Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 17,725, for Elias Taylor, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn. continental
Taylor, Elias
S 17725-
Carde d
CONTENTS

Connecticut 22.882
Elias Taylor of Warren in the State of Conn who was a Pri of Inf in the Conn commanded by Captain Mygatt of the Regt commander by Coln Cook in the Conn troops line for 3 months and 3 1/2 months private of Cavalry
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 24 Dollars 58 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of December '33 and sent O. S. Seymour Litchfield
Arrears to the 14th of Sept '33 $ 61.44 Semi-ant. allowance ending 14th Mar '34 12.28 $ 73.72
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by S Laurie Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 48
1891 July 29 Taylor H O History Prior
Date of death not on OS

[REDACTED] Nathaniel Gregory of Danbury in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged eighty two years and upwards being then strong of body and mind that I am well acquainted with Nathaniel Gregory in the said State. He resided in said Danbury during the Revolutionary War. He died early and was not enlisted in a company of artillery called private men, but I understand by him that in the Spring of the year 1777 - Benjamin Green was Lieutenant Colonel of the Connecticut Continental line and that the same had the same been commissioned to be a regiment of Continental militia commanded by Colonel David Root. He He was not enlisted, and some time in the month of May following a detachment of men from said company including the above Nathaniel and others were ordered into the service of the United States. He was ordered to Peekskill in the State of New York, under the command of said officers where he remained until the month of the month of June. There was a Brigade of Continental troops at Peekskill He was still under the command of General Putnam. He continued in the service until the middle of the year 1777 when he was discharged and returned home. He had a long and arduous service during the war and was near him daily during the winter the period during which he was in service was three hundred and sixty days. He resided at Peekskill for about a month or six weeks in the vicinity, and on the line. A part of the time he was encamped, and a part of the time he was in Regiment of Artillery and frequently

employed in reassembling the scouting party.
That in the month of July, 1863, and about the 10th day of said month, while the British troops intended to take Fort Fisher and came that far - and also the town of Wilmington - said Fort Fisher was taken by the said company, and again called into service by the United States, and proceeded to Fort Fisher, where we were engaged in a skirmish with the enemy. The said Taylor and myself still belonged to said company, and hence there was a said Fort Fisher and Wilmington two weeks. They proceeded with a detachment of said company and had taken a party into the fort, and found no resistance, and the said Taylor, with the remainder of the said company returned home. In each of said Forts I believe the said Taylor received a commission as a soldier of the company.
Nathaniel Gregory
State of Connecticut New Britain July 31st.
On the 29th day of August 1833 before the Court of Probate for the District of New Britain in the said County and State, personally appeared Mr. Nathaniel Gregory well known to be the person who was described in and who executed the foregoing application, and acknowledged that he made the same out of his free act and deed.
Albert Edward Taylor Clerk

I have - say for Mr. Rankin in the County of this kind that he was in the County about 2 years being fully aware of the facts and day that this was to - I have - in the County of this kind in the said State is my Brother - and in the month of July 1846 the said this day to - came to New York in the service of the United States a private soldier in the company commanded by Capt. John H. Hays of the Regiment of Louisiana Light Artillery commanded by Colonel Hays. I was in the said continued service in said Regiment at said City of New York until the British troops took possession of the City - He said I was then - I was - I was - I was in New York at the time said Regiment was in said City - I have personal knowledge that he remained until the American troops recaptured the City, but I do not know if he remained in said City until the City was in a different direction - I am not sure how much longer he remained in the said City - I am not sure of the date of his arrival the said Regiment remained in New York and according to my recollection and belief it was about the 1st of said month that the American troops left the City the latter part of the month of August or early in September - Oliver Taylor
State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss.
on this 29th day
of August 1833 before the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield

Country and State, personally appeared George Taylor well known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.
In the presence of us Edward Taylor George Taylor affixed the seal of said Court the 29th day of August 1833 -
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
On this day personally appeared George Taylor to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of said Court the 29th day of August 1833
Edward Taylor - Book Judge of the Court at Bristol, in the District of Cumberland County.
Edward Taylor 27. 5. 33

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } ss Litchfield September 1833
On this 7 th day September 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Court of Probate for the District & in the County of Litchfield now sitting Elias Taylor a resident of the town of Warren in said County of Litchfield aged 80 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 Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated (viz)
I was born in Danbury, County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut on the 10 th of June 1753, I know of no record of my age. I lived in said Danbury during the Revolutionary War & moved therefrom into said town of Warren in 1783 & have ever since with the exception of 3 or 4 years resided in said town of Warren.
In March 1776 large bodies of the Connecticut Militia were ordered to the City of New York, I then belonged to the Militia Company of Capt Eli Mygatt of said Danbury, & I marched under his command to said City, & was there in the service of the United States the full period of one month doing duty as a private in said Company. Our Company was in Col Cooks Regiment & James Clark was Lieutenant of our Company. We had no fighting during this tour. I have no evidence of this tour of service, & know of none that can be procured, although I have made diligent search for the same.

