Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20185, for Oliver Jones, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Jones, Oliver Hannah
W 20/85
CONTENTS
A. Oct. 13, 1834 at Lisbon, Tolland Co. Conn. there at end, and in 1832. A. Oct. 23, 1835 -

Connecticut 9667
Oliver Jones,
of Hebron in the State of Conn. who was a private in the Comp: commanded by Captain Burnham of the Regt commanded by Col Ledyard in the State Troops time for
13 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 43. Dollars 33. Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of June 1833, and delivered to Judge Hendee, Present
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. 86.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 21 66 $ 108.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Francis Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3 d Page 21.

Connecticut - 129.
Hannah Jones, widow of Oliver Jones, deceased, who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June 1832, and who died on the 23 rd of October 1835, of Tolland Co. in the State of Connecticut, who was a private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Burnham of the reg t . commanded by Col. Sedgwick in the State Troops line for 13 months private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut, at the rate of 113 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of August 1838, and sent to Abner Rendee, Esqr., Hebron, Cont.
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1838, $ 86.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept. " - 21.66
$ 108.32
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by G. S. Rhodes Clerk Book A, Vol. 1, Page 189.

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss } Hebron
On this 3 rd day of August personally appeared in Open Court, before the Court of Probate within & for the District of Hebron after Now sitting, Oliver Jones of Hebron after a Resident in the Town of Hebron in Tolland County, Connecticut & District of Hebron Aged Sixty Nine Years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law Took on his oath make the following Declaration in order to Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress pass d June 7 th 1832 - that he Entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated viz / I enlisted April 1781, under Josiah Burnham a Lieut in a Company of Connecticut State Troops, Captain James  Isaac  Wheeler was Ensign both of the Town of Lyne in S t State of Connecticut I enlisted for Nine Months - I do not recollect, that the detachment I belonged to had any Captain I am sure I never saw one that belonged to our Company during my Entertainment, Mr. Ledyard Esq r - commanded the Reg t he was killed the Sep r following in fort Griswold when Arnold took it, & burnt New London, I was Stationed under S t Lieut James  Isaac  Wheeler at the mouth of Conn t River, at a place called Black Hall or Griswold's point in S t Town of Lyne, there was but about Seventy Men stationed at the mouth of S t River, we were Stationed near the house of Matthew Griswold Esq r L t Gov t of Conn t , at that time our duty was to guard the Coast, & the Mouth of the River in particular & to watch & give notice of the approach of the Enemy, & in the Nights we were frequently ordered out in a Whale Boat, to make discoveries of the approach of the Enemy, & generally to gain all the information we could, in such services we were constantly engaged during the whole time Monthly. I was stationed there & was discharged 1 st January 1782. In the fall of the year 1782 I was drafted for two Months, Ensign Murchock of Milham Co t took Command of our Detachment & Marched us from Hebron in Conn t to Warren Neck in Greenwich Co t

we March'd thro New Haven & Fairfield County back to Horse Neck in the Town of Greenwich Conn. I was during the time of my Draft with Plaquemine Medock, we were stationed at Horse Neck and Col o Mead who lived in S o Greenwich Commanded our Detach- ment, we rec d orders from him as Superior Officer. The service we performed was to watch the Refugees & Bow Boys as called, who were very mischievous & Bull on the line & the vicinity watching every opportunity to plunder, we had frequent scrimishes with the Bow Boys, I will recollect in one of our Scouting parties, we captured a noted Refugee named M c Dole or M c Duel, who had been an Adjutant of Col o Welles, Reft but had deserted to the enemy at New York, & was by them (as I understood, appointed a Superior Lieut in a Refugee Corps, he came out from New York with a Capt Fink, or Frink of the Refugees a man who knew the Country well, & had done us much injury on a raid, (of which I was one, took S o M c Dole a prisoner and (Fink or Frink escaped very narrowly), S o M c Dole was carried to Hartford, tried as a Deserter, & hung, I was drafted as stated for two months, but as my place was not supplied, I stayed ten weeks before I was permitted to Return home.
As soon as I returned home I was again drafted under a Capt John Willey. Lieut Dutton (his first name I have forgotten) - we were drafted for three months, we were ordered to New London, to pass onto Long Island, as I understood, but did not go on to the Island - we were ordered back, we were detained nearly the time we were drafted & were discharged with orders to hold ourselves in readiness, I do not recollect what the Col o was, as the different Corps did not parade very together - I have not a perfect recollection of the time but it was soon after I returned from Horse Neck that I was drafted, the whole time I was in service, was

