Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28785, for Charles Laflen, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Laflen, Charles
S. 28785
CONTENTS

31,974 New York
Charles Trafton, of Lincoln, in the State of Maine (N. Canada), who was a private in the Comp't commanded by Captain Morton of the Reg't commanded by Genl. Walbridge in the Connecticut line for State Troops, 8 months
Reported in Lib to Mrs Mary Shokely, Aug 16 1823
Inscribed on the Roll of New York, Albany at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of August 1822 and sent to Leonard Clarvin Esqr. Buffalo. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '22 293.26 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept: 13.33 306.59
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Theo. Smoody Clerk, Book E. 2 Vol. 14, Page 42

In the matter of the application of Charles Saflen a Revolutionary soldier for a pension —
No 35.360
Charles Saflen of Canada NY.
LeGrand Hoag Marvin of Buffalo. his solicitors
att. 7. June '32
Papers herewith: —
 1. Declaration of Charles Saflen  2. affit. of David Atwood  3. " " M c Farling Wilson  4. " " Ezra Durkee  5. " " LeGrand Marvin  6. " " James E. Scott (attached to Marvin's affit. his room no 5)  7. " " Henry A. Benjamin 
admo
8 mo fri
$26 66
Capt. Moulton Genl Waterbury of Connecticut State Ins.
LeGrand Marvin Buffalo NY
LeGrand Hoag Marvin of Buffalo NY

In the application of Charles Laflin for a pension -
Statement of the claims for two pensions. -
The pension claimed is two fold - 1 st As a soldier 8 months from in June or July 1781. at Housatuck - near Long Island Sound - in Captain W m Moulton's Company - under a com- mander known as General Watbury
This claim for 8 months service - entitled him (Laflin) to 1-3 d pension - (8 months being 1-3 d of 24 months) of a soldier's pension in the Connecticut line. This pro- vision abundantly appears from
1 st declaration herewith of Charles Laflin -
2 d Affidavit " " David Arnon -
It is believed it will also appear from the rolls of the pension Office. -
2. The other claim arises from a breakage of the right arm at the elbow, while in the service of the United States - and which has ever incapacitated him from laboring for his support - impelled him to a pursuit - of even flattery, but rarely realized, com- petency, - a nursery business. Hence the lame-broken arm, - has caused perpetual poverty, - its consequent deprivation. It is now just that that nation, in whose service, he was disabled, should favor the declining years of the veteran. -
The proof of the time of injury & its manner not so definite as I would desire - still as definite as most like facts of so ancient occurrence - and are herein contained in
1 st - The declaration of the veteran soldier - himself which contains a brief narration of his life -
2 d - The affidavit of an early companion, David Arnon, who testifies to his examining the arm of Laflin on his return from an 8 months service in the Revolu- tionary Army - found the report of Laflin's arm being broken in a skirmish, was true -
3 d The affidavit of Doctor Benjamin as to

Injury to Laflin's right arm.— 4 th the unsworn affidavit of Doctor Scott—being Schedule "A" attached to Deane & Marvin's affidavit 5 th the affidavits of Wilson Starham & Simon B. Ben- jamin—Marvin—showing the identity & credibility of Laflin—& the continued disability of Laflin in his right arm—& with the affidavit or declaration of La- flin, tending to show a very clear case.—
In this claim for a pension by reason of the wound to the right arm—we desired the affidavit of the Surgeon Huff—who, at Horseneck attended upon the Soldier (Laflin)—was Surgeon of that Post. After many attempts, we despair of ever hearing of the Huffs whereabouts—if living.—
The Pension Office should, we think, have some sick list of the post at Horseneck in the fall of 1781—topso—the name of Charles Laflin must be on it.—Still we maintain, our proof herewith is quite strong—renders every thing credible as in Laflin's declaration. The time (night) & the nature of the injury, will be impossible , probably, to prove. Hence if we give the highest proof in existence to be had—& the atten- dant circumstances as detailed in David Marvin's affidavit—combine to render it morally certain —& thesequent affidavits of continued effects of the injury make the declared cause credible, I see no cause for withholding the full pension for the wound.—
The residence of Laflin—(the applicant for the pension) without the United States—has been decided, does not affect the right to the pension.—
The filing of these papers will show the papers herewith,—we trust to have an early reply to what we are entitled;—to wit, on full request herein granted.—

