Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,142, for Erastus Phelps, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Phelps, Erastus.
8.14.142.
Carded
CONTENTS

No 9.670. Connecticut
Erastus Phelps.
of Hebron in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Abel of the Regt commanded by Wade in the Connecticut Volunteer Militia
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1833 and delivered to Judge Abner  Wade now in Washington City.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $ 100.00 Pension allowance ending 4. Sept. " 25.00
$ 125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. S. Evans Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 34.
Date of death not shown in the  roll  of  pension  roll .

18922
Erasmus Phelps Connecticut
Adm for 1 year 3 3 months
40.00 10.00 50
Almer Hendee Nelson Holland Cont. Cols

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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
Erastus Phelps Hobson City, 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.     Vol 1780 " 6 " Privat Capt Beckwith Genl M c Donough None St. Lawrence 69 years Traditionary   " 1781 " 3 " Co Phelps Col M c Donough None Same Hobson Evidence   Sub. — " 6 " C. Ebenezer Lieut None Fort Griswold Connecticut 1 M c Intosh  
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) _____, who has 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 the 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Enactus Phil/ps
18922
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the within applicant and that he was a respectable & creditable member of society
June 8 th 1833 -
Abner Hemen Judge of Court of Probate for the Dist of Tolland & Associate Judge of Court Tolland County, State of Connecticut

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss Hebron Probate District
On this 17 th Day of Nov r 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Abner Hemenbee Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for s d District now sitting Crastus Phelps a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland and state of Connecticut aged 69 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 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated In the year 1780 about the first of Nov. I volunteered to do a tour of duty of six months at N. London Job Beckwith was Capt. of my Company the Lieut. name I have forgotten Russell Willes was Ensign a man from Montville was Col. his name I have forgotten and I there remained guarding the Coast & performing various duties as a soldier until the first of April when the term having expired I was verbally discharged In the year 1781 about the first of September I volunteered again to do a tour of duty at N. London of three months Jeremiah Mason was Col. of the Regt. Roger Phelps Capt. Asaph White Lieut. John Gilbert Ensign and there remained doing the several duties of a soldier until the s d term had expired when I was honorably discharged I think verbally - and at the same time I volunteered as a substitute for Jonathan Tarbox to do a tour of duty of six months at Fort Griswold Daniel Abel was Capt. of my Company, Dutton Lieutenant & one Loomis Ensign and Wait Commanded the Fort and I there remained keeping garrison & assisting in repairing the Fort

until the 5 th term had expired when I was discharged I was known to Daniel Phelps of Hobson who was with him during the two last aforesaid tours of three & six months & whose deposition accompanies this declaration & who can testify to his veracity & belief of the services performed. He was born in Harn & since the latter time I have known him & can testify that he knows of no person living whom testimony he can procure except what accompanies this declaration. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any state.
Ebenezer Phelps
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We. Alphens Gear a clergyman residing in the town of Hobson and Daniel Phelps residing in said Hobson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Phelps who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 69 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Alphens Gear Daniel Phelps
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 serviceman as stated. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Alphens Gear who has signed the fore- going certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Hobson and that Daniel Phelps who has also signed the same is a resident in said Hobson and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Elyas Mann Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the District of Hobson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Phelps for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17 th day of Nov-1832.
Elyas Mann Clerk

I Daniel Phelps of Hebron Tolland County Ct of lawful age do testify & say that I was drafted in the month of Sept. 1781 to do a tour of duty in the militia at N. London Jeremiah Nelson was Col. Roger Phelps Capt. of my Company Asaph White Lieut. John Gilbert Ensign & that I was marched to N. London & there remained & performed the several duties of a soldier until the 8 th term had expired & was verbally discharged & at the same time with others I volunteered to do another tour of six months at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by Daniel Abel some Dutton was Lieut. & one Loomis Ensign Wait commanded the Fort & that I there remained keeping garrison performing various duties until the 8 th term of six months had expired when I was discharged & I well remember that Ezaster Phelps was a private in the same company with me & performed the same duties with me during the aforesaid term of three months & that he volunteered with me for the aforesaid term of six months at Fort Griswold & there remained & performed the several duties in the same company with me until the 8 th term of six months had expired & we were discharged at the same time (Daniel Phelps)
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared in open court before Abner Hoadley Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron Daniel Phelps signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & that Court certifies that the 1 st Daniel Phelps is a man of truth and that his statement is entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th Day of November 1832 Cyrus Mearns Clerk

See Sur. File No. 14, 142, Rev. War , Erastus Phelps was allowed pension on his application executed November 17 th 1832, while a resident of Hebron, Connecticut and sixty-nine years of age.
He stated that he was born at Hebron, where he had always resided, and served in the Connecticut troops as follows:
Volunteered November 1, 1780, Private under Captain Job Beckwith, Colonel not recollected, and was stationed at New London; six months.
Volunteered September 1, 1781, and served three months, under Captain Roger Phelps and Colonel Jeremiah Mason at New London; and six months under Captain Daniel Abel at Fort Griswold which was commanded by --- Wait.
The dates of his birth and death are not shown, nor is there any family data on file.
1915 Nov 26. To J. C. Bissell Esq. Compt. Conn. Fort Conn. letter in 71 2630 H. C. Phelps.

Rev. Amos
14142 INVALID.
1915 Nov. 26. Hist. to F.C. Bissell Dept. Compt. Conn. see letter in W. 2630 Abel Phelps. & 1919 Apl. 5, Do Miss K. R. Prichard &
File No. 14142 Erastus Phelps Pair Beer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 296
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev Van Mack
80. Pine Street Waterbury, Conn.
Will you kindly give to me the record of Erastus Phelps in the Rev. War. His name is found in Conn. Men in the Rev. page 656, as a pensioner of 1832, residing in Tolland County. I am particularly anxious to know all that is Hld of his family.
Sincerely yours (Miss) R. A. Prichard.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ebenezer Phelps , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 14,142
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 1, 1780 Apr. 1, 1781 Private Job Beckwith ✓ Conn.   Sept. 1, 1781 3 mos. Roger Phelps Jeremiah Mason   6 mos. Daniel Abel (at 3rd enlistment) Wait  
Battles engaged in, none stated. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Helron, Tolland Co., Conn. Date of application for pension, Nov. 17, 1832. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Helron, Conn. Age at date of application, sixty-nine yrs. born at Helron, Conn. Remarks: There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
(Service cannot be verified by Conn. book.)
Commissioner.