Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,662, for Josiah Weed Scofield, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Seofield, Josiah Weed S. 1762
carded
CONTENTS

17598
Connecticut
Josiah W. Scofield of Stamford in the State of Conn who was a Pri in the Conn comman by Captain Smith of the Reg comman by Col Mead in the Connecticut time for Hooys 14 mo 3 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 47 Dollars — Cents per annu to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Aug. 1833 and sent S. 46 Minor Stamford let Arrears to the 14th March 33 $ 94.00 Pension allowance ending Sep 41 2 3 50 $117.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E D Beebe Clerk Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 41

5059
Josiah W. Scofield 65
11 mi 3 days
$47
H. Minor Stanford

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183
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. These 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 Josiah W. Profeld Ct
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     June 1800 mts — 4 — Private Capt. Profeld Brig Col 11 born in Fairfaxa Ct entered there and now lives in said place   No 1781 " .. 4 .. " Capt. Smith Mead   3 Aug. 11 " " Capt. Nichols Service proved by three Living witnesses — but they are not Fairfaxa citizens Certificate of clergyman and a citizen  
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 days 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 here 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.

J. M. Safford
Q. 15
Q o 5059

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield,
ss. Stamford Probate District
On this 1 st day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for said District
now sitting, Isaiah W. Seaford a resident of Stamford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy one years, who being first 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 , he the so on the June 1780 he enlisted into a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Seaford & served under said enlistment until the 1 st of Jan y 1781 when he was discharged at Stamford having served under this enlistment seven months & three days which appears from the original pay roll of Capt. Seaford which he has just examined - About the 1 st of Nov r of the same year he enlisted into a company of Rangers commanded by Capt. Charles Smith , Lieut. Benjamin Brush - Ensign Jabez Hasty (all of whom are dead) - he enlisted for four months & served till the 1 st of March 1781 when he was discharged at Haverick in the northern part of said Stamford - on the 2 nd or 3 rd day of August 1781 he was drafted to go to West Point in a Company commanded by Capt. Nichols from the Eastward  Lieut. Eels of West Conn was in the same Company - he lay a part of the time in the Fort  at West Point & a part of the time was encamped on the Plain - he served under this draft until the 3 rd day of Nov r  of the same year when he was discharged at West Point & received a written pass to go home which he did not for some after he got home - that he never received a written discharge That he was born in Stamford on the 17 th Feby 1761 & has statedly resided there ever since his birth - He has no record of his age except what he took from his Fathers Family Bible - General Mr. Sanger had the command at West Point when I served under the draft - that he remembers there was a Continental Major Graham at West Point at the time Col. John Mead commanded the Regt. to which Capt. Smiths Company of Rangers belonged -

he refers to Rev. David Smith & Col. Samuel Dean to whom he is known in his present neighborhood to prove his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
The said Isaiah W. Scofield hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Chas. Waverly Judge } Isaiah W. Scofield
We, Daniel Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Stamford and Samuel Dean residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaiah W. Scofield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Chas. Waverly Judge } Daniel Smith Samuel Dean
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Daniel Smith who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Stamford and that Samuel Dean who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stamford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chas. Waverly Judge
I, Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Board of Pensions for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaiah W. Scofield for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of _____ Office, this 9 th day of August 1832.
Sam Lockwood Clk

State of Connecticut } for Stamford Probate District Fairfield County } August 18 th 1832
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District in open Court Samuel Dean of Stamford in said District who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Josiah W. Safford who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Deposition That in the month of March 1780 he enlisted into a Company of State Troops commanded by Reuben & served in that same until the 1 st of Jany 1781 that the said Josiah W. Safford was an enlisted Soldier in the same Company & served til the 1 st of Jany at the time said Josiah W. enlisted Defendant does not know — In the year 1781 the Defendant was a Soldier in the Regular Army he well remembers seeing the said Josiah W. Safford during as a Soldier at West Point & understood at the time that he was serving under a draft
Samuel Dean
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Ch. H. Wolcott Judge
I hereby certify that the Samuel Dean the above deponent is a credible person
Ch. H. Wolcott Judge

