Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S . 13,682, for Rufus Landon, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Landon, Rufus
S. 13,682
CONTENTS
barded.

9656 965
Connecticut
Rufus Landon of Litchfield in the State of Conn who was a Pr. in the Conn commanded by Captain Bigelow of the Repk. commanded by _____ in the Conn line for
Wheat
1891 Oct 13 S.M. Landon history Prior
Old Case
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per m., to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Dec 2 1838 and sent Abigail C Peet. Salisbury Conn
Arrears to the 14th March 83. $ 16 00 Semest. allowance ending Sep 2, 85 $ 1 00
$ 20 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Bullock C. K., Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 214

State of Connecticut } District of Sharon County of Litchfield }
On this 23 rd day of July A D 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Sharon in the County and State above said now sitting. Rufus Landon a resident of Salisbury in the District, County and State aforesaid aged Seventy three 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 Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated viz.
I was born at Salisbury in the County and State aforesaid on the 4 th day of February A D 1759, and my birth is recorded in the Town Clerk's office in said Town of Salisbury as I have always been informed by my Parents while they were living, and I have always resided in said Town of Salisbury from my birth until this time, excepting during the time of my service in the Revolutionary army, and in the month of February A D 1776, I enlisted in an Artillery company commanded by Capt t Biglow of Hartford in Connecticut, and Lieut t Adonijah Strong, for one year as a private, and I served in said Company until my year's service had expired and was discharged at Mount Independence on the of Lake Champlain and opposite to  east side of Second  river . For this service I made application for a pension under the Act of Congress of March 18 th A D 1818 and received a Pension Certificate dated January

26 th D 1819 but was afterwards dropped from the Pension List on account of property, by the Secretary of War. And about the first of April D 1777. I was drafted from a company of militia in said Town of Salisbury, and placed under the command of a Captain Pettibone of Norfolk in the County and State aforesaid. I was then marched to Puke Hill in the State of New York at the time the stores and provisions belonging to the United States were burned by the British, and the army, or the troops at that place, were commanded by Gen l M c Dougal and I also recollect that while I was at Puke Hill two Tories were executed, or shot, for aiding and assisting the British in burning the stores aforesaid. I was then marched to the Town of Danbury in Connecticut at the time it was burned by the British, but before we arrived there the British had retreated, and gone on board of their shipping. I then returned to Fish Hill Puke Hill, and at this time the United States were enlisting soldiers for three years and during the war, and as most of the enlisted soldiers had not had the small Pox, a hospital was established at Fish Hill for the purpose of inoculating them, and as I had before that time had the small Pox I was sent to Fish Hill to attend upon the hospital and went and performed that duty, and when my services were not wanted in the hospital, I was employed in the Laboratory making Cartridges. I was then directed by the Officers to perform the duty of a drummer at the Barracks in said Fish Hill, and was afterwards marched to Puke Hill, several times, and to other places on the Hudson river as a guard or Reconnoitring party, and some time in October D 1777 was paid in Continental money and discharged having served, about Seven Months or more - And in the spring of the year D 1778, my brother James Landon was drafted from the same militia company.

in said Town of Salisbury to which I belonged, and I took his place as a substitute, and was again marched to the Hudson river, and served as a guard for five mon- -ths, we were during this time not stationed at any partic- -ular place but were marched to, and from, Puffs Hill to the Highlands, and Fish Hill, and having served five months was again discharged and returned to said Salis- -bury, and in 1779 I was again drafted in Capt. Luke Camp's company of militia in said Salisbury, and marched to Red Hook, but was discharged after serving two weeks, and was several times after this time and during the Revolutionary war, called out upon some alarm, but was discharged after a few days service. I further declare that I have never received any dischar- -ge from service excepting a verbal one, and that I am known to Thomas N. Smith, Abijah Peck of said Salisbury who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. And that I have no documentary evidence except the Pension certificate above referred to, and that he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can produce by which his services aforesaid can be proved. And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any State as he knows, Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Rufus Landon
We Thomas N. Smith and Abijah C. Peck residing in the town of Salisbury in the county of Litchfield in a State of Connecticut do hereby certify that we are well acquainted

