Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20431, for Valentine Lewis, Connecticut

SERVICE
bonn.
Lewis, Valentine Sally
NUMBER
W 20431
CONTENTS

Connecticut - 683
Sally Lewis
widow of Valentine Lewis,
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 30 th March 1817 - of New London in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stevens of the Regt. commanded by — Smith in the Conn. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Octo '38, in 2 sets and 1 original New London, Conn.
  Arrears to the 4 th of Sept  $ 200 00    Semi-annual allowance ending  40 00     $ 240 00  
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 — Page 192.

State of Connecticut } County of New London } ss.
On this 21st. day of April A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich in said County, Sally Lewis a resident of said Norwich in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, 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 Congress passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Valentine Lewis who was (as she believes) a private in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army, that he enlisted for three years service, and entered the service on the 20th. day of February seventeen hundred & seventy seven & served in the first Connecticut Regt. in the Continental Army commanded by Col. Josiah Starr until the 20th. day of February seventeen hundred and eighty as will appear by the records of this state as shown by the Comptroller's Certificate - And that he served sundry short tours of service as a volunteer in the Militia of this State from 1780 to 1783 in the Company of Capt. William Stanton in the Regt. commanded by Colonel Oliver Smith, which times of service cannot be particularized, except two short tours, to wit, one tour of ten days August 6 th seventeen hundred & eighty one tour to New London Sept. 6 th seventeen hundred & eighty one, in defence of the state, the last named tour was when New London was burnt by Arnold the traitor. She knows of no other proof except the documents herewith transmitted, to prove these last two tours of service, the one from the Comptroller's Office in Hartford, the other the Pay Roll of Capt. Wm. Stanton's Company. She further declares that she was married to the said Valentine Lewis on the 31st. day of May seventeen hundred & eighty: that her husband the aforesaid Valentine Lewis died on the 30th. day of March eighteen hundred & nineteen: and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herunto annexed. Henry McVetty John Eggleston Sally her X Lewis mark Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before,
Asa Root Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich in New London County
By reason of infirmity the above named Sally Lewis was unable to write her name and therefore made her cross or mark in the presence of the two witnesses above named viz. Henry McVetty.
John Eggleston & in my presence Asa Root Judge of Probate.

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant is the widow of Valentine Lewis who was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as she states. I James Holbrook Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the County of New London, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sally Lewis for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 21 st day of April A.D. 1838.
James Holbrook, Clerk.

Mary Phillips of Plainfield in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut aged forty eight years being under oath, deposes & says, that she is the fourth child of Valentine Lewis late of Stonington in the county of New London & state aforesaid, & his wife Sally Lewis, that she has always been taught that her parents the aforesaid Valentine Lewis and Sally Lewis were married on the thirty-first day of May in the year seventeen hundred & eighty, and she has always so understood & believes, and that they had eleven children whose names & births are as follows.
   Samuel born October 30 th 1781.   Valentine born November 17 th 1784.   Sally born December 8 th 1787.   Mary born April 13 th 1790.   Ephraim born July 17 th 1792.   Hulda born November 7 th 1795.   Lucretia born June 5 th 1798.   Gordon born December 17 th 1799.   Elam born January 18 th 1801.   Roxanna born February 8 th 1803.   Clark born December 30 th 1804.  
That her brother Samuel went to the Western County some years ago & she has not heard from him for more than seven years, & also her brother Valentine went to the Western county & she has heard nothing from him for several years past, her sister Sally was married to John Eggleston on the 16 th day of February 1817. her sister Hulda was married to Elisha W. Bennett the _____ day of June 1820., her sister Lucretia was married to David Baylor the 26 th day of October 1817. and died on the 16 th day of March 1822. & Roxanna died on the 16 th day of March 1804. aged 13 months & eight days, and all her other brothers & sisters are living as she believes, and her further the aforesaid Valentine Lewis died on the 30 th day of March 1819. His widow the aforesaid Sally Lewis has remained a widow ever since as she verily believes, and her mother the aforesaid Sally Lewis now lives in Norwich in the county of New London aforesaid and her name was Clark before she was married, and further the deponent saith not
Mary Phillips

Connecticut - Windham County ss Plainfield August 29 th 1838
Personally appeared Mrs. Mary Phillips within named who is well known by me as a respectable Person, & a credible Witness, & made oath to, and signed the within deposition
before me Joseph Eaton Justice of Peace
I John H. Gordon Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Plainfield in the state of Connecticut do hereby certify that the Hon. Joseph Eaton before whom the within foregoing deposition of Mary Phillips was sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for Windham County & that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 1 st day of September A.D. 1838. John H. Gordon Clerk of Probate for the district of Plainfield

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. ADY
August 17, 1929.
Mrs. W. H. Field, 11 Kingsville Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 20431, it appears that Valentine Lewis enlisted February 20, 1777, place not stated, and served three years as a private in Colonel Josiah Starr's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted August 6, 1780, served a tour of two days in Captain William Stanton's Company, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut Regiment; was at the burning of New London, September 6, 1781 and in other short tours from 1780 to 1783, amounting in all to two years.
He died March 30, 1819.
Soldier married May 31, 1780 Sally Clark, daughter of Thomas Clark. She was allowed pension on her application executed April 21, 1838, while a resident of Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, aged seventy-eight years.
Their children:

