Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19764, for Cezer Shelton, Connecticut

Reported claim under act of May 1828 rejected. See letter 3 d  June 1828 to Hon. J. Rockwell Duplicate certificate issued 3. May 1848 and sent to Hon. J. Rockwell. J. R.
Rate of death not in a/c
Massachusetts Weasar Sheltan 32169 of Berkshire in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company comman by Captain Potter of the Reg't comman by Col. Meigs in the State line for 2 years Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of MASS. at the rate of 80 Dollars & 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of July, 1844 to Widow, Rachel Sheltan
Arrears to the 1 th of March 1844 $1040.00
Penzant allowance ending 4 Sept. '44 40.
$1080.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Miss Eunice Kim, Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 81.

Copied for S.B. P. 30 Ceaser Negro July 13. 77. Wadsworth - Missing Oct. 4. 77. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire ss
On the Sixth day of February in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty. Personally appeared in open Court before me William P. Walker Esquire Judge of Probate of Wills &c for the County of Berkshire - a Coloured Man called Ceaser Shelton who States that he is over Eighty Years of Age (and from his appearance is in the opin- ion of the Court  he is Eighty Years old) who being first duly sworn ac- cording to Law doth on his oath make the following decla- ration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed June Seventh Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Five - That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and Served as hereinafter stated. That at the time he went into the Army he resided in Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut with a Family by whom he was brought up by the name of Shelton. He was then and during the war he was in the Army called Ceaser Negro or Ceaser Nig. - he volunteered into a Company Commanded by one Captain Potter who Served in Bridgeport and Commanded a Company of Blacks in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Higgs called the Leather Cap Regiment - he joined this Regiment at Horns Neck and he further deposeth and saith that by reason of old Age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the time when he joined the Army or the precise length of time of his service but accor- ding to the best of his recollection he served more than Three Years as a Private in the Company Comman- ded by said Potter and for such service he claims a Pension - It was in the Spring of the Year when he vol- unteered & went into the Army he Recollects that his Company spent that Summer in and about Horns Neck White Plains and Kings Ferry & West Point. He spent the first Winter at West Point the Second Winter at the North he thinks at Fort George - from which he

returned to the Army at West Point - He was in the Army a third winter but at what Place he was Stationed he does not recollect - He was at Crown Point & New Rochelle during the War & was in the Battle of White Plains and Skirmishes in the country of New York in one of which he was wounded in the back by the sword of a Refugee Light Horseman When he left his company it was Stationed at a place below West Point the name of which he does not recollect - He thinks it was nearly at the close of the War - He had a written discharge which he left for some Years but it is now lost - It was in the Summer when he left his Company for his home at Bridgeport but by reason of his loss of memory he cannot state the Year - He well recollects having seen General Washing- ton & Gen. Putnam while he was in the Army - He never served in any company except the one command- ed by Captain Potter - He knows of no Witness except John Heath formerly of Sandisfield whom he knew at West Point - He was born at sea as he has always been told when his mother was brought from Nova Scotia - He has no record of his age - After he left the Army he went home to Bridgeport and lived there sometime with the family of Shelton by whom he was brought up & was ever after and is now called Caesar Shelton - From Bridgeport he removed to Sandisfield where he now resides and has lived in that Town in Blaenford and Northampton and many other Towns in the vicinity - He is known by the Rev. Mr. Kelley of Sandisfield parsonage, Bosworth Esquire and several other both of said Town who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier in the Revolution - He relinquishes every claim to a Pension or Annuity except the Present and declares that his name is not on the Roll of any Army of any State subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid. Before me, William S. Walker Judge Probate  Caesar his Shelton mark

