the other field officers deponent does not recoll- -ect - The name of the Captain of the Company to which deponent belonged was Sanford, the names of the other officers he does not distinctly recollect. The term for which Deponent enlisted was six months. He left the serv- -ice sometime in the month of December the day he does not precisely recollect having served six months - The Deponent when he enlisted resided in the town of East Haddam - in Middlesex County Connecticut - The deponent was never engaged in any battle - The deponent with a considera- -ble number of recruits left East Haddam Conn under Lieuten

ant Spencerd and marched to Peks Kill in the State of New York where deponent joined the company of Captain Sanford and Regiment of Col Sherman. The troops were marched from Peks Kill and crossed Kings Ferry - thence we were marched to Orange town and from there to Tolo Way in the State of New Jersey - from New Jersey we marched to the highlands in the State of New York and encamped. While there, the deponents term of service expired -
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Sworn to, and subscribed the, day and year aforesaid
John Watson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states - Eliphalet. A. Nuttall Judge of said Court
J. Matthew G. Warner: Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Watson for a pension - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10 th day of August A.D. 1832
Matthew G. Warner - Clerk
John Watsons - Application
No 1466

State of Connecticut Middlesex County Probate District of East Haddam
ss-
On this 4 th day of February A D 1834 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, being a Court of Record having a clerk and seal now sitting, John Watson, a resident of the District, County and State aforesaid, aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following additional declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
1 st In the year 1779 in the early part of the month of July as near as the applicant reco- -llects, he then residing in East Haddam, Middle- -sex County Connecticut, entered the service of the United States and proceeded to New London in Connecticut, where he became a substitute for his brother Asa Watson then of said East Haddam, now deceased, who had been drafted for the term of two months. The applicant at New London, join- -ed a Company of which Matthew Smith was Cap- -tain and Robert Hungerford was Lieutenant. The Regiment to which the Company belonged was com-

-manded by Col Gallup and Major Peters, whose first names applicant does not recollect. The company was employed in keeping guards and erecting a fort on Town hill near New London called Fort Mousencose. Asa Watson was a member of this company one week, when the applicant became his substitute and continued a member of said company until the two months for which said Asa was drafted expired, and the applicant was then discharged by parole. Among the officers in that vicinity at the time applicant recollects Major Ledgyard afterwards Colonel. The applicant has no documentary evidence in support of his claim, but accompanies this declaration with such testimony as he could produce in its support.
2nd That in the month of August in the year 1832 the applicant then residing at East Haddam in Middlesex County Connecticut made his declaration before the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. which declaration contained a statement of the Applicant's service in Capt Sanford's company of the Connecticut line in the year 1780, which declaration was transmitted to the War Department, where on an examination of the Rolls of Capt Sanford's company it was found, as appears by the accompanying letter from the War Department, that applicant's service was less than six months - to wit from the 15 th July 1780 to the 9 th December in the same year, and his claim for that

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 John Watson
Sworn and subscribed The day and year aforesaid
We Simeon Dickinson a clergyman, residing in the town of East Haddam and Ephraim Champion residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr John Watson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy 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
Simeon Dickinson Ephraim Champion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
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 Simeon Dickinson who hath signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of East Haddam, and that Ephraim Champion who hath also signed the same is a resident in the town of East Haddam and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit Stephen Cone judge of said Court

reason rejected - but his Declaration retained on file, to which he refers for a more detailed statement of his service, - in the Company of Captain Sanford -
The applicant was born at East Haddam, now Middlesex County Connecticut 28 th January 1764 - Has no record of his age, if there is any it is on the Records of the town of East Haddam, When called into the service applicant lived in said East Haddam, where he lived before and since the Revolutionary War, and still lives - The first term of the Applicant's service he was substitute a substitute for his brother Asa Watson - The second term of his service the Applicant enlisted - The applicant has stated with as much particularity as he can recollect, the names of the officers with whom he served as well as the general circumstances, attending his service - The first term of Applicant's service he received no written discharge - The last term he thinks he received a written discharge, but has lost it - The Applicant is well known to Gen l Epaphroditus Chapman, Col Josiah Griffin, Timothy Green, William Palmer and Aaron C. Palmer Esqrs - who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution

John Watson Application for a pension
6m o printed p 20 →
Wm to Skelton H. R. Groton Cr-

State of Connecticut Middlesex County Probate District of East Haddam } ss
On this 25 th day of June 1834 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, being a court of Record having a clerk and seal, now sitting John Watson a resident of East Haddam in the District County & State aforesaid, aged Seventyone 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated That in the year 1779 in the early part of the month of July, Applicant's brother Asa Watson of said East Haddam, (the Applicant then himself then residing at said East Haddam) was drafted from the Company of Militia to which he belonged into the service of the United States and ordered to New London in Connecticut, where he proceeded and remained not exceeding twelve days. His draft was for two months. The applicant after said service of his brother became his substitute and served out the remainder of the two months, which was more than a month & a half at New London in a Company of which Matthew Smith was Captain, Robert Hangerford Lieut- enant & one Ackley Ensign. The Regiment was comman- ded by Colonel Gallup. The Company at New London was employed in keeping guard & part of the time in building a fort, by some called Fort House - There were other compa- nies at New London at this time, some of which were comman- ded by Captains Deshon, Johnson & Grew. At the expiration of the draft applicant was regularly dismissed - The applicant

accompanies this declaration with the testimony of Witnesses in support of his claim.
2nd In the month of August in the year 1832 the Applicant then residing at said East Haddam made a Declaration with a view of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, which Declaration was duly transmitted to the War Department and the Applicant's claim for a pension rejected, on the ground that it appeared by a reference to the rolls of the Company to which he claimed to belong that though Applicant enlisted for six months, he was discharged before their expiration & so did not serve six months, but his Declaration retained on file. At the time of making said original Declaration applicant was not aware that his services as a substitute came within the law & did not suggest the services stated in the 1 st specification of his claim as a ground of his application. — The Applicant claims for the following services that in the year 1780 he then residing at said East Haddam enlisted into the continental service for six months, this was the last of the month of June or early in July of that year. The Applicant served in Captain Safford's Company, Colonel Sherman's Regiment & Genl Parsons Brigade. — This service was performed in the vicinity of Peekskill & the highlands in the state of New York, though part of the time the troops went southward in the state of New Jersey. The Brigade of Genl Huntington lay near us in the vicinity of the North River. The applicant served as he thinks the time for which he enlisted. But it appears from the rolls that he was discharged before his time was out. He firmly reasserts his every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed, Applicant was born at East Haddam the day & year aforesaid in Middlesex County Connecticut 28 th January 1763. Where he lived when called into the service, has lived since the Revolutionary War & does now live. Applicant has no Record of his age, if there is any

it is on the Records of the town of East Haddam. The Applicant when he first entered the service was a substitute for Asa Watson his brother. The next time he enlisted. The applicant has stated the names of the officers with whom he served & the general circumstances of his service with as much particularity as he can recollect. Applicant thinks that when he left the Continental service he had a written discharge, does not recollect by whom it was given & has lost it. The applicant is known to Gen Epaphrodites Champion, Col Lorah Griffin, Timothy Green who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Witness & subscribed the day & year aforesaid John Watson
We Simeon Dickinson a clergyman residing in the town of East Haddam, and Epaphrodites Champion residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Watson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Simeon Dickinson Severn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Epaphrodites Champion
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears that Simeon Dickinson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of East Haddam & that Epaphrodites Champion who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Glendale AB Wkeley Judge of Court

I Erra Brainerd Clerk pro tem of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Watson for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this day of June 1834.
Erra Brainerd Clerk pro tem

32037 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32,037
John Watson Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 238
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Walson Conn.
Refer the case to Mr. E. L. W.
Don Royce Barber House of Representatives Washington City

