Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7286, for Sharp Liberty, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Liberty Sharp (Colonel) Mix, Lucy Former widow
R. 7286
His name was Sharp
CONTENTS

I Stephen Parker of Cheshire New Haven County and State of Connecticut a Revolutionary pensioner aged seventy nine years, testify and say that for a great number of years I was well acquainted with Sharp Liberty and his wife Lucy: that soon after the close of the revolutionary war they resided in the immediate vicinity of my own residence. I am acquainted with the fact that they had a family of children and I also ever believed that they were legally married and never heard any one suggest any thing to the contrary: that said Sharp Liberty died in this town about thirty years since, and I further say that it has been the opinion of all persons acquainted with the circumstances that they were legally married —
And I further say that in the year 1780 while in the service of my Country I frequently met with the said Sharp Liberty, he also being a soldier in said service, and further that said Lucy was a widow on the 4 th day of July 1836 and many years before that time and that she is now a widow —
Stephen Parker
AD 1839 —
Before me
Silas Hitchcock Judge of The Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire

V 4335
Lucy Mix formerly widow of Sharp Liberty
Con act 4 July 36 P 3 March 37.

State of Connecticut } County of New Haven } ss. Probate district of Cheshire -
On this 10 th day of January 1839 personally appeared before the judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Cheshire, Lucy May a resident of Cheshire, in the probate district aforesaid aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 d 1837: That she was married to Sharp Liberty who was a soldier in the revolutionary war: That her said husband enlisted into the service of the United States for and during the war under Captain Slocum of Southington, in Hartford County in said state, at the commencement or near the commencement of said war, and that as she verily believes he was attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel Meigs: That at the commencement of said war he was held as a slave, but in consequence of his faithful services through the whole of the revolutionary war he was at its close emancipated: That she has no documentary evidence excepting what is hereunto annexed.
She further declares that she was married to said Sharp Liberty, by the Rev d Abner Benedict of Middlefield, a parish of Middletown, in said state, in the fall of the year 1780 - the month, or the day of the month she dare not fix upon, but of the year she is confident from the age of her oldest child: That her husband the said Sharp Liberty died on the 29 th day of January 1809: that she is enabled to fix upon the day of his death by referring to the records of the Rev John Foot, by whom

he was buried: That she was afterwards married to Sharp Nix of Wallingford, in said County and State, who died in the year 1820 - having never been taught to write she has no record to refer to, and cannot tell the month, or the day of the month on which he died: That she was a widow on the 4 th of July 1836, and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to proof herunto annexed -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
Lucy her Nix marks
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire
And I hereby certify that from a personal examination of the records of the Rev. John Foot, deceased, I find that Sharp Liberty, deceased on the 29 th day of January, 1809, and also that from a long acquaintance with Stephen Parker, whose deposition is herunto annexed, I certify that he is a credible person, and further that Joseph Troup, whose deposition is also annexed is a credible and highly respectable person, and further that Lucy Nix, is now and has been for many years a widow and that she is a credible person
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire

I Burrage Beach clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Cheshire in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lucy May for a pension, and that Silas Hitchcock is the Judge of said Court, and that said Court is a court of record and that his name subscribed to the aforesaid certificate is his genuine signature -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11 th day of January 1839 -
Burrage Beach, Clerk

AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY,
STATE OF Connecticut } ss. COUNTY OF New Haven
Be it remembered, That, on this 22 day of December A. D. 1852, I, James W. Gisco (colored) do make known and declare that I am the and heir-at-law to Lucy Sharp also Lucy Meix (colored) who was the wife of  Sharp Liberty (colored) a Revolutionary soldier, who served some years, under the command of Connecticut in the forces raised by the State of and that he and his said wife were married about the month of A. D. that he died about the month of A. D. and that his said wife also died about the month of  year A. D. 1842  and that a pension of  dollars a year was drawn by said no Pension was ever drawn on account of said services, and so continued until the year A. D. 18 , since which time nothing has been received by by either, or the heirs of either of said parties.
And that claimant is now 29 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services: Now, THEREFORE, the true intent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower ALFRED J. WORKS, of New Haven City and County, State of Connecticut,
as my Attorney, with power of substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand, and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by my said Attorney, or his substitute, in virtue hereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purposes.
Attest, James W. Gisco
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date first above named.
James W. Gisco
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above indicated.
Wm Goodwin Notary Public,
James W. Gisco to Mr. Liberty Sharp with John

