Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9,952, for Joseph Spalding, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Spalding Joseph
P 9,952
CONTENTS

No 2.547-

Commonwealth of Penn a
Bradford County ss
On this twenty fourth day of August A D 1832 - personally appeared before me the Subscribed Pres- Judge of the Court in said County, Joseph Spalding, a resident of the Township of Athens, County State aforesaid, Age eighty four 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 th 1832. That in April 1775 he marched under the command of Col. John Douglass to Roxbury by the way of Providence and after continuing there some time returned home to Plainfield. Windham County State of Connecticut, But was soon called out again when Gen. Washington was preparing to attack Boston, proceeded by Providence & so to Join the Forces near Boston, where he continued there a few months under the Com- mand of Col. Douglass, when after General Howe had sailed from Boston, he returned home - In the Spring or Summer of 1776 the Militia were again called upon to march to New York, and being either Ensign or Lieutenant at the time he marched by Holland, New Haven, Stratford Stamford & so to West-Chester where he was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Douglass and Thinks in Gen l Spencer's Brigade, he continued there and at Kingsbridge until the next fall when he was taken sick and returned home, Deponent further states that after having been home about six weeks as nearly as he can recollect, he was called out, and marched in the Company commanded by Capt. Andrew Backus, to Point Judith in Rhode Island by Providence, to watch the motions of the British Shipping and continued there about four months, In 1778 was called out an Alarm and marched by Norwich, Canterbury & so to New London where he continued most of the time in the Fort for some more than three months, That at several other times he was called out on alarm, That he had a Captain's Commission during the latter part of the War, and those of an Ensign and Lieutenant previous which Commissions, except the Captain's, are now lost or mislaid, That he has no doc- umentary evidence of his services in the Revolutionary War, and says that he does not know of any person living who can attest to them excepting Mr. John Pierce who is now a resident of the aforesaid Township of Athens - And further that he was born in the Town of Plainfield in Windham County and State of Connecticut, in May 1745, That his age is recorded in the Office of the Town Clerk in Plainfield, that he once took a copy therefrom which is now mislaid - But full confident as to

the month and year. After the close of the Revolutionary war He declares that he continued in the Town of Mainpelt till 1786 when he moved to Sheshequin in Bradford County where he continued four years, when he moved to Athens Township aforesaid where he has continued ever since except from 1809 to 1816 when he resided in the Township of Bath County of Steuben and State of N. York - And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any state - Also that the whole time he served exceeded Captain's years Sworn to and subscribed the day and Joseph Spalding year aforesaid before me. E. Herrick Pres. hdy
We David Paine and Abner Murray of Athens, County of Br and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that we are, and have been for a long time, well acquainted with Joseph Spalding, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty seven 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 have had many conversations with him in years past respecting his services in the Revolutionary war and cheerfully concur in the belief that he did serve therein - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me E. Herrick Pres. hdy David Paine Abner Murray
Commonwealth of Penna. Bradford County ss - I do hereby declare it is my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War De- partment, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and lived as he states. and I further certify that it appears to me,

that David Paine & Alvan Murray who signed the preceding certificate, are residents of Athens Township County of Bradford State aforesaid, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that the applicant is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity and that he submis- sed to a full examination before me — August 24 th 1832 E. Herrick Pres. Judge
Compts of Penna Bradford County
I James P. Bruce Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County do certify that E. Herrick before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is President Judge of the 13 th Judicial District in the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & believe the above signatures for purporting to be his to be genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this 27 th day of August AD 1832
for J. Bruce Prothy E. G. Goodrich Supt

I, John Peirce formerly of the township of Plainfield Windham County and state of Connecticut now residing in the township of Athens Bradford County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being now in the 79th year of my age. Do testify and say that at the commencement of the revolutionary war I was a right neighbor and intimately acquainted with Capt Joseph Spalding then a resident of the township of Plainfield Windham County and state of Connecticut. That immediately on the alarm of the battle at Lexington the 19th of April 1775 he having a command in a company of Militia either in Ensign or Lieutenant marched for Roxbury and remained there in the same brigade I was attached to for a considerable length of time. And I also say that in the spring or summer of 1776 he marched again to the state of New York and was in the brigade to which I belonged which I think was commanded by Gen. Spencer and rendezvoused at West Chester and Hingsbridge and that he remained in the service until the next Autumn.
And I also had satisfactory evidence of his town in an expedition to Point Judith thence after the year 1776 but the year I disremember this tour was in the state of Rhode Island. And I am also confident

