Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14857, for Simeon Miner, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. R.I.
Miner, Simeon
S. 14857
CONTENTS
carded

Connecticut 4537.
Simeon Miner
of Groton in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Babcock of the Reg. t commanded by Col. Tappin in the State Troops line for Conn. M a R. S.
1. year, 9 months and 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut as the rate of 71. Dollars 59. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of Jan'y 1833 and sent to Hon. W. Barber, H. of R.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1832 $107. 19 Semi-ann l . allowance ending 4 th Mar. 33. 35. 60
$ 142 79
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Francis F. Francioni Clerk Book D. Vol. 3 rd Page 55.

Simeon Miner's Pension Papers, 20. 261
Adm d 21 months, 2 half private $71. 59-
Hon. N. Barber H. R.

State of Connecticut ss. Probate District of Stonington County of New London
on this 28 day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Mr Dick Judge of the Probate Court for said District now sitting; Simeon Mener a resident of the Town of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 72 years & 9 months 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 was born in the Town of Stonington County of New London on the 25 th day of October 1759 and that his age is on record in the Town records of said Stonington — that his Father let him out to work on a farm in the Spring of the year 1777 — that he disliked his place, and that on the first Monday in May of the same year, being general training day, he ran away in order to enlist into the Service of the United States, went to New London ferry, and then entered the Service as a private soldier. being sometime in the fore part of May 1777, in a Company of drafted Militia commanded by a Captain Baereman of the Town of Preston in said New London County, as a Substitute for Moses Meneh of said Preston, where he served one month and was then honorably discharged that he cannot recollect the other Officers names, except one of the Sergeants whose name was Peabodie Keney — said Company was Stationed in an old house on Groton Shore near the mouth of New London harbor — and that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, who can testify to this term of Service — he then immediately after being discharged from Capt. Baereman Company entered into another Company of drafted Militia as a Substitute for John Chester of S d Groton being some time in the month of June 1777 — the said Company Abiel Spier was Captain and Isaac Gallup was Lieutenant. Other Officers not recollected; Samuel Edgcomb of said Groton belonged to said Company at the same time; he served one month in this Company and was honorably discharged being some time in the month of July 1777. said Company was Stationed on Groton Bank opposite to New London in a Store belonging to Charles Eldredge Esq r He then, being some time in the month of July 1777 entered into Fort Griswold in said Groton as a Substitute for Samuel Culver of said Groton, (who wanted to go out in a privateer,) that he served in said Fort six months and a half, and was then honorably discharged being the last of January or the first of February 1778 — at the time he entered into the Fort Col William Sedgford

was Commandant. - William Latham was Captain - Youngs Ledyard was Lieutenant. Joseph Latham was Gunner. Elisha Avery. Avery Denison Christopher Bell and Thomas Giles were Sergeants, that while he belonged to the Fort Joseph Latham the Gunner died., and Sergeant Elisha Avery was appointed Gunner in his place and took charge of the Magazine
That he then returned home to his Father's house in said Stonington, and on the 16 th day of February 1778 he enlisted into a Regiment of State troops raised in the State of Rhode Island, Commanded by Col Tappin (he believes his name was John Tappin) his Company Officers were Joshua Babcock Captain Andrew Stanton first Lieutenant. - Timothy West 2 d Lieutenant. - Edmund Hewitt - — Nicholls and — Harris were Sergeants — that he with four other young men of the same neighborhood all enlisted under Sergt Edmund Hewitt in Stonington - the names of the other four others were Benjamin Hodges - John Stanbury - Elijah Hazard & David Foster — we all left Stonington together and marched by the way of Providence and Bristol (part of the way in the night) and joined the Regiment at Feverstown opposite to the north end of the Island of Newport. - the Regiment belonged to General Cornells Brigade. - They encamped at Feverstown, and remained there until the French Fleet arrived at Newport. - soon after that General Cornells Brigade was ordered to cross onto the Island and take possession of several Forts & Batteries that had been occupied by the British. after taking possession of these Forts and Batteries, we encamped on Battery Hill where the largest Fort was - that they lay there a few days, until the Continentals, and other troops had got on to the Island., they were then ordered down to the lines; where they pitched their tents again — Col Tappin's Regiment pitched their tents on a low piece of meadow — and when the August Storm came on, that dispersed the French fleet. The meadow was so overflowed that many were obliged to remove their tents to higher ground and others, got hay from the haystacks and filled their tents to raise themselves above the water, they remained there until the general engagement came on — that he was in the Battle in detached parties part of three days, - after the engagement, we were ordered to retreat and re-crossed onto the main, and pitched our tents again at Fever- stown; where, as the weather grew cold they built themselves huts & shanties, where they remained until the 16 th day of March 1779 The Regiment was then paraded and received an address from their Colonel and verbally discharged - that he was constantly in this service