Thirteen months I have no Discharges or Documentary Evidence. I was born in Helderberg on the 13 th day of October 1764 & now live & always have lived in S. Helderberg, when I went into service I lived in Helderberg I am known to the Rev John Ayers Alphus Gurn, & John Ayers to John Ayers both of Helderberg, & I hereby acknowledge my claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the pension I declare that My name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of this State, or any State
Given & subscribed this 2 nd day August 1832
Oliver Jones
Before me Abner Hance Judge of Court and the said Oliver Jones being first sworn, deposes that the facts stated in the foregoing application for a pension are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief. Subscribed to the foregoing application this 2 nd day of August 1832 Oliver Jones
We Alphus Gurn a Clergyman residing in the Town of Helderberg the Town and Village of in the County of Albany & State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Oliver Jones who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Sixty Eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War & that we concur in that opinion
Alphus Gurn John Ayers

And the said Court Do hereby declare their Opinion after Investigation of the Matter & after putting the Interrogatory Imposed by the War Department, & that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and several as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that S d Alpheus Geer who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman resident in S d Helton & that John Ayers who has also signed the same is a resident in S d Helton is a credible person & that this statement is entitled to Credit
Amos Hovey Judge Probate Court
Elmer Mann - Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Helton aforesaid. Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the appli- cation of Oliver Jones for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 3 rd day of August 1832
Gaylord Melvin Clerk

2118
Oliver Jones Appleton
advised 13 mo. pri. $43.33
Judy Hendre present

We John Ayers & Ishida Jones both of Davidson County & State of North Carolina, said Ayers aged Seventy Eight years & the s d Jones aged Seventy years (both of us being just seven according to Law Do Each of us on Oath testify (so far as we know) that We both have been for many years past & now are well acquainted with Oliver Jones of said Davidson & We both of us well remember that dur- ing the Revolutionary War, We think in the year 1781 - that s d Oliver Jones enlisted into a company of Davidson Militia & went to Richardson Court & that s d Oliver Jones we recollect was gone about Nine months as we suppose - but the exact time we neither of us can remember accurately it is so long since - the s d Deponent Ayers testifies that during the time s d Oliver Jones was stationed at the mouth of Davidson River he Ayers, once saw him s d Oliver there, doing Duty as a Soldier
& the s d Ishida Jones also testifies that he recollects that s d Oliver Jones went a short time

as a soldier to the Westward toward Nuffork but how long he staid I do not now recollect - we (Mr) both Deponents have always lived in Hebron Spencerd where the s d Oliver Jones was born & always has lived & we have both known him from a boy, & I the s d Individual Jones say that s d Oliver was my school mate when we were boys together
Further s d Deponents say not John Ayres
Is Jones
State of Connecticut
Sollund County ss Helen Probate
District August 3 rd 1832
Personally appeared in open court before the the above named
John Ayres & Frederick Jones perum
to known as creditable persons of were duly cautioned who made solemn oath to the truth of the within depositions by them subscribed & this court further certifies that their testimony is entitled to credit
Wner Henedee Judge Probate Court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the day & year last aforesaid
Cyrus Mace Clerk

* Personally appeared before me the undersigned. Judge of Probate within for the District of Helbron in Rolland County State of Connecticut — Oliver Jones of Helbron, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollections, he served, not less than the period mentioned below in the following grades — (Viz.)
For Nine Months (as a private soldier) from 1 st of April 1781 to 1 st of 1 st of Jan y . 1782 —
For two months, as a private in the fall of the year 1782 — the precise time I cannot now recollect, for reasons aforesaid.
For two months (commencing on some of the last days of Nov r 1782, the precise day I cannot now for reasons aforesaid distinctly remember, (I was a private soldier in this war also) — The whole time was thirteen months for such service I claim a pension
Oliver Jones
State of Connecticut Rolland County ss } District of Helbron 30 th Nov r 1832
Personally appeared in person Oliver Jones aforesaid & made oath to the truth of the above statement by him made, in addition to his former application for a pension, in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day & year last aforesaid — Cyrus M c Lean Clerk

236 — ar Hannah Jones Application if granted please send Abner Hendee Hebron, Contr
act 7 July 38 5 years.
married Dec. 86.
adm'd 12 mo. free
43.33
no deduction
Abner Hendee Hebron Con.

