Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,648, for Abijah Phelps, Connecticut

SERVICE
born.
Phelps, Abijah
NUMBER _____
S. 4648
CONTENTS
carded.

Ohio - 7895
Majah Phelps
of Hamilton in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private in the Company — commanded by Captain — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hoid. — in the Connecticut, line for 7 mos. & 3 days.
$23.66 100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 23. Dollars 66. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of April 1833 and sent to H. P. James, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. — 47.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. — 11.83 $59.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk, Book —, Vol. 8. Page twenty. —
Wm. S. Barry, after 1849 1888 July 19. S. F. Gary — history — Prior
Death date not on A.B.

7895 M 18621
Hezekiah Phelps Ohio
look on Com & Role 2 Regt 1780 5-3 days on role
Adm. for 7. Months & 3 days from 1778
2 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 6 6
H. P. Gains Cincinnati Ohio

BRIEF in the case of  Abijah Phelps  County of Hamilton in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enrd. In 1778 — 1 — private Gen. Sullivan   " 1779. — 1 — — forgotten the Officers   Enlisted 1780 — 6 — — Genl Hootlyburt Col Moid  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Connecticut (State)  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Galt Examining Clerk.

Clerk post
James
1832. William Lloyd to Declaration and Vouchers, to obtain a Pen- sion. - 1832. The Honorable the

State of Ohio, } County of Hamilton } S.
On this 15 th day of November in the year 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Common Pleas of  Court of Hamilton County, now sitting, Abijah Phelps, a resident in Sycamore township in said County of Hamilton, and state of Ohio, aged seventy years on the 13 th day of February last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832;—
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated;—
That he entered the service of the United States, in the month of October in the year 1778, as well as he now recollects, in the town of Sycamory in the state of Connecticut, for an engagement of only one month. But the names of the Captain of the Company and Col. of the Regiment, in which he served, are now forgotten;—That he, however, served out that term of duty, and was regularly discharged, after having received his pay, and served during the said term of one month.

that in the following year (1779) he again entered the service of the United States at Synsbury aforesaid, in the said State of Connecticut, for a term of one month, and actually served during that term; - but does not recollect the name of his captain or colonel in this expedition; - he however recollects the name of the lieutenant in said company, which was "Hillybrut," - and the General's name was Meade ; - that in his first term above mentioned, he was employed as one of the guard of Burgoyne's troops, then on their way to Virginia; and quit them in the vicinity of North River, where he was discharged; - and the Continental troops took charge of said prisoners; - that in his said second term, the company and Regiment to which he belonged, marched under the command of Genl. Meade, aforesaid, to Horse neck , where they remained during the term, - or rather where he was permitted by Governor Trumbull, to go home.
That, in the Spring of the year 1780, he enlisted in the service of the United States for six months, and served out said term; - that the Regiment to which he was attached, was the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, called "Butler's Regiment," but then actually commanded by Col. Hild ; - that the place of his enlistment, was the said town of Synsbury, and he joined the American Army at West Point; - that he was never engaged in any battle during his

whole term of service respectively; that he had a regular discharge for his said last term of service, but the same has, long since, been lost or destroyed; - that in marching to West point from Synnbury, he passed through Lyckfield & Danbury; - that he was acquainted with Captain Bets and Captain Thayer who were in the Continental Army, attached to the said 2 nd Connecticut Regiment; - he was also acquainted with Genl. Huntington, who commanded the 2 nd Brigade of said Connecticut troops, in the 2 nd division of the same; He was also acquainted with Genl. Wayne; and was one of two or three hundred who formed a scouting party under his command towards the British Lines, while the British were in possession of New York; - that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, whose testimony he can procure , who can testify to his service. - 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 the agency of any state whatever. - Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. - Dan l Dano 5 Miriah Phelps

We Rob t Richardson a Clergyman, residing in the County of Hamilton and state of Ohio, and Alex r Boakin residing in the same County and state, hereby certify, that we are now acquainted with Elijah Phillips who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years of age, and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. —
Sworn, and subscribed, the 3 d R Richardson say and year aforesaid. —
Danl. Faw C m p o S
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Robert Richardson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the said County of Hamilton and state of Ohio, and that Alexander Boakin who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County & state, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
I Daniel Faw p o Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of Hamilton County aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elijah Phillips for a pension. — The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal to my office, this 15 th day of November 1832.
Danl. Faw C m p o S

March 16, 1939.
Aurelia M. Jewell 1402 North Greenbrier Street Arlington, Virginia.
BA-J/ILL Abijah Phelps S. 4648
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Abijah Phelps, who was pensioned April 16, 1833.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 4648, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Abijah Phelps.
Abijah Phelps was born February 13, 1762; the place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, Abijah Phelps enlisted in 1778 and served one month, acting as one of a guard to Burgoyne's prisoners, no officers named; he enlisted in 1779 and served one month as private under Lieutenant "Hollyburt" and General Mead, at Horseneck; he enlisted in the spring of 1780, and served six months as private in the 2 d Connecticut regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Hait and Colonel Butler, stationed most of the time in the vicinity of West Point, and was on scouting parties commanded by General Wayne when the British were in possession of New York.
Abijah Phelps was allowed pension on his application executed November 15, 1832, at which time he resided in Syracuse Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1849, he resided in Cincinnati, Ohio. He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General

Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data-
Abijah Phelps Certificate #7895 Issued April 16, 1833 Rate $23.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rev. trans
4648
INVALID.
File No. 4648
Elijah Phelps Prin. Cl. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: — Vol. A , Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1936 - Nov. 17 - Hist. to Mrs. Oscar T. Finch - Ill. 1939 - March 16 - Hist. to Aurelia M. Jewell Ill.

