Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14883, Ephraim Wooster, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Wooster, Ephraim
S. 14883
carded
CONTENTS

9820 Connecticut
Ephraim Wooster
of Stratford in the State of Cont. who was a Private in the Cont. commands by Captain Smith — of the Reg. — commands by Col. — in the Cont. time for 9 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Cont. at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of June 1833 and Sumner A. P. Sanford Clerk New Haven
Arrears to the 4th of Ma '33 $ 60 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep '33  15 $ 75
Revolutionary Claim, Not June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Phelps Clerk, Book C Vol. B Page 40

21,707.
Ephraim Wooster. Connecticut.
Admitted Private quarters
Anthony P. Sanford, Clk. New Haven, Conn.

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 subjocined 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 Ephraim Wooster, of Connecticut.
   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.     Enlisted in 95 7 Capt. Capt. Smith, Lieut. Boltsford, Lieut. Blackman, Ensign Ruggles. Huntington thence to Hoosencote thence to the City of N. York thence to Harlem Stratford, Connecticut. 19077 years. Living without and traditional evidence.   Sub: in 98 for his bro. Thos Joseph Wooster. 2 Capt. Capt. Birdseye, Ensign Blackman. thence to North River thence to Albany thence to the South Bay  
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 he 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, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, } ss. County of New-Haven, }
On this 1 st day of March 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of New Haven District at Derby now sitting, Ephraim Wooster a resident of Huntington in Fairfield  in the County of New Haven , and State of Connecticut, aged 77 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:— that is to say
7 mos on the first Monday of May 1775 at said Huntington then Stratford I enlisted for seven months into a Company of Connecticut State Troops of which Joseph Smith of Brookfield in the same County was Captain Iabez Botsford of Newtown in said County was first Lieutenant, Nathaniel Blackman of said Stratford 2 nd Lieutenant and Asahel Ruggles of said Brookfield Ensign. On arriving at Houseneck, a Regiment was formed under Col. Waterbury of Stamford & marched to the Quays in the City of New York & thence to Harlem & thence to the North River & thence took shipping to Albany, thence proceeded to South Bay call d also Skeenesborough, Ticonderoga, Isle aux Noix & Fort St. Johns. Landing about 2 miles from this fort, our troops had a skirmish with the enemy 5 of our men were kill d and scalped & Major Hovey was wounded. Having laid siege to the Fort 48 days it, at length capitulated. A Detachment went down to Montreal. I went with that detachment and there remained I remained in the fort untill about the first of Decem r . when I was discharged. Joseph Beardslee, Agur Tomlinson & others are now living who were with me in this service.
On the first of March 1778 my brother Joseph Wooster was drafted for a term of 12 months service. I went as

his substitute and served said two months at Lancaster in the State of New York under Captain Joseph Bridgys and Ensign Enoch Blackman. I do not remember who was Lieutenant. Nor do I know any person living who knows of my service. I never received any written discharge. The whole service above stated amounts to nine months.
I was born April 8 th 1755 in that part of the town of Stratford now called Huntington where I have always lived. I suppose the record of my birth will be found on the public records of the town of Stratford but am not certain.
I am known to & well acquainted with Rev d Thomas Punderson, David B. Newton Esq of Huntington, Hon d Gideon Tomlinson Senator in Congress. Hon d David Daggett a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State & Hon d Nathan Smith a Senator in Congress who will testify to my character for truth and their belief of my Revolutionary service. I never received any written discharge, and have no documentary evidence to support my claim - I have lived and always have lived in the town of Huntington, which was formerly a part of the town of Stratford -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Ephraim Wooster
Anthony P. Sanford Clerk
We, Thomas Canderson a Clergyman, residing in Huntington and David B. Norton residing in Huntington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Wooster who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 77 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.
Thomas Canderson David B. Norton
Anthony P. Sanford Clerk
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 Thomas Canderson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Huntington and that David B. Norton who has also signed the same, is a resident in Huntington and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chas A. Ingersoll
I, Atty P. Sanford Clerk of the Probate Court of Windham District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ephraim Wooster for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office,
this 10th day of Nov - 1852 - And
It is certified by said Court, that the above named applicant is old and infirm, and that it is much more convenient for him, inasmuch as the system to make his declaration

Before this Court sitting at Leeds, which is adjourning to Huntingdon, then it would be to make it before any Court sitting in the County of Fairfield - For the truth of which reference is made to the Hon. S. T. Tuckerman Senator in Congress.
Arthur H. Sanford Clerk
Ebenezer Root

Ephraim Wootten 21707

I Agur Tomlinson of Huntington in the County of Fairfield do hereby testify and say, that on the first Monday of May 1775 I enlisted into a company of Connecticut State Troops for seven months, of which company Joseph Smith was captain. At Horrsbrook a Regiment was formed, to which the company to which I belonged was attached. We marched to New York, and thence to Harlem, and thence to the North River, and from thence proceeded up the North River to Albany, and from thence proceeded to South Bay and Skaneateles, and to Tiendahoos, Lake George, and Fort St Johns, landing about two miles from this fort. We remained there some time, when a detachment of the troops went to Montreal, and there remained until we were discharged which was about the 1st day of December. I recollect that Stephen Wootton, who has this day made a declaration in order to obtain a pension, was a member with us in said company, and remained the whole time of seven months. The said Wootton was in the detail unit that went to Montreal. The said Wootton en- listed in said company, the same day, that I did, and I returned home in company with him from

Montreal - I have always lived a near misanthrope the same wont from my husband - I cannot distinctly that he used in some company, the full time of seven months. And further this document will not. July No. 10 th 1832 Agur Torrington
Subscribed and sworn to by the said Agur Torrington who is a credible person, in open Court the day and year aforesaid -
Anthony P. Sanford Clerk

Reserve
14883 INVALID.
File No. 14,883
Ephraim Wooster Rev. B. ... War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 416
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan. 23/64 Mil. Christ. C. H. M. Wooster, 436 Main St., Bridgeport, Conn. Jan. 30/64 Mil. Christ. C. Edward G. Wooster, 889 Carlton St., New Haven, Conn.

Mr.
Washington, D. C., Dec 13/193
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions. Sir:—
Please furnish and mail to J. H. Foster , 436 Main St. Bridgeport Conn a brief or copy of the declaration of Ephraim Foster , pensioner, now deceased. Said Ephraim Foster served in the Continental Army from the State of Conn. during the Revolution.
Respg.
Tracy, Calver & Fawell 501 F. St.
Washington, D. C.

Ad Kras
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.]