In Enclosed is the application of John Watson for a pension with the accompanying evidence. Mr Watson in the year 1832 made application claiming for six months service in the Contin- ental line - This claim was rejected at the Department because it appeared by a refe- -rence to the rolls that Mr Watson was dischar- -ged before the expiration of the six months. Mr Watson now claims for an additional term of service which is fully proved and which added to the time that he appeared to have served according to the rolls in the Continental line will make more than six months - I have no doubt that Mr Watson stated honestly his service in the Continental line to have been six months. for others in this vicinity who went into & came out of the service at the same time with him have as I am infor- -med obtained pensions for six months service. The papers of Mr Watson about which I wrote you were regularly mailed here & how they should be lost. I have not. The Hungerford Certificate

has been rec d . I was absent several weeks after it reached here & for that reason have not before acknowledged its receipt. If you have time before you leave to present the papers of Mr Watson at the Pension Office it would do him a favor
East Haddam June 25 th 1834
Respecty you
E. H. Burleigh

P.O. Aug. 16. 1872
FREE.
Rev. Lewis Tappan Secretary of State Washington City D.C.
2 101566

Sir
Enclosed is the application of John Watson for a pension - His name as he was in the Continental line it is supposed will be found upon the rolls in the War Office - Should it not and any thing further be necessary to be done in relation to it please address Eliphalet A. Bulkeley East. Haddam Conn -
East. Haddam August 10 th 1832 - John Watson

Deposition of Grippen Hear on application of John Watson for pension —

At a Court of Probate held in East Haddam in & for the District of East Haddam on the 21 st day of June 1834, personally appeared Ephraim Hurd of said East Haddam who being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is Seventy years of age, that in the year 1779 in the month of July the Deponent entered the service of the United States at New London in Connecticut in a Company of which Matt- hew Smith was Captain. Robert Hunsford Lieutenant & one Ackley as he thinks Ensign the Deponent was a substitute for Timothy Chap- man of East Haddam who had been drafted for the term of two months. Deponent did not join the Company till about two weeks after the draft was made. At that time John Watson of said East Haddam was a member of Captain Smiths Company and so contin- ued till the two months the term of the Draft expired -
In the year 1780 in the month of July the Deponent enlisted into the Contin- -ental service for the term of six months and served in Captain Rice Company Col Sherman's Regiment for that period Deponent well recollects that John Watson of said East Haddam enlisted the same person who served with him at New London, enlisted at the same time into the Continental service for six months but served in a different Company though in the same Regiment. Deponent frequently saw said Watson & believed that he served the period of his enlistment & further Deponent saith not Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } Ephraim Hurd

And said Court finds that Grippen Hurd who hath subscribed & sworn to the within deposition is a credible person.
In testimony of the above within which I Ezra Brainerd Clerk pro tem do hereby certify to be the proceedings of said Court. I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 25 th day of June 1834
Ezra Brainerd Clerk pro tem

Watson John Watson
gel rijulö jaber
g H

John Watsons, applica- -tion for a pension
John Watson
Con. 4

I John C Palmer Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the supplemental proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Watson for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 4 th day of February AD 1834
Test John C Palmer Clerk

Deposition of Samuel Emma one in application of John Watson for pension.

At a Court of Probate held in East Haddam in and for the District of East Haddam on the 21 st day of June 1834, being a Court of Record, personally appeared Samuel Emmons of said East Haddam, who being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is seventy two years of age, that in the year 1779 in the month of July he then residing at East Haddam was drafted from the militia to which he belonged into the service of the United Sta- tes for the term of two months and served for that period at New London in Connecticut in a company of which Matthew Smith was Captain Robert Hungerford Lieutenant and one Ackley Ensign. The Deponent well remembers that John Watson of said East Haddam was a mem- ber of the same company at New London with Deponent and served as a private in said Comp- any for the term of two months excepting ten or twelve days of the first part of said term. which time was served by Asa Watson a brother of said John and for whom said John was afterwards a substitute. Deponent has ever been acquainted with said John Watson and well recollects his having served the whole of said time except the ten or twelve days abovementioned — And further the Deponent saith not
Sworn & subscribed the day & year Samuel Emmons
as resaid. And said Court find that Samuel Emmons who hath subscribed and sworn to the foregoing deposition is a credible person. In testimony of all the above
I Ezra Brainerd Clerk pro tem of East Haddam District Probate Court certify to be the proceedings of said Court I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 25 th day of June 1834 Ezra Brainerd Clerk pro tem

