Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,155, for Simeon Penfield, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Penfield, Simeon
S. 18155
Carded.
CONTENTS

17294, 17294 Connecticut
Simeon Penfield
of Middletown in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stewart of the Regiment commanded by Col Falcott in the Connecticut line for 7 mos. 16 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 24 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug. 1832 and to witto P.P. Stock Shattuck
Arrears to the 4th of Jan. '33 $ 48 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. '33 12 $60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Col. Stiles Clerk, Book E Vol. B, Page 35
Pension Agent, Ap. 27, '37.
1844-1844-1844

State of Connecticut } ss. County of Middlesex } ss.
On this 29 th day of January A D 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Chatham in said County, now sitting, Jeremiah Penfield a resident in the Town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut, aged Seventy Eight 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 th A D 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That about the commencement of the year 1776 when the British were in possession of Boston and as the declarant believes on the 26 th day of January of that year he enlisted into the company of Connecticut State troops whereof Joseph Blagden then of said Chatham was Capt. ————— Whitmore Lieut. & ————— Clark, Ensign. That soon after said enlistment he marched with the rest of said company to Boston in the State of Massachusetts; That he assisted in taking possession of & fortifying Dorchester Heights; That he was on the Heights when the British retired from Boston & afterwards entered the town with the American troops under General Washington. That he was a private in said company & served therein from the time of his said enlistment in near Boston two months & sixteen days and that he was discharged as he believes on the 6 th day of April next after his enlistment ————— Trmo.

II That In the month of August 1776 at the time of an expected invasion of New York by the British the whole of the 23 rd Regiment of Connecticut Militia was ordered to that City. That he was then a private in the 11 th company of said Regiment, that 1 st Regiment was commanded by Col Talcott & Major Penfield & said company was under the command of Capt Stewart & Ensign Bedwell; that 2 nd Regiment landed in said City about the middle of said August & soon after crossed the East River to Long Island & there remained until ordered back to the City by Gen Washington. That after this he continued in the service in & near New York Island until a few days after the British evacuated there when he was dismissed after having served as a private as aforesaid at least one month and a half.
III That in April 1777 when Danbury in the State of Connecticut was visited by the British under Gov. Tryon, the whole of said 23 rd Regiment commanded as aforesaid was ordered to said Danbury. That he was then a private in said 11 th company under command of Capt Stewart, Lieut. Churchill & Ensign Bedwell & marched as far as New Haven in Conn. to said Danbury & served therein not less than ten days. Said company was dismissed at New Haven.
IV That immediately after said expedition to Danbury & in consequence of the alarm excited by Tryon's movements he was drafted as one of the Connecticut Militia & sent to New Haven for the term of two months. That he was in the service at New Haven in the company of which either Daniel Brainard or John Cooper was Capt. & — Churchill was Lieut. during the whole of said term of two months & was employed

in performing garrison duty.
V That in 1779 at the time of the attack made by the British upon East Haven in Conn. the whole of said 23 d Regiment was ordered to that place. That he was then a private in the 11 th company therein & as such served therein at this time not less than twelve days
VI That in the year 1781 about the time of the destruction of New London, he was a private in an artillery company belonging to said 23 d Regiment which company was under the command of Capt. Blackman, said Regiment being then commanded by Col. Salcott & Major Penfield. That the whole of said Regiment was then ordered to Killingworth in Conn. on Long Island Sound & that he then served as a private in said artillery company not less than ten days.
That by reason of the great length of time which has elapsed since the performance of said service the advanced age of this declarant & his consequent loss of memory it is impossible for him to state with entire certainty the precise days on which the several portions of his said service commenced, but according to his best recollection and as he verily believes he served for the several periods of time & in the grade abovenamed, making in the whole a service of seven months & six days as a private.
That he cannot recollect the names of the regular officers who were with the American troops at the times

of said service, excepting the Commander in Chief at New York & Boston & Gen. Wooster & Gen. Arnold at Danbury - nor does he remember particularly any regiment continental or militia other than that to which he belonged which was engaged in said service.
That in relation to the first above mentioned term of his said service, there is in the hands of Col. Elisha Gove of said Chatham a written doc- ument which was found by said Gove among the papers of the said Capt Joseph Blagden, after his death, purporting to be a record or memorandum kept by said Blagden of his transactions while in the military service of the United States, from which document it appears that this declarant enlisted into the company commanded by said Blagden on the 26 th day of January A.D. 1776 & was in the service as a private in said company seventy two days & was discharged from said service on the 6 th day of April 1776 & that this declarant rec d of the said Blagden the pay then allowed by law for his said service for which there is a receipt in said document subscribed by the declarant. That said document is in the hands of said Gove as the husband of one of the daughters of said Blagden and cannot be procured, to be transmitted herewith to the War Department.