September 1, 1931
BA-J/EL
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.7386, that Sharp Liberty, a colored man, married in 1780, exact date not given, Lucy Ives.
He died January 29, 1809, in Cheshire, Connecticut. His age is not given. His widow married Sharp Mix, of Wallingford, Connecticut, who died in 1820.
While residing in Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut. Lucy Mix, then aged seventy-eight years, applied for pension January 10, 1839, on account of the services of her first husband, Sharp Liberty, and alleged that he enlisted at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, served as a private in Captain Sloper's(?)Company, Colonel Meigs' Connecticut Regiment; during the latter part of the war was detached and served as a teamster in which service he continued until the close of the Revolution. It was stated that he received his freedom because of his faithful service in the war.
Her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish satisfactory proof of the alleged service as was required by the pension laws.
She died about the year 1842.
It was stated that they reared a family of children, no names are given.
In 1852, one James W. Cisco, colored, made affidavit in New Haven County, Connecticut, that he was the heir-at-law of Lucy Mix, widow of Sharp Liberty, relationship to soldier and his widow not state.
This history to be furnished if ever called for. It was written just to have a record of negroes.

7286
4335
V See Silas Hitebcock,
July 1840
" Hon W. W. Boardman
Dec 24 1840
Hon: Saml. C. Hart
Jan 7 1841
Hon: W. W. Boardman
Jan 24 1841
Act 4 July 26 " 3 March 37.
Hon. Saml. C. Hart " to Silas Hitebcock July 1840

Yarn d with orig. Rolls Aug. 1883. C.S.P.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7286
P. O.
Lucy Mix
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Printed list of 1852 shows cause of
Application filed: _____, 18
rejection: "The time he served is doubtful
Alleges: _____ and the marriage
day is not proved
with requisite certainty."
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Shesire Ct 6 th Feb y 1848
Sir
In reply to yours of 2 inst. It is not possible for us to produce proof at this time, in relation to the Bounty Land, or the "gratuity of 80$" to which you allude -
The testimony of Mr. Stephen Parker, enclosed, whose testimony cannot be impeached, is full as can be, that he did serve to the close of the war. In addition to this. I recollect distinctly a conversation between my Wife's Mother & Lucy, at my House, in which Mrs. Hall said, that "when Lucy heard of her, after the birth of her first child, Sharp was then in service, this was in 1782, & when he came home he wore regimentals , when the other soldiers came home - - - - -
She knew of no better evidence of which the case is susceptible, at this time, when few of the actors in those scenes are living - but there is not now, nor ever has been, a doubt in the mind of people here, that Sharp served during the war.
Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sup t of Pensions
Wm. A. Lloyd

Cheshire Feby 6 th . 1841 J. L. Edwards Esq.
I am sorry, very sorry to trouble you with the application of Lucy Ellis, but our whole community believing that under the law of the United States, she is justly entitled to a pension they are unwilling to remit their petitions in her behalf -
Lucy has ever been industrious and has and still does support herself - To those of us who have arrived to the age of fifty and over Shadrach Liberty was pointed out to us in our boyhood as one who had served the country through the whole revolutionary struggle, and every person in this region who was acquainted with him believes it was so -
As to her marriage I am perfectly satisfied that it took place as she states, and it also appears to me that the proof is as satisfactory as that produced in the case of the application of Martha Ives widow of Phinehas Ives, in both cases there are no doubts in this neighborhood.
Very respectfully yours
Silas Hitchcock

Genl. Off Jan'y 7. - '44
Sir,
In answer to your of 1 inst respecting the case of Lucy Mix who claims for the services of her first husband Sharp Liberty I have to inform you that the question is the date of the marriage not the fact that they were husband & wife at any time - It is indispensable that satisfactory proof should be adduced that she was married to him before his service terminated in order to bring her case within the act of 4 July '36 - She alleges that she was married to him in 1780 - Now the regimental rolls show that he was enlisted for the war on 8 March 75 into Capt. Seavenworth's Company of Col. Migeo's Regt. with an entry in the column for " remarks " which is erased and the company rolls of Capt. Seavenworth show that he was present & on duty for the several months preceding Decr. 78 and while the muster rolls for that & the subsequent months do not bear his name - It would appear that he left the service at that time but under what circumstances can not be ascertained - It is certain that he did not serve out his enlistment

You will then perceive that there is no evidence to shew that he was in service after the alleged date of the marriage. That proof however can be furnished from the office of the Compt at Hartford where the settlements of the Connecticut line are deposited.
If her claim can not be established under the act of 4 July '36, her second marriage forfeits any claim under that of 7 July '38.
Hon Saml. A. Foot Cheshire Con
Wm. Samuel H. Root Jan'y. 7. 1841 G.C.

