Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,137, John Wolcott, Conn. Boat Service On Lake Champlain

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
loon. Boat service on Lake Champlain.
Walcott, John or Woolcott, Martha
W. 20. 137
CONTENTS

New York, 745
Martha Walcott of N.Y. widow of John Walcott, deceased Conn, who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the 2 nd January 1827, of N.Y. city in the State of New York, who was a Lieut in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Cont d militia line for 9 months.
8012
Inscribed on the Roll of New York City, at the rate of 108 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of October 1838, I sent to Hon. C.C. Cam- bridge, New York —
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r '38 $270.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '39 54.00
$324.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by G. M c Lure, Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 109.

United States of America— State City and County of New York, ss:
On this first day of August one thousand eight hundred and Thirty eight, personally appeared before me the undersigned Joseph R Taylor one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York being a Court of Record, Martha Wolcott a resident in the City and County of New York aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensi- ons to certain Widows," that she is the widow of John Wolcott who was a Lieutenant in the Militia of the State of Connecticut during the Revolutionary War.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Wolcott on the Eleventh day of January one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy eight, that her husband the aforesaid John Wolcott died on the second day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven and that she has ever since that time remained and now is his widow.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen

The mark of Martha Wolcott who is to me personally known to be the person described in the annexed affidavit, was made before me this day personally J. W. R. Taylor
Twentyfour viz: at the time above stated. Martha their  X Wolcott mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Joseph R Taylor one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York. I further certify that the above affidavit was taken by me at the residence of the said Martha Wolcott in the City and County of New York she being unable from bodily infirmity to attend in open Court.
J. W. Taylor. Alderman & Judge Judge of C. C. Pleas of City of New York
STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Joseph R Taylor, Esq. _____ before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Judge of said Court of Common Pleas, in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I believe the signature of said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 1 _____ day of August 1838.
Joseph Hoxie Clerk.

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven. Town of Milford. I, Asa M. Train, Pastor, do certify hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the record of marriage of John Wolcott and Martha Sanford. With the exception of date, which is expressed on the records in plain, legible figures as follows.
Married John Wolcott and Martha Sanford, January eleventh day seventeen hundred and seventy eight. — Jan 11 th 1878
Asa M. Train Pastor of Chh. Milford
State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Town of Milford ss
I Asa M. Train Pastor of the Chh. of Milford, above named depose to say that I hold the office of Pastor in Town county & State aforesaid & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Chh. with the exception above named as certified by me.
Asa M. Train Pastor of Chh. Milford
Sworn before me this 28 th day of July 1838
Abijah Carrington Judge of Probate for the district of Milford

I David L. Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Milford, which is a Court of record here- by Certify, that the within signature of Alijiah Carrington is his genuine signature, and that he is the Judge of Probate for the District of Milford, in the County of New Haven duly qualified —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court on the 28 th day of July 1838
David L. Baldwin Clerk

X 104
Martha Wolcott widow of John
N.Y.

18,805
John Walcott
not continental
Y

X District of Connecticut ss
At a County Court holden in and for the County of New Haven on the 3 rd Tuesday of March 1823 the same being a Court of Record and having a seal by virtue of the laws of said State, Personally appeared in open Court John Woolcott, resident of the town of Milford in said County & State and exhibited the following Schedule, and made oath that the same is a perfect inventory and Schedule of all his monies and property necessary clothing and bedding excepted (viz) 1 fall leaf Table $2, 1 old kitchen do $1, 25 1 old chest with drawers $2, 50.. 6 Windsor Chairs $2, 25.. 6 old kitchen do. $0, 50.. 1 Iron pot $0, 40 1 Iron teakettle and Dish do $0, 60.. 1 Trammel $1, .. 1 grid iron $0, 25 1 pr tongs $0, 25.. 1 pr broken dogs $0, 16.. 4 tin pans $1, 12 1 stone churn $0, 25.. 6 earthen plates $0, 50.. 1 hogshead and three barrels $1, 12.. 1 handsaw & coopers adze $1, 12 1 bow $15, 00.. 1 old axe & hoe $1, 00 amounting in the whole to the sum of $31, 77.
Be it remembered that on the 3 rd day of April 1823 in open Court being a Court of Record and having a seal by virtue of the laws of said State personally appeared in open Court the aforesaid John Woolcott who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following de-

