Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,105, for Joseph Steel, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
SERVIC bonn
or Steel, Joseph Steele Olive
W. 19. 105
CONTENTS

4198 New York
Olive Steel, widow of Joseph Steel who died on the 16 Jan. 1816 of Oneida in the State of NY who was a priv in the Co. commanded by Captain Wills of the reg commanded by Col. in the Penn. line for 8 mos.
reps
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of April 1845 and sent to Arad Day
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending N.Y.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by J. L. Swann Clerk, Book Vol. Page 19

Copy of Chh Record written & kept by Rev. Joshua Belden minister of Newington, (Wethersfield) Con. viz - "Octob. 27. 1774. Married Joseph Steel & Olive Churchill." A true copy - Attested by - Brace Pastor, Colleague Newington March 8, 1837. & successor of Rev. J. Belden.
I Simon Ribbourn of the town of Wethersfield Newington in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of the age of Seventy Seven years, do hereby say, that I knew Joseph Steel and that he belonged in Newington. He was a messmate with me, and we served together in the Revolutionary War for two months under Captain Ezekiah Welles.
We were drafted to go to New London, and we went across the River and worked on the Fort at Groton, called Fort Griswold. I do not recollect the year in which this service was rendered, but know that Steel was in service two months and further the deponent saith not
Simon Ribbourn
Personally appeared before me Simon Ribbourn signer of the above deposition, who being legally sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I do further certify that he is an individual of good character & whose oath may be fully relied upon -
Hartford July 10 th 1837 { Franklin H. Merriam Justice of the Peace -
I Joab Brace, Pastor of Newington Society, being duly sworn do depose & say that the above certificate which is signed dated March 8 th 1837 is a true copy of the church records of the church at Newington
Joab Brace
Sworn before me Oct 17 th 1837. I certify that the deponent is a man of credibility truth & veracity
Franklin H. Merriam Just. of Peace

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford }
I Philo H. Dooden Clerk of the County Court within & for County of Hartford do hereby certify that Franklin D. Mendenhall Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace within & for County of Hartford regularly commissioned & qualified as appears to me of Record in my office - that I am acquainted with his hand writing, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine & that full faith & credit are due to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County Court & subscribed my name this 10th day of July A.D. 1839 - Philo H. Dooden Clerk.

V 2882 In the matter of Oliver Steel Widow under act of 4 th July 1830. 3 rd Section.
P. P. Johnson Agent Rome Oneida NY. 76 - Capt Willis - 2. - Col Chester 6- no proof of 9 mo service
admd 8 mo pri $26.66 at 4 July 36
Adm J. J. Est David NY.

3 rd Section Act of Congress 4 th July 1836.
State of New York County of Oneida
On this 23 rd day of September 1837 personally appeared before the subscriber a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of said County. Olive Steele resident of Trenton, in the County aforesaid, aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836: That she is the widow of Joseph Steele who was a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, and who served as such to the best of the deponent's knowledge & belief as follows: viz. The first term of his service, was performed from September 1775 - to December 1775, and was about three months, and that the deponent does not know under what officer he served, though she is of opinion it was under one Captain Dezariah Wells - That he entered the army again on 15 June 1776 under Captain Charles Melles and Colonel John Cheston at Wetherfield Conn. and served at Long Island & other places until 25 th December 1776, having served Six months & 10 days . And that in June 2 nd 1778 he was again in the service, and continued therein until first of March 1779 being nine months - but I cannot recollect who were the officers under whom he then served. He served at one time under a Captain Charles Churchill as she thinks, though of this she cannot be positive. He was also in service about six months at other times, though I am not able to state at what particular time that service was performed -
She further declares that her maiden name

was Olive Churchill, and that she was married to Joseph Steel at Newington Cont. by the Rev. Joshua Belden on the 27 th October 1774 as will appear by a certified copy of the record hereto annexed. That her husband the aforesaid Joseph Steel died on the 16 th day of January 1815 aged 81 years, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed,
sworn to and subscribed before me, and I certify that the said Olive Steel from bodily infirmity was unable to appear personally before the Court
Olive her Steel mark
Simon Rootstock Judge of Oneida Cont. Pleas
State of New York Oneida County
Samuel Rockwell of Hunter in the County of Oneida, aged Eighty two years, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Olive Steel and that she is the widow of Joseph Steel who formerly lived at Newington, Cont.
And the said Samuel Rockwell further states that he was well acquainted with the said Joseph Steel in his life time and that he knew him also in the Revolutionary,

war and that he served with him for the term of six months and 10 days in the year 1776. Commencing on the 15 th day of June 1776. and ending on the 25 th day of December 1776 Christmas day - Under Captain Chester Wells and Colonel John Chester of Wetherfield We were in the defeat of Long Island, and escaped in boats with midnight silence to New York by order of our officers, with Genl. Washington at our head, our Regiment being the last that took boats for New York - All of which is true - and further says not
Sworn before me this 16 th day of September 1839. and I certify that the said Samuel Rockwell is a man of credibility, truth and veracity
Samuel Rockwell Aaron White Justice of the Peace
State of New York Oneida County
Joseph Steel of Newton Land County being duly sworn says that Olive Steel above named is the widow of Joseph Steel late of Wetherfield Con. and that the said Joseph Steel died 16 th day of January 1816 Sworn before me this 16 th day of September 1839 I certify he is a man of truth and veracity
Joseph Steel Aaron White Justice of the Peace

