Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6477, for Joshua Lovell, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conni
Lovell, Joshua
R 6477
CONTENTS

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield G. Probate District of Sharon.
At a Court of Probate held at Salisbury within and for the District of Sharon on the 6 th day of September A 1832. Present.
Samuel Church Esq. Judge.
On this 6 th day of September A 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon now sitting Joshua Lovell a resident of the town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut aged Seventy 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 bankruptcy passed June 7. 1832.
Denies the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born in Amenia in the County of Dutchess & State of New York on the 7 th day of September 1752. I have my father's record of the time of my birth in my family bible. When I entered the service I was living in the said town of Sharon, and I have resided there ever since

the War of the Revolution, and I reside there now. I enlisted in the month of October 1776 into a company of teamsters commanded by my father John Lovell. I first marched to Peekskill on the Hudson River and was employed for some time in drawing timber & boards for the erection of barracks; we also went to North Castle to bring tents and other camp equipage for the Army to Peekskill; from Peekskill we crossed the Hudson River at Ver Plank's point and went into New Jersey to Elizabeth town, and was enga- ged in transporting military stores; from there we went to Morristown, where we remained some time in transporting shauling wood &c for a Brigade of Massachusetts troops, in which Brigade Colonel Vose had a command. We got the baggage of that Brigade to Peekskill, and at Peekskill we were discharged  on the about the first day of February 1777 and served for the term of three months.
About the 1 st of July or perhaps in June 1777 I entered as a substitute for my father John Lovell, into a company of Connecticut troops or Militia commanded by Capt. John Pennoyer of said Sharon, Lieut John Pierce of Cornwall Ensign Benjamin Conklin of said Sharon, all in the County of Litchfield. My father was drafted; I was not old enough to be drafted but the Captain agreed to receive me as a substitute for my father. We marched from Sharon, to near the City of

Albany, on the east side of the Hudson River we were employed to watch and guard against the Tories. We did not join any regiments that I know of, tho' I recollect Major Gay had a command and it was by his order that our Company were detached on the duty aforesaid. I was in this line when Brimsfield's Army came on and at the time of the Hubbardston  Bunkerhill Battle. I served at this time about a month or six weeks.
In July 1780 I was drafted into a Company of Continental troops or Militia commanded by Capt. Bradley of Littlefield, Lieut. Gaylord of Norfolk, and Ensign Dule as I think, we were attached to Regiment commanded by Col. Baker of Littlefield, I was drafted for two months service as a private. We marched to Horse neck (now Greenwich), we were employed in keeping guard on the coast & in scouting & foraging parties. Colonel Wells Regiment was also there at the same time, Col Wells belonged to the eastern side of Connecticut River. There were no Continental Army troops with us that I know of, tho' I said Major, now Colonel Benjamin Sallman of Littlefield there some part of the time. I received a mullen discharge at Horse neck, which I gave to my

father on my return home I have never seen it since, beside this I have never received a written discharge. I served two months in my last mentioned tour of Service. I was in no battle at any time. I don't know documentary skirmish with the Tories or Coos boys as they were called, near the town of Rye in the State of New York, and received some cattle & sheep from them. I have no documentary evidence by which to prove any term of service, nor do I know of any person now liv- ing whose testimony I can procure, by whom my services or any of them can be proved, except Nathaniel Hunton & Lois Sears whose affidavits are hereto annexed. I am known to Hon John Collins Smith Hon Abel Sterling, Hon Charles F. Hovey, Hon Rev. David L. Perry, Rev. George B. Andrews, Hon Shurman and many others in my neighborhood, who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution herein. Also I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity at the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State for a pension.
for a pension
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Church Judge of Probate

At the same time, I personally appeared Lois Sears of said Sharon before this court, and having been by this court duly sworn concerning the said oath on her oath aforesaid, depose and say, that the said Joshua Lovee who has subscribed the foregoing declaration is my brother, and I recollect the said Joshua went with my father John Lovee with the continental teams, to Hudson River & into the Jerseys, and was absent in that service for three months, as I have always understood and verily believe.
And I also recollect very clearly that the said Joshua was drafted into the army and was called away into service at Horse neck as he has in his declaration alleged, and that he was absent two months on this tour of service.
Lois Sears
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Samuel Church Judge of Probate
Litchfield County p. State of Connecticut July 29. 1833.
I Samuel Church late Judge of Probate for the District of Sharon & now holder of the Peace within the said County do certify that Nathaniel Hunter & Lois Sears whose affidavits are hereto annexed are known to me and they now are & when said affidavits were sworn to & subscribed were credible witnesses & their statements entitled to full belief & credit, and a certificate of this fact in the foregoing accompanying papers was by me omitted by mistake
Samuel Church

At the same Court personally appeared in open Court Nathaniel Hunter of said Sharon, who having been by this Court duly sworn according to law, on his oath aforesaid doth depose & say, that I have been acquainted with Capt. Joshua Lovell for many years who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, and I was drafted into a company in the army of the Revolution of Connecticut Militia or troops commanded by Col. John Pennycuick of said Sharon, and served for five or six weeks in guarding & watching tories on the east side of the Hudson River near Albany; at the same time Joshua Lovell aforesaid was a member of said company & served with us during said term of service as he in his said decla- ration has alleged.
Nathaniel his Hunter mark Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sassacus Church June 1 st Probato.

