Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 6915, for Ashbel Marsh, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Marsh, Ashbel
TR 6915
CONTENTS

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of Connecticut } March 19 th AD 1833 County of Litchfield. } for Litchfield December. 1832
On this 19 th day of December AD 1832  March 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of in the County of Litchfield now sitting Ashbel Marsh a resident of said town of Litchfield in said County aged 66 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 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 (viz). —
I was born in said town of Litchfield November 10 th 1766 my age is recorded in the Town Records of said Town I have always resided and still do reside in said town
On the first of May 1781 I enlisted for one month into a sergeant's guard at said town of Litchfield and continued to enlist for one month at a time, on the first of each of the months, succeeding said first of May until the first of December 1781. said guard was under the command of Sergeant Jonathan Hinsdale and was raised for the purpose of defending

the prison in said town. Such a guard was kept on foot during the greater part of the Revolutionary War When our boys & refugees & other prisoners were taken upon the lines at Horseneck, White Plains &c they were often sent to Litchfield for greater security. Supplies for the army were often carried through and deposited at Litchfield it being considered unsafe to convey them along the Courts of Long Island Sound. And a sergeant's guard was therefore constantly necessary in this place to secure prisoners and to protect the supplies. In the spring of 1781 the more able bodied being wanted in the regular army this sergeant's guard (consisting of eight men and the sergeant) was filled up with young men from 15 to 18 years of age who were considered to be unfit for consequence of their youth for the regular service. I did duty in this guard seven months enlisting from month to month from the first of May to the last of November 1781. During this period there were prisoners in the gaol & among them an English Lieut Johnson who was taken at White Plains and was under the suspicion of being a spy. Our duty was to be at the guard house and by rotation to perform the duty of standing sentry. Two sentries were every night stationed one in front of the other in rear of the prison. While

I was standing sentry in front , one night (I think in June) an attempt was made by some Tories to rescue Johnson they were fired upon by my comrad one Phinehas Goodwin and one of them as was afterwards discovered by the name of Blakesley was wounded & the rest dispersed. Johnson was however afterwards in the next winter rescued from prison by Tories but this was after my service on the guard had expired.
I am known to the Rev d Truman Marsh. Seth P. Beer Eliezer Harrison Esq y & others who can testify to my character for veracity & to their belief of my service And after diligent inquiry I can find no other proof of my service except the affidavits of John Baldwin & Freeman Clark which are herewith sent — I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid — Asahel Marsh before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate District of Litchfield, Connecticut.
We Truman Marsh clergyman residing in said town of Litchfield & John Phelps residing in the same town hereby certify that We are well acquainted with Mr. Asahel Marsh who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that We believe him to be of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion,
Sworn to & subscribed the 3 day & year aforesaid. 3 before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate District of Litchfield Connecticut.
1. Truman Marsh John Phelps

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named Applicant Ashbel Marsh was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states of the Court further certify that it appears to them that the Rev. Truman Marsh who has subscribed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Litchfield of that Mr. John Phelps - who has also signed the same is a resident in said Litchfield & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to full credit,
For ascription Woodruff, Judge of Probate District of Litchfield, State of Connecticut.
I Phinehas Miner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the application of Ashbel Marsh for a pension, -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 19 th day of Decem. March A.D. 1833.
Phinehas Miner Clerk
Ashbel Marsh
23173

I Truman Marsh of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, aged 65 years, being duly sworn, do depose & say, that I am the Brother of Ashbel Marsh of said town, & that during the Revolutionary War, I lived in my Father's family, in the village of Litchfield, as did also my said Brother, I have a strong impression on my mind, & indeed feel no doubt, that the said Ashbel served several months in a guard, which was stationed in said village of Litchfield, for the protection of the prison & of military stores, I was however, then, quite young, & cannot remember the date , or the length of his service; but I fully recollect one or two circumstances, which leave no doubt in my mind, that the said Ashbel did service in said guard, I particularly recollect, on one occasion, when the said Ashbel was at home, and in his chamber, and was preparing his gun, that he spoke of being ready for the Tories, in the event that any attack should be made by them upon the prison, & on another occasion, I recollect conversing with him for some time, while he was standing sentry as one of guard over the prison, Truman Marsh
State of Connecticut Town & County of Litchfield, March 19 th 1832. Then personally appeared the Rev. Truman Marsh to me well known & who is a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him in my presence subscribed. Before me Origen S. Seymour. Justice of the Peace.

