Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,541, for Eber Munger, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Munger, Eber
S. 15,541
carded.
CONTENTS

Connecticut 22.546
Eber Munger
of New Haven in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Collins, of the Regt commanded by in the Conn time for 6 mths & 27 days
22546
1890.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 20 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Oct. 1883 and sent to Geo. Gris- wold. C.C. Guilford. C.C.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1883. 57.92 Pens. ant. allowance ending Mar 31 10.39.
$62.31
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { As of June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Asa G. Palmer Clerk, Book E Vol. three Page 28 .

18907 22.546 Eber H. H. H. Connecticut
Ripun this
Adm 6. Months 8
7 days. $20.77. Cents
41. 54 10. 38 51. 92 10. 39 62. 31
Geo Griswold Griswold Not Attn Cont

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. 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 Ebenezer Munsey New Haven Co Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1778 2 Cap Collins New London 70 years traditional   " " 3 " " Collins { Guilford Evidence   " " 1 11 " Graves { Island Connecticut 12th knap   Sargent  
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 day 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 he 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.
□ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, } ss. County of New-Haven, }
On this Seventh day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Guilford District now sitting, Eben Munger a resident of Madison in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 70 - 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:— viz
I was born in Guilford March 10 th 1762 My birth is in the records of the Town of Guilford - In July 1778 - I was detached to serve on the Sea Coast - Guard Station at Guilford - under Capt Augustus Collins & served two months - I next enlisted under Capt Dan Collins for three months & was marched to New London & Norwich & served out the term & was dismissed at Norwich in year 1780 -
I next served under Capt Ebenezer Graves at New Haven two weeks & also served on Guard at Seab Island three weeks Amos Leete was sergeant of the Guard My term of service, in all, was six months & one fourth - Beside turning out in alarms, which were frequent -
Rev Aaron Dutton of Guilford & Reuben Johnson of Madison will certify to my Character for truth & veracity -
I am also personally known to Reuben A. Foster Capt Hubbard Scranton  Joel Blatchley and William Blatchley Esquire who can testify as to my character for veracity and my services

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Ebenezer Mungers before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
We, Aron Dutton a Clergyman, residing in Guilford and Reuben Johnson residing in Madison hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Mungers who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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 day and year aforesaid. Aaron Dutton
Reuben Johnson
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 Aron Dutton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Guilford and that Reuben Johnson who has also signed the same, is a resident in Madison and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Elliott Judge I, George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court of Guilford District , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Mungers for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Seventh day of August 1832
George Griswold Clerk

18907 The Application of Eber Minger of Madison in New Haven County Ct for a Pension - under the Law of 1832
Taken before Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate Court Guilford District

State of Connecticut } Vs. Probate Court New-Haven County } District of Guilford August 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before said Court Samuel Bartlett to the Court well known to who is a credible Witness & being duly sworn on his oath declares & says — That in July 1778 He was on Guard at Guilford & serving under Capt Augustus Collins, & that while there He saw & knew Eber Munsey & knew him to be one of the Guard & that He served two months when the Company on Guard was Dismissed
Samuel Bartlett
Sworn & Subscribed the day & date aforesaid in Court before Me —
George Griswold Clerk of Probate Court Guilford District
Same Court
Personally appeared before said Court Jared Dudley of Guilford to the Court well known to be a credible Witness, and being duly sworn on oath declares & says that in July 1780 He entered into David Collins's Company & joined Col. Benjamin Richards Regiment of Foot & Marched to N. London & Norwich & served three months That Ebenezer Munsey was also one of the same Company

I served with Him through the term of Three months, belonged to the same town & to him well known We were all discharged together by the Adjutant by a General discharge
Yours Truly
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Court before me
George Griswold Clerk Court of Probate Gullford District

State of Connecticut } Probate Court Guilford District New Haven County }
On this 19 th day of August A.D. 1833 Personally appeared in open court before Reuben Elliott Esq. Judge of said Court
Ebenezer Munger of Madison in said District who has made the foregoing declaration and in order to amend the same Doth on his oath further declare & say That in his time of service under Capt Dan Collins in the year 1780 the company to which he belonged was under command of Col. Meigs - and — none was May —
That he cannot recollect any other Officers under whom he served, Nor can he recollect the period of the war or state positively in every instance what years his services were performed, but remembers well that when in service at New London he was encamped on Wethersfield Point & that it was before N. London was burnt & that his service under Capt. Graves was under Amos Seely as one of the Guard was the thickest the year after N. London was burnt —
That he lived in Guilford when called into the service of his country that he lived in Guilford since the Revolutionary war & now lives in Madison formerly Guilford In my time to New London I enlisted & in every other instance I was drafted —

There was a Regt at Mt. Soudon under Col. Wyllys in the same service and called by the soldiers Wyllys's Regt. We think from Hartford - We were employed in cutting facings &c for the building of forts.
We have no documentary evidence or ever recd any written discharge but was in every instance verbally dismissed by one of the Officers at the town of Mt. Soudon. The Adjutant read a General discharge from that service which term ended at Norwich having served alternately at Norwich & New London. He also further declared & says that by reason of Old Age & consequent loss of memory he cannot state more precisely than he has done the length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than stated in his former Declaration viz Six Months and Seven days as a private Soldier & for such service Claims a Pension.
Sworn and subscribed the Ebenezer Munger days & year aforesaid before me Nathan Elliott Judge,
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original and additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Munger for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Seal of Office this 19 th day of August 1833.
George Griswold Clerk.

August 15, 1925
F. C. Bissell 1009 West Blvd., Hartford, Conn.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15541 it appears that Eber Munger was born March 10, 1762 in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut.
While a resident of his native town he enlisted in July 1778 and served two months as a private in Captain Augustus Collins' Connecticut Company.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served n three months as a private in Captain Daniel Collins' Company, Colonel Meigs' Connecticut Regiment.
He next enlisted ,date not stated, and served five weeks as private in Captain Elias Graves' Connecticut Company. He was also out on frequent alarms, no details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832 while a resident of Madison, which was

formerly Guilford) New Haven County, Connecticut.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Datigdein not on AB
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
[Faint, illegible text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

MMKZ Cur
March 21, 1928.
Mrs. E. O. Thomas, 716 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15541 , it appears that Eber Munger was born March 10, 1762 in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut.
While a resident of his native town he enlisted in July 1778 and served two months as a private in Captain Augustus Collins' Connecticut Company.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain Daniel Collins' Company, Colonel Meigs' Connecticut Regiment.
He next enlisted, date not stated, and served five weeks as private in Captain Elias Graves' Connecticut Company. He was also out on frequent alarms, no details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832 while a resident of Madison, (which was formerly Guilford) New Haven County, Connecticut.
There are no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

P
15541 INVALID.
1925-aug-15-Hist: to F.G. Russell His letter in ch. of Aaron Stevens B.L.W. 1945-9/11/47 1928-Hist to Mrs. E. O. Thomas. NY
File No. 15541
Eber Munger
Pre War
Act: June 9" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 269
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bellevontaine, Ohio March 5, 1927
Pension Bureau Washington D.C.
Will you please send me a certified copy of the War Revolutionary War service of Eber Munger, New Haven County Connecticut file number 515541. Wife's Name Clarina Backus.
Yours truly
Mrs. E. D. Thomas
716 N. Main St.
Bellevontaine Ohio