State of New York
Enie County ss: on this 15 th day December A D 1841: before me the undersigned Horatio J. Stow
Recorder of Buffalo personally appeared Charles Saflen a resident of the township of Stam- ford in the County of Lincoln, and Province of Upper Canada — aged seventy seven years, who 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 con- gress passed July 7, 1832 — and by the sundry acts for the benefit of invalid soldiers in the revo- lutionary war & of soldiers disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war — I was born, as I ever understood from my parents John & Susannah Saflen & believed, in the Town of Union, in the County of Windham — now Coun- ty of Tolland and State of Connecticut on August 14. 1763, — continued to reside in the said Town of Union — until the Month of June or July 1781 & which I do not now distinctly recollect — when I enlis- ted for the term of eight months in to the revolu- tionary army — into, as I then understood & believed, the Connecticut State line — I was, when I so enlisted in said Town of Union — & my enlistment was into the Company of Captain William Moulton who resided in the Town of Windham in said County of Windham — I further say that shortly, not over, about two weeks, after so enlisting I marched with others, in the same Company — via Hartford and New Haven — directly to Horse Neck on Long Island Sound — when I and my Company took quarter in an encampment within a redoubt — under the commander who was known as General Wat- erbury: — I continued at such encampment in said Company in the Continental Service till the expiration of my full term of service of eight months, to wit, till March A D 1782 — While so en- camped at Horse Neck, one very dark night, Early in the winter, when the Earth was covered with conge- lated sleet, alarm was given — & a sudden call to arms — & a hasting to form without the redoubt, I with others rushed out of the gate of the redoubt

side - because of the pain in the elbow of the right arm - & at the place whereat was the said injury - that the tendons on the inner & outer surface of the bone of this Elbow have ever since said injury been so contracted and the bone so closed, as that I have never been able to move the joint of my Elbow, so that my hand should pass up the distance of a foot - that the position of the arm has ever since that injury been about the position of the arm in the sling - That I have never since that injury been able to bring nor  ever since said injury - have brought my right hand to any part of my head - nor within about  the inches of my head, & have at no time been able to feed myself with my right hand - that I have never since said injury been able to do a day's work though I have often attempted to do it, - but by the attempts to take food for a few hours  the of the day such has been the pain from my right arm Elbow as that I was compelled to desist from all labor for the time being.
I further say that in or about A D 1786 I went from said Town of Union to South Herd in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont to my youngest brother: Mathew Lapham who resided there at South Herd - but if now living resides in Union somewhere in the state of Pennsylvania as I was informed by said David Amos. with  At home I made, was all my property when I so went from said Town of Union & with this horse, valued at thirty dollars I bought at South Herd Land at sixpence per acre, Not being able to labor I became one of two superintendents of Col Ebenezer Allen (a Colonel in the revolutionary Army) in transporting lumber down Lake Champlain & River Sorel to Quebec in Lower Canada. I continued such superintendent in rafting lumber some four years - when I bought lumber & rafted for myself one year in or about A D 1793 - when a war breaking out between England & France - prevented English lumber ships coming into the River St Lawrence - and compelled me to sell my rafts for half the usual price in Quebec - to Prince Edward the father of the present Queen of England - others, that season, lost their rafts or parted with them.

for a nominal sum - I further say I further say that having sold my land to pay my losses in this years rafting for myself, I staid about two years more in said South Bend, then went back to said Town of Union, staid there a short time & then returned to the state of Vermont to the County of Franklin and Town of Georgia, where were then living my three brothers, Samuel, Abram & James, the last two of whom have since died - the last at Pery in the state of New York - said Samuel now resides if living in said Georgia - He was seven years older than myself applicant & was in the revolutionary army one year an more - but not at the same place I was -
I further say that after doing light work for my brothers in said Georgia some few months, I went to Charleston in the state of New Hampshire where I continued about one year - and there, having collected a goodly number apple seeds, I went in or about 1788 to Manlius Square in the Town of Manlius in the County of Onondaga & state of New York - where I planted a nursery and then at Pompey - and then at Fabius & a fourth at Onondaga Hollow, all in said County of Onondaga. All the nurseries on leased land - I had every prospect of soon gaining a competency to support myself - that in some few years, the titles to the land of the nurseries failed I sold the nurseries & I again sought a new place wherein to cultivate a nursery - & in 1816 came to Buffalo in the state of New York, planted apple seeds - which grew well for one season & then the sprouts were destroyed by the frost - Having thus lost all, I went to the Province of Upper Canada to gather apple seeds - Having gone to near Drummondville aforesaid about twenty two miles from Buffalo, where finding board cheaper than in the state of New York & apple trees full as high I stopped there - without any in Buffalo at the time of a permanent residence there - I have there continued till the present time - that I succeeded somewhat in raising nurseries till the last war between England & the United States - when the British soldiers burned the fences around my nursery, & thereby caused its

