Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20168, for William James, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
James William Lovisa
W. 20168
CONTENTS

District of Connecticut ss. County of Litchfield, County Court.
On this 5 th day of July 1820 personally appeared in open Court, being a court of RECORD for said county in said district, having the power to fine and imprison William James
aged sixty eight years resident in the said county, who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows:
I enlisted for three years in Capt. Joseph Mansfield's company in the Prov. Regt. commanded by Col. Return Jonathan Meigs in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment. I was discharged from the Army at Hartford in the State of New Jersey. My discharge is in the office of the Secretary of War. The original declaration by me made to the Secretary of War was dated the 4 th day of April 1818 & the pension certificate to me granted is numbered 301. & is dated the 29 th day of April 1818.
My occupation is that of a farmer from age & infirmity having lost the sight of one eye, I am unable to labour as I formerly did. My family residing with me are my wife Luissa aged sixty five years, my son James aged twenty eight years, my daughter Lavinia aged twenty five years, my son William aged twenty three years & my daughter Melinda aged eighteen years.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Sworn to and declared on the 5 th day of July A. D. 1820 before said Court
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
Mr. James Conn 301 Colt. Mica
I, Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court, in the county of Litchfield, and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the court ; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty four dollars and seventeen cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 14 th day of July 1820
Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk

x ✓ Connecticut - 257.
Lovisa James, widow of William James, decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March, 1818, and who died on the 8 th of August, 1831, of Litchfield co in the State of Connecticut, who was a Private - in the company commanded by Captain J. Mansfield of the regt commanded by Col. Meigs - in the Connecticut line for 2 years service.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Sep- tember 1838 and sent to Sarah H. Parsons, Hartford, Conn.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1838 $200:00 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar 39 - 40:00
$240:00
} Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by S. J. Ellsworth Clerk Book 2, Vol. 1, Page 189

(305) Connecticut.
William James II Private, Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of — 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the — 4 th — of April 1818. —
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th of April 1818 and paid to Asa Bacon Jr. Litchfield, Connecticut.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept. 1818. 5 1/2 mos. $40.25 $40.25
{Revolutionary claims, Act 18th March, 1818, }
3 Years From May 77 Till May. 80
Continued
Cash, Litchfield 60
Halfpension paid September 21st 1820 Pension not paid, Litchfield, Connecticut
Asa Bacon Jr. May 1820

Affidavit G. Starr B. Gilbert Nelson Morehouse demarriage of Lonia James

I Sarah Dennison of Warm in Litchfield County & State of Connecticut aged 82 years depose & say — That in the year 1780 I lived in East Haven near to William James & was then & since well acquainted with him — He married Lovisa Prime who resided but a few miles from S d James (in Branford) which I well remember was in the fall of 1780 — I did not attend the wedding but it was the subject of conversation among the neighbors & acquaintances of Mr James & his wife at the time & was generally known — I have never heard any body intimate a doubt of their marriage said James was a soldier in the Revolutionary War

He died at Warren in the Summer of 1831 & his widow remains unmarried & I further testify that she sustains a fair & good character. My late husband (Chauncy Dennison) was well acqu- ainted with the foregoing facts but he died about two weeks since.
Sarah Dennison
Warren August 3 1838 }
Sworn & Subscribed this 3 rd day of August A. D 1838 & I certify that the above deponent is a respectable & credible person -
Geo. P. Tallmadge Justice of Peace
3
Official Sarah Dennison re marriage of Mr. David Hamel

I certify that in the Records of the First Congregational Church in Branford, Conn t kept by the Rev Philemon Robbins who was pastor of said church from March 1783 to August 1781- is the following entry "in the list of Marriages performed by him" Seventeen hundred and eighty, x o o o eighth, William James and Miss alias Louisa Prince" (were married). And I further certify that this is the usual form in the Marriages performed by him are recorded, except that the word " Marriages " stands at the head of the record and the date is in fair Arabic figures as follows "1780, x o o o 8."
Timothy P. Gillett Pastor of the Branford August 2 d 1838 First Congregational Church in Branford Conn t
New Haven County ss Branford 2 nd August 1838 Personally appeared Timothy P. Gillett and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed - Before me William Tyler Justice of Peace

