Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,144, for Roger Phelps, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Phelps Roger.
8. 14. 144
Card d
CONTENTS

No 9.671.
Connecticut
Roger Phelps.
of Hebron in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Palmer of the Regt commanded by Jones - in the Connecticut Militia
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1833 Allowance and delivered to Judge A. Fender now in Washington City.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - $ 160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep " - 40.00
$ 200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { paid June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. Evans Clerk, Book E - Vol. 3 - Page 34.

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss Hebron Probate District
On this 17 th Day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Abner Hemenbury Judge of the Court of Probate for 8 th District now sitting Roger Phelps a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut aged 67 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated That about the first of September 1779 he volunteered to do a tour of duty of six months in Fort Trumbull N. London in a Company commanded by John Skinner Asaph Trumbull Lieut. Roger Phelps Ensign one Bosworth was Adjutant & there remained a keeping garrison & c until discharged which was some time in the month of March
In 1780 in the month of August he volunteered to do a tour of duty of three months at N. London in a company called the cripple Role commanded by Capt Stephen Palmer one Bozigham was Lieut Roger Phelps Ensign and there did the various duties of a soldier until the three months had expired & was discharged verbally.
In 1781 about the 8 th Day of Sept. he volunteered to do a tour of duty of three months at N. London Jeremiah Mason was Col. Roger Phelps Capt Asaph White Lieut John Gilbert Ensign That he was marched to N. London & remained there until the term expired & was discharged verbally & that he then volunteered to do another tour of duty of six months at Fort Griswold in Groton as a substitute for Laurence Povers in a Company

commanded by Daniel Abel our Dutton was Lieut & a man named Loomis Ensign & one Wait commanded the Fort & that he there remained keeping garrison & assisting in repairing the Fort until the 8 th term had expired when he was honorably but verbally discharged together with others from the same company who also volunteered for the same tour
In 1782 about the middle of Sept. he was drafted to do a tour of duty at St-Landon the Col. of the Regt was for four years one Clark was Major Roger Phelps Capt John Gilbert Lieut. Jeremiah Bishell Ensign we were marched to St-Landon & having arrived were informed that provided that one company would volunteer to remain & keep guard the Regt should be discharged & that he with others did volunteer and there remained for the term of six months at kept guard & doing various duties and was discharged in the month of March he is known to Daniel Phelps of Hebron who was with him when a part of the aforesaid services performed & when deposition accompanied this declaration & he can testify to his veracity & belief of the services performed - That he served in the Regiment at the time described. The services performed are hereby acknowledged. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity of any kind He further declares that this name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Roger Phelps
We Alpheus Gove a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron & Daniel Phelps of 8 th Hebron hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Roger Phelps who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 89 years of age & that he is reputed and believed 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 day and year aforesaid
Alpheus Gove
Daniel Phelps

And the said court do 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 Alpheus Greer who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Hebron and that Daniel Phelps who has also signed the same is a resident of said Hebron and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Cyrus Mann clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Roger Phelps for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of November 1832 Cyrus Mann Clerk
I certify that I am acquainted with the within Applicant and that he is a respectable & creditable person & member of Society June 8 th 1832 Abner Hemenway Judge of Court of Probate Court State of Vermont
Roger Phelps 18921

I David Phelps of Hebron Tolland County Connecticut of lawful age do hereby certify that in the month of Sept 1781 I was drafted to do a tour of duty of three months at N. London Jeremiah Mason was Cpt. of my Regt. Roger Phelps Capt Asaph White Lieut John Gilbert Ensign that I was marched to N. London here remained until the 2 nd term had expired & was I was verbally discharged when I with others of my company volunteered to do a tour of duty of six months at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by Daniel Abel one Dutton was Lieut & one Loomis Ensign & Wait commanded the Fort that I there remained keeping garrison & performing various duties until the 2 nd term had expired when I was discharged & I well remember that Roger Phelps was a private in the same company with me during the whole aforesaid term of three months & that he volunteered at the same time with me for the aforesaid term of six months in Fort Griswold in the same company & performed the same duties for the whole term & was discharged at the same time with me. David Phelps
State of Connecticut Tolland County Is Hebron Probate District Personally appeared in Open Court before Abner Hendee Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for 1 st District Daniel Phelps of 1 st Hebron deponent of the foregoing deposition & made solemn battle that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & this Court hereby certifies that the s d Daniel Phelps is a man of truth & that his statement is entitled to credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17 th Day of Nov r 1832 Cyrus Mather Clerk

