Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,432, Joseph Willard, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Willard, Joseph
S. 6,432
carded
CONTENTS

14589
New York
Joseph Willard of Fairfield in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Buck of the Reg t commanded by Col Ely in the Connecticut line for 21 months 24 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 72 Dollars 64 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of June '33 — and sent H. Norton Fairfield N.Y.
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 $155. 28 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 36. 32
192. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ino Cromwell Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 37

No 8234 Joseph Willard
11.16.17
12 Oct 1832 23 Nov 1832
Page 83.
Sherman Foster Newport Hankins Co New York

N o 8234
BRIEF in the case of  Joseph Williams of Fairfield  County of Herkimer  — in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does  3. How old is he? Eighty two years, 82  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.     was drafted in the Spring In 1776 — 1 15 private Gen. Capt John Cochran's comp Connecticut troops, Lt Genl. Lord, Brig Genl   was drafted in Sept 1777 — 1 14 do Jonathan Lym   in the service day in November 1777 Enlisted — 5 — do Lt Genl Chapman's Connecticut line Lt Genl Timothy Sturdivant, Brig Genl   in or about 1 st May 1780 Enlisted — 7 — do Genl. Genl Joseph Spencer, Col John Ely, Capt Justin Buck, Lieut Genl   or about 1 st May 1781 — 7 — do Genl. Genl. Capt John Schuyler Genl. Genl. Capt. Genl. Genl. Genl.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Grafton, Connecticut 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? His tradition is supported by the belief on  part of two respectable citizens of the same town, whose character & credibility are  verified by the Indent
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No return 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk.

Joseph Willard New York N o 23289-
adm d)
H. Norton esq. Fairfield Herkimer co

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 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, (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, shewing the Service of Joseph Willard
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 drafted 1 12 Pri. Capt. Lvs. Cockran 82 years   1777 " 1 12 " Capt. Chap- man Saybrook Conn. Traditionary   " enlisted 5 " Capt. J. Buck Col. D. Day Witnesses   1780 " 7 " Capt. Martin Maj. Ser.   1781 " 7 " Kirkland Spencer  
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 } ss.
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 day 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 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 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 [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.
[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.

State of New York County of Rensselaer
Charles Whittland of the Town of Vernon in Said County Aged Twenty Years and Upwards being first duly Sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he has been acquainted with Joseph Willard during the war of the Revolution and that they both Resided during Said War in the Town of Say Brook in the State of Connecticut and this deponent further Saith that the Said Joseph Willard and Sametimus after the war of the Revolution Removed as this deponent was informed to the Town of Fairfield in the State of New York and This deponent many years ago Saw the Said Joseph Willard at Fairfield aforesaid and knows that he Lived there and this deponent further Saith that he knows of the Said Joseph Willard Serving in the war of the Revolution as follows that is to say This deponent and the Said Joseph Willard both Enlisted as Volunteers at Say Brook in the State of Connecticut in the Spring of the year 1780 into Captain John Shipmans Company in Colonel Ledyards Regiment in the State Troops for the term of nine months and that they were stationed at Say Brook aforesaid in the State Guard Under the Command of Captain Shipman and that this deponent and the Said Joseph Willard Served together in Captain Shipmans Company in the State Guard at Said Station in Say Brook as he believes for the term of nine months and that they were discharged in the month december 1780 and this deponent further Saith that in the Spring of 1781 he this deponent and
cut the ribbon to read the paper J. H. Brown

The Said Joseph Willard again Enlisted as Volunteers at Saybrook afterwarde into Captain Martin Nuttall's Company in the State Troops and in a Regiment Commanded by Col and Ledyard for nine months, and that they were Stationed at Saybrook afterwarde in the State Guards Under the Command of Captain Nuttall and that he this deponent and the Said Joseph Willard Served together in the same Company Under the Command of Captain Nuttall in the State Guards at Said Station in Saybrook in the State of Connecticut as he believes for the term of nine months and that they were then dis- charged from the Service same time in the Month of December 1781 and this deponent further Saith that the above named Officers Captain Shipman and Captain Nuttall Under whom he and the Said Joseph Willard Served he always understood and believes it to be so Ranked in the army as Lieutenants but were called Captains and Each Respectively had Command at the Forts in Said Say Brook and that no other Commissioned Officers as he Remembers was Stationed there during the Said two Terms of Service which he Served and this deponent further Saith that he has not Seen the Said Joseph Willard for a great many

