Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15577, for Samuel Prindle, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Prindle, Samuel
S. 15577
CONTENTS
carded

N o 18379 Vermont
Samuel Prindle of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ruggles of the Regt. command by Col. Waterbury in the Conn t Troops here for 16 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of August 1833 and sent to S. H. Merrill Rutland Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 106.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 26.66
$133.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Entered by D. Brown
E. Vol. 3 Page 83

Samuel Prindle's Declaration
21 P 92
Various claims to be briefed

State of Vermont Rutland County ss
On this 21 st day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Probate Court for district of Fairhaven in the County of Rutland now sitting Samuel Prindle a resident of Poultney in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged 85 years the 28 th day of March last 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 officer & served as herein stated - That in March 1775 he enlisted at New Milford Litchfield County Connecticut in a regiment commanded by Col Waterbury. the Capt o name was Hovey. the Captain of his company was Joseph Smith Ensign Ashbel Huggins Orderly Sergeant David Smith. That in about one month after enlisting he marched from New Milford into Newton through Norwalk to Horseneck & remained there about one month on drill when Gen Washington called on his way to Boston & ordered them to New York. That he in the Regiment commanded by Col Waterbury & accompanied by three other. (he thinks) marched to that place & encamped a short distance out of the City until sometime near the first of August when they received orders to leave for Albany. That he in company with the same Regiments ascended North River to Albany where he landed & marched to Halfmoon Point near Waterford. that he remained here three or four weeks when the army was separated into two divisions. one to advance to Ticonderoga by the way of Lake George. the other by Lake Champlain. that he marched to Skeneateles now Whitehall & there took boat to Ticonderoga where the other division arrived two or three after them - According the best of the memory he remained here four or five weeks & then proceeded with the army under the command of Gen Schuyler & Montgomery down the lake in the Battery they had constructed Ticonderoga

to the Isle aux Noix which on their approach was abandoned by the enemy who retreated immediately to St Johns. That he with the American Army soon followed & landed on the west side of the lake within nearly one mile from the Fort - This shore the applicant says was then a wilderness except a cleared place of a few rods on which stood a small log hut. That here he with the army had a skirmish with a party of Indians a few moments after their arrival, that fifteen Americans were killed & some wounded. Among the wounded was Major Snively whom the applicant aided in bearing to the boat. That during this time Gen Schuyler remained on board the boat & soon after the engagement with the Indians he saw a well dressed gentlemanly appearing man issue from the woods & make a signal when he was permitted to pass & went on board the boat where Gen Schuyler had remained & after staying there two or three hours returned in the same direction he came - That soon after the Stranger retired & on the same day they arrived he with the army were ordered back to Isle aux Noix. When they went & (agreeable to the best of the applicant's memory) stayed ten or twelve days. He remembers that in consequence of the above named occurrence & the delay occasioned by their return, the officers & soldiers became disaffected with Gen Schuyler & also that during a very dark night a number of musket balls were fired through his marquee when the Gen immediately retired to Picondaroga. That the command then devolved upon Montgomery who led the applicant with the American army back to St Johns & commenced besieging the fort which surrendered after forty six days. That during the siege they took a number of prisoners who in small parties endeavoured to obtain a passage into the fort - That he with the American army took between six & seven hundred prisoners. About the last of November he with a hundred Americans composing a guard for the prisoners & commanded by Capt Mott returned to the Isle aux Noix agreeable to orders -

That he with the guard & prisoners proceeded up the lake & remained over night at the following named places. The 1 st night at the Point of Raer. the 2 d on a small Island in the in order to guard the prisoners with more ease & safety. the 3 rd at Crown Point. the 4 th at Scheensboro (now Whitehall) - the 5 th at Fort Ann. the 6 th at Fort Edward - the 7 th he has forgotten. the 8 th arrived at Albany where they remained two days to obtain conveyance down the North River - That four Sloops were steered one for the guard & two for the prisoners - That on the evening before they sailed, while lying by the wharf, the applicant with two others by the name of Platt & Higgins went a few rods from shore to a tavern to obtain some cider; that while there the guard vessel moved off & they were compelled to go on board the Sloop which contained the prisoners & remain there over night - That the next morning he informed the Captain of the Sloop how they were situated & requested him to send them to their vessel - That the Captain went with them & on the way informed them that the prisoners in the rear Sloop had during the preceding night been obtained by the aid of some forces at Albany a box of arms & ammunition - &c. Confined the Captain & Sailors on board their Sloop & were prepared upon the first favourable breeze to take the other vessels containing the prisoners & then run by or capture the guard vessel & join an English ship of war by the name of Asia then lying near New York - That upon Capt. Mott receiving information of the above circumstance he sent the applicant with others who boarded the Sloop. took the arms & ammunition unbound the Capt & Sailors & soon after landed on the west side of the River and marched to Kingston & remained there until a sufficient number of matetia were raised to take the prisoners to Philadelphia - That he having served nine months had a written discharge from Capt. Mott in December of the same year which has long been lost -

