Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,273, Gideon Wells, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn
Wells Gideon
5. 18. 273.
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 19909
Gideon Wells
of Fairfield Co. in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Hall of the Regt. commanded by Col. _____ in the Connecticut line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 50 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1832 _____ and Rev. Mr. A.S. Nichols Col. Fairfield Col.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 $ 160 Sem.-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. '33 40 $ 200
Recorded by G. C. Miles Clerk Book E. Vol. 3. Page 116 Revolutionary Claim, as June 7, 1832.

Lyndon Wells — Bridgeport Conn. 2 years service —
24169

Sherman Brimble of Bridport. Gideon Hawley & Elmer Hawley were with me in the Guard but are now dead also James Cugat & Thomas Cook - I also recollect Elijah Root of Bridport I think he was in the service when I enlisted. Gideon had his name as it was called on the Roll - I have found since I could call the Roll of the Guard from memory - I was born at Bridport in the year 1761 - I have always lived at Bridport - I have not any documentary evidence of my service or record of my age - on discharge I believe I had a discharge it is lost - The said Gideon further states that he had procured the testimony of Seth Hall & John Beach to said service.
The said Gideon Wells 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.
Attest R. S. Nichols, Clerk } Gideon Wells
We, Sherman Brimble a clergyman, residing in the town of Bridport and Thomas Hayes residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gideon Wells who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Attest R. S. Nichols, Clerk } Sherman Brimble Thomas Hayes
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Hayes who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Bridport and that Sherman Brimble who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Bridport and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest R. S. Nichols, Clerk } Eden Wheeler Judge
I, R. S. Nichols Clerk of the above Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gideon Wells for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my Office, this 30 th day of July 1832.
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
I Eden Wheeler Judge of the Court of Dieball for the District of Bridport certify that R. S. Nichols is the Clerk of said Court and that the above is his signature from the Seal of said Court annexed Eden Wheeler Judge

State of Connecticut, } County of Fairfield, }
Bridgewater
On this 30 th day of July 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before
the Court of Ordeal within the District of Stratford in said
now sitting, Leideon Wells a resident of Bridgewater in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged thirty one years, who being first 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
viz in the year 1779. I cannot state the precise day or month I enlisted at Bridgewater then a part of the Town of Stratford into said Service under Lieut. (or Ensign) William Hall for one year said Hall was from Stratford one Isaac Dole in head the Lieut. & James Dole in Corporal - I served out the year for which I enlisted and spent part of the time stationed at the Guard House in Milford some time at Wells' Tavern some time between Bridgewater (then Stratford) and the Town of Fairfield part of the time at Thomas H. Ledyard's House in said Stratford part of the time at Day's Tavern some time at these 3. different Stations I served one year at the expiration of the year I again enlisted for I served one year more (under the same officers I think). I think that Hall had command the whole time of my Service in which I am confident was more than two years . but I am not willing to make oath to more than two years Service - I have always stated to my Family & others that I was in the Service more than two years & this enables me to state that I am sure of the fact although now I have forgotten particular as to time & place other than what I have stated above. I do not know any Witness to prove my Service except my Sister Charity Dole & Herman Hall of Kent in Litchfield County Son of Lieut. Hall in the said Charity is too feeble to attend Court & I have procured her deposition & also that of the said Herman Hall who is ready in Court to swear to the same - Both of my Brothers were in the Service but are now dead