We Platt S. Holley a Clergyman residing in the Town of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Jabez Bosworth residing in said Sandisfield hereby certify that Testify that we are well acquainted with Caesar Shelton who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, and we believe him to be Eighty Years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Platt S. Holley Jabez Bosworth
Berkshire ss July 13 th
1840 -
Personally appeared Platt S. Holley and Jabez Bosworth above named and made oath in due form of Law that the facts contained in the above affidavit by them subscribed are True - Before me and I certify that they are men of undoubted Truth & Veracity
Sister Barlow Justice of the Peace And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears that Platt S. Holley whose affidavit & Certificate are hereto annexed is a Clergyman residing Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire that Jabez Bosworth whose affidavit & Certificate is also hereto annexed is a Magistrate & resident in said Sandisfield & is a Credible Person & and their Statement is Entitled to Credit. The Court doubt whether Caesar was correct as to the name of the Colonel of his Regiment in which he served - William D. Walker Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. I. Henry W. Bishop Regester of the Court of Probate within & for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Cousar Sheldon for a pension. That the Hon. William P. Daboll is the Judge of said Court, duly commis- sioned & qualified and that the foregoing sig- natures purporting to be his are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand & eight hundred and fifty Henry W. Bishop Reg. Probate
Cousar Sheldon's Application for a
Pension

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County, ss -
On this tenth day of March 1848 before me the subscriber, a justice of the Peace for the said County of Berkshire, personally appeared Caesar Shelton, who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain his name I do not remember in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duryea in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, that he received a certificate of discharge under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate on or about the fifteenth day of November 1847 at or near his own home in said Sandisfield he left by its being burnt together with other papers, as he supposed the said Pension certificate along with said other papers, were thrown into the fire by his wife, she having been during the latter period of her life subject to paroxysms and violent freaks and impulses. She has since died.
Caesar Shelton
Sworn and subscribed to before me By Ira Smith 2d Garrison the day and year aforesaid -
Ira Smith 2d Samuel Emmons Jr. Elijah S. Deming Just. Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County, ss -
On this tenth day of March 1848 before me the subscriber, a justice of the Peace for the said County of Berkshire, personally appeared Samuel Emmons Jr., whom I hereby certify to be a person of veracity and who on his oath declared that he well knows Caesar Shelton of Sandisfield in said County to be the same person described in the above affidavit of said Shelton.
Samuel Emmons Jr.
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid -
Elijah S. Deming Just of the Peace

(Form of the Certificate alluded to above.)
Signature of the } Magistrate. }
Justice Peace.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } Berkshire County. } ss.
I, Charles Sedgwick Clerk ( or Register ) of the Common Pleas Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Elijah S. Denny is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the first day of March 1845, and will expire on the first day of March 1852, and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this Eleventh day of March 1848
Charles Sedgwick CLERK.
Signature of the Magistrate

October 13, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section BA-J/ENL
The data furnished herewith are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension of Caesser Shelton, S.19764, based upon his military services in that war.
Caesser Shelton(the name also appears as Cesser Shelton and as Caesser or Cesser Negro), a colored man, was born at sea while his mother was being brought from Africa.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he was a slave of John Shelton, of Stratford, or Bridgeport, Connecticut, and enlisted on condition that he be given his freedom for his services. His first service was as a substitute for his master's son, but no details are given. It was stated that he was in the battle of White Plains.
He enlisted and served from May 14, 1777, until May 17, 1780, as a private in Colonel John Durkee's Connecticut Regiment, and was in the battle of Germantown, at the taking of Burgoyne, at the battles of Red Bank and Monmouth, and in several skirmishes at Horse Neck, in one of which he was wounded in the back by a sword thrust and on the shin by a ball.
After the Revolution, he resided in Bridgewater, Connecticut, then moved to Sandisfield, Massachusetts. He also resided in Blandford and Northampton, and other towns in that vicinity.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 6, 1840, at which time he was nearly ninety years of age and resided in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
His wife was living in 1847, but her name and the date of their marriage are not given and there is no reference to children.
State of Connecticut Seal of the State This history to be furnished if ever called for. It was written just to have a record of negroes.
Did not use soldier's statement that he was in Potter's Co. Meigs' Regt. because he later said he was not in Meigs' Regt, but had made his affidavit that way because he was ignorant and had been told to do so by one John Heath, who wrote the affidavit in a great hurry and did not read it to him after written. So used state report. Also did not use statement in a mss of Conn. State Historical Society because I could not verify the officers as having served together, this service was said to be "for the war", but the reason of rejected this claim & stated that "such proof as this is of little value"