destruction that on the breaking out of the last war I was desirous of coming over to the United States side of the Niagara River but could not get of Colonel Clark the British commander in those parts permission so to do - I refused to take up arms on the side of the British though often threatened by some officers if I would not, I was told I would be sent across the River, meaning to the United States, which was just what I desired - I refused to take the oath of allegiance to the British King & finally was, with others from the United States, required to give our individual bonds that we would not take up arms against the British - & we remained there till the end of the war -
I further say I never have nor never intended taking the oath of allegiance to the British King, - nor to expatriate myself from my being a citizen, as I now claim to be, of the United States of America - that my intention in going to Canada was for a temporary improvement in my Business that was necessitated by my said injury to ever restrict myself from hard labor - for that reason took up the Nursery Business - & grafting & raising Orchards which Business during my bodily ability - afforded me a living for the time being, with always a flattering prospect of some thing more in the future, but a prospect never realized - This Business too requiring my going about constantly & my constant attention & a bare support & all occasioned by said wound & injury while in the service of my country at Horse Neck as aforesaid, I have never thought it prudent to have a family & have never therefor been married - I further say that some years ago when I began to be so infirm by age as well as said disability to use my right arm - I thought I would apply to the Government of the

United States for a Pension - but was discouraged for for the time being by being told that my staying in Canada precluded me from getting the pension -
2. further say my staying in Canada was then in a meas- ure necessitated since I had no acquaintance or friends in the United States capable or willing to support me & I have thence continued as a necessity in Canada -
3. further say that had I friends willing to support me or relatives in the United States, able & willing to support me or means of my own, my desire would be to continue in the United States - that I am attached to the free principles of the Government of the United States - I have ever spoken favourably of them & as preferable to any kind of family or aristocratical power
Sworn to before me - } the day & year first } above written - } before me the undersigned }
H. F. Stow
Recorder
Charles Lapham

State of New York Monroe County ss.
David Armour being duly sworn deposeth and says that he now resides in the Town of Pittsford in Monroe County and State of New York - that he is in his Eightieth year of his age - and that he well knows Charles Lofgren - first became acquainted with him in the Town of Union, in the County of Windham and in the State of Connecticut. They were small school- boys together, went to school in that Town and brought up together -
This deponent upon his oath of office, saith that he knows the said Lofgren enlisted in the year 1781, into the service of the United States, as a private soldier of the Army of the Revolution, under Capt. William Moulton in General Waterbury's Command, and served for Eight months, the term of his enlistment, and then returned home -
And this deponent upon his oath further says, that he recollects of hearing the report, while the said Lofgren was absent in the Army as aforesaid, that the said Lofgren in a skirmish had his right arm broken and when he returned to the said Town of Union, he, this deponent examined his arm and found the report was true, that his arm was then, as it is now stiff and useless, not being well set.
And this deponent upon his oath aforesaid, further says that from his knowledge of the said Charles Lofgren he believes him to be a man of truth and veracity, and is informed by the said Lofgren, that he resides in Upper Canada near Niagara Falls - and further this deponent saith not -
Subscribed and sworn to this 18 th day of July 1840 before me
David Armour
Alfred Jones, - Judge of Monroe County Court

State of New York
Mental county ss. I certify that Alfred Jones Esquire is a Judge of the county courts in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the within signature purporting to be his, is genuine. - Witness my hand and seal of office. This eighteenth day of July 1840.
Ephraim G. S. Clerk
This may certify that I am acquainted with the within document, David Brown, and believe his affidavit can be relied upon -
Alfred Jones
Rochester, July 18 th 1840.

