Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17522, for Aaron Judson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Judson, Aaron
S. 17522
CONTENTS
carded

22.999 Connecticut
Saron Judson Hartford in the State of Conn who was a Parall in the Conn commanded by Captain Coe — of the Regt commanded by Coe in the Conn Troops time for 10 mo 19 dys —
Enrolled on the Roll of Conn the rate of 34 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Jan 1834 — and sent Nov Y. G. Merrill Senate
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33 $ 86.10 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar. 4. 34 — 17.22
$103.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. B. Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 22

Aaron Judson's Application for a Pension

State of Connecticut Hampden County } Bridgeport November 6 th 1833, Personally appeared Aaron Judson the within named applicant for a pension before the Court of Probate in and for the District of Stratford in said County & being first sworn makes this further Declaration to wit.
That in addition to what he has heretofore stated he now adds that during said campaigns of service in the Revolution he was either in field or Garrison & not employed in any civil pursuit, during said campaigns and performed said service in Regular embodied corps sent into service by Authority of the State of Connecticut. Genl Gots S Sillaman commanded the Brigade to which Capt Coes, company Militia, belonged Col Samuel Whiting was Col of the Regiment & Col Abels was in command at Hampden campaign , That Abijah Dearslee & Ephraim J. Wilson was, with him one campaign in Fort Pattersons, Gaund. when he was Sergeant which Gaund was in service by Authority of the State of Connecticut of G. Gaund but they cannot either remember

whether he was a Seargeant of said Gaurd or not That he has procured all the Testimony that he can to his service and that it is beond his power to make any Proof that he was a Seargeant in the Revolution That part of his claim must stand on his own declaration and if his character for Truth & veracity is not sufficiently supported by the certificated of David Brooks & Daniel Judson Esquire & the Hon. David Plant & 2 select men of the Town where he lives, to justify the granting that part of his claim as a Seargeant, he requests that he may be placed on the Pension List Roll as a private Soldier
James Judson
Subscribed and Sworn to in open Court on said 6 th day of November A 1833 before me
Mark Moore Judge
Attest.
R. L. Nichols, Clerk

26. 557.
Aaron Judsons Application for A Pension—

9 We David Brooks, & Daniel Judson Justus of The peace in the Town of Stratford County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut together with Elijah Curtis & Stiles Judson Select men of said Town of Stratford - Certify that we are personally acquainted with Aaron Judson of said Stratford who has applied for a pension who is a man that sustains a good character for truth & veracity & is believed in the neighbourhood to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion (Dated at Stratford Daniel Judson August 12 1833) David Brooks
Elijah Curtis Stiles Judson
Stratford, Conn. Aug. 12. 1833
This May certify that I have long been well ac- quainted with the above named Aaron Judson that he sustains an unblemished character for truth & honor. It is well understood here, that Mr. Jud- son performed military service in the revolutionary war, & I consider his declarations on that subject entitled to full credit. David Plant

State of Connecticut. County of Fairfield
} ss. Bridgeport
On this 10 th day of August 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate in & for Stratford District in said County now sitting, Aaron Judson a resident of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged 73 years, who being first 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.
That in the Month of April 1776 he belonged to Capt Elmeza Coes Company of Militia in the Town of Stratford in said County when he was drafted from said Company & marched from said Stratford to the City of New York under the command of Insign. Nehemiah Curtis of said Stratford was stationed on Governor's Island at which time he performed Two months service for the United States was discharged at New York, never had any written discharge was a private Soldier in said campaign does not know of any person now alive that was with him in said campaign, he remembers that Nathaniel Sampson, Elnathan Jones, John Wayland & Elizah Curtis all of said Stratford were with him & was drafted from said Militia company who are all dead. has no documentary evidence to prove this form of service - said draft was by authority of the State of Connecticut. That in the Summer of 1776 he belonged to said Capt Coes Company of Militia when said Company was ordered into the United States Service By Authority of the State to go to New York said Company all went to New York from said Stratford in a Sloop by water under command of Capt Coe that he did duty in said Company on the East River side of New York for Nine weeks when he was taken Sick and his Brother came to assist in bringing me home to said Stratford my brother obtained

permission of Capt Coe to take me home & also obtained a pass for him & me from Genl Putnam to pass Kings Bridge - That he left New York 3 days before the British took possession of it - has no written Discharge or documentary evidence to prove this Tour of Service was a Sergeant in said company but never had any Warrant always acted as sergeant clerk of said company - That in 1777 in the Spring he was Drafted from said Capt Coe's Company into a company of Gaurd Stationed in the Town of Stamford & commanded as he believes by Capt Bartram Col Abels was Col & Col S. Silliman Genl of the Brigade to guard said Town of Stamford. That he served the United States in this campaign. Four months by authority of the State of Connecticut. had no written Discharge has no documentary evidence to prove this Tour of service - & was a Sergeant in said company, had no Warrant, does not know of any person now alive by whom he can prove this Tour of service -
That in the Summer of 1778 he was again Drafted from said Coe's Company into a Company of Gaurd which said was Stationed at said Stamford cannot now recollect the name of the Capt of said Gaurd but Col Abel & Genl. Silliman had command, That he served the United States in this Tour Six weeks - as a Sergeant had no Warrant nor any written discharge nor any documentary evidence to prove this service - in the year 1779 I belonged to said Capt Coe's Company & was out in service as a Sergeant of said company for One Week when the British Landed & burnt some stores at New Haven & when they Burnt Stamford he was at both places - which was one Week. at which time said Coe's Company was