19464. INVALID.
File No. 19464
Coase Shullan (Negro) His Rev Mar
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
9473.
P. O. _____
Cesar Shelton
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Consolidated with admitted Soldier File No 19. 764
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

35,124
see let to Chas. Sedgwick, Nov. 23. 1840. Lenox, Mass
Rejected.
10. 24. 1840.

Deas and Shelton and Negro. Deas and.
Map. roll 50. - for benefits of Act 1828.
Rejected 3 rd June 1846.
94173
19764

Free J. Rockwell M.C.
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

House of Representatives
May 2. 1848
J. L. Edmunds Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed is the affidavit of Cesar Shelton, a pensioner, that he has lost his certificate and wishes a new one issued, for which I hope his papers are sufficient -
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Julius Rothwell

Guerra Shelton

Dear Sir
Washington May 25. 1846.
The enclosed additional evidence has been sent me for transcription to you - by E. F. Ennion Esq. - & Mr George Greene of Sheffield Messrs. it is the case of Baker & Shelton. Resp d
J. L. Edwards Esq Committee of Penury
Julius Rodman

House of Representatives
May 30. 1846.
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm r of Pensions
Sir. Enclosed are papers to get an arrearsage of Pension for one Caesar a Negro. which I am requested by Mr George J. Fisher of Lenox, Mass. to transmit to you with much respect
Yours who sent Julius Rockwell

3 June 1846.

Pension Office
June 3. 1846
Sir,
I have examined and filed the papers which you sent here in support of the claim of Caesar Shelton, who asks for the benefits of the act of May 15. 1828. To entitle a soldier to the benefits of that law it must be clearly shown that he enlisted for the war, and actually served to the end of it. Mr. Parsons swears that he has seen on a list of soldiers who entered for the war the name of the claimant, and that the list is in the possession of the Historical Society of Connecticut. Such proof as this is of little value. The record shows that the claimant served from the 1st. of May 1777 to the 17. of May, 1780, and no longer. He is not therefore entitled to a pension under the act of May 15. 1828. The claim has of course been rejected.
I have the honor
Hon. Julius Rockwell House of Rep
Entered this on Ref act 15 May 1828 Massachusetts

35,124,
Basar Shelton Mass.
act 7. June 32 Patton & Avery his com- rady in same roll,
Rolls June 13:77-3yr. Muffing bob 4.77-Scalp-artificial
Amount 2 yrs pri $80.
Hon: Julius Rockwell Mass-

I Josiah Hulit of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the Age of Forty nine Years on Oath depose & say that I am well acquainted with Censor Shilton who has made application for a Pension and live within a few rods of him & have lived near him about Ten Years and I hereby depose & say that he is in my opinion Eighty years of Age or upwards that he is an Industrious & good Citizen for a Black Man and is reputed to be a Soldier in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution & I concur in that Opinion. and I further say that he is a Person of Truth and veracity - but by reason of Age & consequent loss of memory his & being a Person of no Education he is much troubled to recollect the events which transpired in the Army and the Particular Names of Officers with whom he served
Josiah Hulit
Berkshire Y s July 13 th 1840
Subscribed and Sworn to Before me
Lake Barber Justice of the Peace.

