Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37210, for Richard Mansfield, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Dear Love,
Mansfield, Richard S. 37210
CONTENTS

13.079 Transferred to Massachusetts
Connecticut Richard Mansfield of Amesbury in the state of Massachusetts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Meigs of the Connecticut line, for the term of 3 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 26 th of June 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th of July 1819 and sent to D. A. White Esq. P. Salem, Mass.
Amount to 4 th of Portion of Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept: 1819 - 2 \frac{3}{4}  \frac{1}{2} 17.56
D. A. White
$: 17.56
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Close
Duplicate certificate issued the 3 April 1827 sent to John Beach Esq. New Haven Conn
Transf. same day to Connecticut, and continued commg. 22 nd February 1827. Notification sent as above

Richard Mansfield Charles K. Fryman
private connect line
Col o Meiggs
1777 — 3 yrs
1780 —
29 th June 1819 —
Carried by Robt
Admitted

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
We the subscribers Selectmen of the town of Amesbury in the County of Essex hereby certify that Richard Mansfield formerly of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, but for several years past a resident in this town, is so reduced in his circumstances as to stand in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Thos. Hoyt Jr.
John Morse Jr.
Thomas Bailey
Amesbury May 21 st 1819
Salisbury
June 2
1819
I hereby certify from my own personal knowledge that Thomas Hoyt Jr. John Morse Jr. & Thomas Bailey above named, Selectmen of the town of Amesbury are respectable & credible persons.
Samuel Nye

I Richard Mansfield now of Annsbury in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but formerly of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, Testify & say, That in the latter part of the year 1777 I enlisted for the term of three years as a private Soldier in a company commanded by Capt Joseph Mansfield in Col. Meigs regiment in the Connecticut line of troops, on the Continental establishment.
That in the spring of the year following I joined the Revolutionary Army on the North river not far from West point.
That in the course of the service Col. Meigs left the regiment & Col. Gray took the command thereof. That after having served between two & three years I received from the said Colonel Gray an honorable written discharge, but have been so unfortunate as to lose it.
And I do further swear that by reason of my reduced circumstances, I am in need of the assistance of my country for support.
Richard Mansfield.
June 29. 1819.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Esqrs. I Daniel D White Judge of the Court of Probate for said County do cer- tify that Richard Mansfield aforenamed personally appeared before me on the twen- ty ninth day of June A.D. 1810 and made the declaration before written by him signed under oath. That it appears to my satisfac- tion that the said Richard Mansfield served in the revolutionary war as set forth in his said declaration, & that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of the assistance of his country for support,
Given under my hand and seal of said Court this first day of July in the year aforesaid.
D. White.

at a County Court holden at NewHaven in and for NewHaven County in the District and State of Connecticut on the 12 th day of Decr A 1826. The same being a Court of Record. Having a seal by virtue of the laws of said State. Personally appeared Richard Mansfield now a resident in the Town of NorthHaven in the County of NewHaven in said State & exhibited and subscribed the following schedule and made oath that the same is a true and perfect schedule of all his income and property necessary clothing and bedding excepted viz -
One pocket Book — 50/100 about 30 Sheets of paper — 10/100 15/100
Richard Mansfield
District and State of Connecticut Is
Be it remembered That in the County Court held in and for the County of NewHaven in the District and State aforesaid on this 12 th day of Decr.  July A 1826 the same being a Court of Record and having a seal under the authority of said State personally came and appeared in open Court Richard Mansfield aged 63 years resident in the Town of NorthHaven

in the County of New Haven in said State and being sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, in the Connecticut line enlisted for three years in Capt Joseph Mansfield's company, Col. - Meigs' Regiment as a private soldier served under him about two years and afterwards in the same Regiment under Col. Gray that I enlisted in Beun and was 15 years old the next May thereafter, I was discharged in the fall of the year 4 or 5 months before I was 18 years of age, and that I served in the Revolutionary War during said time - a period of 3 years - That the original declaration made by him for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 - was dated - That in pursuance thereof he was entered in the list of pensioners and received a certificate re - (This certificate has been lost accidentally but when I applied I lived in Amesbury in Massachusetts I think I applied to a court of probate in Newburyport and that the Judge left it with one with that I went to Boston and got my pension then amounting to about $60) and I do further solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th 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 pension of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1878 - and that I have not nor has any person in trust forms any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herewith annexed and by me subscribed and I do further declare that since I received the pension above named my occupation has been that of a pedlar of books from place to place by means of which I have been enabled barely to support myself, and that for this reason I have not before applied for relief under the pension law of Congress that I have now no occupation and in consequence of infirmity of body am entirely unable to labor & am solely dependant upon charity for my support all which is subscribed by me the day and year aforesaid -
Richard Mansfield.

