Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17704, for Lewis Sturges, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Sturges, Lewis
8 17704
CONTENTS
Carded

Ohio 19. 697  Pittsburg Lewis Sturges of Leekings in the State of Ohio who was a priv & Co in the Company commanded by Captain Damar of the Regt commanded by Col Wallerburg in the Colu & Me for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Regt of Ohio - Pittsburg at the rate of 84 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of August 1833 and sent to A. H. Coffee Newark Leekings Co
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 168.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. " 42.00
$ 210.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. S. Evans Clerk, Book E Vol. 8. Page 127.

22594
Lewis Sturges Ohio
A. H. Coffee Newark Ohio
book on bond roll Not.
Return d e fr Adm 2 years one year as Corporal.
A. H. Coffee 84 3/8 Newark Licking County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
26. April ~ 1883
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjouined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Lewis Sturges Ohio
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1775 enlisted 1 7 Private Capt. Damon Col. Waterbury 75 in Licking Co. Ohio injured at Brandyport 67   Jan. 1776 discharged 7 2 23 " Capt. Dummel   1777 enlisted 1 " Capt. Yates Certificate of two citizens a document   afterwards 2 Artillery Corp Capt. Hawly   from first to last Served from Six to 7 years  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:—
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:—
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
111111

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832.
The State of Ohio Licking County ss
At a Special Court of Common Pleas held at Newark within and for the County of Licking and State of Ohio, On this 20 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Lewis Sturges aged seventy six years, president of Granville Licking County and State of Ohio aforesaid, Who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the seventh day of June in the year 1832. That he entered the service of the United States by enlistment for seven months about the first of May 1775 at Newfield (now Bridgeport) in the State of Connecticut under Captain David Heman, in the Regiment Com- manded by Col Waterbury - Went to Canada lay sixty days at Saratoga and took St Johns Fort & Champlaine north end of Lake Champlain with about a thousand prisoners Gen Montgomery May

Was Commander - After having served out the said term was drafted in the Militia 1 st January 1776 to go down to New York. Was out all Winter Spring and part of the summer about seven or eight months under Capt Theodor Barmat - Afterwards enlisted in Captain John Yates Company for one year (does not know at what time exactly, but thinks some time in 1777 and was out the whole year was at West-point - or Fort Arnold, and at White Plains. Afterwards enlisted in the Stones Gap Artillery Company commanded by Baron D'Arly - Connecticut State Guard but does not know the time of his entering this corps - States that he frequently belonged to said corps for more than two years. Cannot now recollect where he was discharged but states as a matter of certainty that from first to last he served from six to seven years of the war. under various enlistments, and drafts the particulars of which as to dates names & he may not be entirely accurate, but has narrated the facts as nearly as the lapse of time and the feeble state of his memory will allow him to do - He recollects being in the following

engagements viz. the burning of Fairfield and Danbury in Conn. Where Gen. Wooster was killed (at Bethel). Was a volunteer from his company to go against Burgoyne but he only got to Hiskill before he was taken. He exhibits herewith annexed (marked A) Warrant signed by Captain John Gats appointing him a corporal, as some evidence of his having served in the War of the Revolution.
Sworn
Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year within mentioned.
A. D. Coffee Ch.
We Julius Coleman and Samuel Banroft residing in said county of Litchfield do certify that we are well acquainted with Lewis Hays who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be about sixty eight years of age - That he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution - And we concur in that opinion.
Taken in open court Julius Coleman Samuel Banroft A. D. Coffee Ch.

