Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,546, for Nathaniel Linkon, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Linkon, Nathaniel
S. 17,546
carded
CONTENTS

17627 Connecticut
Nathaniel Linton of Windham in the State of Connecticut who was a Captain in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Maj. Kingsley in the Connecticut line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 120 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sep 1833 _____ and sent Abner Hende- Hebron Conn
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 $240. Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 60 $300
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Ino Cromwell Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 24

BRIEF in the case of Nathaniel Tinkham of Windham in the State of Connecticut (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? One Hundred & three years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     From  From  Year not recalled Served 5 Mo. according to the best of his recollection Captain Col. Johnson Gen. Spencer Connecticut   do. do. thinks he served a Month or more do No Officers named   do. do. thinks he was out 3 days do " do. do.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Windham Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, three living witnesses, and his original Commission  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are duly authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Gordon Examining Clerk.

2187 Declaration of Capt. Abraham Lincoln for a Pension of Windham City
L D

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of Windham } ss.
Windham August 13. 1832
On this 13 day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon Court of Probate for the District Windham in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, now sitting, Capt Nathaniel Linton a resident of Windham in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, aged one Hundred & three years, and who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832—That he was drafted by order of Col Experience Storer to go to Providence R.I. the first of November and went immediately and there served as captain under Genl Spencer Col Johnson & Majr Clark and was discharged some time the last of March the year following he served five months according to the best of his recollection but cannot tell the year
2 d Campaign he was drafted to go to Groton and there went and took command of the fort cannot say how long he served but recollects that he stayed a number of Sabbaths and his time expired two or three weeks previous to the capture of said fort should think he served a month or more does not recollect the year
3 d He was drafted in an alarm at the time New London was burnt, with his whole company and he spurred no time in getting his company together to march and immediately marched and when he arrived at Norwich he had counter orders & returned home should think he was out three days during the whole of the aforesaid service he served as captain He further states in answer to the interrogatories put by the Court he says that he was born in Windham November 18, 1728 and the same was taken from his family record - he has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services except his Commission further more he knows of no person living by whom to prove his service. He lived in Windham when he went into the service & has lived in Windham since the Revolution
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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Isaac W. White Thos. Gray
Nathaniel X Linton Mark
We, Roger Bingham - a clergyman residing in the town of Windham and John Baldwin residing in said Windham hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Capt Nathaniel Linton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be one Hundred & 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.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Roger Bingham John Baldwin

State of Connecticut } ss Windham August 13. 1832 County of Windham }
Personally appeared Judge Jonah Lincoln of Windham in his seventy second year of age before the Hon. Probate Court for the District of Windham in open court under oath says that he personally knew of Captain Nathaniel Lincoln's being drafted to go to Providence R.I. also that he was drafted to go to Grafton Vt but cannot distinctly recollect the year he was drafted nor the time he served but has always lived a near neighbor to Capt. Lincoln and should think his statements are entitled to credit Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid - Jonah Lincoln
State of Ct } ss Windham August 13, 1832 Windham County }
This may certify that Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln was born November 18, 1728 as appears from the records of the town of Windham - Thomas Gray - Town Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above- named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court fur- ther certifies, that Roger Bingham is a clergyman in the town of Windham and the Hon. John Bullock is a minister in said Windham and their statements are entitled to the highest credit
I, Thomas Gray - clerk of the open Probate Court in Windham do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 13 th day August - A. D. 1832.
Thomas Gray Clerk

State of Connecticut } ss Windham Dec 11 1832 Windham County }
Personally appeared the  Edger Jonah Lincoln of Windham in Windham County, State aforesaid being in my presence thirty years of age the further state in relation to the services of Capt Nathaniel Lenthan's services in the army of the revolution That I distinctly recollect of Henry Root Sinkhorn who lived in my neighborhood going to Providence R.I. as waiter to Capt Nathaniel Lenthan he had my Father's Gun & powder horn the how he knew he returned that I now have in my possession, I should think that he went to Providence R.I. in the fall of 1777 either in the Month of Sept or October and on the 10th of April 1778 I drove a team to Providence to carry Provision for the army and when I returned Capt Nathaniel Lenthan had got home & came out of his garden to enquire what was the news at Providence from whence I had just returned I went to & subscribed the day & year above written in the presence of —
Jonah Lincoln
The words my
Gloucester Siggins
Full M c Whirt
Windham County } ss Windham - State of Connecticut } Dec 11. 1832
Personally appeared Edger Jonah Lincoln signor of the above affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the statements therein contained, further that Edger Jonah Lincoln is one of our most respectable citizens and his statements entitled to the highest credit, in testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in my official capacity and affixed my Seal of Office Notary Public —
Full M c Whirt Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for the State of Connecticut

