Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,302, for Nathan Keeler, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Keeler Nathan Huldah
N. 20,302
CONTENTS
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Connecticut 773
Huldah Keeler
widow of Nathan Keeler dec.
Conn. 1 st August 1815
of Fairfield in the State of Ct.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Bostwick of the _____ commanded
by _____ in the Ct.
time for 13 months & 16 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Credit at the rate of 4 5 Dollars 11 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of April 1837 and sent E. W. Helen Newton Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1837 $270.66 Semiannual allowance ending 4 Sep 22 55
$293.21
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by R. L. Addams Clerk Book 14 Vol. 1 Page 8

born Nov 12 1795
Nathan Heeler & Huldah Baldwin Was married June 29 th 1778 Betty was born March 5 th 1779 Lyman was born March 27 th 1780 Polly was born June 3 rd 1781 Ezra was born October 13 th 1782 Anna was born Feb - 28 - 1784 Eli was born Sept - 16 - 1785 Almon was born June 24 - 1787 Huldah was born Jan y 30 - 1789 Sally was born Sept - 16 - 1790 Lucy was born March 30 th 1792 Ralph was born August 16 1793 Ira was born June - 15 th - 1797 Herman born October 15 th 1798 Hannah born October 6 1800 Nathan Heeler was born October 25 1757 Huldah Heeler was born March 20: 1758 Nathan Heeler died August  1 th 1818 
Please To send this volume

THE NEW TESTAMENT
Of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST,
Newly translated out of the ORIGINAL GREEK;
And with the former TRANSLATIONS
Diligently Compared and Revised,
By His MAJESTY's Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in Churches.
EDINBURGH:
Printed by the ASSIGNS of ALEXANDER KINCAID, His MAJESTY's Printer.
MDCCLXXXVII.

No 693. 3. Sec.
Huldah Keeler widow of Nathan Count

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d Section of the act of bankrupts of the 4 th July 1836.
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss:
on this 17 th day of November 1836, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown Hulda Keeler, a resident of Brookfield in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aforesaid aged seventy eight 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 bankrupts passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Nathan Keeler, late of said Brookfield deceased who on various occasions and at times served in the war of the revolution, in the army or troops of the United States; but cannot now state particularly what services he performed previous to our intermarriage. He, said Nathan Keeler & I were married on the 29 th day of June 1778, by the Rev. Thomas Brooks, then the officiating minister of the Congregational Society in said Brookfield; at the house of said Mr. Brooks, he being unable at the time by reason of ill health, to come to my father's to marry us. My father, whose name was Jared Baldwin, was then living at said Brookfield. There is no person living that was present at the marriage that I know of, Mr. Brooks has been dead many years & his children, if any living here at a great distance out of this State. The following is the family Record of our marriage & births of our children entered on a leaf of the Bible between the old & New Testaments

"Nathan Keeler & Huldah Baldwin was married June 29 th 1778
Betty was born March 5 th 1779
Symon was born March 27 th 1780
Polly was born June 3 rd 1781
Ezra was born October 13 th 1782
Anna was born February 28 th 1784
Eli was born September 16 th 1785
Almond was born June 24 th 1787
Huldah was born Jan'y. 30 th 1789
Sally was born September 16 th 1790
Lucy was born March 30 th 1792
Ralph was born August 16 th 1793
Son born Nov. 12 th 1795
Ira was born June 15 th 1797
Heman was born October 15 th 1798
Hannah was born October 6 th 1800
Nathan Keeler was born October 25 th 1757
Huldah Keeler was born March 20 th 1758
Nathan Keeler died August 1 st 1818. "
The foregoing family record is in the hand writing of George C. Smith, now deceased, who lived a near neighbour to us when our children were born & made the entry, or more at the request of my said husband, except the the three last entries, which were entered by my son Ira. I know the record to be true.
I know my said husband he served as a soldier or sergeant in the service of the United States since we were married on several occasions, & at one time I should think as long as two months, but I cannot now tell where, nor when his services began or ended. I believe he was drafted, most of the time when he was in the service after we were married. I should think he went into the service the next July after we were married & served his time out, I should think about two months. I have been his widow ever since his decease & still remain his widow. I was buried the 17 th of Nov: 1836 in open country. Huldah