Samuel born October 30, 1781. Valentine " November 17, 1784. Sally " December 8, 1787, married John Eggleston February 16, 1817. Mary " April 13, 1790, married ....Phillips. Ephraim " July 17, 1792. Huldah or Huldah " November 7, 1795, married Elisha W. Bennet June, 1820. Lucretia " June 5, 1798, married David Taylor October 26, 1817, died March 16, 1822. Gurdon " December 17, 1799. Elam " January 18, 1801. Roxanna " February 8, 1803, died March 16, 1804. Clark " December 30, 1804.
Sally Eggleston was a resident of Norwich, Connecticut, Mary Phillips was living in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut and Huldah Bennet was residing in Ledyard, New London County, Connecticut in 1838.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Ira Lewis.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH, Commissioner.

3,1147. X Sally Lewis, of Ct In lit. to Hon. E. Hale, May 30, 1838. Set. to Hon. E. Hale, June 27, 1838. Set. to Mrs. Hyde, Augt. 13-1838.

Norwich May 2 d A.D. 1838.
Dear Sir.
I herewith enclose the declaration of Mrs Sally Lewis of Norwich widow of Valentine Lewis, who served in the Army of the Revolution, by enlistment for three years, from the 20 th day of February 1777 to 20 th February 1780 to prove this portion of service I would respectfully call your attention to the certificate of the Comptroller of this State herewith transmitted, which shows the settlement for the full term of three years service above named - & for the two short periods of service in the Militia in the Company of Capt. William Stanton. I refer you to the same certificate of said Comptroller, and to the pay Roll of Capt William Stanton's Company in Col. Oliver Smith's Regt, herewith transmitted - I know of no other documentary or other proof of the service except what may be supposed to be in possession of War department. To prove the time they were married I ask your attention to the testimony of Mrs Elizabeth Yeomans who though not present at the marriage (but being a relative) was soon after informed of the fact by Thomas Clarke the father of Sally - To prove that they were married, I would refer you to the testimony of Hilph Fulbury who cannot remember the date of the year, but knows that it was during the Revolutionary War and that she was present & saw them married. Also to the Affidavit of Col. Isaac Williams who lived near them & called at the house of said Lewis in Dec r 1782 to get a pair of shoes for his wife, that he saw Children & supposed they were Lewis' by his present wife &c. There is no record evidence of their marriage on the town records & will be seen by the certificate of the town Clerk of Stonington - The reason of not making an earlier application was that she is old & poor and has not found any one to give aid in trying to obtain the pension until now - I therefore think if this case is taken into consideration it will be found

conclusively, that he served several short tours of duty after he was married. that he served in all more than two years - and that they were married (in all probability) at the time she states in her declaration viz. May 31-1780- and that she is therefore entitled to the pension of a soldier for full service according to law - An early answer is desired
Respectfully I remain
Dear Sir Your most abt. Humble Servant
Hon. J. S. Edwards. Commissioner of Pensions
Asa Booth
Report to Hon E. Haley H R

3447 July 23 ck add: p'sg Sally Lewis, Town July 18 CONN.
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Probate Office District of Norwich
July 18 th 1838.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, Enclosed is the deposition of Mrs. Ekesbrough which with the declaration & other proofs on file in the War department proves that the widow Sally Lewis was married to Valentine Lewis on the 31 st day of May 1780. and as the proof of two years service of the said Valentine to the 8 th day of August 1780. is already allowed & on file in the department. It is presumed that she will be allowed the Pension, and please send me the certificate as soon as convenient.
Yours very respectfully
John Hyde
Judge of court of Probate District of Norwich State of Connecticut
N.B. The Declaration of Sally Lewis was made on the 21 st day of April 1828.

1929 Aug. 17. Hist. to Mrs. W. H. Field, A.W.Y.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20431 Sally Lewis widow of Valentine Lewis ori New-York
Act: July 4th 86 Index: Vol. 1 , Page 429
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Norwich Ct. Sept. 17 th 1838.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir. Herewith, I return the deposition of Mrs. Chesbrough, amended as required. & other depositions, in confirmation of the facts, in the application of Sally Lewis, widow of Valentine Lewis, for a Pension.
The claim is that Valentine Lewis entered the service Feb. 22 nd 1777. and served three years ending Feb. 22 nd 1780.
That he was married to Sally Clark May 31 st 1780.
That he afterward served in Capt. W. Stanton's Comp y . to Aug t . 8 th 1780.
I understand that the service is admitted to August 8 th 1780. and also, that the marriage is admitted to have taken place at sometime. But the question is when?
By Mrs. Yeoman's deposition it will be seen, that she was married the 27 th day of March 1781. & that the year before, that is in 1780, she made a visit at Stonington in the month of May, a month, more likely to be remembered than any other month in the year, as in the sweet month of May the blossoms of the trees are in full bloom & the air perfumed therewith and she says that she returned home to Norwich & within one month afterward Mr. Clark the Father of Sally called there & informed that Sally was married to Valentine Lewis, which, if believed establishes the fact that they were married before Aug t . 8 th 1780. & Mrs. Yeomans is a woman of uncommon sagacity & intelligence & her memory is much better than most people of her age.
The fact that Amos Shaw & Mary Mitchell were both born on the same day in the month of January 1779. cannot be doubted, and that Amos was sick with the canker rash at the time the wedding of said Valentine & Sally took place, cannot be doubted. Now the question recurs, How old was Amos at the

