Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14676, for Elisha Thornton, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Thornton, Elisha
S. 14676
CONTENTS
Carded

Sett d Elisha Thornton, & Pension Ag t 25 Mar. '39. Dead - see letter within p.m. P. Ag t died 11 Sept. 1838
9447 94
Connecticut
Elisha Thornton of Salisbury in the State of Conn who was a pr st in the Conn commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by Col Sherman in the Conn line for 10, 21 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 3 5- Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May 1833 and Rent, Claimant Salisbury Conn
Arrears to the 4th of March 33. $71.39 Femi-ant. allowance ending Sep. 4. 33. 17 83
Died
Sept. 11 1838
$89.16
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 - Page 13

5476
Elisha Thornton 6.t.
Admit 10 o -21 2
$35.66 —
Elisha Thornton Salisbury Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjjoined 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 Ebenezer Dorrington C.T.
   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.     Conti. War 69 born in Middlesex Co. T. & entered there - now lives in Middlesex Co. T.   Revolutionary War 6 Sergeant Major Dorrington   Revolutionary War 6 " Dr. Dorrington Col. Sherman certificate of two citizens  
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) _____, who has 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 tons, 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 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.
[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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [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.

Op 5476.
July 18-80L
End Aug 9-80C
Admns —
pr $35.66 $

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield P. Court of Probate for the district of Sharon.
A Court of Probate for the District of Sharon held at Salisbury in said district on the 3 d day of August A D 1832
Present. Samuel Church Esquire Judge.
On this 3 d day of August A D 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon now sitting, Elisha Thornton a resident in the town of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Con- necticut aged seventy nine  Sixty nine 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 I was born in East Haddam now in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut in the year 1763. I have no record of my age, nor do I know that any such record exists unless it be on the records of the said Town of East Haddam. When I entered into the Service of my country in the war of the Revolution I was living in said town of East Haddam. After the close of the war I resided in said East the town of Leedstown in the State of Massachusetts, about six years, from thence I removed to West Springfield in said State of Massachusetts where I resided about eighteen years, from thence I removed to the aforesaid town of Salisbury where I now reside

I entered the service & served under the following name or officer that is to say.
I was drafted into service in the Connecticut Troops, or Militia in the month of July for the term of Six Months, I do not remember the year, but it was the summer before the hard winter so called, and it was the year before Major Snare was hung. I do not remember the names of my Captain, Lieutenant nor Ensign, as I was detached on a Ser- geants guard, my Sergeant was in the first place was Winslow but he was soon broke & then our Sergeant was Percival of the said East Haddam. We were then placed as a guard along the coast between New- London and the mouth of Connecticut River, and we were at Black Point so called for the longest period. When we first went into service we were inspected by Lieut Governor Griswold of Lyme, the British fleet were in the bay more or less the whole time I was out on this line. I have no documentary evi- dence to prove this service nor do I know of any person now living by whom it can be proved, nor have I any other discharge, but I served my whole term of six months. The next summer after, I think in the month of July I enlisted in the Connecticut Troops or Continental Army I don't know what we were called. It was the same season that Major Snare was hung and I enlisted at this time for the term of Six Months. My Captain's name was Brigham, my Lieutenants name

was Kimbley. The name of the Colonel was Sherman The name of the Brandy Sergeants Army company was Thompson, we were mustered at Danbury and marched to the Hudson River opposite West Point and there joined the main body of the American troops we did no gun until we arrived at this place. We marched down & crossed Kings ferry, and marched now into the State of New Jersey & was generally in the vicinity of New York. I was present at said Major Andre ex- ecuted. The Massachusetts troops were down there, I belong- ed to General Putnam Brigade. General Huntington's Brigade was with us. I saw General Washington that season I was engaged in no battle at either time of my service, I served during the whole term of my service. The first I heard of Andre being taken I was in the night when I was on guard at Colonel Sherman's Headquarters I received a said letter of East Haddam when I entered the service this last time. I received a discharge but my father left it at Norwich when he went to cross my hand, I was discharged at the Highlands above West Point, where I had been for some time employed in erecting huts or winter quarters.
I am known to John M c Clay, John C. Goffring, Elias H. Sterling Esq. and many others in the said town of Salisbury who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution, tho' I do not know of any persons now living who can testify to my

process as aforesaid.
And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid
Elisha me X Thornton mark
At the same Court held on the 3 rd day of August A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in Open Court Elisha Sterling and John M. Holley Esquires residing in said Salisbury Respec- tively known to this Court as credible persons having been duly sworn according to law on their oaths the said Elisha & Say we Elisha Sterling & John M. Holley residing in the town of Salisbury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Thornton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty eight or sixty nine years of age, that he is a white man and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion. We also say that we con- sider his character for truth & veracity to be good. Sworn & subscribed Apr. 2 day last aforesaid
John M. Holley Elisha Sterling

And the said Court doth hereby declare its 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 last further certifies that John M. Holley Esquire and Elisha Sturdivant Esquire who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the said town of Salisbury and are both known to this Court as gentlemen of the first respectability and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court.
Abijah C. Peet Clerk
I Abijah C. Peet Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the district of Sharon do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Elisha Thornton for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal at Olberns this 3 rd day of August A 1832.
Abijah C. Peet Clerk

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. Guy
March 5, 1928.
Walter Thornton Everingham, 1645 Ninth Street, San Diego, California.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14676, it appears that Elisha Thornton was born in 1763 at East Haddam, Connecticut.
While a resident of said East Haddam, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops, as follows:
From in July 1779, six months under Sergeants Winslow and Percival and guarded the coast between New London and the mouth of the Connecticut River; from in July 1780, six months in Captain Brigham's Company, Colonel Sherman's Regiment was present when Major Andre was executed.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 3, 1832, while a resident of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
He died September 11, 1838.
There are no data as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner. !C

Perkins
146 46
INVALID.
1928- mch. 5- Hist to W. J. Everingham asst.
File No. 14676
Elisha Thornton
Priv. Res. was
Act: June 1 st 1832.
Index: —Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

APR 1.
Con.
Elisha Thornton
ct. m. k.
9442
J. J. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Pension Agency Hartford March 25. 1839
Sir
By your letter of the 25 th instant I am directed to suspend the payment of the Pension of Elisha Thornton. Prior 35.66 per annum for act 7 June 1832 - It appears from the Books of this Agency that he died on the 11 th Sept 1838 and the balance due to the day of his death was paid on the 24 th of the same month
I am very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant J. S. Pitkin. Agent.
J. S. Edvard, Esq Commr of Pensions Washington

1645 Ninth St.
San Diego, Calif.
July 14, 1927
Bureau of Pensions Rev. Records Dept Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I would like to obtain, if possible, the information you have about Elisha Thornton, and his family, in your records according to a list published by the A. A. R. Elisha Thornton was a Rev. War. pensioner in Conn. reference, S 14676 in your dept.
If there is a fee for this information, please let me know the amount. My great-grandfather was named Elisha Thornton.
Yours truly
Walter Thornton Everingham