State of New York Erie County ss;
In this 28 day of December A D 1840 before me the undersigned, personally appeared M c Farling Willson a resident of the City of Buffalo and State aforesaid aged 27 years - who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose & say I am a resident of the City of Buffalo in said County - I have been a resident of said City since the month of June A. D. 1835. - I am a Cabinet Maker by trade - and for the last four years have been car- rying on the business of said trade in said city - I was a native of Drummondsville, in the province of upper Canada - and have known Charles Laf- flin from my earliest recollection of any one beside the family of my parents - to wit at Managas about twenty years - & since I first knew said Lafflin - as early as in 1820 - up to A D 1835 - when I, for the first time, left said Drummondsville to reside abroad - frequently saw said Lafflin & was well acquainted with him & his business - that he had no busi- ness to my knowledge or information beside that of pruning & grafting or curing apple trees - & orch- ards - & sometimes teaching school in & near Drum- mondsville; - that I never knew of his having any property beforehand & believe he is poor - and some- what infirmed by age - and has for anything I have known, or heard maintained a good character; - I ever heard him spoken of as being an American and a citizen of the United States - & never suspected him of being otherwise than a citizen of the United States - I never heard of nor suspected said Lafflin had sworn allegiance to the King or Queen of Great Britain - & believe I should have heard of said Lafflin's so swear- ing - had he ever so sworn; - said Lafflin was fre- quently at my father's house in said Drummondsville - before I left home - & I have known him well & all about him - that the elderly man I have to day seen in the Law office of Lehman & George L. Mahon in the City of Buffalo is the Charles Lafflin referred to in this my deposition - 'tis worthy of full faith as a witness credible as is also Ezra Graham of said Drummondsville -
Sworn to & subscribed on the day first above written - by M c Farling Willson - Erie Co NY J. W. M c L v ers Notary Public

State of New York
Erin County ss:
On December 14. A.D. 1840- before me the undersigned personally appeared Ezra Durham- a resident of Brummondville, in the Province of Upper Canada - aged 34 years - who being duly sworn deponeth that - I am a resident & was a native of said Brummondville - I have always resided there - I have known Charles Lafleur since my earliest recollection of any one - out of my father's family - that I have not known of said Lafleur is being engaged in other business than that of grafting of trees - & trimming of nurseries for orchards, & teacher of schools - Since I first knew him - that I have often heard he was wounded in his arm while on duty in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War Healing from the injury - defect - & deformity of said Lafleur's right arm - & from the representations of said Lafleur - which I fully believe can be relied on - I fully believe said Lafleur was so wounded - that I have on this day December 14 th 1840 - seen the said Lafleur in the law office of LeGrand & Scott, Mason in the City of Buffalo: - that I
Sworn & subscribed this day before me William L. Lawrence Notary Public Erin County County
always understood & believed said Lafleur was a citizen of the United States - a native of the Province of Massachusetts. Ezra Durham

State of New York
On this 3 rd day of June A.D. 1842 before me the undersigned - came Leonard Mearns of the City of Buffalo in said County, Counselor at Law of the Law firm Leonard & Second Mearns of said City - aged thirty three years and upwards, who being first duly affirmed according to Law, doth on his affirmation - depose and say - I am acquainted with Charles Laflin, who is an applicant for a pension from the United States.
I first heard of him about January 1840 - when my Law partner informed me that Ezra Dushman had been to confer with us as to whether said Laflin was entitled to a pension from the United States. I then had just returned from a professional absence to the east - attending Courts. - Once or more times, on my return from absences on professional business, I was informed of such visit to our office for consultation - but it was not till December 1840 - that I recollect to have ever seen the said Dushman or the said Laflin; - In the month of December A.D. 1840 - said Laflin by previous appointment came to the City of Buffalo - Several reputable physicians were called upon to examine him - to wit Moses Bristol - over forty years of age - Henry L. Benjamin over thirty years of age - and James E. Scott. - After a conference of the said physicians with said Laflin - and a personal & thorough examination - and some deliberate reflection - I took from them their own notes of their several conclusions - with them threw them into writing - Subsequently drafted these notes into the form of affidavits - waited personally upon each of the said physicians - with such drafted affidavits - and the full approval of each of said physicians & surgeons

