Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,070, for Edward Maxfield, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Maxfield, Edward Mary
N. 17,070
CONTENTS

Reported
Connecticut 789
Mary Maxfield
widow of Edward Maxfield who was a Private of Cavalry in the Revolution Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of July 1843 and sent to Isaac Sherman Bridgeport, Conn.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 72.

Connecticut.
Edward Mayfield, Dragoon Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 10 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of May 1818 and sent to him at New Milford, Litchfield, Connecticut.
Arrearages to 5 th Sept. 1818,
4. 25/100 per mo.  $ 38.66
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
.80 during War
Continued under Act May 1820 New Milford, Litchfield Co.
Reference to the Pension Book Mean Gap New Milford Conn. Sept. 1820

Free
John C. Calhoun
Secretary,
Washington.
pr.
Apr 13

I Edward Mansfield of New Milford County of Litchfield State of Connecticut, being duly sworn to declare, that I served against the Common Enemy as a Private Soldier in the War of the Revolution, on the Continental establishment for Two years & Eight Months, that I enlisted about the 17 th or 18 th day of Sept r 1780 for the War, in the Connecticut line, in the Company commanded by Capt. David Eelgar, & Regiment commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon, & I served therein until regularly & honorably discharged, in the month of June 1783, at Danbury in the State of Connecticut, by a Discharge under the hand of the Commander in chief, which discharge I afterwards delivered to Messrs Burr & White of Danbury aforesaid, to enable them to obtain a complete title to my bounty land, sold to them; & on my applying to Ebenezer Russell White the survivor of the firm of Burr & White, (the s d Burr being dead) he assured me that s d discharge was lost - and I further declare that from my reduced circumstances in life, I am in need of assistance from my Country for support - this
Dated at the 10. day of Apr r 1818
Edward x Mansfield mark.

State of Connecticut, ss. Litchfield County, April 10. 1818. - The within De- position sworn before me,
James Gould, a Judge of the Sup. Court.
I, James Gould, a Judge of the Superior Court as aforesaid, do certify, therein appears to my satisfaction, that Edw. Maxfield did serve in the revolution war way, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental esta- blishment; & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony, taken & had before me, to the Secretaries for the Department of War, pur- suant to the act of congress, in such case provided.
James Gould, a Judge of the Sup. Court.

This Certifies that Edward Maxfield enlisted into the 2 d Reg t . of Light Dragoons, commanded by Col o Elisha Sheldon, on the Continental Establish- ment, on the 15 th of September in the year 1780 & that he served in said Reg t . until the close of the Revolutionary War. Taken from my Regimental Books now before me, Litchfield Conn t . Apr 10 . 1818. m s Henry Saltonstall Late Major 2 d Reg t . L. D.
Joseph Cut

State of Connecticut } } At a special Court of Common Pleas held in County of Litchfield } } at Litchfield within & for the d.
District of Connecticut. County of Litchfield, on the 5 th Tuesday of June July 1820
On this 4 th day of July 1820 personally appeared in open Court, being a court of RECORD for said county in said district , having the power to fine and imprison, Edward Marshall aged fifty four years resident in New Milford in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: to wit, from the 15 th day of September 1780 at which time he enlisted during the war, to some time in the month of June 1783 when he was discharged at Danbury in the State of Connecticut, that he served in the Reg t commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon & Company commanded by Capt. David Edgar, for which services he has been inscribed on the pension list Roll of the Connecticut agency as a pensioner of the United States, the certificate whereof bears date the 18 th day of May, 1818 & is number 556, and that his original declaration was dated the 10 th day of April 1818
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, con- tracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