Dec. 21. 40
Sir
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr. Hitchcock respecting the case of Lucy Lucy Allen who claims for the services of her first husband Sharp Liberty and in reply to state that he truly represents the difficulty in establishing her claim. The proof as to the date of the marriage considering the circumstances under which it is alleged to have taken place is unsatisfactory -
Col. W. W. Boardman H. K. [unclear]

War Dept Gen: Off July 17 - 39
Sir
In the case of Lucy Miss formerly the widow of Sharp Liberty die under the act of 4 July 36 and 3 March '37 the proof as to the date of the marriage is not satisfactory either as to the grade or amount adduced - The allegation at this late day of a "Wart's man" in the midst of his engagement, having married while in the service will not be admitted unless sustained by a high grade of evidence.
Silas Hitchcock Cheshire Con:

Rev: Mr. July 2. '81
(Sir)
I have the honor to inform you that the certificate of the Comptroller in the case of Lucy (Miss) enclosed with yours of 20 th ult has been examined & filed with the other papers - It shews that her first husband Sharp Liberty was in service to 1 Jany '81 under his enlistment for the war, but the return of the war's men who fulfilled their engagements in the Connecticut Line marked upon the discharge  for bounty & and  list of the army and the list of war's men who rec d the gratuity of 80 $ at the time of disbandment in June '83 do not bear his name and is conclusive that he did not serve to the conclusion of the war in fulfilment of his enlistment as stated in mine of 7 th ult - The proof of the date of the marriage is still liable to the objections heretofore communicated
Yours Sinc ly A Foot Cheshire Con.

Rev. Mr. H. Jany 14. '41
Sir
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr. Hitchcock respecting the case of Mrs. Lucy Mix and to fulfil its object by forwarding herewith a copy of my letter to Gov. Root of the 7. inst.
For W. W. Boardman A.R.

Pen. Off July 13.
41
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence in the case of Lucy Mix who claims for the services of her first husband Sharp Liberty has been examined & filed with the other papers. They are not sufficient to remove the objections heretofore communicated to Mr. Hitchcock Hon. W. H. Boardman & yourself.
If he served under the obligations of his enlistment for the war to the pacification, his name would necessarily be found on the returns for bounty land and on the list of those who received the gratuity of 80 $ - It would also appear on the final settlement certificates - It is not borne on either which is deemed conclusive that he did not serve as a Soldier under military obligations to the end of the war - At what time he left the ranks under a discharge from his enlistment for the purpose of other employment in the army or in civil life does not appear from the records - and the testimony as to the marriage does not fix the date with the requisite also in doubt. certainly  Hon. Sam l A. Foote Chesire Conn.

I Joseph Trivett of Meriden New Haven County and State of Connecticut a Revolutionary Pensioner aged Seventy-Seven, testify and say that for a long time I was well acquainted with Sharp Liberty and Lucy his wife, they occupied a part of the same house with myself, had one child born while living in the house with me, that I always believed that they were legally married and never heard any person suggest any thing to the contrary.
Sworn and subscribed this 9 th day of January A. D. 1839 Joseph Trivett
Before me
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire

Comptroller Office
Hartford Dec 19 1838
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Shadrach Liberty I have examined the records of settlements made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army and find his name in a settlement made with the 8th Connecticut Regiment Return I M aj Genl Col. before 1780 where he is entered as a private in a Connecticut Battery March 3 1778 Time of enlistment July 1 1780 Making 1.9.28. again Same Regiment where he is entered as a private in a Connecticut Battery July 1 1780 Time of discharge July 1 1781 Making 12 Months.
Henry Wilbourn Compt r

State of Connecticut Middletown Jan'y. 9. 1839. John Park of lawful age depose & say that I now am & for more than the forty years past have been the Town Clerk of the Town of Middletown & Register of Marriages &c. that I have carefully examined the Records & cannot find any Record of the Marriage of Asaph Liberty to Lucy Sires & further the Deponent saith not. J. Park
Subscribed and sworn this 9 th day of January 1839
Before me,
Stillman K. Wightman Justice of the Peace.
State of Connecticut I John Park Clerk of the County Middletown County Court of P. County of Middlesex do Certify that Stillman K. Wightman Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex as per Commission on file in my Office & that his name subscribed to the preceding Certificate is his proper Hand Writing & signature. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 9 th day of Jan'y 1839. J. Park Clk.

Cheshire (Conn), Feby 8 th 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
Herewith I send you the application of Lucy Mix for a pension. Any communication which may be necessary on account of this application may be made to me or to the Hon. Samuel A. Foot of this place.
The applicant is dependent upon the cold charities of the world for a sup- -port, and would feel much obliged for an early attention to her application.
Has the application of Susanna Durand of this place for a pension been received
Very Respectfully
Silas Hitchcock

Jan 12. 1824
OL
Lucy M c
D. L. Edwards Esq Com te Pension Washington D. C.
H. H. Boardman
H.R.