with Rufus Landon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is a widower 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 day and year aforesaid.
Thomas N Smith Abijah C. Peet
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after fulfilling the inter- rogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and a widow as he states. And the facts for the certificates that it appears to them that the said Thomas N Smith and Abijah C Peet are residents in the said town of Salis- bury and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and that the said Thomas N Smith and Abijah C Peet personally appeared in court and made solemn oaths to the truth of the aforesaid certificates by them subscribed. Attest, Abijah C Peet Clerk
I, Abijah C Peet Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the district of Sharon do cer- tify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Rufus Landon for a pension on testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at the Probate Office in Salisbury the 23 rd day of July A D 1832. Abijah C Peet Clerk
I Samuel Church Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon do certify that Abi- jah C Peet Esq who has subscribed the foregoing certifi- cate is the Clerk of said Court duly appointed and sworn that said certificate is subscribed in his own proper hand & that the seal by him offered is the seal of said Court Samuel Church Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. AW
April 28, 1927.
Mr. J. O. Landon, 11 Orchard St. Everett, Mass.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that upon an examination of the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13682, of Rufus Landon, it does not appear that any official report, or copy of papers in that claim have been made for you, nor is the statement in your letter an exact copy from the soldier's application for pension.
The date of the burning of Danbury is not stated in this claim, but history shows that Danbury was burned on April 27, 1777. It is not stated that Rufus Landon was at the burning of Fairfield.
If you desire photostat copies of the papers in the claim of Rufus Landon, they will be furnished at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired. The number of pages to be copied is fifteen.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau, by money order, or certified check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, ( not to the order of the Commissioner of Pensions).
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Revised
13682 INVALID.
File No. 13682 Rufus Landon Post Recd War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 215
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1893 Jan 3 Hist to M c D Landon N.Y. GS
1893 Jan 23 Hist to Miss Dasha, Bureau 25.
Aug 23, 1901 J. W. Beach, St Joseph, Mo.
Apl. 25, 1905 Hist. to Marc A. Schaeffer, Hartford Conn
June 26, 1905 letter to Marc A. Schaeffer.
1916 Feb 4: Hist to Malcolm D Read
1919 Aug. 18 " " Mrs. J. P. Marlett, Utica in MSK S. 41, 738 James Landon. 4
1927 Apr 28. J. O. Landon wife no official report or copy formerly made for him, also ad. as to cost of copies etc. AW.

1928-Jan 18- Hirt to Cong. Richard P. Freeman - See letter in People Bdggs 8-30-445-Cons. 1928-June 23, Hirt to Miss Barbara M. Hurlbut, M.E.E.

15 pages do not arrange

I Rufus Hunt of Canaan in the County of Litchfield & State of Connec- ticut do hereby say that I was well acquainted with Rufus Sisson of Salisbury in said County in the Year 1776 & I was knowing that he enlisted into the Continental Service in that Year for the term of one year & also know that he served as a Teamster in Capt n Brighams Company of Artillery for the term of one Year He the said Sisson served in the Northern Army & went into Canada & continued his Service faithfully for the term of one year ap d & further the Deponent saith not —
Rufus Hunt
State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield ss. Probate District of Sharon December 5 th 1818 —
Personally appeared Rufus Hunt signed & subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Elisha Sterling Judge of the Court of Probate and for the District of Sharon ap d

I Ebenezer Fuller of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut of Lawful Age do hereby say that I was in the Year 1776 acquainted with Myles Sandon then now of Salisbury aforesaid was knowing that he enlisted into the Continental Army in the Year 1776 for the term of one Year. I also say that he served as a Drummer in Capt. M'gregor's Company of Artillery for the term of one Year, he served in the Northern Army. I well recollect seeing him while in the Service at both at Crown Point & Ticonderoga & truly believe he served faithfully during said term as a Drummer as aforesaid & further the Deponent saith not.
Ebenezer Fuller
State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield ss. Probate District of Sharon Dec. 19 th 1818
Personally appeared Ebenezer Fuller Signer & subscriber to the foregoing Affidavit & made solemn Oath to the truth of the same before
me Elisha Sturtevant Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon aforesaid

State of Connecticut ss. County of Litchfield Elisha Sturtevant Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon in the County aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the aff- idavits of Samuel Dyer & Ebenezer Fuller Signers & Subscribers to the foregoing Affidavits & know them to be Men of Truth and Veracity & credible Witnesses. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & caused the Seal of said Court which is a Country Seal hereunto to be affixed this 19 th Day of Dec r A.D. 1800
Elisha Sturtevant Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon aforesaid
Genl. M c L. Calhoun Esq r
Sir I herewith forward to you again the application of the said Dyer for a Pension with the Testimony required. he joined in the same Company at the time that others have, who already have received their Certificate. Please to direct the Certificate of Allowance to me at Salisbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut.
I am very respectfully your obed t Serv t
Salisbury Dec r 19 th 1800 Elisha Sturtevant
ms. Dec r 5 th 1800.

