Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8488, for Samuel Prindle, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Prindle, Samuel
R 8488.
CONTENTS

Samuel Prindle
Reply to A. W. Phelps Woodbury Conn

State of Connecticut, Probate Court
ss. District of Woodbury
On this 14 day of Sept 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury Solomon at Southbury in New Haven County within & for said District of Woodbury now sitting, Samuel Peirce a resident of Southbury in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged seventy six years, who being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That I was born in Newton in Litchfield County Connecticut on the 4 th Day of June 1756. and since there until September the army of the Revolution. I have no memorandum of my birth & name of none none.
In Nov 1779 being the War after Litchfield was burnt. I was a private in the militia company at Newton & was drafted for three months duty and early in Nov by the fourth a fifth & left Newton & marched to Fairfield Co. and since being drafted a company commanded by Lieutenant Ebenezer Peapleton. Ezekiel Dyer was Sergeant this company belonged to a Regiment commanded by Major Abels. I knew no higher officer than him. no other commissioned officer belonged to our company then Lieut Peapleton remained in this company until the last day of January 1780. and was dismissed.
In 1781 Sept I was a private in said Newton militia and was again drafted to perform a three months tour and in Sept joined Capt Abel Rootford's Company. Lieutenant there forgotten but have some impression it was Lieut. Fairchild. I knew of no other officer in the company. I do not remember any higher officer than Capt Rootford. I was stationed at Stamford Horse Neck. I remember there were about four weeks when the whole guard consisting of the company was taken prisoners by the British & sent the Captain and three privates who escaped. I was one of the three privates. all who were
3, mo

taken us once in New York. of the true friends I know none alive the Captain is deceased. I was once charged and returned home
In 1782 in Sept or October the fire part was a private in the Newtown Militia and was again drafted for three months & immediately joined Capt Abel Dotsford's company at Hempstead. Sentiment there forgotten. There was no higher officer than Dotsford that apprehend among the soldiers I continued to do duty there in this company until the expiration of six weeks & more, not then and was discharged. Our company action as guerrilla guerrilla and was the guerrilla was then broken up & our company disbanded.
Since then I have lived in Newtown until after the close of the war about 1787 & moved to New Milford Conn. remained there four years returned to Newtown lived there about six years then removed to Southbury & have resided there since & now live there
I have made enquiries for proof but can find no body alive that I know in the army & can hear of nobody living that was in the army with me.
I am acquainted with Newtown Little John Pierce Esq & Joseph Hill and others of Southbury
I was out in an alarm and was marched from Newtown to Boerskoostown on North River when the Brits went

up the River in the year 1778 in summer Under whose military command in day in the operations Capt Abel Rootford was Capt of the company I was in Col Saltonstall's Regiment
The said Samuel Prindle 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.
H. W. Phelps Judge of Probate Samuel Prindle
We, Grace Hill  a clergyman , residing in the town of Woodbury and Benajah Hill residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Prindle who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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.
H. W. Phelps
Benajah Hill Isaac Hill
Judge of Probate
District of Woodbury
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Prindle
Samuel Prindle town of
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that Benajah Hill & Grace Hill who
has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Woodbury and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. W. Phelps Judge of Probate District of Woodbury
Edw. M. Phelps Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Prindle for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Probate Office, this twenty seventh day of September 183 9
Edw. M. Phelps
Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodbury

Hon R. P. Freeman (Mrs M. B. Bishop)
May 15, 1930 EEH
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.8488, it appears that Samuel Prindle was born June 4, 1756, at Newtown, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
About 1787, he moved to New Milford, Connecticut, remained there four years, returned to Newtown and lived there six years, then removed to Southbury, Connecticut.
He applied for pension September 14, 1832, while residing in Southbury, New Haven County, Connecticut, and stated that he served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as follows:
In the summer of 1778, ten days in Captain Abel Botsford's Company, Colonel Baldwin's Regiment.
From November, 1779, under Lieutenant Ebenezer Bough-ton and Major Abels and was discharged January 31, 1780.
From September, 1781, seven weeks in Captain Abel Botsford's Company.
From about October 1, 1782, six weeks in Captain Abel Botsford's Company.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months service in an embodied military corps as required by the pension laws.
There are no data concerning his family.

