Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40704, Joseph Williams, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
NUMBER
Williams, Joseph
S. 40704
CONTENTS
[Faint handwritten scribbles and a large X mark across the center of the page]

14. 444 Pennsylvania
Joseph Williams
of Watsford in the state of Pa
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sherborne of the Conn e, for the term of three years
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th of Sep: 1818 , and sent to David Demick Esq r
Montrose Pa
Arrears to 4th of Sep: 1819 $ 132. 53
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Mar: 1820  48.
16 mo: 7/30. $ 180 53
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Thicker from Rose. July 19. 1820 notif n sent to C. Lathrop Esq. New London Conn,

All is corrected, and the Claimant found on Roll.
Admitted
Joseph Williams
Certificate Private Col Sherburne Regt 1777-3 years
The line should be stated. The deposition of Witnesses instead of one as forwarded (certified by the Judge to be credible) is necessary in corroboration of the declaration or shewing Gen d or continental establishm t . Lst The Judge is satisfied of the reduced circumstances of the applicant his certificate to that effect should be annexed. Admitted

DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Susquehanna County, ss.
On this Eighteenth day of April 181 8 , before me the subscriber, one of the Associate Judges for the said county, personally appears Joseph Williams aged Fifty  Six years, resident in Waterford in the said county, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That the said Joseph Williams enlisted in Groton in the state of Connecticut in 1776 for one year in the company commanded by Captain Simon Horton & Col. Lippel of the New York service and entered for three years in Col. John Stantons  Comp y Col. Sherbornes Reg t .
that he continued to serve in the said corps, in the service of the United States until the 14 th of April  1780 , when he was discharged from service in Monmouth in the state of New Jersey that he was in the battle of White Plains & Newport & Rhode Island ,
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Dennis Dineen
I, Dennis Dineen Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Joseph Williams did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
April 18 th 1818
1818
Dennis Dineen
I do certify that it is proven to my satisfaction that Joseph Williams the above applicant is in reduced circumstances and needs assistance from his country for his support.
Dennis Dineen

Pennsylvania Susquehanna county ss
I Jabez Hyde Jr Prothonotary of the court of common Pleas for the county aforesaid do certify that Davis Dimock Esquire is and was at the time of taking and signing the within certificate one of the Associate Judges of the court of common Pleas for the county of Susquehanna and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds as such and that his signature is of his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of the said court at Montour the third day of August A.D. 1818
Jabez Hyde Jr Prothon

Joseph Williams
Connecticut
to the Clerk
14.4.41
on. P. m. a
Roe
W. H. H. H.
Yours

State and District of Connecticut, ss.
ON this 26th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court holden at New-London within and for the County of New-London in said State, on the 26th day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, Joseph Williams aged sixty two years, resident in the town of Groton in said County in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: That he the said as a private soldier enlisted for the term of on the day of in the year in the State of in the company commanded by Captain Amos Hutton in the regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Sherburne in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said corps until when he was discharged from the said service in in the state of
That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818, as nearly as he can recollect, having no minutes, on the 18th day of April 1818; and had transmitted to him a certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, No. dated the 6th day of September 1818, & is numbered 4 was enrolled on the pension list No. of Pennsylvania Army, he being at the time of obtaining his certificate, resident in the State of Pennsylvania. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War;" and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
That I am by occupation a laborer and have no means of supporting myself, excepting by bodily labor which I am unable to perform, by reason of infirmity - I have no family at present and am very infirm, my shoulder broke to pieces & have had two severe shocks of the palsy - Schedule the div - 15 acres of land worth about $100.00 & which land I rent for five bushels of corn per acre which is all the income I have - Also I have left of my pension money which I last drew - about thirty dollars but owe to more than that amount for sickness & necessary expenses - 30.00 $130.00
Joseph Williams
Signed Sworn to and declared on the 26th day of June 1820
I, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New-London County, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is one hundred & thirty dollars and cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 26th day of June 1820
Charles Lathrop Clerk

Richard Burns affidavit for Joseph Williams

Sus que ha una County Jo.
Personally appeared before me David Comstock one of the associate judges in and for the County aforesaid Jeremiah Barnes who being lay me first duly sworn - according to law deposeth and saith - that he knows Joseph Williams and knows that he was a sergeant in Captain Thomas Harkness's Company Colonel Harkness Harkness's Regt. and he knows that the said two years in that corps - and further the deponent saith not
Jeremiah Barnes
Sworn and Subscribed
before me this 20 th 1818.
as witness my hand and seal
David Comstock
I do certify that the above deponent is credible - D Comstock