Samuel Emmons, depo- -vition on application of John Watson for a pension

Samuel Emmons of East Haddam in Middlesex County Connecticut seventy two years of age, being first duly sworn, deposes and says, that in the year 1779 about the 1 st of July he went on a tour of duty to New London Connecticut having been drafted for the period of two months and served in a company of which Matthew Smith was captain and Robert Hungerford Lieutenant - The deponent well recollects that John Watson of said East Haddam was a member of the same company with himself - that he was a substitute for his brother Asa Watson, who served one week - when he returned home - and John Watson as a substitute for his brother Asa served the remainder of the two months - Asa having served only one week.
The deponent also recollects that about the middle of July 1780 said Watson entered the conti- nental service for six months as was said - how long he served deponent does not know.
Samuel Emmons
Middlesex County ss East. Haddam. Jany 20 th 1834 Then Samuel Emmons, who hath subscribed the fore- going deposition appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the same - And I also certify that said Samuel Emmons is a man of truth and respec- tability
Eliphalet A. Ballou Justice of Peace A.

Stephen Hurd's deposition on application of John Wat- son for a pension —

Crispen Hurd of East Haddam, Middlesex County Connecticut. Seventy years of age deposes and says that in the year 1779 in the month of July about the middle of the month as near as he recollects, he went on a tour of duty to New London Connecticut as a substitute for his brother Thomas Hurd of said East Haddam, who was a substitute for Timothy Chapman of said East Haddam, who had been drafted for the period of two months. The deponent's brother Thomas served at New London as a substitute for said Chapman two weeks, when he returned home to East Haddam: and the deponent went to New London and served out the remainder of the term for which said Chapman was drafted, being six weeks. The deponent well recollects that while he was at New London John Watson of said East Haddam, was a member of the same company with himself, of which company Matthew Smith was Captain and Robert Hungerford was Lieutenant. When the deponent arrived at New London he found said Watson a member of Capt Smith's company, and about the first of September they returned home together.
In the year 1780 in the month of July the deponent having previously enlisted into the Continental service proceeded to join the main army at Peekskill on the North River. John Watson of said East Haddam who had also enlisted went on to join the main army at the same time with deponent. Deponent and said Watson enlisted for six months - but how long said Watson remained in the service being in different companies deponent does not know.
Crispen Hurd
Middlesex County ss East Haddam Jan'y 20 th 1834 Then Crispen Hurd who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the same. And I also certify that said Hurd is a man of truth & respectability.
B. Eliphalet A. Bulkley Justice of Pe

Robert Hungerford of East Haddam, Middlesex County, Connecticut, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is eighty two years of age, that in the month of July in the year 1779 he went on a tour of duty to New London in Connecticut for the term of two months, and was Lieutenant of a company of which Matthew Smith was captain - That he recollects that John Watson of said East Haddam was a member of said company - how long he served Deponent does not recollect - and further Deponent saith not Robert Hungerford
Middlesex County ss February 8 th 1834 - East Haddam Then Robert Hungerford who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the same, and I certify that said Depo- nent who is well known to me is a man of truth and respectability Eliphaleth A. B. Miles Justice of Peace C.

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss John Dink Clerk of the County Court of the County of Middlesex do certify that Elizabeth A. Bulkley Esq. was on the 20. of Jan'y last & now is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Middlesex as per Court on file in my Office - & that his names subscribed to preceding Certificates mark A. B. C. are his proper Hand
Writing & signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 26. day of Feby. A.D. 1834.
W. Dink Clerk
Robert Hungerford deposition on application of John Watson for a Pension