laration in order to obtain the provision by the acts of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 & the 10 th of May 1820. That I the said Woolcott was more than three years in the Revolutionary war and for at least 13 months on the Continental establish- ment that in May or June 1776 I engaged and enlisted for nine months as a mariner for the naval service on Lake Champlain under Captain Frederick Chappel commander of the galley Gates and that when I arrived at Ticonderoga, the Gates not being ready for sea I went on board the galley Congress of 18 guns Capt Trugift Arnold, and acted as sailing master until she was blown up to prevent her falling into the hands of the Enemy, I then went on board the galley Gates and served out my term That in the spring of 1777 I engaged again for nine months for the same service that I was then a Lieu- tenant in the Gates under Capt. Chippell & served on board till Ticonderoga was taken abandoned & the Gates fell into the hands of the enemy at Skenesborough, I then served at Fort Ann Fort Edward & Saratoga until my tour ended and that I have often been engaged in sundry engagements was at Ridgfield when Gen Wooster was killed was at Compo where three of my men were killed

was at the taking of New Haven & was at New London when burnt by Arnold and was during the war made prisoner twice at sea and kept a prisoner five months and lost the whole of my property amount- ing to $1500.
And I do solemnly swear I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolution- ary War passed the 18 th day of March 1818" And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property security contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income for property of any kind description or amount except necessary clothing other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and I the said John Woolcott do further depose that when in service in the year 1776 I was appointed sailing master by a warrant under the hand of Benedict Arnold, then on board as commodore which warrant was lost with the Galley Congress when blown up that in the year 1777 I was appointed a Lieutenant of the Galley Gates

and acted as such but never received my commission, and the Galleys Gales afterwards fell into the hands of the enemy and the army returned to Saratoga and that I am by trade a Cooper and for 8 or 10 years past have been unable to work having lost the use of my limbs by Rheumatism, and have a sickly wife dependant on my exertions and the charity of friends and by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I stand in need of the assistance of my country for support and am 74 years of age. John Woolcott.
Whereupon said Court are of opinion that satisfactory proof has been exhibited in Court that the total amount in value of the property contained in the aforesaid schedule is thirty one Dollars 77/100 and do order the proceedings to be entered in the records of this Court.
C. Fithell, Clerk of the Co. Ct.
I Cornelius Fithell Clerk of the County Court in and for New Haven County in said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration and Certificate are truly copied from the Records of said Court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

& affixed the Seal of said Court on this 21 st day of April 1823.
C. Tuttle, Clerk
I Isaac Mills Chief Judge of the County Court in and for the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Cornelius Tuttle Esq. is Clerk of said Court & Keeper of the Seal & Records thereof; and that the preceding certificate is authentic and in due form of Law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in New Haven this 22 nd day of April 1823.
Isaac Mills

J. Wolcott pension

I Nathaniel Stacy of North Haven in New Haven County testify and say that in the month of August 1776 I enlisted as a seaman to do duty on Lake Champlain and that John Wolcott of Milford in said County enlisted same time into the same company under Frederick Chapel Captain where both entered on board the Washington Galley commanded by General Waterbury that said John Wolcott did duty on board said Galley a short time, was then trans- ferred on board the Congress Galley by General Arnold did duty there as Sailing Master were both in the battle at Arnold's defeat on the Lake that I was taken prisoner with Gen. Waterbury and left the said John Wolcott to serve out his time certified by me Nathaniel Stacey
New Haven County ss. North Haven September 7 th 1818 personally appeared Nathaniel Stacey and made solemn oath that the above certificate is just and true before me Justus Bishop Judge of Peace

J. Wolcott Pensen

I Benjamin Gillet of Milford, in the County of New- Haven State of Connecticut depose & say that in the spring of 1777, I think the month of March I entered as a mariner for nine months under Capt Frederick Chapelle for the naval service on Lake Champlain. That I served on board the galley Gates commanded by Capt Chapelle until she was destroyed at Schuylers- ville to prevent her from falling into the hands of the enemy. That I continued in service till my term ended - That I am well acquainted with John Wolcott Esq. then County States that I Wolcott was Lieutenant under Capt Chapelle during the time I served with him - further say not. Milford April 7. 1818
Benjamin Gillet
State of Connecticut ss Milford April 7. 1818
Personally appeared Benjamin Gillet, was known to me as a respectable farmer & a credible man & subscribed the above deposition & made oath to the truth thereof according to law before me
E. H. Pond Justice of Peace
The above certificate is subscribed with the signature of E. H. Pond who is a Justice of the Peace for New Haven County S. Baldwin Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut

Richard Atwater Deposition
Wolcott pension

I Ichabod Atwater of Tansfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age testify and say that in the year 1777 I think in the Month of March I enlisted as a Marin for nine Months service under Capt. Frederick Chappel for the Naval service on Lake Champlain — That I served on board the Gally Gante until she was destroyed at Schuylkill to prevent her from falling into the hands of the enemy — at the destruction of the s d Gally I went into the Artillery service in a retreating before Burgoyne towards Saratoga and continued in said service until my enlistment ended —
That I am well acquainted with John Walcott of Milford in the County of Berkshire and State of Connecticut — That s d Walcott was Lieutenant under the s d Capt Chappel during the time I served with him — further say not — Ichabod Atwater Tansfield June 22 nd 1819.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Berkshire ss. Tansfield June 22 nd 1819. Personally appeared Ichabod Atwater well known to me as a respectable Man and credible and subscribed the above Deposition and made oath to the same according to law before me.
Brattle Brink Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire ss: I Joseph Woodbridge, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, within & for the County of Berkshire do certify & attest, that Brattle Beach is a Justice of the peace, within & for the same County, duly Commissioned & acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, & that the above is his Signature. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this first day of July A.D. 1819 —
J. Woodbridge Clerk

Oct 10.
Ames
C. Cambridge Mr
K. L. Edwards
Com. of Pension
Washington D.C.

New York 7 Oct. 1838
Sir,
In answer to your letter concerning the class pension of the widow of John Wolcott I write you making further inquiry about three weeks ago. I at the same enclose some inquiries of Mr. March about revolutionary pensions. As I have received no answer I suppose the letter may have been mislaid or you may have been absent.
Very respectfully Yours CC Cambridge
J. L. Edwards Esq Com. in

101 NY Aug 3 rd 7 July 1838
Ms A 9. 2. 20 Ca
K

Martha Wolcott, widow of John Wolcott, Lieut. Navy - 9 mo.
$108 per annum
act 7 July 1838
N. York Roll
Send cut: to Hon. C.C.
Cambreleng, New York.
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq., Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Inat July 20 th .
Providence
J L Edwards Esq,
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City

War Department Pension Office
March 3. 1838.
Sir,
In answer to your enquiry relative to the case of the late Lieut. John Wolcott, I have to inform you that the papers which were sent here in 1823 are still on file in this office. His claim under the act of March 18. 1818, was rejected, as that act does not provide for any but those who belonged to the continental establishment, and Mr. Wolcott's service was with the State Troops of Connecticut. If he was living on the 4 th March 1831, a small sum might be allowed to the children from that period to the day of his death, under the 2 d section of the act of July 4. 1836. But if he died before that period, there is nothing due in the case.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully
Your obed. Servt.
Hon C C Cambreleng (Signed) J. L. Cawards House of Representatives " " " (over)

New York July 26 th 1838
Sir
I beg leave to refer you to the annexed copy of a letter, addressed by you on the 3 rd of March last, to the Hon C. C. Cambreleng.
Mrs Wolcott, the widow of the late Lieut John Wolcott there mentioned is now living in that City and is entitled to a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838.
I wish to learn if the papers forwarded to your Department in 1823 & now on file in your office afford sufficient proof as to the services of Lieut Wolcott. So long a period has elapsed, and the difficulty of obtaining proof at that time was so great, that I fear it will be impossible to procure other affidavits upon the point of service if those now in your office are deemed insufficient. Mr Cambreleng understood however that this point was satisfactorily established.
The testimony as to the marriage of Mrs Wolcott, her declaration as required by the printed forms, &

all other proofs to her claims can be easily procured.
May I ask the favor of an early answer to this Enquiry?
I remain
Your obedient servant Henry R. Winthrop J L Edwards Esq, Commission Merchant, Counsellor at Law,
to 5 to scotts t.

New York August 1 st 1838
Sir
I duly received your letter of the 18 th inst and am, much obliged to you for your attention in forwarding the instructions -
The papers of Mr Wolcott which I had inclosed were at that time in preparation, and I now send you herewith, a copy of his Marriage Certificate and his own Declaration both duly authenticated.
May I ask if the papers forwarded to the Department by Lieut Wolcott during his life time are incomplete in relation to his services. If not, I cannot understand why that testimony will not accrue to the benefit of his widow
In your letter to Mr Cambreleng, which I have already referred to you, state that if Mr Wolcott was living on the 4 th of March 1831 a small sum might be allowed to the children under the act of 1836. & I supposed from

that suggestion that the proof Saint Volvolles service, was satisfactory to the Department.
His widow is very poor and almost entirely helpless. I trust any unnecessary delay may prevent her altogether from prosecuting her claim -
I trust that her case will receive the favorable action of the Department & remain
Respectfully your obedient
J L Edwards Esq Counsel of Plaintiff
Henry A. Winthrop

