Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,950, for James Parmelee, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn,
Parmelee, James
S 15950
carded
CONTENTS

22557
Connecticut
James Parmelee Hartford Co in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the comd commanded by Captain Hart of the regt commanded by Col Swift in the Connecticut line for 8 months & 7 days
22557.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut the rate of 27 Dollars 44 Cents per annum. commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Oct 1833 and John Fiske Middleton
Arrears to the 14th of Sep r 68.57 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 13.71 $82.28
{ Revolutionary Claim } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book E Vol. 13 Page 35
Report 25 Oct 33-

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss Durham August 4 th A D 1832
On this 4 th day of August A D 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Middle town now sitting at Durham in said Probate District James Parsons a resident of said Durham aged seventy 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 he was drafted in the service of the United States as one of the States troops of the State of Connecticut for about the term of one month & he thinks in May or June A D 1778 or 1779 as sergeant & went under sergeant Hoag to guard the sea coast at East Guilford - that Preston Halsey of East Guilford was drafted and served at the same time; P. Halsey is now dead that he has no living witness of it. The British rapidly lay off in the shore at that time and it was expected they would land and burn the place.
That he enlisted into the Continental Line in the year 1780 for about the term of  for six months same time in the month of June, and served six months under the command of Capt Hall of Guilford Connecticut, in Col Hartman Swifts Regiment, under General Lafayette (Infantry) He enlisted while living in East Guilford & joined the Army at Nelsons Point N. York; crossed the river at Kings Ferry into N. Jersey where he remained until we went to winter quarters and was discharged the last of Dec. 1780; that there was no written discharge given
He thinks in June or July of the year 1781 That he was drafted about the time of harvest, and went to Guilford where he remained three months under Lieut Simon Parsons - was quartered at the house of a Mr Spencer part of the time, and part of the time at the house of Mr Griffin; at the expiration of 3 months he was dismissed.
That there was no written discharge given. At the time of this service there was an illicit trade carried on with the British off the Guilford coast and the British  they were station there with others to prevent it as far as possible also to prevent the British landing and burning the place.

2 Also That he Enlisted for the term of One year under Capt Hart of Berlin B.T., to go to Detroit, that he remained as a Minute Man, at any moment liable and expected to be called on to march, that he was not allowed at any time to go from home, but was at all times where he could be called on and was bound to service; thus he remained for about six months when he rec d information that he was discharged and his pay was ready — That he went to Hanover and rec d pay in full for six months of the time he was under Enlistment from Lieut. Pratt; his Major was of Hartford Cont. Willis; that Reuben and Nathaniel Brown of the Dugdale both Enlisted with him they are both deceased and that he knows of no living Witness of their presence he thinks it must have been either in the year 1782 or 1783, but cannot recollect, as long time has elapsed; he thinks there was no written discharge given; if so, he has lost the same —
That while in the continental service he well remembers of being within about 2 miles of the execution of Major Andre. That soon after he joined the Army at Wilson's Point the Captain of the Company to which he was attached took a boat load, the said Farmer among the rest, across the River to Wilson's Point where he saw two Soldiers shot for desertion.
He has no documentary evidence of the foregoing facts nor does he know of any living persons who can testify his statement except those whose Depositions are annexed hereto.

3 He the said James Parmele 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.
In answer to the first interrogatory, He states that he was born in said Durham in the year 1762.
To the second. That he has a record of his age taken from the bible of his father.
To the third. That he lived in East Guilford a parish of said Guilford, Conn. until about the year 1781 when he removed to said Durham & has resided in said Durham ever since.
To the fourth and fifth. That he cannot state more particularly than he has done.
To the sixth. That he was always a soldier and that he never received any formal discharge from service but was dismissed as usual.
And to the seventh. That John White Esq, S r John Swift Esq, S r Daniel Bates, Esq r  John Swift Esq Bates, and almost any other individual in said Durham will testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed this Day and year aforesaid,
James Parmele
We David Smith a Clergyman residing in the Town of Durham & John White residing in S t . Town of Durham certify
that we are well acquainted with James Parmele who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he

4 resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that Opinion
David Smith John White
No 6364.
sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War depart- ment that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that David Smith who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Durham. & that John White Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Durham & is a Credible person & that their statement is entitled to Credit -
I John Dike Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middlestown do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Pamela for a Pension -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my Hand & seal of Office this 4 th day of Aug t . AD. 1832
J. Dike

