Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,998, for John T Otis, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Otis, John T.
S 16,998
Carded.
CONTENTS

17. 82 Connecticut
John T. Otis
of Colchester in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Connecticut by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Col Wadsworth in the Connecticut line for Militia 3 Mo Musi 9 Mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of $43. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of July 1833 and sent John Tham Colchester let
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 86 00 Pemi-ant. allowance ending Sep. 4 " 21 50 $ 87 50
{ Revolutionary Claims, { Act June 7, 1832.
E. D. Bullock Clerk Vol. 3 Page 63

John D. Otis 2142 Application
Personally appeared before the Undersigned a Justice of the Peace & Judge of Probate for the District of Gloucester James Otis who has signed a certificate with him, who being duly sworn further deposeth & saith, that he will be sixty five years of age next June - that he was at New London in the Spring & Fall of 1778 while his Brother John D Otis was Stationed there & belonged to a Militia Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Northington of S d Gloucester & saw his S d Brother then doing duty in S d Company as a S r fer - each time

State of Connecticut County of New London } ss Colchester July 13 th 1832
On this 13 th Day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Benjamin Trumbull Esq r Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester in S d County of New London, now sitting, having by law a Seal and Clerk. — John T. Otis a resident of Colchester, in S d County of New London and State of Connecticut aged seventy four Years the 31 st Day of October next — 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 names, officers & serv s as herein stated viz — 1 st That he enlisted as a private at Colchester in Capt n Eliphalet Durdley's Company in Jan y 1776 in Colo s Wadsworth Reg t on a Tour of duty for three months according to his best recollection & serv d at Roxbury & Dorchester in Massachusetts & was dismiss d at Brooklyn near Cambridge by S d Capt n Durdley the fore part of April following — 2 d That he enlisted in Jan y 1777 as a Tifer in a Company — commanded by Capt n Nath l Harris in Colo s Troops Reg t on a Tour of duty for two months & was station d at work n on Fort Trumbull at New London, and at the end of S d term was dismiss d by S d Colo s Troop — 3 d In Sept r following he enlisted at S d Colchester as a Tifer under Capt n Amos Dones of the then Town of Colchester, as State Troops, on a Tour of duty for three months, according to his best recollection, in Colo s Continental Reg t & join d the Northern Army at a place call d Stillwater & was placed under the command of Gen l Gates was with the Northern Army at the surrender of Burgoyne at the end of S d term was dismiss d by Capt n Dones 4 th He further states that he afterwards performed several Tours of duty in the Militia at New London in all about six months — but does not recollect his Officers except that in the Spring of 1778 he was in a Company commanded by Capt n Elijah Worthington of Colchester of which Jonathan Kilbourn of East Haddam was Lieut t & William Worthington of S d Colchester was Ensign and serv d at New London & its vicinity for the term of two months & was dismiss d by S d Capt n Worthington 5 th That he was again call d out on a tour of duty in the fall of S d Year 1778 & perform d a Tour of duty for two months under the aforesaid Officers at New London and work n a part of the time on Fort over

Nonsense as it was call d . a little nest of New London & a part of the time at Fort Trumbull and was dismiss d . by S r . Capt d . Worthington when his time was out — That he serv d . as a fifer through all the years of duty except the first 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 —
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except Nath l . Otis of New London & James Otis & Samuel Brown of S t . Colchester whose testimony is herein annex d . & inclosed — We Lyman Strong a clergyman residing in the first Society in the Town of Colchester and John R. Watrous residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John T. Otis of S t . Colchester who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age next Oct r . that he is reputed & believ d . in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier in the Revolution — Sworn & subscribed the day & Year aforesaid —
S t . Colchester He was born in Oct r . 1758. his age is in a pamphlet Book kept by his Father John Otis (deceas d ), He has always liv d . in the Town of Colchester aforesaid where he is when call d . into service — Sworn to & subscribed the Day & Year aforesaid —
John T. Otis
“ We Lyman Strong a Clergyman residing in the first Society in the Town of Colchester and John R. Watrous residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Deac t . John T. Otis of S t . Colchester who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age next Oct r . that he is reputed & believ d . in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion — Sworn & subscribed the Day & Year aforesaid
John R. Watrous Lyman Strong