Duplicate Application
State of Connecticut,
Windham Tolland COUNTY, ss. Windham  Hartford PROBATE DISTRICT.
On this 22 nd day of August A. D. 1833, personally appeared in open court before Chauncy D. Cleveland Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate, for the District of Windham now sitting, Nathaniel Sinkon a resident of Windham in Windham County Tolland and State of Connecticut, aged 104 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the month of October 1777. He was ordered to March and take a certain number of his company to Providence Rhode Island where others joined my company. I there had the command of a company in Maj. Kingsbury Regiment and served there until the first of April 1778. He was stationed in the town of Providence; His commission has been forwarded to the Pension Office with his first application. He has no other record of his service except said commission, which is as he suppose now in S. Office. and that in said campaign he served as captain at least five months -
2 d Campaign. - He was drafted for one month to go to Groton in Connecticut in 1779 in the Spring and marched to Groton where he commanded a company for one month during the month of March and then returned. He further states that he was drafted for another month to go to New London, but it proved to be a false alarm and was out but three days -

He hereby relinquishes 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.
He answers to the interrogatories propounded by order of the War Department, as follows:
1. Where, and in what year were you born? in Windham in Windham County and State of Connecticut - November 18. 1728. Old Style 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? My age is recorded in the Town records of the town of Windham as above 3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? In S. Windham when called into service since the war to the present time 4. How were you called into service? Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Drafted 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? May: Kingsbury

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? a verbal discharge
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?
Hon John Putnam Judge Sarah Lincoln Giles Tainter -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
The presence of Christopher S. Aury Fanny M. Lincoln.
Nathaniel his Sinkon Mark
We, Levi H. Corson a clergyman residing in the town of Windham in the County of Windham & Giles Tainter residing in S. Windham hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Sinkon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 104 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.
L. H. Corson Giles Tainter
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 the Rev. Levi H. Corson who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Windham and that Levi H. Corson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Windham and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Thomas Gray
I, Thomas Gray, clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford  Windham , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Sinkon for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 12 th day of August A. D. 1833.
Thomas Gray
Clerk.

17.546 INVALID.
File No. 17.546
William Pinkson
Capt New York
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 225
[Arrangement of 1870.]

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, ESQUIRE, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of CON- NECTICUT, in AMERICA;
To
Nathaniel Sinkon
Gent. GREETING.
Y OU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Captain of the 11 th Company of the Alarm List in the 5 th 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 Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War; keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Captain for the Service of this State. 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 Seal of this State, in Hartford the 23 Day of May Anno Domini, 1778
By his Excellency's Command,
George Wyllys
Secr'y.
Jon: Trumbull

Head and tail are here the lower part are missing

Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln's Duplicat Application 104 Years of age
6 Months as Captain
Return to Abner Hendee
Hebron Conn t
187 1877

2187 lb
Nath l Linkon
Wre filed with admitted papers
17.627-
This set of Papers found in Room N o 103 in looking over a map of old Papers
Oct 21 st 57 A. Ket.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Linkin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No V. * Has he mentioned 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? not all VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? They are answered
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

State of Connecticut } County of Windham } ss Windham August 12, 1892
Personally appeared before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Windham, Judge Sarah Lincoln his twenty third p. of age after having been sworn in open Court. Testifies and says that he was known to Capt. Nathan Lenson & going to Providence, with his company of artillery in the fall of 1866 or 1867 and thinks that Capt. Lenson left Windham as early as the last of October or first of November in said year, and what makes him more particularly recollect, the cargo steamer said Capt. Lenson and Col. Russell came to his father's house to get a gun and accoutrements, and still later a gun bag and powder horn. The powder horn was returned but the gun does not recollect of its being returned.
On the 10th of April following the Regt. started with a train load of provisions for the army and went to Providence and returned the 15th of said month of April and when passing the house of Capt. Lenson said Lenson was in the garden & asked the witness to know that what was the name in Providence as not Capt. Lenson had left Providence previous to witness.
The Witness is of the opinion that Capt. Lenson served at least 5 months but cannot say distinctly as he does not know the precise date that the said Capt. Lenson left Providence further the deponent says the truth.
Sarah Lincoln

This may certify that the within Judge Joseph Lincoln made oath to and subscribed the within separation before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Mendham in State of Connecticut on this 12th day of August 1833 in open Court & the said Court do further certify that said Judge Joseph Lincoln is a credible person & his statement entitled to full credit in law & in equity whereof I have subscribed my name officially & affixed the seal of Court this day & year above written
Thomas Gray Clerk

I, Elyah Smith of Lebanon in the County of New-London, and state of Connecticut, aged sixty-nine years, do testify and say - that about the first of March 1879. I joined the Militia Company under the command of Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln, of Windham, at Fort Griswold upon Groton Heights, as a substitute for Whiting Backus, of said Lebanon, and served under the said Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln for the term of one month, in said Fort Griswold, and was discharged about the first of April following, the draught being for one month only - and that the said Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln had command of said Company during the month that I served, and was discharged when I was and further the deponent saith not.
Elyah Smith
Sworn to and subscribed
this 13 day of August
1882
State of Connecticut County of New London August 13 th 1882
Before me, the deponent clearly subscribed and was sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition and this Court certifies that said deponent is personally known to this Court and is a man of credibility.
I John Nettles Clerk of said Court In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office and of said Court this 13 day of August A.D. 1882
Attest John Nettles Clerk

