Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6366, for Abiel Linsly, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Linsky, Abel Anna
R. 6366
CONTENTS

V 3852
Anna Linsley
714
act 7 July 38
[Faint handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page] Chandler 2 Am... Hedlund 35... Est 5 May 1777... Journal March 1 1783

State of New York County of Steuben S.S.
Sixteenth
On this sixth  seventh day of October in the year one Thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Common Pleas  Common Pleas Court for said County now sitting M c Anna Linsley a resident of the town of Prattsburgh in the county of Steuben aged Seventy five 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 and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Abiel Linsley who was a Quarter Master Sergeant in the Revolution- ary War - That the said Abiel Linsley was born in the town of Litchfield and County of Litchfield State of Connecticut that before he entered the Army he removed to Woodbury in the County aforesaid. That he enlisted for and served six months in the Northern Army under Col o Kennan according to the best of her recollection in the year 1775 or 1776 - After his return from the North he was at home about six months and then enlisted during the war and served until the close of it - She thinks he was a Sergeant from near the Commence- ment of his last enlistment - that he served for more than two of the last years as a Quarter Master Sergeant and believes he held a higher grade before he left the Army but cannot now recollect He was under Gen l Huntington in the Regiment of Col o Durgan or Durgan. She does not recollect nor can she ascertain the name of the Captain or other Officers under which he served - He was in the battle of Monmouth and was at West Point - she cannot now remember what other battles he was in or places where he lay He was absent from the Army on furlough when the war closed and therefore did not receive a discharge and has no documentary testimony -
Jan 7

She further declares that she was married to the said Abiel Linsley on the 28 th day of September in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty three, in the town of Woodhull aforesaid - That her husband the aforesaid Abiel Linsley died on the Twelfth day of May in the year Eighteen hundred and thirteen in the town of Prattburgh aforesaid - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service - but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four VIZ. at the time above stated - She further states that she was never married to nor was the wife of any man but the said Abiel Linsley and now remains his widow - That there is no record proof to her knowledge, but in the family Bible which has been transferred from one Bible to another by different hands and therefore cannot be allowed as evidence.
Anna Linsley
Sworn & subscribed before me this 16 th day of Octbr 1838 in open court —
Wm. H. Bell Clerk of Steuben County

State of New York County of Steuben 288.
Sixteenth
On this fourth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Personally appeared before me.
Henry G. Linsley son of Abiel Linsley farmer a resident of the town of Prattsburgh County and State aforesaid aged forty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law. Says that he was present on the twelfth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen and saw his father Abiel Linsley husband of Anna Linsley expire or decease and was at his funeral and burial and for the the depo- -mant saith not —
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day I year aforesaid in open court. Wm. H. Bull Clerk of Steuben County
Henry G. Linsley
I the said William H. Bull Clerk aforesaid do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Henry G. Linsley who has sworn to and subscribed the above affidavit and do believe him to be a man of strict truth and veracity and therefore a credible witness —
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set My hand and Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 16 th day of October 1838. and that the interlineation of the date and the word "Common Pleas" in the place of Circuit were inserted before the affidavit was taken.
Wm. H. Bull

Rev. War Section.
cu
June 9, 1922.
Miss Sue I. Silliman, Public Library, Three Rivers, Mich.
Madam:
In response to your letter of the 6 th April, you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 6366, it appears that Abiel Linsly was born at Litchfield, Conn. date not stated. He lived at Woodbury, Conn. during the Revolution. He married September 28, 1783, at Woodbury, Conn. Anna Gilbert, and he died May 12, 1813, at Prattsburgh, N. Y. Their oldest son was Henry, aged 49 years in 1838. The names of other children not stated. Soldier had a brother Joel who married Levina Gilbert, the sister of Anna Gilbert. There is no further data on file as to family.
The widow Anna applied for pension October 16, 1838, at which time she was 75 years old and a resident of Prattsburgh, N. Y. She alleged that her husband Abiel Linsly enlisted in 1775, or 1776, and served six months as Quartersmasters Sergeant under Col. Hinman, after which he en-

listed and served to the close of the Revolution, as Sergeant and Quartermaster's Sergeant, in the Connecticut Troops .
Her claim was not allowed as it appeared that he deserted from the Eighth Connecticut Regiment on March 1, 1783.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension, or bounty land has been made on account of his services and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of a Joel Linsley, or Linsly. It is not stated in the above noted claim of Anna Linsly that Joel Linsly was a soldier.
Very respectfully,
Washington Gardner Commissioner.