Washington D.C. 11. Jan'y. 1841
D r . Sir
Will you be kind enough to read the enclosed letter from Mr. Hitchcock, and when the letter alluded to from Gov t . Foot shall have been rec d ? I was obliged, to favour me with the answer requested in the letter of Mr. H. - Please also to return Mr. Hitchcock's letter.
Respectfully your friend
Edw d W. Boardman
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com te of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Cheshire 20 th Jan y 1841
Sir
I enclose a Certificate from the Compt. proving service, after the time of her (Lucy's) marriage to Sharp Liberty. In yours of 7 th Dec r it is said, "It is certain, he did not serve and "his enlistment" there is surely strong evidence that he did serve "during the war", for he obtained manumission for service during the war , under the laws of the State — & the fact that he did so serve, was never questioned here —
The fact that the Compt ble Books show no payments to him after 1781 does not militate against this: for there is a man now living here, who states that, being an excellent teamster, "he was detached for that service — this was not his fault: he was still a soldier — and what time he was so employed he cannot tell — but if he was detached for that service after Jan y 1781, the payment would not be in the Comptroller's Books — On the subject of this claim, I can have no hesitation, & hope the poor old woman may have her just Rights — she is not a Town Pauper. } Respectfully yours Sam l St. Ladd

Comptroller Office
Hartford July 15 1841
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Sharp Liberty - who claims Service in the War of the Revolution in the Connecticut Line Col. Meigs Regiment, and through the War commencing March 1778 - that I have examined the Records of Settlements made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army and find his name in a "Settlement with the 6th Connecticut Regiment Return J. Meigs Esq. Col. before July 1780 where he is entered as a private and commenced Service March 3rd 1778 Time of Settlement July 11 1780 having served 1.9.28 again in the same Regiment. Commenced Service July 1 1780. Time of Settlement July 11 1780 having served One Year, from March 3 1778 to July 11 1780 - 2.9.28 from July 1 1780 to July 11 1780 1.0.2 0.9.28
Henry Wilson Compt.

I Stephen Parker of Cheshire New Haven County and State of Connecticut a Revolution- ary Pensioner of the United States aged eighty-one years, testify and say
That I was well acquainted with Sharp Liberty from my childhood, that he was in the war of the Revolution, a part of the time in the regular army, and towards the close of said war, being a first rate teamster he was detached from the regular line and ordered into the team service, in which situation he continued until the close of said war, and that he was emancipated in consequence of serving from the time of his enlistment to the end of said war, agreeable to the contract enter- ed into at the time of his enlistment -
And I further say that the said Sharp Liberty was in the service of the United States after his marriage with Lucy his wife, and that they were married as I nearly believe in the year 1780
Stephen Parker
Sworn and subscribed this 5 th day of February 1848
Before me
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire

I Joseph Swift of Meriden, Litchfield County and State of Connecticut a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States aged Seventy-nine years, testify & say
That I was acquainted with Sharp Liberty from my Youth, That if he was ever married to Lucy his wife (of which I have no doubt) he must have been married before the close of the Revolu- tionary war
Joseph Swift
Sworn and subscribed this 5 th day of February 1841
Before me
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire
I hereby certify that for many years I have been personally acquainted with Stephen Parker signer of one of the foregoing depositions and that he is a credible person, And also that I have been personally acquainted with Joseph Swift, The signer of the above deposition, for a few years past and that he also is a credible person
Silas Hitchcock Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire

I Burrage Beach, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Cheshire, in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Silas Hitchcock is the Judge of said court, and that his name subscribed to the foregoing certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6 th day of February A. D. 1841—
Burrage Beach

John Quincy Adams 1767-1848 John C. Calhoun 1782-1850 Henry Clay 1777-1852
L. Edwards Esq. Commr te of Pensions Washington City

Cheshire 12 th Jan y 1841
Sir
The judge of Probate for this District has showed me a letter from you to Mr Boardman M.C. in which you state that the evidence of marriage of Lucy Dix's marriage to Sharp Liberty , a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army, is not sufficient. There is not a shadow of doubt of her having been lawfully married, among the inhabitants of this place - Lucy lived in the family of my Father in law, at the time of the infancy of her eldest child, of the same age of my Wife & was often rocked in the same cradle. As I have often heard my wife's Mother in her life time declare, she knew both Sharp & Lucy well, & as her Father was a Magistrate in those Puritan times, they could not have been permitted to live together unless lawfully Man & Wife - In those days many Ministers kept no records of Marriages; from examining the papers, I am satisfied, the best evidence of which the case admits, has been furnished, & the Law never requires indisputables - Lucy is very aged & ready, & is of respectable character, & her statement would not be questioned by her acquaintance.
Zenos Root
Samt A Root