That he has no other written or documentary evidence of any part of his service & that he never received any written discharge therefrom at the expiration of any period thereof or at any other time
That he was born on the 7 th day of April 1754 within the limits of the present town of Chatham aforesaid & that to the present time he has always had his residence therein & still lives in the same
That with respect to the facts known to his service aforesaid he knows of no person living who from personal knowledge thereof can testify to the performance of the same except that  the persons  Rev. Charles  Rev. Charles  Bentley  Bentley & Rev. Ralph Smith Esq.  Rev. Ralph Smith Esq. whom affidavits are hereto annexed
That he has no record of the time of his birth nor does he believe any such record exists unless in the public records of the town of Middleborough, of which he has no knowledge That he is well known to the Rev Charles Bentley & Ralph Smith Esq. in the neighborhood where he now resides, who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution
That 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. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first aforesaid.
Simeon Penfield
We Charles Bentley - a clergyman residing in the town of Chatham aforesaid and Ralph Smith Esq. residing in the said town of Chatham hereby certify that we are well acquainted

with Simeon Penfield who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, That we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, That he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & subscribed the day & year first aforesaid
Charles Bentley Ralph Smith
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Rev Charles Bentley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said Town of Chatham and that Ralph Smith Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Chatham & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit, and the court further certify the persons by whom the accompanying affidavits are taken are justices of the peace regularly appointed & sworn.

I William G. Comstock Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Chatham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Simeon Penfield for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of August A. 1832
W. G. Comstock Clerk

Elisha Covell of the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut aged forty one years & being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is the husband of one of the heirs at Law of Capt. Joseph Blague formerly of said Chatham, deceased that at the time of the decease of said Blague there was found among the papers of said deceased a certain written document, purporting to contain a memorandum or record of events & occurrences, connected with the military services, rendered by said Blague to the United States, during the Revolutionary war & among other things specifying the time when Simeon Penfield then and ever since of said Chatham, enlisted into the company of Connecticut State troops, raised in pursuance of Enlisting orders issued by the then Governor of the State of Connecticut & commanded by said Blague & showing that said Penfield enlisted into said company on the 26 th day of January A D 1776 & served in said company in & near Boston 72 days & was discharged on the 6 th day of April 1776 — That said written document is now in the possession of this deponent — that said Penfield has applied to this deponent to obtain the same for the purpose of being transmitted to the War Department in connection with his Pension

paper - and that this deponent, for reasons satisfactory to himself, has declined parting therewith for the purpose aforesaid. And further this Deponent saith not. Dated at Chatham the 30 th day of January A 1833 Elisha Covell
State of Connecticut } County of Middlesex } ss Chatham Jan. 30 th A 1833
Then personally appeared Elisha Covell subscriber to the foregoing Deposition well known to the subscriber as a person of truth & veracity & made solemn oath that said deposition is true
Before me
Horace Root Justice of the Peace
Elisha Covell's Deposition in the cause of Pomfret vs Covell

Amos Shepard of the town of Chatham, in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut aged seventy two years & being duly sworn doth depose & say that in the year 1776 about the time when the British landed on Long Island the whole of the Regiment of Connecticut Militia then commanded by Col Matthew Salcott was ordered into the service of the United States at the City of New York, that This deponent was then a private in the company belonging to said Regiment & commanded by Capt Daniel Stewart; that this Deponent went to said City in said company & was in said service there & in places adjacent one month & a half - And This Deponent further says that Simon Penfield then & ever since of said Chatham was also, at the time aforesaid, a private in said company & went to said City as such & served there in the same places with this deponent & for the same length of time viz one month and a half. And further This Deponent saith not. Dated at Chatham the 29 th day of January A D 1833
Amos Shepard
State of Connecticut } At Chatham Jan 29 th 1833 County of Middlesex }
Then Personally appeared Amos Shepard subscribed to the foregoing deposition, well known to me as a person of truth & veracity & made solemn oath that said deposition is true
Before me Franklin G. Comstock Justice of the Peace