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Department of War, that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And further that Julius Leveque and Saml. Banerft are persons of credit, and that their statements hereto, is entitled to belief. I, Burns, A. Coffee, Clerk of the Court aforesaid do certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings had in said Court on the matter of the application of David Sturges for a pension.
Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said County this A. D. Coffee clk
Sturges Declaration 22594
The State of Ohio Seeking County ss Before me the subscriber of oaths of the State of said County personally appeared the above and within David Sturges who being duly sworn as the above and say in addition to a explanation of his Declaration - That by reason of age and

consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below - 1 st as a private under Captain Deman as stated in his declaration - Seven Months .
2 nd - 1776 - under Captain Bennet as a private Seven Months as stated in his declaration.
3 rd - 1777. in Captain Yates' Company - as a private, part of the time as a corporal . This service was performed, he believes part in 1776 and part in 1778 but cannot recollect dates exactly - Knows that he served under Captain Yates One Year .
4 th . In the Connecticut State Guard at Bridgeport under Captain Hawley. (the place was then called Newfield) in 1778 - and perhaps part of 1779. One year Making in all upwards of three years - for which he claims a pension - (Defendant stated that he must have performed considerably more service than he has stated which he has not stated above, because of the imper- fection of his memory - He is not sure that the above dates may be entirely correct, and He has told his memory to the utmost, to be correct in the order of his narration - He has aduced the proof his old associates which he has hereto annexed, and has no other proof that he can obtain. He has no other proof of his year service in Captain Yates' Company than what is stated in S. Worden's deposition - hereto annexed and the warrant also annexed to his deposition.
[Died 4 months]

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension except the present, and says that he is now on the roll of army trade. Lewis Sturgis
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5 th day of July A.D. 1833 M c all, B uff o n & H ear
(He further states that in Yates' Company Colony he enlisted and served as a Corporal, but did not receive the Certificate of appointment, as a Corporal until some time after the term began. If the department should consider the proof of service not sufficient in this respect he authorizes them to put it down as a private but he states positively that he served the whole of this year as a Corporal .
Sworn and subscribed to Lewis Sturgis as above M c all, B uff o n & H ear

The Seal of Ohio Licking County ss.
I James M c Caffee, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Mahlon M c Caffee, asq d . whose signature appears to the foregoing deposition now is and and was at the time of taking said Deposition a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to Law - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said County this 5 th day of July A.D. 1833.
J. M c Caffee Clerk

A
A. A. Coffea ok
Lewis Sturges S. F., 17/104 Conn.

John Yeats Esq r Captain, of the 7 th Company in the 1 st Battalion of New-Livies from the State of Connecticut Commanded by Col. Roger Ennis
To Lewis Sturges Esq r
Reposing Especial Trust & Confidence in Your Skill, Courage, & Good Conduct, I do by these presents Appoint & constitute You the Said Lewis Sturges, 2 nd Corporal in Said 7 th Company, all the duties of which Office You are faithfully to discharge if You are to obey all Your Superior Officers in all their Commands According to Military Discipline & all Under You are to obey You as their Corporal & for Your so doing This Shall be Your Sufficient, WARRANT & & & & &
Given Under my hand at Fort Arnold this 13 th day of August A 1778
John Yeats Cap t

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Lewis Sturges a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 17704
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1. 1775 7 mos. Private David Simon Watbury Conn.   Jan. 1 1776 7 mos. " Thaddeus Bennett ✓   Fall 1776 3 mos. " St. Nathan Seeley Roger Ennis   1777 1 year 2" Corpl. Capt. John Yeate   ✓ 1778 1 year Aaron Hawley's co. Conn. Guards Artillery.   ✓ 1 mo. Daniel Hacey ✓   ✓ ✓ Recit. Hall ✓  
Battles engaged in, { capture of Fort Chubbey & siege of St. Johns.  Armies of Saratoga & Danbury. Residence of soldier at enlistment, { Enl. at Newfield, Conn., which  was afterwards Bridgeport. Date of application for pension, Aug. 20, 1832. Residence at date of application, Granville, Licking Co., Ohio. Age at date of application, seventy-six years.
Remarks: His claim was allowed. No family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

File No. 11,114
Lewis Sturges
Corp Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 362
[Arrangement of 1870.]