thirteen months, and that he never received a written discharge during all his service; of course hath no documentary evidence —
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 — —
He further states that since the revolutionary war, he has lived & labored in the Town of Norwich in said New London County ten years — in Middletown in Middlesex County & State of Connecticut four years — and in New Haven in Connecticut five years — at Pokesipsy in the State of New York two years — after which he went to work on the Catskill Turnpike road in the State of New York, where he was taken sick, and brought home sick to his Brothers house, in the Town of Groton in said New London County where he has resided ever since — having never had a family of his own —
And he further states that he had his papers made out respecting his campaign in Rhode Island, with an expectation of obtaining a pension under the act of 1818, and sent them on to the war department; in which Nathaniel Hewitt who belonged to the same company with him, during the whole campaign was a witness for him — which papers may now be in the war office — that he was living in Stonington aforesaid, when called into service, that he has before stated, when he has lived since the revolutionary war, that he now lives in said Groton in said New London County — that he volunteered, in every instance, he was called into service that he was a substitute, in three terms of service as before stated, the first term for Moses Meech, now dead, the second for John Chester of said Groton, now living, but in a very feeble, decrepit state of health, the third term for Samuel Culfeble, now dead — that to the 5 th Interrogatory prescribed by the war department he has before stated as particularly as he can recollect, — That he is known to his brother John O. Miner, Samuel Edgcomb, & John Morgan among others, all of said Groton, who can testify, their knowledge in faith of his services above stated, and who can also testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution — Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Hiram Miner A. M. Fish Judge

I Samuel Edgecomb, of Groton, in New London County and State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath certify declare & say, that I have ever since the year 1777 been well acquainted with Sim- eon Miner of said Groton, who signed & made oath to the preceding declaration for a pension in my presence — That in the year 1777, then living with my father Samuel Edgecomb, now deceased, at said Groton, my said father was drafted, as a militia man, to serve a term of duty of two months, as I believe, I served as a sub- stitute for my said father, the term for which he was drafted, and served, at Fort Griswold in said Groton, in Capt Abel Spencer's company of Connecticut State Troops, Isaac Gallup Lieutenant in H is Majesty's regiment, Jonathan Eldridge was adjutant of said regiment. That I well remember, that said Simeon Miner served as a private in the same company, the whole time and was in my mess — That we were discharged together — that I believe him the said Simeon Miner to be seventy two years of age, that I know that he is reputed & believed to have served, at other times, as a soldier in the war of the Revolution —
August 28, 1832
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before the Court ASA Stickney
Samuel Edgecomb
I John Morgan of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath certify declare and say, that, during the revolutionary war I served in Fort Griswold, in the years 1777, 1778 and 1779, in Capt

William Latham's Company, Eighteen months, as a private Soldier — That ever since that period, & during my said service in said Fort Griswold, I have been and was well acquainted with Mr Simeon Miner of said Grooton, that I well remember, that the said Simeon Miner, served in said Fort as a soldier, but how long he served in said Fort as such I cannot recollect — that he is reported & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have served in other tours of duty, during the revolution any war — that I believe him to be seventy two years old — that I know him to be the identical person who served as a soldier in Fort Griswold as aforesaid August 28. 1832, Sworn & Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid, before the court John Morgan A SA Dist Judge
I Joshua Bill of Grooton, in New London County & State of Connecticut, an invalid Pensioner of the United States Ag'd Seventy years, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath, certify declare and say, that I have ever since the year 1777, been well acquainted with Mr Simeon Miner of said Grooton, who signed the preceding declaration in my presence & made oath to the same — that in said year I served, and in the following year I also served in Capt William Latham's Company, in Col M c Laughlin's Regiment of Connecticut State Troops, at Fort Griswold in said Grooton, in all Eighteen months, that I well remember, that said Simeon Miner, served as a private in the year 1777 — in the same Company, for more than six months — that he is believed and reported in the neighborhood where he now resides, to have served at other times, as a soldier of the revolution — that I believe him to be seventy two years of age — and

