Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,566, for Reuben Nichols, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Nichols, Reuben
W. 21.566
Lewis, Abiah
Former widow.
CONTENTS

d. Dec. 26- 1840
Connecticut 1613
Abiah Lewis, family widow of Reuben Nichol,
who died on the 17. May 1797 of Fairfield Co. in the State of Con. who was a Pvt of Inf. & Cav. in the company commanded by Captain Blackman of the Regt, commanded by Col. Lewis Capt. Nichols time for 11 mo. & 8 days. Inf. 37.54 2 mos. Cav. 8.33
$45.87
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 45 Dollars 87 Cents, per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Dec. 1837 and sent to Isaac Sherman Esq. Bridgeport, Con.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '37 298.15 Semi-annual allowance ending Nov '38 22.93
$321.08
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport.
On this 27 day of May A D 1837 Personally appeared before the court of Probate in and for the District of Stratford in said County and State aforesaid Abiah Lewis a resident of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged 76 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 4 th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 rd 1837:
That she was married to Reuben Nichols who was a private Soldier in the War of the Revolution.
and entered the service of the United States in the year 1775 at the Parish of New Stratford in the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County. (which now Stratford is now the Town of Monroe) in Capt Samuel Reeds company of Conn t . Foot Troops (and her husband the said Reuben Nichols. Brother Benjamin was the Lieut of said Company.) and served in this campaign at or near Canada at the time fort St Johns was taken. at least seven months which Company belonged to Col. Waterbury's Reg t .
Also in the Winter or Spring of 1776 said Reuben served in New York at least two months as is fully stated in Nathaniel Sherman's Deposition hereunto annexed — Nathaniel Lewis.

Also in the summer of 1776 a campaign in New York as stated in S d Nathaniel Sherman's Deposition aforesaid to prove which she would refer to the Declaration for a Pension now in the Pension office at Washington of Philo Hurd who is dead, and who served with S d Ruben as stated in S d Sherman's Depositions and as she vividly believes at least three months.
Also in the year 1778 or 1779 a campaign as a private of Cavalry in the Housatonic Company as a substitute for David Sherman as stated in S d Nathaniel Sherman's Deposition at least two months.
Also she further states that she was married to said Ruben on the first day of October 1777 at which time her husband belonged to Capt Samuel Blackman's Company of Cavalry or Light Horse and was called a minute man, and remembers her husband left S d New Stratford on the third day of October 1777 to go to the North River to arrest the progress of Genl. Burgoyne's Army who was then coming down from the Northward. The reason that she knows it was on the third is that she was married on the first day of October 1777, and always remembered he left her on the 3 rd day after they were married to go into service and served at least one month at that time. that said Ruben was in service one week in July 1779 when the Town of Fairfield in Connecticut was burned as a private in the Matineu Foot Company of said New Stratford often heard him tell of this service & of his having captured a British prisoner at Fairfield at that time. Also two weeks in 1777 when Danbury was burned in Capt Blackman's Cavalry.

That she claims D Ruben Nichols served in the year 1775 7 months as a private soldier do - do 1776 2 do. do do - do 1776 3 do do do do 1777 1/2 month private cavalry do - do 1777 1 month do - do do do 1778 & 1779 2 months cavalry do do - 1779 1/4 month Foot, private  15 3/4 months
That said Ruben & herself both resided in said New Stratford Parish when he entered the service and until about the year 1780 continued to reside there after which they removed to the Town of Stratford in D County in that part now called Bridgeport where D Ruben Resided until his death.
does not know as he ever had any written discharge but thinks he had but if he had it is now lost has no documentary evidence to prove his service
She further declares That she was married to the said Ruben Nichols on the first day of October (1777) in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven; That her husband the aforesaid Ruben Nichols died on the 17 day of May D 1797; That she was afterwards married to Benjamin Hazard Lewis who died January 23 D 1825; and that she was a Widow on the 4 July 1836 and still remains a Widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
That she was born in D Parish 1761 March 21 st That said Ruben was born in D Parish as she believes June 1757. was Married to said Benjamin Hazard Lewis January 1 st 1802.
Hester Lewis

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me
Mark Moore Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opin- ion after investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant is the widow of Reuben Nichols a revolutionary soldier who served in the States
Attest, R. S. Nichols, Clerk Mark Moore Judge
I Russell P. Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abigail Lewis for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27 th day of May A. D. 1837
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

Stratford June 9 th 1837
I certify that from a careful examination of the Records of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County, of which I have the custody, that the Merger of Reuben Nickerson to Abigail Beers, is not to be found recorded - I also further certify that the Parish formerly called New Stratford, now the Town of Monroe, in S. Fairfield County, was originally a part of the Town of Stratford, as provided & continued so until after the close of the Revolutionary War - It also further appears that the Merger during the Revolutionary War, were not always recorded.
Attest David Brooks Town Clerk

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport I Roswell L Nichols Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County and State aforesaid hereby certify that Isaac Sherman, & Maudens Beardsley Jr and David Hurling are all Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified; That their commissions will expire the 20 th of June 1837. and that their signatures to the Depositions of Cannon Lewis, Ezekiel Lewis Nathan Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Nathaniel Sherman, Lachanah Sherwood, Thomas Stratton, and that Hurling  their are all their genuine Signatures —
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court The 17 day of June 1837.
R L Nichols, Clerk

Abner Cable of the Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 77 years of age Deposeth and saith that he was intimately acquainted with Ruben Nichols & Abiah Beers daughter of Barning Beers of the Parish of New Stratford and remembers that d Ruben & Abiah were married by the Revd Mr. Roseford in d Parish in Autumn in the time of the Revolution and as deposent fully believes in October 1777. Deponent resided in the same neighbourhood of d Ruben & Abiah when they were married and he thinks d Ruben boarded with William Morse at the time he was married he was a Tailor by Trade and did some years since, also remembers d Ruben was in service in Capt Blackmans Company of Light Horse on the North River at the time the Army of Burgoyne was taken at Saratoga. Also Remembers that said Ruben was in service in 1776 in New York, but cannot state particularly as to the time he served fully believes he was married to said Abiah before the term of his service under Capt Blackman at the time Burgoyne was taken. Also Remembers that Nathaniel Sherman who is now living in Monroe was in service in Capt Blackmans Company of Light Horse at the same time with d Ruben at the time Burgoynes Army was taken
State of Connecticut
Abner Cable
County of Fairfield ss By me June 17 th 1837 Personally appeared Abner Cable and subscribed & made oath to the above Deposition who I certify is a credible witness well known to me sworn & subscribed before me Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Ezekiel Lewis of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut nearly 70 years of age Deposeth and saith that during the Revolutionary War he lived at his fathers house in the Parish of New Stratford which at that time belonged to the Town of Stratford in said County. and is now the Town of Monroe and was well acquainted with Abiah Beers who lived with his father in the same neighbourhood with Deponent. and remembers perfectly well said Abiah was married to Rubin Nichols in the first or second year of the Revolution at said Parish by the Rev Elisha Beaforde who was the ordained Minister over said Parish at that time remembers that said Abiah was very young should think not more than 16 years of age when she married said Rubin and remembers that said Rubin belonged to a company of light horse in the Revolution in said New Stratford and remembers Nathaniel Bryant of said New Stratford belonged to said company of light horse in the Revolution but Deponent was so young that he cannot state particulars about said Rubin serve as a Soldier of the Revolution. — Ezekiel Lewis.
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport May 24 1837 Personally appeared Ezekiel Lewis and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me. Sworn and subscribed before me.
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Isaac Sherman Clerk of the Congregational Church in Bridgeport State of Connecticut. Hereby certify that it is recorded in the Records of said Church. The following in the Record of deaths - " May 17 th 1897 Reuben Nichols. January 23 1825. Hazard Lewis aged 70.
And I also further certify that I was well acquainted with Reuben Nichols & Hazard Lewis who allways was called by the name of Hazard Lewis but whose whole name was Benjamin Hazard Lewis. and I further certify that Sarah Lewis his widow was his widow on the 4 th of July 1836 and is now residing in Bridgeport as his Widow and that her first husband was the said Reuben Nichols who died of consumption before her on the xx day of June 17. 1837.
Isaac Sherman Sworn and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that said Isaac Sherman is a credible witness
Mark Moore Judge

Edmond Lewis of the Town of Monroe (formerly called New Stratford Parish ) in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut of Lawful age Deposeth and saith that he is one of the Deacons of the Congregational Church of said Parish which is at present without a Pastor - Testifyeth and Says that he remembres that the Revd. Elisha Rootford was the ordained Minister over said Parish during the Revolutionary War and allways understood that the Records which he kept during his Ministry in said Parish were carried away by his son in Law who Removed from said Parish some years ago to one of the Southern States after the death of said Rootford and have not since been Removed Edmond Lewis
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss. I deposed May 25 1837 personally appeared Edmond Lewis and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Proposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible Witness Sworn & Subscribed before me
Dea Sherman Justice of Peace

The deposition of Nathan Lewis of Huntington in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut — He testifieth and saith that he was well acquainted with Eben Nichols and Abiah Burns of the Parish of New Stratford in said County and was knowing to their being married but I do not remember the particular time of their marriage I resided at the time within half of a mile of the father of said Abiah Burns — in the winter of 1775-1776 I was in New York in Capt. Saml Blackman Company on a draft of three months and said Eben Nichols served with me in the same company and in the forepart of October 1777 said Capt Blackman Company was all called out to go to the north river said company went to Fishkill and staid there about one week and went from there to Red Hook and was discharged the forepart of November following myself and said Nichols was both in said company and served during said term I have every reason to believe that said Eben Nichols and Abiah Burns was married before the last above mentioned service
Nathan Lewis
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } S. Huntington June 2 1837 personally appeared Nathan Lewis and subscribed and made oath to the above deposition who I certify is a person I am well acquainted with & is a credible witness Sworn and subscribed before me — Philemon Beardsley J Justice of Peace