That his term of services in all his town that I was acquainted with amounted in the whole to more than twelve months and that in the latter part of his services he was captain of a company of militia
John Pierce
Personally appeared before me the subscriber President Judge, John Pierce, personally known to me to be the same who signed the above affidavit, and made oath that the facts therein stated are just and true. Sworn Subscribed this 5 July 1832
E. Herrick Pres. Judge
13. L. D. Dist.
Commonwealth of Penna Bradford County ss
I James P. Bull Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County do certify that E. Herrick whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is a sworn at the date thereof President Judge of the 13 th Judicial district in the State of Pennsylvania and that full faith & & credit are due to all his official acts as such. And I do further certify that I am ac- quainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & believe the above purporting to be his to be gen- uine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 13 th day of July A.D. 1832
For J. P. Bull Prothonotary E. S. Goodrich dep.
3

Commonwealth of Pa.
Bradford County ss. I certify that John Pierce who testified before me the 5 July 1832 as to the affairs of Joseph Spalding an applicant for a pension was at that time and now is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit - and furthermore that since the application of the said Joseph Spalding for a pension he suddenly died.
April 15. 1833 -
E. H. Munk Pres. Judge

State of Pennsylvania } Bradford County } 3
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Bradford, John Pierce of Athens Township in said County, to me well known as a person of credibility, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with the services of Joseph Spalding in the Revolutionary War in the years 1775 & 1776, that by reason of old age, being now 79 years old, and consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of time; but according to his best recollection and impression of mind, Joseph Spalding served in 1775 as a Ensign and in 1776 he had a lieutenants Commission and that in his two tours he had at Roxbury in 1775 and winter of 1776 he served ten months, and in the summer and fall of 1776 he served at Westchester & Kingsbridge at least five months, said Deponent declares that he well recollects that himself and said Spalding were there in harvest time and that late in the fall when the weather was very cold, they were, both of them together with some others who were sick, put in a Wagon and carried out of the way a distance of fourteen miles when the Enemy came out from Frogg Point, from these circumstances he says he is confident as to the time that it could not be less than five months — and that he does know from undoubted authority that the said Joseph Spalding served a tour at Point Judith in Rhode Island the length of which he does not know as he was not with him, but from the nature of the situation at that time he could not estimate it less than three months — And that he has frequently been informed by said Joseph Spalding and by others that Spalding was many times called out on Alarms particularly at the burning of Newtonson and Danbury, & that in his last tour he had a Captains Commission, & from the exposed situation of the County, frequent Alarms and depredations of the Enemy he should think it reasonable to suppose that

all the services of the said Joseph Spalding during the revolutionary war amounted to full two years or more That the said Joseph Spalding in the month of August last Made a declaration before the Hon: Edward Kenrick Judge of the Court in said County in order to obtain a pension, which declaration has been returned, with an objection as to the precise length of time of service and the different grades of service, that said Spalding is since dead and deponent knows of no other person who can identify the time or grades — That the said Joseph Spalding has left a widow in needy circumstances and that it is for her benefit that she makes this affidavit —
Sworn & Subscribed this 15 th day of April A.D. 1833 by me Chas. Comstock Justice
John Peirce
Bradford County ss I James P. Bull, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that Charles Comstock, before whom the above affidavit purports to have been made, was at the date thereof, recognized in the Court as a duly qualified Justice of the Peace; & that I am acquainted with his signature and believe the above to be genuine Witness my hand & official seal this 22 nd day of April A.D. 1833.
J. P. Bull

9952
2541 Joseph Spalding Penny Ln
ref to the E. or part of attestation of correspondence 1785-1790.
Proof of free status in or before 1790 required for completion.

State of Pennsylvania } Bradford County } ss.
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bradford, Joseph Kinney to me well known as a person of credibility, who being duly sworn to do so, deposed and said that he formerly was a duly authorized Justice of the peace in the aforesaid State of Pennsylvania and that whilst acting as such Joseph Spalding of the Township of Athens in said County of Bradford late an applicant for a Pension but now deceased was married to him the said Joseph Kinney to the widow Anne Margaret Snell who is now the widow of the said Joseph Spalding deceased. — That it is a long time since the said deponent had acted as a Justice of the peace & that the record of the marriage is mislaid or lost or destroyed But that the fact is fresh in his memory.
Sworn to before me this 19 th day of March 1831
Joseph Kinney
Chas. C. Cushman ss 3

State of Pennsylvania } Bradford County } ss.
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Bradford aforesaid Almon Murray & David Paine to me well known as persons of credibility, who being duly sworn according to law do depose and declare that they were well acquainted with Joseph Spalding of Athens Township in said Coun- ty an Applicant for a Pension & that he died in said Township on the thirtieth day of August A.D. 1832. And they do further depose & say that they are acquainted with Ann Margaret the widow of the aforesaid Joseph Spalding, that she is still living as his widow residing in the aforesaid Township of Athens
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 18 th day of April 1835 Chas. Comstock J.P.
Almon Murray David Paine
State of Pennsylvania } Bradford County } ss.
J. P. Bull Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify that Charles Comstock before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is and was at the time said proceedings were had an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bradford, that his commission is dated May 6-1826. And further that I am well acquaint- -ed with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace, and believe the above signature of Chas Comstock is genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of May A.D. 1835 -
J. P. Bull Pro. By Silas Noble Dept.