Feb. 26, 1920
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15950, it appears that James Parmelee was born in 1762, in Durham, Connecticut.
While a resident of East Guilford, Connecticut, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut troops as follows:
From the 1st of May, 1779 one month as sergeant's guard, in the rank of private, under Sergeant Hoyt; from late in June 1780, six months as private in Captain Hall's Company in Colonel Heman Swift's Regiment; from about the middle of September, 1781, two months as private under Lieutenant Abraham Scrantom, in Colonel James Arnold's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1832, at which time he was living in Durham, Connecticut, and stated that he had moved there about 1781.
See claim of Joseph P. Parsons S. 11207
* * * * *

James Paine Connecticut
from 1779 private 8 mo. & 17 days A 27. \frac{43\frac{3}{4}}{100}
On Rel 26.6079 77 27.4874
Drifts Regt 1780
10 July 1780
13 Dec. 1780 5 mo. 3
1371 5 68.57
John Lusk Middletown Conn

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Pamela further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ? yes 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 ? yes IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served ? yes 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 see quon 5 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 ? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion ? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ? yes 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 ? yes

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? yes
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? witnesses
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
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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.

I Charles White of Durham in the County of Middlesex and State of Conn- -ecticut being 85 years of age dispose and say that in the time of the Revolutionary war in the year 1780 I was in the service of the United States in the Continental Army for Six Months and I very well Remember that James Parmelee of Durham in the County aforesaid was in the service at the same time we joined the army the last of June 1780 & served until the last of December following I belonged to Genl Parsons's Brigade in Col d Dingley's Regiment the said Parmelee belonged to the Infantry commanded by Genl Lafayette the army the most of the time were Stationed in New Jersey. Durham June 6 th 1833 Witness John White Second White his Charles J White mark
Middlesex County ss Durham June 6 th 1833 Personally appeared Charles White known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is the truth before me
A
John White Justice of the peace

I James Bishop of Durham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut being 71 years of age depose and say that in the time of the Revolutionary War I was in the service of the United States in the Continental army in the year 1780 for the term of six months, and I very well remember that James Parmelee of Durham in the County aforesaid was in the Continental Army with me at that time I belonged to Genl Parsons's Brigade and Col Dingley's Regiment, we were the principal part of the time stationed in the in the State of New Jersey were present when Major Andre was hung the said Parmelee belonged to the Infantry Commanded by Genl Lafayette, we joined the continental Army the last of June 1780 and were Discharged the last of December following and the deponent further saith not Durham June 5th 1833 James Bishop
Middlesex County ss Durham June 5th 1833 Personally appeared James Bishop known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is the truth before me John White Justice of the peace B.

I Abraham Seranton of Durham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut being 83 years of age I here and say that in the time of the Revolutionary war in the year 1781 on or about the middle of Sept in said year I was drafted as a Lieutenant in the Service of the United States to serve for two months in the town of Guilford in the State of Connec- ticut and that James Parrish of Durham in the County aforesaid was drafted at the same time with me and served under my command through the aforesaid term of two months we were under the command of Col James Arnold of Durham Conn Lieut Col Name not Recollected our Majors name was Cook, he belonged in Wallingford Conn — I had the command of about fifty men that were stationed at Guilford aforesaid to guard the coast and at the expiration of two months we were Dismissed and the defendant further saith not Durham July 4th 1833      Abraham Seranton
Middlesex County ss Durham July 4th 1833 Personally appeared Abraham Seranton known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is the truth before me
John White Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss I John Fiske clerk of the County Court for said County of Middlesex do certify that John White Esquire was on the 5th day of June last and now is a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Middlesex as per commission on file in my office and that this same subscribed to the within certificate (marked A. B. & C.) are his proper hand writing and signatures
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Middletown in said County this tenth day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three.
J. Fiske Clerk

To Hon. J. L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions Washington D. C.

