Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,843, for Denison Rexford, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Rexford, Denison or Raxford, or Roxford.
R. 8843
CONTENTS

Revolutionary Claims.
STATE OF VERMONT, } Chittenden County, ss. }
On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable County Court for the County of Chittenden, now sitting, and is on Rufus Ford — a resident of Calches Ctn in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged Seventy one 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, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1777. or 1778 my Mother Benjamin  Rufus Ford Jun. entered into Captain Starrs Company in Col. R. I.  Meigs Regiment of Connecticut Troops for three years, that he served a part of his time and by consent I was received and served as his Substitute . I served one full year — I first joined the Regiment at Reading and we were encamped at that place until February, when a detachment was ordered and with them I marched for Horse Creek — from thence we followed the enemy to Harlem  Black-Haven — from thence we retreated to Kings Street , where we continued about 200 weeks, and from thence we had orders and joined our Regiment at Reading , — where we continued until the British attacked Stoney Point Fort , we were then ordered and marched to the Fort — from thence we marched to Nelsons Point , opposite West Point , here we continued until Arnold surrendered the Fort at West Point at the time Major Andre was taken prisoner — from thence we marched to Horse Creek , Stamford , Norwalk and Milford . from thence we received orders to march immediately back to Nelsons Point , here we continued and built a Fort, and I was discharged the latter part of November
The next Spring after I was drafted and served in Captain Lauches Company of Conn. Troops, Daniel Hall of Wallingford was my Lieutenant the name of my Colonel I do not recollect, I was in this town two months and was discharged at Mohegan .
In November following I took the place of my Father Benjamin  Rufus Ford , who had enlisted for during the War in Captain Sergeants Company in

Col Baldwin Regiment of Connecticut Troops I served in this Regiment about eighteen months and was discharged at Fishkill — My Father was attached to the Corps of Artillery, and I worked in said Corps as a Blacksmith — My Father is dead, and never served a Pension, — my Mother Benjamin Pafford has lived in Canada for upwards of forty years, and still lives there
I was born in Sharon, Litchfield County Conn December 16. 1761 — when I first entered the service I lived in Wallingford (Conn) since the Revolution I lived twenty three years in Westfield Mass since which I have lived the principal part of my time in Vermont, having lived in Colchester the place of my present residence for the last eight years — I do not recollect that I ever received a written discharge — my whole service was thirty two months
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed } the day and year aforesaid, }
Dennison Pafford
Before Nathan Manswell Clerk
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 certify, that it appears to them, that Henry H. Perrin or Eger and Iza Collins
who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Colchester are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest El Brunsman } Judges of John Vansukla } Chittenden County Court
STATE OF VERMONT, } Chittenden County, ss.
I Nathan Manswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Dennison Pafford for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17 th day of August A. D. 1832.
Nathan Manswell

In the 2466 th Application of Denison Redford for Guardian R. S. —
Not. June 7. 1832

John L. ... County of ...
On this 12 day of Jan. 12th
in the year 1842 personally appeared ... ... established in the ... ... of the ... ... the benefit of the Act of ... 1822
That he ... ... of the ... ... of ... ... 1878 ... ... of that ... ... changed from ...
That he ... ... the ... ... the following ...

And Brown as far as he is in State of mind that he entered the same business as a British subject for his brother Benjamin Purdie in the town of Watertown county of Fairfield & State of Connecticut in the Month of September in the year 1778 and Brown also served in Captain Daniel Starr's company Col- onel Hix's Regiment and Colonel Hungrate and Brown in the same com- pany & Regiment three months.
And this deponent further saith that he remained stationary at the city of New York from the first day of Decem- ber in the year 1778 until the first day of May 1779 when an alarm was given that the British Army had taken Stony Point When this deponent was ordered in the company & Regiment ordered to a place opposite to Stony Point on the north side of Hudson River and there remained three weeks. In which time no particular ac- tion took place in some light skirmishing there this deponent was stationed at Nelson's Point opposite to West Point and there remained until General Clinton joined the British Army. This deponent remembers that an order was given to take Clinton the dep- onent stood as a sentry on the post at the time until further order from the General From Nelson's Point this deponent marched to New York and then to Newark and so on to New Jersey.

