Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,679, for Ashna Symonds, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born,
Symonds Ashna Symonds, or Ashney
8 1 7 6 7 9
carded.
CONTENTS

17780 Connecticut
Ashney Simonds*
Hartford in the State of Conn who was a Rev in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Gay in the Conn line for 11 mo
* Ashna Symonds
W.H.R. Dec. 1, 1908.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sept 1833 and sent Rev Charlton East Windsor
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 81 65 Semi-ann. allowance ending Mar 4 34, 18.33
$9998
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Bullen Clerk, Book 60 Vol. 3 Page 12

Declaration of me in order to obtain the benefit the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832.
State of Connecticut } Is East Windsor County of Hartford } on this 4 th day of August 1832 before the Court of Probate for the District of Connecticut East Windsor in the County aforesaid now sitting Personally appeared Ashney Simonds of Manchester in said County of Hartford aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832.
Ashney Simonds
I Ashney Simonds now of said Manchester in the County of Hartford State aforesaid declare and affirm under solemn oath, That I was Born in that part of East Hartford now called forming the said town of Manchester in the year A D 1757 the second day of August, the Record of which is in my Fathers Bible where I have often seen it.
1 st I entered the service of the United States in the year A D 1775 by enlisting into a company of State Troops Commanded by Capt Jonathan Wells of East Hartford aforesaid Lieut Richard Pitkin of sd town was Lieut I enlisted to him in said East Hartford this was in the month of December, I marched with our Company from sd East Hartford thro Pompet & Killingly to Dedham near Boston I assisted in fortifying Dorchester heights and making good preparation to meet the enemy There was General Washington our Regiment was Commanded by Col Gay, I was in the service at the time two Months was discharged but have lost it have no documentary evidence John Wood  John Wood is my evidence Deacon Bryant is my evidence his affidavit will be sent

2 nd Again I entered the service of the United States in August A 1776 I was drafted into a Company of Militia in said East Hartford Commanded by Capt Timothy Cheney of said Town of East Hartford Maj Pease was our Commandant we marched from said East Hartford thro Hartford Wethersfield to New Haven from there we went by water to New York where I remained as one of the guard of the City until driven out in September A 1776 we went to a place called Valentines Hill near Kings Bridge & I was dismissed in October making a tour of two months whether I received a written discharge I do not recollect if I did I have lost it & I have no documentary evidence.
Capt Timothy Cheney And know not that I can procure a living Witness.
3 rd Again I entered the service of the United States in East Hartford 1777 in said I was drafted into a Company Commanded by Capt David Johnson, our Ensign was David Little of said East Hartford whether State troops or Militia do not recollect our Commandant was Roger Newberry Esq of Windsor Conn we marched from East Hartford, thro Farmington Litchfield to Fishkill & Peekskill & the Highlands up to Red Hook and said Esopus Burnt was in the service this time two months was dismissed do not remember whether I had written discharge if I had it is lost Thomas Shuckrather was with me & will give his deposition
4 th Again I entered the service of the United States in the month of of I have forgot A 1778 as a substitute for John Nyles of Hartford in Connecticut in a Company of Militia I think Commanded by Capt Henry Ammidon attached to Coll Worthingtons Regiment to Gen Chapmans Brigade we marched from East Hartford where I joined my Company thro Bolton, Windham & to Providence in the State of Rhode Island, we assisted in building a Fort on

the Hill in that town expected to go down to Newport to make an attack upon it but the enterprise was given up I was in the Service this time one month was then dismissed but the manner I do not recollect
I have no documentary evidence
Mr Timothy Anderson of East Hartford was with me & will give his affidavit of my service in this Campaign
5 In said East Hartford Again I entered the Service in the year A1779 I was drafted into a Company into the Militia Commanded by Officers whose names I have forgotten except the orderly serj Elijah Byrnes of East Hartford we marched from East Hartford to Danbury thru Southington Road and from Danbury we marched down to White Plains was employed in guarding the lines against the Tories or Cowboys who used to plunder that part of the country when not prevented
I saw General Putnam while here was in the Service this time two Months was then dismissed had no written discharge, nor can I find one living who served with me, have no documentary evidence. was Station sometime at Horse Neck, then to Quakers ridge, then to Bedford New Purchase; then back to horse neck, was here in October & Novem
6 ber. In East Hartford aforesaid Again I entered the Service of the United States in the year A1780 I was drafted into Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Ozias Bissell of East Hartford that part now called Manschester, Lemuel Thrall was Lieut; Russell Bissell Ensign, after ward a Col in the Western Army against the Indians; our Company went from East Hartford thro New Haven & Fairfield to Horse Neck I was there when Putnam was hotly pursued and our Capt was taken we were out two months was dismissed but had no written discharge & have no documentary evidence.
1 Four 2 Months 2 Do 2 Months 3 Do 2 Months 4 Do 1 month 5 Do 2 months 6 Do 2 Months 11 Months in the whole