Repealed
Connecticut
Laura Prindle
✓ W. B. Phelps
31 July 1834
8 H 88

June 12, 1923 Hist C Rear Admiral Franklin C. Prindle O.S.
1930 - May 16 - Hist. to Hon. R. P. Freeman for Mrs Mary B. Bishop Letter returned to Mr Freeman. E.E.L.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8488 REJECTED
P. O. James Prindle Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

SH 88 - Rej Samuel Pindle
Sept. 14, 1832 - 76
H. H. Co. Com
Born Newtown Conn
June 4, 1756
Nov. 79 Newtown Conn
St. Broughton
Cal -
Prs - 3 m
Sept 81
Capt. Abel Batoford
Cal - Prs - 7 wks
July 82 Cpt do
Cal -
Prs - 6 wks
Rej no proof of service

O. W. & N. Div.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C.
Respectfully returned to
1606b3m
Commissioner.

O B'heffus
31 July 1834
Q.B.
Ad. Mt. Lp. p. 488.

Waverly
P.B.
July 31 st 1836
Hi From the certificate of the comptroller it does not appear that any such company corp as that in which Samuel Prindle claims to have served in 1779 was in service that year unless at the Fairfield alarm when the service was very temporary. His other services were too short to bring the this claim within the law, and in the absence of all proof with a strong presumption arising from the fact that no charge for the services being is found on the books of the pay table the claim must be rejected. The papers remain on file.
The word "Connecticut" has been added to the endorsement on the back of Mr Hills certificate which is herewith returned C B Phelps Esq Woodbury Ct

Charles B. Phelps Esq Post Master Woodbury Connecticut

Comptrollers Office December 19 1833
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of the public accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that there is charged to the United States, upon the books of the Pay Table, under date 31 st August 1779, for the pay roll of Capt. A. Botsford's company Fairfield alarm - also the pay roll of Capt. Job Botsford's company same alarm.
No roll of either company has been found, or proof of the duration of their service.
Also, under date 29 th October 1779, the amount of the pay roll of Capt. Abel Botsford company to Peekskill is charged to the United States.
No roll of this company has been found or proof how long it served.
Also, under date January 4 th 1781 the amount of the pay roll of Capt. Job Botsford's company coast guards is charged to the United States.
No roll of this company has been found, or proof of the its continuance as served.
E. Phelps

Sir
I send you all the proof I send of Capt. Abel Botsford's service, & of Capt. John Botsford's. As they both were in service in 1779 & John in 1780 or 1 - the officer might mistake the given name. etc.
I am truly but in haste
N.B. the officer may be mistaken on the years -
Le P. Phelps

21. 6. 92 Law Pmle
✓
C.B. Phelps Esq. Woodbury Co

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjained 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, showing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers ; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ; ) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service ; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days 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
A. B. appear by the certificate of the Comptroller of Public accounts that Capt. B. Taylor's Co of Militia was in actual service at the time of his death.

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 , 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 [j] 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.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

To The Com of Pensions
Sir
Enclose the certificate of service to Grace Hill of Connecticut Johnson, on the back of a circulation to be paid by the Pension Agent in Vermont ! No such Bank exists in Vermont. but apprehending some difficulty at Hartford about it before to have the error corrected
With respect yours
W. B. Phelps
Woolbury Conn
28 July 1834

Ed Edward Esq
The enclosed papers of Francis Prindle are returned again with the certificate of the Compt other that no revenue exists in his Office unless inasmuch the amt allowed Jan 4 th 1781 is for the expenses of taking out of the company in Feb 1779. a fact consistent with the manner of accounting in the pay table Office
Yours respectfully
Chas Phillips
Brooklyn 6 th
28 July 1834