And the declarant further states that he has no other occupation than that of a labourer at days work in husbandry; that for nearly two years past he has been much of the time, and now is afflicted with a Rheumatick complaint which renders him incapable of constant labour or of so much as to support himself & family without public aid - that his family consisting of a wife aged fifty five years, who is not able through infirmity to endure constant labour, & three children, to wit, one daughter named Apphea M Mansfield aged 18 years who is in declining health and incapable of hardly any labour at all - one other daughter aged 15 named Rebecca M whose health is also such as to render her incapable of ordinary labour - also a son named William J Mansfield aged 11 years nearly, & of no other person. - And the declarant further says that he is justly indebted to more than the amount of the property contained in the foregoing schedule to the following persons to wit to Comfort S Knapp $25 - to a Mr Gray of Reading $28 - to Joshua Knapp $18 - to Warren Confield $10 - to Warren Camp $25 - to Thad Gray $12 - and a few other small debts. -
his Edward Mansfield
Mark - An Inventory of all the property of Edward Mansfield, named in the foregoing declaration to which this is annexed except necessary bedding & clothing, the value of each article is hereto annexed - viz
   A small dwelling house with about a quarter of an acre of land $25.00   1 cow. - - - - - 13.00   2 Ewes & three lambs - - - - - 4.00   4 swine, being a sow with three small pigs - - - - - 5.00   12 beans - - - - - 4.00   1 old chest - - - - - " - 50   1 old rug - - - - - " - 25   1 Great Wheel - - - - - " - 20   Am t Carried forward - - - - - 51.95  

  Am't Bro't forward 51-95   1 Double wheel 1-50   3 Platters 24   4 Milk pans Earthen 48   5" knives & forks 50   Pewter plates & 3 plates 1-00   3 Iron pails & basins 94   1 Lantern & funnel 37   2 Old Crockery 34   Pots & bottles 1-00   1 wash tub 0-50 6 Glass bottles 0-68 2 jugs 0-20 1-18   2 old Tables 0-34 stand 0-25 and drawers 0-50 1-09   1 Good Iron 0-34 1 pair puf & tongs 0-15 1 old axe 0-75 1-24   1 Gallon Bottle   about 8 th wood 
$ 111 79 3 36
one note of hand ag d one Joseph Jenkins of doubtful credit 65 15 25 $ 90 15
His Edward Mansfield mark
We the subscribers do hereby certify that we have examined & appraised the several articles of property contained in the foregoing schedule of the property of Edward Mansfield by him signed, at the prices to them respectively annexed; and that in our judgment said articles are set in said appraisement at their full value.
Nathan Whitlock Comfort S Knapp
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield
On this 30 th day of June 1820 before me the subscriber a Justice of Peace for said County, personally appeared Nathan Whitlock and Comfort S Knapp whose names are inscribed to the foregoing certificate of appraisement of the property of Edward Mansfield, & made oath to the truth of the same (they being both to me well known & deemed to be worthy of full credit)
Sworn before & certificate by David S Boardman Justice Peace

May 11 Joseph Newbury
Sworn to and declared before me
on the 4 th day of July
A. D. 1820
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
Edward Chapman

I, Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court, in the county of Litchfield, and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing Part — and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the court ; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Ninety dollars and fifteen cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 17 day of July 1820
Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.

Mary Maxfield 4643
Con
acc 7. July 39
N. Perry New Milford Con.

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield, Probate District of New Milford p:
On this 7 th day of September 1838 person- ally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate for said District now sit- ting at New Milford in said District and County Mary Maxfield a resident of said New Milford aged Seventy three years the eighth day of this month, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provi- sion made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the Widow of Edward Max- field who was a private in the Army of the Revolution. He was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Con- gress passed March 18 th 1818 and to his declaration and the proof accom- panying the same now on file in the

Passion Office. She respectfully refers the Officers of the Department for proof of his service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Maxfield on the tenth day of June in the year seven- -teen hundred and eighty four, that her husband, the aforesaid Edward Maxfield died on the first day of April in the year Eighteen hundred & twenty eight, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four and at the time above stated.
She further declares that her maiden name was Mary Grafton, that she was married at Redding in the County of Fairfield in this State by the Rev d Mr Bartlett now dead then the settled Clergyman in the Presby- -terian or Congregational Church in said Redding. She has no family record of her marriage except one made in her bible since the death of her said hus- -band and she knows of no other record whatever of the marriage as the

has been informed that none exists in the town or church records in the said town of Ridgely  here Mary X Maxfield Mark
I sworn to & subscribed on the day & year first above written before In presence of me Nathaniel Perry Judge James Beard of said Court
I Noble S. Bennett Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proce- -dings of said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Maxfield for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 7 th day of Sep- -tember 1838.
Noble S Bennett Clerk