State of Connecticut } Hebron Probate District }
On this eighth day of August 1838 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron Hannah Jones a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland aged 75 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 7 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows" That she is the widow of Oliver Jones who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army and who was inscribed on the Pension list Roll of the Connecticut Agency on or about the 10 th day of June 1833 as by his application now on file in the Pension Office and the proceedings thereon will more fully show, and to which she refers for proof of her claim.
That she was married to said Jones on the thirteenth day of December, seventeen hundred & eighty six as by a copy of said records Marriage from the records of the Town of Hebron her unto affixed will fully show.
That her husband the aforesaid Oliver Jones died on the Twenty third day of October 1835—that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz at the time above stated and she has remained a widow ever since his death.
Hannah Jones her mark
Sworn & subscribed in open Court and J. Cheney Post Clerk of said Court do Certify that the within and

and foregoing contains the original proceedings in the application of Hoamah Jones for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court the day and year last before written
Charles Post Clerk

State of Connecticut Tolland County Hebron Town Clerks Office
Is August 6 th 1838
Copy
Oliver Jones of Hebron, and Hannah Freeman of Chatham were joined in Marriage December Thirteenth One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Six
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in plain legible figures as follows, at December 13 th 1786. Attest Henry H. Fitch Town Clerk
I Henry H. Fitch above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Hebron with the exception above named as certified by me Henry H. Fitch Clerk of the Town of Hebron
State of Connecticut County of Tolland
Be it known that on the 6 th day of August A.D. 1838 before me Abner Hovey a Notary Public for the State aforesaid personally appeared Henry H. Fitch who has subscribed the foregoing certificate and made oath that the same was a true copy of record with the exception therein stated
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day & year above written Abner Hovey Notary Public

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss-
Be it known that on this eighth day of August 1838 Before the subscriber a Notary Public for the State aforesaid personally appeared Reuel Brown & Harriet Brown who being sworn according to Law did depone and say that Oliver Jones late a Pensioner of the United States for Revolutionary services lived in their family for more than ten years before his death that he sickened & died on or about the twenty third day of October A 1835 leaving Harriet Jones who has now made application for a pension his widow & that said Harriet has ever since remained single & unmarried & is now the widow of said Oliver Jones & further their deponents say not
Reuel Brown Harriet Brown
Sworn & subscribed before me and I certify that the Deponents are persons well known to me and all persons of truth and their statement entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office the day and year above written
Abner Hurd Notary Public

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
H.F. 20185-
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Oliver Jones a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1. 1781 9 mos. Pvt. Josiah Burnham W. Edward Conn.   Fall of 1782 12 mos. or 10 wks. ✓ Meas   Nov. 1782 2 mos. John Killip  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hebron Tolland Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 3, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Hebron Tolland Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, born Oct 13, 1764 at Hebron Conn.
Remarks:
She died Oct. 23, 1835 - at 41 Hebron Conn. Yrs. S. Freeman. She was al  Soldier was Dec. 13, 1786, Hannah Freeman. She was al  just on an app. of Aug. 8, 1838, while a resident of  Hebron Conn. aged 75 years. to other family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20185
Hannah Jones
Wid. of
Oliver Jones
Prio. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. 81 , Page 380
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Apr 14 98
E. L. Sparks Boston, Ms
See Ltr. 16/70
MAY 2 1898
as above
Apl 8-1902
D. A. Jones - Purvisville Conn
1915 Mch. 31 Ltr. to Mr. F. C. Bissell. V. L. M. Letter in S. F. 13504 John Hay Ford. 1916 June 10 - Mrs. H. F. D. Ltr. that there is no reference to Asa Jones.

Oliver Jones - Con: act. 7 June when last paid?
J. M. C.
act 28. 1838
Died 23 Oct 1835 paid to that period
JH

Alva Jones
p 65
asm
C. Kenbee
Retd Feb 25th

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Oliver Lones which require further proof or explanation.
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 ? 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 ? No 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?
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?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
3 Subsequent
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 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡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.

J. L. M.
9

61 West Union St- Wilkes-Barre, Pa June 6, 1916.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir, -
Oliver Jones, born Oct. 13, 1763, son of Abner and Leah Hunt Jones, enlisted at Hebron Conn. served under Capt. Burnham, Col. Ledyard. He received a pension. His younger brother substituted for him a part of the time. The brother who substituted was Asa Jones.
Is there any thing on the pension record of Oliver Jones to show that his brother Asa substituted for him.
Yours truly,
(Mrs) H. F. De Witt.

C W N ec
Turner'sville Conn. March. 28-1902
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I wrote you some time ago relative to the following, but have received no reply. I am collecting records of my Jones ancestry. I am a relative of Oliver Jones of Hebron Conn. a pensioner of the Revolutionary War . Will you please inform me at what date Oliver Jones' pension ceased and where was he living at that time.
Also at what date a pension was granted to his widow Hannah Jones, and what date it ceased, where was she living while she received the pension.
No public records are found concerning this matter and no one is living who remembers about it.
If you can give me the information it will be thankfully received.
Yours respectfully. D. N. Jones

J. L. M. Rev. War Section.
June 15, 1916.
Mrs. H. F. DeWitt, 61 West Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the sixth instant, you are advised that in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Oliver Jones, W. F. No. 20,185 there is no reference to Asa Jones having substituted for Oliver Jones.
Very respectfully,
E. C. Nieman
Acting Commissioner.