time he had the canker rash, as aforesaid?
Mrs. Shaw, the mother of said Amos, says it was in the month of May & that he was sixteen months old, which is confirmed by Mrs. Chesebrough.
The fact that they were born in January 1779. is confirmed by the gravestone of Mrs. Morgan who died August 23 d . 1834. aged 56. She being at that time 55 years & eight months old, 56. would be put on her coffin & gravestone.
Taking into consideration the depositions of the children of Mrs. Lewis, & her own declaration, it must seem that they must have been married at the time she has declared they were; viz, on the 31 st of May 1780. if so, please send me the certificate.
Yours very respectfully
John H. Hyde

Norwich Oct. 24 th 1838.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, I return the Pension Certificate of Mrs. Sally Lewis, widow of Valentine Lewis, to have the error corrected. It will be perceived that it is made for the act of July 7 th 1838. whereas it should have been in conformity to the provisions of the 3 d section of the act of July 15 th 1836.
And also on examination you will probably find an error in the Certificate of the time of the death of Valentine Lewis. He did not die in the year 1817. but in the year 1819. The fact being so, it is believed that the declaration so states, and that the evidence so proves.
Be so good as to have the Certificate made right and forward the same to me.
I am Sir, most respectfully
Your obliged servant John Hyde

MRS. W. H. FIELD 11 KINGSVILLE AVENUE ASHTABULA, OHIO
May 4, 1929
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, In Wheeler History of Stonington Conn. mention is made of three men by the name of Lewis who served in the Revolutionary war from that town an Abraham, a Valentine and Valentine 2 nd would you have any records that would show that any one of these three had children - Ira, Daniel , Valentine and Lucretia? Daniel my Great-Grandfather married Prudence Hewitt. It is family history handed down that Ira Lewis was an officer in the Rev. war presumably from Stonington as the family were living there in 1809 or before do you have his record also?
If you do not have this information could you advise me where to obtain it?
Very truly yours Mrs W.H. Field

Payment to be made at — Hartford — by S. L. Perkins Esq., Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Connecticut
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year thereafter. First pay- ment to be made 31st De- cember, 1838
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 1 — Page 192 by
R. Burn Clerk.

Open Cartel W under art 4 July '36

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Sally Lewis widow of Robert Lewis , deceased, who was a Private during the Revolutionary War and died on the twelfth day of March 1817 is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Eighty dollars and  cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
J. B. Poinsett
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Norwich June 19th. A. D. 1838.
Dear Sir,
I have the honor (by due course of mail) to receive a letter from the Hon: Geo. Wm Crump of the Pension Office dated May 30th 1838. In which I was informed "that the claim of Mrs. Sally Lewis, widow of Valentine Lewis, deceased, has been examined and her papers placed on file" and that "The evidence is satisfactory that he rendered two years service ending on 8th August 1780." But that the proof of the marriage is unsatisfactory." As to the proof of the marriage, I have got all the light on that subject that I could at this time. I sent to Stonington and got all I could from the town Clerk there in relation to marriages. He states "that from the frequent examination of the records for marriages kept in said town it appears evident that, many marriages which were formerly performed by persons legally authorized to marry, have not been recorded in the records of said town, and that said Record does not contain a complete and full record of marriages" I herewith transmit a copy of the record of marriage of Mrs. Yeomans who testified in the first place and who has now given her affidavit in addition & explanation of her former one, to shew that it was in May 1780 When Sally Clark was married to Valentine Lewis, being the year before her marriage with Joshua Yeomans. I introduce also the certificate of Isaac Williams marriage to show that he was a married man, and married the same year that Valentine Lewis & Sally Clark were, although he said Williams was married at a late period of the year. Hannah Shaw in her Affidavit herewith transmitted tells the place where she said Sally Lewis was married, that she Sally was an inmate of Mrs. Shaw's family & wrought for her before she said Sally was married. She Mrs. Shaw, says she is confident that the said Valentine & Sally were married in the year 1780 and this fact is corroborated by the ages of her children" and the acquaintance continued between us (she says) until the day of his death. - Zilpah Tallberry has given an affidavit in addition to her former one, in which she says, "That Valentine Lewis and Sally Clark were married at the house of Titus Fish, it being the nearest house to the one I occupied & I were present at the marriage, and I continued to occupy the same house with my late husband many years after