adm d
6 mo capt
120 $

Note of Commitment } 12. 1889 County of Windham } ss Windham August
Personally appeared Joseph Smith before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Windham being Eighty five years old, having been sworn according to law in open Court under oath testifies and says that he was drafted the 20 th of Nov 1777 to go to Providence R.I. in Capt Nathaniel Linton's Company of Col. Moulton's, and from the situation of his family was excused from going at that time he was married in fall of 1776 & in Nov 1777 his eldest child was born and as soon as his wife was able to be moved she was taken to her father's in Canterbury, and the last of December he went to Providence and joined Capt Linton's company & served until the 1 st of April 1778 and that said Capt Linton commanded commanded the company at Providence from the last of December 1777 to April 1 st 1778 and think that said Linton must have started from Windham as early as November 17 1777 & further the Informant says the rest
Joseph Smith

This may certify that the within Sarah Smith made oath to & has entered the within Deposition before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Middlesex on this 12 th day of August 1833 in open Court & the said Court do further certify that said Sarah Smith is a credible person and her statement inter- to full credit in testimony when of I have hereunto subscribed my name officially and affixed the seal of Court this day & year above- written
Thomas Grey Clerk

I Josiah Smith of Windham in Windham County & State of Connecticut being Eighty Five Years of age do Testify and say that I was - Drafted I think as early as Jan y Feb y 1780 to go to Providence R.I. and there joined a Company Commanded by Capt Nathaniel Linton who was there previous to my joining the company and served in all at least three months being Discharged about the first of April same year why I did not go as early as the rest of the company I cannot say, other than from this circumstance, that he she was married in December 1776. and the last of November 1777 I had a son born, and when my wife had recovered from her confinement, she went to her father's in Canterbury when the child was 6 or 8 weeks old, and I started for Providence R.I. and after joining Capt Linton's company I served as Sergeant, while there enquiry was made for a suitable person to carry an express to New Haven Ct. and Major Sanford Kingsbury called upon me & fitted me out with a Horse, and I went called on my wife at Canterbury going & returning and when at Providence R.I. a sudden undertaking to pass the guard on the Bridge without giving the counter-sign, and was shot down dead by the centry Also I was commanded to the charge of a company as a sergeant's guard and stationed on Fox Point. Also when Capt Linton exercised his company he would frequently put me in front of the company to show them how to exercise & further state that Capt Linton was there three months to my knowledge and think he went as early as Nov r 1777
Josiah Smith
Signed in presence of Nathaniel Linton John Baldwin

State of Connecticut Windham County ss Windham February 18 th day A D 1833
Then Personally appeared Mr Josiah Smith signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated and I am well acquainted with the deponent and know him to be sustain the character of a man of truth and respectable standing in society
John Baldwin Justice of the Peace in and for Windham County
United States of America
State of Connecticut ss Windham Feby 19. 1833
I Joel M c White Notary Public Certify That the Hon. John Baldwin before whom the deposition of Mr Josiah Smith purports to have been taken and sworn to is and has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham for several years last past also I am well acquainted with his hand writing and know the above to be his genuine original signature having been done in my presence in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name officially & affixed my seal of office
Joel M c White Notary Public

I Elijah Smith of Lebanon in the County of New London & State of Connecticut being Sixty Nine Years of age, do depose & say that in the year 1779 I went as a substitute for Mr. Whitney Backus, who was drafted for one Month to go Grotan Ct. and I started from Lebanon aforesaid and went to New London, next day I crossed the Thames River and went to Grotan Fort, where I was mustered and put under Capt. Nathaniel Linton of Windham Ct., who was drafted in the Connecticut militia, & that while there, there were there with me, Mr. Joseph Miller, Mr. James - and I recollect perfectly well, of seeing Col. Ledyard and while there, I went on guard several times, and went out & cut off the top of an orchard and drew them up to the fort, and there planted them & sharpened up the limbs, to obstruct the passage of the enemy as much as possible from getting into the fort, The time that I went to Grotan was the last of February 1779 and stayed one month and then was verbally discharged While there I served in the Company Commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Linton from Windham Connecticut who served the whole month with me and left when I did to return home Sworn & Subscribed to this 4. th day of December A 1832
In presence of -
Elijah Smith
Socrates Baccan
Isaac White -
State of Connecticut } ss Windham December 4. 1832 County of Windham } personally appeared the above named Elijah Smith of Lebanon this State & made oath to the truth of the statements contained in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed (also said Smith is a man of truth & veracity and his statements can be relied upon) Before me the subscriber a justice of

The Peace for the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, having been & still am an acting Justice of the Peace legally appointed by the constituted authorities of the State. Also Notary Public for the State of Connecticut in Testimony whereof I have signed in my official capacity the day & year aforesaid and affixed my seal of office
Isaac M. White Justice of the Peace & Notary Public for the State of Connecticut —