I Jonathan Bulkeley of Huntington in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged fifty five years, being first duly sworn according to law, depose and say that in the year Eighteen hundred and five I was married to Sarah the oldest daughter and oldest of the family living, of Edward Maxfield and his wife Mary Maxfield, my wife, at the time of my intermarriage with her, was eighteen years old. The said Edward Maxfield & Mary Maxfield had seven children living at the time of my marriage besides my wife. I knew the family several years before I was married and the said Edward & Mary Maxfield from my first acquaintance with them up to the time of his death cohabited & lived together as husband & wife, I cannot now tell the precise day of the said Edward Maxfield's death, having no record or memorandum of it with me, I should think he died about ten or eleven years ago, I attended his funeral. The said Mary Maxfield has remained his widow ever since his death and is still unmarried. Jonathan Bulkeley
State of Connecticut
Locusty of Litchfield,
Proleke District of Northumberland:
I do hereby certify that the within copy is a true copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof. Given under my hand this 29 th day of March 1838.
Nathaniel Ferry Judge of Probate

I Enoch Huntington of Mansfield in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut being first duly sworn according to Law depose and say that since the month of June Eighteen hun- -dred and twenty seven I have been the Officiating Clergyman in the Episco- -pal Parish in said town of Mans- -field & have during the whole of the time resided in said town, That I recd- -let Rising Edward Mansfield now deceased during his sickness and attended his funeral in my Official Character as a Clergyman. I cannot tell the day of his death not having made a record of it at the time, but I recollect from other circumstances that it was within a year after I came to reside in this town in June 1827 At the time he died he left Mary Mansfield his widow here sur- -viving. I have been acquainted with

her since the death of her said husband and she has remained a widow ever since that period & is still unmarried—
E. Huntington, Rector of St John's Church New Bedford
State of Connecticut,
County of Litchfield,
Probate District of Stratford
Sworn to and subscribed in open court before the Court of Probate for said District this 7th day of September 1838
Nathaniel Perry Judge of said Court

I Henry S. Warner of Middletown, Litch- field County & State of Connecticut aged forty one years, being first duly sworn according to law depose and say That I was well acquainted with Edward Max- -field late of Middletown who died for several years before his death & resided in the same neighborhood with him. I was present at the time he died which was the first day of April 1828 at the time of his death he left Mary Maxfield his widow him surviving. The said Mary has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband & is still un- married.
Henry S. Warner
State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield,
Probate District of Middletown ss.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court before the Court of Probate for said Dis- -trict this 29th day of January 1839 and I certify that the said Henry S. Warner is a credible Witness.
Nathaniel Dury Judge Deputy Clerk

I Noble S. Bennett Clerk of Court of Probate do hereby certify that the fore- -going contains the original proceedings of said Court in taking the affidavits of Jonathan Bulkley, Enock Huntington -Hon and Henry S. Warner
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 29 th day of December 1839—
Noble S. Bennett Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17070
Mary Maxfield Widow of Edmond Maxfield Prisoner of War
Act: March 3d 1868
Index:—Vol. M , Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sec. A. Perry, Jan 24: 39.

4973 Connecticut
Mary Maxfield widow of Edward Maxfield, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 1828 of Litchfield the State of Conn. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain of the regt commanded by Col Sheldon in the Conn line for 2 years, Dragoon
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 100 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Janry 1840 I certify that Hon. J. B. Co- borne, H. Rep.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839 3350.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 50.00
$400.00 { Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Burdick, Clerk, Book 4. Vol. 1. Page 195.