1892
Roger Phelps Connecticut
Adm for 2 years
$80
M
Alonzo Bradel Hobbs, Holland & Co Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Roger Phelps  Tolland Co. Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol 1779 " 6 " Privt Capt Skinner None — Fort Trumbull 19 Years   " 1780 " 3 " do Palmer None — New London Tolland Traditionary   " 1781 " 3 " do Phelps Col Mason — do Connecticut Evidence   Sub " 6 " do Abel Major — Wold + 1 witness   Enr 1782 " 6 " do Gilbert Jones — St. Louis  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do 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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
May 11, 1927
Mrs. E. F. Morgan 255 Williams St New London, Conn
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 14144, it appears that Roger Phelps, while residing at Hebron, Connecticut, enlisted and served in the Connecticut Troops, as follows-
From September 1, 1779, six months in Captain John Skinner's Company; from August 1780, three months in Captain Stephen Palmer's Company; from September 8, 1781, three months in Captain Roger Phelps's Company, Colonel Jeremiah Mason's Regiment; and six months in Captain Daniel Abel's Company, no dates given; from the middle of September 1782, six months in Captain Roger Phelps' Company. It is stated allowed pension on his application executed November 17, 1832, while a resident of Hebron, Connecticut, aged sixty-nine years.
It is not stated that Captain Roger Phelps was related to soldier. There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner

Reorgan
14144 INVALID.
File No. 14144 Proger Phelps Dist: Boer War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Jan'y 5, 1905. His to Mrs Chas L. Phelps Turnersville Conn 1927. May 11 - Hist to Mrs. E. J. Morgan. surj. 1929 - Feb. 18, Hist to Mrs Charlotte M. Phelps, M.E.E.

14, 14 4
3-068.
(Old No. 3-649.)
Bureau of Pensions.
Roger Phelps
Nov 17, 1832, 69
Hartford Conn
Sept 1, 71 Hartford Conn
Capt. Skinner
Col none
Per. 6
Aug 80 Capt. Slip, Palmer
Col —
Per. 3 m.
Sept 81
Capt. Roger Phelps
Col Mason
Per. 3 mos
— Capt. Abel
Col Wait
Per. 6 m
Sept. 82 Capt. Phelps
Col Joel Jones
Per. 6 m
Mrs. B. L.
14

O. M. & N.
R
Turnersville Connecticut
Dec. 10, 1904
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send to me the Revolutionary record of my husband's grand-father;
[1] 10967 Roger Phelps 1832 Also, Hebron Tolland Co. 1840.
[2] 10968 Oliver Phelps 1818 ✓ Hartford Co.
[3] 10969 Timothy Phelps 1832 ✓ Hartford Co.
[over]

The last two are my mother's family - There were two Rogers in the Rev. - father & son are they both on the books?
Yours Truly
Mrs. Chas. L. Phelps Turnersville Connecticut

Andover Conn. June 1, 1928
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send to me the Revolutionary Record of my grandfather Andrew Mann of Hebron Conn. who applied for a pension 1833? and oblige Yours Truly (Mrs.) Charlotte M. Phelps
Will you kindly send me also the record of my husband's grandfather Roger Phelps Jr. of Hebron Conn. , a pensioner of 1832. (date of application) Yours truly
(Mrs.) Charlotte M. Phelps

U.S. Bureau of Pensions Washington. D. C.
Please send me the Record of Military Service of Roger Phelps of Hebron, Conn.
Mrs. E. F. Morgan 255 Williams St. New London Conn.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWP/eel
February 18, 1929
Mrs. Charlotte M. Phelps Andover Connecticut
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14144, it appears that Roger Phelps, while residing at Hebron, Connecticut, enlisted and served in the Connecticut Troops, as follows:
From September 1, 1779, six months in Captain John Skinner's Company; from August, 1780, three months in Captain Stephen Palmer's Company; from September 8, 1781, three months in Captain Roger Phelps' Company, Colonel Jeremiah Mason's Regiment; and six months in Captain Daniel Abel's Company, no dates given; from the middle of September, 1782, six months in Captain Roger Phelps' Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 17, 1832, while a resident of Hebron, Connecticut, aged sixty-nine years.
It is not stated that Captain Roger Phelps was related to soldier. There are no family data.

On October 22, 1928 you were furnished the history of Andrew Mann, of Hebron, Connecticut, S. 16934.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.