Clerks office Oneida County
I, John D. Leland Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that all accounts for stock within named is a true copy of said accounts and that all the papers of the same - That their signatures to the within papers are in their own proper handwritings.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 28 th day of September 1837. John D. Leland Clerk Amos Edgar Deputy Clerk

Oliver Skell 2882 Nov 6
My
July 30
3 rd Sec.
B. D. Johnson asst.
Rev. H. E. Church
Centennial
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Rome N.Y. Nov 1 1837
Dear Mr Edwards
Enclosed are the halves of Mrs Olive Steele's ledger 3 rd Ser. 1834 1836 - Proof sale believe in conformity to your regulations. May I ask an early return - I am most respectfull Your very obedient Servt
J. W. H. Johnson

Comptroller Office, Connecticut Hartford February 17- 1845
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Joseph Steel in the war of the revolution, I have examined the documents in this office relating to that war and find a paper headed, "A marching roll of Capt. Benedict Wells Company in Col. Erastus Wooleott's Regiment March 10th 1776" in which roll is the name of Joseph Steel. No pay roll of said company is found, but the length of service is supposed to have been from sixty to seventy days from a paper headed "An abstract pay of the second Regiment of militia under the command of Col. Erastus Wooleott, dated April 1776. Time of enlistment of Joseph Steel was Jan 30 1776 as appears from the muster roll of said Company.
I also find in the bills & accts of Col. John Chester's Regiment the following, Capt. Chester Wells Bill Enlisting £290. Equipping 84-12. Wages £116-4-10. Hospital bills 34-9-6. Commission 10-17-6 - Total £567-2-10.
I find no pay roll of Capt. J. Churchill's Company but in pay Table Book is the following
United States Dr
To order on the Treasurer Capt. J. Churchill for expenditures in marching his Co. Expedition to Rhode Island 1778 - 21-1-9

I certify the foregoing extracts and statements to be correct
Clarrington, Comptroller

Feb. 26/95. Older than can
Oliver Steel
Rev J. L. Edwards Canad Pension Washington D.C.

Ovid Feb 22 d 1845
Dear Sir
I beg leave respectfully to enclose Comptroller's cert t of Service of Joseph Steel, if it refers to the Service of the husband of Olive Steel, doubtless you will know - I judge from the history that she the widow gives me, that it does - I add a copy of her history to me - "Joseph Steel resided during the revolution in the Society of Newington & town of Weatherfield in the county of Hartford and the State of Connecticut , the first term of his Service was performed from Sept. 1775 to Dec 1775 and was about 3 months, and I do not know under what Officers he served, though I am of opinion it was under one Capt. Herkirk Wells - he again entered the army June 15. 1776 under Capt. Chester Wells or Col John Chester or Weatherfield Col l and served at Long Island & other places until Dec 25. 1776 having served 6 Months & 10 days, and that in June 2 d 1778 he was again in the Service and continued there in till the 1 st March 1779 being 9 Months, but I cannot recollect who were the Officers under whom he then served, he served at other times under a Capt. Charles Churchill as I think, he was also in the Service about 6 months at other times."
Please in reply inform me the State of the case, if the pension is just I want the widow to have it, if not, I know I don't want it. Respectfully
Your Most Ob d Serv t Abad Joy
Hon J L Edwards
Counl. of Pensions Washington
D.C.

Feb. 18 1845.
Rel case of Oliver Steel,
J. S. Adams Home of Oliver Washington N. C.

Ovid Feb 12th 1845
Dear Sir
I am the authorised agent of Olive Steel widow of Joseph Steel who applied for a pension under the law of 1836 from Onondaga Co. N. York may I be allowed very respectfully to ask you to please inform me the objection to a pension in this case, or what further proof is required
Respectfully Your Most Ob d Serv t Tracy Joy
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm te of Pensions Washington D. C.

498
Oct. 13, 1904
To the Honourable Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
For genealogical purposes, we would like to know, if one Olive (Churchill) Steele drew a pension. And we would like to know the name of the town in Minnesota where she went, as we believe she must have drawn a pension after she moved West.
Her granddaughter thinks she drew a pension in Oneida Co. New York, she lived near

Utica, between Holland Patent and Trenton.
She was the widow of Joseph Steele Rev. soldier Conn. State Troops, in Capt. Elijah Wright's Com. of Col. Roger Enos's Reg. 1778 at White Plains and Ft. Clinton.
He died in Berlin Conn. Town of Mansfield - year not known but we believe it was 1798.
Very truly Yours and obliged.
Leonora B. Clark -
Bearr Meadows New York.

Oliver Steel - N.Y.
Sets New A. P. Grant
March 13 th 1838
Set to Dead Boy Feb 27. '45.

19.105 Joseph Steel
Sept. 23, 1837 - 82 Trenton N.J.
Sept. 75 Newington Conn Mrs. Capt. Wells Cal - Walnut Post - 3 m.
June 15, 1876 Capt. Wells Capt. Chester Wells Cal. Jno. Chester Post - 6 mos 15. d
June 78 Capt - Cal Post - 9 m
Mrs. Olive Churchill Oct. 27, 1774 Newington Conn B Jan'y 16, 1816 Post. Long Is
id 4195 Act July 4, 36 in Apr. 21, 1845 N.Y. Ag.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19105
Olive Steel
Wid. of
Joseph Steel
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. M Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June, 17, 1903. His to Miss L. B. Clark 2105 Arch St, Phila, Pa
Oct 22, 1904. His to Leonora B. Clark—Bureau needs show to get date of last payment