and that the said General was very fr- equing without troops with Society pro- visions: the said this deponent with the said Regiment marched to Robinson's Farm South west of West Point and there remained in said Regiment until the first day of December in the year 1779 when this deponent was dis- charged.
And this deponent further saith that some time in the month of Decem- ber in Newington in the year 1780 this deponent joined Captain Egan's Com- pany & Colonel Bowdoin's Regiment as a substitute for his father Benjamin Bosford at a place called Solomon's Run for a period of four weeks he was stationed with his regiment at Fishkill where he remained and at West Point over a period of several months that the Captain of said company was John Egan and the Colonel of the said Regiment was Jonathan Bowdoin.
This deponent further saith that he has documentary evidence and that the names of the persons whose testimony he can produce who can testify as to his services other than the affidavits of Father and Mother & John M'Pater and further this deponent saith that he applied

to the War Department of the United States some time in the year 1833 when he resided in Burlington New Mount and further this deponent saith not
This declaration hereby relinquishes every claim what ever 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. Sworn to and subscribed { Donnelson Buxton the day & year aforesaid }
We Orlo Bartholomew, a clergyman residing in the town of Augusta in the county of Onondaga State of New York and Amasa Frost residing in the same county certify that we are well acquainted with Deacon Buxton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age; that he is reputed to be in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. Orlo Bartholomew Sworn to and subscribed { Amasa Frost the day & year aforesaid Nathan Kimball a judge of Onondaga Co. Pleas.

State of New York Oneida County } ss.
And I the Juror Nathan Kimball one of the jurors of the Oneida Common Pleas do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after getting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and deserved as he stated: (And the court further cer- tifies that it appears to them that) And I further certify that it appears to me that Orlando Bartholemew who had signed the same is a resident in the town of Augusta in the county of Oneida and is a clergyman & signed the pre- ceding certificate and that Amanda Smith who had also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Augusta & county of Oneida aforesaid and is a credible person & that the statement is entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the above applicant is unable to ap- pear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity & extreme old age all of which is true to the best of my knowledge & belief.
Nathan Kimball Juror of Oneida common pleas

the War Department of the United States some time in the year 1833 when he resided in Burlington Vermont and further this deponent
State of New York Onondaga Co. ss.
I, P. Sheldon Root Clerk of the said County of Onondaga and also clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County, do hereby certify, that Nathan Kimball Esqr. whose name is subscribed to the original Certificate & the print of the foregoing affidavit, was at the time of taking & subscribing the same, a Judge of Onondaga Common Pleas, in and for the said County dwelling in the said County, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to act as such; & that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge, & hereby believe that the signatures & the said print to the said Certificate, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal the 28th day of January A.D. 1842 P. Sheldon Root, (Clk.)

No 6.466 882B Denison Rifford

BRIEF in the case of  Devin Rifford County  of  Chittenden  in the State of  Vermont  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 & 1778 1 As a private substituted of Brigs Riford Gen. Col. A. J. Mings - Conn. Troops Capt. Sturr   North Spring after November from year 1. 2 6 As a substitute Capt. Sargent Col. Baldwin  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wallingford Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses - Not Credible - Traditional Evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective - Not properly attached 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Vincent Luce Examining Clerk.

Vermont
Denison Pease rejected
Letter to N B Has- well 29 April 1833
declaration contra- dicted by rolls as claimant says he was substitute
to Ara. Co. (pay) - 15 March 45

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8840
P. O. _____
Dennison Texas
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mar 10 45
John H. A. [?]
6000 [?] Washington D.C.

