Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,113, for Eli Perry, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Perry, Eli
8 14 113
Carded
CONTENTS

9522
Connecticut
Eli Perry
of Brookfield in the State of Conn who was a pri in the Com commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg commanded by Col. Hinman in the Conn line for State Troops Ohio
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of May 1831. and Dent. P. H. B. Fairchild, Brookfield Ct
Arrears to the 14th March 33 $ 40 - Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 4 20 10
$ 5 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book 9 Vol. 3 Page 34

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield
Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown
On this 25 th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared, in open court before Samuel C. Blackman Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, now sitting, (Dott. Eli Perry a resident in Brookfield in said District of Newtown, in the said County of Fairfield, aged eighty years on the 2 nd day of December last past, who being 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 and served as herein stated - That in the spring or early in the summer of the year A.D. 1775 he, the Claimant enlisted and entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer for the term of six months, under Col. Benjamin Hinman; and David Hinman as first Lieutenant commanded the Company, that Benjamin Hungerford was the second Lieutenant. That in the spring of the year A.D. 1775 or early in the summer of that year, he the Claimant, marched with the rest of a Company, raised in the then Town of Woodbury in Litchfield County to Ticonderoga in the service of the United States; that he served at Ticonderoga until a few days before the Troops of the United States left that place, in boats & moved down the lake Champlain; for a few days previous to which he was unwell, with what was called the Lake fever, but was able to be about & remain with the Troops. At the time the Troops left Ticonderoga

and moved down the Lake Champlain, which this deponent thinks was in the latter part of October or in November of the year 1775 Col. Benjamin Hinman gave him a parole license to leave the service and come home, by reason of his ill health. And that the Claimant left the Troops accordingly and came home, with difficulty, owing to his ill health. That the Troops left Ticonderoga about a week, he should think, after he, the Claimant left the Troops. The Claimant thinks General Philip Schuyler was Commander in Chief and General Montgomery a Brigadier. The Claimant does not recollect the names of any other Field officers stationed there at that time, except a Major Welch from Litchfield; but he recollects their Chaplain was a Mr. Smith, a clergyman settled in Sharon Connecticut. That at the time he entered the service he resided in his native place, to wit, Woodbury, in Litchfield County & State of Connecticut. That he was engaged in no battle while in the service. That he, with said Company marched through Litchfield, Goshen & Canaan in Litchfield County in the State of Connecticut, Sheffield in Massachusetts, by Kinderhook mills to Greenbush in the State of New York & through Saratoga and crossed the Hudson river from the west side to the East at Fort Edward & thence to Lake George and passed down that in boats to a place about three miles from Ticonderoga. That the Claimant has no documentary evidence by which he can prove any of the facts herein stated. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present & declares that his name is not on any pension roll of the Agency of any State. That he was born on the 2 nd day of December 1751 in the Town of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut. That his father died when he was young and he has

never seen any record of his age and does not know of any. That he was living in the said Town of Woodbury when he entered the service as is herein stated, and returned to Woodbury sick, as is herein stated, when he left the service. That after his return from the service, he applied himself to the study of medicine under Doct. Joseph Perry of said Woodbury, who has since deceased, untill the latter part of the year 1777 when he moved to Redding in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut and into the practice of medicine there, where he lived and practiced as a Physician untill May 1792 when he moved to Brookfield in said last mentioned County & State, where he has ever since & still lives. That he never had a written discharge nor had any in the company as he knows of. He received his full pay for six months service in Continental bills which were then pretty good, but soon depreciated. That his occupation has been that of a Physician untill about ten years since, when by reason of age & infirmities he relinquished the practice.
Eli Perry
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown 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 & served as he states, Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown.

I, Elizer W. Steeler Clerk of the Court of probate for the district of New Haven do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Eli Dacey.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 13 th day of August A.D. 1832
Elizer W. Steeler
Ms 5065
State of Connecticut, Probate District of Newtown Js: Newtown. August 13 th 1832
I Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown do hereby certify that Elizer W. Steeler whose name is subscribed in his proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate is Clerk of said Court, duly appointed & qualified & as such bearer of the Seal of said Court; that the seal affixed to said certificate is the genuine seal of said Court; & that full credence is due to the official acts of said Clerk so authenticated.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year above written
Samuel C. Blackman

5065
Doc. E. Perry
6T
admit price 60
$ 20.00
Th. P. Fairchild Brookfield Conn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 22 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 subjjoined 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. Those 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, Doct Eli Perry C.T.
   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.     Sum 1/4/5 in 1832 6 Private Lt. Genl. Rains 80. born in Litchfield C.T. born in Litchfield C.T. entered there, and now lives in Fairfield C.T. two living witnesses prove the service  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Studied medicine after he left the service

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) _____, who has 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.

Rev. 1870
14113 INVALID.
File No. 14113
Eli Perry
Phil. New. 1842
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 293
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Strong Sen. of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age deposeth and saith. That he has been acquainted with Doct. Eli Perry of Brookfield in the County of Fairfield in said State from his youth, and the deponent knows that said Eli Perry in the year 1775 enlisted for six months service in the Revolutionary War in a company called Col. of Hinman's Company. Said enlistment was in the spring of said year, and said Company marched to Scituate and were stationed there during their term of service. The precise time of marching the deponent cannot state, but he knows that said Perry marched to Scituate with said Company, and has no knowledge of his leaving the service until the aforesaid term of six months had expired. David Hinman as first Lieutenant commanded said Company which had no Captain. The deponent believes the time when said Company marched for said Station about the first of June 1775 - and further this Deponent saith not - John Strong
State of Connecticut } ss Woodbury County of Litchfield }
On the 18th day of July A 1832 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County personally appeared John Strong Sen. who subscribed and made Oath to the foregoing deposition, and I certify that said deponent is of good character and entitled to full credit. Sworn before me John Strong Just. Justice of the peace

Lewis Burs of Woodbury in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age deponeth and saith, That he is well acquainted with Doct Eli Perry of Brookfield in the county of Fairfield in said State and has known him from his youth, and this deponent has heard the foregoing deposition of John Strong Sen. read to him, and agrees to all the facts therein stated and fully deposes to the same. This deponent believes said Perry enlisted in said company in the latter part of April or first part of May 1775.
This deponent was a member of said company and so was also John Strong Sen: the deponent before named, and further this deponent saith not.
Lewis Burs
State of Connecticut } ss Woodbury County of Litchfield }
On the 18th day of July A.D. 1832 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County personally appeared Lewis Burs of said Woodbury and subscribed and made oath to the above deposition, and I certify that said deponent is of good character and fully entitled to belief.
Sworn before me John Strong Sen. Just. of the peace

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that John Strong Esq. an attorney for more than one year hath been an attorney of the said Court within & for said County legally commissioned & qualified, & that the signature to the preceding certificate which purports to be his is, as I nearly believe & his for his hand writing.
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court at Litchfield in said County this 23 d day of July A. D. 1832
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.