11 Orchard St. Everett, Mass
April 22. 1927
To Whom it May Concern
John Landen. Son of James and Mary (Vail) Landen. born Scituate L. I. July 21. 1722 removed with brother to Litchfield, Litchfield Co. Conn 1735 to 40. He with brother James removed to Salisbury, Conn. Where he married Katherine. Nov 5. 1741. daughter of William White - Rufus. 8th child. Son of John and Katherine (White) Landen. born Feb 4. 1759. M. Sarah Hunt
Military record of Rufus Landen He enlisted in the Artillery of Conn. Colonial Army Feb 1776 - served under Capt Bigelow - was discharged at Mt. Independence opposite Tiendoga. Length of service one year re-enlisted April 1777 - served seven months - In the spring of 1778. served as a substitute for his brother James four months. Made application for pension May 18. 1818. which claim was allowed

Copy of Application, From the Records of the Pension Office at Washington
(First part of application omitted)
In April 1777, he enlisted for seven months under Capt. Pellaton, Marched to Peekskill and was ordered to Danbury, Conn. which was burned - April 27, 1777 - but before they arrived the enemy had retreated to their shipping at the mouth of the Housatonic River.
Two Tories were caught and hung for aiding the British in burning Danbury "
The information I am seeking is whether there is an error as to the place - Danbury - being burned April 27, 1777.
There is another account of the burning of Fairfield, Conn. at the mouth of the Housatonic River - July 10, 1779. and about the identical words are used, - retreated to their shipping at the mouth of the Housatonic River "

That puzzles me is this. Danbury is inland from the mouth of the Noroton River for twenty to twenty five miles. Would the enemy have their base at the mouth of the river and march inland, leave Danbury and retreat in safety to their shipping - It seems as though the danger of being cut off would be too great.
Conn. Historical Society, Vol VIII, p 201
Pay abstract for the Horse Troop of Capt Alex Waugh's Co. in the Seventeenth Regt of militia of the State of Conn. who marched on a sudden emergency, to oppose the enemy who were leaving Fairfield and New Rochelle July 10, 1779. Abner Baldwin 50 miles James Lenden 50 " Rufus Lends 20 "
This evidently was another company and regiment from that to which Rufus Lenden belonged.

I am now just past my 86 birthday anniversary. For several years I have been engaged in collecting data regarding the Landers families. I belong to the family of David, the brother next older than John.
There is no Library to which I could go nearer than Boston. The congestion and confusion is too great for me to attempt to go there to get the information wanted i.e. Was Danbury burned by the French in 1777 and Fairfield two years later in 1779, or has there been some error made sometime in copying from records.
Thanking you and awaiting reply
Very truly yours
J O Landers
11 Orchard St
Everett
Mass

M. E. E.
copied from letter of Aug. 2
June 23, 1928
Miss Barbara M. Hurlburt 319 Fairfield Avenue Hartford Connecticut
Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 13682, it appears that Rufus Landon was born February 4, 1759 at Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at said Salisbury, he enlisted in February or March 1776 and served one year as Drummer in Captain John Bigelow's Company of Artillery; he enlisted April 1, 1777 and served seven months in Captain Pettibone's Company of Connecticut Militia; from the spring of 1778 he served five months, as substitute for his brother, James Landon, in a militia company, no officers stated; in 1779 he served two weeks in Captain Luke Camps' Company of Connecticut Militia, and was out at other times on alarms, no officers stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 18, 1818, while residing in Salisbury, Connecticut.
There are no data as to wife and children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Rev
From the papers in the pension claim S. 13682, it appears that Rufus Landon was born February 4, 1759 at Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at said Salisbury, he enlisted in February or March 1776 and served one year as Drummer in Captain John Bigelow's Company of Artillery; he enlisted April 1, 1777 and served seven months in Captain Pettibone's Company of Connecticut Militia; from the spring of 1778 he served five months, as substitute for his brother, James Landon, in a militia company, no officers stated; in 1779 he served two weeks in Captain Luke Camps' Company of Connecticut Militia, and was out at other times on alarms, no officers stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 18, 1818, while residing in Salisbury, Connecticut.
There are no data as to wife and children.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
See also papers of Rev. Joseph Landon, No. 18093 in Rev. Joseph Landon's papers, No. 18093 in Rev. Joseph Landon's papers, No. 18093 in

N o 14.099
Rufus Landon
Admit Dyas
$ 80.00
Abijah 6 Feet Salisbury Can

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Rufus Landon which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes XIV. *If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

N.Y. News Association,
MELVILLE D. LANDON, (Eli Perkins) Pres't 208 West End Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Jan 6 1893.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
I was wounded in the war, but don't want any pension.
But what I do want is for you to pull a bill, call a clerk, and in ten minutes get me out of a hole.
I want a certificate about my Grand Father Rufus Landon of Salisbury, Litchfield Co. Ct. He drew a revolutionary pension till 1857 when he died.
My daughter as a daughter of the Revolution wants this data.
The War Dept under me that you have these records.
Please send me my Grand Father's record. Rufus Landon, Salisbury Conn. Litchfield Co. Went to Tiendages drew pension till 1857
Yours truly Melville D. Landon "Eli Perkins"
Melville D. Landon, A. M. (Eli Perkins), is a graduate of Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., Class of '61. He was a Major in the army and is now a comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic, Kilpatrick Post No. 143. New York City