Oliver Wolcott the son of Simon Wolcott
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 Franklin G. Goodstock , Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Amos Shepard was taken, is, and at the time of such caption was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex 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 thirteenth day of June , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three .
Thomas Day

Abel Penfield of the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut, aged seventy four years & being duly sworn, deponeth & saith that some time during the Revolutionary war, the precise time not being within the recollection of the deponent, but as he believes in the year 1777 or 1778, he was drafted as one of the Connecticut Militia for the term of two months to go to New Haven in Conn. That he was a private in the company com- manded by Capt John Cooper of which George Hubbard was Lieut. & Lieut Smith was Ensign. That he went to said New Haven & was in the service of the United States there the said term of two months & acted as waiter to the Capt. of said Company - That said Company was Em- ployed principally in keeping guard. And this deponent further saith that Simon Penfield then & ever since of said Chatham was drafted at the same time with this deponent & was a private in the same company & went to said New Haven & was in said service as such private the said term of two months. at the end whereof said company was dismissed. And further this deponent saith as he. Dated at Chatham the 29 th day of January A D 1833
Abel Penfield

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex } ss Chatham Jan. 29 th 1833
Then Personally appeared Abel Penfield Subscribed to the foregoing deposition, well known to me to be a person of truth & veracity and made solemn oath that said deposition is true
Before me
Horace Soot Justice of the Peace

James Penfield of the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut of the age of seventy eight years & being duly sworn doth depose & say that in the months of August and September of 1776 he was in the military service of the United States at New York & on Long Island & was orderly sergeant of the 10 th Company & 23 rd regiment of Connecticut Militia, the whole of which regiment was at the time aforesaid called into service in those places. That Simon Penfield then & ever since of said Chatham & of the age of seventy eight years was a private in said Company & then & there performed service therein during the term of one month and and a half.
And this Deponent further says that in the month of April 1777 said Company was ordered to Danbury in the State of Connecticut: That he was orderly sergeant of the same & that said Penfield was a private therein - that said Penfield went to said Danbury in said Company & was in the service, according to this Deponent's recollections not less than  about ten days
And this Deponent further says that in July 1779 said Militia Company whereof he was then orderly sergeant & said Penfield was a private, was called, in connection with the whole of said regiment to East Haven in Connecticut to repel an attack of the British - that said Penfield marched to said East Haven in said Company & was employed in the service on this occasion not less than  about eight days
And this Deponent further says that in the fall of 1781 about the time of the destruction of New London by Arnold, the whole of said regiment was ordered to Killingworth in Connecticut - that at this time he was orderly sergeant of said Militia Company & said Penfield was a private therein - that said Company went to said Killingworth & that said Penfield was in the

saw & served therein in this Deponent recollects no less than  about eight days.
And this Deponent further says, that he well recollects, that the said Penfield, in the latter part of the winter of 1776 enlisted into a company of Connecticut State Troops under the command of Captain Joseph Blague then of said Chatham - that this company, according to his recollection was ordered to Boston as early as the 1 st of March of that year - that said Penfield left Chatham as a private in the same that he thinks the term for which said Penfield enlisted was two months & that it was something more than two months from the time he left said Chatham to the time of his return. That he has no personal knowledge of the services in which said Penfield was engaged during his absence and further this Deponent saith not. Dated at Chatham the 29 th day of January  January A 1833
Daniel Shepard
State of Connecticut } ss Chatham Jan. 29 th A 1833 County of Middlesex }
Personally appeared Daniel Shepard whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition, a person well known to me to be a man of truth & veracity and made solemn oath that the matters contained in said Deposition are true. Before me
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 Horace Foote , Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavits of Daniel Shepard, Abel Penfield and Elisha Gove were taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex 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 13 th day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-three. Thomas Day