was received from them severally as the facts as stated in each of said affidavits - Of the time of the original injury done to the arm of said Laflin - the said physi- cians agreed that it must have been done at an early date in his (Laflin's) life - also as to the result of the injury, the said physicians & Surgeons severally expressed an opinion that the same was remediless: - Having drawn out in due form said affidavits - I handed the two affidavits approved of severally by said Moses Bristol & Henry R. Benjamin min to Frederick R. Stevens, - a judge of the said Erie County Courts, - counsellor at law - &c, - to wait upon said Bristol & Benjamin - and administer the requi- site oaths. - I frequently saw said Stevens - he informed me at divers times he had not taken said Benjamin's affidavit or his (Benjamin's) oath to it. - but had taken the oath, I think of said Bristol to the affidavit drawn up for him. I repeatedly urged said Stevens to endeavor to get at said Benjamin to administer the oath to him, till finally I was called out of town on a long absence on professional business, - and when I returned I called on said Stevens. He had not seen said Benjamin so as to take his oath, - I had mis- laid the affidavits of said Bristol and Benjamin - but thought he could find them among his papers. Thus was from one of my repeated - frequent - &c. continued absences from Buffalo in the year 1841. - until an other such absence was I deferred - till I thought to draw new affidavits for said Bristol & Benjamin. Said Judge Stevens ever after misplacing or losing said affidavits - represented to me

that he carried them along time in his hat-till they were soiled - He took them out or lost them out - though he thought he took them out - but has no recollection what he did with them: -
I further say that having abandoned all hope of recovering said affidavits I looked for the original notes - & not finding them concluded they were destroyed as is my custom - unless, I put them in the papers in the matter therewith connected. - Having thus become deprived of the affidavits & of the original notes - I appealed or thought to again appeal to the recollection of said Benjamin for the facts - but on going to his office learned he was gone to New-York on matters connected with his professional business - but was expected back in some six weeks. - This according to my present recollection was early in the last fall. - I therefore deferred to his return for further enquiries - & continued to go with weekly to his office from the time of his expected return - till after his actual return last month; - When short history he informed professional circumstances required his attention in Boston & in other places and cities east so that his absence was greatly protracted. - Yesterday - to wit - June 2 d 1842 - was the first time I met said Benjamin since his return, which was but a very few days since. His (Benjamin's) affidavit hereto annexed discloses his non recollection of the detail of his examinations of said Laflin. said Bristol had no prior acquaintance with said Laflin. - Therefore his recollection would not be of any distinctness - & is not therefore taken at all -
I further say that at the time - I heard said Brown said blank or new worn

affidavits of said Bristol and Benjamin - I retained the drafted affidavit of said Scott - that when said Stevens should return the affidavits of said Bristol & Benjamin he might administer the oath to said Scott whose office was in the same Hall with my own office law practice - but said loss of said Bristol & said Benjamin said affidavits - was the cause of defer- ring taking the oath of said Scott till time after said Scott - had left the City of Buffalo - & is now attending to his pro- fession under the patronage or rather the request of his father, who is understood to be an officer of some considerable rank in the British Army department in Canada. The paper hereto annexed, is the original marked schedule of said Scott's said affidavit as corrected by himself or at his suggestion. - and which he approved of, to which - and I understood from him he would take make oath.
I further say I have at divers times attempted to get other affidavits of persons known to said Laflin in his younger days as he stated - but owing to the paucity of funds - & the death or absence of the individuals written to; no replies have as yet been obtained and no information is, as yet, obtained of the physician or surgeon who at the time of the injury to said Laflin - attended upon him. - I further say I believe the facts stated in the declaration of said Laflin to be worthy of credit.
Affirmed June 3rd 1842 -
Ebenezer D. Mason
to wit on the day & year first above written - he said and hearing to me known - & who is worthy of credit - whose statements are worthy of being relied upon N. H. Hall
First Judge of Erie County.

Schedule A referred to in the annexed affidavit of Dr. Grandison
State of New York
in said County I James Q. Scott of the city of Buffalo in said County - Physician & Surgeon - late (about two years since) of the Middlesex hospital in London, England, aged 37 years, being duly Sworn - deposes & says that on the 14 day of December instant at the office of Le Grand & Geo S. Marvin in said city - I examined particularly & critically, the right arm of an aged man of perhaps 80 years of age from appearances, & found the same in an obviously deformed position in its different parts: - the lower 3 fingers of the right hand were nigh useless from the tension of the muscles - & the first or index finger was not capable of a nat- ural movement from the same cause - the elbow continuing as an axis, the hand could not, owing to the tension of the inner & outer mus- cles pass through a distant of one foot; - the right hand could not be brought to the head - but the arm by inability of movement at the elbow joint remained in the position of an arm in a sling; the right arm could have been but little used by the patient - From a critical examina- tion of the whole arm hand & fingers -
I concluded in my own mind that there had been an oblique fracture of the elbow joint - & owing to a want of proper extension of the arm - adhesions have been formed & impaired the movement of the limb at the - at joint - I think the fracture may have been combined with dislocation of a bone (the ulna) in which case the fingers would be contracted by the action of one muscle alone -