At the same Court,
Personally appeared in open Court Henry Mearny  Henry Mearny a resident of New Milford, in Connecticut, in the 79 th year of his age & living duly sworn made oath according to law, made oath, that he was well acquainted with Nathan Kuler late of Brookfield del., I know that said Nathan Kuler was in the service of the United States in the year 1777 under Capt. Joseph Smith & Col. Joseph P. Cook. I was out with him in the same company - we served at Esopus & Puchs hill & Fishkill. We served two months at that time, commencing about the first of September. We were in the service when Bennington was taken.
In the year 1780 said Nathan Kuler & myself were out together in the service of the United States under under under Capt. Richard Smith & in Col. I do not recollect positively, but believe it was Col. Mather's regiment. We served a term of two months at this time. I should say our term of service commenced the fore part of September, The day of the month I cannot state positively but, I well recollect we were out two months on this term. We the said Nathan Kuler & myself were out & served a term of two months at Harr Creek under Capt. Jabez Botsford, in Col. Beardsley's regiment we commenced our service I should say in April & ended in June. The year I cannot positively state, but believe it to be in the year 1779. On reflection I am confident it was in the year 1779. The service above mentioned in 1780 was at Pechskill. We were at Pechskill when Major Andre was taken.
When Norwalk was burnt said Nathan Kuler & myself were out, in the service of the United States at S. Norwalk, going there & returning six days
Henry Mearny Sworn to & subscribed, in open Court, the 17 th day of November 1836

At the same Court, Personally appeared in open Court John Beck a resident of Brookfield in the State of Connecticut in the 77 th year of his age & being duly sworn according to law made oath that he was well acquainted with Nathan Kuler late of said Brookfield now deceased, and I well recollect that said Nathan Kuler & myself were drafted for a two months tour of duty in the war of the revolution & I well recollect that said Nathan Kuler served out his two months. The service was performed at Horse Neck the place for which we were drafted. I was unwell & never joined, but I know he said Nathan did because he came after me, being sent by the Capt. He came for me & I went with him as far as Stamford & staid there about a fortnight, & went almost every day to see the Capt. but did not find him there under about a fortnight when the Capt. saw me he discharged me on acct. of ill health - said Nathan Kuler served out his two months tour; under Capt. Couch though I am not positive what Capt. he was under I should think. I should think it was in June when I was there: the year I cannot state positively, but should say it was later than the year 1778.
John Beck Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the 17 th day of November 1836
Attest Chas. W. Steele Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss: Newtown.
At a Court of probate held at Newtown within the District of Newtown on the 19 th day of November 1836 Personally appeared in open Court Abel Smith a resident of Brookfield in said Fairfield County aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, made oath that in the year 1776 Nathan Kiler, then of Brookfield in said Fairfield County enlisted and served under Capt. Reuben Postwick in the Regiment commanded by Col. Gould Selleck Silliman, in the service of United States in the war of the revolution, as a private, for a term of six or eight months, I am not sure which, I know it was not less than six months, I enlisted at the same time & in the same company, and we served out our term for which we enlisted. We were first stationed at New York & remained there until the New York was evacuated by the Americans & taken possession of by the British, we retreated as far as Harlem where there was some fighting between the Americans & British, we next retreated as far as Shrog's Neck, from thence to a place called Mile-square & from thence to White Plains. from thence up the River as far as Tarrytown from thence to a place called, at that time North Castle, where we remained until our times were out & we were discharged on the 25 th day of December 1776. I was well acquainted with said Nathan Kiler from his youth, as long as he lived & know he served in the above mentioned term at least six months, some time more than that, but how much more I cannot state. We were in New York when Independence was declared & had been there some considerable time, but how long I cannot say. He died several years ago & left a widow. — In the year 1777 said Nathan Kiler and myself served a tour of six weeks or two months under Capt. Richard Smith & Col. Joseph P. Cooke. The militia at that time were all called out & said Kiler and myself were out the whole of the time the militia were out at that time. We went first to Peek's hill & then up the River to Fishkill & then up as far as Redhook

We next returned down the River & when we had got to Fishkills on our return down the river we received the news of the capture of Burgoyne We were discharged at the Barracks in Fishkills I cannot state the time when we were called out, nor when we were discharged, but am sure that we were out not less than six weeks In July 1779 When Fairfield was burnt by the British the militia, where we lived, were all called out. I believe get there that is, the companies were: I had hired a man & was not liable to be called; but some of us who were in that situation volunteered and went on, after the regular company had gone on; before we got there we had news that the British had left there & we returned to Brookfield: but the Company, regular company, who were liable to do duty did not return As soon as we had got home, we had news that they, the British had gone to Newburgh and im- mediately we started for Newburgh & got there in season: I found the said Nathan Kuler there with the rest of the company & which he belonged & I always understood he went with the rest of the company & have no doubt but that he did - The company was out on this tour about a week. I should say six days at least & was knowing to their drawing pay for that service
I know that the Rev. Mr. Thomas Brooks was the regular officiating clergyman of the Congregational denomination in P. Brookfield in the year 1778. and had been for several years previous & continued for several years after He has been dead for many years & his family are all dead or gone to parts to me unknown.
Abel Smith Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the 19 th day of Nov. 1836