same & served therein as this Defendant recollects for no less than  the  period of eight days. And this Defendant further says that he
And this Deponent further says, that he well recollects, that the said Penfield, in the latter part of the winter of 1776 enlisted into a company of Connecticut State Troops under the command of Capt Joseph Blagden then of said Chatham - that this company, according to his recollection was ordered to Boston as early as the 1 st of March of that year - that said Penfield left Chatham as a private in the same that he thinks the term for which said Penfield enlisted was two months & that it was something more than two months from the time he left said Chatham to the time of his return. That he has no personal knowledge of the services in which said Penfield was engaged during his absence and further this Deponent saith not. Dated at Chatham the 29 th day of August January A D 1833
Danit Shepard
State of Connecticut } Is Chatham Jan. 29 th A 1833 County of Middlesex }
Personally appeared Daniel Shepard whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition, a person well known to me to be a man of truth & veracity and made solemn oath that the matters contained in said Deposition are true.
Before New
Horace Foot Justice of the Peace
THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State thereof doth or may concern that the the foregoing Affidavit is true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief. Given under my hand and the seal of the said State, this _____ day of _____, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and _____, and of the Independence of the United States the _____.

August 31, 1937
Jesse Penfield R. 9477 Simeon Penfield S. 18155 BA-J/AWF
Reverend Dr. Charles M. Shepard The General Theological Seminary Chelsea Square New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Jesse Penfield, pension #R. 9477, and Simeon Penfield, pension #S.18155.
The Revolutionary War records of Jesse and Simeon Penfield are furnished herein as found in pension claims. It was not stated that they were related to each other
Jesse Penfield-R. 9477
The data concerning Jesse Penfield which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 9477, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of Jesse Penfield were not shown, nor were the names of his parents stated.
Jesse Penfield married May 17, 1795 in Chatham, Middlesex County, Connecticut, Dorinda Norton. The date and place of her birth were not given, nor were the names of her parents shown.
Jesse Penfield died at sea, February 4, 1805. His widow, Dorinda, married, date not given, Andrew Shepard, who died June 3, 1830. The widow, Dorinda Shepard, died
See his letter in file Penfield R. 9477

August 27, 1855.
Mrs. Lucinda N. Sage aged fifty-seven years in 1856, then living in Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut, stated that she was the only child and heir at law of Jesse Penfield and his wife, Dorinda; she applied for pension on March 5, 1856, and stated that her father, Jesse Penfield, enlisted in the month of June, 1776, served about six months as sergeant in Captain Joseph Churchell's company, Colonel Comfort Sage's Connecticut regiment.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of six months' service as required by the pension law was not established.
Edward A. Penfield in 1856 was Judge of Probate Court for Chatham District, Connecticut. Zebulon Penfield was ninety-one years of age in 1856, and Daniel Shepard was seventy-three years of age in 1856; they were both of Middlesex County, Connecticut, and were well acquainted with Jesse Penfield and his wife, Dorinda. It was not shown that these persons were related to the family.
*****
Simeon Penfield-S.18155
The data relative to Simeon Penfield furnished you were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 18155, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Simeon Penfield was born April 7, 1754 in Chatham, Middlesex County, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Chatham, Simeon Penfield served as private with the Connecticut troops, as follows-
From January 26, 1776 until April 6, 1776 in Cap-

tain Joseph Blague's company; in August and September, 1776, one month and two weeks in Captain Daniel Stewart's company, under Colonel Matthew Talcott and Major Penfield; in April, 1777, ten days, on the Danbury Alarm, no officers stated; again in 1777, two months in Captain John Cooper's company, garrison duty at New Haven; in July, 1779, twelve days at East Haven, Connecticut, officers' names not given; in the fall of 1781, ten days in Captain Blackman's company of artillery, under Colonel Talcott and Major Penfield.
The soldier, Simeon Penfield, was allowed pension on his application executed January 29, 1833, then a resident of Chatham, Connecticut, where he had always lived. He died October 4, 1844.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to wife or children. One Abel Penfield in 1833 was seventy-four years of age and living in Chatham, Connecticut. It was not shown that he was related to the soldier, nor was it stated that the Major Penfield under whom he served was a relative.
In order to obtain the name and address of person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Simeon Penfield Certificate # 17294 Issued August 13, 1833 Rate $24.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

18155 INVALID.
1937- Aug 31- list. to Rev. Charles N. Shepard - see his letter in Jesse Penfield Rg 7477 and
File No. 18155
Simeon Penfield
Br Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lincoln Penfield
7 mo. 60s per
8-65.
W. Courtade
acme 7 mo. 60s per
27 2/3  299

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Simeon Peasefield 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 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? No
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate 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?
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?
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.