Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17496, for Ebenezer Prior, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Prior, Ebenezer Mary
W17496
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]

6020
Connecticut
Ebenezer Prior
of the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ellsworth of the Regt commanded by Col Huntington in the Conn. time for 9 mo Private $30.00 10 " Sergeant 50.00 $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Feb 1833 and sent to W. D. ... Esq. L. P. Puer Puer
Arrears to 4th of Feb. 1832 $120.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 11 Mo in 1833 40.00 $160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. D. Luce Clerk, Book 9 Vol. 3 Page 61

E P Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of Connecticut Hartford County Probate District of Enfield
On this 6 th day of August 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before William Dixon Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield now sitting Ebenezer Prior a Resident of Enfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Eighty Six years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an 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 That in the year 1775 about the first of June according to his best recollection he Enlisted for the term of Seven months under Capt Charles Ellsworth of Ellington Mous Hall of Stafford 1 st Lieut Samuel Bancroft of East Windsor 2 nd Lieut Barzilla Markham of Enfield Ensign That soon afterwards he marched to Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts & joined the troops then stationed at Roxbury That a Col o Huntington of Norwich Commanded the Regiment to which he belonged. That immediately after he reached Roxbury he

was appointed Sargent received a warrant under the hand of Col d Huntington & discharged the duties of the office during the whole time. That he remained at Roxbury during the whole seven months Excepting that he was several times sent  sent as a Messenger to Cambridge, town to the quarters of General Washington with papers for him That he was at Roxbury when Charlestown was burnt & the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. That he was near Engaged with the Enemy but frequently exposed to the shot from their Artillery that while on guard in the night Oleah Carpenter a person belonging to the same Company with him was Killed by his side. He remembers seeing Generals Ward Putnam & Spencer frequently at Roxbury and frequently saw General Washington both at Roxbury and Cambridge a Major Clark of Wethersfield was Major of the Regiment to which he belonged. Does not know of any person belonging to the same Company or Regiment with him now living. He recollects that he was on his return from Roxbury after being discharged on the 25 th of Decr 1775 on that day reached Kings Tavern in Palmer Mass. Sometime in the month of June 1776 he Enlisted for the term of six months under Capt Benjamin Hartman of Suffield. Thomas Abney of Enfield 1 st Lieut. Samuel Pranger of Suffield 2 d Lieut & Bildad Pranger of Suffield Ensign. That according to the best of his recollection they marched for Lake

Champlain about the first of July that his route lay through Worthington over the mountain to Lanesboro in Massachusetts then to Bennington Manchester & Shaftsbury in Vermont to Skene'sboro now Whitehall that he remained at Skene'sboro about a month then went aboard the boats & proceeded to Mount Independence and remained there until he was discharged at the Expiration of the term for which he Enlisted Col o Mott of Preston Commanded the Reg t to which he belonged a Major Worthington was his M aj or thinks he saw General Gates there remembers very well seeing General Waterbury who was taken Prisoner by the Enemy was not in any Engagement with the Enemy himself, but saw the fight on the lake between the Enemies boats & ours. James Green James Hall and William Chaffee Persons now living in Enfield served with him in the same Company and can Testify to his Service. That about the first of Sept 1777 he went as a Substitute for one Zakhus Prior who was drafted from the Militia to New London & served there months a Capt ain Derrick of Willington was his Capt ain & Reuben Bradley of Lanesboro was his S er g t & a Col o Wells Commanded the Regiment was stationed in the Town, there is no living to his knowledge who served with him "this" Town. In the month of July or Aug t 1779 he volunteered from a Company of Militia

from which several men were ordered to be detached & marched to New London under Capt Gane of Coventry a Grant of East Windsor was Secret & Ezekiel McKinstry of Ellington Ensign. Served three months was appointed Sergeant received a Warrant under the hand of Col o Jonathan Wells of East Hartford  Windsor who was his Col o & discharged the duties of his office untill discharged. Abadiah Green & Hill Lowdy Persons now living in the Enfield Served with him this Law & can testify to his Service. Precedingly to his last Term to New London to wit in March 1778 he Enlisted in a Company of Artisans for the term of one year & worked under the superintendence of Col o Mason the principal works were at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts. he worked at the Enfield which is about Eight miles from Springfield served out the year untill March 1779 & again Enlisted for four months & Served out that time was regularly Enlisted & always understood that he was liable to be called into Service against the Enemy if his Services were deemed necessary for that object, drew rations the same as in the army. he was by trade a Black Smith. John Bean a Person now living in the Enfield Served with me a part of the time in the same Corps of Artisans can testify to his Service. he was born on the 2 nd day of May (Old style) 1746 at the Enfield where he still resides & has ever since resided with the Exception of two years residence in Johnstown

in the State of New York. his age is recorded in the records of the Town of Enfield. he never received a written discharge from the Service at any time as he can recollect. The only Documentary Evidence he has in his possession regarding his Service is a Sergeant's Warrant Dated at New London in Aug 4 1779 signed by Col o Jonathan Wells. Hereunto annexed 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 any agency in any State
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year above Ebenezer Dyer W m Dixon Judge
We Francis L Robbins a Clergyman residing in the Town of Enfield in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut and Lorain D Pease residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Dyer who has Subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty six years old that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Francis L Robbins. Lorain D Pease
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above W m Dixon, Judge