192 June 9th of the S. Allinian.
6366
P. O. _____
Annu Linsley med.
Service: Abiel Linsley
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: List of rejected claims printed in 1852 shows cause
Re-enlisted: of rejection, as follows: "he was a deserter."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

3852 V Not 7 July, 1838.
Anna Linsley, N.Y.
Let. to Crastus Skinner,
May 25, 1839.
to same 21 Oct. 1839 - do. to Sec. of War, Jan. 11. 1840
6366

Aug 26.
NY ADK 16 PRATT Annadale
Free
War Department Pension Office Washington

War Department Pension Office
Enclosed I send the Certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut showing the service of Abiel Linsley as on the pay rolls in that office. We think he served longer in the capacity of 2 d Master Sergeant but have not the means now of substantiating it.
Respecting the record proof of the marriage I enclose a letter from Charles B. Phelps Esq t of Woodbury Connecticut which I received last September before making application but not thinking it necessary to show only on the oath of the applicant that there was no record did not forward it. I wrote to Mr Phelps as follows.
"Sir under the new act for granting pensions to widows it is necessary to prove marriage. I wish to ascertain if there is any record in your Town or Parish of the marriage of Abiel Linsley to Anna Gilbert which took place on the 28 th of September 1783. Was married by Daniel Sherman Esq t then it is believed town Clerk. If you should find a record of the fact you will please send me a duly certified copy of the record by the town Clerk or Pastor of the Parish." To which I rec d the enclosed answer which I presume will be sufficient on that point.
Abiel Linsley late husband of the applicant made a record of his marriage in his Bible in his own hand writing and as the Bible was pretty much worn out at his death his eldest son Henry G. Linsley copied off the record into a new Family Bible since which the old Bible with the original record is destroyed. The son was well acquainted with his father's hand writing & has often heard his Father say he wrote it all of which he can testify to if it will be any evidence in the case.
Resp t your O ld S t
Ebenezer Skinner
Prattsburgh N.Y. Augt 14 1839.

The state of Ohio } Personally appeared before Washington Co. } me John Bolton one of the } Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said county, Mrs. Levisa Linsley of the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, says she was born in the town of Woodbury in the State of Connecticut the 28 th day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and fifty eight. That her name was Levisa Gilbert; that she is sister to Mrs. Anna Linsley the applicant, whose name was Anna Gilbert; that the deponent after- ward married Joel Linsley, and that her sister Anna the applicant, married Abiel Linsley, his brother after peace was declared, and before the first of January 1794, to wit, on or about the twenty eighth day of September 1783 in the town of Woodbury, County of Litchfield. They were married by Daniel Sherman Esq. a Justice of the Peace. That the deponent was by and in the room, and then and there saw them married together; and further the deponent saith not. - Levisa Linsley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this tenth day of November A.D. 1838. at Marietta in the County of Washington aforesaid
John Bolton, Assoc. Judge.
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Mrs. Levisa Linsley who has signed and sworn to the above, and do believe her to be a person of strict truth and veracity, - and therefore a credible witness.
John Bolton et

The State of Ohio } I Thomas Wewart, clerk of the court of com- Washington County Common Pleas within and for said county hereby certify that Hon John Cotton before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken is now & was at the time of taking said Deposition an associate Judge of the court of Common Pleas for said county; and that his signature within written is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court at Marietta this tenth day of November A.D. 1838 Thos Wewart, clerk (H)

Erastus Skinner
21. Oct. 1839
OC

248 War Department.
Pension Office
21. Oct. 1839
Sir The additional evidence in the  re of relation to the revolutionary services of Abial Linsley late husband of Anna Linsley shows that Abial Linsley of the 8 th regiment of the Connecticut Line was paid for his services as a Sergeant to the 31 Dec 1781 by the rolls of the regiment & it appears he deserted on the 1 st March 1783. By desertion he forfeited all claim to pay for service previously rendered - The claim is therefore rejected
Erastus Skinner Esq. Pultneyville N.Y.

Erastus Skinner
May 25, 1839.
O. 6.

455 War Department Pension Office May 25 1839
Sir The papers of Mrs. Anna Lindsey widow of Abiel Lindsey have been examined and filed - The proof in relation to the date of the claimants marriage is not satisfactory - Record evidence of that  the  fact is required in every  instance instance if attainable - It must be shown that there is no record of the marriage  there in the town of Woodbury before such evidence of that fact can be admitted. Of the revolutionary services of the claimants husband there is no proof in this office - If he served as alleged some evidence of it may be found in the office of the Comptroller of the state of Connecticut.
Erastus Root Esq. Pittsfield New York

Hon. J. R. Poinsett, Sec. of War, Jan. 11. 1840
O. C.

War Dep t
Pension Office
Jan. 11. 1840 1841
127.
Sir:
At the request of the Hon. M. Mallory, of the House of Representatives, the enclosed papers in the case of Anna Linsley, widow of Abiel Linsley, dec d are submitted to you, with a view of obtaining the opinion of the Attorney General. Linsley deserted and never returned to the Service after desertion. He thereby forfeited all  every claim to pension and other gratuity. In no case like this has a pension ever been granted; nor has the opinion of the Attorney General ever been asked on the subject, because the principle that a deserter is not entitled to a pension is so universally admitted that the Dep t has never entertained any doubt on the subject. As the soldier was not entitled to a pension in this case, his widow, of course, has no claim.
I have the honor
Hon. J. R. Poinsett, Secretary of War
No. 3852 act 38

Chas. B. Phelps P.M.
Letter
Woodbury Ct Sept 17 3
To Chas B Phelps P.M.
Erasmus Skinner Esq
Pratt'sburg Stearns Co N.Y.

