Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,329, for Joseph Kennedy, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. ..... .....
Kennedy, Joseph Agnes .....
N. 20,329 .....
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3951 Connecticut
Agnes Kennedy widow of Joseph Kennedy , dis. who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 1830 of Winsted in the State of Conn't who was a private in the Conn command by Captain Gordon of the regt command by Col Douglas in the Conn Milia line for 14 M. 7 d.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 47 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of August 1839 , Eden T. Farnes , Register , Voluntown, Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1839 $ 142.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 sep '39 23.72
$166.04
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A.
D. M. Cady , Clerk. Vol. 1. Page 191.

V 3415 Agnes Kennedy. widow of Joseph. Con act. 7. July 38 Mar 1778 - dwd 1830 Creditors $47.44 in amt 14 mths 7 days. Capital Col Douglas Conn Milford
Voluntown Miss Agnes Kennedy under act of July 7-1838
Jas Alexander Voluntown Conn

Declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838. entitled "an act granting half-pay & pensions to certain widows". On this th 24 day of November one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the district of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State aforesaid Agnes Kennedy a resident of the Town of Voluntown in the County & State aforesaid, aged eighty years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 "entitled" an act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows—
That she is the widow of Joseph Kennedy who was a private soldier in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary war, and entered the service under the following named officers and served as hereafter stated according to her best recollection & belief— (to wit)
First Term— On or about the 15th day of May 1775 the said Joseph Kennedy enlisted into the army of the United States at Voluntown with Lieut William Edmond & joined a company commanded by Capt Watrouson Clift attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Saml H. Parsons for the term of seven months and immediately marched to New London in said State of Connecticut and was stationed there until the Battle of Bunker Hill when when Col Parsons's Regiment was ordered to join the army at Roxbury near Boston where he was stationed during the remainder of the term of his enlistment & returned to his residence in said Voluntown in December of the same year. The said widow declares that she resided in said Voluntown & in the same neighbourhood with the said Joseph Kennedy and for obvious reasons felt anxious for his safety and welfare at that time which makes her recollections more particularly than perhaps she otherwise would— and for further proof of this term of service she

she refers to the testimony of William Smith herewith transmitted.
Second Tour — Was a tour of three months in the militia, being drafted at said Voluntown about the 27 th of August 1776 in a Company commanded by Capt John Gandon of which company her father Moses Campbell was a Lieutenant. Her impression is that the said Joseph Kennedy went in the capacity of waiter to her said Father. They were ordered to join a Regiment of Connecticut militia at West-Chester or White Plains (so called) in the State of New-York. She well recollects that they went from Voluntown together and some of the neighbors accompanied them part of the way and brought back their horses — but cannot find any one now living that was with him at that time but she is confident that he served three months as he returned to Voluntown on his birth day which was the 27 th day of November in company with her said Father Moses Campbell — she refers to the testimony evidence herewith transmitted.
Third Tour — Was for two months in the militia as follows about the first of January 1777 her said Husband Joseph Kennedy entered the service as a volunteer in a Company of Connecticut militia commanded by her said Father Moses Campbell as a private soldier and she thinks in the same capacity of waiter and marched from said Voluntown to a place called Point Judith on the Narragansett shore in the State of Rhode Island and was there guarding the shore for the term of two months. The British Troops having but a short time before taken possession of New-Port in the State of Rhode Island — and for further proof of this tour of duty she refers to the affidavit of John Campbell —

Fourth term was for one month in company of militia commanded by Capt Bacon as a drafted soldier and stationed at New London in the State of Connecticut This term was in the fall of the year 1778 according to her best recollection as she was soon after his return to Voluntown joined to him in marriage also she will recollect that the said Joseph Kennedy was on Rhode Island in Genl Sullivan's expedition in August 1778 as a substitute but for whom she cannot now recollect a term of twenty days — And on the alarm occasioned by the battle at Lexington in April 1775 he volunteered for a few days was absent from home perhaps ten days — that was before he entered the first time — These terms of service she is confident her said husband performed which together make a period of Fourteen months for which she claims a pension
Witnesses Present
Jamies Alscander John H. Bacon
Agnes his Kennedy Mark
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Kennedy on the 10 th day of December 1778 and that her husband the said Joseph Kennedy died on the 28 th day of July 1830. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated —
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before — Agnes his Kennedy Mark
Henry Gallup Judge of Probate for the District of Voluntown