Rufus Landon Revolutionary Pensioner Salisbury Conn
N.Y. Historical Association, MELVILLE D. HUGHES, (Acting) Pres. 206 West 123rd Street, New York, N.Y.
Dec 28 1892
Dear Stephen Elkins Secretary of War.
Dear Sir:
I wrote to the Commissioners of Pensions six weeks ago asking them to send me some official record in regard to my grandfather, Rufus Landon of Salisbury Ct. He was a pensioner having drawn a pension (Revolutionary) until his death about 1846. He accompanied the expedition against Canada.
Now what I want is an official note from the War Department, establishing my grandfather's record, which is fast passing into tradition.
Will you refer this letter to the proper clerk and cause it to be answered?
I can get nothing from the Commissioners of Pensions.
Yours Truly
Melville D. Landon "Eli Perkins"
My Daughter wishes to use this data with the Daughters of the Revolution. SLW

RECORDED DEC 30 1892
Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Dec'r 30, 1892.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. Melville D. Landon,
No. 208 West End Avenue,
New York City.
The records of the Revolutionary War are on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions.
with memo Rec'd Back JAN 3 1893
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
[Signature] Colonel, U. S. Army, Chief of Office.
Per (300a)
208 West End Ave., New York, N.Y., Dec. 28, 1892.
Rufus Landon, Fitzburg Conn., & in Rev. War. who was a pensioner.
Melville D. Landon (Eli Perkins)
Requests record of service of his grand father above named, to enable his daughters to join the Daughters of the Revolution
Fitz Hugh Lee on Moseby.
[Nashville Banner.]
When the genial secretary of the Jeff Davis Monument Association called on Eli Perkins his Y. M. C. A. lecture in Nashville, asked him to lecture this winter in Atlanta on the Jeff Davis Monument Association, the guest agreed to do it. "I will do it," he said, "because Jeff Davis is an American with a moral character pure and spotless, and, if Greeley, Henry Ward Beecher and Bell Phillips were willing to go on his knees to set him free, I, as a Grand Army man, certainly help put a monument over him. Again," said Eli, "didn't we all fight four years to get Jeff Davis where we could put a monument on him? Lincoln would have given a cabinet office to any man who had erected a monument over Mr. Lee in 1862. "When I deliver that lecture," added Eli, "I will tell a story about Fitz Hugh Lee, that genial old rebel whom you all
What is it—the story," asked Major Kilpatrick.
"Well, Colonel Moseby, you know was a fighter, but when Gen. Grant sent him to Alexandria, the Virginians turned the cold shoulder to him. One day he was making a speech in Alexandria. He told the Virginians they ought to vote for him. 'Why,' said Colonel Moseby, 'I fought all over northern Virginia for four years. Talk about my war record! Why, my war record is a part of the state's history. Why, gentlemen, I carried the last Confederate flag through this very town.'"
"Yes," replied Fitz Hugh Lee, "for I was there at the time."
"Thank you for your fortunate recollection," gratefully exclaimed Moseby. "It is good to know that there still live some men who have no aside envy and testify to the courage of their fellow beings. As I say, gentlemen, my war record is a part of the state's history, for the gentleman here will tell you that I carried the last Confederate flag through this town."
"That's a fact," said Fitz Hugh Lee. "I did it. He carried the Confederate flag through this town, but Kilpatrick was there, and he carried it so blamed fast you can't have told whether it was the Confederate flag or a small-pox warning."

Rufus Landon Revolutionary Pensioner Salisbury Conn
N.Y. Naval Association 208 West End Avenue, New York
Dec 28 1892
Hon Stephen Elkins Secretary of War.
Dear Sir:
I wrote to the Commissioner of Pensions six weeks ago asking him to send me some official record in regard to my grandfather Rufus Landon of Salisbury Ct. He was a pensioner having drawn a pension (Revolutionary) until his death about 1846. He accompanied the expedition against Canada
Now what I want is an official note from the War Department, establishing my grandfather's record, which is fast passing into tradition.
Will you refer this letter to the proper Clerk and cause it to be answered?
I can get nothing from the Commissioner of Pensions
Yours truly Orville D. Landon "Eli Perkins"
My Daughter wishes to use this data with the Daughters of the Revolution. S.W.

90 Church St. Hartford, Conn.
April 14, 1905.
To The Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I desire please a record and copies of documents relative to Rufus Landon of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn. as published in list of pensioners of 1840.
Respectfully
Marc A. Schaeffer

New York, N.Y. May 21. 1891
Dear Sir-
As a matter of family history I am desirous of procuring a record of the military services of my Gr. Grand father Rufus Landon a soldier of the Revolution.
I enclose letter from Adj. Gen. of Connecticut showing him to have been a pensioner in 1840 and respectfully ask for any information to be had in your department giving details of his services.
Yours Respectfully L. H. Landon.
c/o Western Electric Co. Cor Greenwich & Mamaroneck New York N.Y.
To Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

O.W.& H.
ISC
June 26, 1905.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated June 1, 1905, and received June 10, 1905, you are advised that it is against the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one "statement of service" to any person, and that those desirous of copies should apply in their own names.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Marc A. Schaeffer, 90 Church Street, Hartford, Conn.

13A02 90 Church St. Hartford Conn.
June 6, 1905.
Pension Department Washington D.C.
Recently I received the pension war record of Rufus Landon of Salisbury, Conn. Now would it be possible to again get the same record and \frac{1}{2} doz. copies of same? I desire very much to have these separate copies. If this entails any extra expense I will gladly pay it. Hoping to receive as soon as you can get to it the above, I remain yours truly
Marc A. Schaeffer over

Rufus Landon was a Revolutionary War veteran and a pensioner. Please give me complete record.

HANSEN COAL AND ICE CO.  WHOLESALE COAL AND ICE DEALERS.
NO. 111 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET
TELEPHONE 181
St. Joseph, Mo.
Aug 2 1901
Hon Connr of Pensions Wash, D.C.,
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly inform me if the name of Rufus Landon of Litchfield Conn. (or who entered the service from that town) appears on the Roll of Pensioners of Revolutionary Soldiers ? My record states that he was granted a pension in 1834.
I wish it for the purpose of joining the Sons of the Revolution.
Yours & C M. Burch

THE COLONIAL CLUB. NEW YORK.
N. Y. News Publication.
W. JULIUS LONDON, (By Parker) Prop'r 204 West End Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Dec. 28. 1892
Pension Office:
I can not understand this. You say
"The records of the Revolutionary War are on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions."
Of course they are! But I want some certificate that my Grand Father name is there.
Have you got any record of my grand Father Rufus Landon, Revolutionary war

Enc. to 1 endt on 354458
Pensions ?
I've written and written, and worked to get this thing.
I gave 30 speeches to the Republican party and it seems as if you can give me my Grand Father record Can't you ?
Yours truly Nichola S. Landon Elk Perkins

3541158
208 West End Ave N. Y. City
Dec. 28 th , 1892
Rufus Landon
co. Rev. War also  Rev. War pensioner Vols.
Melville D. Landon (Eli Perkins)
Requests record of service of his grandfather above named.
WRAPPER.
(412)
Address: "Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D. C."
Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan'y 3d, 1892.
Respectfully forwarded to
The Commissioner
of Pensions
and the writer so informed.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
H. L. Russell Colonel, U. S. Army, Chief of Office.
Per
(300a)

ANOTHER DESERTION.
ELI PERKINS GOES BACK ON THE REPUBLICANS.
He Tells Why He and MacVeagh and Gresham Are Against Harrison—Some Very Interesting Reading—"We Are a Democrat," Says Eli.
At a recent Republican meeting Eli Perkins read the following letter:
Thomas H. Carter, Chairman Republican Committee:
DEAR SIR—Below I give the reasons why Wayne MacVeagh, Judge Gresham and I desert Harrison and protection, and come out for noble Grover Cleveland and free trade:
We are against Harrison because he is an honest Christian; because he is for temperance, and for twenty years has been a Christian vestryman, and twice a day bows down in family prayer.
We are against Harrison because he drew his sword for the republic in 1861, while noble Grover Cleveland bravely staid at home and hired a substitute and paid him with the money earned by hanging criminals.
We are down on Harrison because he did not desert the nation, as did the noble Democratic party, with secession in the senate, theft in the war department, bankruptcy in the treasury and treason in the field.
We are a Democrat.
We are against Harrison and the Republican party because they freed 4,000,000 slaves in 1863; because they made them citizens and gave them the right to vote for the nation for which they fought, and because if these infamous Republicans were once in power they'd honestly count these freedmen's votes and stop a noble Democrat from holding by fraud the presidential office.
We are a Democrat.
We are opposed to Harrison and protection because the English aristocracy hate them worse than they hate an Irish patriot, and because if Harrison remains our president he will watch the tariff and see that it protects our workingmen.
We are a Democrat.
We are down on the Republican party for saving the republic when seventeen Democratic states trod down our flag; down on the Republican party for slaughtering 100,000 free trade rebel Democrats, and down on Lincoln, Conklin or making England give up Mason and Slidell, spit on that rebel flag, and reverently cheer the stars and stripes.
We are a Democrat.
We are down on Harrison because he killed Mills' English tariff bill for lowering the wages of our northern workmen; down on him because he says he'll keep the Chinese out, and hold back ignorant paupers coming in to oust our high priced workmen of the north.
We are down on Harrison because he will keep such copperheads as Thurman, Ad Stevenson and Daniel Voorhees out; because we love those noble Democrats, who, when we were soldiering, cursed old Abe Lincoln and stabbed us in the back.
We are a Democrat.
We are for Cleveland and free trade because all our ex-secessionists are for them; because with free trade our mills will stop and starving European workmen will make again our silk and tin, unless our Yankee workmen work, like them, for pauper pay.
We are for Cleveland because he kicked the Yankee soldiers, vetoed 600 pension bills and sent the crippled veterans back to starve or fill the poorhouse, and down on Harrison because he would not turn his back on legless comrades with arms shot off while holding up the stars and stripes.
We are a Democrat.
We are for Cleveland because England wants him, and because he favors building up great English industries by breaking down American manufacturers; because he wants the Yankee workmen to live on English pay, and because he wants the free trade south to ship direct from England and kill our Yankee workmen in the north.
We are for Cleveland and free trade because every rebel who shot into our flag is for them. I am a Democrat for free trade and against the Yankee workingmen because Jeff Davis was, and Beauregard and every old slave driver of the south are.
We are a Democrat.
Yes, we're down on Harrison because he wants our honest silver dollar good as gold, and because he makes us pay high wages here at home, when we could buy so cheap from starving paupers on the other side.
We love Grover Cleveland because he weeps and cries "Reform the ballot," then squelches a million freedmen's ballots in the south, but I am down on Harrison because he wants every Union loving freeman, black or white, to cast his honest vote, when he knows so well an honest count will break the Democratic south and stop another president.
Eli Perkins New Book. THE LIFE OF W.P. & KUELER.
N.Y. News Association.
204 West End Avenue, New York, N.Y.
Nov 28 1892
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
I am sorry now that I deserted Harrison for Cleveland, for I want a favor from the Pension Office.
My daughter wants to join the "Daughters of the Revolution", and I want to know what evidence you have in the Department about—
Rufus Landon, my grandfather from Salisbury C Litchfield Co Connecticut.
We have it in the family that he, Rufus Landon went to with Benedict Arnold to in the expedition to Canada 1775. He was wounded and drew a pension till he died about 1846, he being 94 years old.
Now we have no evidence of this and I wish you would have some clerk look up the records and then write me an official letter about his services, pension &c.
Do this and I will come back to Harrison again Yours truly Melville Landon "Eli Perkins"

Eli Perkins at the Milwaukee Soldiers Home.
Milwaukee Sentinel Report. —For two years in succession Eli Perkins has addressed the 1400 old soldiers at the National Home. Last night the humorist told this story:
General Sherman before he died was a neighbor of mine. He lived at 75 West 71st st. One night I took the General up to my Grand Army Post—Kilpatrick Post 143. On the way back I asked him if he didn't think "Kil" was a good fighter.
"Splendid," said Sherman, and then he said laughing, "but he was a great boaster too. Well, he had a right to boast for he could never boast stronger than he fought."
"One day," continued the General, "Kilpatrick was recounting at Willard's Hotel in Washington, his experience in driving back rebel reinforcements at Chancellorsville. Listening to him was a crowd of old soldiers, among whom was Moseby."
"Why," said Kilpatrick, "the woods swarmed with rebels. I had two horses shot under me and—"
"What did you do then, Kil?" asked Custer. "Why, I jumped on to a Government mule; a ball knocked me off, but the mule charged right ahead into the rebel ranks. I never knew what became of that mule."
"Why, General," said Moseby, "I saw that mule. He came right into our lines."
"Well, I'm glad to see my words confirmed," said Kilpatrick seriously. "Then you really saw him?"
"Yes, sure."
"Dead!"
"Yes."
"Head shot off?"
"No, died from mortification."
General Sherman always said with pride that the Army of the Tennessee never retreated. They started in at Memphis and came out at Charleston and Wilmington in a fourth of the time that it took the Army of the Potomac to see-saw back and forth between Washington and Richmond. One day after the war the General said he was talking with a veteran from the Army of the Potomac. The soldier was describing the big fight of Hooker at Chancellorsville.
"Did the rebels run?" asked Sherman.
"Did they run?" repeated the soldier. "Did the rebels run? Great Scott! I should say they did run. Why, General, they run so like thunder that we had to run three miles to keep out of their way, and if we hadn't thrown away our guns they'd run all over us sure."
QUARTERS FOR COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS. CENTRALLY LOCATED. GOOD SAMPLE ROOMS. FIRST-CLASS LIVERY IN CONNECTION.
& Co., Proprietors.
Evansville, Ind. 1892.
DEC 7 1892
quality and...
OF
POLITICAL CARTOONS. A service character to the daily service of Political Cartoon (39 ems pica wide by 26 ems) $1.00 each. Proofs on request. Send
Political, Reform
These pages are devoted to political and reform controverted points in questions of DEMOCRATIC PARTISAN. Issued in five live issues. Set in Brevier. Price, $1.00. NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PAGE.
special arrangement with the Democratic PUBLICAN PARTISAN. Issued in questions of special political importance. NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PAGE.
arrangement with the Republican National INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN. On with Republican or Protection leanings.
PEOPLE'S PARTY. A page every two recently organized at St. Louis. In Brevier. REFORM. A page once in the
Reform Club. In Brevier. Price, $1.20. PROTECTION. A page once in three with American Protective Tariff League. Brevier. LABOR. A page fortnightly. Edited by John circles. Each page contains a large amount of TEMPERANCE. Once in six weeks matter, non-partisan in character.