Middletown, Conn. 10 th July 1833.
To J. L. Edwards;
Comm r of Pensions: Washington:
Sir:
Several applicants in my Probate District for pensions, have not yet received their certificates. Some of them are very old, extremely poor and impatient; and at their repeated and earnest solicitations I have consented to add up a line to you on the subject. Most of them have but a short period, in the common course of events, to live in this World. They feel this to be the case with them; and you can hardly credit the anxiety which they manifest about the result of their Pension claims. They will come into my office and talk and weep till my heart aches for them; and when they depart my best wishes attend them, in the hope that God will spare their lives till the period shall arrive when they shall receive, from the Treasury of their Country, some trifling compensation for their Revolutionary services. If they were less poor and dependent my feelings would be far different; but, Sir, many of them are poorly clad and poorly fed. For example Abraham Scrantom is a worthy, good old man who, I understand, is supported with his wife upon the charity of his son in law. He is very childish, but a great lover of his Country, and is waiting in great expectation. Sabry Chalker is a poor man and needy. James Parnlee, whose additional Declaration I have just completed, is kept from the Alms-House through the charity of his son who had failed and met with sad misfortunes within the past year. He is wholly unable to support his father; but how can he suffer him to live in the Alms-House. Manuah Camp is poor and lives with his son. Jonathan Wells, who perhaps served more time in the Revolutionary War than any other applicant that has fallen within my notice, has been for a long time and now is an inmate of the poor House in Durham. Notwithstanding

his misfortunes, he is still possessed of a noble soul and a benevolent heart. He grieves sadly and takes it much to heart, that when he spent so much money and time in the War, he should be suffered to lie in a miserable poor house and waste the few days allotted him, in wretched dependence. "After all," said he, "I would march tomorrow at my Country's call and fight her foe!" I confess his case interests me much, and I pray though I cannot help the man. James Francis, though in better circumstances, than most of the others, has to use close economy to live.
Rejoice Camp is in low circumstances. James Bishop has to work upon a Shoemaker's bench for a livelihood, with miserable health, being often afflicted with fits which have somewhat impaired his understanding. Silvanus Clark is poor and dependent in part upon his maiden daughter. David Lynn is in bad circumstances, having lately lost his wife and met with other misfortunes. Mr Sage is dependent upon his children, most of whom are poor. The old man has many infirmities and cannot survive long. Noadiah Rockwell is poor, and having lately been reduced extremely low by a fever, is very feeble. He could not help weeping aloud when I finished his last papers. He is a worthy man. James Wilcox is needy.
John Hand is in moderate circumstances and needs a pension. He is a singular but good old man, and strictly upright. He has spent the most of his days. He will soon drop off the stage. These applicants are men of character and are esteemed by the wise and good. Though low in life they are regarded with due respect.
When Mr Storrs was in Congress he procured the certificates of all the applicants for whom he had drawn papers; and hence much dissatisfaction has prevailed among those that are left.

They charge me with negligence and aver if he had drawn their papers they should have received their certificates long ago . He denies that he urged his papers upon the attention of the Department to the exclusion of others; but they do not believe it. Our richest applicants have generally received their certificates first in this District while those who are the most needy, are obliged to wait. This is another source of dissatisfaction.
Pardon me, Sir, for this encroachment on your time and patience. I feel it to be my duty. Surely there can be no harm in laying the cases of our applicants before you. They do not expect impossibilities, but only beg you, for the above reasons, to take their papers into consideration as soon as you can, consistently with your duty to others, which they have no doubt you will do. Perhaps this Letter would not have been written, after all that has been said; but they understand Franklin G. Canstock of Hartford, Count., is about going to Washington, for the purpose of hastening forward, if possible, the decision upon the papers which he and certain other individuals have drawn; and they hope not to be prejudiced thereby.
With sentiments of the highest respect,
I am, Sir, Your M. Servt.
J. K. Wightman, Judge Probate for District of Middletown, Count.
I have read the foregoing Letter and declare that the statements therein are true.
W. S. W. C.

P
15950
INVALID.
File No. 15,950
James Parmelee
Dis. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 220
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 2/53 Hist. to Mrs. H. C. Vanderwood, 1005 N. Main St., Bloomington, Ill. M.E.
Jan. 29-99 History to Mrs. J. P. Morehouse, Bloomington Ills.
2.87.13.
Feb. 6. 1930. Tombstone data to Chas. P. Hale See claim of Joseph Parsons. D 11207. U.C.D.

Bloomington Ill. Jan. 7- 1897
To the Commissioner of Pensions: Dear Sir.
Will you please send to me the Revolutionary record of James Parmelee and Sylvanus Clark soldiers from Connecticut and pensioners as well--.
Yours truly
(Mrs.) Jane Parmelee Morehouse, 805 N. Main St., Bloomington, Ill.