Andrew Lewis of the Town of Trumbull in the County of Trumbull & State of Connecticut 74 years of age Deposeth and saith that Ruben Nichols and Abiah Beers was married in the Parish of New Stratford in the time of the Revolutionary War in the Autumn and the Deponent's impression is that it was in October following after the Town of Danbury was burnt that they was married Deponent was present at their Marriage The reason that Deponent remembers what he has stated is that I Ruben Boarded with his sister Morse in the New Stratford at the time he was married. to Abiah and remembering that himself & his brother Morse was plowing to gether to sow Wheat and his Deponent's sister came into the field to them and told them that Ruben was going to be married and they must come home and prepare to go to the Wedding which they all did and went to the house of Berry Buzz in the New Stratford and saw said Ruben & Abiah married (said Morse and his wife are now both Dead) another circumstance Deponent Remembers is that I Ruben was married before I had performed any service in the Revolution and remembering the first service Deponent performed was in October 1777 just after he had entered his 16 th year when he went in Capt Ephraim Curtis Militia foot company of the Parish of Ripton in the County of  where in the company as a Substitute for his brother

Levis Country  Ripton from New Bedford to the North River and arrived at Pukall soon after that place was burnt the Army was smoking when they arrived there and Esopus was burned about the same time which was about the time the battle was fought Burgoyne was taken at Saratoga. Deponent was born September 14 th 1782.
Andrew Lewis
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. I, Trumbull June 16 th 1837 personally appeared Andrew Lewis and Subscribed and made oath to the Truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me and I further certify that the erasing in the 1 st & 7 th lines from the top in 2 nd page of this Deposition was done before signing Sworn and Subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Nathaniel Sherman of The Town of Monroe County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 77 Years of age Deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Ruben Nichols The first husband of Abiah Beers  Beers Bridgeport who is now applying for a Pension and remembers said Ruben Enlisted in 1775 in Capt Reeds Company of Foot for a campaign of 7 months and remembers said Ruben went with said Company to Canada and was at the taking of St Johns and that the Brother of said Ruben was the Lt. of said Company. remembers when he went in this campaign & when he returned uniformly understood he served 7 months in this campaign & Ruben & said Nichols both returned together late in Autumn always understood said Company belonged to Col Watertown's Regiment. remembers said Ruben lived with Elias Haully when he entered said service and when he returned he came to board with deponents father and thinks he continued to board with his father until about that time Ruben was married which deponent remembers took place in Monroe formerly New Bedford in the time of the War uniformly understood & fully believes that said Ruben was married by Mr Rixford (who was the Ordained Minister over the Parish of New Stratford during the Revolution) to said Abiah whose maiden name was Abiah Beers cannot remember the year this was married but believes they were married before Burgoyne was taken —
In February 1776 said Ruben enlisted into a Volunteer Company for State Troops (Foot Troops) Raised in said New Stratford and commanded by Capt Samuel Blackman of said New Stratford

for two months service, and came from S d . New Stratford to the city of New York & assist in fortifying the city. Deponent's Brother David enlisted and served in the same company, and at the same time Deponent remembers of going to New York in the month of March 1776 & saw his brother who was in service then in S d company and staid with him some days & the company was employed in cutting fascines & building fort. was quartered on Broadway — and remembers S d Reuben went & returned with S d company to S d New Stratford, and is sure this campaign was two months and Deponent saw S d Reuben in S d service in S d company in New York. Also remembers S d Reuben was in service in New York in the summer of 1776. as a foot Soldier. cannot remember what company or Regiment S d Reuben belonged to in this campaign but deponent went from S d New Stratford to the city of New York in the month of June 1776 and continued there until some time in July until after Independence was declared and saw Reuben was in New York when Deponent was there & Deponent left him then in service remembers said Reuben's brother Daniel Nichols & Philo Hurd, both of which are Dead of S d New Stratford was in service together at the same time but cannot say what company or Regiment they belonged to they were Militia foot Deponent's impression is that said Nichols served in this campaign for 6 to 8 months both of said Nichols & Philo Hurd all belonged to said New Stratford and to the same neighbourhood with Deponent during the Revolution

And Deponent remembers that in the Spring of 1777 said Ruben belonged to Capt Samuel Blackmans Company of Cavalry Elznathan Kaholz Lt. of said Company and went with said Company into service at the time the Town of Danbury was burned in Conn and served at least two Weeks deponent served with him said Ruben at the same time & in said Company Capt Blackman belonged and lived in said New Stratford during the Revolution.
Also remembers that in 1778 in 1779 there was a number detach from said Capt Blackmans Company of Cavalry at said New Stratford to go into service under Lt Heacock of Danbury Deponents brother David was one that was detach and he hired said Ruben to take his place in said Company - remembers said Ruben went in said Service and served Two Months for his brother deponents impression is that said Heocks Company belonged to Col Sheldons Regiment and that they served at a place called Poundridge in the State of New York to intercept the Cow Boys -
Also remembers that in the Autumn of 1777 Deponent & said Ruben both belonged to said Capt Blackmans Company of Cavalry in said New Stratford when said Company were ordered into service and directed to respond on the North River and from there removed to Fishkill and from there to Kingston or Esopus on the North River was there at the time when the British burnt it said Esopus

