Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15478, for Asahel Jacobs, Connecticut

SERVICE
Conn.
Jacobs, Asahel or Asahel
NUMBER
S. 15478
CONTENTS
carded

92563 Connecticut
Asahel Jacobs of Tolland Co in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the reg t commanded by Captain Dinker of the reg t commanded by Col l McEllen in the Connecticut line for 7 months
Nov 26 1834
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Oct r 1833 and John Howard
Arrears to the 1 st of Sept r 58.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 11.66 $69.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book C Vol. 7 Page 1

State of Connecticut } ss. Willington County of Tolland }
On this 18 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Tolland in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut, now sitting Asahel Jacobs a resident of Willington in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut aged sixty three years, who and 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated. That in the month of August 1782 - one William Anderson enlisted in a company of State Troops for one year and went into the service at New London sometime about the 1 st of February 1783. I went to New London and the said Anderson engaged me to take his place as a substitute & served out his time. I was accepted as a substitute for said Anderson, took his place & served out his time term of enlistment and served nearly seven months before I was discharged. I served the whole time at Fort Griswold in Groton in Capt. Benjamin Dyer's Company. Daniel Newton 1 st Lieut. Thomas Hodgkins 2 nd Lieut. or Ensign in Col. Samuel M c Clellain's Reg t . I was not discharged until sometime in September 1783. I have no other proof of my services except the depositions herewith transmitted.
In answer to the interrogatories put by the Court - I was born in Mansfield in said Tolland County April 6 th 1769. my Father moved to said Willington before the revolutionary war. I lived in said Willington when I entered the service & have lived there ever since and now live there. I entered the service as a substitute as above stated. I never received any written discharge. Capt. Latham commanded another company of the R. York and I do not recollect

any other officer, except what I have named herein - I am known to Daniel Glazier & Elisha Johnson Esqrs, both of said Willington who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier in the revolution - We hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Sworn to & Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Asahel Jacobs
We Daniel Glazier & Elisha Johnson - both residing in said Willington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asahel Jacobs, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty three 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, and that he is a man of truth and veracity -
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Daniel Glazier
Elisha Johnson
And the said Court do hereby declare, their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the court further certify that Daniel Glazier & Elisha Johnson who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the town of Willington in Tolland County and both are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. - And the Court further find that the deponents Frederick Chaffee and Thomas Knowlton whose depositions have been exhibited here in Court and are to accompany this declaration are also credible persons, and that their state- ments are entitled to credit. pass. by the Court Attest J. M. Howard Clerk

Joseph Howard Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Tolland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Asahel Jacobs of Willington in Tolland County for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Offin this 18 th day of August A D 1832
Jos. Howard Clerk
A true copy of record certified by Jos. Howard Clerk of Court of Probate - Tolland Dist.
Tolland Probate District County of Tolland
S. S. Tolland
I Jeremiah Parish Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the Probate District of Tolland do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Asahel Jacobs of Willington in said County of Tolland for a pension and that the seal affixed to the foregoing certificate of Joseph Howard Clerk Clerk of sd Court on the 18 th day of August A D 1832 then was the only seal used by said Court But since, a new seal has been procured & is now the only seal of sd Court used by sd Court to authenticate the proceedings thereof and is the only seal now used by said Probate Court in like cases -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed sd seal. July. 8 th 1833. Jeremiah Parish Judge

8576
Isaac Jacob Connecticut
from 1 February 1783. 7 months Return #23 33 / 100
[Faint, illegible handwriting or bleed-through]
Tolland C.A. M c Howard Clk Court Tolland City Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Lt. Lane 1883
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 by 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 Asahel Jacobs, Tolland Co. Connecticut
   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.     Sub 1783 Nearly 7 Capt Dunker Col McAllen Holland Brigham { Forthbrusied in Groton Willington Connecticut Traditional evidence 12 witnesses Papers not authenticated  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
1 Witness Not Credited as credible the official Character of the Magistrate Not Credited

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 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 he 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 such 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.
Nearly 7 months is not sufficiently specific.

15478 INVALID.
File No. 15478
Asheville Pa. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 191
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Fredk. Chaffee,
Dep.
for Asahel Jacobs

I Frederick Chaffee of Manchester in the County of Hartford and state of Connecticut being now sixty five years of age do testify and say - that on the 12th day of August 1782 my Brother Josiah Chaffee enlisted into a Company of State Troops for one year - I went and served a part of the time as a substitute for him - I marched with the company from Ashford the last of August to Fort Griswold New London where were stationed - The Company was commanded by Capt Benjamin Dyer - Daniel Knowlton 1st Lieut. and Thos. Hodgkin 2nd Lieut. or Ensign I served until some time in Dec. when I returned to Ashford where I then lived - my Brother Josiah then went and joined the Company and served until about the 1st of March when I went again and took his place. The company being then stationed at Fort Griswold - I then served until some time the fore part of June when I returned to Ashford and did not join the Company again - Mr. Asahel Jacobs of Willington was in the same Company with me at Fort Griswold - we messes together all the time I was there - I left him in the Company in June & allways supposed he served until the Company were discharged in August - I became intimately acquainted with the said Jacobs while at Fort Griswold. have occasionally seen him since & conversed with him - Mr. William Anderson of Willington was in our company in the fall of 1782 and left it in the Winter while I was absent and did not join it again and further saith not Dated at Vernon this 9th day of August, 1832 Frederick Chaffee