1 May 1820.
Richard Mansfield Esq.
See proof: cont.
Sworn to and declared in the Court aforesaid. Whereupon said Court is in satisfactory proof exhibited in Court of opinion that the total amount in value of property contained in the aforesaid schedule is - 15. Cts and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the Records of said Court.
Attest M c Beach Clerk of said Court District of Connecticut ss
I John Beach Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of New Haven in the State and District of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount, in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is - 15 Cents -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court on this 12 day of Dec. 1826
Attest M c Beach Clerk of said Court
I Bennet Bronson presiding Judge of the County Court in & for the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that John Beach is Clerk of said Court & and keeper of the seal and Records thereof and that the preceding Certificate, under his hand, and the seal of said Court is authentic and in due form of law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in New Haven this 12 th day of Dec. 1826
Bennet Bronson

I Charles Merriman of Watertown in the County of Litchfield and state of Connecticut being duly sworn depose and say. That I belonged to Capt. Joseph Mansfield's company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel. Return J. Meigs, during a number of years of the Revolutionary war, and that while I was in said company, I should say early in the year A D 1778 Richard Mansfield, then of New Haven in the County of New Haven and state aforesaid joined said company as a private soldier, and continued attached to said company, for the space of about three years from said time in the capacity of a private soldier, as nearly as I can recollect. I further say there was no other person of the same name as Richard Mansfield in said company.
Charles Merriman
Litchfield County of Watertown June 22 nd 1819 Personally appeared Charles Merriman Esq. and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above deposition by him subscribed before me.
Jos. H. Bellamy Justice of Peace
I certify that Charles Merriman Esq. the deponent to the above deposition is a person of credibility and third integrity
Watertown June 22 nd 1819 Jos. H. Bellamy Justice of Peace

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut certify that Joseph H. Bellamy Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within said County. That his name subscribed to the preceding instruments is his hand writing, & that the Seal hereto annexed is the Seal of said Court. — June 22 d 1819. Frederick Wolcott.

I Joseph Mansfield of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, and formerly of New Haven in said State, being duly sworn depose and say. That I had the honor to hold a Captain's Commission in the service of the United States, during several years of the Revolutionary war, on the Continental establishment, and served in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Return J. Meigs; and that on the 24 th day of December A D 1777 I enlisted into my company Richard Mansfield, then of said New Haven in said State of Connecticut, as a private soldier, for the term of three years, from said 24 th day of December. And that said Richard joined my said company on the 17 th day of April A D 1778. - I further say that I well recollect enlisting said Richard for the term of three years as aforesaid; but the time when he enlisted, and also the time when he joined my said company, I ascertain from a copy of a Muster Roll, or a return of men by me Recruited for the service of the United States, and made to said Colonel R. J. Meigs; which copy is now in my possession, and which I know to be correct. I further say that according to the best of my recollection said Richard continued to serve in my said company as a private soldier, for said term of three years or nearly so. The precise time when said Richard left the service I do not now recollect, but during the time he continued therein he was a good and faithful soldier, and I believe was honorably discharged.
Joseph Mansfield

Litchfield county ss Litchfield June 23 rd 1819 -
Personally appeared Joseph Mansfield and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me
Jos. H. Bellamy Justice of Peace.