State of New York
Erie County ss. On the 2 nd day of June A.D. 1842.
Before me the undersigned, personally appeared Henry A. Benjamin - a resident of the City of Buffalo in said County - aged thirty five years and upwards - who being by me duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is a physician & surgeon - and for the last six years and upwards has practised as such in said City - that for four years upwards from in A.D. 1825 - he was resident of the Province of Upper Canada - and resided in the location known as Lundy's Lane - near Innsmouthville in said Canada - while so a resident of Lundy's Lane - Charles Laflin - an aged man often came to my deponent's residence - He was by me deponent known to be engaged in the business of farming of Apple and other trees - from which he gained but a small sum whereby to support himself - that said Laflin was well known to depon- ent as an object of benevolence - was known in Canada as the United States Revolutionary Soldier - that from the age and appearance of said Charles Laflin - deponent fully believes the representations of said Laflin that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and attached to the Army of the United States - - Deponent further says that about one year or one and a half years ago - said Laflin was examined by me in said City - and an affidavit drawn up of my opinion of the injury to the arm of said Laflin and as deponent believes as signed the same in the presence of the Commissioner of said City - he was informed by said Commissioner that he would hand the Affidavit to some officer who would take the oath of deponent to the

same - but no one ever came to take said oath: - Deponent further says that he cannot now - from his recollec- tion detail the particulars of his then conclusion - but he well recollects his then impression that said Laflin's arm was permanently injured from what he believed a very old injury - and from such examination - from deponent's recollection of said Laflin in Canada - deponent believes the man- ner of said Laflin's injury as set forth in his application for a pension to be a manner of injury, which would under certain circumstances set forth in such application produce the re- sult of the permanent and great injury to the use of the arm as set forth in said application of said Laflin -  deponent further says that said Laflin so examined by him - he recollected as the Charles Laflin so known to deponent at Randolph Lane aforesaid when deponent so resided there -
Subscribed & sworn to on the day & year first above written by Henry L. Benjamin physician who is to me known who is worthy of creditation statements are worthy of being relied upon - H. K. Hall First Judge
Henry L. Benjamin
of Erie Co. Canals.
in the matter of the pension of Charles Laflin Revolutionary Soldier

State of New York
Erie County Clerk's Office
I Manly Colton Deputy Clerk of said County certify that Horatio S. Stone Recorder of the City of Buffalo, Nathan K. Hall First Judge of Erie County Court, and Judson P. Menner Judge of Erie County Court, were at the time of subscribing the several affidavits hereto annexed all residents of the City of Buffalo in said was duly appointed and acting as such officers. And further that I am well acquainted with their several hand writings and verify believe that the signatures affixed to the several affidavits are their genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of the said County this 18th day of June A.D. 1847
Manly Colton Dep. Clerk Erie Co.

LOUIS ELLSWORTH LAFLIN 64 WABASH AVENUE CHICAGO
November 24. 1900
D. T. Murphy, Com. Bureau of Pensions. Wash. DC.
Dear Sir:-
Referring to your letter of March 11 1897
L. N. B. I 40923 I 28785
Will you have the kindness to verify of(application for pension) CHARLES LAFLIN December 15. 1840
and "at which time he was 77 years of age"
From above data, Charles was born in 1763 and a rather promising lad to have served in the Revolutionary War. Your consideration will be highly appreciated by Yours Truly Louis Laflin

No 35.360
NY.
Sit to, Leland Martin ✓ June 15 1842
act 7. June 32

28785 Rev INVALID.
File No. 28785
Charles Lofgren
Rev Rev 1881
Act: June 7 th 1881
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 936
[Arrangement of 1870.]

March 11-1897 History to Mr. L. E. Loflin Chicago - Ills. (see Inv. 40.923)
Apr. 25-1900 - No above - date of birth & date of enlistment

June 13. 1842
My Dear Sir - Charles
Pension Office
John C. Spencer Secy of War - Washington D.C.