I Elizabeth Morgan the wife of Hoseiah Morgan of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Seventy five years of age Depose & saith that she was acquainted with Edward Mansfield & Mary before & after their marriage as I resided in the same neighborhood with them and after their marriage I remember that sd Mansfield worked one summer for my first husband Daniel Hill and at that time sd Mansfield had one or more children and that a part of the time he went home a night & staid with his family & the other part he staid with us sd Edward & sd Mary lived together as husband & wife & he frequently carried home provisions to his family I do not remember the year in which they were married but believe it was soon after the close of the Revolutionary war it could not have been more than five or six years after the war
Elizabeth Morgan
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } Is Redding December 11 th 1838 Personally appeared before me Elizabeth Morgan known to me and subscribed and made Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition and in the truth of which I have full confidence.
Thaddeus Branscomb Justice of Peace

I Hannah Wheeler the wife of Peter Wheeler of Redding in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut Seventy eight years of age before and say that I was well acquainted with Edward Maxfield & Mary Crofut previous to their marriage and while I was living with my first husband John Leech the mother of sd Mary Crofut lived in the home with us sd Mary went out to work and made it her home at her mother's and I well remember that sd Edward Maxfield came often to visit sd Mary I recollect that sd Maxfield was sick about that time I do not remember whether they were married at our house or not but well remember that his mother was opposed to their marriage I well recollect that after their marriage sd Maxfield often came to our house and spent the night & they both occupied one room when there was but one bed & I never heard it questioned but that they were married my first husband was a sailor and the last voyage was to the west indies he went away in autumn and was lost the winter following and I well remember that I was twenty eight years old when he left home the last time All that I have above stated transpired while I was living with my first husband I was knowing that sd Edward & sd Mary had a family of children
Hannah Wheeler mark

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } Is Redding December 14 th 1858 Personally appeared before me Hannah Wheeler known to me and subscribed and made Oath to the Truth of the within Deposition and in the truth of which I have full confidence
Thaddeus Beardsley Jr Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Newport April 22 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir I send you the Pension application of Mary Maxfield please send her certificate to me Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman

4643. Mary Maxfield Wid of Edward Conn At July 7 1838 Married 1784 died 1828 Allow $100 per ann Sheldon Dragoon
Hon Thos B. Osborne AR

NewMilford Conn. Jan'y 30 th 1839
Sir -
I send herewith the declaration of Mrs. Mary Moxford an Applicant for a Pension under the Act of July 7 th 1838 and the proof in support of the same. The husband was a Pensioner. The time of his death is abundantly proved. The marriage is proved by satisfactory circumstantial evidence. The Affidavit of Hannah Wheeler who is now 78 years old proved that her husband died when she was 28 years old & that Moxford & his wife were married previous to that time. Jonathan Bulkeley owned his oldest daughter in 1805 who was then 18 years old. I presume the evidence of the marriage will be satisfactory.
Please communicate the result

To me -
Very Respectfully
James N. Perry
Hon. J. L. Edwards Clerk of District

I James Sanford of Reading in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut Aged Seventy nine years Depose & say that I was acquainted with Edward Mansfield formerly a resident of s d Town & that he was married to Mary Crofut of s d Reading that I was well acquainted with them both before & after their marriage which I am confident took place more than Fifty years ago
James Sanford
Fairfield County ss. Reading October 29 th A.D. 1838 Personally appeared James Sanford known to me as a person of truth & veracity & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him Subscribed
Before me James Alms Vice Justice of Peace

Jonathan R. Sanford of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, Clerk of said town of Redding, do certify that having examined the Records of said town I find no record of the marriage of Edward Maxfield and Mary Crofoot.
Jonathan R. Sanford Town Clerk
State of Connecticut ss. County of Fairfield ss.
Sworn to and subscribed this 1 st day of November 1838, before me
Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace
Jonathan Bartlett of Redding, County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, certify that I hold the Records of my father, the late Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, & that having examined the same, I find no record of the marriage of Edward Maxfield & Mary Crofoot, & that there appears to be no record of marriages kept by him after the 20 th of March 1780 —
Jonathan Bartlett —
State of Connecticut ss. Fairfield County ss.
Sworn to and subscribed this 1 st day of November 1838 — before me
Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Fairfield County.
{ I Thomas B. Elborne Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that M aj adocus Beardsley Jun r and Jared Olmstead Esquires are now for more than one year last past have been Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned as such Justices of the Peace and duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions &c and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said M aj adocus Beardsley Jun r
and Jared Olmstead Esquires and that I verily believe that all the signatures to the certificates on the foregoing Depositions pur- porting to be theirs respectively, are genuine. Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 15 th day of December A D 1838.
Thomas B. Elborne Clerk