Isaac W. Chaplin

State of Connecticut / Stamford Probate District Fairfield County - } Aug 11 th 1882
Personally appeared Jabez Hoyt of Stamford in said District before the Court of Probate for said District in open Court who being first duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Jeriah W. Sedfield who has since had sworn to the foregoing declaration & has known him from his childhood & that in the year 1780 the Deponent was an enlisted soldier in Capt. Newcomb Sedfield's company of State Troops in Col. John Meads Regt from the 16 th of March til the 1 st of Jan'y 1781. He knows that the said Jeriah W. Sedfield was an enlisted soldier in the same company & served in the same til the 1 st of Jan'y 1781 but believes he did not join the company as early in the Spring as the Deponent - In the month of Nov. 1781 as the Deponent believes, the said Sedfield enlisted into a company of State Troops called Housatonic commanded by Capt. Charles Smith in Col. John Meads Regt. & served through the winter of 1781-2. The Deponent was a soldier in the same company for the same, but did not name it his own declaration as he made out more than two years without it.
Sworn to before me this 8 th day of Aug. A.D. 1882
Chas. H. Bradley Judge
I hereby certify that Jabez Hoyt the above Deponent is a credible person
Chas. H. Bradley Judge

State of Connecticut } Stamford Aug 4 th 1832 Fairfield County }
Personally appeared before the Subscribers Justice of the peace for said County - Reuben Seaford Esq. of said Stamford in the nineteenth year of his age Who first being duly sworn on his oath says - That he he is well acquainted with Joseph W. Seaford an applicant for a Pension, he knows that he was an enlisted soldier & served in a Company of State Troops commanded by this Deponent from the 3rd  time June 1780 to the 1st of Jany 1781 That he served out his time & received pay for seven months & three days as appears from Deponents original pay roll which yet remains in his possession & which he has before him made at the time by himself -
Reuben Seaford Subscribed Sworn to the day & date above written
Before me J. H. Minor Jus of Peace Thereby certify that the above Deponent Reuben Seaford Esq. is a credible person The reason of taking this Deposition is that the Deponent cannot go to the Probate Office of this District (a distance of four miles) without suffering great bodily pain, as he is much afflicted with Rheumatism
J. H. Minor Jus of Peace
I, William H. Wolcott Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford certify that Reuben Seaford whose name is written above is a justice of the peace duly appointed & that the said Reuben Seaford is in his hand writing which is well known to me. Stamford Probate Office Aug 9 th 1832
Chas. Wolcott Judge I am well aware the foregoing certificate is not in conformity with the system lines given by the Department - but I have taken the certificate as an evidence, having personal knowledge of the truth of the facts certi- fied.

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford, in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- -ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the appli- -cation of Sarah Wood Vefield for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 21 st day of June 1833
Sam Lockwood Clerk
Sarah W. Vefield

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jeremiah Needham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. file 17662
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1780 to Jan 21 1782 2 yrs 3 da ✓ Reuben Scofield John Mead Conn.   Nov 1, 1781 to Mch 1, 1782 Charles Smith John Mead   Aug 20 1782 to Nov 3 1782 Nichols ✓  
Battles engaged in, Westport, Conn.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stamford, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 1882. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Stamford, Conn.
Age at date of application, Jan 17, 1761 at Stamford, Conn.
Remarks: _____
Respectfully,
See soldier's middle name "Need" in letter from S. H. Minor, Atty.
Commissioner.

J. Edwards Esq. Cambridge Pines Washington City

Ston Lard June 24. 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I send with this the papers of Mrs Watson & I find no field, which have been returned her for adoption - I believe they are more in order agreeably to the rules prescribed - I think there must have been some mistake in returning Watson's papers for I find in the margin of the right hand on the first page of the printed sheet "Born in New Haven 6/9/1801" ,, whereas New Haven is not named in his Declaration or any of the accompanying papers.
Respectfully Your obed Servt
H. P. Miner

17662 INVALID.
1914 Jan. 29. History to John C. Seefeldt P.
File No. _____
Smith to Seefeldt _____
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT AND CHIEF CLERK WASHINGTON
January 21, 1914.
Dear Sir:
Please give me such information, with reference to their genealogy or family history, as may be disclosed by the pension applications of the following-named Scofields, who fought in the Revolutionary War:
Josiah W. Scofield, S. 17,662. Nathaniel Scofield, S. 46,471. Neazer Scofield, S. 23,892. Peter Scofield, M. 17,782.
Very truly yours,
A handwritten signature in cursive script, reading "John C. Scofield". The signature is written in dark ink and is positioned below the closing of the letter.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.