8988
Joshua Lovell Connecticut 6477
Return p.
The applicant requests that returns may be di- -rected to him directly , through the Post Office at Sharon Ct.
Abijah Put. Clk. Salisbury Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
14th June 1883
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 subjunct 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. These 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, showing the Service of Joshua Lord  Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Octob 1776 " 3 Hamster Commander Lovell Col (Rose) had a skirmish Peacham 70 years   Feb. 1777 about 1 15 privt Capt. Pennock Maj. Genl. M c Henry with the Forces North Castle Town of Sharon traditional   Mar. 1780 " 2 Brady Col Beebe Moorhouse Connecticut hundred   Stony Point 3 witnesses   Witnesses not   Certified to be   credible  
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) _____ 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 day 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 he 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 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 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.
The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
29. June 1833.
SIR :
I return herewith the papers in support of the claims of the persons whose names are  this hereto annexed.
These papers are in several respects defective. Each case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions.
Particular attention should be paid to the accompanying regulations and to the explanatory notes subjoined to the brief.
The extraordinary press of business in this office, arising from the great number of claims under the act of June 7, 1832, has hitherto prevented us from attending to the applications sent by you. The investigation of the cases presented under this law has been difficult and laborious, and notwithstanding the greatest exertions have been made by this Department, an earlier attention to your business has been found impracticable.
The brief has been prepared to meet all cases, and thus to save the excessive labor which would otherwise be imposed upon the office, and which would consume so much time as to render the delay two fold greater than it now is in the investigation of claims and writing letters. Each case is considered correct in all respects except in relation to those questions to which a negative answer is affixed. No other alteration or addition will be required.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. Edwards
Abijah Root Esq. Salisbury. Connecticut.
Plained. Joshua Lovell.

8988 John Good
1. " La a kentsun.
1. " 2

We David L. Perry as Clergymen residing in the town of Sharon and John Cotton Smith residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Lovee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion; and we consider him to be a person of truth and veracity.
David L. Perry John Cotton Smith
Known to and subscribed this 28 th day of September A.D. 1832 Before me.
Chas. F. Sedgwick Justice of the Peace
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 soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that the Rev. David L. Perry who has signed the preceding cer-

testificate is a Clergyman resident in the said town of Sharon and that Hon John Cotton Smith late Governor of the State of Connecticut who has also signed the same is also a Res- ident of the same town and is a credible person 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 said court in the matter of the application of Joshua Lovee for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office at the Probate Office in Salisbury this 8. day of September 1832.
Abijah C. Peet Clerk
8988 Joshua Lovee

On this 30 th day of July A D 1833. personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon now sitting at Canaan aforesaid. Asahel a resident of Sharon in said district. who has hitherto made a declaration for a pension before said Court. & on the 6 th day of September A D 1832. and produced before this Court. Said original declaration with an additional certificate by Samuel Church Esq late Judge of Probate for said district. and which said original declaration is hereto prefixed. And this Court doth certify that Nathaniel Hunter and Lois Sears whose names are subscribed to said depositions. connected with said original declaration. are persons of fair char- acter. and credible witnesses. And this Court doth further certify that Chas. F. Sedgwick Esq. was on the 8 th day of September A D 1832. and still is a justice of the Peace for the said County of Litchfield and that this signature to the certificate upon the deposition of David S. Perry and Hon d John Cotton Smith. purpor- ting to be his is genuine. and that full faith and credit is to be given thereto. And this Court doth further certify that the certificate upon said original

dated July 29 th 1833 declaration, and the signature thereto is in the proper hand writing of the First Baptist Church, and that said Baptist Church was the late Judge of Probate for said district of Sharon, and is now a justice of the Peace for said dist- -rict County, and a Judge of the Supreme Court of the state of Connecticut
By the Court. Wm P. Durnall Clerk
I William P Durnall Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the supplementary application of Joshua Lovell for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 30 th day of July - 1833
Wm P Durnall Clerk

6477
P. O. _____
Joshua Dorell
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .