Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,288, for Ebenezer Leonard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass
Leonard Ebenezer Abigail
NUMBER
R. 6.288
CONTENTS

VIII 9
CO
July 26
33
Capt Nathan Peters
1775
work for Ebenezer Dyer
Not on rolls of Capt Peters
Act 15. 1797
28. 1797
Hon. E. Haley H.R.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836,
State of Connecticut } ss. Probate District New London County } of Norwich
On this 28 th day of January A.D. 1837 personally appeared before the court of Probate for the District of Norwich aforesaid, being a court of Record and having a clerk and seal, Captain Aaron Avery, Executor of Abigail Leonard of Sedyard in the County aforesaid, Overseer of Abigail Leonard a resident of said Sedyard, and said Avery being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain for said Abigail Leonard the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836:
That according to the best of his knowledge and belief, the said Abigail Leonard is aged Eighty eight years, that she is the widow of Ebenezer Leonard formerly of Preston in the (County of) New London aforesaid.
The said Ebenezer Leonard enlisted into the Revolutionary Army in the Spring of 1775, and was marched to Roxbury in Massachusetts, according to the best information, he, the said Avery has been enabled to obtain by diligent enquiry —
That the said Leonard continued in the service in the Revolutionary Army at Roxbury aforesaid, until some time in the month of February 1776, when he the said Leonard set out to join the Northern Army, that he went by the way of his Father (Nicholas Leonard) in Preston aforesaid, that he continued and went as far as Fort Chamblie and there was taken sick with the consumption, that

he was brought back as far as Brownpoint and there died in June 1776, as stated in an ancient Record found by Mrs Hannah Starkweather, and herewith annexed among her Father, Nicholas Leonard papers and herewith annexed,
That he, the said Avery, has not been enabled to ascertain satisfactorily, whether the said Leonard resided in Preston aforesaid, or in the Southern part of Rhode Island at the time he enlisted into the Revolutionary Army, but as his family consisting of his wife, the said Abigail, and four children resided in the said Southern part of Rhode Island, a part of the time that he the said Leonard was in the Revolutionary Army, it is believed that he and his family removed there a short time before he enlisted,
That he the said Avery, has not been enabled to ascertain to his satisfaction what company said Leonard enlisted into, but that there is a probability that he enlisted into Captain Nathan Peter's company, and in the Massachusetts State Troops, for the first campaign, that when that expired, he is supposed to have enlisted into some other company to which he probably belonged at the time he went to join the Northern Army,
That according to the best information he the said Avery has been enabled (to obtain) the said Abigail Leonard (formerly Abigail Avery) was married to the said Ebenezer Leonard on the 25 th day of September 1765, that her husband the said Ebenezer Leonard died at Brownpoint as aforesaid on the — day of June 1776, and that said Abigail Leonard has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed,
Avery Avery Deceased to Abigail Leonard

The foregoing declaration was sworn to on the 28 th day of January 1837, and also subscribed on said day, Before Asa Root Judge
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the said Abigail Leonard is the widow of the said Ebenezer Leonard and that they were lawfully married, as stated in the foregoing declaration and that said Abigail Leonard still remains the widow of said Ebenezer Leonard deceased,
And the said court do hereby certify that Captain Arson Avery named in the foregoing declaration, and Overseer of the said Abigail Leonard is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Asa Root Judge
State of Connecticut } vs. Probate District New London County } of Norwich
I James Holbrook — Clerk of the Clerk of the Probate court for said District of Norwich — do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Capt. Arson Avery Overseer of Abigail Leonard for a pension for said Abigail. And I further certify that Samuel W Wood before whom the deposition of Hannah Starkweather, Stephen Stoddard, Jacob Meech, Theophilus Avery, Mary Meech & Amasa Standish, hereto annexed, were taken. is a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut aforesaid, and

that his signatures written to the certificates of their depositions are genuine,
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court and of my office this 28th day of January 1837,
James Northrop, Clerk of Probate.

Hannah Starkweather of Preston in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Eighty years, being duly cautioned and affirmed, do depose testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Ebenezer Leonard formerly of Preston aforesaid, that said Leonard was brother to me, that according to the best of my recollection and belief he enlisted into the Revolutionary Army in the spring of 1775, and as I suppose in Captain Nathan Peters' company of the Massachusetts State Troops, but I am not confident whether he enlisted into said Peters' company or some other — that he was marched to Roxbury as I understood —
That some time after that, (and in the month of February 1776 according to the best of my recollection and belief, he the said Leonard came to my Father's house in Preston, that he stayed there a short time, that I then understood by said Leonard that he had been in the service in the Revolutionary Army at Roxbury & that he then came from the Army & still belonged to it, that after staying at my Father's a short time, he the said Leonard set out to join the Northern Army, as I understood, I well recollect of his having my Father's horse to ride a part of the way,
That some considerable time after that, and according to the best of my recollection, in the summer following, we received information that said Leonard had taken a great cold, the consumption had set in, and that and that he had died at Brownpoint,
I further testify that upon examining

my Father's (Nicholas Leonard's) papers, I have found a record of the birth and marriage of said Ebenezer, and of his enlisting into the Revolutionary Army & of his death, and containing also the Births of his children; which record I believe to be a correct record of the subject matter therein contained, with the exception of the birth of the third chit. viz William, which should have been, (according to the best of my recollection,) in 1770 instead of "1760"
That I am personally acquainted with Abigail Leonard the widow of said Ebenezer Leonard deceased, and that she now resides in Ledyard in the county of New London aforesaid as I have been credibly informed, and still remains the widow of said Ebenezer as I verily believe, and further deponent saith not.
Preston Jan 23 d 1837, Hannah Starkweather
State of Connecticut - p New London county.
Be it known that on the 23 d day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the said State personally appeared Hannah Starkweather above named in the foregoing deposition and made solemn affirmation that said deposition by her subscribed is true according to the best of her recollection and belief, and I certify that said Starkweather is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal.
Samuel W. Wood
Notary Public.

Stephen Stoddard of Seayard in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Forty eight years, being duly cautioned and sworn to do depose, testify and say that I am personally acquainted with Abigail Leonard the reputed widow of Ebenezer Leonard, that said Abigail has resided in the same town and neighbourhood that I have for several years past. That she has, by reason of old age or other cause, lost her memory and reasoning faculties, and is unable to relate the history of any past transaction with accuracy - and indeed she can tell but very little about any thing or any transaction, that has taken place, and in my opinion she is totally incapacitated as a witness, and further deponent saith not.
Seayard Jan 24 th 1837, Stephen Stoddard
State of Connecticut ss. New London county ss. Be it known that on the 24 th day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for said State of Connecticut, personally appeared Captain Stephen Stoddard above named and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed, was true according to the best of his knowledge and belief, and I certify that said Stoddard is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal Samuel H. H. Wood Notary Public

I Jacob Meech of Preston in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, aged seventy eight years, being duly cautioned and affirmed, do depose, testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Ebenezer Leonard formerly of said Preston deceased, that said Leonard enlisted into the Revolutionary Army in the spring of 1775, and in Captain Peters' company as I believe, and went to Roxbury as I understood, and I have further understood that said Leonard died in the service, while he belonged to the Revolutionary Army, and I verily believe that he did, but how long said Leonard was in the Revolutionary Army I do not know, and further deponent saith not,
Jacob Meech
Preston Jan. 19 th 1837,
State of Connecticut - ss. County of New London Be it known that on the 19 th day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut personally appeared Captain Jacob Meech above named and made solemn affirmation that the above deposition by him subscribed is true according to the best of his knowledge and belief and I certify that said Meech is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit,
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed my seal,
Samuel W. Wood Notary Public,

I Theophilus Avery of Ledyard in the county of New-London and State of Connecticut, Aged Eighty three years, being duly cautioned and affirmed, do depose testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Ebenezer Leonard late of Preston in said county, deceased, that said Leonard was married to Abigail Leonard (formerly Abigail Avery) a Sister of mine, on or about the 25 th of Septem-ber 1765 according to the best of my recollection & belief, that I was present at their wedding and saw them married.
That in the summer of 1775 I was at the house of said Leonard, and was informed by his wife the said Abigail, that her husband the said Ebenezer (enlisted) into the Revolutionary Army and was then absent, and in the service in the Revolutionary Army. That said Abigail & her children at that time resided in the Southern part of Rhode Island. That some time after that, before my Father having heard that said Abigail was in destitute circumstances, sent & had her removed to his house.
That said Ebenezer Leonard died as I understood (and verily believe) in the service in the Revolutionary Army.
That said Abigail Leonard now resides in Ledyard aforesaid and still remains the widow of said Ebenezer Leonard as I verily believe, and said Abigail has, by reason of old age or other causes, lost her memory and reasoning faculties in a great measure.
And said Abigail was born as appears by the Bible record of my Father's family on the 11 th of Oct 1748, and further deponent saith not. Ledyard Jan 23 d 1837.
Theophilus Avery

State of Connecticut. ss. New London county,
Be it known that on the 23 d day of January 1837. before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the said State of Connecticut personally appeared Theophilus Avery within named and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the within deposition by him subscri- bed, according to the best of his Recollection and belief. And I certify that said Avery is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal Samuel M c Wood Notary Public

I Mary Meech of Norwich in the County of New- -London & State of Connecticut. aged Fifty eight - years being duly cautioned, and affirmed, do depose, testify and say that I have frequently heard my Father, Nathan Peters, formerly a Captain in the Massachusetts State ser- -vice (in 1775) speak of Ebenezer Leonard formerly of Weston in said County, deceased, that from what I have heard (my Father) say of said Leonard, I have no doubt, but that said Leonard enlisted into my Father's company in the Spring of 1775 and was marched to Roxbury. I verily believe that I have seen the remains of an enlistment roll among my Father's papers having the name of said Leonard on it, but that said Roll is now mislaid or lost, as I have recently searched diligently for the same and can- -not find it, and further deponent saith not,
Norwich Jan 23 d 1837,
Mary Meech
State of Connecticut - ss. New London County, Be it known that on the 23 d day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the State aforesaid, personally appear- -ed Mary Meech above named and made solemn affirmation that the above deposition by her subscribed is true according to the best of her knowledge and belief, and I certify that said Meech is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal,
Samuel W Wood Notary Public.

this is the Memorandum of the Birth and the Death of Ebenezer Leonard He Was Born in Tanton in Septem 5 th in the year 1744 he Was Married to Abigail Avery of Groton Septem 25 th in the year 1765 and in the year 1775 he Lists into the Service of the United States of America and joined the Army at Roxbury and the year 1776 he Set Out to Join the Northern Army in February 20 th and went as far as Portsmouth and there was taken Sick With the Consumption and was brought Back as far as Crownpoint and there the Next Day after he Drove there the Sun I bought an orchard high in the Morning the 11 th Day of June in the year 1776
The Birth and names of the Children of Ebenezer Leonard    Benjamin Leonard Born  June 11 th  1766    Sarah Leonard Born  March 20 th  1768    William Leonard Born  May 6 th  1769    George Leonard Born  November 19 th  1773  

I Henry Harkness Clerk of the Town of Preston County of New London and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that I find on the Records of said Town the following Entry to W th Ebenezer Leonard Jr of Preston and Abigail Avery of Groton were married September 25 th A D 1765
Benjamin Leonard their son was born June 11 th A D 1766 Sarah Leonard their Daughter was born March 20 th 1768 William Leonard their son was born May 6 th A D 1770
Preston January 23 rd 1837
Attest Henry Harkness Town Clerk
I further certify that I find the following Entry on the Records of said Town (Viz)
" Ebenezer Leonard and Esther Amos both of Preston were married May 6 th — — — A D — — 1730 Esther Leonard their Daughter was born April 22 nd 1731 Sarah Leonard their Daughter was born April 22 nd 1733 Elizabeth Leonard their Daughter was born March 18 th 1737 Amos Leonard their son was born October 11 th 1741 Hannah Leonard their Daughter was born February 1 st 1744 Zipporah Leonard their Daughter was born March 16 th 1746 Olive Leonard their Daughter was born August 19 th 1748
Preston January 23 rd 1837
Attest Henry Harkness Town Clerk
N.B. Ebenezer Leonard named in the first Certificate above was called Ebenezer Leonard Jr as I suppose to to distinguish him from Ebenezer Leonard named in the 2 nd Certificate, who was an older person and of an other family as I believe —
Attest, Henry Harkness

State of Connecticut - ss. New London County ss.
Be it known that on the 23 rd day of January 1837. before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for said State of Connecticut, personally appeared Henry Haskell clerk of the town of Preston and within named and made oath that the two within certificates by him subscribed were true according to the best of his knowledge,
And I certify that said Haskell is a credible person,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal,
Samuel M. Wood Notary Public,

I Amasa Standish of Preston in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Eighty one years, being duly cautioned and affirmed, do depose testify and say that according to the best of my recollection, I enlisted into Capt Nathan Peters company, Col. Sanilsons Regt in the Spring of 1775. That I was marched to Roxbury in Massachusetts & there remained until said term of seven months expired. I then again enlisted into said Peters company for one month longer, & when that term had expired I was discharged.
I further testify that I was personally acquainted with Ebenezer Leonard formerly of said Preston. That while I was stationed at Roxbury as aforesaid, I saw said Leonard at said Roxbury, that he belonged to the troops stationed there as I verily believe, but whether he belonged to said Peters company or some other I do not recollect, and further deponent saith not.
Preston Jan 25 th 1837, Amasa his Standish mark In presence of J. L. Fanning
State of Connecticut - ss. New London county, Be it known that on the 25 th day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut, personally appeared Amasa Standish above named and made solemn affirmation (that) the above deposition by him subscribed was true according to the best of his recollection & belief - and I certify that said Standish is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal, Samuel W. Wood Notary Public.

We the undersigned Selectmen of the town of Ledyard, County of NewLondon and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Capt Arson Avery of said Ledyard has been duly appointed an Overseer of Abigail Leonard of said Ledyard and that said Avery is at this time the Overseer of said Leonard, Ledyard January 28 th 1837
Noah Chapman Erastus Williams Isaac W. Gere Daniel Stoddard Edmund Spicer
Selectmen of Ledyard
State of Connecticut - ss. NewLondon County,
Be it known that on the 28 th day of January 1837, before the subscriber a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut, aforesaid, personally appeared Noah Chapman, Erastus Williams, Isaac W. Gere, Daniel Stoddard & Edmund Spicer, Selectmen of the town of Ledyard above named, and made oath that the above certificate by them subscribed was true, and I certify that they are credible persons, and that their testimony is entitled to full faith & credit,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my official seal,
Samuel W. Wood Notary Public,

6285
P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
REJECTED
Alva L. Lemen

Let. to Hon. E. Haley Feb - 8, 1837

Connecticut
Abigail Leland
Suspended - In Let to Hon E. Haley - Feb 8. 1837
6288
1836

Sedgwick Colte Jan 1837,
Honoured Sir, Herewith you have the papers for Abigail Leonard the widow of Ebenezer Leonard.
The papers are made out in the name of Capt Anson Avery her Cousin, as she the said Abigail has become incapacitated to make a Declaration in consequence of her having almost wholly and entirely lost her memory and reason,
And as she is in a feeble state of health and dependent upon her friends and the town for support. You are respectfully and earnest- ly requested to take up and examine the papers above named, as soon as possible. That she may receive the benefit of whatever of pension, may be allowed to her, during her few remaining days, and by so doing you will much oblige her friends and all concerned.
With respect I remain your friend and humble servant.
Samuel M c Wood
Hon James I Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington,

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Leonard, Edward GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7378 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 6, 1791 to Earle Pollock, assignee
*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.