Ovid March 4th 1845
Dear Sir
I am again called upon from necessity to ask you respectfully to please give me a history of the case of an Ad Sabin - The case I have had in hand more than a year & without being able to make any progress, I therefore respectfully ask you to please give me a history of the services claimed by Denison, Ruxford, (or Roxford, or, Rofford) who applied under the law of 1832 from Oneida County New York, also please let me know the state of this case
Respectfully, Your Most Ob st Serv t Abad Joy
Hon J L Edwards, Comm r of Pensions Washington D. C.

Benison Rinford
Catchin - 32,000
N o 6466
not on rolls - not
rolls
in such case and the
Reg
8
not
not

State of Vermont } Chittenden County } We the undersigned inhabi- tants of Colchester in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont do hereby certify on oath that we are well acquainted with Devison Bedford of said Colchester and that we believe him to be about seventy one years of age and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier and we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed This 17 th day of August A 1832 and I hereby certify the above deponents are credible witnesses
W. H. Hemenway Ira Collins
STATE OF VERMONT, } Chittenden County, ss.
I Nathan M c Manus Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify that, Levi Amstutz & W m Noble Esqrs before whom the annexed affidavits is taken, was at the time thereof, Justices of the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe their names thereto subscribed, to be their own proper signatures
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 17 th day of August A. D. 1832
Nathan M c Manus

State of Vermont } Chittenden County } We the undersigned inhabi- tants of Colchester in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont do hereby certify on oath that we are well acquainted with Denison Bradford of said Colchester and that we believe him to be about seventy one years of age and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier and we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this 17 th day of August AD 1832 and I hereby certify the above deponents are credible witnesses
W. H. Penniman Ira Collins
Before me Levi Coomstock Justice Peace
taken, was at the time thereof, a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe his name thereto subscribed, to be his own proper signature
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 17 th day of August A. D. 1832 Nathan Rousewell

Denison Pefford
Martha Clarke
Deposition

I Martha Clark of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden State of Vermont aged fifty eight being duly sworn depose & say, that I am well acquainted with Danison Rufford of Colchester in said County, he being my Brother - I know that he served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. as one of the State troops of Connecticut, that he served as a substitute for Benjamin Rufford Jr. who was enlisted for three years, about one year, but what year I do not recollect - I am confident it was in the four part of the War - I know also that he served as a Substitute for my Father Benjamin Rufford, who was enlisted, also, I believe during the War in the Connecticut troops - that he so served about one year & a half - I lived at this time, so did my Father, H. D. Danison & all the family in Wallingford, in the County of New Haven, in Connecticut It is so long since I cannot recollect duty correctly - I know that said Danison went as a Soldier, at other times during the War, with the Militia but whether drafted, or how - or how long, I do not recollect - Charlotte Augt. 13 th 1832 her Martha + Clark mark
State of Vermont } On an oath Augt. 13, 1832 Chittenden County } Personally appeared Martha Clark made solemn oath that the above deposition by her subscribed, as above, is true to the best of her knowledge & belief. Before me, William Noble Justice Peace

Denison Kifford Lamberton blacks Deposition.

I Samberton Clark of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged seventy three, being duly sworn depose & say, that I am well acquainted with Denison Rofford of Colchester in said County, & know that the said Denison was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, that he served as a Substitute for his Brother, Benjamin Rofford Jun, who was enlisted in the State troops of Connecticut for three years as I understood - the said Denison remained in the service as such Substitute, at that time, about one year - being the year before the Capture of Maj. Andre according to my best recollection. I know also that the said Denison served as a Soldier as afore- said, about one year & six months, in said troops, as a Substitute for his Father, Benjamin Rofford.
In the first term of one year, I was with the said Denison as a Soldier in the same service. He served in Col. Return J. Meigs Regiment, & Capt. Starr's Company - under Genl. Enoch Parsons, or Pease The said Denison at this time lived in Wallingford in the State of Connecticut, and I lived in Middle town in Connecticut.
Charlotte Augt. 13. 1832
Samberton Clark
State of Vermont Chittenden County ss Charlotte Augt. 13. 1832
Personally appeared Samberton Clark and made solemn oath, that the above deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge & belief, before me William Noble Justice Peace