Woodbury Conn
17 Sept / 88
E Sherman Esq
Yours asking for evidence of Alice Linsley marriage to Anna Sallie Sherman
No such record is in the Town Clerks office. There are after 1780 but some half dozen entries which  which are until the year of 1820. Deane Sherman Esq was never here he was Judge of Probate from what I learn of his habits. from what I learn of his I have some opportunity to know from the custody of the Records he means probably no entry if he said they would be in his private papers. His family are extinct & all a grand daughter who knows nothing about it.
Yours must wait to reputation probably -
Yours
Chas B. Phelps

War Department
Prattsburgh, Steuben Co. N. York.
Secretary of Pensions
Dec r 11 th 1838
Sir
Enclosed I send the papers of Mrs. Anna Linsley in application for a pension under the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838.
We suppose that Abiel Linsley's name is on the roll and therefore to identify the Soldier and to shew the marriage is all that will be necessary in her case. You will much oblige me by sending law and instructions from your office respecting widows.
L.
Your Obt. Serv t J. Enaslus Skinner Agent

Comptroller's Office
Hartford July 31 1839
I certify that On application for evidence of the services of Abial Linsley who claims service in the war of the Revolution under Col. Himmans at the Northwards in 1775 subsequently Enlisted as a private during the War. that I have examined the Books of papers remaining in this Office and find his name on a List of discharges in Col. Himmans Regiment 1775 by Genl Schuyler — no date or length of service given — And on examination of the Records of Settlement made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, I find Abial Linsley in a Settlement with the 8th Connecticut Regiment, Isaac Sherman Esq. Col. before Jan'y 1780 when he is entered as a Sergeant and commenced service May 5th 1777 Time of Settlement Jan'y 1780 having served Two Years Seven months 26 days Again, same Regiment as Sergeant and commenced service January 1780 Time of Settlement Jan'y 1781 having served One Year. Again same Regiment commenced service as Q.M. Sergeant Jan'y 1781 Time of Settlement Dec 31 1781 having served One Year —
3. 7. 26 as Sergeant
1. 0. 0 as Q.M. Sergeant
4. 7. 26
Henry Kilbourn Compt

State of New York Wayne County
Personally appeared before me Fred Smith a Supreme Court commissioner for the said County of Wayne Samuel Handy, who being duly sworn accor- ding to law says he was born in the town of Killingworth, County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, that he resided in Guilford in the said County of New Haven at the time he entered the Army, that he served under Captain Stephen Hall in a Regiment comman- ded by Col. Swift in Huntington, Brigade that since the War he has resided in the State of Connecticut and in the State of Connecticut that his opponent became acquainted with Alice Linsley in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one at which time the said Alice Linsley was in the capacity of and ac- ting as Quarters Master Sergeant in a Regiment commanded by Col. Duryea said Regiment was at this time near West Point, that this opponent became acquainted with the Widow of Alice Linsley some time since the close of the Revolutionary War, about the year Eighteen hundred and

Evident, that this deponent has frequently seen him since that time
Samuel Hardy
Subscribed and sworn this 4 th of October 1838 before me
Frederick Smith
Supreme Court Commissioner
I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Samuel Hardy and know him to be a person of truth and veracity
Frederick Smith
Supreme Court Commissioner
State of New York }
County of Wayne }
I certify that Frederick Smith whose signatures appear to the above certificate, and before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date thereof a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for said County duly appointed and sworn and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 5 th October 1838
Allen Foster Clerk Wayne County

2715 Three Rivers Free Public Library
Three Rivers, Michigan
R. B. LINSLEY, PRESIDENT CARL KLOCKE, VICE PRESIDENT MRS. JENNIE WALTON, SECRETARY MISS SUE I. SILLIMAN, LIBRARIAN
Directors:
R. B. LINSLEY CARL KLOCKE J. C. SHOWALTER MRS. JENNIE WALTON
Apl 26, 1922
Hon. Washington Gardner Commissioner of Pensions Rev. War Section, Record Division Washington, D. C.
My dear sir: In reply to your communication of April 24 th , I enclose data concerning Joel Linsley and of Abiel Linsley of Connecticut whose Revolutionary service is desired by the Linsley family. [Abiel Linsley (III) son of Abiel (Jr) served in the Revolution from Cornwall]
Very truly,
Sue I. Silliman Librin

Joel Linsley born 2/7/1756 where Woodbury Conn. North Branford, Conn died 1818 where Cornwall, Vt buried married abt 1782 where to Savina Gilbert born 12/-/1758 where died where buried
III The said Joel Linsley was the son of Abiel Linsley (jr) born 1730 where died 1800 where buried In 1761 was a Grantee of Cornwall, Vt married Oct 5, 1752 where Thankful Pond born where died where buried
IV The said Abiel Linsley (jr) was the son of Abiel Linsley (sr) born 3/22/1706 where died where buried married where born where died where buried
Public Library Three Rivers, Mich.
V The said _____ was the _____ of

Children of Joel: Sally, Mrs Baldwin b. 1783 Betsey Horace * Joel H. Gilbert Charles Lucious Julius b. 1801