J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions— Sir.
Enclosed are papers in the application of Charles Saflin for a pension. 1- as a soldier in the Rev d Army to 1-3 d pension 5 2- as wounded in the service of the U. States—
This application has been long in prepara- tion— we hope it may receive your prompt atten- tion.
On the 1 st page will be found a brief of our claim. Endorsed the papers herewith.—
Very Respectfully—
Yr humble obed t serv t —
LeGrand H. Macaulin
pr LeGrand Macaulin
Supreme Court Room Albany June 9-1842 } of Buffalo—

Gideon Welles Comptroller &c - Hartford Ct 28 June '42 Recd 4 July 42 M.P.
M rs Miss. Dr. James M. [?] Agnes [?] Buffalo N.Y.

Comptroller's Office
Hartford 28 th Jan. 1842
This may certify that I find in "Harkell's Receipts", lodged in this office, under the head of "Sunday expenditures" for the service and expenses of Troop's Stationed at Greenwich for the defense of said state" Connecticut - the following items viz - "1782 March 22 d Capt William Moulton £1567: 2: 6 Specie".
There are also sundry payments under the same head, to Gen David Waterbury . -
Gideon Welles Comptroller

1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 Sir I send you the order of service rendered by Capt Wm Moulton, and also of Gen Waterbury at Horn Brook - Greenb. You do not mention the name of any other officer nor do you give me the Christian name of Capt Moulton. I think there can be no doubt known that it was William.
The fee in this case are two dollars - requiring considerable investigation, and this not always attended with success. You will please remit by mail. Very Respectfully Gideon Welles
P.S. Should the certificate not be sufficient proof I will search for further evidence on official and forward you if found without additional charge

Compt Pension (Drummondville, Aug 19 th 1843)
Dear Sir,
I beg leave to inform you that Charles Caston a Revolutionary Pensioner did make Consulate and Appoint me his Attorney and for him and in his name to ask for and receive from the Officer Duly Appointed to pay the same - whatever Sum or sums of Money that might have been granted to him for his Pension then in Arrears which said power is Dated March 15 th 1842 and whereas I am informed that there was a Considerable Amount granted to him - and I am at a loss where to apply to - so that I can receive the same - If you will have the goodness to inform me where the Money is - lodged - you will extremely Oblige me - & to whom I have to apply to - in Buffalo - if there is an Agent there the power is duly sworn - to before a Commission Appointed for taking Affidavits in N.Y. Court of Dillon Bench - and by so doing you will incur a favour - on a Widow whose circumstances in life are far from wealthy
Your W th Servt
Mary Hickle
Please direct to Mary Hickle Care of - W. E. Poulter (Drummondville. C.W.)

In application of Charles Saflin for a pension: ————— }
Buffalo 29 July 1842
P.S. We trust to receive a certificate for one third pension - to wit for 8 mo. the service - being 1-3 d of 24 mo. This is all our declaration can claim - since as your favor advised us there is no pension for wounded Revy- soldiers.
Sir. -
On reception of your favor of 15 th June ult. suggest- ing my communication with the Comptroller of Court. I at once, enclosed, to wit on 20 th June ult, your favor (with my Post Script) to him. - Within, you receive the result of that correspondence - to wit - the said Comptroller's 2 letters, covering each a certificate. We trust now the proofs of the service of 8 months by Charles Saflin is abundantly sufficient in the view of the Department, - indeed, I had hoped the papers in my respects to the Office of 9 th June were sufficient & would have corresponded with the records of the Pension Office List. - From your favor of 15 th ult. I infer the Pension Office has no list of the Connecticut line of the Revy. Army, that due regard to prudence required the Pension Com te to have all proper information from what of records there are, - of known records, the only deposit was with the Comptroller of Court, as you suggested. - The Comptroller's letters & certificates within correspond so far as they contain any information - precisely with the declaration in this application. - Hence our transmitted proof is fully confirmed. - Please favor us with an early reply to oblige very respectfully
Yr humble fdy
Hon. J. V. Edwards Pension Com te
Le Grand & Sealman J. Le Grand Mason

Certificate Letter of Gideon Welles: Comptroller of B.T. to Leland Mason — dated July 23 rd & 6 th 1842. Received at Buffalo July 29 th —
L. Mason, Harrietstown Buffalo N.Y. [Signature]