I James Otis of Colchester in New London County, State of Connecticut certify and say That during the Revolutionary War I lived in the family of My Father with My Brother John T. Otis who has subscribed the foregoing declaration and am know- ing to his leaving home and being about to perform the several tours of duty by him stated, Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid James Otis
I Samuel Brown of Colchester in the County of New London testify & say that I was a soldier in Capt. Nathl. Harris Company at New London in the year 1777 and was well acquainted with John T. Otis of Colchester aforesaid who was a Major & belong d to P t Company — and believe he served his time out — Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid ✓
Samuel Brown
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 states that it appears to him that Lyman Strong who has signed a preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Town of Colchester and that John D. Watrous Samuel Brown and James Otis who have signed preceding certificates are residents of said Town and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit. — Benj m Trumbull Judge of said Court
I Benj m M. Trumbull Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John T. Otis for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of Augt A D 1832 — Benj m M. Trumbull

Personally appear d before me the undersign d a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex a Judge of Probate for the District of Middlesex John Otis who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his first term of service in the Company commanded by Capt. Ephraim Buttrick nor in his third term of service under Capt. Amos Jones, but according to the best of his recollection he serv d not less than the period mention d below in the following grades & that he is confident that he serv d the other three terms of duty as mention d in his declaration vis for 3 Months in Capt. Buttrick's Company as a Private 2 nd " 2 " " " " Capt. Jones " " as a Sijer 3 rd " 3 " " " " Capt. Harris " " " " " " 4 th " 2 " " " " Capt. Worthington " " " " " " 5 th " 2 " " " " " " " " " " (and in addition to the above he serv d two months at Concord but cannot recollect his Officer and for such service I place a pensioner form.) Sworn to and subscrib d this first day of Dec. 1832 at Coldenham Benj. French Jr. Justice of the Peace as aforesaid
Personally appear d before the undersign d a Justice of the Peace & Judge of Probate for the District of Middlesex James Otis who has sign d a certificate with him, who being duly sworn further deposeth & saith that he will be sixty five years of age next June - that he was at Middlesex in the Spring & Fall of 1778 while his Brother John Otis was Station d there & belong d to a Militia Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Worthington of Coldenham & saw his Brother there doing duty in said Company as a Sijer - each time
John D. Otis 2172 Application

Ms. A. 9. 2. 21. 42 Verification
sixty five years of age met June - That he was at New London in the Spring & fall of 1778 while his Brother John D. was Stationed there & belonged to a Militia Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Northington of P. Colchester & saw his P. Brother then doing duty in P. Company as a Sijer - each time
I was sworn and subscribed this first day Jan. 1832 - at Colchester aforesaid
James Otis
Benj 1 Franklin Justice of Inferior Court -
where That the foregoing was taken, is, & Peace within and in said State, duly appo- power and authority, by us to witnesses and to take Affidavits to give certificates thereof; that a true purporting to be his, is genuine to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set the Seal of said State, at the City of Har- the twelfth day of April our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Thomas Day

Sixty five years of age next June - That he was at New London in the spring & fall of 1778 while his Brother John Otis was Stationed there & belonged to a Militia Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Northington of Colchester & saw his Brother there doing duty in said Company as a Sijer - each term
Ms. A. 9. 2. 2172 Miscellaneous
Sworn to and subscribed this first day Jan. 1832 - at Colchester aforesaid
James Otis
I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Benjamin Trumbull Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of James Otis and Samuel Brown was taken, is, and at the time of such caption was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signa- ture purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Thomas Day Jo. N

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John J. Otis , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S 16998
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan 1776 3 mos. Pvt. Elizabeth Buckley Madam Conn   Jan 1777 2 mos. Fifer Nathaniel Harris Thurber   Sept 1777 3 mos. Fifer Simon Jones Salmon   Apr 1778 2 mos. Fifer Elijah Worthington   Fall 1778 2 mos. Fifer Elijah Worthington   r 2 mos. Fifer Officers not stated at New London  
Battles engaged in, Surrender of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Colchester, New London Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, July 13, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Colchester Dist. New London Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, 6. Oct 31. 1758 in Colchester, Conn. son of John Otis.
Remarks: it is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,
r brother James
6-2856
Commissioner.

16.998
INVALID.
File No. 16.998
John F. Otis Mid River Mass
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 288
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 11-19 at Horace Rogers Norwich Conn.
May 20-19 at Geo L. Lord - Norwich, Conn.
1916 Feb 5: History to Mr. W. D. L. Adams M.A.