State of Pennsylvania Bradford County
I personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bradford John Pierce of Athens Township in said County, who being duly sworn doth depose and say that, in relation to the services of Joseph Spalding in the Revolutionary War, all that he can state in addition to the affidavits made by him on the 5 th July 1832 and 15 th of April 1833 is that at the commencement of the war the said Joseph Spalding was an Ensign, & served in that capacity at Roxbury in 1775, which as he before stated from the best of his recollection he thinks was ten months that in 1776 he served as Lieutenant & when he received the Commission of Capt. & what duty he did whilst a Captain he does not know, excepting in the year 1781, when he did duty in several places particularly at New London & New Haven, which service he has no doubt said Spalding performed as he was a nigh neighbor & it was so represented at the time -
Sworn & subscribed before me this 2 nd day of Dec r . 1833
Chas. Conestock J.P.
John Pierce

J. L. M. Rev. War Section.
May 16, 1916.
Mrs. F. Maxwell Long, Troy, Pennsylvania.
Madam:-
In response to your letter dated the twelfth instant, you are advised that is alleged in the papers in the claim R. F. No. 9,952 that Joseph Spalding was born in May 1745, at Plainfield Connecticut, and while residing there enlisted and served as follows:
In April 1775 , marched to Roxbury under command of Colonel John Douglass, and after continuing there some time returned to Plainfield, but was soon called out again to join the forces near Boston, where he continued three or four months under the command of Colonel Douglass.
In the spring or summer of 1776, he was called upon again being either Ensign or Lieutenant at the time, he marched to Westchester and was attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Douglass, in General Spencer's Brigade, served until the following autumn.
After this he was called out in Captain Andrew Backus' Company, and went to Point Judith Rhode Island, served four or five months. In 1778 he was out on an alarm at New London, served three months. On May 19, 1780, he was commissioned Captain of the Fourth Com-

pany of the inband in the 21" Connecticut Regiment, but it is not stated whether he rendered active service as a Captain.
He married Anne Margaret Snell, a widow (date not given) and died August 30, 1832 in Athens Township, Bradford County Pennsylvania. She applied for pension due on account of the services of her husband, but failed to furnish proof of service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which application was made, and the claim was not allowed.
In 1780 soldier was referred to as Joseph Spalding Jr.
Very respectfully,
J. M. Batchelder Commissioner.
Spalding (2)

MATTHEW GRISWOLD, ESQUIRE, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the STATE of CONNECTICUT, in AMERICA.
To
Joseph I. Trumbull Esq r
GENT. GREETING.
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Captain of the fourth Company of Trainband in the 21 st Regiment in this State
reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I DO by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge as their Captain carefully and diligently to discharge that Office and Trust, exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Captain and you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Public Seal of this State, at Stafford the 10 th Day of May A. D. 1780.
By His Excellency's Command
George Wyllys
Secretary.
Matthew Griswold

1916 May 16 First to Mrs. F. M. Long
1925 Sept. 15. Hist to Mrs. Eugene Spalding. awd.
9959.
P. O.
John Spalding
Service:
Joseph
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspensions
Alleges: "Suspended for further proof"
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Rev May 12 th Groy Penna Pension Office - Will you please send me pension and Military record of Joseph Spalding Jr. from State of Conn. War of American Revolution. And oblige Mrs. F. Maywell Long. Groy Pennsylvania

Joseph Spalding Pennsylvania.
Suspended
See letter 18 th Nov 1837 to S. Spalding do. 17
Jan 1838. same 11 th Febuary 1841
" Hon: S. B. Leonard Feb 16. 1841,
same enclosing copies of papers, Mar 16. 1841

Wm. S. Glenard
Mar. 16. 1841.
Ob.

Pension Office, March 16. 1841
Sir,
In compliance with your request I herewith enclose certified copies of the papers in the case of Joseph Spalding dec'd.
Hon. S. B. Leonard Owego, N. York.