The subscribers inhabitants of Warren and Littlefield County & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Sarah Dunn is the Wife of  the  Wife of  Wife of Dunn late a free woman of the United States who died in August 1831. That she is a credible person & that she has a good character. That she has always been regarded as the lawful wife of S t William Dunn. we have never entertained a doubt upon this subject - we firmly believe she was married to him as she states in the fall of 1780 & that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Dated at Warren 9 th August 1838
George Dunn Benton Gilbert Nelson Woodhouse

Subscribed and sworn to before me by three of the persons who are personally known to me to be respectable and credible persons inhabitants of Weymouth
Geo. B. Talmaadge Justice of Peace
Subscribed and sworn to before me by three of the persons who are personally known to me to be respectable and credible persons inhabitants of Weymouth
Geo. B. Talmaadge Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Office of the Secretary of said State August 13 th 1838
I hereby certify that George P. Scollmudge, is a justice of the Peace within and for Litchfield county, and that William Dyer is a justice of the Peace within and for New Haven county, and have been, since the 20 th day of June last, and certify that the hand writing of said Scollmudge and Dyer hereto annexed are their genuine signatures.
In testimony of which I have hereto affixed the seal of this State and signed the same at the state above
Royal R. Hinman Secretary of State

Hon John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington Constitutional Ave
April 28: 1848.
Convt.
William James Smith.

Litchfield town & County State of Connecticut April 4 th 1818. before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield Personally appears William James of Goshen in the County of Litchfield & being duly sworn testifies and says that on the first day of May A 1777 he enlisted as a soldier for the term of three years in the com- pany commanded by Captain Joseph Mansfield in the sixth Connecticut Regiment Com- manded by Colonel Meigs. on the Continental establishment. That he served the United States in said company and Regiment a- gainst the common Enemy in the war of the Revolution during the whole of the aforesaid term of his enlistment viz. from the 1 st day of May A 1777. to the first day of May A 1780 when he was discharged at Westfield in New Jersey and received the enclosed Discharge signed by Eli Leavensworth. Major then in the actual command of said Regiment That the Deponent has never received a pension. and is poor and by reason of his reduced circumstances in life is in need of assistance from his Country for support In Presence of Asa Doolittle Esq. William James mark.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and date first above written
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut.

Benjamin Potter & Joel Potter, being duly sworn testify and say that they well know that the within named William James served in the war of the revolution for the term of three years on the Continental establishment in the company commanded by Captain Mansfield in the 6th Connecticut Regiment and that he was dischar- ged in the state of New Jersey, agreeable to his within affidavit.
Benj Potter
Joel Potter
Sworn to before me this fourth day of April 1818
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the state of Connecticut.
District of Connecticut ss Litchfield April 4th 1818 I Frederick Wolcott Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in said state. The same being a Court of Record. do hereby certify that as such Judge I have taken the proceedings affidavits of William James and Benjamin and Joel Potter, and have examined the enclosed discharge of the said William James and it appears to my satisfaction that he the said William James did serve the United States in the revolutionary war against the common enemy more than nine months & agreeable to his said affidavit
I therefore now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war." for the benefit of which the said William James hereby applies.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office the day above written
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the state of Connecticut.

If a pension is allowed to William James. Please enclose and send his certificate thereof to Asa Bacon Junr Litchfield

W254 application of Widow Louisa James , her declaration &c. before the Court of probate
in Litchfield Ct Feb y 10. 1837