was with d s company at Fishkill or thereabouts when Burgoyne was taken was in service at this time with said Ruben at least one month. said Ruben Naholz always served as a private soldier. remembers that when he was in this campaign while said company was quartered at a place called Middle Barracks near the North River there was an alarm and said Ruben one night and said Ruben lay in the Barracks back of Deponent & Ruben sprung up from Deponent and made a great outcry - but the alarm proved to be a false one - remembers that said Ruben removed from New Stratford before the close of the war to a place called Newfield in the Town of Stratford in d s Fairfield County which place is now called Bridgeport Deponent does not know whether d s Ruben performed any service after he removed to Bridgeport but remembers perfectly well that all his service as before stated was before he removed from New Stratford Nathaniel Sherman
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport May 23 1837 personally appeared Nathaniel Sherman and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible witness well known to me. Sworn and subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Zachariah Sherwood of the of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut aged 78 years a Pensioner of the United States Deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Ruben Nichols (Deceased) the first husband of the W. Abiah Lewis who is now applying for a Pension and Deponent testifies and saith that he and said Ruben Nichols both Enlisted in the year 1775 in the County of Fairfield & State aforesaid into Capt Samuel Reeds Company of State Troops in Col Watbury Regiment for seven Months service in a campaign to the Northward and remembers perfectly well that said Nichols served with him in said Reeds Company in said campaign and was with him at the taking of Fort St Johns in Canada always uniformly understood & fully believes that said Nichols served 7 Months in this campaign which company was Connecticut foot Troops thinks he served in said company as private, and he further states that Benjamin Nichols who was a brother of said Ruben was the Lt. of said Capt Reeds Company.
Zachariah Sherwood
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport, April 6 th 1837. Personally appeared Zachariah Sherwood and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible Witness Sworn and Subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Thomas Stratton of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut 70 years of age a Pensioner of the United States Deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted Ruben Nichols of the Parish of New Stratford in both County in the time of the Revolution Resided in the Town of Stratford at that time. and respondent was in service in in a campaign to the Northward in 1775 and remembering that Ruben Nichols was then in service in Capt Ruds Company and remembering that Benjamin Nichols the brother of said Ruben was the Lt of said Ruds Company this campaign was for 7 months and respondent fully believes that Ruben served 7 months in this campaign at the time Fort St Johns was taken has allways been well acquainted with said Ruben & his widow Abiah. who has since his Rubens death married Benj. Ho Lewis who has been dead some years, and his said Widow Abiah was his widow on and before the 4 th day of July 1836 and has not since that time married but is now living in Bridgeport as his widow allways uniformly understood that said Ruben was married to said Abiah in the early part of the Revolutionary war. uniformly understood that said Ruben performed other service in the Revolution — said Abiah maiden name was Abiah Leers  Beers and at the time she was married to the Ruben lived in the Parish which was a part of the Town of Stratford —
State of Connecticut } Thomas Stratton County of Fairfield } Bridgeport May 30 th 1837. Personally appeared Thomas Stratton and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me as a credible Witness Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace 2153

May 16, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dr. Robert E. Merwin 796 Carroll Street Brooklyn, New York
BA-J/ady Reuben Nichols W.21566
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Ruben Nichols, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.21566, based upon his military service in that war.
Reuben Nichols was born in June 1751 in New Stratford Parish, Fairfield County, Connecticut. No reference is made to his parents.
While a resident of New Stratford Parish, Fairfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private in Captain Zalmon Read's Company, Colonel Waterbury's Connecticut Regiment, went to Canada, was at the taking of Fort St.Johns and discharged November 28, 1775, having served seven months. He enlisted in February 1776 and served five or six months as private in Captain Samuel Blackman's or John Yates' or Robert Lewis' or Benjamin Nichols' Company, Colonels Ichabod Lewis' and Samuel Whiting's Connecticut Regiments. He enlisted in April 1777 and served two weeks as private in Captain Blackman's Connecticut Company at the time of the burning of Danbury. Elnathan Nichols was lieutenant of said company, no relationship to soldier stated. Reuben Nichols enlisted October 3, 1777 and served one month as private in Captain Samuel Blackman's Connecticut Company and was at the burning of Esopus. In 1778 or 1779 he was detached from Captain Samuel Blackman's Company of Cavalry and served two months as private under Lieutenant Hicock or Heacock and Colonel Sheldon. He enlisted in July 1779 and served one week as private in Captain Benjamin Nichols' Company at the time of the burning of Fairfield.
About 1780 he moved from New Stratford Parish to Stratford, (that part which was later called Bridgeport) Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Soldier married October 1, 1777 in New Stratford Parish, Connecticut, Abiah, born March 21, 1761, the daughter of Barney Beers or Beerrs of New Stratford Parish, Connecticut, the name of her mother not stated.
Reuben Nichols died May 17, 1797 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
His widow, Abiah, married January 1, 1802, place not stated, Benjamin Hazard Lewis, who died January 23, 1825, aged seventy-one years.
Abiah Lewis was allowed pension, on account of the services of Reuben Nichols in the Revolutionary War, on her application executed May 27, 1837 while a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
She died December 26, 1840, place not stated. On a p.
In 1837 Sarah Hawley, aged seventy-four years and her husband Abel Hawley, aged seventy-four years were residents of Monroe, Fairfield County, Connecticut. She was the daughter of soldier's half brother Benjamin Nichols. Soldier's brother Daniel Nichols was dead in 1837.
In 1837 one Roswell L. Nichols was Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, no relationship to soldier stated.
Abiah had a brother Daniel Beers or Beerrs.
In 1837 Nathan Lewis was residing in Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut; Edmond Lewis was living in Monroe, (formerly New Stratford Parish) Fairfield County, Connecticut; Ezekiel Lewis was a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and nearly seventy years old; Andrew Lewis was living in Trumbull, Fairfield County, Connecticut, he was born September 14, 1762, no relationship to the family stated.
This is the record of the only Reuben Nichols, all spellings of the names searched, who served from Connecticut, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