I Joseph Mansfield Jent s of Canaan in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut being duly sworn before and say. That I am the son of Joseph Mansfield the deponent in the foregoing deposition (and) formerly resided in New Haven in said State (and) well recollect that Richard Mansfield, formerly of said New Haven enlisted into my father's said Company, as stated in his Deposition as aforesaid; (and) that said Richard enlisted for the term of three years. The circumstances by which I recollect the above facts were, that said Richard, lived a near neighbour to my said father, at the time he enlisted; and that after the close of the Revolutionary war I assisted in making out the Military returns for my said father, the aforesaid deponent which Returns when so made, were returned to the war office, and in making out those returns I well recollect inserting the name of said Richard Mansfield as having been enlisted into my father's said company as a private soldier (and) that his term of enlistment, or service, was three years -
Joseph Mansfield J s
Litchfield County ss. Bethlehem June 23 rd 1879 Personally appeared Joseph Mansfield Jent s and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above deposition by him subscribed, before me -
Jos. H. McHenry Justice of Peace

I certify that Capt. Joseph Mansfield and the Joseph Mansfield Junr: the Deponents to the within and foregoing depositions are persons of credibility and strict integrity -
Jos. H. Belkamy Justice of Peace
Tiffets June 23 d 1819 -
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, certify that Joseph H. Belkamy Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County - That his name subscribed to the fore-
-going instruments is his hand. -writing, & that the Seal hereto annexed is the Seal of said Court.
June 23 d 1819. Frederick Wolcott

Continued, transfer, and new Certificate issued Dinner Comm. 22 nd February 1827. Notification sent to John Beach Esq r New Haven Conn t Triplet certificate issued 11 March 1830 and sent to S. H. Parsons, Hart, for St.
Sept 1819

letter to John Beach Esq. New Haven Conn 27. January 1827 16 th March 1827
Sept 1819

37210 Rey INVALID.
File No. 37210
Richard Mansfield His Per Mis
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 21 , Page 278
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon. J. H. Eaton Secretary of War Washington
Pension Office 11th March 1830.

Hartford March 8. 1830
Sir,
I have enclosed the application of Richard Mansfield, a revolutionary pensioner, for a new certificate.
Be pleased to forward your reply to me at this place.
I am Sir respectfully
Your obedient servant
Samuel H. Parsons
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
War Department

May 1820.
Wendell Phillips
Richard Mansfield,
Esq.
On Mafra: Roll
John Beach, New Haven, Ct.
Recd 26 Feb. 1827
John Brown Esq. at Mr Washington

New Haven Feby 22 d 1827
Sir, enclos d are the pension papers of Richard Mansfield, amended pursuant to the requisitions from the War Department.
I am requested in behalf of the applicant to state that the several deponing and Magistrate are well known to Ralph J. Ingersoll Esq r in the house of Representatives, for and to Henry W. Edwards Esq r of the Senate, from St. Haven to whom reference may be had for information of relative this character &c.
Respectfully y r S r . Sir.
J. M c Beach

Hon. Jas. Barbour
Secy. of War
Washington City
War. Department Pension papers

New Haven March 29 th 1827
encl d are the further affidavit in the case of Richard Mansfield.
By referring to his declaration, it will be seen, as it is believed an erroneous construction has been put upon the sentence, respecting his original certificate - tho' the top of it is first stated in the sentence which perhaps should be last in order of time - yet it appears, that when he applied, he lived in Amesbury &c. that it was rec d by the judge & wife with - with - that afterwards, "he got his pension money in Boston" which I suppose  hearing of it is supposed he could not have done without the original certificate being in his possession at that time - but I have deemed it a duty to add an affidavit, in explanation
The original declaration was drawn in haste & this error was committed by me, if there be any The applicant's second statement has always been uniform, & as far as the affidavit herewith encl d is explained -
W. M. Lord
Wm Beach

State of Connecticut } ss: Hartford County of Hartford }
On this fifth day of March 1830, before me, the subscriber a Notary Public for the said County of Hartford, personally appeared Richard Mansfield who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Joseph Mansfield in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs the Brigade commanded by General Samuel Holden Parsons, in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, after wards transferred to the roll of the Connecticut agency, that he received a certificate of that fact, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about the 20th day of October 1829 he put in his pocket book and placed the same in his coat-pocket at Farmington in the State of Connecticut, being at that time in a peddling

excursion " which occupation his poverty has compelled him to pursue ever since; that on an examination of his pocket some time after, his pocket book was missing, that he afterwards found it near the house in Farmington where he lived formerly lodged. but that the Certificate was not in it, and that he has searched  it  since , but  has  not  found  it does he know where it can be found but considers it lost or stolen.
I hereby certify to { Richard Mansfield before me, the day and year above written - and I further certify that I am acquainted with Richard Mansfield who has subscribed to the preceding affidavit and know him to be a person of veracity, and believe him to be a person of veracity.
Intesting whereof I have hereunto set my hand this the day and year first above written Samuel W Parsons Notary Public

Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify, that Samuel H. Parsons Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate for the authentication thereof, in his proper hand-writing to me well known, is, and for more than one year last past has been, a Notary Public within and for the county of Hartford in said State, duly appointed commissioned and qualified; that the Seal affixed to said Certificate is his genuine Notarial Seal; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the city of Hartford, the eighth day of March Anno Domini 1830. —
Thomas Day

State of Connecticut County of New Haven ss. North Haven March 26 th 1827 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County of New Haven personally appeared Richard Mansfield who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Capt Joseph Mansfield in the Regiment commanded by Col. Meigs, & after said regiment was commanded by Col. Gray in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, from whence he has lately removed - That he now resides in said North Haven in s d New Haven County in the State of Connecticut where he intends to remain & wishes his pension to be there payable in future & that his reason for removing to the State of Connecticut are that he was unable any longer to subsist by peddling from place to place, and because formerly that is about thirty  twenty years since he was an inhabitant of said State, and at the time of his removal or return into said State, he was so poor and infirm, that the only resource left was for his support was to apply to his rela- -tives in said State for charity; this he has done & now lives with his son in said North Haven, who has a large family to maintain by his industry, & says it is very inconvenient to be at the additional expense of supporting me. My poverty & infirmity are the reasons therefore of my coming to reside in said State of Connecticut - Richard Mansfield
Sworn & subscribed to before me The day & year above said Jesse Brockett justice of the peace
The said Richard Mansfield further declares & says, in explanation of his affidavit or declaration respecting his certificate heretofore forwarded to the War department, it should read thus & he so meant to be understood - When I applied I lived

in Amherst in Massachusetts, and I think I applied to a court of probate in Newburyport, and that the Judge when he received it from the Department left it with or handed it over to one Will to be delivered to me when I called for it, that afterwards I did call for it & received it from said Will - and that then I went to Boston, showed said certificate at the place where the pensioners were paid, & got my pension money then amounting to about $60. - I was informed afterwards that all pensioners were struck off unless they made a new application which for the reasons before stated I never did, till now - but I kept the certificate I had it in my possession, from the time I first received it of Will as above mentioned, until I lost it or it was stolen from me as stated in my last affidavit - (I do not now remember the name either of the Judge of probate or the Christian name of the said Will - and if I did I am too poor to state be at the expense of obtaining their affidavits -) Richard
Richard Mansfield
Sworn & subscribed to before
me the day & year aforesaid Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace
Northern County S. North Haven March 26 th 1827
I Joshua Barnes of North Haven in Northern County, depose & say that I well know Richard Mansfield, & that he is the same person who signs as described in the above affidavit & is the same Richard Mansfield who served in the Revolutionary war, as above stated - & that I verily believe the above affidavit by him made is true -
Sworn to & subscribed to before } me the day & year aforesaid }
Joshua Barnes
Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named

deponent John Bunn is a person of veracity and entitled to full belief & credit — Jesse Brinkett justice of the Peace
I John Beach of New Haven in New Haven County, before I say that I drew the declaration of Richard Mansfield, heretofore forwarded to the War department, and that the amount he gave of the certificate originally rec d . & the loss of it was was the same then as now, viz, "that he applied to a court of Probate, in Massachusetts, & that his certificate was rec d . & left with one — Wirt for him, of whom he rec d . it & that with it he went to Boston & paid rec d . his money — he & that he had kept it ever since, until it was lost or stolen or by him heretofore more particularly stated in his affidavit His The foregoing explanation respecting his certificate is the same in substance as the original amount he gave of it, & if there is an apparent variance, it is owing to the fault of the draughtsman of the deposition for not being more explicit. John Beach Sworn & subscribed to before me
this 29 th of March 1827
J. H. Smith Justice of Peace
State of Conn.
County of New Haven ss. New Haven March 29 th 1827 I John Beach Clerk of the County Court & keeper of the records thereof & of the commissions of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County of New Haven do certify that Jesse Brinkett Esq. & Jno. Hunt 2 d Esq. who have severally subscribed their names as Justices of the Peace to the above foregoing affidavit, are respectively Justices of the Peace in & for said County & are duly qualified to administer oaths according to the laws

of said State of Connecticut, and that full faith & credit are sought to be given to their official acts as such; & that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Boottell & Hunt respectively, that the signatures by them above made as justices of the peace respectively are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court on this 29 th day of March 1827 Attest. J. W. Beach Clerk of the County Court in & for New Haven County