years past and I do not know that the said Joseph Willard was ever he forementioned where this deponent has lived for several years past or that he this de- ponent was living and further saith not Sworn and subscribed Charles Hirtland this 6th day of February 1833 before me
John P. Sherwood Justice
State of New York County of Onondaga are this 6th day of February 1833 before the Subscribed one of the Justices of the peace of Onondaga County personally appeared Charles Hirtland and made oath to the foregoing af- fidavit according to Law and I the Subscri- ber do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Charles Hirtland and that he is known to me to be a man of good Moral Char- acter and good Reputation for Truth and Veracity in his affidavit aforesaid in Notice to full credit
John P. Sherwood Justice

State of New York
Clerks Office Onondaga County ss: I Geo Brown Clerk of the said County do certify that John P Sherwood Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn and also before whom the within Certificate purports to have been subscribed was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County and duly authorized by law to act as such - And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signa- tures "John P Sherwood" thereto subscribed to be genuine
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this 7 th day of February AD 1833
Geo Brown Clerk
J. B. Root Dep Clerk

In the matter of the application of Joseph Willard for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832—
Make returns to A C Vailoa Fairfield N.Y.
23289
adm d
21. mo. 24 ds. pri

State of New York County of Herkimer
ss
On the 10. day of Septm. before me, Sherman Wooster a judge of Herk- imer county courts, personally appeared Joseph Williard resident in the town of Fairfield, county of Herkimer and State of New York, aged Eighty two 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. 1832. That he was born in the town of Sohierook, in the State of Connecticut and resided there at the commencement of the revolutionary War. That in the Spring of the year 1776, he was drafted and joined Capt. John Cockerans company at the town of Say Brook aforesaid. Lieut. Samuel Board, and Ensign Jonathan Day belonged to the same company and marched to Bridgeport and there went on board of a vessel for New York, and was stationed at Brooklyn on Long Island about six weeks, and until the Continental Army arrived at that place; then was dismissed and then returned to Saybrook; had no continental charges had nothing to serve in this town six weeks. And in the month of Octob  September 1777, he was again drafted in the Connecticut Militia at Saybrook, under Capt. Elisha Chapman Lieut. Timothy Starkweather Ensign Eliakim Jones, marched to the town of Fishkill in New York, was stationed there about six weeks, then marched up the North River as far as Redhook, met an ex- press informing that Burgoyne had surrendered and was dismissed and returned to Saybrook. And on thanksgiving day, in the month of November in the year 1777, with the said Joseph Williard on list at Saybrook for five months under Capt. Justin Birch, Lieutenants Elisha Seaford and
6 weeks
6 weeks

John Kelley, and Ensign Daniel Kirt Kirkland and March to Providence in the state of Rhode Island, was stationed there about all the term of enlistment, served in Col. John Ely's Regiment, under command of Major General Joseph Spencer; a short time before the time of his discharge he was marched to, and stationed at New London under the same officer, and was discharged at New London at the end of the term, served in three four fair months, and was dis- charged, did not receive any written discharge, then returned to Saybrook - And on or about the month of May 1780. The said Joseph Willard declares that he enlisted for seven months in the state troops in Connecticut line under acting Capt John Shipman, was stationed in Saybrook - served out the whole term of seven months, and was discharged no written discharge, and had no battle - And the said Joseph Willard further declares that he enlisted on or about the first of May 1781 in the same line, and was stationed at the same fort in Saybrook, for the term of seven months under Martin Kirkland, acting Capt. and at the end of the seven months he was discharged. And the said Joseph Willard further declares that he does not know of any living person by whom he can prove the services by him rendered, but the Munks, Richard Bushnell and Asahel Kelley of the said town of Griswold are acquainted with him and will vouch for his relation to his reputation. And he further declares all claims to any pension or annuity, except the present, and his name is not on the pension roll of any state or territory.
Sworn and subscribed before me, a justice of the Superior Court, Sept. 10. 1832 Sherman Wooster
Joseph Willard