Comptroller's Office Hartford 23 d July 1842.
In addition to my certificate of the 2 d of June in the case of Charles Saffin, I would state that I have not been able to find any roll of Capt. Moulton's company in Watertown, Mass. nor have I found the name of Charles Saffin, on the muster rolls. At the session of the Legislature in November 1780, it was "ordained," that for the defense of the port of Horse Neck and other parts of this State, there be immediately raised five hundred men Seamen, five men "to be formed into six companies" "the whole to form one regiment", to serve till March 1782, unless sooner discharged. These recruits were ordered to be hired or enlisted in classes from each town, and the Gov. and Council of Safety were empowered to carry the order into effect. At the session in Febry following, 1781, it was directed that "the Regiment ordered in November last for the defense of Horse Neck &c, be divided into two battalions, each to be commanded by one Major" "the whole to be commanded by a Brigadier General" "Pay the same as in the Continental Army". The troops were ordered to be "raised by the towns, by voluntary enlistments, or in any other way which they judge best, which they are hereby fully authorized and empowered to do". In May 1781 "the Council of Safety are requested to forward necessary supplies to Genl. Waterbury's brigade" and the Governor is "requested to give the necessary orders for marching and quartering them to the port of Horse Neck as soon as possible, from those towns that have not already sent their quota". And at the same session, Additional troops are ordered to New Haven, Stock Rock &c on the Coast "the whole to be under the command of Genl. Waterbury, or the Commanding officer for the time being"

I have not been able to find, either in the "State Records," or the Records of the Council of Safety, the names of the officers detailed for these two battalions. It seems to have been left with the Council of Safety, but that records during the first half of the year 1781 are very incomplete. From the 30 th of April to the 2 nd of July there is no entry by the Secretary. On the 2 nd of July 1781 there is the following record, in his hand writing, preceding the regular proceedings. "After many meetings at Hartford no record will be recorded!"
Notwithstanding this hiatus, and the loss, probably forever, of the record of that service as made, there can be no doubt, of service as described by the applicant Larkin. It is to be found in the payment to Capt Moulton, mentioned in my former Certificate, in March 1782, when this service ends, and also in frequent payments to Gen Watrous during that period.
In addition to the payments mentioned in my former Certificate from Haskells receipts, I find the following amount of payments to Capt Moulton on the Books of the Pay Table in this office viz.
May 31 st 1781 "The United States" To order on Treasurer for Capt William Moulton's Recd. and Warner's Recd. £381 " 1781 June 7 th Capt William Moulton to order on Treasurer for Payroll £100 " " " 13 " William Moulton (Capt) To order on Treasurer for Payroll £66:11:6 " " " " " " " By his account recd Payroll 146 11 " and on the same day there is charged to "War" the last item, as follows, "War" To order Capt William Moulton Recd £146:11:6 " and Expenses of Army Court 1782 June 18 "War" To order on Treas Capt W m Moulton receiving for Gen Watrous's Brigade £141 " " March 22 nd War To order Pay Roll Capt William Moulton £1567:2:3 " Gen Watrous's Brigade This item is common in my former certificate 1782 March 21 st Capt W m Moulton To order for Gen Watrous £50:6: " Gilmore's Battery Compts

Hartford 26 th July 1842
My Sir
Your love without date, portraited the 12 words of reward, and after a most thorough examination I give you at the first moment, the result in the preceding certificate. I am unable to find Charles Lapham's name on any Pay Roll that I have examined. Capt William Moulton commanded a company in Warner's Regt up to Dec 1780. This was in the "Connecticut Line", and not the "Coast guard" service, and was prior to the time of service of the applicant, Lapham.
The proof of service is sufficiently established, although it is not made to appear that Lapham was there from any testimony here for to be had. That must depend on other circumstances. In a large portion of the Cases, we do not find the soldier's name, but a record of the service. You mentioned that Lapham was on the sick list, and as the names of the soldiers is sometimes mentioned in the day books in such cases, though his name is not carried to the Ledger, I have examined the day books through from May 1781 to April 1782 without meeting his name.
I have been more full in my Certificate in this instance because, it is possible that the Pension Department may not be aware that the Capt Wm Moulton of Warner's Regt of the Connecticut Line was in the Coast guard service under Gen. Washington after 1780, and because I promised you a postal more than a simple Certificate of the service.
I trust this will be satisfactory, but should it not I will make such further examination as Certificate as the case may seem to require; and if in any further investigation, I shall meet the name of Charles Lapham, I think there can be no doubt it will be satisfactory.
Very Respectfully
Adison Wells