said marriage ceremony was performed, which was more than twelve months previous to New London being burnt by the enemy. The fire of which I saw very plain at my house. Mrs Lewis and myself went on to the Hill in rear of my house and saw the fire more plain, at the alarm produced by the fire both our husbands took their guns and went to New London which caused us much uneasiness lest they should be killed" It is a matter of history as well as of memory that New London was burnt on the 6th day of September 1781 by the traitor Benedict Arnold —
By the affidavit of John Eggleston it will be seen that he married a daughter of said Valentine & Sally Lewis & that from diligent search in the family no record of marriage, or of any character as a family record is to be found, nor is there reason to believe there ever was any such record kept by said Lewis — Now I have not been able to find satisfactory documentary proof as to the precise date of the marriage although "diligent search" has been made. . . . Yet I do believe that the testimony of Mrs. Newman, that they were married in May 1780 as communicated to her by the father of Sally Lewis a short time after she had made a visit there in May 1780. That it was the year before she was married, and that her marriage was proved to have been in 1781 by the certificate herewith transmitted, and from the testimony of Silph Patterson that she was present at the marriage & that it was more than twelve months, before the enemy burnt New London, and by Mrs Shaw that Sally's marriage was in 1780 being corroborated by the ages of her children — I therefore refer to the documents herewith transmitted to show that the marriage of Valentine Lewis with Sally Clark was in May 1780, and that it furnishes the most unequivocal evidence of witnesses as to the date of the marriage not on mere recollections from the force of memory, but upon its connexion with other events, in which the highest grade of proof are obtained which the nature of the Case will admit — An early answer is desired.
With the highest Consideration of respect & Esteem I remain your Obedient
Hon. J. S. Edwards } Commissioner of Pensions. }
very Humble Servant. Asa Root.

Priscilla Chesbrough, wife of Peter Chesbrough of Brook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged seventy one years last May, having been duly examined & cautioned to speak the truth and being sworn according to law, do depose & say that I was born & married in the Town of Danvers and resided there in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty and continued to reside there until the year one thousand eight hundred & six, within half a mile of my Sister Hannah Shaw.
Question asked the Deponent, — Do you remember the birth of your Sister Hannah Shaw's youngest child which was named Amos. Answer, — Yes perfectly well, from this circumstance that my Sister, Mabel's daughter Mary & my Sister Shaw's son Amos was born on the same day, being in January one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine.
Question to the Deponent, — Was you acquainted with Sally Clark who married Valentine Lewis at or about the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine. Answer, — Yes, was perfectly well acquainted with her, was often at my Sister Shaw's about the time of the birth of her son Amos, & afterwards, and then saw Sally Clark & became acquainted with her and also well remember that she was married to Valentine Lewis early in the summer of the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty, at that time was at my Sister Shaw's, when she received an invitation to Sally's wedding, which she accepted, but was prevented from attending in consequence of her son Amos being attacked with the Garterick, he then being about fifteen months old, one other circumstance is fresh in my memory which occurred the day of the marriage of Sally Clark. Vis.

Richard Shaw and his wife called at my sister Hannah Shaw for her to accompany them to the wedding, but she did not go with them for the reason before assigned, & further the Deponent saith not
In presence of Sarah Chasebrough
Priscilla Chasebrough
New London County, ss Boston July 18 th 1838 Personally appeared the above named Priscilla Chasebrough & in my presence submitted the foregoing deposition & made oath to the same Before me John H. Townsend Justice of the Peace
And I further certify, that the said Deponent is a credible witness
Attest John H. Townsend Justice of the Peace
I William E. Tracy, Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the state of Connecticut do hereby certify that John H. Townsend who has signed the foregoing certificates is a Justice of the Peace for the county of New London in said State, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office of this court this 16 th August 1838 William E. Tracy Clerk

I William E. Tracy Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the county of New London State of Connecticut do hereby certify, that John Hyde, before whom the depositions, hereto attached, of Elisabeth Yeomans, John Eggleston & Sally Eggleston, were sworn to, is a justice of the Peace in & for said county and that the several signatures thereto, purporting to be his are genuine. and I also further certify that Charles Sabin, before whom, the depositions of Hannah Shaw & Hannah Mitchell, hereto attached, were sworn to, is a justice of the Peace, in & for said county, and that the signatures purporting to be his, are genuine. & that Charles Bennet, before whom the deposition, hereto attached, of Houldah Bennet, is sworn to, is a justice of the Peace & that the signatures, purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
William E. Tracy Clerk

Elizabeth Yeomans of Norwich in the county of New-London & state of Connecticut aged seventy eight years being duly cautioned and sworn, according to law, deposeth and saith, that in the month of May next before she the deponent was married, she went to Stonington in the county aforesaid to make a visit in company with Joshua Yeomans to whom she was afterward married, that they visited at Mr. Thomas Clark's in said Stonington & there saw his daughter Sally, that after visiting at said Clark's and several other places, they, the said Joshua & Elizabeth, returned to Norwich aforesaid, that said visit was made at that time in consequence of said Clark's, then, contemplating a removal to the Western Country that she well remembers, that about one month after they made the visit, as aforesaid, the said Clarke called, at the house of her uncle Ebenezer Jones, with whom she resided at that time, & who then resided in Norwich aforesaid, & told us of the marriage of his daughter, the said Sally to Valentine Lewis. The deponent further saith that she was married to Joshua Yeomans aforesaid in the month of March next after they made the aforesaid visit, and she the deponent was married to the said Joshua Yeomans on the twenty seventh day of March seventeen hundred & eighty one, that the said Sally now resides in said Norwich & still remains the widow of the said Valentine Lewis as the deponent verily believes, and further the deponent saith not. The interliniations were made before signing.
Elizabeth Yeomans
New London County ss. Norwich August 28 th 1838.
Personally appeared Mrs. Elisabeth Yeomans above named well known by me as a respectable person of truth and veracity and made oath to & signed the foregoing deposition
Before me John Hyde
Justice of the Peace

Sally Eggleston of Norwich in the county of New London and state of Connecticut, aged fifty-one years, having been duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, testify & say that she is the third child of Valentine Lewis late of Stonington deceased & his wife Sally Lewis, that the deponent's father & mother the aforesaid Valentine & Sally were married on the thirty first day of May in the year seventeen hundred & eighty, as she has always understood & believes, and that they had eleven children, viz,
Samuel Lewis born October thirtieth, seventeen hundred & eighty one, Valentine Lewis born November seventeenth, seventeen hundred & eighty four, Sally Lewis born December eighth, seventeen hundred & eighty seven, Mary Lewis born April 13 th seventeen, hundred & ninety, Ephraim Lewis born July seventeenth, seventeen hundred & ninety-two, Huldah Lewis born November seventh, seventeen hundred & ninety-five, Lucretia Lewis born June fifth, seventeen hundred & ninety eight, Gordon Lewis born December seventeenth, seventeen hundred & ninety nine, Elam Lewis born January eighteenth, eighteen hundred & one. Roxanna Lewis born February eighth eighteen hundred & three, & Clark Lewis born December thirtieth, eighteen hundred & four.
Samuel Lewis & Valentine Lewis are both gone to the Western Country & the deponent has heard nothing of them for more than seven years, the Lucretia Lewis was married to David Taylor and she died the sixteenth day of March eighteen hundred & twenty-two, and Roxanna Lewis died the sixteenth day of March eighteen hundred & four aged thirteen months and eight days, and all the others are living, as the deponent supposes, at any rate she has not heard of the death of any of the others; and further the deponent saith, that she never knew of any family record ever to be kept by her father or her mother, or any other member of the family but we were always taught to remember our birth days and how old we were, when our birth days came round & that was the only means of knowledge on the subject, as taught to us by our father & mother, and the deponent further testifies & says that her father the aforesaid Valentine Lewis died on the thirtieth day of March eighteen hundred & nineteen, and her mother the aforesaid Sally Lewis has not been married since the death of the said Valentine Lewis her husband but has continued a widow to this time as she verily believes, and further the deponent saith not.
Sally Eggleston
New London County ss. Norwich August 23 rd day of A.D. 1838, personally appeared Mrs. Sally Eggleston above named well known by me as a person of truth & sworn to & signed the foregoing deposition before me John Hyde Justice of the Peace

I, Hannah Shaw, of Stonington, County of New-London, and State of Connecticut, aged eighty eight years, being duly cautioned and sworn, do depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Valentine Lewis, late of said Stonington, deceased, that he died nearly twenty years ago, and that the deponent attended his funeral; deponent further saith that she was intimately acquainted with Sally Clark, the daughter of Thomas Clark formerly of said Stonington, that the said Valentine Lewis and the said Sally Clark were reputed to have been married in the month of May in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty, that said deponent was invited to attend their wedding, but was prevented in consequence of her youngest child Amos' being at that time very dangerously sick with the canker-rash; said Amos was sixteen months old at the time, and had the canker-rash as aforesaid; and he was born in January Seventeen hundred and seventy nine; the deponent's sister Mary Mitchell had a daughter born the same day the said Amos was born who was called Mary and afterwards married to Youngs Morgan of Groton, and died about four years ago; and the deponent further says that said Valentine Lewis and his wife the said Sally visited the deponent the day after they were reputed to have been married as aforesaid; that said Sally now resides in Norwich in said New-London County as said deponent now understands; and further deponent saith that she knows the fact of the birth of the said Amos and the said Mary Mitchell both being on the same day, that she and her sister had both engaged the same person for

a nurse, and the person so engaged nursed her sister, and the said Sally Clark nursed the deponent, it being the first time she had acted in that capacity, and further the deponent saith not. Subscribed and signed September 8. 1838
In presence of us
her
Hannah Grinnell
Hannah X Shaw
Julia X Grinnell
Mark
County of New London, p: Stonington September 8. 1838 Then Hannah Shaw signer of the foregoing deposition appeared before me, and made solemn oaths to the truth of the same. Charles Sabin. Justice of the Peace for the County of New London.
Stonington September 8. 1838 - I hereby certify that Hannah Shaw, signer of the foregoing deposition, is a credible witness. Charles Sabin. Justice of peace
I. Hannah Mitchell of Groton, New London County, State of Connecticut, aged fifty eight years being duly sworn do depose and say that I am the widow of James Mitchell late of Groton in Stonington, said County, deceased that the aforesaid James Mitchell was born the 3 rd day of February Seventeen hundred and seventy seven and that I always understood that his sister Mary Mitchell, afterwards Mary Morgan the wife of Youngs Morgan was a little less than two years younger than he the said James Mitchell. The birth of James Mitchell as stated above is recorded in the family bible, used by said Mitchell in his life time, in his own hand writing. Said James Mitchell died May 10 th Eighteen hundred and thirty one. This fact is likewise recorded in said bible. His age was fifty four years. The said Mary Mitchell, afterwards the wife of Youngs Morgan died September 23 rd , 1834, and was buried in the Groton burying ground, and further deponent saith not.
Hannah Mitchell
Elizabeth M. Leeds, 2 Witnesses Charles Sabin

Groton, New London County, September 14, 1838. Then Hannah Mitchell signer of the foregoing deposition appeared before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. Charles Sabin Justice of Peace
New London County, Groton September 14, 1838 I hereby certify that Hannah Mitchell signer of the foregoing deposition is a credible witness Charles Sabin Justice of Peace.

John Eggleston of Norwich in the county of New London State of Connecticut, aged forty six years, deposes that after the return of the deposition of Mrs. Priscilla Chasebrough, & the Letter enclosing the same to John Hyde Esq. from the Hon. J. L. Edwards, saying that the same was unsatisfactory to establish the fact that Valentine Lewis & Sally Clark were married previous to the 8 th day of August 1780., the deponent went to Groton, to find out, if possible, when Mary Mitchell was born, who was said to have been born the same day that Amos Shaw was born, and by the family, of the Hon. James Mitchell late of Groton dec d ., was shown the grave of his sister, the same Mary referred to, & on her tomb stone, in the common burying ground of s d Groton, is the following; viz, "In memory of Mary Morgan, wife of Youngs Morgan, who died August 23 d 1834. aged 56 years" which is a true copy of the writing on her grave stone, & having understood from Mrs. Mitchell the widow of the s d James Mitchell that his sister Morgan was two years, lacking a few days, younger than her husband, the aforesaid James Mitchell, the said James having been born in February 1777. His sister, Mrs. Morgan in January 1779. The deponent also took a copy from the gravestone erected in the same yard at the grave of the said James, which is as follows; viz, "Sacred to the memory of James Mitchell Esq. Marshall of the District of Connecticut, who died May 10 th 1831. Aged 54." and the widow of said James shewed the deponent the family Record kept by her late husband from which the deponent copied the following extract, viz, "James Mitchell Son of Francis & Mary Mitchell was born Feb y 3 d 1777." and further the deponent saith not
John Eggleston
New London County ss. Norwich Sept. 17 th 1838.
Personally appeared Mr. John Eggleston, well known by me as a person of truth & veracity & a witness of credibility and made oath to and signed the foregoing deposition
Before me John Hyde
Justice of the Peace

Hulday Burnell of Sedgwick in the county of New London, State of Connecticut age forty three years having been duly sworn according to law doth on her oath testify and say that she is the mother child of Calanline and Polly Lewis that the said Calanline and Polly were married on the 31 st day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty as she has always under- stood and believing and they had Eleven children namely
Samuel Lewis born Octr 30, volantine Lewis Novr Sally Lewis Decr 8, 1787 Mary Lewis apl. 13, 1790 Ephraim Lewis July 17, 1792 Hulday Lewis Novr 7, 1795 Lucretia Lewis June 1798 Gurdon Lewis Decr 17, 1799 Eloisa Lewis Jany 18, 1801 Rosemary Lewis Feb. 8, 1803 Clark Lewis Decr 30, 1804
Samuel Lewis and volantine Lewis are boath gone to the western country and have not been heard from for more than seven years Lucretia Lewis wife of David Dayton Died the 16. day of March 1822 and Roseania Lewis died the 16. th day of March 1804 and all the others are living as the deponent supposes at any rate she knows not of the deaths of any of

the other. The affore said Valentine Lewis the Father of the Deponent Died on the thirtieth day of March Eighteen hundred and nineteen and that his Widow the affore said Sally Lewis has not been married since his death but has continued a Widow to this time and further the deponent saith not
Hub Bernet
Sworne and subscribed this 24th day of August 1838 before me Charles Bennet
Justice of the Peace and I further certify that the Deponent is a credible witness
Charles Bennet Justice of the Peace

I Tiph Tabbey of North Stonington in the County of New London & State of Connecticut do depose & say, in addition to my former deposition taken before Latham Hull Esq. that Valentine Lewis & Sally Clark were married at the House of Titus Fish, it being the nearest house to the one I occupied, & I was present at the marriage & I continued to occupy the same house with my late husband many years after the said marriage ceremony was performed, which was more than twelve months previous to New London being burnt by the enemy, the fire of which, I saw very plainly at my house, Mr. Lewis & myself went on to the hill in the rear of my house & saw the fire more plainly, at the alarm produced from the fire both our husbands took their guns & went to New London which caused us much uneasiness, lest they should be killed & further the deponent saith not.
In presence of John Eggleston John H. Townsend
Tiph her Tabbey marks
State of Connecticut
County of New London ss North Stonington June 18 th A.D. 1828
Personally appeared the above named Tiph Tabbey & after being examined cautioned & sworn agreeable to Law the foregoing Deposition was taken by me
John H. Townsend Justice of the Peace

I John D. Hays of Stonington in the County of New London & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that from the frequent examination of the Records for marriages kept in Stown it appears evident that many marriages which were formerly performed by Jewsons legally authorized to Marry have not been recorded in the Records of said town, and that said Record does not contain a full & complete record of all marriages!
John D. Hays Clerk of Stown of Stonington
Stonington June 18, 1838