PRESIDENT ROBERT SCOVILLE
VICE PRESIDENT CHARLES H. BISSELL
Sec'y-Treas MALCOLM D. RUDD
THE SALISBURY ASSOCIATION INC.
A. D. 1902
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JAMES R. HARRISON GEORGE H. CLARK GEORGE C. WARNER JOHN C. GODDARD GEORGE E. QUAILE JOSEPH PARSONS HOWARD F. LANDON
DONALD T. WARNER W. BLANCHARD RAND ALBERT C. ROBERTS HEZEKIAH GOODWIN ALBERT B. LANDON I. KENT FULTON RICHARD N. BARNUM
NELSON A. McNEIL WILLIAM B. PERRY, JR. DONALD J. WARNER MILO B. RICHARDSON WALTER W. NORTON CHARLES F. WANGER HERBERT SCOVILLE
Lakewood Conn.
Jan. 28/16.
Commission of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir, We most greatly appreciate copies of all data in your files relating to the following Revolutionary soldiers, who are known to have been pensioners:-
Rufus Landon, Salisbury, Conn. (Conn. troops) Nathaniel Church " " " "
And the following who were soldiers in Conn. troops, and are believed to have been pensioners:-
Elisha Scovell, (Conn. troops) lived in Myoming Valley, Pa., Conn. etc.
Hezekiah Beardslee (- name appears under such variants as Berdslee, Bardslee etc. served in Conn. troops. After 1800 lived in N.Y. state.
Any fees if required for so many inquiries, will be remitted on advice. Respectfully yours, M. D. Rudd Secy.

319 Fairfield Ave. Hartford - Conn. Sept. 20 1927
Dept. of Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs -
Will you please send me the pension of Rufus Larson - born in Salisbury Conn. and listed in "Conn. men in the Revolution" on pages 635 - 653 + 664 the number of his pension "Pension S - 13682".
Very Truly Yours -
(Miss) Barbara M. Hurlbut

5824.
Connecticut Roll.
Rufus Lunden.
Private
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 12 th of May 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th of January 1819 and sent to Miss Hester Lunden, Salisbury
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 - 3m. 24d. 28.67 Semi-ann. all'ee ending March 1819 40.00
68.67
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
See letter to Pensioner 26 September 1832.

Proof of Service A. J. Lewis Private M o 76 to 77 Knox's Attorney Rept Admitted
Salisbury May 23 JA
One Case Judge Sterling Salisbury Rec d May 29 th 1818 Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington

I Moses Landon of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut on Oath do depose & declare that in the Month of March A.D. 1776 I enlisted into the Continental Army for the term of one year. I served in the Company commanded by Captain John Brigelow of Hartford in the County of Hartford State aforesaid. I think my Colonel's Name was Knox. I served in the Artillery under the command of said Brigelow for the full term of one year. I went to New Britain after the defeat of Lord Howe & met the American Army at Trenton on their retreat out of Canada & continued for the term in the Northern Army & after my term of service had expired I was regularly discharged. I do not know that I had any written discharge; if I had it is lost or mislaid. I also know that I did pay station & clothing while in the Service in the aforesaid term & my proportion was was on the Continental Establishment & belonged to the Army of the Revolution for the term of one year. After the term of enlist- ment had expired I served in the Militia in the Revolutionary War for some months but did not enlist again for one year as before stated. During the term of service as aforesaid that is the only year, I belonged to the Connecticut Line at the time the contin-

ental Establishment in the one year since I further depose & declare that I am now in the ninetieth year of my Age, my Constitu- ion impaired & reduced in my Circumstan- ces so that I need the assistance of my Country for Support -
Rufus Landon
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield p. Probate District of Sharon May 10 th 1810.
Personally appeared Rufus Landon Signer of the foregoing Affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Elisha Sterling Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon -
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield p. Probate District of Sharon -
I Elisha Sterling Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Sharon in the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Affidavit is truly & regularly taken & by the Evidence exhibited to me it appears to my Satisfaction that the said Rufus Landon served in the Revolutionary War as the Common Enemy in the Name & during the Term stated in his aforesaid Affidavit & by reason of his reduced Circum- stances