I had a dismission, served my time out which was two months, have no documentary evidence do not recollect whether I had a written discharge.
Mr Ashbel Louse of Manchester aforesaid was with me in this town and his affidavit will be sent with the application
I am known to Deacon Ebenezer Bryant and Mr George Buckland both of said Manchester who can testify for my character and their belief in my services. And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State. Asahel Symonds.
Attest and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Edgar Bissell Clerk
We Ebenezer Bryant & George Buckland both of said Manchester in Connecticut hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asahel Symonds of Manchester who has subscribed & sworn to the above decla- ration that we believe him to be 75 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and to have that we concur in that opinion Ebenezer Bryant George Buckland
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Edgar Bissell Clerk
And the said Court do hereby render their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and several as he states And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Ebenezer Bryant and George Buckland are both who have signed the preceding certificate are both residents of the town of Manchester in Hartford County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Edgar Bissell Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of East Windsor do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asahel Symonds for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4 th day of August A D 1852
Edgar Bissell Clerk

9518
Anthony Miranda
Obj. 10. 11. 12
x
Superior Court East Windsor Court

BRIEF in the case of  Ashey Symonds  County of Hartford  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
7332 1833 81.65
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     200 8/100 In 1775 2 Private Gen. Gage   out 1776 2 " Gen. Clinton   1777 2 " Gen. Johnson   1778 1 " Gen. Sullivan Col. Worthy   1779 2 " Officers not recollected   1780 2 " Gen. Bofield  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hartford Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? none 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Leatt Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ashney Simonds * a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. * pensioned Ashney Simonds
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1775 2 mos. Jonathan Halls Gay Conn.   Aug. 1776 2 mos. Timothy Cheney Major Pease   1777 2 mos. David Johnson   1778 1 mo. Henry Menden Worthington   1779 2 mos. Officers not remembered   1780 2 mos. Ozias Bissell  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in East Hartford Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 4. 1832 H. S. et al.
Residence at date of application, Manchester, Hartford Co., Conn.
Age at date of application, born Aug. 2. 1757 in that part of E. Hartford now Manchester.
Remarks:
died Jan. 20. 1850 Sarah Bull his daughter was alive in 1850. There is no other data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

II Affidavit Eleenerer Brant and Timothy Anderson
for Ashney Simonds

State of Connecticut } Is East Windsor County of Hartford }
On this 4 th day of August A 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate for the district of East Windsor County of Hartford & State of Connecticut Now Sitting. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office
Ebenezer  Brient  of Manchester in Hartford County aged 88 years. Shameless  unscrupulous  of East Windsor aged
Timothy Anderson of East Windsor aged 69 years Abell  of Manchester in Hartford County aged
Who being duly sworn according to Law made Solemn Oath each one for himself severally to the truth of the following declarations as declared by each and signed by his himself. both persons of veracity
I Ebenezer Brient of Manchester in the County of Hartford Aged 88 years.
Under Solemn Oath Depose & say, that I am well acquainted with Ashney Simonds of Manchester in Hartford County an applicant for a pension under the Pension Act of June 7 th A 1832 That he served with me in the year 1775 in December and in  1776 Revolutionary War in Capt Wells Rehoboth company & Colll Gages Regiment has Regiment he went with me in the Company to Roxbury & served the tour according to the best of my recollection two months And furthermore the Deponent saith not The company was State troops a part of the time was employed in fortifying Dorchester heights.
Ebenezer Brient
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edgar Bissell Clerk

I Timothy Cheney of Manchester County of Hartford & State of Connecticut Aged  years declare & say that I am well acquainted with Ashney Simonds residing in said Manchester  an applicant for a pension under the Pension Act of June 7 th A 1832. That he served with me in the Revolutionary War in the year A 1776 he was in the Company commanded by  & marched with us to New York where he did duty until driven out by the enemy in September this was a tour of two months and according to the best of my recollections Mr Simonds served out his term faithfully which was a tour of two months after he left New York he was part of his time at Valhalla Hill near Kingsbridge. Further this deponent saith not Mr Cheney did not appear as was expected and the above is therefore brief.
I Timothy Anderson of East Hartford County of Hartford State of Connecticut Aged 67 years declare & say that I am some acquainted with Ashney Simonds now residing in of Manchester in Hartford County an applicant for a pension under the Pension Act of June 7 th A 1832. That he served with me in the revolutionary War, was with me in the year A 1778 in Capt Ammidowns Company and Coll Worthington Regiment, & Gen. Chapmans Brigade went to Providence and to White Plains and to Bristol in Rhode Island Built a fort on the high hill in Providence in the said Service one Month.
furthermore this Deponent saith not
Timothy Anderson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edgar P. Dyer Clerk