40704
Rev INVALID.
File No. No. 704
Joseph Williams Pr. Rev. J. W.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 567
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To his Excellency -
J. C. Calhoun Esquire - Secretary of the department of War. City of Washington
Montrose 2 July 20
Admitted
PPS 1838

Sir
Montrav July 14 - 1819
Within this holding you will see a letter directed to me by Elias Morgan mentioning the wish of Mr Joseph Williams to have his pension of the Connecticut agency &c Mr Williams, has removed from this since he applied to me & you see fit to grant his request I should suppose it would be a favor to him yours &c B. Cornade
Dear Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst.

David Derrick Esq. Bridgewater Pennsylvania

I certify that I am acquainted with Joseph Williams who is now about Sixty two years old of Groton New London County and State of Connecticut who has resided in Pennsylvania several years last past and knew of his Intisting in to the Continental army in a Compy commanded by Capt. John Ellis some time in the month of April 1777 before Capt. Ellis left the army the same year In the month of Oct r I believe and Capt. Amer. Stanton took command of the company, the Compy was in a Reg t commanded by Col o Henry Sherburne one of the sixteen Additional Battalions ordered by Congress to be raised I always understood that he Intisted for three years he served in the Reg t till April 1780. I believe I was Discharged before he was do not recollect his being discharged while I was in the Reg t Believe he was Honorably Discharged The Reg t was in a Brigade commanded by Gen t James M c Varrum Brigade Gen t
Ebenezer Morgan
I further Declare that I served in the above mentioned Compy as a Sgt t the term above Discribed and that Joseph Williams who has applied to me for this Disposition is the same man who served in the above Discribed Compy y
Ebenezer Morgan
State of Connecticut City of Norwich July 2 d 1819
Personally appeared before me the subscriber Mayor of the City of Norwich & presiding Judge of the City Court Ebenezer Morgan Esq o of Groton in New London County to me personally known to be a very respectable & credible Man & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed Before me Calvin Goodland Mayor of Norwich City Ct

Wag
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

9926 Connecticut
Joseph Williams of New London in the State of Connecticut who was a Pri. of War in the Conn. commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg. commanded by _____ in the Conn. Militia time for guards & etc. Maine
7 mo 12 1835 { the Jan 12 1835 see Agency Brokers and Navy
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of $ 6 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 - day of June 1833 and sent Claimant Norwich, Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 7.32 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 4. 33. 18.32
$91.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. D. Dillworth Clerk
Vol. 3 Page 46

Joseph Williams 24057

State of Connecticut. New London County City of Norwich. ss. On this 20 th day of July A 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the City Court of the City of Norwich now in session in & for said City of Norwich, in said New London County, Joseph Williams, a resident of the town of Montville, in said County; aged ninety years!!! who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following de- claration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That that I was born in Lyme, in the County of New London in June A. 1742. That I lived in that part of the town of New London, now called Montville (then called the North Par- ish of New London) when I enlisted  that I enlisted went into the service in the Militia of Connecticut, to New London. Some time before New London was burnt by the traitor Arnold - That I was there in the year 1781 when New London was in flames, recollect perfectly seeing the houses & other buildings falling under the flames. That I was in the service, at New London, two months & returned home. I remem- ber that Benjamin Bradford & Peter Bradford both of the same town with myself.
1781

and also James Chapel of the same town were drafted with me & that we went to New London together to join our Company Our Captain Belonged to the town of New London as well as myself.
That we were in no battle & cannot recollect the names of any Continental officers in the service at New London if any there were - Our service was generally to guard the shore & constantly looking out for the enemy's vessels & most of the time we were on guard service. Part of the time we served as guard to the Powder house or magazine on the hill west of the town of New London - From which hill we could see the harbor & Islands - I recollect that the name of our Sergeant was Nathaniel Vibber, who acted as sergeant of the Guard: but by reason of my great age Cannot relate many particulars -
That I again went into the service of the United States, on board the Ship Providence, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island: commanded by Abraham Whipple, called