Hanover Life, he is Dead of Aspelton from his Country for Support
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & sealed the seal of said Court, which is a Court of Record to be affixed. This 10 th Day of May 1810.
Elisha Sterling Judge of the Court of Probate and for the District of Sharon
I Frederick A. Sterling Clerk of the Court of Probate in the District of Sharon in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut certify that the Seal hereunto annexed is the Seal of said Court & that the above Signature is the hand & writing of the Judge of said Court - Salisbury in the District of Sharon May 10 th A.D. 1810. Frederick A. Sterling Clerk
To Hon. Jas. C. Calhoun Secretary of War
Sir I herewith send you the evidence & application of Mr. Muns. Lunding that Place for the Benefits of the late Law of Congress regarding revolutionary Soldiers. It is his request that you forward to him once the Certificate of Allowance directed to Salisbury County of Litchfield State of Connecticut I am very respectfully your obedt Servt
Salisbury May 11 th 1810 Elisha Sterling
msn May 10:1810

Rafay Linder
14/97.

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield S. Court of Probate for the district of Sharon.
At a Court of Probate for the District of Sharon held at Salisbury on the 8 day of October A 1832 Present
Samuel Church Esq Judge.
On this 8 day of October A 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon now sitting Rufus Landon a resident in the said town of Salisbury in the said county of Litchfield State of Connecticut, who first being duly sworn according to law on his oath make the following further and additional declaration in order to ob- tain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
That he is the same Rufus Landon who made and subscribed a declaration before this court on the 23 day of July 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the aforesaid act of Congress, that his said declaration has been duly transmitted to the War Department and has been returned to him for explanation. In explanation I declare that in the line of business of March 11 1818 I made application for a pension to General Elisha Sterling then Judge of Probate for the said District of Sharon that by that said it was necessary to prove nine months service only and that my only object then was to prove nine months service in the continental army which I did

prove As I think by the testimony of Ruple Hunt & Mr. Sutter as may be seen by reference to my application made at that time I was in the archives of the Department of War at Washington which is the same Service just set forth by me in my declaration made as affirmed on the 23 d day of July 1832 and to prove that Service was my only object at that time not hoping it necessary to prove any other Service. I was engaged of by Supt. Sterling at that time if I had performed any other Service than the one year service before stated to him I stated to him that I had and stated that I had performed several terms of Service in the Militia amounting in all to six or eight months but he connected to me that it was not necessary to be particular in my recollections in that respect as my proof was sufficient to establish Nine months Service which was all that was necessary to send if I was entitled I had performed as much as four months Service besides the one year which I had proved he would insert it in my declaration then made to which I assented, but my attention was not called particularly to that subject at that time the Service then by the testimony of Rible Hunt who was my brother in law have proved all my Militia Service as I have stated in my declaration July 23 d 1832, but Mr Hunt is since dead and so

also on the latter the witness I am bound under the law of March 10. 1815.
Also State that since the death of Mary Hunt and Luther I know of no person now living by whom I can prove my service either on the continental line or in the militia.
Rufus Lander
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year ago
Samuel Church Judge
We Leonard E. Sathrop a clergyman residing in the town of Salisbury County of Connecticut and Elisha Sterling residing in the same town hereby testify that we are well acquainted with Mr. Rufus Lander who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is related & resided in the neighborhood where he resides, that he has been a soldier of the Revolution and that we are now in that opinion, and we also state that Mr. Lander is a gentleman of unblemished integrity & credibility.
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year ago Samuel Church Judge } Leonard E. Sathrop Elisha Sterling

 At the same time At the same time having appeared in open court Elisha Sterling had taken an oath personally to the court as a credible witness and having been duly sworn according to law in his oath did testify and say that for several years he was keeper of the land office at Pocatello for the district of Shoshone and while he was there often met and talked therewith in the year 1818 or 1819 Mr. L. L. Lander who has recently and subcribed the foregoing declaration after his return to take his declaration and proof to entitle him to a pension under the laws of Congress of March 1818 by the said Lander it was necessary to prove that Mr. Lander served only and as his personal friend Mr. Lander made full proof of one year service in the continental army by witnesses who were then present the witnesses I think Mr. Lander's friend Mr. Lander's friend is now dead but I don't know Mr. Lander's father both father and mother upon the petition he died a few Mr. Lander's object was to prove his continental service only and as I now think I inform him that it does not matter to prove any military service and if any thing representing military service was inserted in his declaration I think it must have been in the presence of Lander in his declaration alone intended.
Elisha Sterling
Lander & I subscribed the same unto General Samuel Church Esq.

And this Court doth certify to all whom it shall come that the above named applicant served as the States since that the application by him given in her aforesaid declaration, is truly made and that his Statement is entitled to credit, and the Court further certifies that Rev Leonard E Lathrop who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Salisbury, and that Hon Elisha Sturtevant who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court
Abijah C. Putnam
I Abijah C. Post Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the above named matter of Rachel Landon, regarding her application for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal at Office this 8. day of October A 1832.
Abijah C. Putnam