And the S d Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Francis L Robbins who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Enfield and that Lorrain T Rar who has also signed the same is a Resident of the Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit W m Dixon Judge
I Alonzo Booth Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the S d Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Prier for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of Office this 6 th day of Augt 1832
Alonzo Booth Clerk
I certify that Alonzo Booth who has signed the foregoing certificate is Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield duly appointed & sworn according to law
W m Dixon, Judge

State of Connecticut Hartford County 3/1 Probate District of Enfield 3/1
On this 26 th day of January 1833 Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate for the District about Ebenezer Prior who being first duly sworn deponeth & saith that by reason of old age & 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 Ten months I served as a Sergeant For Ten months I served as a Private For one year and four months I served as an artilleryman for such service I claim a pension
Ebenezer Prior
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid Wm. Dixon, Judge
I certify that Wm Chaffee John Prior and Abadiah Green who have testified to the service of Ebenezer Prior & whose depositions are hereto annexed are Credible Persons
Wm. Dixon, Judge

35 96
Connecticut
Mary Moore widow of Ebenezer D.
who died on the 19th January 1841 of New Bedford in the State of Ct. who was a Brigadier in the Comp y commanded by Captain Alvah D. Smith of the 1st by Col. Huntington in the 1st line for Amos Root 10th Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Ct at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 12th January 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of March 1841 and sent here J. P. Judkins Secy Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of March $12.00 Semi-annual allowance ending
$12.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd }
Recorded by W. C. Addison Clerk Book C Vol. 1 Page 81
let 22 nd March 1841 to John J. R. Pease

H. R. Giddings Of Q

Register
Of Ebenezer Prior FAMILY He was
BORN May 2 nd 1746 & MARRIED
Mary Thompson She was born Octob r 21 st 1754
By her hath the following Children viz.
   NAMES BORN DIED     Thompson Prior May 10 th 1773 April 6 th 1796   Mary Prior March 5 th 1770 September 18 th 1812   Mariah Sarah Prior Dec r 17 th 1799   Charlotte Prior March 25 th 1790 February 8 th 1839   Mariah Rufus Prior Jan y 10 th 1801   Harriet Prior February 20 th 1795  
M r Ebenezer Prior DIED January 12 th 1841.
M rs DIED

County of Hartford, State of Connecticut ss Enfield
I Geer Terry a Notary Public in and for the state of Connecticut did on this 22 d day of February 1841 cut the prefixed leaf containing the family record of the late Ebenezer Prior a Pensioner of the United States and Mary Prior his wife named in the foregoing declaration from the Bible, formerly the property of the aforesaid Ebenezer & Mary Prior and now in possession of the aforesaid Mary Prior; in presence of Harriet Prior Daughter of the aforesaid Ebenezer & Mary and the Revend Francis L Robbins Pastor of the congregational church of this town.
In testimony whereof I have this day and year before named, signed my name and affixed the seal of my office
Geer Terry a Notary Public Francis L Robbins Witness.
I Harriet Prior of Enfield in Hartford County and State of Connecticut aged nearly 70 56 years depose & say that the above record was made in her my presence previous to the year 1811 by James S Maynolds that she he well recollects of afterwards telling him that he had made a mistake and left out the time of the marriage otherwise it was correct. she I furthermore say that the leaf containing the above record was cut from the Bible of Mary Prior in her my presence
Harriet Prior.
State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss Enfield 22 d February 1841
Be it known that before me Geer Terry a notary Public in and for the state of Connecticut the signer of the foregoing deposition Harriet Prior made oath, after being examined & cautioned, in due form of law to the truth of the same. and that the interlining of the 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 7 th & 9 th lines were made before signing
Geer Terry Notary Public

34 So every man praised toward the heaven the glorious Lord, saying, Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
35 He hanged also Nicanor's head upon the tower, an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of the Lord.
36 And they ordained all with a common decree, in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus' day.
37 Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here I will make an end.
Before CHRIST cir. 161.
38 And if I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired; but, if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.
39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone, and as wine mingled with water is pleasant, and delighteth the taste; even so, speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here shall be an end.
The End of the APOCRYPHA.
Handwritten marginalia on the left side of the page, including numbers and symbols.
Handwritten marginalia on the right side of the page, including numbers and symbols.