Declaration of Widow Louisa James of Warren in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, the Widow of William James late of said Warren deceased in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 rd section of the Act of Congress, of July 4 th 1836.
State of Connecticut } } Litchfield County } } Probate Court }
On this tenth day of February 1837 personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Litchfield in said Litchfield County Mrs. Louisa James a resident in Warren in said County, aged seventy nine years , being first duly sworn according to Law, On her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed the 4 th July 1836. That she is the Widow of William James late of S d Warren deceased a soldier in the army of the revolution, & according to her best knowledge & belief enlisted early in the war & served faithfully to the close or nearly the close of the same, in 1783. From her loss of memory impaired by age & ill health she is not able to state with confidence the precise time, when he entered or left the service but she knows he was several years in the Continental Army . That he was a pensioner of the United States for many years, & the balance of his pension to the time of his death was received by her. The Company & Regiment in which he served she has forgotten but refers to the Army documents , & his representations & statements made when he was placed on the pension roll, under the act of Congress. That she was married to said William James the 15 th day of September 1780 at Branford in the County of New Haven (Conn.) where then lived by the Rev. Thomas Robbins a minister of the Gospel in that Town (who died many years ago). That her said husband W m James lived at that time in East Haddam in s d County, about five or six miles from the said Branford. That after the War ended, her husband removed his family to Litchfield & afterwards to said Warren where he died on the 8 th day of August 1831. The balance due for his pension to that time was received by her. That she has not since been married. & remains the Widow of said William James. That Mr. C o Denison & his wife when residing in said Warren were well acquainted with s d William James.

James, ... At the time of her marriage with said William lived in said East Haven near the residence of said William & knew him well: both knew & will testify to her marriage to said William James, at the time as before stated. I know that said William was a soldier in the Continental Army at the time, & that he was afterwards a pensioner of the United States. That he died at said Warren at the time before stated. That she knows of nobody now living who served in the Continental or revolutionary army with her said late husband.
Lovisa her James mark
State of Connecticut Probate District  Litchfield County
The preceding declaration was on the tenth day of February 1837. subscribed & sworn to, in open
Court, before me; ... And this Court is of opinion & do find on the testimony produced, that the said William James, named in the preceding declaration, was a soldier in the revolutionary army, from the early part to the end, or nearly to the end of the revolutionary war. That during that period viz. on the 15th day of September 1780. he was married to Lovisa James (then Lovisa Prince) at Branford in New Haven County. That said James was a pensioner for several years. That he died at said Warren 8 th August 1831. That the said Mrs. Lovisa James, has not since married & remains his lawful widow, that she resides in said Warren, & sustains a good character.
In testimony whereof I Frederick Wolcott, Judge of said Probate Court have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Court, on the day & year first above written. And I further certify that the said Lovisa James being for bodily weakness & infirmity unable to write she made her mark, that her request I wrote her name as appears in her said declaration of the word James in the parenthesis from the said declaration was attested before signing) Frederick Wolcott, Judge Probate.

O. W. & N. Div. I. 36616. W. 20168 L. W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 16, 1896.
Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of Thomas James, William James and Jeffery James, supposed to have been soldiers in the Revolutionary War, you are advised as follows:-
A very careful search has been made, and from the data given the name of Thomas James has not been found upon the Revolutionary pension records. This Bureau is, therefore, unable to furnish any information concerning him.
Jeffery James made application for pension April 2, 1818, at which time he was residing in Milford, Conn., and 73 years of age, and his pension was allowed for four years' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Charles Pond and Col. William Douglass. (Place of enlistment not stated).
William James made application for pension April 4, 1818, at which time he was residing in Goshen, Conn., and 66 years of age, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the

time he served under Capt. Joseph Mansfield and Col. Meigs.
( Place of enlistment not stated ).
His widow, Lovisa, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr Edward C. James,
Ogdensburgh, N. Y.

ind LHB
WIDOW, &c.
July 16 '96 Recd per to Edward James Cadenby M.Y.
File No. 20168
Lovisa James
Wid. of
William James
Priv. Rec. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. 21 Page 372
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rejected Ex V
Lot 15 & 6 Pains W. May 1887

Application for a pension under the act of July 7 th 1838 in favor of Lovisa James of Warren, Conn widow of W m James dec d
Sam l H. Parsons, Atty. of Hartford Ct

4 Hartford August 14 th A.D. 1838. Sir,
I herewith enclose an application for a pension under the act of 7 th July 1838, in favor of Mrs Louisa James of Warren, as the widow of William James who died at said Warren August 8 th A.D. 1831.
He served as a private soldier from May 19. 1777 to May 19. 1780 in R. D. Mays' regiment of the Connecticut line. He was placed on the Pension Roll of the Connecticut Agency April 29. 1808 under the act of 1818.
He was married to the present applicant Nov. 8 th 1780.
In proof of his services, I enclose the certificate of the State Comptroller. I would refer you to his papers at Washington. In proof of his marriage, I enclose the certificate of Rev. Timothy P. Gillett, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Branford Count & the affidavits of Sarah Dennis, George Starr, Burton Gilbert & Nelson