I John H. Bacon Clerk of the Probate Court of the District of Volunton do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applications of Agnes Kennedy for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 24th day of November 1838
John H. Bacon Clerk of Probate for Volunton District

I Elisha Potter Clerk of the Town of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do certify that Joseph Kennedy and Agnes Campbell were joined in marriage December the Fourth One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight By Reverend Solomon Morgan Elisha Potter Town Clerk
I Elisha Potter above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Clerk of the Town of Voluntown in the County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true Extract from the Records of said Town with the exception of the date which is expressed in the Records in fair legible figures as follows (Viz) Joseph Kennedy and Agnes Campbell were joined in marriage December 10 th 1978 By Reverend Solomon Morgan
State of Connecticut, Windham County ss Voluntown Oct. 11 th 1838 Personally appeared Elisha Potter Clerk of the town of Voluntown aforesaid, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed before me — Harvey Campbell Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } ss County of Windham } I Daniel P. Lyman Clerk of the County Court of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Harvey Campbell Esq. is a Justice of the Peace, in & for said County duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above written is genuine — Given under my hand and the Seal of said County this 11 th day of October 1838 — Daniel P. Lyman Clerk

We John Campbell and James Alexander both of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, each of us being over seventy five years of age, on oath testify and say that we have resided in the same neighbourhood with Joseph Kennedy in said Voluntown, before and ever since the commencement of the war of the Revolution, and well know that the said Joseph Kennedy was absent from his residence in said neighbourhood during a great part of his time in the first years of the Revolutionary war, and that he has ever been reputed as having served as a soldier in the army and we verily believe that he served the several tours of duty as stated in his widow's declaration herewith transmitted. And we further say that the said Joseph Kennedy died at said Voluntown on the 28 th day of July 1830 as appears on his grave stone - and we further say that his widow Agnes Kennedy has remained unmarried ever since the period of his death - & further say not.
John Campbell James Alexander
State of Connecticut County of Windham Voluntown Nov. 19 th 1838
Personally appeared before me, Harvey Campbell one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Windham, the aforesaid John Campbell and James Alexander, and severally made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit, by them subscribed, and I further certify that the said John Campbell and James Alexander are credible persons, with whom I am well acquainted, and that their testimony is entitled to credit.
Sworn before me. Harvey Campbell Justice of the Peace for Windham County

I William Smith of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged eighty years on oath testify & say that, I served as an enlisted soldier in a Company of Connecticut of Connecticut troops commanded by Capt. Waterman Clift as attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Saml. H. Parsons. I march- ed from said Voluntown about the middle of May in the year 1775 to New London in said State and was stationed there until the Battle of Bunker Hill when our Regiment was ordered to join the army at Roxbury near Boston where I was stationed until the expiration of my enlistment which was for Seven months. These facts I well remember and I also further say that Joseph Kennedy of said Voluntown was an enlisted sol- dier in the same Company and Regiment and served with me during the same length of time according to my best Recollection and belief - and further say not.
William Smith
State of Connecticut } County of Windham } ss Voluntown Nov. 19 th 1838
Personally appeared before me Harvey Campbell, the aforesaid William Smith, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed: And I further certify that the said William Smith is a credible person, with whom I am well acquainted, and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Sworn before me - Harvey Campbell Justice of Peace for the County of Windham.