& that the facts set forth, in his preceding declaration are entitled to credit. August 28. 1832. Job Hurlbitt
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the Court Asa Fish Judge
I Stanton Hewitt, of North Stonington, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged Seventy years being duly cautioned & sworn, do on my oath, certify declare & say, that, I have ever been acquainted with Simeon Miner, who subscribed & sworn to the preceding declaration, in my presence, that in the year 1778 in the month of February, I enlisted under my brother Charles Hewitt, a Lieutenant in the Rhode Island State Troops, in Col Tappan's regiment, that I was discharged from my enlistment, on request, of my Father & Friends & sent to an apprenticeship at the Carpenters Trade — that I well remember that in the year, said Simeon Miner, with whom I was then intimately acquainted, both of us residing in the same neighborhood in the North Stonington then called Stonington, enlisted as a private soldier under Edmund Hewitt, recruiting officer, in the the Rhode Island State Troops, and as I understand for one year's service — a number more young men enlisted in the same Troops, at the time — from the same neighborhood — that I know he was absent for a year or more, and it was always understood & believed in the neighborhood, that he performed duty as a soldier in Rhode Island — during his ab- sence that I believe he is seventy two years old — & that the facts stated in his declaration

are entitled to credit — Aug 28. 1832
Sworn to and subscribed by Stanton Hewitt the day and year aforesaid Asa Fish Judge
I John O. Miner of Easton, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged seventy years, being duly sworn according to Law. Do on my oath certify declare and say that I have ever been, since my first remembrance, personally and intimately acquainted with Simeon Miner of Easton who subscribed hereto to the preceding declaration for a pension in my presence — he being my brother. that I well remember, that he ran away in the Spring of the year 1777 and entered the service of the United States, that in the month of October 1777 I went to live with Doctor Amos Prentiss who was Garrison Surgeon for Fort Griswold in Easton at that time, and during the whole of the revolutionary war & resided about one hundred rods distant from said Fort. That I distinctly and well remember said Simeon was a soldier in said Fort in said year 1777 — and that I frequently saw him, in and about said Fort, during the Fall of year and the winter following — I further state as aforesaid that I recollect, that soon after said Simeon left Fort Griswold he entered into the service of the United States in the Rhode Island State Troops — and was absent from home, more than one year — and that at the time and ever since, I verily believed that he served as a soldier, as aforesaid — and do now believe that he performed the said service — I also say as aforesaid, that I have frequently heard him relate occurrences, which took place, during his campaigning in the State of Rhode Island, which in substance agreed with his declaration preceding, that I believe him to be 72 years of age — Aug. 28 — 1832
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before the Court Asa Fish Judge John O. Miner M.D.

We John G. Wightman, a clergyman, residing in the Town of Groton, and Nathan Daboll, residing in the same town all in New London County aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simeon Miner, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two 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
Given and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the court
Asa Fish Judge } John G. Wightman Nathan Daboll
Simeon Miner P. Atty.
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 or foregoing named applicant Simeon Miner was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that in appear to said court, that John G. Wightman who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said Town of Groton, and that Samuel Colgecomb, John Morgan and Joshua Bill and Nathan Daboll who have also signed the preceding certificate are resident in said Groton, and that Norton Alvah City, who also signed, one of the preceding certificates is a resident in North Stonington in said New London County - and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit -
Asa Fish Judge
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Simeon Miner for a pension, In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 28 th day of August 1832,
Nathan Daboll Clerk
State

I Arnold Grumb. of North Stonington in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, aged 79 years; being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath, certify, declare and say that I enlisted into a Regiment of State troops raised in the State of Rhode Island in the Spring of the year 1778, in General Cornhills Brigade Col John Tappins Regiment, and Capt Joshua Babcocks Company, and was stationed at Newtown in said Rhode Island - at the time of Sullivan's expedition, was in the battle on Rhode Island, and retreated with the rest of the army onto the main and encamped again in Newtown - and I further say that Simeon Miner who is now in my presence and has acknowledged his signature to his foregoing declaration; was a Soldier in the same Company during the time I served in said Regiment & Company, and was in the battle on Rhode Island and was discharged at the same time I was; which was on the 16 th day of March 1779
Sworn to, and subscribed, this 27 th day of September 1832
before me
his Arnold Grumb mark
Before me
Amos Hull justice of the Peace
I also certify that I am personally acquainted with Arnold Grumb who has signed the above Deposition with his hand know him to be a credible person
Amos Hull justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut } New London County } ss
I John D'Witt Clerk of the Court for New London County do hereby certify that Amos Hull esq before whom the above deposition of Arnold Grumb was taken as a justice of the peace in and for said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 3 rd day of October AD 1832
John D'Witt Clerk