I Hannah Shaw of Stonington, New London County in the State of Connecticut, my age will be eighty nine on the nineteenth day of November next. Deposeth & says that I well knew Valentine Lewis & Sally Clark daughter of Thomas Clark, previous to their marriage, said Sally Clark wrought in my family previous to her marriage I well remember, though I was not present, that they were married at the Fish house, so called, occupied by Titus Fish & that said Lewis occupied said house in company with Mr. Fish for more than three years in succession after their marriage. I am confident that the marriage of the aforesaid Valentine & Sally was performed in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty, which is corroborated by the ages of my children, the acquaintance continued between us until his death & I attended his funeral, I further Depose that I had an infant which was married Amos at the time Sally Clark resided with me, the birth of the said Amos was in January one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine & that the said Sally was married to the aforesaid Valentine the year following. Subscribed of Hannah F. Shaw mark
Harriet Maning John H. Townsend
State of Connecticut County of New London ss. Stonington June 18 th A.D. 1833
Personally appeared the above named Hannah Shaw and after being examined cautioned & sworn agreeable to law the foregoing Deposition was taken by me
John H. Townsend Justice of the Peace

I Elizabeth Yeomans of Norwich in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut of Lawful age having been duly confirmed & sworn agreeable to law, do on my oath testify & say that on further reflection, in addition to my former deposition taken by Judge Heath on the 21 st day of April A D 1838 having then stated of making a visit to Farmington, which we were induced to make at that time in consequence of their contemplated removal into the western country which he effected personally soon afterwards, leaving his family untill the year 1783, I do well remember that about one month after my return to Norwich from Farmington at the house of my Uncle Phineas Jones where I had lived for many years & also where I was married to Joshua Yeomans Thomas Clark called then on his way to the Country & then informed us of the marriage of his daughter Sally Clark to Valentine Liver as before expressed, it being the first information of the event & further the deponent saith not In the presence of John Egleston Elizabeth Yeomans
New London County ss
Norwich June 19 th A D 1838
Swore to and subscribed in the presence of & before me John H. Townsend Justice of the Peace

Sturminster Decem 18. 1780 this day Appeared before me Isaac Williams & his wife Williams both of Sturminster & was joined by me in Marriage
Simon Brown Eld r
Sturminster June 18 1838
The foregoing is a true Copy of Record
John D. Noyes. Barnstable

Joshua Geymans and Elizabeth Jones both of Norwich were married together on the 27 th of March one Thousand Seven hundred eighty one
Town Clerks Office Norwich Conn t June 19 (1838)
This may certify that the above is a true copy of record on the records of this Town
attest Simon Thomas Town Clerk
- 21

I. John Eggleston of Norwich in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged forty six years, having been examined and Cautioned to speak the whole truth, do on my oath testify and say that, I married the daughter of Valentine Lewis, that I have made diligent search for any record of his marriage & could find none - I have also made inquiry of the family, that is Mrs. Sally Lewis & my wife & I cannot find that they ever had any family record in their house - I went to Stonington & called on the Minister of the Church in Stonington & John H. Townsend Esqr. was present at the time, & shewed him the letter from the pension office dated May 30-1838, and requested him to make affidavit as to the records of marriages in his parish, Church, or Congregation. He said, he did not know of any such records of marriages kept by the Church neither did he think there was any. But could not give any affidavit in relation to the subject as he did not know what to say or write. He had no knowledge of any such record, but still there might be one form although he had never seen any. The difficulty of getting an affidavit from the Rev. & scrupulous gentleman, induced me to do without his testimony as it would be a crime here almost to coerce a clergyman by the strong arm of the law to testify. And further the deponent saith not.
John Eggleston State of Connecticut, New London County, p.
Norwich Probate District. June 19th. A.D. 1838 Personally appeared John Eggleston who hath subscribed the above affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the same - I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Eggleston, that he is a gentleman of truth and veracity, whose testimony as a witness is entitled to full credit -
Asa Booth, Judge. of the Court of Probate for said District

State of Connecticut, ss New London County, Court of Probate District of Norwich June 19. A.D. 1838.
I, James Holbrook Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District, hereby certify that Asa Root Esqr is Judge of the sd. Court of Pro- bate, and that John H. Townsend, and Sadau Hull are Justices of the Peace for said County duly appointed and commissioned by the Legislature of this State and whose commission as Justices will expire on the 20th day of June 1839. and the Commission of Asa Root Esqr as Judge of Probate will expire on the 20th day of June A.D. 1838. and that they are all of them duly qualified to take depositions according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office of the said Court of Probate the day and year last above written.
James Holbrook, Clerk.
Hon. E. Hovey H. R.

Connecticut - 2,486.
Sally Lewis widow of Valentine Lewis who died on the 30 th March 1819 - of N. Haven in the State of Conn. who was a P er in the Comp y commanded by Captain Stanton of the Reg t commanded by Smith - in the Br ig line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Dec r '38, and sent to S. H. Hovey, New Haven, Conn.
Arrears to the 14 th of Sept r - $ 6.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00 $ 46.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the } }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 - Page 71.

