Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,087, for Whitmore Shephard, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Shephard, Whitmore
S. 17087
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut N. 28.5.
Whitmore Shephard of E. Windsor in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Bacon of the Regt. commanded by _____ in the Connecticut line for
2 Years
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838, from 4 th Sept 1837 to 5 Jan y 1838, the day of his death Age 80. Died 10. April 1839
Deed
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of May 1834 and S. H. Parsons, Hartford Col.
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar. 1834. 240. 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept. 40. 00 $ 280. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book E 2 — Vol. — Page 39 —

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 2 d , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The Administrator of the widow of Whitmore Shephard, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1837, to the 5 th January, 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

1 PENSION ACT OF 1832.
Declaration of Whitmore Shepard
in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT. } ss. Hartford COUNTY OF Hartford }
On this day  August 1832, before the Probate Court for the district of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Whitmore Shepard a resident of East Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventytwo 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 as a private in a company commanded by Captain Bacon of Canterbury Lieutenant not recollected and Ensign not recollected at Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of aforesaid on or about the 1 st of May 1778; that said company belonged to a regiment of militia commanded by Colonel don't remember Lieutenant Colonel don't remember and Major don't remember That he the deponent was drafted for two months, and continued to serve in the said Corps, until on or about the 1 st of July following when he was dismissed from the service, at or near a place called New London in the County of New London and State of Connecticut ; that when he entered the service, he resided in S. Canterbury in the County of Windham and State aforesaid and was marched from said Canterbury to S. New London , - was employed on guard & on foraging parties , in erecting Fort Trumbull & works of defence; until the Spring when we were honorable dismissed by Capt n . Bacon (sometimes as well as he can now recollect ) in July , & returned home to Canterbury . That he knows of nobody now living, who served with him on this tour . That he served two months
That he enlisted (he thinks) in the month of August or Sept r in 1778 as a private , to serve for six months in a Company commanded by Capt n . Stephen Hewett of Canter bury to be in readiness to march at a minutes warning That he accordingly made the necessary preparations & march when called for. That the Company was suddenly called & marched to Newport & returned in a few days for long (the deponent don't remember) that the deponent was absent from Canterbury on military business , when the company marched , & did not get back until the company returned home. The deponent was then by sickness about a few days, which hindered & prevented him providentially from

abroad in season to go with with the company — That he knows of nobody now alive who belonged to the minute company (as it was then called,) at that time.
That he enlisted again & served as a private soldier in a Company commanded by Capt James Dancy, Lieut — Laguskin of Plainfield & Ensign — Hewitt in a Regt. of Militia or State Troops, (he don't remem- ber which) commanded by Col. Shipman, That he thinks he enlisted in the Spring, about March 1781 & marched from Canterbury to Horse Neck, & was there under the command of Genl. Waterbury — served upon & near the lines — at White Plains & near Throgs point & had several skirmishes. He was dismissed at Stamford on or about (as near as he can remem- ber) the Spring (say March) 1782 having served out the full term of twelve months .
That Capt Eliezer Owen of Belchertown in the State of Massachusetts, a person of property & good character was with the deponent in the same company & served with him the whole term & will so testify.
That he served again as a Substitute for Daniel Herrington, in a Company commanded by Capt  James  Hatchfield under Col. Durkay in the Fall of 1782 & served in the Fort Trumbull at New London until peace was proclaimed in 1783. sometime as he thinks the latter part of the Summer or Fall of that year — when the company was dismissed at New London & went home to Canterbury, having served on this tour of duty, as near as he can recollect, & as he verily believes about one year . — That he knows of no person living who served with him on this tour of duty & remembers the names of none of his officers in any of his tours except such as he has stated. That on his tour to Horse Neck in 1781. he saw there but other points where he was ordered, to see Genl. Washington & stood centry for the General & &

That John Gillson & Henry Hill who are neighbours to the deponent in S d East Windsor, & men of excellent character, & for a long time acquainted with the deponent will testify that his character for veracity & honesty is good & that it is believed that the deponent was a revolutionary soldier &c among his neighbours &c
And in reply to certain interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares,
1st. That he was born at Canterbury, in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut on the 10 th day of August 1759 2d. That the day and year of his birth is was recorded in the family bible of his father which he thinks is now in his son's Henry Shepard's possession 3d. and 4th. That when he was called into service, he resided at the places or towns as herein before stated; and served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration. 5th. That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such officers, &c. as he distinctly recollects. 6th. That he has received no written discharge from the service that he recollects; but if he did, it has been lost many years ago. 7th. That he is personally known to Messrs John Gillson & Henry Hill of S d East Windsor & many other gentlemen who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides, and can testify as to his character for veracity, and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And the said Whitmore Shepard 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.
Whitmore Shepard
And the said Court do hereby declare its 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 Capt m Eliazar Owen of Belchertown in the state of Massachusetts & Messrs John Gillson & Henry Hill both of S d East Windsor in the state of Connecticut whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, Wm Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the district of Hartford, in Conn t do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Whitmore Shepard for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 8 th day of August 1832
Wm Whitman, Clk of Court of Probate for district of Hartford.