S. Seth Hall of the Town of Danbury in Fairfield County (now in Conn) Do hereby testify & say that in the year 1782 in July of that year I enlisted into & served in the Second Regiment at Bridgeport, Stone in Bridgeport (then called Stratford in Fairfield County). Six Months ended Sept. William Hall - I was then & always have been well acquainted with Gideon Wells of Bridgeport the witness named Applicant - having lived at Fairfield near said Wells most of my life - I am confident that the said Wells was a soldier in said Second Regiment under said Genl. Hall while I did - I cannot state whether or not he left the service when I did but I am strongly in the belief that he was in the Second when I enlisted -
S. Jobz Beach of the Town of Danbury in Fairfield County (now in Conn) hereby testify & say that I served in said Second at the Grand House in Milford some time during the line between Bridgeport & Fairfield Six Months in the United States Service some time out and in what had led to the rest of my recollections in the year 1778. Gideon Wells was with me in said service during said Six Months I have always been acquainted with said Gideon the witness named Applicant - to the best of my knowledge Walter Hawley (Boyle and) had some connection with the Second - I do not mean to say that said Walter had command but that he was supposed of the Second the others officers I do not recollect - I have not the least doubt of the fact that said Wells served with me said Six Months -
S. R. Nichols Clerk of the Court of Oyer & terminer for Fairfield District hereby certify that the above testimonies of Seth Hall & Jobz Beach were subscribed & sworn to in open court I are part of the proceedings in the case of Gideon Wells herein certified in my hand & seal of office -
R. S. Nichols Clerk
S. Titus Wheeler Judge of the Court of Oyer & terminer for said Stratford District hereby certify that the witnesses in support of this Application to wit Seth Hall  Jobz Beach  Symon Hall & Charles Seely are credible witnesses -
Titus Wheeler Judge

I hereby certify of the Town of Bridgeport County of Fairfield of the age of 70 years or depos and say — That in the month of October 1779. Gideon Wells my Brother was in the Guard under the command of Ensign William Hall. Stationed at Wells Lodge, and I am certain he continued in the service the whole of that year.
I was married to Banton Barry in the month of February 1781 — and Gideon Wells was then on duty as guard how long he remained in the guard after that time I cannot tell — and further the deponent saith not
Libaray Seeley
Fairfield County ss Bridgeport
July 20 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn before me — Benj Smith Justice of Peace
I R. S. Nichols Clerk of the Court of District in & for the District of Fairfield ss Fairfield County hereby certify that Benjamin S. Smith Esq is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County I met the foregoing at known to me to be his genuine signature —
I further certify that the foregoing deposi- tions of Charity Barry is part of the testimony produced in the application of Gideon Wells for a pension before said Court —
R. S. Nichols Clerk

I Lynn and Hall of the Town of Kent in Berkshire State of Connecticut being duly sworn Depose & say that I am the Son of William Hall who was an Ensign in the Army in the American Revolution. (It may be that He was a Lieutenant as He was called Lieut. Hall I had command of the Guard Stationed at different places in the Town of Housatonic Connecticut & once I recalled at Nuttall Grove in Lanesboro.) but my impres- sion is that He was only an Ensign — I was born in Housatonic where my Father lived at the commencement of the War. He died two years since aged 91 — I do not know that any other papers are in existence — He was frequently at the Guard House where my Father had command & sometimes went with Him when He had been Home. I know many of the Soldiers under Him — I am now well acquainted with Mr. Gideon Wells of Bridgeport & recalled that said Gid- eon Wells was a Soldier in the Guard under my Father for one year — I saw Mr. Wells often & know that the head of enlistment was in general for one year — I recalled seeing Mr.

Wills at Hutton Lane in Lainfield & at other places or stations — I was there about 13 years of age — I recollect that James Doughty was a sergeant in my father's. I cannot state the year when Mr Wills died but am sure of his being in the service of the Police at a station —
Lymon Hall
The foregoing deposition subscribed & sworn to in open court before John Whelpton for the the court of Dunedin in & for the District of Otago the same being part of the return- ing & proceedings in the application of James Wills before said court for an injunction — (Attest)
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

No. 24169 Gideon Wells Fairfield County Connecticut
Admitted Paroled 2 years
R. S. Nichols Clk Fairfield County Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjunct 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, (thus: { ). 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,  showing the Service of Gideon Wells Fairfield County Connecticut
   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.     Enlisted 1779 1 - - private 71 years County of Fairfield Connecticut Traditionary evidence certified credible Two witnesses - papers correct.   Enlisted 1780 1 - - "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,

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.

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 enquiry 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 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 , 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 affix 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Jennings La. Jan. 24 th 04.
Pension Dept. Washington D.C.
Will you please tell me if you have a record of a revolution veteran by the name of John Wheeler? If so from what state did he enlist - I think probably from New Jersey. In what branch of service was he in and whose commands? Did widow or children ever receive pension. If so to what date last etc. was it sent? Hoping for an early reply Yours truly A. C. McLaughlin Jennings La.

INVALID.
File No. 18273
Ebenezer Wells
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 401
[Arrangement of 1870.]