Comptrollers Office
Hartford, Connectt.
18 April 1838
On application for evidence of the military service of M c . Valentine Lewis, I have examined the records remaining in this office relating to the Army of the Revolution, and find as follows: —
In the records of settlements made with the Connectt. Line of the Continental Army, these entries, — Viz: —
Under head of "Settlement with the 1 st Connectt. Regt. Josiah Starr Esq d . Colonel, before January 1 st 1780"
Names Commencem t . of Service Time of this Settlem t . Term "Valentine Lewis Feb. 20. '77 January 1. 1780 2 Yrs. 10 Mo s 11 days" & Valentine Lewis Jan d . 1. 1780 Feb. 20. '80 " 1 Mo s . 20 days"
The last entry under head of "Settlement with the 1 st Connectt. Regt. Josiah Starr Esq d . Colonel for the year 1780"
And also, in "Haskells Receipts", under head of "Expense of Militia Service" this entry: —
"Feb. 27. 1783 — Cap. W m . Stanton — d o . [Militia Service at N o London] — £ 8. 8. 1"
The date is supposed to be that of settlement, or of rendering the Account.
And, an acct. with Cap. W m . Stanton on the books of the Pay Table, where he is charged May 14. 1781 with two orders on the Treasury amounting to £842. 2. 6.
I certify the foregoing extracts and statements to be truly made. —
W m Field Comptroller

I Elizabeth Yeomans of Norwich in the county of New London State of Connecticut, aged seventy seven years - having been duly examined & cautioned to speak the whole truth, and being sworn according to law, do on my oath testify and say. That in the year seventeen hundred & eighty I went on a visit to Stonington and called at Thomas Clarke's in Stonington & saw Sally Clarke his daughter, and after making out our visit in the month of May of said year about the middle of the month I think, we returned to Norwich and a short time after Thomas Clarke the father of Sally Clarke called at our house and told us that Sally was married to Valentine Lewis - That I know her now and know that she is the widow of Valentine Lewis. Mr. Thomas Clarke's wife was sister to my husband Joshua Yeomans late of Norwich and I further the deponent saith not.
Elizabeth Yeomans
Sworn and subscribed before me April 21 - 1838.
Asa Root Judge of the Court of Probate

I John Eggleston of Norwich in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged forty six years, having been examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth do on my oath testify & say that, I knew Valentine Lewis & Sally Lewis his wife, that I knew them as man & wife for three years before his death and was present when he died on the or about 30th day of March 1819 - & that I have known his widow ever since that time, that she now lives in my family - and that I married a daughter of said Valentine Lewis & Sally his wife - and that she is still the widow of the said Valentine Lewis & has never married again since his death - And further the deponent saith not.
John Eggleston
State of Connecticut, New London County ss. March 21. April 1832. The above affidavit of John Eggleston was sworn and submitted before me on the day & year above mentioned.
And I do hereby certify that Col. Isaac Williams,
Mrs. Elizabeth Yeomans & Mr. John Eggleston are persons to me well known & that they are persons of good character & their testimony as witnesses entitled to full credit, being the same persons who in my presence signed affidavits herewith transmitted -
Asa Root Judge of the Court of Probate

1. Zilph Dobbury of North Stonington county of New London & State of Connecticut Being Seventy nine years of age after being duly cautioned & sworn according to Law to testify & say according to the Best of my recollection I was present when Valentine Lewis was married to Sally Clark Daughter of Thomas Clark it tis out of my power to tell how many years ago but it was during the Revolutionary war Zilph her Dobbury mark Latham Hull John Eggleston
New London } ss North Stonington April 10 th county } 1838 Personally appeared Zilph Dobbury signer of the above affidavit whose testimony as a witness is intitled to credit and made Solomon oaths to the truth of the facts therein contained Before me Latham Hull Justice of the Peace

John D. Wages of Stonington, County of New London & State of Connecticut. Do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the Records of this Town (of Marriages) - to find the Marriage of Volantine Lewis to Sally Clarke, but do not find the same entered therein
John D. Wages
3 Town Clerk
Stonington March 16. 1838

U 3447.
Sally Lewis widow of Valentine
Conn 1836 act. 4 July 35. on detached role of Capt. Stan ton - 2 days aug 780
adm d 2 years pri 80
No deduction
S. Hyde Norwich Conn
Hon E. H. Harkness
Col Isaac Williams affidavit in the case of Sally Lewis application for pension

I Isaac Williams of Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged eighty years, having been duly examined and sworn to speak the whole truth do on my oath testify and say, that I knew Valentine Lewis I lived near by him, and know that he was a soldier of the Revolution, so reported to me. I was never in the army with him, that he was married to Sally Clark during the Revolutionary war, as I supposed, as they they lived together in my neighbourhood, as man and wife. In a respectable manner. I called there at D r Lewis' house in December 1782 to get a pair of shoes that he made for my wife and he had several children living with him which I took to be his children they might not all be children of this woman, but I supposed they were. He was was a clever candid man and a good Shoemaker - I understood that he was a Revolutionary Soldier, and drew a pension -
And further the deponent saith not.
Isaac Williams
State of Connecticut New London County. ss.
Be it known that on the 27 th day of March 1838 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid personally appeared Col. Isaac Williams above named and made solemn oaths to the truth of the facts contained in the above affidavit by him subscribed -
Asa Root Justice of the Peace

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Lewis, Wait GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6126 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 7, 1789 to Benj. Sallmadge
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.