State of Connecticut S se . Hartford 4 County of Hartford
On this day of June 1833 before
Edward [unclear] Clerk No. 223

5 We, John Gillson & Henry Hill both of East Windsor in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut depose & say that we are well acquainted with Doctor Whitmore Shepard of said East Windsor, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832 - That said Shepard resides in the neighborhood of the deponents & sustains a fair character for truth & honesty -
That it is generally reputed & believed by his neighbors, that he served several terms in the revolutionary war. & the deponents entirely & fully concur in that opinion.
Further that the deponents are not aware that any doubt has existed at any time among his the said Doctor Shepard's neighbors & acquaintances, as to his military service in the revolutionary war. & they believe the statements of said Shepard are entitled to full credit - Further they say not.
Dated at Hartford in said County this 6 th day of August A.D. 1832 -
John Gillson
Henry Hill
Sworn to & subscribed this day before me written.
Ch. Parsons Just. Peace
I certify that Messrs John Gillson & Henry Hill the above deponents, are credible persons, & their statements entitled to credit.
Ch. Parsons Just. Peace

Affidavit of Sup rs John J. Hill de application 7 Whitmore Shepard.

WE, Matthew H Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and Oliver Clapp residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Whitmore Shepard a resident of said Hartford who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 ; that we believe him to be Seventy Three years of age ; that he is generally reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he now resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
M. H. Smith Oliver Clapp
STATE OF Connecticut COUNTY OF Hartford . } ss. Hartford
On this 22 day of June 1833 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, personally appeared The Rev. Matthew H. Smith who is a clergyman residing in the said town of Hartford and Oliver Clapp who is a credible person residing in the same town—and made oath that the preceding certificate by them subscribed is true, and I further certify that their statement is entitled to credit.
En: Parsons Just Pac

8 State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss. Hartford
On this nineteenth day of June 1883 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County of Hartford, personally appeared Whit- more Shepherd late of East Windsor now of Hartford in the County aforesaid - who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot distinctly recollect the names of all the company & field officers under whom he served in the revolutionary war. neither can he state with precision the length of his service but according to the best of his recollections he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades -
For two months  181- served as a private soldier at New London in a company of militia commanded by Captain Bacon then of Canterbury in the State I do not recollect his Christian name, neither do I recollect distinctly the names of the company & field officers - I can find no person to prove this service. It must therefore rest upon my own solemn declaration.
2nd
That he enlisted into a company of minute men commanded by Captain Stephen Hewett, but was prevented from serving by reason set forth in his declaration before the Probate Court dated August 8. 1832. hereto prefixed.
That he afterwards enlisted into & served as a private for twelve months in a company commanded by Captain James Deyo or Denny in Major Shipman's Battalion of Connecticut State Troops in General
David Waterbury brigade. Eleazar Owen & Elias Hubbard were sergeants

in this Company. • Mowen has annexed hereto his affidavit but Elias Hubbard died sometime ago in Ashford in this State.
Caleb Kendee who was a private in the roll of the Connecticut agency was a sergeant of this company six months & was afterwards promoted to the rank of Ensign and served as Ensign the last six months according to my present impression. - If the government will further proof of this service I can probably obtain the deposition of said Kendee provided he is now living in Ashford. - but being myself extremely poor & in very inferior health. & seventy three years of age my health & my purse do not enable me to endure unnecessary labor or exertion unnecessary at any time. Respectfully Yours.
I served as a private soldier at New London in Fort Trumbull. in a company of artillery commanded by Captain Benjamin Duryee or Durkey. one Hotchkiss or Hotchkiss was Lieutenant. of of Hampton then called Canada in this State. - I think Colonel Duryee or Duryee commanded the Fort. I was a substitute for Daniel Harrington who has been dead many years. he was a resident of Brooklyn in this State.
I joined this company immediately after leaving Dana's company of State troops in March 1782. that is, as soon as my mother had mended my old clothes and put my things in order. I served as a private until the end of the until the end of the revolutionary war the month of April 1783 a period of at least twelve months.
I can therefore solemnly swear that