War Dept. P. M. Office Nov 18. 1837
Sir,
The papers in the cause of the widow of Joseph Spalding who claims under act of June 1832, have been up & filed with suspended cause. If he served as alleged proof of the same can probably be obtained on application being made to W m Field & S eq -Comptroller of Public Accounts at Hartford Connecticut. The company & organization in which he served in each term should be particularly specified and proved by the testimony of other witnesses in addition to that of John Pierce. The date of the Captains commission

has been altered for in the year from 1785 to 1780, on which account the claim should have been rejected when first exhibited.
D. Spalding Nov 18. 1837 Pa
D. Spalding Esq Milltown. Pa

War Dept. P.M. Office Jan 17, 1888
Sir
I herewith return the letter to you from Mr. Field. Esq. Comptroller at Hartford Co. and have to inform you that it does not clearly appear from the declaration of Joseph Shalchis, d.d. in what companies and Regiments he served in all his alleged tours . It is alleged that he served at Roxbury in 1775 as an Ensign under Col. Douglass; that in the fall of 1775 or Spring of 1776 he marched under Capt. Andrew Backus to Point Judith. In 1778, was called out on an alarm and marched to Norwich, and that at several other times was called out on alarms, officers names not given. It is stated that he served as an Ensign, Lieutenant & Captain. His Captain's commission is exhibited, signed by Matthew Griswold, in which he is appointed Captain

of the 4 th company of Maryland in the 21 st Regt. His services were altogether in the militia. It would be well to refer the computation to the year 1785- for date of appointment as captain.
V. Albrecht Jan. 19 th 1888 Pa
S. Spalding Esq Hillsboro Pa

S. Spalding Feb 11. 1841 O.C.

Pension Office, Feb 11. 1841
Sir,
In the case of Joseph Spalding dec d whose papers you were wish to withdraw from the files of the office, I have to inform you that it cannot be permitted, consistently with our rules.
S. Spalding, Esq Athens Penn a

Feb 12 1841.
Miss L. L. L.
Edward D. B.
Hon. J. L. Edward Bureau Office Washington

Ho. of Reps.
Feb. 10. '41.
Dear Sir,
The enclosed letter came to hand this morning. — Will you have the goodness to examine it, & let me hear from you upon the subject? —
Very respectfully,
Y. ob. ser —
J. B. Leonard
Hon. J. L. Edwards

John W. Foster 24th July 45 get traps 11th Feb 46
1834 14
L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

Milltown in Athens
Bradford Co: Pa
Febr: 2, 1841
Sir
Not far from the time Your Communica- tion of January, 1838, came to hand Respecting the Claim of the Widow of Joseph Spalding deceased his widow departed this Life and I made no farther research in the business. You would oblige by forwarding the Papers in support of the Claim of the widow of Joseph Spalding boath deceased to me at Athens Bradford County Penn a .
Very Respectfully
Your O bt Servant
J Spalding
J L Edwards Esq
Commis n of Pensions
Washington City
De r @
~ ~ ~ ~

Jos. Shalomig
Copy from H. S. Leonard N 102
1866 Cont.
W. Brown

Mittler Pa Jan 11/53
free
per John F. Mrs. Spalony's
J. L. Edwards Esq u Commis r of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Milltown
Bradford Co Penn a
Jan y . 11. 1838
Sir
I Enclose a statement from the Comptroller of Public accounts at Hartford Connecticut. he requests information for a guide to search the records of State I am not in possession of the required information and know of none except that embraced in the file of Papers at your office in favour of the claim of the widow of Joseph Spalding will it be consistent for you to cause a copy from those papers to be forwarded to me if so you will oblige your
humble Servant Yours with Esteem
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commis r of Pensions Washington City D C
J. Spalding

Mittstown
Bradford Co Penn a
Oct r 12 - 1837
Sir
The papers in support of the claim of the widow of Joseph Spalding deceased was forwarded to the Pension Office and returned previous to my knowledge of them. After they came to my care I have used all exertions to obtain legal and satisfactory information upon the subject of the claim.
There is forwarded at this time all the information that I can obtain respecting the matter. The widow submits it to your consideration in full confidence &
Yours Respectfully L. Spalding
J. S. Edwards Esq n Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Ex. Awd. Div. Rev. 9 1812-
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 18, 19 25-
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1 "name of widow" Ann Snell No. of claim. Name of soldier Joseph Spalding
P. O. address of claimant, soldier at enlistment & after service at 1790 in Sheshequin Pa Company at time of death, at Athens Pa Regiment at Plainfield Conn. State where enlisted
Date of enlistment first June 7 - 1745
Date of discharge death Aug 31 - 1832
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
This information is what I am trying to find out.
Return attached letter with reply. Winfield Scott Commissioner.

Mrs Eugene Spalding Alberta Roach
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.

War Department. Pension Office, September 17. 1833.
Sir:
The papers in support of the claim of the widow of Joseph Spalding, deceased, have been examined, and are herewith enclosed to you.
It is necessary that the widow should prove her relationship, and the time of her late husband's death, before a certificate can be issued in her name. She must also produce witnesses who must state his exact period of service in each grade, who must give an account of his terms of duty in such a definite manner as will enable the Office to determine to what amount of pension he may be entitled, which be discovered from the statements now under examination.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant, J. L. Edwards
S. Spalding, Esq. Milltown, Pa