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County - } p: Newtown
At a court of probate held at Newtown within & for the probate District of Newtown on the 19 th day of November 1836.
Personally appeared John Gregory, a resident of Danbury in said County of Fairfield, aged seventy five years, in open Court, and being duly sworn according to law; made oath that in the year 1777 I was drafted, and Nathan Kuler of Brookfield in Fairfield County, where I then resided, and others, to go to Peekskill. The Company was made up of militiamen, in Brookfield, then called Newbury, & in Sherman & New Fairfield. We were under Capt. Gaylord Hubbell of said Sherman; said Nathan Kuler & myself were privates. We were drafted for six weeks from the latter part of March or fore part of April, and marched, as near as I can recollect, about the first of April, to said Peekskill; and when Danbury was burnt, we marched to intercept them, the British, as far as Bedford, when it was ascertained that we were too late, and the next day we were marched back to Peekskill. We were out on this tour & in this service six weeks & four days, and I well recollect that said Nathan Kuler was out all that time in the service of the United States.
About the first of October 1777 the militia were all called out, in these parts, to go to Peekskill. We marched to said Peekskill first & from thence up the River to Fishkills & from thence up the river as far as Redhook. After staying there a few days we returned & when we had arrived at Fishkills we had the official news of the capture of Burgoyne. We were out at least six weeks on this occasion and I recollect said Nathan Kuler was one of the Company & performed service for the United States as a private on this occasion; and was out the whole of that time to the best of my knowledge & belief. We were under Capt. Richard Smith & in Col. Joseph P. Cook's regiment.
When we were drafted in the Spring of the year 1777 as above related, we were in the Regiment of Col. Porter of Salisbury. John Gregory
Sworn to & subscribed the 19 th day of November 1836.
Attest Eliza W. Kuler Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, that the above named Nathan Kuler was a revolutionary soldier and served at least six months in the year 1776, as testified to by Abel Smith; and at least six weeks in the autumn of 1777 as testified to by Abel Smith, & John Gregory or two months as testified to by Henry Manning, when Burgoyne was taken: Also six weeks in the Spring of 1777 when Danbury was burnt as testified to by John Gregory - also two months

at Haverhill as testified to by John Peck, under Capt. Gausch, he thinks at a date subsequent to the year 1780 — also a tour of two months at Peck's hill in the year 1780 when Major Andre was taken as testified to by Henry Mearing, & a short tour when the Fairfield & Norwalk were burnt; in all, at least thirteen months & ten days — also that the present applicant was married to said Nathan Kuhn on the 29 th day of June 1778 and that said Nathan Kuhn died on the 1 st day of August 1818 leaving the present applicant his widow & that she still remains his widow — And this Court further certifies that, it appears to them that said Huldah Kuhn, Henry Mearing, Abel Smith, John Peck, & John Gregory, (all of whom are well known to this Court) who have testified as above stated, are credible persons & their several statements entitled to credit.
Attest Eliza W. Steier, Clerk
I Eliza W. Steier Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Watrous do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the S d Court in the matter of the application of Huldah Kuhn for a pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 26 th day of Nov r 1836
Eliza W. Steier, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Watrous

270.66

The Title Page of the Bible on which the Family Record is written cannot be returned. So inform Mr. Keeler, the writer of the letter
JLE 14 Feb. '57

Howdah Keeler Conn.
2da Allow a per share 16d $44.47 per ann - no deduction —
43.33 1/3 1.77 2/3  45.11
Connecti
Newtown
Dear Master Esq.

Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut 11 February 1837
On application for evidence of the service of M c Nathan Keeler, I have examined the Books and Papers remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War, and find and Certify as follows, Viz:—
An acct. with Cap. Reuben Bostwick beginning June 20. 1776— with this entry:— "Cap. Reuben Bostwick— Silliman's Regt. Dr. To order on Hear. in acct. for his C o . £580." And April 14. 1777 he is credited "By acct. rend d . for his C o .— Enlisting Bounties, Equipping, Wages." &c. &c. £580."— And January 17. 1778 is this entry:— "Cap. Reuben Bostwick, Enrol Batt. 77 C o . By acct. rend d . for his C o . Wages" &c. &c. £1251. 10. 0." And "Haskells Receipts" show that he rend d . "Militia Service from April to Nov. 1779" to Am t . £192. 10. 6 and £21. 10. 8 Specie. And also in a file of "Rec s for Arms & Blankets del d . the Troops in service 1776." is a receipt. of Cap. Reuben Bostwick for Arms rec d . of Select Men of New Milford, dated July 2 d . 1776. And the Select Men of that town's certificate, that they delivered a Gun to a Soldier of "Captain Reuben Bostwick's Company in the last Series raised July 1776."
In "Haskells Receipts," under the head of "Militia Service from April to Nov. 1779" are these entries:— (in the Column

of "Officers Pay Rolls") — "Cap. Richard Smith — am d paid in nominal money — £1636. 0. 0" — Computed value of services from April 1 to Nov. 1. 1779 — £111. 2. 8" — And "ditto ditto — £363. 10. 6 — £20. 2. 2" — — —
An a/c t with "Cap. W m G. Hubbell — Silliman's Reg t ." who is credited, May 22. 1777 — "By your a/c t rend d ? — Elizing Bounties, Wages &c. &c. £582. 8. 0" — And in "Haskells Receipts," in an account of the "Militia to Puckskill" these entries: — "Cap. W m G. Hubbell — 16 th Reg t . £4. 7. 6, Specie Value." — and "Cap. W m G. Hubbell — Col. J. P. Cook's Reg t . £3. 13. 1 — d o — " — And also, his rec d . for Arms &c. to Select men of New Fairfield, dated July 1776 for the "Service at New York." —
An a/c t with Cap. Iabez Botsford, who is credited, 20 May 1778 "By a/c t rend d ? for his C o Swift's Reg t '76 &c. £867. 12. 2" — And in "Haskells Receipts," under head of "Militia Service from April to November 1779," this entry, in the column of "Officers Pay Rolls," "Cap. Iabez Botsford, am d p d in Nominal money — £137. 14. 2 — Computed value of services from 1 April to 1 Nov. 1779 — £10. 6. 8." — And in the same book, under head of "Expense of the Post at Greenwich," January 4. 1781 (supposed to be the date of rendering the a/c t , or of the settlement) "Cap. Iabez Botsford — ditto [Post at Greenwich] £143. 1. 7." — — —
In "Haskells Receipts," under head of "Militia to Puckskill" this entry, dated, 31 Aug. 1779 (supposed date of settlement, or of the rendering the a/c t ) — "Cap. Ric d Smith — Col. J. P. Cook's Reg t . — £15. 17. 6, Specie Value."
I further certify that the name of Nathan Wheeler has not been found on any book or paper in this Office. — — —
Wm d Field Comptroller

Hartford 11 Feb. 1837.
Mr. Ezra Wheeler,
Sir
Annexed is the evidence which has been found after a thorough search. There are few Pay Rolls remaining and the names of common soldiers are seldom found. Such evidence as here furnished has generally been accepted. Gaylord Hubbell, is not on the books. The name was doubtless Wm.  Gaylord Hubbell, tho' the middle name is not given in full on the Books.
Respectfully
Yr. obedt servt.
Wm. Field, Comptroller by Edwin N. Benjamin

Sept 28 - Hist to Anna Smallett City o Chf Clk Dept Int. I.S.
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1892
the
File No. 20302
Hulda Seeler Widow of Nathan Seeler Prin Rev War
Act: July 4th 1856
Index: Vol. 11 , Page 392
[Arrangement of 1870.]

as follows.
Nathan Keeler
Enlisted in the year 1776, month not stated, at Brookfield Conn. Discharged finally sometime dur the year 1779 having rendered 13 months and 10 days actual service as a private in the Connecticut Troops. The following are mentioned as officers under whom he served Capt Reuben Bodwick Col Siliman Capt Richard Smith Capt Wm G Hubbell Col Jos P Cook and Capt Joby Botsford.
This information is taken from the declaration for pension of his widow, Keeler, Baldwin (maiden name) She states that her maiden name was Huldah Baldwin born Mar 20 1758  that that she was married to the soldier June 29 1778 at Brookfield Conn. by Rev Thos. Brooks, Pastor of the Cong. Church.

Stephen Keeler The soldier was born Oct 25, 1707. Died Aug 1, 1818. Widow does not mention any engagements in which the soldier participated
(3-464.)
DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., _____, 18
Respectfully
Commissioner.