POSTAL CARD - ONE CENT.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY.
U.S. Bureau of claims & pensions Washington D.C.
RECEIVED COLLEGE HILL OHIO

Please send Charles Booth Buckingham the service on which Eunice Saully and born 1766 and buried in Bridgeport- Abiah Lewis based their born v 1764 - died in Bridgeport- claims for a pension-
Charles Booth Buckingham.
OWHN State Street Bridgeport Conn-

ROBERT E. MERWIN, D. D. S. 796 CARROLL STREET BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Dept of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Would appreciate any records pertaining to Ruben Nichols (I think of Stratford Conn rather than or near New Haven) enlisted Massachusetts July 8. 1879 - also of a Ruben Nichols

May I ... have not a member of Capt Nichols Reg - under Major Ezra Stokes Reg - 1781 Connect
If you have any of his family records it would be greatly appreciated
Yr Your Sincere Robert E Merwin
Apr 3-34

to the same in Rev
member.
Dept of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir:
I have written before asking of information as to the possibility of  Ruben Nichols who was in Continental Reg. discharged Nov 28. 1775
also a ✓ Ruben Nichols Discharged July 8 1779

Capt Nichols
I forgot to enclose self addressed envelope
Any information as to his parents & family will be greatly appreciated
Yours Truly
Robert E Merwin
May 9-34

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21866
Abiah Lewis Widow of Rember Nichols Peri New Mar.
Act July 4 th 86
Index: Vol. CA , Page 430
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Apr 26-1907 Chas B. Buckingham Bridgeport Conn
1934 May 16. Hist. to Dr. Robert E. Merwin a.o.g.

11 mo. 8 days private Inf'ty. 2 mo. private Cavalry
Send certificate to Isaac Sherman Esq Bridgeport Conn.

War Department
Pension Office
November 27, 1837
Sir,
I have examined the additional proof in the case of Mrs. Abiah Lewis, and have placed it on file with her original papers. The applicant, in her amended declaration, claims for six months more service than, was set forth originally. In support of this allegation, she refers to the declaration of Phoebe Ward wherein she says served in the same company, six months with her late husband, in Col. Lewis' regiment. Mr. Ward was not in the same service: he was in the regular army, during the whole year from April 1776 to April 1777 under Col. Webb. In her original declaration, she claimed for three months in the summer of 1776 which is supported by the testimony of Nathaniel Sherman. Yet Mr. Sherman, when claiming for this same service for himself, called the term but 1 1/2 months. The certificate of the Comptroller shews that instead of 7 months in 1775, Mr. Nichols the former husband of Mrs. Lewis, served but 5 months and 2 days.

The Department cannot enlist therefore allow more than 11 months and eight days as private of infantry and two months as private of Cavalry. in all 13 months and 8 days
Should Mrs. Lewis accept this, she will so inform the Department and a certificate will be issued accordingly
Yours Very Respectfully W. M. O. St. J. L. Edwards
Isaac Sherman Esq. Bridgeport Conn

State of Connecticut Bridgeport
(December 1 1837)
Sir
I have stated your proposition in your annexed letter to Mrs. Abiah Lewis and she authorizes me to say to you that she will accept a certificate for the term you propose —
Yours very Respectfully
Isaac Sherman

J L Edwards
Commr of Pensions.
Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridgeport,
Connecticut.

War Department, Pension Office, July 20, 1837.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs. Abiah Lewis, formerly widow of Reuben Nichols, deceased, have been examined and placed on our files.
The service should be sustained by the certificate of the Comptroller showing the evidences which his office may afford of each term. And the marriage should be proved by some parish, town, or family record, if any such record can be found.
I am, respectfully, your ob t serv t .
J. L. Edwards
Isaac Sherman Esq Bridgeport, Connecticut.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield Bridgeport.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir I send you the additional Declaration of the Widow Abiah Lewis and I wish you to forward her Certificate to me
Yours very Respectfully Isaac Sherman
By reference to the Comptroller's certificate it appears that Col. Ichabod Lewis drew the money for the Regiment in 1776. and as I have been informed Col. Samuel Whiting succeeded Col. Lewis as Col. of the 4 th Regiment in 1777 and I believe by referring to the pension application of Aaron Hubbell of Connecticut. in your office it will appear by the Compt r . certificate with his papers that Col. Whiting also drew the pay for the Regiment. which accounts for the fact. That the immediate officers under whom Ruben Nichols served their names is not found on the pay Table Also you will see by reference to the

Pension application of Nathaniel Sherman one of the principle witnesses to prove the service of Reuben Nichols. That his Pension has been allowed for the same service
Very Respectfully Yours N Sherman

V 2153.
Abiah Lewis, formerly widow of Reuben Nichols. Conn.