That in March 1776 he enlisted in a company for nine months commanded by Capt. Lazarus Ruggles. Lieut. Ashbel Ruggles. Sergeant Asa Turner & marched from New Milford to White Plains & joined the main army at that place under Gen. Washington. That he with the army marched from there to New York & remained there for sometime, on different duties. That upon their approach he with the army fought upon the retreat back to White Plains during which he remembers that the son of Capt. Ruggles was taken prisoner with some others in his company. That he was in the battle at White Plains which ensued & remembers that Capt. Ruggles was wounded in the arm by a cannon ball. After which engagement the enemy retired to New York. That in October of the same year being informed that his wife was dangerously sick he hired a man for two months (at the end of which time the term for which he enlisted would have expired) & when he received an honorable discharge & returned immediately to New Milford having served under this enlistment seven months — He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn & Subscribed } Samuel Prindle the day & year aforesaid }
We Eli B. Smith a clergyman residing in Poultney in the County of Rutland & Amos Thompson residing in the town of Poultney hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Prindle of said Poultney who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 85 years of age that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & Subscribed } E. B. Smith A. Thompson the day & year aforesaid }

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion therein 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 Eli B. Smith who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Poultney and that Amos Thompson who has also signed the same is a resident in said Poultney and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I, Selah H Merrill Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairhaven aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sam- uel Prindle for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 21 st day of August A.D. 1832.
S. H. Merrill.

Mh92 Samuel Prindle Vermont
16 mos private $53.33
S. H. Merrill Esq Ch Court District of Fairhaven Rutland City Vermont

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 5, 1833
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 subjoined 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, shewing the Service of Samuel Prindle,  Rutland City State of Vermont
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1775 9 Govt. Col Waterbury Capt Smith 85 years New Milford Living Witnesses   ~ 1776 " 7 " Capt Ruggles Genl Washington 70 years Litchfield County Conn Papers Pro Authenticates  
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 days 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 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 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.
[k] 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.
[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.
3

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section REL
May 15, 1930
Honorable Richard P. Freeman House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Freeman:
In response to request of Mrs. Mary B. Bishop, of Putnam, Connecticut, addressed to you and by you forwarded to this bureau, I have the honor to advise you as follows:
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15577, it appears that Samuel Prindle was born March 30, 1747, at New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at New Milford, Connecticut, he enlisted in March, 1775, served as a private in Captain Joseph Smith's Company, Colonel Waterbury's Connecticut Regiment, was at the capture of Fort St. John, after which he served with about one hundred Americans composing a guard, under Captain Mott and was discharged by the same captain, having rendered nine months service.
He enlisted in March, 1776, served seven months in Captain Lazarus Ruggles' Connecticut Company, and was at the battle of White Plains.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Poultney, Rutland County, Vermont.
It is stated that he had a wife during the Revolution, her name and the date of their marriage not shown and there is no reference to children.
Lazarus Ruggles is given as an ensign in Heitman's also in Conn. food. but Mrs. French said use Capt. as soldier called him Captain & he may have been acting at this time
*****
Date of death not on AB.

I
15577
INVALID.
File No. 15577
Samuel Brins
Bi Rev Mrs
Act: June 7" 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 303
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June-12, 1903. His Admiral - Franklin C. Brins 65
Mch. 18, 1904 Hist. to A.P. Brooks, New York City, Broadway 327
1930 - May 15 - Hist. fur- nished to Dr. R.P. Freeman for Mrs. Mary B. Bishop - Scelerated to Mr. Freeman E.E.S.

327 Broadway
New York, March, 4, 1904.
To The
Commissioner of Pensions:
Sir:
Will your Dept. have the kindness to let me know if it is in possession of any information of one Samuel Prindle, a soldier of the Revolution, who drew a pension as such and at death was living at either Poultney or Pawlet, Vermont.
I desire to find if possible his date of birth and death and cause of death; with what company and regiment he served; for how long and dates of enlistment and discharge as well as any other information that may be on record about him.
Thanking you in advance for any information you may be able to give,
Respectfully yours,

State of Vermont ) I Inman Platt of Newhan Addison County ) in in the County of Addison and State of Vermont do Depose and say that I was born in Brimfield in Litchfield County in the State of Connecticut in Nov. 1754 and was well acquainted with and knew Samuel Prindle who was also born in said Brimfield from the time that I was very young until about 15 years ago since Prindle now lives in Poultney in the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont and so far as I know and say that I was known to the fact that in the Spring of 1775 said Samuel Prindle enlisted as a Common Soldier under Capt Joseph Smith at Brimfield for 9 months and went from thence to Oysterkill and I went with said Prindle as far as Albany and he went from thence for St Johns. The next year said Prindle enlisted at Brimfield as under Capt Ruggles as a Common Soldier as was said for nine months and I suppose he served his time for which he enlisted and further your deponent saith not Inman his Platt mark
State of Vermont ) August 29. 1832 Addison County ) Then personally appeared the above named Inman Platt and made solemn oath that that the above Deposition Subscribed is substantially true Before me Joseph Bayliss Just.

This may certify that we the undersigned have been well acquainted with the the Honorable Freeman Platt for 15. or 20 years and believe him to be a credible witness Weybridge Aug 4 29. 1832
J. Hayward Xavier Stowe
State of Vermont Addison County ss. I, Samuel Swift Clerk of the County Court for said County of Addison do hereby certify that Joseph Hayward, before whom the within affidavit was made, and by whom the above certificate was subscribed, was at the time a Justice of the Peace for said County, and his name thereto sever- ally subscribed in his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 3 rd day of October 1832.
Sam l . Swift, Clerk