In July 1776 the Connecticut Militia were again ordered to the City of New York. Genl Wolcott was the Brigadier General D P Cooke Col, Eli Muzzett Capt, James Clark Lieut. We marched from Danbury, through Ridgefield, White Plains & Harlem. — On arriving at New York our regiment was ordered to Horns Hook, 2 or 3 miles from the City & was stationed nearly opposite a British ship lying in the seaward river, — we threw up some fortifications & remained there till the British entered the City, that night we lay on our arms — The day that the City was taken 5 ships then lying opposite of us commenced firing & we retreated to Harlem & joined the army under Genl Washington; we remained with the army at Harlem a few weeks & were then dismissed — we had no regular discharge. During this tour I was in the service of the United States the full period of two months . I have no documentary evidence of this service, & know of no other survivor at this time, but Eleazer Taylor whose deposition is herewith sent.
In the fall of 1776 in September or October I enlisted into the Light Horse independent company, Our Capt was Ezra Starr Benjamin Hickock Lieut Jeremiah Tanning Cornet and David Wood Quarter Master — On the 15 th of May 1777 we were detached to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments warning for the North River — On the 10 th of June we marched for Genl Putnam's head quarters at Peekskill — We were then ordered on to the lines to protect the country from Barmaby men & were reconnoitering the lines at & continued there until some time in September when the whole company were dismissed without written discharge. I was in this tour of service not less than three & one half months . I have no documentary evidence of this service & know of no survivor at this time but Nathaniel Gregory whose deposition is herewith sent.

In July 1779 I was in the service of the United States in Capt. Starrs Comp y under the same officers as before, we were called out on account of the invasion of the town on the sea board of Connecticut by the enemy, we first met the British troops at Fairfield where some slight skirmishes took place; we followed their troops to Norwalk which was burnt & remained there till the British went on board their ships, when we were dismissed without written discharges I having been there  one half month in actual service at this time — Of this service I have no documentary evidence, but send herewith the deposition of Nathaniel Gregory who is the only survivor of said Company whose testimony I can obtain — At all the times before stated I served as a private
I am known to the Rev Hart Talcott, George Starr & others who can testify to my character for veracity & to their belief of my service
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn & subscribed the day 2 year last aforesaid
Elias Taylor
before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate
District of Litch. ss. to all to whom these presents shall come
We Hart Talcott a clergyman residing in said town of Warren & George Starr residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Taylor who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 80 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. We also certify that the said Taylor is (Sworn & subscribed) a gentleman of unquestionable character for truth and veracity —————
Hart Talcott
George Starr
Sworn & subscribed the day
2 year aforesaid before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant Elias Taylor was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states, & the Court further certifies that the Rev Hart Talcott who has subscribed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Warren & that George Starr who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Warren & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to full credit. Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate District of Litchfield, Connecticut.
I Phineas Minor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the application of Elias Taylor for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 7th day of September 1835.
Phineas Minor Clerk

***** Chas R. Hale
File 2, 1932
Elias Taylor S. 17725.
EEH
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.17725, based upon the military service of Elias Taylor in that war.
Elias Taylor was born June 10, 1753, in Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While residing in Danbury, Connecticut, he enlisted in March, 1776, and served one month as a private in Captain Eli Mygatt's Company, Colonel Joseph P. Cooke's Connecticut Regiment, and from July, 1776, served two months under the same officers and was in the retreat
-5-
from New York; he again enlisted and served from June 10, 1777, three and one-half months in Captain Ezra Starr's Company of Light Horse, under Colonel Beardsley in the Connecticut Troops, was detached and served a part of the time under Colonel Sheldon; from July, 1779, he served two weeks in Captain Ezra Starr's Connecticut Company, and was at the burning of Fairfield and Norwalk.
In 1783, he moved to Warren, Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1833, while residing in Warren, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
In 1833, soldier's brother, Eleaser Taylor, was a resident of Danbury, Connecticut, and was then aged seventy-eight years. In 1833, one Edward Taylor was clerk of the court of Fairfield County, Connecticut, no relationship to soldier shown.
*****

Elias Layton
10 12 50 2 08 24 58
3 rd per mt few perute of canals $ 24.58 -
O.S. Sequoia Litchfield

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 the 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 inquiry 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 here a 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Litchfield (Conn.) Nov 21. 1873
To The Hon: The Commissioner of Pensions,
I herewith inclose the application of Mr. Elias Taylor for a pension, I have sent to the Comptroller at Hartford, who, after a thorough search, has been able to find what is stated in his certificate, herewith inclosed.
Very Respectfully
your obedt servant
O. S. Seymour

1932 Feb 2 - Hist. to Chas A. Hale - Letter in care Augustine Curtis. p. 18988 881
17725
INVALID.
File No. 17725
Oliver Taylor
Pr. Gen. Mes
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 445
[Arrangement of 1870.]
of Danbury + 1832 - of brother to Elmer