"Commodore Whipple": That I enlisted on board said Ship Providence, together with Joshua Maples, formerly of the same town with myself, now of Bograh, that we enlisted as marines under one Woodworth; who was sergeant of marines on board said Ship Providence: That we marched on foot to Providence: Sergeant Woodworth & Joshua Maples & myself with some others, (amongst whom I also Jonathan Maples) went together to Providence: The Ship lay down the river & we went aboard the next day - We lay there a month or more before we could get out on account of Enemy's Ships & finally went out thro' the enemy's Ships & were much damaged in our rigging, by the enemy's firing upon us as we were going out to sea - That we arrived in France - Staid there some time - repaired our rigging - think we staid in France 2 or 3 months & then returned to Boston - we had a large quantity of Cloathing for the troops. from France and other articles to car- ry on the war against the British, for our cargo home

I think I was on this service on board the Ship Providence at least nine months - but have no document or writing to ascertain the time, but must Refer to the public documents (if any there are remain- ing) concerning this voyage - That there is no man living to my know- ledge, who was in the service or can testify to the facts of my service, at all, except Solomon Maples, who is living & I suppose to be eighty years old as I supposed him to be ten years younger than myself. That there is no record of my age, to my knowledge. But I have no doubt of my being ninety years old the in June 183 of this year - That I have lived, ever since the war of the Revolution, in said town Montville, which was formerly part of New London.

That I have no recollection of the names of officers on Board the Ship Providence, except Capt Whipple Sergeant Woodworth, & Capt Pitcher of the Marines - That I have no documentary evidence & don't recollect ever having a written discharge but served out the time of my draft & enlistment & was regularly dismissed from service -
That I am known in my neighborhood to Joshua Maples, who was in the service with me - Also to William Duck of Montville who can testify to my character for veracity, & their belief of my services in the Revolutionary War (Declaration continued on next page)
We Joshua Maples & Williams Duck both of Montville in New London County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Williams of Montville who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Ninety years of age: That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court Joshua Maples William Duck Attest Alex Lathrop Clerk

That our clergymen has been with us not more than three months & of course his testimony could be of no service to me, as he is an entire stranger to me -
He hereby relinquishes every  all claims whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state whatever. Sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid, in open court
Attest Alex Lathrop clerk } Joseph Williams his mark

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served (as he states) as a soldier & mariner on board Ship Providence. — And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joshua Maples & William Buck who signed the preceding certificate are residents the first named in Bozrah & the other in Montville and are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit. I Alexander Lathrop Clerk of the City
Court of the city of Norwich. Do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original procee- dings of the same Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Williams for a pension. In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & seal of office this 20 th day of July 1832. Alex Lathrop Clerk

Application of
Joseph Williams
aged 90 years
for pension
20 th July 1832
N o 1399.

I Joseph Maple State of Montville now of Bozrah in the County of Newhampshire & State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify & say that I served in the Revolutionary war on board the Frigate Providence of Prov- idence commanded by Abraham Whipple called Commodore Whipple of Providence that I enlisted on board said Ship Providence together with Joseph Williams now of Montville aforesaid, who has made appli- cation for a pension. That we enlisted together on board said ship as marines under one Wood- worth: who was lieutenant sergeant of marines on board said Ship - That we marched on foot to Providence lieutenant Sergeant Woodworth Joseph Williams & myself with others whose names I have forgotten went together. The ship lay down the River & we went on board soon after we ar- rived at Providence. We lay about four weeks before we could go out as the enemy's ships were there & we final- ly passed thro the ships much damaged in our rigging by the enemy, firing upon us - We arrived in France & continued there some time I should

think 2 or 3 months, & then after repair- ing our rigging & taking in our loading Returned to Boston - we had on board clothing for the troops & other articles to carry on the war against England - the the said Joseph Williams & myself served on board said ship Providence
Nine — months - That I was a sergeant of marines on board I have received my pension Certificate & that said Williams served for the same time grace ly on myself.
I further saith not
Joshua Maples
Newbern County ss Bozrah March 22-1833. Before me the subscribed a justice of the peace in & for said county personally appeared the above named Deponent & made oath to the truth of the same & said Maples is a person of good character for truth William Kelley Justice of the peace

State of Connecticut City of Norwich April 15. 1833
I hereby Certify that the within papers were connected together under seal by me Alex Lathrop Clerk
Norwich 15 April 1833
And I further Certify that the within named William Kelley is a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London and that the within signature of his name is in his own proper handwriting Alex Lathrop Clerk

No. 24657
Joseph Williams New London County Connecticut.
Admitted
9 mo Marine
2 " Private Infantry
20.00
6.66
$36.66
Joseph Williams Norwich, New- London County Connecticut
R.W.W.