In at Sept 15. 6-1/2 days. 25 cts
L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington City

New York 12 Sept 1838
Sir,
You will oblige me by stating whether when Lieut. John Wolcott made his application for a pension in 1823 or during his life he furnished no other proof of his revolutionary than his own declaration that - "he served nine months in the naval service under Captain Frederick Chapple in 1776 on Lake Champlain."
Very respectfully
C. C. Cushing
J. L. Edwards Esq

Mar 3.
St. John's Nfld.
L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions -
Cambrian HR
Hon. C.C. Cambbell
HR.

Wash. 3 March 1838
Sir,
The petition and papers of L t John Wolcott of the revolutionary army was transmitted here some twelve or thirteen years since - he is since dead and his heirs are anxious to ascertain whether these papers are not now in the pension office. You will oblige me by ascertaining whether they are so, and if so, by saying whether there is anything due his heirs -
Very respectfully Yours at h
C. C. Cambell
J. L. Edwards Esq

Sept 20
Can.
St. John's W. Ind.
J C Cumbey
He
L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Friends Washington
D. C.

Oct 16.
Dear Sir -
I inclose a Statement of what has been done in Mrs Wolcott's case as you mentioned yesterday morning -
It appears to me that she has complied with all the requisitions of the law. & I sincerely hope that your efforts in her behalf may be crowned with success -
I remain
Yours Sincerely
Non CC Cambridge
Henry A. Whitcomb

Hon C C Cambreling -

Sept 20
Cams.
St. John's Wood
J C Cumbey
L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Friends
Washington
D.C.

Warrington
18 Sept 1838
Sir,
Will you have the goodness to inform me whether the affidavits to which you refer in yours of the 15 th - in the case of L d John Wolcott are sufficient to not enable his widow to get her pension without further proof except such as her agent has already sent you -
Please also to answer the enquiries in the enclosed referring in your answer to the name and residence of the writer -
Very respectfully
C o Canning
J. L. Edwards Esq

Con. Oct 22
Martha Wright Ny. av 6838.
CClemens Wn
J. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

New York 18 Oct 1838
Sir,
By the enclosed you will see that Mr Winthrop is of opinion that he has already forwarded you all the proof you require in the case of the widow of L t Wolcott. If anything more is wanting let me know -
Very respectfully Mobb
C. Cambridge
J. L. Edwards Esq

Extract from letter of J. L. Edwards dated September 20 th 1838
"She must make a declaration before a Court of Record; produce proof of her marriage, shewing particularly when it took place; the time when he died, and such other evidence as the prevail instructions point out."
on the p t of August 1838 I forwarded to Mr Edwards the declaration of Martha Wolcott under the Petition law of 1838 taken before one of the judges of the Court Common Pleas of this City, a Court of Record, duly authenticated.
I forwarded at the same time a copy of the Marriage Certificate of John Wolcott & Martha Sanford duly authenticated, shewing particularly when it took place. The declaration of Mrs Wolcott shewed the time of her husband's death precisely according to the regulations.
For the Evidence of the Service of Lieut Wolcott I referred

to his application in 1823. Mr Edwards states expressly that the Evidence of his service is on file thus
"The papers filed in this office contain nothing more than the Evidence of his service" Extract from Letter of Mr Edwards dated Sept 20. 1838.
"In a case where the service of a deceased Officer or soldier is clearly proved by record or documentary Evidence or the affidavit of a Commissioned Officer showing the grade & length of service of the deceased the particulars in relation to the service are not required to be set forth in the claimants declaration " Extract from the Regulations under the act of July 7. 1838
Remark
Mrs Wolcott has done every thing according to the very letter of the law & Regulations. She has not in her declaration given the particulars of her husband's service but refers to the evidence, on file.
Mr Edwards' reasons that
"In the case of Martha Wolcott widow of John

Wolcott deceased whose papers are filed under the act of the 7 th of July 1838 no service whatsoever is either proved or alleged" Extract from letter to me dated Aug 21. 1838
Answer.
The Evidence of her husband's service is admitted to be on file.

Rev 20.137 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20137
Martha Wolcott Widow of John Wolcott First Rev. m.
Act: July 7th  188
Index:—Vol. M , Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]