State of Connecticut Bridgeport. June 19 th 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I send you the Pension Application of the Widow Abiah Lewis and you will if you please send her certificate to me
Yours very Respectfully
Isaac Sherman

Am d due.
Reuben Nichols. Mar. Oct 77. Died 1797
  Sp 76 6 mo  1775: Legit Recd. 7 mo. Compt: cert. 5 mo 2d.     — 3 mo p . —  Wab. 76 —————  3 " (75 & 76) Nat Leu. Mt. 3 mo.    # 6 —————  B. 76 —————  # 3 mo. ————— 3    Albany.  78:9 Hancock.  # 2 Car. ————— 2     77  # 1 mo. Nat Leu. Mt 1 —     79 July.  7d. ————— .21     apl 77. —————  # 14d ————— 9. 21      21 ————— 5. 2  
Wit.    N. Sherman dec.  # Nat Sherman  On Feb 76 ✓  No. 14 23    June 76 1 1/2 (eye Blackman ✓  3. June 76 ✓  dec 1. 15     76. 1. ————— ✓  2. — 78 ✓  $ 13. 8     78. 2. 9 th Stratf? ✓  1. — 77 ✓      77. 1. Tuckers 6 th ✓       July 80. 1. —————       May Allan 11 mo 8. 1/2 2 — — C d 19. 8
As L. Sherman offered # Philo Howard 1 st from Apr 76 (eye Leavitt) Col Webb.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport. On this 7 day of August A D 1837 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate in and for the District of Stratford in the County & State aforesaid Abiah Lewis a Resident of said Town of Bridgeport 76 years of age who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following additional Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 and the act Explanatory of said act, passed March 3 1837 —
She would now state in addition to her former Declaration now at Washington That for the Winter Spring campaign that her husband Ruben Nichols served in New York in 1776, under Capt Blackman she claims it should be Three months instead of Two as claimed in her first Declaration as is fully proved by the Deposition of Nathan Lewis attach d to her first Declaration, who served with d Ruben in that campaign — and who receives a pension himself as she believes for that 3 months service.
Also she claims that she ought to be allowed for Six months service which d Ruben performed in the Summer & Autumn of 1776 in West New York instead of 3 months as claimed in her first Declaration and she now claims that her husband enlisted for 6 months in the Spring of 1776 in a company under command of Capt Benjamin Nichols at the Parish of New Stratford (in d Fairfield County), that her Brother Daniel Burns of said New Stratford enlisted & served in the same company with d Ruben for six months under d Benjamin Nichols & was a fifer of the company.

and Daniel Curtis of New Stratford was the Drummer of said Capt Benjamin Nichols company. remembering Philo Hurd, & Daniel Nichols a brother of Reuben served under said Benjamin Nichols in this campaign and she remembers that Elisha Blagg of New Stratford belonged to said Capt Nichols company and died in New York of the Camp Distemper in in the Autumn 1776 in this campaign. She remembers that Capt Nichols company went or set out to go to Boston and had orders to return & go to New York, remembers her brother Daniel Beers  the fifer & Daniel Curtis the Drummer  Col. Serjt both came to their House together on their return from Boston & went on from there to go to New York they said they had liberty to call at home on their way to New York and remembers that her father said one morning at the time that supposed her brother Daniel Beers was in Boston that we should see Daniel to day for that he had dreamed about her in the last night. and as it so happened a little after breakfast that day Daniel Beers & Daniel Curtis both came to their House. on their way from Boston to New York, also remembers that said Reuben told her that he got liberty from his officers to go and see one Emond Mallet his brother in law who was in jail in Hartford at the time he was returning from Boston to go to New York. She thinks said Capt Benj. Nichols company belonged to Col Jehabod Lewis company Regiment of Stratford in D. Fairfield county. at that time to prove this service she refers to Nathan Lewis & Nathaniel Shermans Deposition for the first 3 months & to Sarah Hawly, Abie Hawly & Nathaniel Shermans Deposition to prove this service 6 months service also refers to the Pension Papers at Washington of Philo Hurd Esq. who was a pensioner and served in this 6 months campaign. she does not mean to state hastily that Benj. Nichols commanded said company but Capt John Yates or Robert Lewis