Ms 2281.
Hm. J. G. Young Adj. Genl.
State of Connecticut County of Hartford (ss. On this sixteenth day of February 1841, personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the district of Enfield, Mary Prior, a resident of Enfield, in the County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836; That she is the widow of Ebenezer Prior, who was a Private and Sargent in the Army of the Revolution, and was a Pensioner under the act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832 As will appear from the annexed copy of his Pension certificate.
War Department Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June 1832 Ebenezer Prior of the State of Connecticut who was a Private and Sargent in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive eighty dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 22 day of February
Seal
One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
See War Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.
J. S. Edwards
I certify that the above is a true copy of the Pension Certificate of the late Ebenezer Prior now in possession of his widow, the affiant, Mary Prior.
Nehemiah Johnson Judge of Probate
She further declares that she was married to the said Ebenezer Prior

on the seventeenth day of December seventeen hundred and seventy two: that her husband the aforesaid Ebenezer Prior died on the twelfth day of January eighteen hundred and forty one, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Attest Geo. Terry
her Mary Prior mark
Aboliah Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above
written, before me,
Aboliah Johnson Judge of Probate
I certify that entire confidence may be reposed in the truth of the above declaration made before me
Aboliah Johnson
Judge of Probate
for the district of Enfield
I, James H. Holcomb, clerk of the court of Hartford County, certify that Aboliah Johnson is a magistrate as above, and that the certificate foregoing purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 8th day of February 1841.
James H. Holcomb, Clerk
State of Connecticut County of Hartford } p. Enfield
On this sixth day of February 1841 personally appeared before me George Terry a Notary Public for the State aforesaid, aged 88 years, and Charity Pease his wife, aged 83 years, residents of Enfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, depose and say: That they have resided

in Enfield, County and State aforesaid, from their infancy to this time, and that they well know that Ebenezer Prior who lived until the the 12th day of January 1841 when he died aged ninety five years and who has for several years last past received a Pension for services as a private and Sargent in the Army of the Revolution; and Mary Prior aged eighty six years have lived together as husband and wife ever since, about the year 1772 or 1773 and nearly all that time have resided in this town, that they were the Parents of several children whom they fed, clothed and educated and they believe them to have been lawfully married. They furthermore certify that the said Mary Prior is the Identical Person named in the foregoing declaration and that she has not been married since the death of her husband the said Ebenezer Prior.
Attest Geo. Terry Attest John Prior to Charity Prior signing Charity X X Prior marks
Sworn to and subscribed, before me, on this 6th day of February 1841
Geo. Terry Notary Public
I certify that I have been long acquainted with the aforesaid John and Charity Prior and believe them to sustain an unimpeachable character for truth and veracity, I further certify that the interlineations in the foregoing were made prior to the execution of the paper.
Geo. Terry Notary Public
I certify that Geo. Terry is a magistrate as above and the certificate foregoing purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name this sixth day of February 1841.
Nathaniel Johnson Judge of Probate for the district of Enfield

Enfield Conn. February 6 th A D 1841.
I hereby certify that I have for many years been acquainted with the three persons named in the above certificate, viz, Mary Nison, John Pease, and Charity Pease, and that their statements may be relied upon as strictly correct and true. I also certify that the aforesaid Mary Nison is the identical person who is stated in the above certificate to have been the wife of Ebenezer Nison a Peruvian of this town who died on the 12 th of January 1841 and that said Mary Nison has remained a Widow ever since that time.
Francis L. Robbins Pastor of the Congregational Church in Enfield Conn.

Ebenezer Prior (comm) W. 17476

By Jonathan Wells Esquire, Colonel of a Regiment of Infantry, raised by the State of CON- NECTICUT. in New England To Ebenezer Prior GREETING.
REPOSING especial Confidence in your Courage, Skill and good Conduct, I Do by these Presents, constitute and appoint you the said Ebenezer Prior to be the second Sergeant in the first Company in the Regiment now under my Command. You are therefore faithfully and diligently to exercise the several Acts and Duties of said Office, in a strict and careful Discharge of the same. And you are to observe and obey all such Orders as you may from Time to Time receive from me, or other your Superior Officers, and to instruct said Company in the Use of Arms, and all necessary Duty, commanding them to obey you as their Sergeant; for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, at NEW-LONDON, this Twentyvixth Day of August Anno Domini, 1779.
Jon th Wells Lieut. Col o

Ebenezer Paine

Con Act 1836. N o 5281
Mary Prior — Ehm
Let to Hon J R Giddings.
13 Feby 1841
Act 4 July '36