Isaiah H. H. H.
Deposition —

Roswell Heath's Deposition

I Roswell Heath of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the Age of Sixtyseven Years on oath upon oath say that I am well acquainted with Caesar Shelton a Coloured Person now residing in Sandisfield who has applied for a Pension and have been well acquainted with him for nearly thirty Years and I further state that he has been Reputed & believed in the Neighbourhood & vicinity in which he resides & where he has resided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & I further state that I have heard My father Samuel Heath who died about Ten Years since & who was also a Soldier in the Revolution say that Caesar was a Soldier in the Revolution and served in the Northern Army at Saratoga at the Taking of Burgoyne that he was well acquainted with him before the war & knew him well when he was in the Army - And I further state that I have heard many Persons who were in the Army state that they were knowing to his serving in the Army of the Revolution - I further depose & say on my oath afterwards that I am well acquainted with John Heath of the Town of Windsor in the County of Bromm & State of New York and that he is a Person of undoubted Truth & Veracity and that full faith & Credit ought to be given to all his statements And further I say not
Roswell Heath By Roswell Heath Nov. 8 th 1839 Then Personally appeared Roswell Heath above named & me to the truth of the foregoing & was in my presence subscribed before me for Truth and veracity is good S. Barber Justice of the Peace

Asa Heath Deposition

I, Asa Heath of Windsor in the County of Brown State of New York and now in Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with John Heath who now resides in said Town of Windsor, and have been acquainted with him from from my youth to the present time and I further state that his Reputation for Truth & veracity is good and that full and perfect faith and credit ought to be given to all his statements. I have been acquainted with him for nearly Fifty years and have never heard a question raised as to his truth and veracity and honesty. — and further I say not Asa Heath
Berkshire ss Sandisfield Nov. 8 th 1839
3 (Then Personally appeared Asa Heath the above named Defendant) made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me — And I certify hereby that the sd. Asa Heath is a Person whose reputation for truth and veracity is good.
Leah Barber Justice of the Peace

John Heath's Deposition

I John Heath of Windsor in the County of Broome (State of New York) and now in Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful Age depose and say that I am well acquainted with Caesar Shelton a Coloured Person who has made application for a Pension and was knowing to his being a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army and was was well acquainted with the Company & Regiment to which he belonged & in which he served. He belonged to Captain Potters Company and Col. Mings' Regiment called the Leather Cap Regiment the same Regim- ent to which I belonged and in which I served I was knowing to his serving in said Company & Regiment at least four Years I think more but am sure he served four Years - the Regiment was stationed in various Places sometimes at White Plains & Horse Neck & in New Jersey & at Kings Ferry & West Point I left the Regiment before the Close of the War as an Invalid and Caesar was then in the Regiment and I do not know how long he stayed remained after after I left but I have no hesitation in saying that he served four Years in the Army - And further I say not John Heath
Berkshire ss Sandisfield November 7 th 1834 Then Personally appeared John Heath the above Deponent and made oath in due form of Law that the facts contained in the above Deposition by him subscribed are true Before me Luke Barber Justice of the Peace

I hereby Certify that the within named John Heath is a Person whose reputation for truth & veracity is good.
Superior Barber Justice of the Peace.

