Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8432, for Samuel Pratt, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Privateer
Pratt, Samuel
R. 8432
CONTENTS

Saw: Pratt
No 2.901

I Philo Stoddard of Middletown in the County of Rutland of lawful age testify and say that in the year 1776 or 1777 I was acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has since deceased to the following declaration. He then belonged to the revolutionary army and I think he belonged to Col Durgin's Reg t or Col Mylly's Reg t and it is my impression that he was an 8 months man, whether it was at White Plains or Red Bank that I knew him I cannot tell, but think it was at Red Bank. I have been acquainted with him ever since the war, and he has lived within a few miles of me for the last 32 years. He is now very infirm and his memory almost gone Given before me 31 July 1832 & I certify that said Stoddard is a credible person R. Rice Clerk of Probate Court  Philo Stoddard
20 June 77 by Sam d ... 1 Jan. 78 Roll of Duke

STATE OF VERMONT, RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.
On this 31 st day of July — A. D. 1832 personally appear- ed in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland  disttrict now sitting, Samuel Pratt a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 76 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He  was  resided at Hebron Connecticut  during the  revolutionary , and  entered  into  Capt. Bullock's Company , Lieut. Col. Phelps & Lieut. Smith's  Regiment  for nine months , but his memory is so poor that he cannot recollect the year he enlisted nor the Regiment to which he belonged, he marched to White Plains, and before his time expired he was taken with the Army  at  Red Bank , and his father came and carried him home and he did not recover so as to be able to do duty before his time expired and he did not return, how long he was with the Army he cannot recollect, he afterwards entered again at Hebron, and served at Pohkeepsie , but how long and under what officers he cannot recollect, When the British came into New Haven he was out two weeks at North Haven, but does not recollect his officers, he afterwards entered as a Marine on board the  armed  Brig  Dean , Capt. Daniel Scott , for three months and sailed from New London in the spring but does not recollect the year, and cruised towards the West Indies took four prizes (two Brigs & 2 Sloops) and brought them into New London. He was born in Plymouth Mass October 27 th December 1756 his age is recorded thus as he has been told. He removed from Hebron to Wethersfield Conn. and resided there until about 40 years ago he removed to Vermont and has resided in Wills & Pawlet ever since, he now resides in the latter place, he is known. Mr. Smith Clerk & Mr. Robert Clark , and other inhabitants of Pawlet. He does not know of any evidence of his services except what accompanies

This declaration
to Capt Seely
Seth Phelps Lt Harmon Co
Ezra Smith Lt Fitch Co
no Elisha Buel or Hale
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid.
N. Royce Reg
Samuel Pratt
We Daniel Clark a Clergyman residing in Pawlet and Robert Clark residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
N. Royce Reg
Daniel Clark Robert Clark
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 Daniel Clark who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Pawlet and that Robert Clark who has also signed the same, is a resident in Pawlet and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Rodney C Royce
Clerk of the Court of Potter
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Pratt for a Pension. that Robert Phippen who signed the certificate the clerk hereof is judge of said court
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31
day of July A. D. 183 2
N. Royce

I Philo Stoddard of Middletown in the County of Rutland of lawful age testify and say that in the year 1776 or 1777 I was acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has subsisted & draws the following declaration. He then belonged to the revolutionary army and I think he belonged to Col Durgin's Reg t or Col Mylly's Reg t and it is my impression that he was an 8 months man, whether it was at White Plains or Red Bank that I knew him I cannot tell, but think it was at Red Bank. I never been acquainted with him ever since the war, and he has lived within a few miles of here for the last 32 years. He is now very infirm and his memory almost gone.  Given before the 31 July 1832 & I certify that said Stoddard is a credible person.  R. Riceworth Judge of Probate Court  Philo Stoddard
20 June 77 by Sam l Pratt 1 Jan. 78 Col l of Durgin

Sant. Pratt
additional orders
R. Sempce Esq

State of New York, } ss. Genesee County, }
Be it remembered that on the 30th day of May, 1834, before me, Mason G. Smith, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County, appeared James Pratt aged about 67 years, a Revolutionary pensioner; who being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he had a brother by the name of Samuel Pratt, that this deponent and his said brother lived at Hebron, Connecticut, during the revolutionary war, with their father; except while this deponent and his said brother were in service; — that this deponent distinctly recollects, that his said brother Samuel was several times engaged in the land service in the Revolutionary Army, but in consequence of this deponent's belonging to a different regiment from his brother, is unable to state the names of the officers under whom his brother served. This deponent recollects distinctly that his father went after his brother and brought him home from service, on account of his brother's being sick. This deponent was not at home at the time, but heard his father & mother detail the particulars of his journey and sickness. This deponent was in service at the time. This deponent cannot recollect the terms of his brother's service, or their length. His brother has been a cripple for many years, on account of a fever sore in his ankle; and this deponent has not seen him for many years. This deponent's memory is much impaired by age, but his recollections, with regard to his