order into service - for The United States
That in the year 1782 he enlisted in to a Gaurd at Said Stratford commanded by Lieut. Saml Patterson of said Stratford as a Sergeant for Eight months which service was performed for The United States in keeping Gaurd at said Town of Stratford said Gaurd was raised by Authority of the State of Connecticut was discharged at said Stratford at the end of said Eight months service (See page 5)
The said Aaron Judson 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.
Attest. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
R S Nichols, Clerk
Aaron Judson
We, Abijah Beardslee  clergymen , residing in the town of Stratford and Sidney J Beardslee residing in the same, hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Aaron Judson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Attest. Sworn and subscribed the day and date aforesaid.
R S Nichols, Clerk
Abijah Beardslee Sidney J Beardslee
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 Abijah Beardslee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergymen , resident in the town of Stratford and that Sidney J Beardslee who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Stratford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest.
Mark Moore Judge
R S Nichols, Clerk
I, Roswell Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Judson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 10 th day of August
183 3
Office,
R S Nichols, Clerk

The following Depositions of Ephraim J. Wilson Abijah Beardslee & David Judson, Subscribed & Sworn to in open court, are part of The proceedings in the case of the within named Applicant, herein certified under my hand & seal of office & I further certify that the said Ephraim J Wilson, Abijah Beardslee & David Judson are credible Witnesses & persons of fair character for truth & veracity -
Attest. R. S. Nichols, Clerk
I Mark Moore Judge of the court of Probate within & for the District of Stratford certify that Russell Nichols is Clerk of said court, that the foregoing is his signature with the seal of said court thereunto annexed
Mark Moore Judge

had no written discharge nor any Sergeants Warrant in this campaign nor any documentary evidence to prove this term of service but Col Ephraim J. Wilson & Abijah Beardsley of said Stratford were both with him in this campaign & can testify to this term of service - was, during said the campaigns, constantly in service for the United States -
was born in said Stratford on the 30 th day of August 1759 his age is recorded in the Town Records of said Stratford was living in said Stratford when called into service always lived there & still lives there -
was called into service by Draft & by enlistment some of the regular officers with whom he served was Genl Gold S. Silliman Col Samuel Whiting Col Abels Capt Coe, Lieut Saml Patterson never had any written discharge no persons alive with whom he served except those that he has mentioned The reason he has not obtained the certificate of a clergyman is that the clergyman has recently settled & knows nothing of his Revolutionary service Sidney J. Beardsley & Abijah Beardsley are persons in my neighborhood & can testify their belief that he was a Soldier of the Revolution -
my term of service is as follows to wit in 1776 2 months as a private soldier not allowed " 1776 2 " 21 weeks allowed " 1777 4 " not allowed " 1778 1 " 2 weeks not allowed " 1779 1 " allowed " 1782 8 " allowed  18 months Sixteen as a Sergeant & 2 a private
Aaron Judson

2 7 Ephraim J. Wilcoxson of said Stratford aged 71 years & Abijah Beardsley of said Stratford aged 69 years depose & say that they are well acquainted with Aaron Judson of said Stratford the afforesaid Applicant that they both belonged to Lieut Saml Pattersons company of guard raised by Authority of the State of Connecticut for the term of Eight months in 1782 & have personal knowledge that said Aaron Judson served the United States in said Pattersons guard with us in said company in the War of the Revolution
Ephraim J. Wilcoxson Abijah Beardsley
Said Judson of Fairfield in Fairfield County State of Connecticut 76 years of age deposeth & saith that the before named applicant is his Brother, and that in the year 1776 his Brother Aaron was in the service of the United States in Capt Loess company in the city of New York & that he said said was at that time a student in Yale College & hearing that his Brother was sick in New York with what was then called Camp Distemper he went after him & brought him home to Stratford & he recollects that when they passed Kings Bridge they stoppt to show their pass to the officer & he told them to pass on as his Brother

appeared so sick he would not detain them To examine their past That he was absent from home in the War of the Revolution & was not so situated as to have any further knowledge of my Brothers Revolutionary service — than what he has stated
David Hudson

26,557 35 353 111
A Hudson
10 m o 18 days pirated
servis nit proved, and where documents do not show the cargo to have been in actual servis nit allowed
$ 34,44
G Forntinson
Vansfeld

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
56th 33
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of A. Horton
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } ss.  On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
An claimant never held the usual evidence of his rank as serg, it will not be allowed upon the present evidence.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

17522 INVALID.
File No. 17,522
Mason Judson Pr. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7, '99
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]