Morristown of Warren -
I am in very respectfully
Yr. ob. ft
J. L. Edwards Esq.      Samuel H. Parsons Commissioner of Pensions Washington.
P.S. I have already forwarded to you, applications for pensions under the Act of 4 th July 1838. in favor of the following persons. viz Mrs Elizabeth Treat of Middletown " " Zeruah Phelps      ditto " " Huldah Whaples of Berlin " " Elizabeth Chalker East Hartford.

Comptroller Architect

pages 72 & 226 -
State of Connecticut Comptrollers Office
Hartford August 14 1838.
I hereby certify that it appears from the revolutionary records in this office that William James served in Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs Regiment as a private soldier from May 19. 1777, to May 19 th 1780 -
Nancy Richardson Comptroller

Ch s Denison's Affidavit in case of Widow James 9 th Feby 1837

The deposition of Chauncy Denison of Warren in Litchfield County State of Connecticut, is as follows viz:
In the year 1780 before, I lived in East Haven in the County of New Haven, about a mile from the residence of William James, & about 5 or 6 miles from the residence of Louisa Prince of Branford (the adjoining town) s. Wm James was a soldier in the revolutionary War. I knew him well; He was married to Miss Louisa Prince of Branford in September 1780, by Parson Robbins (who died some years ago). I have been acquainted with Mr Wm James & his Wife for many years;
After the close of the War, Mr James removed with his family to Litchfield, & then to Warren, where he resided at the time of his death viz. on the 8 th day of August 1831. He was, as I have always understood & believed, a perpetual pensioner of the United States, down to his death, & for many years before. Mr Louisa James remains his widow & has not married. She resides in said Warren & sustains a good character. I am now Seventy-five years old . I was born at s. East Haven; but later resided for many years in Warren & still reside there. — Dated at s. Warren this 9 th day of February 1837
Chauncy Denison
State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield County }
On this 9 th day of February 1837 personally appeared Mr Chauncy Denison of Warren in s. County (to me well known to be a respectable & credible person) & made oath to the truth of the preceding deposition by him subscribed
Before Me Geo: P. Saltonstall Justice of Peace

May 10
J. L. Edwards Esquire Com ee of Pensions Washington
Mrs Holloway Mrs James
1253 1254 Mrs Holloway Mrs James

Sir
Hartford Conn. May 6 th 1837.
On the 11 th Feb y last, I enclosed to you the applications of Mrs. Holloway, the widow of John Holloway, & Mrs. James the widow of W m James, for pensions under the Act of Congress of 7 th June 1832. Since then nothing has been rec d from you in relation to those claims. The old ladies are in feeble health, poor & anxious to obtain their pensions. At their very urgent request, I would ask your attention to those claims, as soon as may accord with your convenience. —
Respectfully Yrs. &c Enoch Parsons.
J. L. Edwards Esq r Com ee of Pensions.

Application of Mrs. Eliza Holloway for W. L. L. James -
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Sir
Hartford / Conn. / February 11 th 1837
By desire of the Widow of John Holloway, & the Widow of William James, I forward herewith their respective applications for pensions under the Act of Congress passed the 4 th of July 1836. Their husbands were both pensioners of the U.S. for many years, & until they died. Every fact, stated by them & found to be true by the Court, may I presume be safely relied on. But these Widows, are both poor, very poor, & withal enfeebled in body & mind, that very little information can be got from them; & hence the necessity of referring to the statements made, when their husbands were placed on the pension roll. Those statements, we presume, are in the possession of the government; and I would respectfully request, that they be examined, (if you deem it necessary) as I have no doubt but both these Widows, are included in the provisions of the Act of 4 th of July.
Very respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq r Com te of Pensions
I am Yr
Enoch Parsons
P.S. You'd please to direct your reply to me, in Hartford. E. P.