Abijah Phelps in Nov. 1837 - of Sycamore - Hamilton Co Ohio aged 70 yrs Feb 13. 1832 (last) Enlisted in Simsbury Hartford Co Conn for one year in 1778 another mo't in 1779 under Col. Meigs - first term guarding the Burgoyne prisoners when on the way to Dan to North West - 2 nd term going to Horn's Creek In 1780 for 6 mo's with Col. Hays going to West Point - in no battle - He was a member of a scouting party 2 or 300 men by Genl Wayne toward, the British Encampment in city

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abijah Phelps which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? C IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? in his first tour does not recollect any officer's name but in the two last he has VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? No witness XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1-2-7.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

2 April 12/49 Cincinnati Ohio
April 12 1849
J. S. Barnes
Rel. to Abijah Phelps Pension pay, can it be increased _____
W. Cole Wilson
B. pay. Recd April 17/49 Left of the minor.
Comm. of Pensions Dept of Int. April 17/49

Vincinnati April 12 1849
Hon d Sir
I beg leave to call your attention to the claim of an old soldier of the war of 76 Mr Abijah Phelps of this place who was put on the Pension Rolls of the Pension Office 16 April 1833 Book E, vol 8 Page 20 at the Rate of $23.66 cets per year. I saw the old gentleman in Market to day for the first time & seeing his inform stop I took the liberty to ask if he was not a soldier of 76 he says I was I enlisted for during the war, & was honorably discharged a little before the close of the war on account of sickness I served more than 2 years & when I sent my discharge to get a pension dont you think my country gave me $23.66 a year, I hope Hon d Sir for the honor of our Country you will consent that the certificate may be returned & another allowing full pay according to the acts 1828. Please answer
Respectfully Yr Obed Servt
Hon d
J. S. Barnes
Secretary of War

S. S. Barns aft 18 th 49

Pension Office
Apr 18 '49
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 12 th inst. to the Secretary of War, in relation to the case of Abijah Phelps, I have to inform you that in his declaration under the act of June 7-1832, he alleged to have served one month in 1778, one month in 1779, and six months in 1780, but on examining the rolls for proof of the last term of service, it appeared therefrom that he served for only 5 months & 3 days. The whole amount of service was, therefore, but 7 months and 3 days, which entitled him to no more than $23:66 for which a pension certificate was issued.
He is not entitled to a pension under the act of May 1828, nor is he for a greater annual amount than has been allowed.
J. S. J. Barron, Esq. Cincinnati Ohio

Nov 20
1862
Free
The Honorable Lewis C. Q Secretary of War Washington-D.C.
1862

Cincinnati, Ohio Novr 15 th 1832.
Sir,
You have inclosed, the declaration and vouchers, of Alijah Phelps, - who wishes to avail himself of the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, in favor of Revolutionary soldiers; - and, you will please be good as to cause answers to this and my other applications, to be forwarded to this City, directed to me , as soon as your convenience may allow them to be made out.
I am, very respectfully, Your Most S vt
H. P. Gurney

1402 North Greenbrier Street,
Arlington, Virginia.
March 8, 1939.
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Re: Revolutionary Pension Records for DAR proof.
I would appreciate the pension record of the following named Revolutionary soldier:
Abijah Phelps , Private Conn. St. Tr. & Con. Pensioned April 16, 1833 at age of 72. Mentioned in pension census of 1840 at 79, living then in 1st Ward, Cincinnati, though I found mention of his possible death in 1833.
Any information as to family, etc., will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Aurelia M. Jewell
Aurelia M. Jewell.
Mrs. Yead

Portland, Indiana October 31, 1936
Veterans Administration Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
The Mississinewa Chapter of the D.A.R. of Portland, would like very much to place bronze markers on the graves of two men whom we believe to be Revolutionary Soldiers. The two tombstones we found in the old Daugherty Cemetery in Jay County, Ind. They are side by side and read as follows:
OK ABIJAH PHELPS
Died Aug. 24, 1851 Aged 92 Ys 6 m 11 d.
MICHAEL COUNKLE
DIED May. 10, 1851 Ag'd 88 Y. 2 M. 1 D. A revolutionary Soldier
Try as we may we have been unable to find any descendants, and do not know what state they served from. Among some of the older residents of Wabash township Abijah Phelps was spoken of as a Revolutionary Soldier and that he came from Connecticut. We do not know if that is true. "A revolutionary Soldier" is inscribed at the bottom of the Counkle stone.
We would like to mark these graves within the next thirty days. Did either of them receive a pension? Can you give us any information?
Sincerely,
Hazel Grimes Finch Registrar of the Mississinewa Chapter D.A.R.
(Mrs. Oscar T. Finch) R.R.# 2 Box 4. Portland, Ind.

November 17, 1936.
Mrs. Oscar T. Finch R. R. #2, Box 4 Portland, Indiana.
BA-J/ILL Abijah Phelps S. 4648
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Michael Counkle and Abijah Phelps, who are buried in Jay County, Indiana.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file which was made to the United States based upon service of a Michael Counkle. The record of Abijah Phelps is given herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 4648, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abijah Phelps was born February 13, 1762; the place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, he enlisted in 1778 and served one month, acting as one of a guard to Butgoyne's prisoners, no officers named; he enlisted in 1779, and served one month as private under Lieutenant "Hollyburt" and General Mead, at Horseneck; He enlisted in the spring of 1780, and served six months as private in the 2 nd Connecticut regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Hait and Colonel Butler, stationed most of the time in the vicinity of West Point and was on scouting parties commanded by General Wayne when the British were in possession of New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 15, 1832, at which time he resided in Syracuse Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. He made no reference to wife or children. In 1849, he was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Letter says he died Aug. 24-1851- Tombstone.