might have commanded said Company in said six months campaign but it was the same Company in which Philo Hurd served which Company belonged to Col Ichabod Suez Regiment. That she does not know that there is any person now alive who served in this 6 months campaign. The circumstances which she has now related of this six months campaign she did not recall at the time she made her first declaration, but have all come fresh into her mind since. she does not know as it is possible for her to obtain any Record of her marriage with Rixford Records of the kept any being lost as is shown by the Disposition of Deacon Lewis of Monroe which Disposition is attached to her first Declaration, there being no Town or Family Record of her marriage. she is unfortunately placed in these circumstances in reference to a Record of her marriage but she feels that the fact of her marriage to Ruben Nichols the 1 st of October 1777. is fully and amply proved by the Dispositions attached to her first & this second Declaration that she is very poor, and has nothing for her support, and requests that her case may be decided as early a Day as may be, and for the Amount. That the commissioners of Pensions shall judge she is entitled to from the proof exhibited ————— Ruben served in in this campaign as private foot soldier that all his service after 1775 was in Col Ichabod Suez Regiment & Col Samuel Whiting, who both were Col. of Regt.
Eliza Lewis
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me.
Samuel Stratton Judge of Probate
Asst. Isaac Sherman Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the before named applicant is the widow of Reuben Nichols who was a revolutionary soldier & who served as she states
Attest Isaac Sherman Clerk
Samuel Stratton Judge
I Isaac Sherman clerk of the court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court on the matter of the additional Declaration of the application of Abiah Lewis for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 7 th day of August A D 1837
Isaac Sherman Clerk
I Samuel Stratton Judge of the court of Probate within & for the District of Stratford aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman is clerk of said court that the above are his signatures with the seal of said court thereto annexed
Samuel Stratton Judge

Abel Hawley of the Town of Monroe in the County of Hampden & State of Connecticut aged 74 years a pensioner under the act of June 1832 Deposeth and saith that He was well acquainted with Ruben Nichols Deceased who married Abiah Peers of New Stratford was a Tailor by Trade and worked for Deponent's Father both before & after he was married to said Abiah, Ruben he was was married in the early part of the Revolution and Deponent says that he fully believes they were married in October 1777 before Burgoyne was taken but was not at the Wedding but lived in the same Parish with said Ruben & Abiah when they were married Ruben & Ruben served a campaign in 1775 under Capt. Reed. But Nichols was out of the company in a campaign to the Northward also remembers of hearing it said that said Ruben was in service in New York 1776 also remembers that said Ruben took the place of David Sherman to supply his place in a Draft and went as a horseman in that campaign from said New Stratford and remembers that said Ruben had an old fashioned English saddle with a large pommel knob under the pommel and that he cut down the pommel of that saddle to fit it for a Troopers saddle for that campaign cannot remember the year that he served for David Sherman but remembers it was before the Town of Fairfield in Connecticut was burnt which was in July 1779 and also remembers that Ruben & Abiah was married and lived together as man & wife in said New Stratford at the time he took the place of said David Sherman cannot say how long he served for said David Sherman

what company he served in nor how long he served , but recmemberz perfectly well that he went and served in the Revolution for S d Sherman after his marriage. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Rixford of S d New Stratford who was the ordained minister over S d Parish during the Revolutionary War , but is now Dead.
Abel Hawley,
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss. Monroe August 6 th 1837 Personally appeared before me Abel Hawley and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Sarah Hawly of the Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 74 years of age & wife of Abel Hawly Deceased and saith that Reuben Nichols her was half brother to her Father whose name was Benjamin Nichols. and that she remembers said Reuben went in a Campaign to the Northward in Capt Ruds Company in 1775 her father the said Benjamin was the Capt of said Company & Reuben served in this Campaign from Spring to Winter also remembers said Reuben served a Campaign in New York at the time the City was taken and remembers said Reuben & Daniel Nichols his brother Philo Ward Joseph Clark, & Elisha Hazz all of said New Stratford Enlisted at said New Stratford and as she fully believes under Reuben's father for six months the said Benjamin Nichols. remembers that they marched from said New Stratford to go into Service at New York in the Spring Summer of 1776 before the City was taken Remembers said Elisha Hazz and in this Campaign in New York of the Camp Distemper remembers her father came home twice from New York and returned during this Campaign and she feels confident her father commanded in this this Campaign in New York and that said Reuben served in this Campaign at least 6 months as a private soldier as aforesaid She also remembers Reuben was in service in the Grook when Danbury was burnt in 1777 also remembers that he went one Jour or more on the North River in the Revolution and remembers that said Reuben went under her father in the Militia Company at the time Fairfield was burnt in 1779. also that said Reuben was married in the Autumn of 1777 to Abiah Muzz of said New Stratford by the

Br. Elisha Risford...remembers that De Ruben & Abiah removed to Newfield now called Ponceport before the close of the War was not at the Wedding was invited to the Wedding but did not attend. but remembers perfectly well the time they were married as you stated remembers that Ruben was in some considerable part of the time from the commencement of the Revolution until he removed to Ponceport which was after the Town of Newfield was burnt. Sarah Hawley
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss Monroe August 6 1837 Personally appeared Sarah Hawley and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition  affidavit before me who certify is a credible witness well known to me Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Nathan Fairchild of The Town of Huntington in The County of Fairfield State of Connecticut 74 years of age Deposeeth and saith that he lived in the time of The Revolution in the same Town viz Stratford that Ruben Nichols lived in at that time and remembers that said Ruben lived in The Parish of New Stratford with Abiah Burrs as man & wife cannot say what year in The Revolution they were married but his impression is that it was in the early part of The War said Ruben was a Sailor by Trade and often worked for Osborn and he remembers of hearing said Ruben tell what took place when he was in service at the time the Army of Burgoyne was taken he said that after Burgoyne was captured the American Army was Stationed near Haskill with the Mountain on one side and the North River on the other & report got among them that there was a small Post among them which caused many to desert and guards was Stationed at different places to intercept them but had orders to let those that belonged to the Norse pass to distinguish and Horseman from the others. they were told to let all pass that had Boots on. as some of the Militia had Horses. & when the country Stopt then they then he then showed their boots. & they let them pass fully believing said Ruben was married to Abiah Burrs as early in the Revolution as 1777
Nathan Fairchild
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield ss Personally appeared Nathan Fairchild and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me. who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me - Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield Ss Bridgeport I Isaac Sherman Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission will expire in June 1838; and that his Signatures to the annexed Depositions of Abiel Hawly, Sarah Hawly, George L Sherman & Nathan Hanchett are all his genuine Signatures
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court the 15 th day of September 1837 Isaac Sherman Clerk