M rs Sarah Denison's Affidavit de case of Widow James 9 th Feb y 1837.

The deposition of W m Sarah Denison of Warren in Litchfield County & State of Connecticut, aged 80 is as follows viz t . I formerly (many years ago) resided in East Haven in the County of New Haven & State aforesaid I resided there in 1780 & well remember that William James, then of East Haven, married Louise Prince of Branford early in the Fall of 1780 & that I then was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, & as I have always understood & believed, a Revolutionary soldier of the United States afterwards, & continued a pensioner till his death in August 1838. After the War was ended W m James moved his family to Litchfield & then again removed them from Litchfield to Warren. I have been very well acquainted with said James & his Wife. she sustains a good character in Warren & remains the Widow of said W m James. Dated at Warren this 9 th day of February 1837.
Sarah Denison
State of Connecticut } ss. On this 9 th day of Feb- Litchfield County } ruary 1837 personally appeared W m Sarah Denison of Warren in said County (to me well known to be a credible person & sustains a good character) & made oath to the truth of the preceding deposition by her subscribed
Before me Ez. P. Allen adf Justice of Peace

Dear William Lloyd Jones & the Committee of having received from you the sum of which is engaged in discharge of all accounts Respectfully yours November 19th 1838
E. L. Caven November 19th 1838

Mr James has drawn the 4th May 1790
Diff'd
Any thing else
Provisions including rum & brandy
for 100 miles
for 100 miles

329 Declaration of Mrs Lovisa James widow of W m James - dec d under act of June 7 th - 1838.
Admitted Private 2 years / 80-
Saml H. Purvis Esq ry Hartford Conn t

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838, entitled "An Act granting Half pay Pensions to certain widows"
State of Connecticut } D. District of State field County of Litchfield }
On this 10 th day of August A D 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield Mrs. Lovisa James a resident of Warren in said District aged 81 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth hereby 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 William James, who according to her best knowledge & belief served in the war of the Revolution from an early period, & as she had hereto- fore supposed to nearly the close of that war. She knows he was several years in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army. & is able to show that he served more than two years in Colonel Barnum Jonathan Mays regiment.
She farther declares that she was married to

I William James prior to the first of January 1794. viz t on the Eighth day of November 1780 at Branford in Connecticut (where she then lived) by the Rev d Mr d Robbins, a Clergyman in that Town who died some years ago; It has been her impression that she married in September 1780 and she has so stated; but she now finds on enquiry that she was mistaken; it was the 8 th day of November 1780. Her husband removed from East Haven to Litchfield & afterwards to Warren & died at said Warren on the 8 th day of August 1838, as will appear by the documents lodged at the U.S. Pension Agency in Hartford at that time. That she has not since been married, but remains the lawful widow of said William James.
Lovisa for James
Sworn to and subscribed on the 10 th day of August A.D. 1838.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court of Probate and subscribed my name.
Phinehas Miner Judge of Probate for the District of Litchfield

Ogdenbury, N.Y. July 5, 1896
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
My dear Sir:— I write to procure copies of the applications for Revolutionary Pensions , under the Act of March 18 th 1818, of William James of New Haven, Connecticut who enlisted in Capt. Mansfield's company of the Sixth Regiment , Connecticut Line, May 19 th 1777 for three years. He was discharged May 19 th 1780.
Also of Jeffrey James, of Fairfield Conn. who enlisted in Capt. Pond's company of the Sixth Regiment , Connecticut Line, May 27 th 1777, for the War.
Also of Thomas James, whose enlistment I cannot give, but who drew a pension under said act.
Also of Lovisa James, who, in 1840, was residing at Wann, Litchfield Co., Conn. and who drew a pension under said act.
I will millerly pay any charges correct.

ed with this request upon notice of the account.
I make these enquiries for the purpose of obtaining important data in family history. Your early attention will oblige. You will readily understand that I want copies of all these papers which contain my data relating to residence, service, family, &c.
If this request should have been made to some other Department, or Bureau, will you kindly refer it to the proper office and give me notice of your action.
Respectfully yours
Edward C. James late Colonel 106 New York Vols.