Jan 12 Eben Prior d 1841 Mary. m. 1772
Penal for
Aug 1832 1840 94 Age 86 b. 1746 8 m.d 26 94. 1772
App Aug 79 Sepals

5281
Mary Prior of Ebenezer Connecticut
admitted
Pr. & Sergt 19 th mch 80. bap Ellsworth Mt. ton. Co.
died 12 th Jan y 16
Act 4 July 1839
Hon. J. R. Giddings N. R.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17496
Mary Prior Wid. of Ebenezer Prior Sergt Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 141
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hartford Ct March 18 th 41
De Sir
I forwarded to the Pension Office through Mr. Giddings M C from Ohio an application for a Pension by Mrs Mary Prior about a month since. I learn from the Agent for paying pension, here that her application has been successful and that the name has been returned to him as a Pensioner. Will you inform me whether the Certificate has been made out? and if so it has probably been mailed to Mr G. and I shall receive it from him after he reaches home — Yours Very Respectfully John S. R. Pearce To Hon J L Edwards Com. of Pensions

Washington City July 27./41
Sir
I humbly submit further views in regard to the Pension of Mrs Prior - Very respectfully M c Leish
J L Edwards Esq - Comm r of Pensions

Mary Prior of Conne. widow of Ebenezer Aet 4 July 1836

Washington City
July 11. 1841
Sir
I herewith transmit an application for a pension which has been forwarded to you.
Please examine and notify me of the result
Very respectfully
Your obedt. Servt
Whiting
J. L. Edwards
Comm d ~ Pensions

State of Connecticut County of Hartford Probate District of Enfield
On this 6 th day of Aug t 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Wm Dixon Esq r Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield now sitting William Chaffer a Resident of the Town of Enfield, who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath doth Testify & say That he was before & during the Revolutionary War his now well acquainted with Ebenezer Prior a Resident of the Town and an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 4 th 1832 That in the year of 1777 the said Ebenezer Prior was in the Service as a private in a Company of State troops Commanded by Capt d Sherman of Suffield in a Regiment Commanded by Col d Mott at Skeensboro & Mount Independence that according to his best recollection the said Prior Enlisted for the term of seven months & that he believes he served out the term, that he knows him in the Service until the time the said Ebenezer Prior was taken Prisoner which was about two weeks before the Expiration of the term & further he saith not Wm Chaffer
sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore Wm Dixon, Judge
And on the same day personally appeared before in open Court before the Judge now sitting as afore John Bae a Resident of the Town of Enfield, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath Testify & say That he was before & during the Revolutionary War his now well acquainted with Ebenezer Prior a Resident

of S d Town & an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that in the year 1778 that I served as an artisan in the Public works under the superintendence of Col o Mason that the principal work was carried on at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts that a Branch was then carried on at Enfield about Eight miles from Springfield that I Prior worked at Enfield. That he saw him frequently in S d Service during the year 1778 that he then understood that the S d Prior had fitted out a year, that he believes that S d Prior served out S d year & engaged & served a far other term afterwards, that this Deponent was in the same Service during a part of S d year 1778 & for that he saith not John Dore Edward Prior
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore M c Dyer Judge
On the same day personally appeared in Open Court before S d Judge now sitting as afore Obediah Green  Edward Prior a Resident of S d Town of Enfield who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath Testify & say that he was before & during the Revolutionary War his now well acquainted with Eleazar Prior a Resident of S d Town of Enfield & an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that in the 1779 the S d Prior served as a Sergeant in a company of Drafted Militia Commanded by Capt o Howe in a Regiment Commanded by Col o Jonathan Wells at New London that he served three months according to the best of his recollection that this Deponent served with him in the a part of the Town when the said Capt o Howe & company were encamped further he saith not Obediah Green

Subscribed the day before Wm Dixon, Judge

I Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it shall or may concern,
That William Dixon Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his proper hand-writing to the foregoing Certificate, is, and for more than six months last past, has been, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the Probate District of Enfield in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified; that said Court is a Court of record and consists of said Judge alone, having a proper Seal belonging thereto, with power to administer oaths to witnesses touching all matters cognisable by said Court, with power also to appoint and swear a Clerk; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Judge in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford in said State, the 13th day of in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Thomas Day

I, Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it shall or may concern, That William Dixon Coghine, whose name is subscribed in his proper hand-writing to the foregoing Certificate, is, and for more than six months last past, has been, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the Probate District of Enfield in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified; That said Court is a Court of record and consists of said Judge alone, having a proper Seal belonging thereto, with power to administer oaths to witnesses touching all matters cognisable by said Court, with power also to appoint and swear a Clerk; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Judge in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said State, at the City of Hartford in said State, the 13th day of in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Thomas Day

n o 1608,