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Ct.
August 16 th 1837
On application for evidence of the service of Reuben Nichols I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War , and find, and certify as follows, viz:—
"Return of Capt Salmon Reads Company in Colonel Waterbury's Regt. for back rations commencing 26 th June 1775 & ending 29 th November following."
The name of Reuben Nichols is on the above mentioned Ration Roll which states the time of his discharge to be Nov r 28 th . I cannot find Captain Reads Pay Roll to show how long S d Nichols served. On the back of the S d Ration Roll is the following endorsement.
"Fairfield Nov r 7 th 1776 - Personally appeared J n Mills within named 2 d Master & made solemn oath that the within accounts are justly truly made up & entered & that he has never received any part of the balance thereof before me - Andrew Rowland Just. of Peace"
Hartford Nov r 28 th 1776
Rec d Pay Table Committees Order on Treasurer of this State for the sum of 93 pounds
He informed that service for David Sherman S d Reuben served for S d David as a private Horseman State of Connecticut
George L Sherman
County of Fairfield ss. Mandateport August 14 1837 Personally appeared George L Sherman personally known to me to be a credible Witness and made oath and subscribed the above Deposition before me
David Sherman Justice of Peace

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Ct.
August 16 th 1857
On application for evidence of the service of Reuben Nichols I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War , and find, and certify as follows, viz:
"Return of Capt Salmon Reads Company in Colonel Waterbury's Regt. for back Rations commencing 26 th June 1775 & ending 29 th November following."
The name of Reuben Nichols is on the above mentioned Ration Roll which states the time of his discharge to be Nov r 28 th
I cannot find Captain Reads Pay Roll to show how long S r Nichols served. On the back of the S r Ration Roll is the following endorsement.
Fairfield Nov r 7 th 1776 - Personally appeared S r Mills within named 2 d Master & made solemn oath that the within accounts are justly & truly made up & entered & that he has never received any part of the balance thereof before me -
Andrew Rowland Just. of Peace
Hartford Nov r 28 th 1776
Rec d Pay Table Committees Order on Treasurer of this State for the sum of 93 pounds

nineteen shillings & money on account of the within for Capt. Read.
David Dimon"
I cannot find the pay Roll of Captain Benjamin Nichols for the year 1776 & the within is all I am able to state respecting the service of Reuben Nichols —
Wm. Field Comptroller
Comptroller's Office 6 Sept. 1837
I certify the following to be a true copy of an entry in a Pay Table Book remaining in this office:—
"Col. Ichabod Lewis for y e 4 th Reg t . Militia to New York 6 th
"By Acco d rend d by Maj r . Dimon, viz:
"Bounty 529 Men . . . . . 20/ . . . . . £529. 0. 0 "Hospital Expense for 9 Comp ys of 1 st Reg t . . . . . 99. 18. 2 "Losses sustained — d o — d o . . . . . 145. 1. 0 773. 19. 2 11
Which entry is under date of 7 March 1777—and the United States is Debited with the same.
In the absence of the Comptroller
Royal W l Himmann Secretary of State
The above is a true copy from the Pay Table Journal.
E l Benjamin Clk. in S t Office

George Sherman of The Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Deposeth and saith that during the Revolutionary War he resided in The Parish of New Stratford now called Monroe and remembers in the same Neighbourhood with Ruben Nichols first husband of Abiah Lewis of Bridgeport who is now applying for a Pension and remembers that at some time during the Revolutionary War and as deponent thinks it was about the year Fairfield in Conn. was burnt either 1778 or 1779 said Ruben agreed to take the place of David Sherman one of Deponent's Neighbours (a Brother of Nathaniel Sherman now residing in said Monroe) (said David being now dead) for a campaign for which said David had been drafted Deponent Remembers that said David Sherman's father who is now dead fitted out said Ruben with a Horse Saddle & Sword & Pistols as deponent understood and remembers that when said Ruben returned from that campaign which Deponent thinks was performed at Horse Neck the saddle that had been furnished him said Ruben had cut down the forward part and the father of said David was very angry about it and Deponent remembers going to see the saddle as it became a matter of conversation in the Neighbourhood Deponent understood and fully believes that said Ruben was married to said Abiah before he performed this service for David Sherman said Ruben served for said David as a private Horseman
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport August 14 1837 personally appeared George L. Sherman personally to me known to me to be a credible Witness and made oath and subscribed the above Deposition before me David Sherman Justice of Peace