Tolland County: Mr. Vernon On this 9 th day of August 1832 Personally appeared Frederick Chaffe and made oath to the truth of the statements contained in the within deposition by him affidavited before me - Lebbeus P. Sinker Justice of Peace I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Frederick Chaffe, but from the best information I have obtained I do believe him to be a man of fair character for truth & veracity - & that his signature is in his own hand writing & that his statements is entitled to full credit - Lebbeus P. Sinker Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } County of Tolland } s.s. County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court do certify that Lebbeus P. Sinker Esq before whom the within deposition of Frederick Chaffe on the 9 th day of August 1832 was taken & executed then and still is a Justice of Peace within & for the County of Tolland legally authorized to administer oaths & take depositions - & that the signature of his name to the above certificate is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8 th day of July 1833
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

State of Connecticut,
Tolland County ss. July 30 th 1833-
I Asahel Jacobs of Willington in the County and State aforesaid, (in addition to my declaration to obtain a pension, made August 18 th 1832) do declare, testify and say. That the precise time I entered the service, and was discharged, I cannot at this late period ascertain - I am however perfectly sure that I served the full term of seven months - I received for my pay - a State order as it was called, for fourteen pounds - lawful money, being the amount of pay for seven months at forty shillings per month - I recollect distinctly of bringing the order home and giving it to my Mother. and that it was for fourteen pounds - I am sure that I entered the service as early as the 1 st of February, and I think sometime in January, and was not discharged until the last of September or the first part of October -
Asahel Jacobs
Tolland County ss. July 30 th 1833-
Personally appeared Asahel Jacobs, and made solemn oath that the above declaration or deposition by him subscribed, in my presence, contains the truth and nothing but the truth
Before me John, Fitch Justice of Peace -

State of Connecticut County of Tolland ss. County Clerk's office (Tolland)
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County do hereby certify that John Fitch Esq before whom the within affidavit of Asahel Jacobs on the 30th day of July 1833 was executed & sworn then was and still is a Justice of Peace within & for the County of Tolland & legally authorized to administer oaths & take depositions and that the signature to the within certificate purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Tolland this 15th day of August A D 1833
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

Thomas Purnow Wat., Sep d 11 Urard Jacobs.

I Thomas Hinckton of Willington in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut being now Sixty seven years of age, do testify and say - That on the 9 th day of August 1782 - I enlisted into a Company of State Troops - for one year, and was Stationed at New London and Groton in said State for the whole term - I further testify - That I have lived and resided in said Willington for the last twenty four years - That soon after I removed to said Willington, I became acquainted with a man by the name of Asahel Jacobs - of said Willington, and said Jacobs then recognized me as being in the service with him - at Fort Griswold in Groton Connecticut in the revolutionary war - I had a recollection of a young man by the name of Jacobs or boy being there as a substitute for some one. I cannot tell who - and the first time I saw him in said Willington I took him to be the same person - By conversing with him and his relating circumstances, which he could not have otherwise known - I soon became well satisfied that he was the same person and have no doubt of the fact - I have conversed with said Jacobs a number of times

on the subject - long before there was any law for obtaining pensions - I further testify that there was a man in said Company by the name of William Anderson and I served with him two or three months at Fort Tumbull - But whether the said Jacobs was a substitute for him or some other person I cannot now say -
I have the original enlistment order in my possession and the name of William Anderson is on the same. Having enlisted the 12 th day of August 1782 -
The Company we were in was commanded by Capt Benjamin Duer. Daniel Morrowton 1 st Lieut and Thomas Hodgkins 2 nd Lieut or Ensign -
and further saith not -
Dated at Winsted the 3 rd day of August 1832 Thomas Morrowton State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss Winsted Aug. 3 rd 1832. Personally appeared Mr Thomas Morrowton & made solemn oath that the within & foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth before me John Litch Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the character of Mr Morrowton, that he is a man of truth & that his testimony is entitled to full credit - John Litch Justice of Peace

Tolland County Court S.S. Tolland
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County do hereby certify that John Fitch Esq before whom the within deposition of Thomas Knowlton on the 3rd day of August 1832 was taken & sworn was a Justice of Peace in & for Tolland County legally appointed and authorized to take Depositions & administer oaths also that Libanus D. Tinker Esq before whom the accompanying deposition of Frederick Chaffee on the 9th day of August 1832 was sworn, at that time was & still is a Justice of Peace within & for sd Tolland County legally appointed & authorized to administer oaths and take depositions — and the signatures to the  certificates which accompany sd Depositions & purport to be the signatures of sd Justices Fitch & Tinker are both genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 20th day of September
1832
J Jeremiah Parish Clerk