We Richard Bushnell and Reuben Kelcy residing in the town of Grafton, County of Herkimer and State of New York, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Willard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Richard Bushnell Reuben Kelcy
Sworn and subscribed before me a judge of Herkimer County Court Sept. 10. 1832 Sherman Wooster
I, Sherman Wooster a judge of Herkimer County Court, do hereby declare, that after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department my opinion is, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and true as he states.
And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with Richard Bushnell, and who have signed the foregoing certificate Reuben Kelcy and know them to be credible men, and residents in the said town of Grafton, and their statements are entitled to full credit.
And I do further certify, that the applicant Joseph Willard cannot, from bodily infirmity attend the court.
Sherman Wooster
15

State of New York Herkimer County Clerk's Office
8034
Joseph Mitchell Sherman Wooster for a Pro Se
I Francis E. Spinnery Deputy Clerk of the County aforesaid, Do hereby Certify that Sherman Wooster before whom the within affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid and du- ly qualified to act as such and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and justly believe the signature of Sherman Wooster subscribed to the said affidavits and also to the within Certificate to be genuine and the proper hand writing and signature of the said Judge. In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 18 th day of September 1832
F. E. Spinnery Deputy Clerk

State of New York County of Herkimer ss: Charles Willard of the Town of Fairfield in the said County of Herkimer aged forty seven years and upwards, being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that Joseph Willard late of the Town of Fairfield in said County deceased was the father of this depo- -nant and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard died on the thirtieth day of October now past at his residence in Fairfield aforesaid; and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard lived in the same house in which this deponent resided in Fairfield aforesaid a great number of years before his death; and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard was sick about twelve weeks before his death and at the time he made his declaration before Judge Wooster hereinunto annexed he was quite feeble so that he could not set up any great length of time and his memory appeared to be impaired in some degree by his feeble state of health; and this deponent further saith that the statement of the said Joseph Willard in the declaration hereinunto annexed of his revolutionary services is substantially the same as this deponent has always understood the said Joseph Willard when he this deponent has heard him converse about the same; but this deponent has frequently heard him give a more detailed relation of his service in the war- of the Revolution; than is contained in the declaration hereinunto annexed. and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard was quite indistinct in his recollection of the length of time he served in the Revolutionary war in each of the years 1780 & 1781 and he could not be positive of his serving more than seven months in each of said years but still he thought it might be a long time than he has stated in his declaration hereinunto annexed that he served in said war in each of said years 1780 & 1781 —

And this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard stated to this deponent frequently  said Judge Wooster at the time was drawing up the said declaration he recited among the following facts which are not embodied therein that is to say that while he the said Joseph Willard was in the service he saw Gen: Putnam at Margins La Fayette and that he had stood sentry at the house where Gen: Arnold quartered in Providence in the year 1777 and the said Joseph Willard also stated to said Judge Wooster where and in what year he was born where  and where had resided since the war of the Revo- -lution but the said Judge omitted to insert the same in the declaration he recited among and this deponent further saith that he has always been informed and he believes to be true that the said Joseph Willard was born on the twenty sixth day of June 1750 at Saybrook in the State of Connecticut and that he had a record of his age in his possession made by his father in his own hand writing and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard in his lifetime shewed the said record of his age to this deponent and said it was his father's hand writing and the same is in a Book now in the possession of this deponent and is in the words of figures following that is to say Joseph (Willard) born the 26 th of June 1750. And this deponent further saith that he was informed and believes to be true that the said Joseph Willard resided in Saybrook aforesaid during the war of the Revolution and that since the Revolutionary war he the said Joseph Willard resided in said Saybrook in the State of Connecticut and this deponent recollects that the said Joseph Willard resided several years in said Saybrook and that he then removed with his family to the Town of Fairfield in the County of Herkimer & State of New York