Return this letter and calipers etc
DAS
Mr. Marshall Hon. Thos B. Anderson U.S.C. Birmingham Conn
Hon. T. B. Anderson H.R.
Marshall

New Milford Nov 12 th 1839
Dear Sir
At the request of Mr James Bond I have taken the liberty to trouble you relative to an application for a Pension for Mrs Mary Maxfield, Widd. of Edward Maxfield decd - I forwarded the papers to the Pension Office in January last. The objection made is, "that the date of the marriage or the relation of husband & wife prior to Jan'y 94 should be proved by that grade of evidence which is so universally afforded by the registers & other papers of Towns, Churches & families as well in relation to births & baptisms as to marriages" - The evidence I have furnished of the marriage and of the date of it is much stronger than I have furnished in many other cases - The Town Clerk of Redding when the marriage was had has given his affidavit that there is no record in his office - Jonathan Bartlett the present Clergyman in Redding has testified that the marriage is not on his father's records by whom they were married & in addition that his father kept no record of marriages after March 20 th 1780 -
The applicant declares that she has no

Formerly record of the marriage except one made since her husband's death - so that I should think the reasons for not furnish- ing second evidence were abundantly suf- ficient - Then to prove the marriage by parol evidence I forwarded the Affidavit of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan. She however is not very explicit as to time except as matter of opinion - but the Affidavit of Mrs. Hannah Whaley is more explicit as to time. She is now 79 years old - she was formerly the wife of John Leach - she testifies that her first husband (Leach) was a sailor - that he left home on his last voyage (& never returned) when she was 28 years old & that Morgan & his wife were married while she was living with Leach. If she is to be believed (and her credibility is duly certified) it is pretty conclusive evidence that they were married previous to '94 - In addition to this I took the Affidavit of Jonathan Bickley who married their oldest daugh- ter in the year 1805 and she at the time he married her was 18 years old so that she must have been born as early as '87 - This proof taken altogether is so strong that I did not anticipate the least ob-

-jection on that ground - Mr Beard will call personally & deliver this letter and perhaps give you some further information - You will oblige me by giving this your personal attention as soon as you conven- iently can after your arrival at Washing- -ton and inform me of the result. I am apprehensive that they have not examined attentively the evidence in relation to the marriage. If you obtain a Certificate of Pension forward it to me - The Hon. P. Smith has been along time acquainted with Moxfield & his wife and if they are not satisfied with your explana- -tion of it he could state to the Commis- -sioner his knowledge of them. If they should still demand further proof please write me the particulars what the want & I will obtain it if possible
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt N. Parry
Hon. Thos. B. Colton

State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } ss. New Milford. On this 31 st Day of March A D 1843. — Personally appeared before me Isaac Northrop a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Litchfield. Mary Maxfield a resident of the said Town of New Milford aged Seventy seven years who being first duly sworn, according to law doth make her oath, make the the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Edward Maxfield who was a Dragoon in the Army of the Revolution in the Connecticut line in which he served and the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 8 th 1838 was One Hundred Dollars Annually. She further declares that she is still a widow.
her Mary X Maxfield mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me ————— and I further certify that the Declarant is personally known to me.
Isaac Northrop Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield ss New Milford I Solomon E. Bostwick Clerk of the Probate Court within and for the District of New Milford in said County and State do hereby certify that Isaac Northrop is a Justice of the peace in and for said Litchfield County duly qualified as such and that his signature to the within instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this twenty first Day of April A.D. 1843
Solomon E Bostwick Clerk
711
Admit, prior law $100. Comm Agency Send to Isaac Sherman Bridgewater Conn