Comptroller's Office
Hartford Conn t 12 April 1844.
On application for evidence of the service of Cesar Negro in the War of the Revolution, I certify that I have examined the records of settlements made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, and find that in two several settlements made with "the 4 th Connecticut Regiment, John Durkee Esq r Colonel", he is entered as having served, in the 1 st settlement,
from May 14. '77 to 1 January, 1780 — 2 years 7 months 17 days.
in the 2 d , from Jan y 1. '80 to 17 May '80 — " 4 months 17 days.
for Gideon Welles, Comptroller, Edwin Benjamin, Chief Clerk,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County } ss I Erastus Beach of the town of Sandisfield in said County do depose and say that I am Sixty Eight years of age and that I am well acquainted with Ceasor Negro and i have been for a number of years he is now and has been for a number of years a resident of the town of Sandisfield in the afore said County I Erastus Beach also say that in the fore part of my acquaintance with the said Ceasor I knew him by the name of Ceasor Negro and he was Generally called so late years he is known by the name of Ceasor Shelton he has no learning of reading nor writing but is Generally reported an honest man he is a State pauper.. but is Generally reported intitled to a pension for his service rendered in the War of the Revolution no person felt interested enough for him to assist him to get it untill Josiah Soulet in the afore said Sandisfield and he failed to obtain it for him consequently there was no more done about it
Erastus Beach
Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty eighth day of March 1844.
L. K. Stickland
Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Erastus Beach Esq. who is a Magistrate whose deposition is taken above & that he is a respectable witness and his statements are entitled to full faith & credit.
Given under my hand this twenty eighth day of March in the year A.D. 1844. L. K. Stickland Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss:
Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire do certify, that Lemuel K. Stockland before whom the foregoing Affidavits of Erastus Beach & Josiah Hulett were sworn & subscribed in Lynn, on the 28 th day of March last a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified & acting under the authority of said Commonwealth, that the foregoing Signatures, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Court this 15 th day of April 1844. Charles Sedgwick Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County } ss I Josiah Hulet of the town of Sandisfield in said County do depose and say that I am fifty one years of age and that I am well acquainted with Ceaser Negro and I have been for a number of years he is now and has been for a number of years a resident of the town of Sandisfield in the afore said County I am the man with the assistance of Luke Barber Esq then a resident of the town of Otis in said County that in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty nine or forty assisted the said Ceaser Negro to obtain a pension for his services rendered in the Revolutionary War I failed to obtain it for him I was not acquainted with the pension business and did not rely upon the memory of Ceaser and made few enquiries of him I also say that in the fore part of my acquaintance with the said Ceaser I knew him by the name of Ceaser Negro and he was Generally called so of late years he is known by the name of Ceaser Shelton John Heath a pensioner who gave his deposition to prove the service of the said Ceaser in the War of the Revolution was a resident of the State of New York and he was an old man and much broken down he gave his statements in his deposition in a great hurry as he was then preparing to leave these parts The said Ceaser was not present at the time nor place where the said John Heath made his statements to prove his services in the War of the Revolution The said Ceaser has no learning of reading nor writing but is Generally reported an honest man his declaration was framed from the
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

statements of the said John Heath and not from his own recollection as the said Coasey did not recollect his officers names nor could he give a clear account of his services he is a State pauper but is Generally reported entitled to a pension for his services in the war of the Revolution no person felt interested enough for him to assist him to get his rights until my self I failed to obtain it for him as I did and consequently I did no more about it
Sworn and subscribed before me } Josiah Hulet This Twenty Eighth day of March 1844. } L. K. Strickland Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Josiah Hulet whose deposition is taken above and that he is a respectable witness and his statements are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand this Twenty Eighth day of March in the year AD 1844 L. K. Strickland Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss I Miles Avery of the Town of Great Barrington in the County and State above said do depose and say that I am Eighty three years of age I also say that I served in the Revolutionary- War and in the Connecticut Line from the month of March one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy seven till the close of the War I also say that I commenced my service under Colonel John Durkee of the Connecti- -cut Line and I continued my service under the said Col. Durkee for a number of years I also say that I am a Pensioner of the United States for my services rendered in the Revolutionary War at the rate of one hundred and Twenty Dollars per annum I the said Miles Avery was in the following Battles of the Revolutionary War the battle at Germantown also the Battle at Redbank also the Battle at Monmouth I the said Miles Avery have this Day February 15 th one thousand Eight hundred and forty four seen and conversed With Ceaser Negro an Revolutionary Soldier now of the town of Sandisfield in the County and State a- -fore said and I know the said Ceaser -Negro was in the Revolutionary service under Colonel John Durkee of the Connecticut Line from the month of May one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven for a number of years I also know the said Ceaser Negro was in the Battles above named. Miles Avery
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss.
Subscribed and sworn before me This 19 th Day of February 1844
Samuel Jones, Justice of the Peace. -