about the year 1795 according to the recollection of this deponent and that the said Joseph Willard resided in Fairfield in the said County of Harkness until his death — And this deponent further saith that he was present when the said declaration hereunto annexed was drawn up by the said Judge Wooster and this deponent is informed & believes that the same was transmitted by said Judge Wooster to the Hon: the Secretary of War & that the same was returned back with objections that the interrogatories prescribed by the war department are not fully answered but the same was not received on its return from the war department to the knowledge of this deponent until after the decease of the said Joseph Willard and this deponent believes that if the said declaration had been received before the death of the said Joseph Willard he could have answered more fully & perfectly to said interrogatories as to the matters therein required and this deponent further saith that he always understood the said Joseph Willard in his lifetime that when he enlisted into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war he enlisted as a volunteer and that he was drafted as set forth in his declaration hereunto annexed and this deponent further saith that he the said Joseph Willard at anytime did not receive any discharge in writing from the service as this deponent was informed & believes to be true and this deponent further saith that he believes that the said Joseph Willard did not know that Charles Rutland whose affidavit is hereunto annexed was living at the time he made the declaration hereunto annexed & that he had forgotten that Charles Rutland aforesaid served with him in the Revolutionary war and

this deponent further saith that he did not know until since the death of the said Joseph Willard that the said Charles Kirtland was in the service with him the said Joseph Willard in the war of the Revolution and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard stated at the time the said declaration hereunto annexed that he did not know of any person living by whom he could prove his said service and this deponent saith Richard Bushnell whose affidavit is hereto annexed suggested to this deponent since the death of said Joseph Willard that he had been informed and believed that the said Charles Kirtland was in the service with the said Joseph Willard & that the said Richard Bushnell has since procured the affidavit of the said Charles Kirtland hereto annexed and further this deponent saith that he knows of no other person living whose testimony can be procured who can testify to the services of the said Joseph Willard in the war of the Revolution further saith he —
Subscribed and sworn to this 12 th day of February 1833 in open Court.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
Charles Willard

State of New York County of Herkimer ss: Richard Bushnell of the Town of Fairfield in said County of Herkimer aged sixty four years and upwards being duly sworn doth upon his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Joseph Willard late of the said Town of Fairfield in said County deceased; that this deponent knew said Joseph Willard more than fifty years before his death; that this deponent was born in Saybrook in the State of Connecticut and was brought up and lived a near neighbor to the said Joseph Willard in said Town of Saybrook in the State of Con- -necticut; that about the Year 1793 he this deponent removed to Fairfield in the County of Herkimer State of New York and the said Joseph Willard also removed to said Town of Fairfield in Herkimer County & State of New- -York in the Year 1795 and lived a near neigh- -bor to this deponent in said Town of Fairfield until his death and this deponent further saith that for more than thirty years now last past he has heard the said Joseph Willard often speak of his services in the war of the Revolution and he always stated them as set forth in his declaration herewith annexed but more par- -ticularly than is set forth in said declaration herewith annexed and this deponent heard him frequently say that that he was in the Revolutionary service at Providence in Rhode Island as stated in the said declaration herewith annexed and also that he marched to the Hudson river in the Revolutionary service as he has stated in said declaration and this deponent further saith that he knew Capt John Chipman and that

2nd copy
Knew him when Command at the Fort in said Town of Saipbrook in the year 1780 as this deponent believes and this deponent further says he knew Capt Martin Kirkland well and knew him when Command at the Fort in Saip- brook aforesaid in the Year 1781; that this deponent was at said Fort when Capt. Kirkland Commanded there and this deponent further saith that he has read the declaration of the said Joseph Willard herunto annexed & that this deponent believes the same to be true as the same is in accordance with the relation that the said Joseph Willard uniformly gave of his Revolutionary services; and this deponent further saith that the said Joseph Willard died on the thirtieth day of October now last past after an illness of about twelve weeks and this deponent further saith that he has been informed and believes that the declaration herunto annexed was transmitted to the Hon: the Secretary of War & that the same was returned back with objections & this deponent further saith that the said declaration was not received on its return until after the decease of the said Joseph Willard and this deponent recollects that he had been informed that Charles Kitchland of Vernon in the County of Oneida in the State of New York was in the Revolutionary service with said Joseph Willard and this deponent went to said Charles Kitchland and he made & gave to this deponent his affidavit herunto annexed and this deponent further saith that he knows of no other person living whose testimony can be procured to prove