Continued 22 nd Febr y 1827

I Richard Mansfield, now resident in North Haven in New Haven County & State of Conne- cticut, do hereby declare and say, in addition to the declaration by me heretofore made, & to which this affidavit is herewith annexed, That on the 18 th of March 1818 - I had not any property either real or personal, but was poor & indebted destitute at that time, was & ever since have been destitute of property of any description, except that as heretofore stated in my former declaration, I have been a pedlar of books, small books from place to place, which were obtained from various books stores where I chanced to travel They were obtained sometimes of from one to five dollars on a credit from time to time as I wanted them to peddle, and I sold them out from house to house as I could find purchasers, they being bibles & chap books & volumes of the value of from three to twenty five except the Bibles which were of more value cents each; In this way I sometimes made some profits say from one to five dollars, which enabled me to make purchases another stock of chap books to peddle out, except by this

means I was enabled barely to subsist, except as would sometimes occur, I was destitute of money in which case I ask? charity for my food & lodging as I went along — Richard Mansfield
State of Connecticut
County of New Haven ss North Haven
On this 16 th day of Feb y 1827 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in & for New Haven County Richard Mansfield, Resident in said North Haven, & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him signed & subscribed, and I further certify that the said Richard Mansfield by reason of age & bodily infirmity is unable to attend in person any other Court of Record, & that I went to his place of residence & administered to him to him the said oath to the foregoing affidavit.
Certified & signed by me Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace

We Ebenezer Pierpont John Beach Selectmen of the Town of North Haven in New Haven County depose & say that we know Richard Mansfield who has made the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, and that he is very poor & destitute of any description of property whatever & in our opinion needs charity & assistance from the Government for his support and we further say that we verily believe his declaration & affidavit by him made for obtaining a pension is true
Ebenezer Pierpont John Beach Selectmen
sworn & subscribed to before me the 16 th Feby 1827 -
Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut,
County of New Haven ss. North Haven Feby 16 th A. 1827
on this 16 th day of Feby 1827 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said County of New Haven, personally appeared Richard Mansfield of S d North Haven, who on his oaths declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Mansfield in the regiment commanded by Col. — Meigs, & afterwards the same regiment was commanded by Col. — Gray in the service of the United States — That his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature & Seal of the Secretary of War which certificate on or about the last day of October 1826, at or near the town of Wethersfield in the State Connecticut, was lost and taken from him and further in the deponent saith not When he was on his road from Massachusetts to said North Haven, he lost the said certificate or it was taken or stolen from him & which he cannot now certainly say as at that time since he hath been informed of body since & at the time he lost the said certificate he was going to said North Haven to attend ask the charity from his son then living inasmuch as he was not able to then as he understood, or to throw himself on the town for support — Richard Mansfield Sworn and

Subscribed to before me the day A year aforesaid
Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace
New Haven County ss. North Haven Feby. 16 th 1827
I Joshua Barnes of said North Haven, depose and say that the above foregoing named Richard Mansfield is well known to me, and that he is the same person who signed & is described in the above foregoing affidavit, and is the same Richard Mansfield who served in the Revolutionary war, as set forth in his declaration.
New Haven County
Joshua Barnes
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid
Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named deponent Joshua Barnes is well known to me & that he is a person without of veracity & credibility.
Jesse Brackett justice of the Peace

I John Beach Clerk of the County Court in & for the county of New Haven & Keeper of the Records thereof & of the Commission of the Justices of the peace in & for said County, certify that Jesse Brackett Esq. whose name is written & subscribed to the above & foregoing affidavits respectively is a Justice of the peace in & for said New Haven County and that full faith & credit are & ought to be given to his official acts as such. I further certify that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and that his signa- ture, as Justice of the peace by him made to the foregoing affidavits respectively is his genuine signature — In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court this 22 d day of Feby 1827.
Attest. J n Beach Clerk of the County Court in & for New Haven County