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 subjoined 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. Those 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 Williams New London 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.     Served 1781. - 2 - private Sergt Vibber 90 years New London County Connecticut Traditional evidence, witnesses Certified credible, no clergyman Sufficiently acquainted to certify - one living witness not certified credible - papers correctly attached -   Served Enlisted } - 9 - Marine Sergt Providence, Com- Modore Whipple,  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

Rev. & 1813 Wars Section.
Nov. 12, 1925.
Mrs. John F. Slater, 963 Maple Ave. Schenectady, N. Y.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14868 , it appears that Joseph Williams was born in June 1742, at Lyme, Connecticut.
While living in the North Parish of New London, Connecticut, ( which was later called Montville ) he enlisted in 1781 and served two months under Sergeant Nathaniel Vibber on guard duty at New London and was there when the town was burned.
He entered as a Marine on the U. S. Ship "Providence", Abraham Whipple, Commodore, and served about nine months, dates not stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 20, 1832, while living at Montville, Connecticut. He died January 12, 1835, place not stated.
There is no data on file as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

War Department Pension Office November 6 th 1832
Sir.
The evidence in support of the claims of Joseph Williams and Dixwell Southrop to Pensions under the act of 7 th June 1832 has been examined.
If Mr Maples who testifies to the traditional evidence that Mr Williams was a Soldier of the Revolution is the individual with whom he served on board the Providence frigate it is very extraordinary that he was not called on to give direct testimony in support of that service. It seems an individual by that name is alive who can testify to the service, and as the best evidence is required his testimony must be adduced in detail in support of the declaration. The papers in this case are not connected together

as are required by the rules of this Department and are herewith returned.
Mr Lathrop declares that he served two years and six months in the Militia of New London in which town he resided when he went into the service. The facts contained in this Statement are not sufficient to entitle the claimant to a pension. Militia service does not come within the act unless it be actual service in an embodied corps called out by the proper authority. Mr Lathrop's claim is destitute of proof on these points which is indispensable to its allowance. These papers are not properly connected together and are likewise returned.
I am Respectfully Your Ob t Servt
J. L. Edwards
Joseph Williams Esq. Norwich Maine

Ms. A. 9. 2. 26 6. 24855-4 To the War Department. J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of pension Washington

State of Conn. Norwich April 17, 1833
Ed Edwards Esq
Sir. I have the honor to enclose to you the papers in the case of Joseph Williams, of Montville for a pension — It was entirely by mistake in the great hurry of business in Court that Mr Maple's deposition was taken at length — Mr Maple & Williams both entered together served together & were discharged together from the Ship Providence Com d Whipple. Maple is a rich man & has his pension — Williams is a very poor old, helpless man, supported by Charity, a very temperate respectable looking old man — his locks as white as snow —
He was sorely grieved when he heard Maple had & he had not a pension —
I leave his case with you hoping you judge him within the law
Yours respectfully Joseph Williams
Tho' of the same name he is not the most distant connection

14868 INVALID.
Rev War
Passport No. 120. Visit to Genl. John H. Clarke
File No. 14.868 Joseph Williams Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 413
[Arrangement of 1870.]

963 Maple Avenue, Schenectady, N.Y. October Fourteenth, Nineteen Hundred Twenty-five.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I am anxious to secure information concerning my great grandfather, Joseph Williams who served in the Revolutionary War.
According to a certificate, issued July 9th, 1925, by the State of Connecticut, Adjutant General's Office, is as follows: Joseph Williams received town bounty from Groton for military service 1777-1779.
Connecticut pensioner in 1832 residing in New London County.
I am very desirous of securing this information so that I may join the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Will you be good enough to have this matter looked up in your records, and give me any information concerning Joseph Williams which you may have? I shall appreciate the favor very greatly. I beg to remain,
Most respectfully yours,
(Mrs. John F.)
Jessie Williams Slater