The Revolutionary services of the said Joseph Willard - and further this deponent saith not -
Subscribed and Richard Bushnell sworn this 12 th day of February 1833 in open Court
Julius C. Nelson Clerk County of Franklin ss: Charles Willard and Richard Bushnell of the Town of Fairfield in said County both being duly sworn do upon their oaths say that there is no clergyman residing in the Town of Fairfield aforesaid who knows that the said Joseph Willard aforesaid was reputed & esteemed in the neighborhood where he resided in said Town of Fairfield to have been a Revolutionary soldier and that they these deponents can both the resident neighbor of said Joseph Willard before his death and that they can testify to the veracity of the said Joseph Willard and that he was reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that these deponents never heard it disputed that they concur in that opinion -
Subscribed & sworn Charles Willard this 12 th day of February Richard Bushnell 1833 in open Court Julius C. Nelson Clerk

We Charles Willard residing in the Town of Fairfield in Britton County to and State of New York and Richard Bushnell also residing in the same place hereby certify that they were well acquainted with Joseph Willard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that see wherein him I have been Eighty two years of age at the time of his death that he is reputed and believed in the neighbor- -hood where he resided before & at the time of his death I have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in
that opinion -
Subscribed & sworn to this 12 th day of February 1833 in open Court
Julius T. Nelson Clerk
Charles Willard Richard Bushnell

State of New York County of Herkimer ss: Charles Willard and Richard Bushnell of the Town of Fairfield in said County of Herkimer both being duly sworn according to Law do upon their oaths say that the wife of the said Joseph Willard died nearly three years previous to his death and that he left no widow then surviving and these deponents further say that the said Joseph Willard deceased left the following named children then surviving that is to say; him the said Charles Willard; Mary the wife of the said Richard Bushnell; Anna the wife of William Griswold of said Town of Fairfield Rachael the widow of Simon Griswold deceased of Galen in Wayne County of the State of New York and Edward Willard of Adams in the County of Jefferson in said State and Abigail wife of Joshua Bushnell of Fairfield aforesaid and Joseph Willard Junior of Fairfield aforesaid; and that the said children above named after the said Joseph Willard deceased are the claimants of the pension of the said Joseph Willard deceased under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 & further say not subscribed and sworn to this 12 th day of February 1833 in open Court William C. Nelson Clerk
Charles Willard Richard Bushnell
* William C. Nelson 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 Joseph Willard now deceased an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 before his death was a Revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states and as  has proved by the affidavit of Charles Kirtland hereto annexed and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Charles Willard who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the Town of Fairfield in the County of Herkimer & State of New York and that Richard Bushnell who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and that the said Charles Willard & Richard Bushnell are highly credible persons & that their statement is entitled to full credit and belief and the Court further certifies that the said Charles Willard; Mary the wife of Richard Bushnell aforesaid Ann the wife of William Griswold Rachael Griswold the widow of Simon Griswold deceased, Edward Willard Asa wife of Joshua Bushnell and Joseph Willard junior are the children of the said Joseph Willard deceased him surviving and that