I certify that I am well acquainted with Miles Avery whose deposition is taken above and that he is a respectable witness and whose Statements are Entitled to full Credit. Sam d Jones, Justice of the Peace.
Stockbridge, Mass. Feby. 19. 1844.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshires
I Charles Sedgwick clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire do certify that Sam d Jones Esq r before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Miles Avery was sworn & subscribed is & was on the 19 th day of February last a Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & acting under the authority of said Commonwealth & that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this 15 th day of April 1844. Charles Sedgwick Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plymouth County, ss:
On this second day of February in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty, forsooth, personally appeared, his open Court, before me William S. Walker Esquire Judge of Probate for said County of Plymouth, Cazar Negro (otherwise called Cazar Shelton) a resident of Sandwich in said County of Plymouth, and on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832: that he served in the Re- volutionary Army about three years according to his recollection under Col. John Durkee - that he enlist- ed in the town of Stratford in the State of Connect- icut for three years or during the war (which term he cannot now state); at the time of his enlistment he was a slave to John Shelton and entered the service upon condition of receiving his freedom when he should be discharged - his recollection will not enable him to state the names of any of his officers except the Colonel and he remembers only two of his fellow soldiers, - M c Avoy and one John Patten - he distinctly remembers being in the battle of Germantown - in the attack on the fort at Red Bank, by the Hessians - and in the battle of Monmouth, which he thinks was about a year after he enlisted - he is confident he enlisted in the spring of 1777 and thinks the Monmouth bat- tle was in the summer of 1778, it was very hot weather and he remembers, the army expected to fight again next day - but the enemy beat off - he thinks he served three years under his enlistment - he recollects with having a discharge which he kept a great while, but it got away - Before he enlisted, he was out in the Militia in the place of his old master's son, he was wounded at Horse Neck, he was just returned from Quaker and had lain down with his pack on, & fell a- sleep when he was awaked by the order, "Turn out"

He jumped out of the window and escaped to the bushes, but received one blow with a cutlass across his back. He was also struck by a ball on the shin at the same time and that was the only time during his service that he was wounded. His memory is so poor that he cannot state more particularly: he has never found any of his old companions for many years, except Esau Avery - and the first time he saw him since the service was last winter - he remembered him and that he was in the same Regiment. He would have applied for a pension long ago if he could have found any testimony and he gave up the thought of it, until Mr. Barba told him he had found a soldier who served in the same company with him and that he would get him a pension. Mr. Barba brought a Mr. Heath to him who stated that he remembered him & that they served in the same company and he supposed it was so, and so made an application for a pension; but since that time upon recollecting he is certain he was in Col. Burke's Regiment and not in Col. Mings' as Heath made him state - he believes he is nearly ninety years old and he has been feeble for many years and unable to work or get about and has been supported for several years as a pauper and therefore could not get any one to assist him to get a pension and he had no money himself. When he was in the army he went by the name of Cazar Negro; but after he came out he took his old master's name and has been generally called, since he moved to Louisiana Cazar Shelton. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an

annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any army in any State -
5. April 2 d . 1844.
his Gazar H. Shelton mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. April 2 d . 1844.
Personally appeared a Negro apparently very old, calling himself Gazar Negro or Gazar Shelton, and made solemn oath, that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed are true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. I. Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire do certify. That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of said Court in the matter of the application of Gazar Shelton for a pension. That the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that the above signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this seventeenth day of April in the year eight hundred and forty four. Henry W. Bishop. Reg t Probate

I know all men by their friends, that I Caesar Shelton, formerly called Caesar Negro, of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum, do hereby make constitute and appoint Eli Tainter of Abbe- ville, said County of Berkshire, Gentleman, my true and lawful Attorney, for and in my name, to apply for demand collect & receive the full monthly pay, to which I am entitled under the Act of Congress passed May 15, 1838, from the Pension Office at Washington, & the said Caesar having enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary Army, Continental Line, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination, and I do hereby empower my said Attorney for and in my name to receive & acquit in due form of law all such papers or papers & instruments of any & every kind, which may be necessary as aforesaid in the premises, hereby ratifying whatsoever my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal, this fifteenth day of April A.D. 1846.  Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of Adon Inwood Sarah Dunham  Caesar his marks Negro alias Shelton
Berkshire ss. April 15th 1846 personally appeared Caesar Negro alias Shelton & acknowledged the above instrument by him subscribed to be his free act & deed before me Adon Inwood Justice of Peace