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex } ss. Middletown 9 th July 1833.
On this 9 th day of July AD 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Middletown now sitting in said Middletown, James Parmelee a resident of Durham in said County and District, now aged 70 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 which is in addition to his former declaration made before this Court the 21 st day of August AD 1832.
Respecting my first term of service at East Guilford. The first of May 1779 I was drafted with several others to serve in the rank of a private and as Sergeants guard for the term of one month and served at East Guilford under Sergeant Hoyt of that place for the period for which I was drafted and then the first of June 1779 or soon after was discharged. We were stationed at East Guilford to guard the coast where it was daily expected the enemy would land and burn and destroy the Town. There were no other officers of this guard within my recollection it being a Sergeants guard and having removed from East Guilford to Durham in 1781 and being thus separated from most of my comrades who are all now dead I have no proof of this service.

As to my second Tour of Service to New Jersey. I enlisted a private into the Continental line the last of June 1780 for the term of six months under the command of Capt. Hall of Guilford County in Colonel Heman Swift's Regiment - under Genl. Lafayette. Mr. Wilson of Killingworth County was adjutant of the Regiment. Mr. Bostwick was or Bostwick was the orderly Sergeant of Capt. Hall's Company to which I belonged. I was discharged the last of December 1780 upon the Highlands this side North River after a service of six months and returned home. For proof of my services this Tour see the accompanying depositions of Chas. White and James Bishop both of Durham who have been my near neighbors ever since the time of the Revolutionary War.
Respecting my third tour to Guilford County. I find in reflection that in my former declaration my statement does not precisely agree with the fact. When that Declaration was taken it was done at Durham in great haste a number of applicants being present and anxious to complete their papers which left us all in confusion and I had not proper time to consider. I was drafted about the middle of Sept. 1781 for a period of two months at least, to serve at Guilford County in the rank

of a private in the company commanded by Lieutenant Abraham Scranton of Durham which belonged to the Pennsylvania  was under Col. Samy Arnold of Durham long since dead. I served the two months and afterwards between the middle and last of November 1781 was dismissed and returned home. We did duty at three several posts viz. at the Point of Rocks, at Leet's Island and at Sachem's head. I remember while I was in service this Four Corporal Simon Cox while at his post on duty on Leet's Island wishing to make it appear that the enemy had landed pretended to fire at them and then cut off a hen's head and sprinkled the blood upon the rocks to induce us to believe the enemy had been wounded. A Court martial was held and he was acquitted for want of proof. That I was in service this time and for a period of two months I refer to the deposition of Abraham Scranton of Durham attach- ed to these papers who commanded our company.
Respecting my fourth expected tour for Detroit. The last of April or first of May 1782 I enlisted for the term of one year under Capt. Hart of Berlin Court. To march to Detroit and serve for that period of time in the rank of a private. I remained at Durham most of the time except a few days at Berlin during the then following six months a minute man

ready to march at a moments warning. I was not allowed to go from home but constantly kept my-self in readiness. At the expiration of six months I received information of my discharge and that my pay was ready. I went to Hartford where I received it from Lieutenant Pratt. He offered me Pierce's notes in payment and then offered to pay me hard money in lieu of it at a discount. I accord- -ingly made the exchange but after I returned home was told that the bills were equally good with the specie. Samuel Willis was Colonel instead of Major. The last of October 1782 or about that time I was discharged. I have no proof of this enlistment and these facts. After the Revolutionary War Capt. Hart went into the State of Ohio and there was killed in battle by the Indians. Lieuten- -ant Pratt died in Middletown Court several years ago; Col. Willis is dead; and I have no one to refer to for proof. Not having gone into actual service I can name no other officers.
Then I have endeavored at a considerable expense and trouble to answer the objections of the War Department: If any thing further should be required I will try to attend to it. My services in the war were laborious and fatiguing and I am poor and hope my case will be duly considered.
I have not mentioned the day and year of my discharge. I had forgotten one circumstance.

When the British landed at New Haven to burn and plunder I was ordered out on an alarm and marched from Guilford toward New Haven. At East Haven on Beacon Hill several of the enemy lay asleep under the shade of a tree with their bottles, bags biscuit and arms lying on the ground around them. I had proceeded my company with several others and arriving upon the ground we fired upon the sleeping enemy. They jumped up and hastily retreated and left their arms and other things upon the ground. I was the first one that seized one of their guns which I brought away and have always kept it and now have it in my house to this day. A cannon ball came from the enemy at that time which took off the head of one of our soldiers by the name of Porter. Elathan Norton my near neighbor was wounded. I was in service this time four days.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written. James Parmach
Attest. Stillman K. Wightman, Judge of probate for the District of Middletown

John Pick Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middlesex do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the addition to the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Pamela for a Pension.
In Witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand & Seal of Office this 10 th day of July A.D. 1833.
J. Pick