the said Children are claimants pursuant to the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 of the pension to which the said Joseph Willard was entitled under said Act of Congress before his death and the said Court further Certify that it appears that the said Joseph Willard died on the thirtieth day of October now last past and the said Court further Certify that in their opinion the said Children after said Joseph Willard deceased are entitled to the pension after said deceased up to the time of his death -
State of New York County of Herkimer ss. I, Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer State of New York do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Willard deceased in his lifetime and of his Children since his death as the claimants of the said deceased for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office Clerk of said Court this 12 th day of February in the year 1833 -
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Willard a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring 1776 6 weeks Pvt. John Lockran Conn.   Sept. 1777 6 weeks Elisha Chapman   Nov. 1777 5 mos Justin Buck John Ely   May 1780 7 mos. John Shipman Edward   May 1781 7 mos. Martin Kirtland Edward  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Saybrook Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 10. 1832 The cl. was at
Residence at date of application, Fairfield Harkness Co. N.Y. since 1793-
Age at date of application, born June 16. 1750 at Saybrook Co. Conn.
Remarks: _____
(died Oct. 30. 1832 at Fairfield, N.Y. Soldier's wife died nearly 3 years previous to his death. Her name is not stated. Children: Charles 47 years old & a res of Fairfield N.Y. in 1832. Mary wife of Richard Bushnell. Ann wife of William Griswold. Rachel widow of Simon Griswold. Edward. Azuba wife of Joshua Bushnell and Joseph Willard.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Revms ✓
6432 INVALID.
File No. 6432
Joseph Willard 18th Rev War
Act: June 1 st 32
Index:—Vol. 6 , Page 409
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 6. 1897 History to Mrs. George H. Smith 159 Main St. Camden N. York
1917 July 6 Hist. to James A. Phelps
1917 July 24 Hist. to C. B. Willard

159 Main St. Camden, N. H.
Department of the Interior Pension Bureau,
Will you search thro' the records of the Revolutionary soldiers of Massachusetts, for the name of Joseph Willard, who served as a surgeon's assistant thro' nearly the whole war. Any in- formation will be gladly received.
Mrs. George H. Smith. April 19. 1897.

JAMES ANDREW PHELPS GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH BUREAU 322 HANCOCK STREET
Rev. Sec Enc
BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 27 th 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
The enclosed correspondence is now forwarded to you, in the hope that you will kindly refer to the original application of the said Joseph Willard, and be able to state in what regiment and under what officers, his service in the Revolution was performed.
Yours sincerely
James Andrew Phelps H-20-1835.

JAMES ANDREW PHELPS GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH BUREAU 322 HANCOCK STREET
BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 5 th 1917.
Gen. McCain,
Dear Sir:-
In Volume 2, Pension Roll 1835, I find at page 325 Joseph Willard, Mar. 4 1831: died Oct. 30 1832. Connecticut Militia.
Available Connecticut records contain no account of this Revolutionary soldier.
I shall esteem it a favor, if you can refer to the original application for this pension, and inform me as to the Regiment, and Company Commander, in which and under whom he served.
This Willard family (of which I am a descendant) has had representatives in every War in this country, both Colonial and U.S.; and its junior members are at the present time actively in training at Plattsburg and Madison Barracks, in this state.
I deem it important to preserve complete records of service by all members of the family.
Yours sincerely
James Andrew Phelps.
4-20-1835.
SUN. AUG. JUN 8 1917

L. W. B. 6432. I.
Furnish the military Revolutionary soldiers whose widows were services. Original muster and pay Revolutionary War and the are now in the possession ment are on file in the Pension Office, War Depart- original rolls and other records to service in the Revolution- ar may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
May 6, 1897.
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY.
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Joseph Willard, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on September 10, 1832, at which time he was 82 years of age and residing at Fairfield, N. Y., and his pension was allowed for twenty-one months and twenty-four days' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Buck and Col. Ely. He enlisted at Seabrook, Conn.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. George H. Smith,
Camden, N. Y.
159 Main St.

Br. S. 7/22/17 All Souls Church
Universalist Watertown, N. Y.
Watertown, New York July 18, 1917
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the record of Joseph Willard, a pensioner of the Revolutionary war. He was born in Saybrook, Conn. June 26 1750, married in 1767 to Rachel Reves. He removed with his family to Fairfield, Herk. Co. N.Y. in March 1795. He died Oct 31, 1832. His wife died Nov. 22, 1829. His Post Office address may have been Fairfield, Middleville or Newport, as these villages are all within two or three miles of the tract of land he took up in Herk. Co.
Yours respectfully
Dr. E. S. Willard - Watertown, N.Y. (Dictated)
E. S. Willard

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Willard, Joseph GRADE Private LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 13884 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 5, 1792 To Michall Bryan, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.