Admission
9 Mrs Fifer $33- 3 " Private 10 $43
John Isham Colchester Connect

I Nathl. Ohio formerly of Colchester but now of New London do testify and say that John S. Ohio of Colchester served at Providence and New London in the State of Massachusetts in the latter part of Winter and beginning of the Spring of 1776 in a company commanded by Capt. Elisha Hall. But this three months - - - - - and that in September 1777 he enlisted and served as a part of three months in the State Troops and joined the Northern Army at the time of the surrender of Genl. Burgoyne - - - - - I further state that I believe that the said John S. Ohio also served at Fort Ticonderoga in New London in the Spring of 1777 but how long cannot now say nor do I recollect the particulars - - - - - Also the said John S. Ohio was called out and served in the Militia a number of times. but the length of the time he served and when called. do not recollect - Nathl. Ohio
New London County ss New London July 13 th 1832
Personally appeared Nathaniel Ohio the above deponent to me well known to be entitled to full confidence & credit. a statement by him subscribed before me x interlined by me Nathl. Ohio Mr. H. M. Williams Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named William H. Braine Esq r and with his handwriting and believe that the within signature is his genuine signature Am not in the possession of record evidence of his being a justice of the peace but am knowing to his official capacity as such and have no doubt of the fact — and I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Nathaniel O'Leary who has sworn to and subscribed the within certificate and believe him to be a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit — Bony n Grunnebell Judge of probate for Calcutta August 13 th A D 1832 the District of Calcutta —

cap N. Otis s respo
State of Connecticut } New London County = } B
105
I John D'Witt clerk of the County Court in & for s d New London County do hereby Certify that the deposition of Nath l Otis was taken as a Jus tice of the peace in & for s d New London County & that his signature thereto annexed I believe to be in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 1 st day of December AD 1832
John D'Witt Clerk
(D)

George T. Lord, Funeral Director & Embalmer, 15 Main Street, Norwich Conn.
May 12 th / 1901
H. Clay Evans Commissioner
Sir: Will you please favor me with a transcript of the service of John S. Otis a soldier of the Revolutionary War he enlisted at Colchester Ct in 1776. By so doing you will oblige me Yours Sincerely G. T. Lord

4
Norwich Conn.
Aug 5. 1901.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Please send me the record of John T. Otis of Colchester, a soldier and prisoner of the War of the Revolution, said record to be filed with application for membership to the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
Yours truly,
Horace Rogers.
29 Division St. Norwich, Conn.
RECEIVED AUG 10 1901

15-1 B. Soc THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT WASHINGTON IRVING LINCOLN ADAMS FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT SAMUEL CRAIG COWART SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT CHESTER NEVILLE JONES SECRETARY JOHN RANDEL WEEKS TREASURER E. ALLEN SMITH REGISTRAR GEORGE H. RICHARDS HISTORIAN WILLIAM CLINTON ARMSTRONG CHAPLAIN RT. REV. EDWIN STEVENS LINES, D.D.
HEADQUARTERS: 756 BROAD STREET, NEWARK, N. J. (ENTRANCE 1 CLINTON ST.) TELEPHONE 3085 MARKET
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING AUGUSTUS S. CRANE HERBERT ROYAL CRANE FREDERIC DEGARMAR HAHN FREDERICK MARTIN HAVILAND SAMUEL CHUDLEIGH HICKS NEHEMIAH PERRY HOWELL WILLIAM JAMES OSBORN DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON RICHARD TIMBROOK WILSON
PAST PRESIDENTS
JOHN FRANKLIN FORT JOHN LENORD MERRILL
January 29, 1916.
Bureau of Pension, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me, if possible, information regarding the granting of a pension to John Thatcher Otis, or his widow? He is supposed to have served in the Revolutionary War at Cambridge, Lexington and Dorchester Heights. He is also supposed to have served under General Gates after the evacuation of Ticonderoga and in the Company of Capt. Amos Jones. This soldier died at Colchester, Connecticut in 1842 in the 84th year of his age.
This information is desired for the purpose of establishing eligibility of an applicant for membership in this Society,
Yours very truly,
W. Irving Lincoln Adams President. ✓

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Otis, Joseph GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6256 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 24, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.