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that August Seymour Esq before whom the foregoing depositions of John Baldwin & Truman Marsh were taken now is & for more than a year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for said County of Litchfield & duly qualified to administer oaths & that his signatures to said depositions are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 19 th day of March A.D. 1839.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk —

I John Baldwin of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield of State of Connecticut age 68 years being duly sworn do on my oath depose & say that from the first of April 1781 to Feby 1782 I was a member of a guard under Sergeant Hindsale, stationed in said Litchfield for the protection of United States property & for the security of prisoners taken on the lines that I then knew and have ever since been well acquainted with Mr. Asahel Marsh of said Litchfield and I well remember that he was one of that guard & did duty in it in the Spring summer & fall of 1781 there are no circumstances to fix in my mind the precise time of his entering & leaving the guard I can depose positively that he served six months and according to the best of my recollection & belief he served in it seven months . J. Baldwin
State of Connecticut p Conn & County of Litchfield Dec. 8. 1833. Personally appeared John Baldwin who signed the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same Before me Origen S. Seymour, Justice of the Peace.

23173 Ashkel Church O.K.
6915
W. S. Seymour in the Baltimore case cc 23 Nov 1825
Q. S. Seymour Pittsburgh O.K.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. Those 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 Abel Marsh  Litchfield, Ct.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enl'd 1 Oct 81 7 Sergt Litchfield Adj. Dist. Inf.  
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 }
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) _____ 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 day 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 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 enquiry 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 on 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 affix 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] 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.
W. L. [unclear] and [unclear]

ashby 47 Marsh con
OK Feb 1853
Weaver & Caffee. atty's
Present
is Special

AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY,
STATE OF Connecticut, } ss. COUNTY OF New Haven, }
Be it remembered, That, on this 13 th day of November, A. D. 1852, I, Mary P. Dewey, do make known and declare that I am the daughter and heir-at-law to Ashbel Marsh who was the wife of a Revolutionary soldier, who served years, under the command of in the forces raised by the State of Connecticut and that he and his said wife were married about the month of October, A. D. 1786, that he died about the month of August, A. D., 1836 and that his said wife also died about the month of A. D. and that a pension of dollars a year was drawn by said on account of said services, and so continued until the year A. D. 18 , since which time nothing has been received by either, or the heirs of either of said parties.
And that claimant is now 53 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services: Now, THEREFORE, the true intent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower ALFRED J. WORKS, of New Haven City and County, State of Connecticut,
as my Attorney, with power of substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand, and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by my said Attorney, or his substitute, in virtue hereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purposes.
Attest, In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date first above named. Frances A. Dewey } Wm Goodwin } Mary P. Dewey L. S.
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above indicated.
Wm Goodwin Notary Public

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6913
P. O. Ashtle Marsh
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
List of 1853 gives fol. reason for suspension: "He did not serve in a military capacity."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

See this letter for reason of suspension.
23, 173
Connecticut
Arbrel Marsh
suspended
at Od Seguin
2 October 1835
act 7 th June 1832

I Samuel Seymour of Litchfield Connecticut aged eighty years depose and say that I resided in said town during the Revolutionary War and that during a considerable part of said War a sergeants guard was maintained in said town, My brother now deceased the late Major Mose Seymour was in the Commissary department and I have a strong belief that said guard received their rations & provisions from the public stores under the care of my said brother. I remember well that there were large amounts of public property, as supplies for the army &c, deposited in Litchfield during the war and my impression is that said guard was raised for the protection of the public property and was in the service of the United States. Of the sergeants who served I remember Beach & Hatten & I think also Hinsdale — said guard was filled up according to my recollection by enlistments from time to time made and I also recollect that those in service in the guard were not liable to be drafted and further saith not — Samuel Seymour
State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield ss Litchfield November 20. 1834
Then personally appeared Samuel Seymour above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me
Origen S. Seymour
I hereby certify that the above named deponent Samuel Seymour is to me personally well known & that he is a credible witness. Origen S. Seymour. Justice of the Peace

State of Conn. ss -
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court in & for the County of Litchfield hereby certify that Origen Seymour Esq before whom the foregoing deposition is taken is & for a year last past has been a Justice of the Peace duly qualified and that the signatures purporting to be his to the foregoing certificate, are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 28 th day of Nov. 1834 -
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk -

To The Hon d The Commissioner of Pensions.

Atchfield Nov 20. 1834
To The Hon The Commisioner of Pensions,
Sir, I again forward the application of Lt. Ashbel Marsh for a pension, From  to yours concerning Mr. Marsh's & Lt. John Baldwin's application it seems that the department is not fully satisfied that the guard in which they served was raised by public authority &c, to remove that doubt I send herewith the deposition of Capt Samuel Seymore. I could probably procure other depositions to the same effect should they be wished. I beg leave on that point as well as others connected with these applications to refer you for information to the Hon Phinehas Minor the member of Congress from this District & who resides in this town and who can probably give traditional evidence concerning the circumstances under which & the purposes for which the guard was kept on foot.
The reason why there is no certificate of cred- ibility to Mr. Baldwin's deposition will appear from my letter inclosing this application on a former occasion -
Very Respectfully
your ob l serv.
Origen S. Seymour

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Marsh, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11474 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 1, 1790 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.