T
Affidavit
Thomas Bissell for Ashney Simonds

State of Connecticut } So East Windsor Hartford County }
On this 11 th day of August A 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of East Windsor now sitting Thomas Bispell a resident of sd East Windsor aged 74 years a person of veracity and made solemn Oath that he is some acquaintance with Ashley Simonds a resident of Manchester in Hartford County an applicant for a pension under the Pension act of June 7 th 1832
That he served with him in the revolutionary war: That we served together at Fishkill in the State of New York, we belonged to different companies but were detached and brought together to serve as a guard for the commissary stores & other stores & buildings which were most exposed. I was with the applicant at this time according to the best of my recollection a month or six weeks, I know not how long Mr Simonds the applicant had served before we were brought together living at some distance from Mr Simonds I have seen him seldom but believe him a man of veracity and furthermore this Deponent saith not
Gerard Bispell
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edgar Bispell Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Hartford } ss East Windsor
We a court of Probate held at East Windsor within and for the District of East Windsor in said county on the 13 th day of June A D 1833. The said court certifies that the reason why Ashna Symonds did not obtain the evidence of a clergyman as to his belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood respecting his revolutionary services at the time of making his declaration for a pension on the 4 th of August 1832 was that the clergyman who for some years had be resided in Manchester in the neighborhood of Ashna Symonds had previous to that time left this state and was supposed then to be in New Orleans, and no clergyman could be obtained to give evidence in the case.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of June 1833
Ebenezer Bissell Clerk

II Affidavit Ashbel Gause for Ashney Summons

State of Connecticut Hartford ss. Manchester
On this 27 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared Ashbel Case of Manchester & made solemn oath that the within Affidavit by him subscribed contained the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth. I am well acquainted with said Case & believe his character for truth is good
Ralph R. Phelps Justice of the Peace for Hartford County
State of Connecticut.
Secretary's Office, Aug. 27. 1832.
I, Thomas Day, Secretary of said State, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify, that Ralph R. Phelps Esq. whose name is subscribed, in his proper hand-writing to me well known to the above certificate, is, and for more than one year last past has been, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Hart- ford, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, the day and year above written.
Thomas Day

I Asahel Case of Manchester in Hartford County aged 71 years, being duly sworn upon 1 day; that I am well acquainted with Asahel Symonds of Manchester, an applicant for a pension under the pension act of June 7 th A.D. 1832 - That I served with him in the revolutionary war, in the year 1780, in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Ozias Bissell of East Hartford; Lemuel Shaele was Lieut. & Asahel Bissell Ensign. We marched from East Hartford through New Haven & Fairfield to Horn Neck. We were there when Putnam was so hotly pursued by the enemy. Our Captain was taken prisoner. This was a tour of two months. & according to my best recollection Mr Symonds served out his full time. I should think Mr Symonds was about 75 years of age. I believe the officers in our company are all dead & further saith not.
Asahel Case

ashney Symmonds
11 n o pirato
36.66
Eme Chiculla
Eastwindra

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Henry Symonds  Halfer at 65  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? u II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? u 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? u 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? u VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? u VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? u VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? u IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? u 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? for evo

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? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no 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? 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? yes 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?
 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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Oct. 17, 1853.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled, "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States;" and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the Pension agents,
Sally Bull child of Ashney Simonds, dec. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of Thirty Six Dollars and 66 Cents per Annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1849 to the 20 th Jan'y 1850 ~ Respectfully, yours,
17780 act 62
J. M. Broome Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

17679 INVALID.
New Year
File No. 17679 Ashna Symonds Leahy Bi ...
Act: June 7 a 99
Index:—Vol: 1 , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 7/95 Hist. 4 Clus. Utica, N.Y. 1917 July 13 Hist. to James A. Ellis.
S. Symonds M.E.

07rd 20 1308
Dear Sir,  Utica, N.Y. Sept 26 1895  Commission of the Pension Office Sir:
Can I ascertain from you if our Ashura Symons, Simons, Simonds or Symonds, some years since drew a pension on account of services in Revolutionary War? He died at age of 91

If he drew one and Sterlin from our family records he did, Will you kindly inform me, where he lived when last payment was made to him, as appears of your books & greatly oblige
Yours Res
Chas. S. Symonds.
I think his home was E. Hartford (now Manchester Conn) Kindly give me the way to spend his
if found. name

The American Historical Society
(INCORPORATED)
267 BROADWAY
TELEPHONE BARCLAY 7127
NEW YORK
Rev Soc N.Y. BUREAU OF GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH JAMES A. ELLIS, GENEALOGIST MEMBER OF NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
647 Main Street, Hartford, Conn. July 9, 1917.
U. S. Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly favor me with the record of Ashnah Simonds (Symonds, etc.) who was a Revolutionary pensioner and died in Manchester, Connecticut, January 20, 1850, at the age of 92-3?
I hope your records will show his birth place as well as the field in which he served.
Respectfully yours,
JAE:CRS
J. A. Ellis