To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir.
Respectfully represents Caesar Shelton, formerly called Caesar Nye, of the town of Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachu- setts, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum by Eli Fainton of Green in said County Gent- leman, his Attorney, hereunto duly authorized by his power of Attorney, dated April 15 th 1846. He unto annexed, that he the said Caesar enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary Army, Continental Line for & during the War & continued in its service until its termination. The said Caesar refers to the evidence now on file in the Pension Office, which accompanied his declaration under said Act of June 7, 1832, also to the evidence herewith transmitted, whereby it appears that there is now due to him the full monthly pay from & after the 3 rd of March 1826, to the 43 rd of March 1831, under & by virtue of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed May 15 th 1828.
Wherefore he prays that such proceedings may be had relative thereto, as that the monthly pay, to which he is entitled as aforesaid may be allowed & paid to him. Witness his hand, hereunto subscribed by the said Eli Fainton, his said Attorney, this twenty fifth day of May 1846. — Caesar Shelton by Eli Fainton his Atty. Reference to Gen. L. Fisher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify, that Adon Fudd Esquire, whose signature are affixed to the certificates on the papers hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Adon Fudd and believe his signatures to said certificates are genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight
Charles Sedgwick Clerk.

I John Hawley of Northampton of Litchfield County in the State of Connecticut being of on oath depose & say that I am eighty years old & that about sixty years ago I came to the Town of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts in which County I have resided most of the time till within ten years past & am now on a visit at said Sandisfield - I have been acquainted with Caesar Deyo otherwise called Caesar Shelton for nearly forty years that he has frequently told me that he came from Stratford in Connecticut & that his Master, whose name was Shelton resided in said Town of Stratford and that he enlisted in the Revolutionary war to obtain his freedom & served to the end of the war - & I believe from the acquaintance I have had with him that his statement in that respect is correct -
the name in the second line from the top was made before signing
I
John Hawley
State of Massachusetts -
Berkshire ss. April 15 th 1846 personally appeared John Hawley The above named deponent and deponent made oath that the above deposition by him signed is true before me Adon Ladd Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent John Hawley above named & that he is a credible witness & also that I am acquainted with the said Caesar Deyo & intelligently reported & believed in the neighborhood where he resided that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war
Adon Ladd Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut Office of Secretary of State for
I do hereby certify that Jeremiah Brown Esq. before whom the above deposition proports to have been sworn to, and whose name is at- -tached to the above certificate, and whose signature thereto I believe to be genuine. is and since the 20 th day of June last has been a Justice of the peace regu- -larly & duly commissioned in and for the county of Hartford in said state — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said state at Hartford this twentieth day of December Eighteen hundred and forty five 1845
Danl P. Tyler Secretary of State

I hereby certify, that there is in the possession of the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford, a Manuscript dated May 8. 1778. purporting to be "A Return of the Soldiers enlisted and draughted or detached from the 4 th Brigade of Militia in the State of Con- necticut commanded by Brigadier G. Sillibickville. man to serve in the Continental Army com- manded by his Excellency General Washington." In which manuscript or "Return", I find the name of Caesar Negro of Stratford, enrolled as having enlist- ed during the war in the companies commanded by Captain Brinsmaid & Nichols, in Colonel Whiting's Regiment.
I sworn to and Subscribed } Samuel H. Parsons, at Hartford, State of Connecticut } Chairman Library Com tee This 17 th day of December 1845. } of S o Conn. Hist. Socy.
Before me,
Ormsiah Brown, Justice of Peace
I further state, that I am personally acquainted with the above depon- -ent Sam l H. Parsons Esq r & know him to be a respectable man and Creditable Witness
Ormsiah Brown, Justice of The Peace.