I was a faithful Soldier in the  Continental Service for more than two years during the revolutionary war - as above stated and am justly & legally entitled to the benefits of the provisions of the act of 7 June 1832. I can find no further proof other than as heretofore stated -
I am Seventy three years of age - very lame - without any property - have been blissed with a wife Seleven Chil- dren - six of whom are now living - and I would respectfully request an early and favorable attention to my claim for a pension.
Subscribed & sworn to before me This 19 th day of June 1833
Before Ch. Parsons Justice of the Peace
I am acquainted with Mr. Shepherd the above deponent & believe him to be a credible & honest man - his poor - aged Inform .
Ch. Parsons Just. Peace

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 Enoch Parsons , Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavits of John Wilson, Henry Hill, Rev. Matthew H. Smith, Oliver Chaplin and Whitmore Shepard were taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford 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 signature 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 26 th day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty- three . Thomas Day
30-85-6

17.087 INVALID. ✓
File No. 17087
Whitmore Shepherd
Rev Rev Mar
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Eliza Owen
opp n .
de appointment
7
Whitmore Shepard
for pennies

I Eleazer Owen of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy one years testify and say, that Whitmore then hard who is now present with me, served one year in the Connecticut State Troops, being the year nineteen hundred and eighty one - in the Brigade of General David Waterbury, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Shipman, and in the Company commanded by Captain James Dana, and that we served together for said term in the same Company , and that we were stationed at and near Horn Brook in Connecticut Eleazer Owen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. July 17 th 1832 Then the above named Eleazer Owen personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true, Before me Nelson Shaw Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Eleazer Owen the above named deponent is a person of veracity, and that his statements are entitled to credit.
Nelson Shaw Justice of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that Mason Shaw Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Sixth day of June A. D. 183 3
Sam F. Lyman Register of Probate.

30856 Whitmore Shepard
10 Dec
Adm L as a mistake 2 years $80
St. Ann's Hartford Conn
Page 78.
* QUERE V.
long he ser " Person. duly sworn, c cannot swear po lection he served year _____ and _____ d.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Whitmore Shepherd which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned 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?
No. It must appear whether his service was continual or periodical during the terms for which he enlisted.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
No
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
Not satisfactorily
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
5th
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
it can be distinguished

Whetmore Shepard

It appears by the State records, that the General Assembly of Connecticut in November 1780 ordered 575 men to be raised for defence of Horseneck & to serve until the first day of March 1782, appointed Warick Webb S t Col. & Edward Shipman Major, James Dana a Captain, & Nicholas Huggins an Ensign.
This corps was in February 1781 augmented & reorganized, & subjected to the command of a Brigadier General, who was entrusted with the command of the various posts on the coast from New Haven to Greenwich.
Aug. 29 th 1832 D. Phelps
It also appears by the State records that the Gen l Assembly in May 1782 ordered 1830 men to be raised by enlistment & not to serve longer than the first of January 1783 & that Stephen Hotchkiss of Farmington was among the Lieutenants then appointed.
D. Phelps

Comptrollers Office August 29 th 1833.
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify, that it appears by the records of the Pay Table that Capt. James Dana was in service, & under date June 5 th 1782 the pay roll of his company Waterbury's Brigade was charged to the United. But the roll of his his company is not to be found, nor any evidence how long at his company were in service.
Under date of May 28 th 1783 the pay roll of Capt. Benjamin Dason New London Alarm is charged to the United States. But the roll of his company is not here; neither is there any evidence where the service was rendered, or who belonged to it.
I do not find the pay roll of Capt Stephen Hewett, or his name upon the books, it might have been detached, & his pay roll embraced in that of the regiment or battalion in which he served, as was frequently done. Capt Gershon Hewett was in service, but I find no roll of his

company.
I also certify that I cannot find an account of Lieut. Hotchkiss's service or any roll of his company.
E. Phelps

J. L. Edwards Esq. Hartford December 7. 1833
Sir:
The application of Whitmore Shepherd, for a pension under the Act of 7 June 1832, is herewith returned; I have caused the affidavits to be authenticated, and also obtained a certificate from the Comptroller relative to the services of Captain Benjamin Bacon at New London and that of Captain James Dana at Dorchester, also that a body of men were raised by enlistment in May 1782, of which Stephen Hotchkiss was among the lieu- tenants. The applicant claims for two  two years services in

2 months at New London in 1778 under Captain Baren.
12 months at Horseneck under Captain James Dana.
12 months at Fort Trumbull -
Here relinquishes any claim under his enlistment as a "minute man" having been prevented by sickness from performing Actual Service .
Mr. Shepherd is a very honest man but poor with a large family dependent upon his feeble exertions.
His health is gone & his constitution solemnly broken by long sickness that an early attention to his case would afford him great relief at this time.
Very respectfully I am Mr. Walker Samuel H. Parsons