brother's being several times engaged in service in the course of the revolutionary war, is very distinct; it was subject of frequent conversation in his father's family.
James Pratt
Sworn & Subscribed this 30th day of May 1834, before me, Mason G. Smith, Commissioner of Deeds.
I certify that the above named James Pratt, is a man of credibility, and that his statement is entitled to belief.
Mason G. Smith, Com. of Deeds.
State of New York } County of Genesee } G. S. Timothy Fitch Clerk of the county of Genesee certify, that Mason G. Smith before whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said county duly authorized to take the same and that his signature to the above affidavit and certificate is genuine —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this sixth day of June 1834 Timothy Fitch Clerk By B. Pringle Dep Clerk

Perry 9th June 1834.
Sir, The annexed affidavit contains the best recollections of James Pratt, with regard to his brother's service; — they are imperfect, and do not in any degree elucidate the defective portion of his brother Samuel's declaration. —
By enquiries made of an intelligent pensioner whose memory is very perfect, and who belonged to Col. Durkee's regt. I have obtained the following facts, which may be serviceable in the case. —
Col. Willis' & Col. Durkee's regiments were consolidated, or rather Col. Willis' command was transferred to Col. Durkee; and Col. Willis, left the service & returned home; — Captain Seeley, belonged to Col. Willis' regiment and left the service at the same time, that the Regts. were consolidated. —
Lieut. Phelps, went into Capt. McGregor's company; and Ensign Buell, rose to the rank of Capt. in Col. Durkee's regt. These changes did not take place at once, I suppose; but happened in the course of the service.
Yours &c. Mason G. Smith.
R. Temple, Esq.

N o 2901 Sam l Pratt
Specifically notified Explanatory declaration a second time
...the case of... ...the State of... (See the same, 1858)

BRIEF in the case of Samuel Pratt of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Probate Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76 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. As a Gen.     In 17 enlisted for 9 months, cannot recollect the time, was taken sick before his time expired & did not return to the army. Private Capt. Seeley. Cont. troops   Afterwards enlisted but cannot tell how long he served, nor under what officers was afterwards out 2 weeks - Afterwards enlisted as a Marine on board the Armed Brig Dean Capt. Scovill -  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Nelson, Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & No clergyman Living witnesses }  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown Examining Clerk.

March 22, 1904, His h Mrs Ino Miller Horton Buffalo N.Y.
8482.
P. O. James Pratt
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Revolutionary,
Vermont. Samuel Pratt
Suspended, Act June 7, 1832,
Letter to R. Temple, Rutland. Vt. Sept. 26. 1833 Same " 25, 1834
84132

State of Vermont, Rutland Co - 3
On the 1 st day of July 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, Samuel Pratt of said County, who being duly sworn both in his oath depose & say, in addition to & explanation of his declaration of 31. July 1832 - That one of the period of service mentioned in said declaration was nine months, the other was three months - he served nine months the year that Danbury was burnt (1777) under Capt Seeley at White Plains & that neighbourhood - the other three months he served under Capt Wright at Peekskill - and he thinks the three months service was before the 9 months service - the 9 months service he thinks was in Col. Willis' Reg t but is not certain - the other he has entirely forgotten the name of his Colonel. He further says that from old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot speak positively as to the precise length & period of his several services, but from the best of his recollection he served not less than one year & 14 days as a private of Infantry - & for that service he claims a pension. He further says that he is very poor - has been a cripple for 38 years past & been obliged to go on crutches during that period - that he is entirely destitute of property & depend on charity for support; & consequently unable to travel about to look for proof of his services - but he has made diligent inquiry, & can find no person by whom he can prove his services except Philo Stoddard Esq. whom affidavit accompanying his declaration
sworn before me this day & year aforesaid
H. Temple Jr. Clerk

Sam d Pratt
Explanatory Declaration
Mr. Pratt was brought before me with considerable difficulty - he is very lame & infirm in body & mind - but is very particular as to the length of his service altho' he has forgotten the names of his officers & the exact time of service. He is reported by his neighbors to be a very honest man.
A. Temple

State of Vermont
I Robert Riepeint, Clerk of Rutland County Court, do certify, that Robt. Riepeint, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, is a justice of Peace for said County, duly commissioned - and that his name thereto, is in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 1. July 1833
R Riepeint