FRANK L. STURGES
Topeka, Kansas, March 13th, 1914.
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:--
The attached correspondence with The Adjutant General, United States Army, War Department, Washington, D.C., in regard to the military record in the Continental Army, of my Great, Great Grandfather, Lewis Sturges, explains itself.
The Lewis Sturges in whom I am interested was born July 14, 1756 and died January 6th, 1838 at Granville, Ohio, and as you will note from correspondence, our family records show that he enlisted when he was 19 years of age or in 1775.
Information I have received from The Adjutant General of Connecticut, indicates that the name of Lewis Sturges appears on the record of a company from Fairfield, Conn. (Which adjoins Bridgeport) and I have no doubt this is the Lewis Sturges in whom I am interested, as my ancestor was a resident of Bridgeport, Conn.
I will appreciate it very much indeed if you will kindly examine the records in your office and favor me with as much information as possible.
I am also particularly anxious to ascertain where my ancestor was born, and if possible the full name of his father and when the latter was born as our records are conflicting in that it is not definite whether he was born in Sanford, Conn. in 1707 or 1712.
It has occurred to me that it is possible that one of the other Lewis Sturges's mentioned in the enclosed correspondence was the father of the Lewis Sturges born July 14, 1756.
Please accept my thanks in advance for any information you may be able to give me.
Respectfully,
F L Sturges
X

Thomas Stratton of the Town of Bridgeport County of Fairfield State of Connecticut 76 years of age Deposeeth and saith that in the summer of 1775 he belonged to a company of State Troops Lieut. Robert Walker commanding Col Waterbury which in command in a campaign to St Johns in Canada for seven months. in the Revolutionary War. That he was well acquainted with Lewis Sturges (now living in Ohio) & has personal knowledge that said Sturges was in the same Regiment with him in said campaign in Capt David Demons company that he saw him doing duty in said company at Secondaroga & other places saw him frequently during said seven months campaign Thomas Stratton
James Banz of the Town of Trumbull County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 71 years of age Deposeeth & saith that he is & has been well acquainted with Lewis Sturges (formerly of Bridgeport & now residing in the State of Ohio) for more than 58 years. in the year 1778 I belonged to a Militia company commanded by Capt States Jackson of Stratford which company was stationed at a place called the Saw Pits in the State of New York on Long Island Sound. where I performed two months service for the United States & that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges was with him in the same campaign & messes with him & that he said Sturges performed two months service for the United States faithfully in this tour & was dismissed together at the end of said two months at said Saw pits - James Banz

James R French of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut 84 years of age Deposeth and saith that he has been well acquainted upwards of 60 years with Lewis Sturges formerly of said Bridgeport & now living in the State of Ohio. That he thinks about the middle of the Revolutionary war said Sturges belonged to a company of Gaurd commanded by Capt Daniel Lacey of Fairfield which gaurd was stationed at a place called Short Beach in said Fairfield on Long Island Sound That he has personal knowledge that said Sturges performed One Months service for the United States in said gaurd -
James James R French
Seth Hall of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut 84 years old Deposeth and saith that he has been well acquainted with Lewis Sturges formerly of Bridgeport & now residing in the State of Ohio - even since said Sturges was a Lad. That some time in the Revolutionary War there was a Gaurd Kept at said Bridgeport then called Newfield commanded by Aaron Hawley & that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges belonged to and did duty in said Gaurd which gaurd was in service I am positive as long as one year under said Hawley -
Seth Hall

