Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14627, for David Stimson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Stimson, David
S 14627
Carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

Order to pay 30 Oct 1831.
Vermont 3645
David Stimson Springfield in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company comman- ded by Captain [blank] of the [blank]  light  [blank] by Col. Chapin in the Vermont time for 9 months
Comm.
Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of March 1833 and sent to Col. H. C. Fullard  House of Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1830  $78.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 31  $15.00
$93.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. C. Hudson Clerk.
Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 12

State of Vermont, } On this 7 th day of August, in District of Windsor. } the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared, in open court, before the Probate Court, now sitting, said court being a court of record by the laws of this State, David Stimson , a resident of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Seventy 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 he was born at Tolland in the State of Connecticut on the 14 th day of April A. D. 1762. That he has no record of his age, and knows not that it is recorded any where; that he was living in said Tolland when he entered the service of the United States.
That he entered the service of the United States in 1780, being the year that Arnold turned traitor. That he was drafted to serve in the militia, but probably  in the of year he does not recollect, only from the fact that it was at the time of pulling flax, in Keely or August, - does not recollect the name of his Captain or other officers - recollects, one Ensign Betts of S d Tolland was there, but whether of his company, does not remember - and an orderly Sergeant by the name of Thompson - That they marched immediately after being drafted and joined the army at Horse-neck N.Y. while at Horse neck, information was received of Arnold's defection and they were ordered to march to West Point - went as far as Quaker Hill or Quaker Ridge, when counter order came and they marched back - When he first joined the army at Horse Neck, a Mr Whiting was Adjutant, but soon went away - and A d J t Mr Dowle took his place - this same McDowle was hanged at Hartford in Connecticut, the next spring for desertion to the Enemy as the story was. - That after having three months served four months

he was dismissed about the time of the falling of the first snow, or soon after. had no discharge in writing.
In the year that there was a battle in Rhode-Island, he was drafted to serve for three months. The militia drafted from Tolland & adjacent towns composed the company to which he belonged - he does not recollect the time of year nor the officers of the company. Col. Chapman of Tolland commanded the regiment - the name of one of the sergeants was Simeon Stowe of Tolland - Among the privates who went from Tolland with him, he recollects the names of Philip Delano, & Ichabod West - The company marched from Tolland and crossed on to the Island at Howland's Ferry - were stationed in the rear of one of the forts, which was opposite to a fort of the enemy - but does not recollect the name of the place nor of the fort. - recollects that on a certain day there was firing from the enemy's fort and also from ours - that the enemy sallied out from their fort and a detachment was also sent out from our fort to meet them but the enemy did not advance far before they returned.
At another time order came for us to march off the Island - they struck their tents at night and marched all night. The enemy perceived and came up with our rear guard about day light and fired upon them which was returned by the guard - continued the march till they came near Howland's ferry where they made a stand, and formed a line across the island - one division on the east side of a hill and the other on the west. - Battle commenced on the west side - order came to those on the east side to reinforce those on the west side - when they had marched to the top of the hill were ordered to halt - the enemy retreated - the next night he was in the rear guard and the

whole troop moved Howland's ferry, and marched towards Providence - While on their march to Providence, they staid one night at Greenwich Court house - and pitched their tents for a few days at Warwick R.I. - then moved on to Providence & pitched their tents on a plain a little south west of the town where they remained till he was discharged, having served three months .
He recollects, there was there a Maj. Peterson and a Col. Withington, or Worthington or Willington
In the year that Arnold burnt New- London, he was drafted for three months - does not recollect the names of any of the officers among the soldiers who went with him from Tolland he remembers Enoch Nickerson, Joseph Abbott & Samuel Hunt - that within a week after drafted they marched first to Norwich, then by water to New London passed the town down to the light house & stationed in houses south west from the light house and about 2 miles from N. London as he thinks - from thence to Fort Griswold opposite New London where he remained till the expiration of the three months and was discharged, having served three months that he went as a private soldier in all the above tours. -
That he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person living who can testify to his services, and all the testimony he can procure accompanies this declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
He states the names of Rev. Robinson Smiley, and Adonijah Bixby, as persons to whom he is known, in his present neigh- borhood, & who can testify as to his character, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

That he lived in Holland during the war of the revolution except when in service, and after the war, till he was about twenty five years old, when he moved to Northwich Vt. & after one year, moved to Springfield Vt where he has since resided.
(Sworn to, and subscribed. the day and year aforesaid
David Stimson
Iabez Proctor Judge
We Robinson Smiley, a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and Eldonijah Bixby, residing in the town of Springfield aforesaid, hereby certify that we are acquainted with David Stimson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood, where resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Robinson Smiley.
Eldonijah Bixby
Iabez Proctor Judge
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 Robinson Smiley, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Springfield aforesaid, and, that Eldonijah Bixby, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Springfield, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Iabez Proctor Judge
I, Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Stimson for a Pension.

In Testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Reuben Washburn. —

Res trans
14627 INVALID.
File No. 14627
David Stimson ★
Big Bear War
Act: June 1932
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 361
[Arrangement of 1870.]
David Stimson ★
Records OK.
Feb 27/07 B.

David Stinson
Return this, Vermont
8
CHATHAM
Private 9 months amid
Hon E. Hallam House of Reps

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
David Stimson further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? CH 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? CH. See Quere 8 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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, deposeeth 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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Ruth Ball of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged sixty four years and formerly of Tolland then in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut before me say that I am well acquainted with David Simpson of Springfield in the County of Windsor aforesaid and have known him well for more than sixty years and well remember his being in the army of the revolution that he went to Horse-neck and knew him four months. That he went to Rhode's Land and was there three months, that he went to New London and served there three months more. and further this deponent says not. —
Ruth X Ball
Attest William Eyer
State of Vermont } I Springfield in said County on the Windsor County } first day of November A.D. 1833 personally appeared Ruth Ball who has affixed her mark -ture to the above deposition and made oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth before me. — William Eyer Justice Peace
State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Common to } Certify that William Eyer is one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Windsor, duly Commissioned and qualified and that his signature above I believe to be genuine — Given under my hand and the Seal of said County this Eleventh day of November 1833 — Benj. Swan Clerk

David Stinson - (Affidavit)

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan, ss -
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace  Notary Public in and for said County David Stinson who being duly sworn deposes 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 - as near as he can recollect, about the 15th day of July 1780, in a company commanded by one Coanun, but does not recollect the name of the Colonel of the regiment, one Whiting being Adjutant and afterwards McSwain - and remained in the service until near the 15th of December 1780 - having served four months -
That on the 20th day of July 1778 he entered a company in a regiment commanded by Colonel Chapman and remained there until near the 25th day of October 1778, and is confident that he served three months -
That on the 26th day of September 1778 he again entered the service and was stationed at and near New London and served three months -
That for the above services the Declarant claims a pension -
David Stinson
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal this thirteenth day of September AD 1833
J James Gilchrist -