I John Campbell of Voluntown in the County of Windham State of Connecticut aged Eighty years, on oath testify and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Kennedy in the time of the war of the Revolution and ever since until the time of his death, and will remember that the said Kennedy served a tour of duty as a soldier in a company of Connecticut Mi- litia commanded by Capt Moses Campbell and that he returned from said Voluntown about the first of January 1777—to a place called Point Judith on the Narragansett shore in the State of Rhode Island the said Kennedy served there a term of two months and was employed in guarding the shore the British troops having a short time before taken possession of Newport in said State of Rhode Island—these facts I will remember as I was a soldier in the same company with him and served the same length of time according to my best recollection & belief—and further the deponent saith not—
John Campbell
State of Connecticut County of Windham
Voluntown Nov. 19 th 1838
Personally appeared before me Harvey Campbell, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Windham, the aforesaid John Campbell, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit, by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said John Campbell is a credible person with whom I am well ac- quainted, and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Sworn before me. Harvey Campbell Justice of Peace for the County of Windham.

December 14, 1939.
Myrtle L. Keeler 4305 West 38th Street St. Louis Park Branch Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BA-J/ILL Joseph Kennedy W. 20329
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 20329, based upon service of Joseph Kennedy in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Kennedy lived in Voluntown, Windham County, Connecticut, at the time of the Revolutionary War.
He entered service in April 1775, and served about ten days in Captain John Gordon's company at the time of the Lexington Alarm. He enlisted May 15, 1775 and served seven months as private in Captain Waterman Clift's company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut regiment, during which he was stationed first in Connecticut and later near Boston. He enlisted August 27, 1776 and served three months as private in Captain John Gordon's Connecticut company, of which company Moses Campbell of Voluntown was lieutenant. He enlisted in January 1777 and served two or three months as private in Captain Moses Campbell's company, Colonel Douglass' Connecticut regiment, at Point Judith, Rhode Island; he served also in 1778 on General Sullivan's Expedition, and in the fall of that year, one month in Captain Bacon's Connecticut company.
The soldier continued to reside in Voluntown, Connecticut, until his death on July 28, 1830.
Joseph Kennedy married December 7, 1778, Agnes Campbell, who was born November 27, 1758; she was the daughter of Moses Campbell, the officer referred to above, of Voluntown; They were joined in marriage by Rev. Solomon Morgan of Voluntown, Connecticut.
Agnes Kennedy, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on

on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on her application executed November 24, 1838, at which time she resided in Voluntown, Connecticut. No reference was made to children of Joseph and Agnes Kennedy.
In 1838, John Campbell, a resident of Voluntown, Connecticut, aged eighty years, stated that he served in the same company with Joseph Kennedy; he did not state any relationship to Agnes, the soldier's widow.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city and furnish the following data:
Agnes Kennedy, widow of Joseph Kennedy, Certificate #3951 Issued August 22, 1839 Rate $47.44 per annum Commenced March 4, 1836 Act of July 7, 1838 Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Ref
WIDOW, &c.
1939. Dec. 14. Hint. to Myrtle L. Keeler - See letter in James Kennedy Rev - S. 23739 - J.L.
File No. 20829
Agnes Kennedy Wid. of Joseph Kennedy Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index: - Vol. 16 , Page 394
[Arrangement of 1870.]

December 14, 1939.
Myrtle L. Keeler 4305 West 38th Street St. Louis Park Branch Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BA-J/ILL James Kennedy S. 23739 Joseph Kennedy W. 20329
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to James Kennedy, of Colrain, Massachusetts, Agnes Kennada of Voluntown, Connecticut, and Lucy Kennada of Chaplin, Connecticut.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of James Kennedy, pension claim -S. 23739, and that of Joseph Kennedy, whose widow, Agness, received a pension, claim W. 20329, are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

J. Kennedy a 1830
Agnes M. '78 S
75.7.7 Walnut Cliff W.S.V.V
76 3 Gordon —
77 2 McCampbell's
78 1 Bacon
75 11 at Lexington
20 R.B.
14.7 v McCampbell Annahan Co
Mr Smith, x
Mr Bragg "
46 66 77 47 43