Samuel Wordin of The Town of Fairfield County, State of Connecticut 76 years of age Deposeth & saith that he has been well acquainted with Lewis Sturges formerly of Bridgeport & now residing in the State of Ohio. ever since said Sturges was 10 years of age that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges Enlisted in the year 1775 into a company of State Troops commanded by Capt David Denson of said Fairfield Josiah Lacy was a Lieut. in said company for six or seven months in a campaign to the Northward that he resided in the same neighbourhood with him when he enlisted in said company & that he has no doubt said Sturges performed this form of service faithfully for the United States in said campaign. That in the year 1776 said Sturges & himself both belonged to a company of Militia in the Parish of Stratford in said Fairfield commanded by Capt Thaddeus Bennett in which company we both went to New York City & while there we both messes together. that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges performed Three Weeks service for the United States in this campaign. That said Sturges & said Wordins Brother William enlisted into Capt John Gates company of State Troops. but does not know or cannot now recollect for how long a time or what year it was -
That as he believes in the year 1777 or 1778 said Sturges Enlisted in said Stratford into a company of Guard commanded by Capt Aaron Hawley for one year which guard was Stationed at a place called Newfield now Bridgeport. that that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges performed one years service for the United States in said Guard. That in the year following his service under Capt Hawley he belonged to a company of Guard Lieut Hall commanding but does not remember how long time he served in Capt Hall's guard
Samuel Wordin
James Beach of the Town of Milford County of Fairfield State of Connecticut 72 years old Deposeth and saith that he has been well acquainted with Lewis Sturges formerly of Bridgeport and now residing in the State of Ohio, ever since said Sturges was a child. That he has personal knowledge that said Sturges belonged to a company of Guard commanded

by Lieut Nathan Seely of Stamford which said was Stationed at a place called Tascott Hill in said Stamford on Long Island Sound Johnathan Lewis Barn on said Hill was used as the Guard House - I belonged to said Guard with said Sturges and have personal knowledge that said Sturges served the United States Three months faithfully in said Guard in the fall of 1776 Jabez Beach

Samuel French of Trumbull in the county of Fairfield State of Connecticut 80 years of age Deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Lewis Sturges formerly of Bridgeport & now residing in the State of Ohio That in the year 1775 he was in a campaign to the Northward in Col. Waterbury's Regiment, that said Sturges was with him in said Regiment in Capt David Simons company, which campaign was for seven months, That he has personal knowledge that said Sturges was in the United States served as aforesaid & that he has personal knowledge that said Sturges performed service for the United States in a Gaurd commanded by Capt Aaron Hawley at a place then called Newfield now Bridgeport & that said Gaurd was kept for a considerable length of time
Samuel French
Elijah Peabody of Bridgeport in the county of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 73 years of age Deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Lewis Sturges formerly of Bridgeport & now residing in the State of Ohio. That in the year 1777 he belonged to a Gaurd under the command of Lieut. Aron Hawley. William Hall Design, which gaurd was Stationed at a place called Newfield now Bridgeport said Sturges belonged to said Gaurd at the same time we both Enlisted into said Gaurd for twelve months, That he has personal knowledge that said Sturges performed this form of service for the United States in said Gaurd as aforesaid
Elijah Peabody

State of Connecticut Hartford County ss Bridgewater. Be it known That on the 5 th of June 1833 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Thomas Stratton James Burs & James P. French & on the 9 th day of June 1833 personally appeared Seth Hall, Samuel Wordin, Jabez Beach, Samuel French & Eliza Peet who are all well known to me and are all men of good character and are credible Witnesses & I have full confidence in the truth of their several Depositions in the matter of the application of Lewis Sturges for a pension which Depositions have been by each of them Subscribed & sworn to before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut Hartford County ss Bridgewater. June 9 th 1833. I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Lewis Sturges the foregoing named applicant for a Pension for more than thirty five years, that he sustains a good character & is reputed & believed in the neighborhood in Bridgewater where he formerly resided to have been a Soldier in the Revolution & that I concur in that Opinion
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } ss. I Thomas Bloome Clerk of the County Court Fairfield County } within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman Esquire is now of a more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions &c. I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Isaac Sherman Esquire & verily believe that the signatures to the foregoing Certificates on the Depositions hereto attached purporting to be his are genuine and in the proper hand writing of the said Isaac Sherman Esquire. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 11 th day of June A D 1833.
Thomas Bloome Clerk of said County Court