James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Dear Sir
Voluntown Nov. 24 th 1838
Inclosed I send you the Declaration of the Widow Agnes Kennedy a neighbor of mine together with what evidence we have been able to collect in order to obtain for her some remuneration for the services of her late husband in the war of the Revolution. I think we have made out positive proof of two hours of his service, and the other hours we could not obtain the testimony of living witnesses altho a great number were in the service with him from this vicinity but are all now dead. we presume however that you will in investigating her claim take into consideration the difficulty of obtaining positive and direct proof of transactions that occurred at so remote a period. Be as liberal as a compliance with duty will permit - if there should be any irregularity in the papers should be glad to know it as soon as convenient. you will please to direct any communications on the subject to me at Voluntown Connecticut - and oblige your obedient servant
James Alexander
J. L. Edwards Esq

Letter to
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Customs Washington

To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions - Dear Sir Your letter of the 23 of May last requiring further evidence in the case of Wid Agnes Kennedy for a pension has been Received, on which application was made at the Comptroller's Office, and his certificate obtained which with an Amended Declaration of the said Wid Kennedy explaining some things in her former declaration and also such further proof of her husband's services, as we have been able to obtain are herewith transmitted -
The certificate for the Comptroller you will observe refers to only two terms of service it appears that all the Rolls of the Militia service are not to be found in the office - the Rolls of Troops raised by intimation by order of the Genl Assembly are generally to be found while the drafted militia are not -
I don't think, we can furnish any further evi- -dence on our claim for a pension & on further investigation of the case presume you will send the old widow a certificate as soon as convenient
Respectfully yours
James Alexander for Wid Kennedy -
Voluntown July 8 th 1839

Amended Declaration of Thos. Agnes Kennedy of Voluntown Windham County Connecticut.

Amended Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
State of Connecticut } Windham County } Voluntown
On this 6 th day of July Anno Domini 1839 personally appeared before the undersigned a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut, Agnes Kennedy, a resident of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged Eighty One year, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration as an amendment and explanatory to a former declaration by her made which is now on file in the pension office, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Joseph Kennedy who was a Private in the Army and Militia, in the war of the Revolution and who served as near as she can recollect as follows
1 st Term. In 1775 about the 20 th of April the said Joseph Kennedy together with the Militia generally marched to Lexington Massachusetts in what was called the Lexington Alarm and was gone from home about ten days. In this term I think Capt Gordon or Major Gordon commanded the company. 10 day
2 nd Term. That he enlisted about 10 th May 1775 in a company commanded by Capt Waterman

1 st - Lieut Thos Edmunds, George Nathaniel Morgan That the term of enlistment was for Seven Months That he immediately joined the company and marched to New London Ct after remaining there a time marched to Roxbury Massachusetts where he finished his term of service and a few days over Colo Samuel H Parsons commanded the Regiment - 7 mo 7 da
3 rd Term That he was drafted to do a term of duty in the militia and she on reflection would state that the term of time set forth in her first declaration to be three months for which the militia were drafted to serve may not be correct she would not now be positive as to length of time the drafts were for at that period of time, but she is now inclined to think that no definite time was declared in those drafts but that it was a general call for the militia That her husband marched in Capt John Gordon's company from Voluntown in Colo John Douglass Regiment of Militia and his service in this term was as other soldiers were who served in the same campaign This was called the Westchester term. That I set forth in my first declaration that my husband served as waiter to Mores Campbell who was a Lieutenant in that company. She begs leave to more fully explain that duty. That her said husband served as a private soldier during this term in 2 nd company, and as was then the common practice in companies as waiter too As stated in in her first declaration. That her husband served as aforesaid stated so with as a private soldier and as a waiter to Lt Campbell in 2 nd company 2 nd Regiment at 2 nd Westchester & vicinity the full term of 3 months. For the time of her husband's entering and being discharged from this term she

for a more definite statement refers to her first Declaration
{3 mo}
Fourth Term. That she refers to her former statement for the time of entering and the discharging of her husband in this term of duty which was in 1777
That she stated in her first declaration that her husband served as a waiter to Moses Campbell she now further states that he also served as a private soldier in said Company and also performed the duties of waiter when necessary as first stated. This term of duty was rendered in the vicinity of Pine Grove Rd. {2 mo}
Fifth Term. At Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition so called a period of twenty days, he served as a substitute but I cannot tell for whom nor under what officers {20 da}
Sixth Term. I refer to my declaration now in the pension office for a statement of this term of service This term was in Capt. Bacon's Comp. I cannot now recollect any of the other officers in that company nor who commanded the troops at this time in this term but I well recollect of hearing my husband when in his life time talking of his services tell of this term and of Capt. Bacon whom he said never paid him - That he never received a cent for this term of service - {One mo}
For a further statement of my husband's services I refer to the proof annexed to my first declaration now in the pension office and also to the proof herunto annexed -
That she from the infirmities of old age is not able to make a more full statement

Then she has done in her amended Declaration The whole Period of time for which she claims a pension is Fourteen Months and from Seven to Ten days.
Sworn and subscribed the day } her and year aforesaid written } Agnes X Kennedy Before me } Mother -
Wm C Stanton Notary Public
3

Comptroller's Office
Hartford June 21 1839
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Joseph Kennedy who claims services in the War of the Revolution I have examined the Books of Papers remaining in this office and find his name on a Pay Roll of the 6th Company 6th Regt raised by order Genl Assembly Court 1775 where he is entered as a private May 10 Time of Discharge Dec 15 having served Seven Months & Seven days — (7 Mo 7 days) — also find Jo s Kennedy on May 7 James Gordon Roll, in the Lexington Alarm Apr 1775 as a private having served Seven days — (7 days) —
Henry Willson Compt

I William Briggs of Voluntown in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut aged Ninety three years, on oath Testify & say that about the last of August in the year 1776 as near as I can recollect I was drafted with the number more in Voluntown to serve a tour in the Militia in a Company commanded by Capt. John Gordon, & in which company Moses Campbell was a Lieutenant and immediately marched to Westchester in the the State of New York and joined a Regiment commanded by Col. John Douglas, and served a term of three months, for which with the service I am now receiving a pension. And I further say that I was then well acquainted with Joseph Kennedy, of said Voluntown & knows the fact that he served in the same Company & Regiment with me as a soldier and according to my best recollection and belief was waiting to the aforesaid Lieut. Moses Campbell and in the service the same length of time that I served which was three months as I well remember that we returned home late in the month of November in the year 1776 the above named Capt. John Gordon died in the service & our company was under the command of the said Lieut. Campbell after his death til we came home - and further this deponent saith not.
William Briggs
State of Connecticut
County of Windham
Be it known that on the 26 th day of June 1839, personally appeared before me the Sub-scriber, a Justice of the Peace for said County, William Briggs signer to the foregoing Deposition, and made oath to the truth of the same: And I further certify that the above named Deponent is a credible person with whom I am well acquainted, and that his testimony is entitled to credit. —
Harvey Campbell Justice of Peace.
I hereby certify that the interlineations in the above Deposition were made before the signing of the same by the Deponent. —
Harvey Campbell Justice of Peace

A Weekly return of Lieut Moses Campbell's Company of Militia in Col o Douglass Reg t .
   Officers present Rank and file   Cornet Lieut Enfor Serg t Drum s & fife Present fit for duty Sick absent Sick present on Command on furlow Sum total Dead Discharged Deported in list     0 1 1 3 0 15 1 0 0 0 25 0 2 0 1  
Point Judith January the 20 th 1777
for Moses Campbell Lieut

1/88  3, 1/2, 8  3, 2, 8  18, 16 1, 11, 4  20, 7, 4
Lt Campbell Return Jan. 20, 1877
A Weekly Return of Lieut Campbell's Company

State of Connecticut } Voluntown 5 Windham County
I Wm C Stanton a Notary Public in and for the state of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceeding (as far as taken before me) of the matter of application of the wid. Agnes Kennedy of Voluntown apd. for a Pension
I do further certify that the herewith return of Moses Campbell Lieut. of Povit. dated Jan. 20 th 1877 as above annexed to the amended Declaration of P. Wind Agnes Kennedy was found by me among the Papers of Madam B. J. Genl. Douglass in Plainfield Connecticut
In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal This 6 th day of July A D 1839
Wm C Stanton Notary Public