I Timothy West of Westerly of the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island, aged 73 years, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath testify declare & say, that in the year 1778 in the spring of the year, I engaged as a 2 nd Lieutenant in Col. John Tappan's regiment & Genl. Ezekiel Cornell's Brigade, in the Rhode Island State troops, & served in said regiment one year, which run my service in said regiment into the year 1779. — I was in Capt. Joshua Babcock's company, & Andrew Stanton was 1 st Lieutenant of said company, & I further state that Simon Miner then of Stonington in the State of Connecticut, now of Groton in said State, was a soldier in the company to which I belonged, & was in said company when I joined the company, that said Miner went on to Rhode Island with me & was in the engagement on said Island, with the British troops, in Genl. Sullivan's expedition in the year 1778. and he the said Miner was in our company with me when our Regiment retreated off of Rhode Island & encamped at Tiverton & that he served in said Regiment until the Reg t was discharged, & further the deponent saith not. Sworn to and subscribed this 27 th day of September A D 1832.
Timothy West Stonington, New London County ss. Sept r 27 th A D 1832. Personally appeared Timothy West, signer of the above affidavit & made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated, I do hereby state that said West is personally well known to me that his witness is entitled to credit & belief — said affidavit sworn to before me, H. Robinson Justice of Peace.

State of Connecticut } New London County } Js.
I John D e Witt Clerk of the County for said New London Coun- ty do hereby certify that William Robinson esq r before whom the within deposition of Timothy West was taken is a Justice of the peace is a Justice of the peace in and for said New London County and that his signature thereto affixed I believe to be in his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix- ed the Seal of said County this 3 rd day of October A d 1832
John D e Witt Clerk
(11)

State of Connecticut } S. Probate District of Stonington County of New London }
On this fifth day of December 1832 Personally appears in Open Court, before Asa Fish Judge of the Court of Probate, for the District, now sitting. Simeon Miner, a resident of the Town of Groton in S d New London County, now aged Seventy three years who signed & swore to the preceding Declaration before this Court, & who being now duly sworn again, according to law, doth on his oath certify declare & say, that at the time he subscribed and swore to the preceding declaration, in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress pass d June 7 1832 he supposed and verily believed, that the John Chester for whom he served as a substitute one month, as stated in his S d Declaration, was then living, but on enquiry finds that the said John Chester, for whom he did serve as stated aforesaid, is not living. That the said John Chester, for whom he did serve one month as aforesaid as a substitute, was by trade a Tailor. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid,
Before the Court aforesaid Asa Fish Judge
Simeon Miner
I John Morgan of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy two years and upwards, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath certify, declare and say that I have ever lived in said Town of Groton. Have been acquainted with three men all of the name of John Chester, and all belonging to S d Groton, and was acquainted with S d three men during the Revolutionary war — the oldest of which was a tailor by trade & has long since been dead — the Youngest, is also dead, the one now living, aged about 74 years, was a mariner or seaman during the revolutionary war & served, in the Navy, that the said oldest John Chester was uncle to the John Chester now living, and would

have been about Ninety years old, had he survived till this time
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid to wit Decr. 2 th . A D 1832
Before the Court aforesaid John N Morgan A sa Dist Judge
I Benjamin Daball of Groton in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, a soldier of the Revolution aged Seventy five years being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath certify declare and say that I am well acquainted with Simeon Miner who signed the preceding Statement before the Court - That in the year 1777, in the Spring or summer thereof I served as a private, a tour of duty, at Fort Bank near Fort Griswold, in Capt Spence's company, & Company was quartered in a building or store, owned by Chas Eldridge Esq. - and were under the orders of Col Wm Ledyard, who commanded the forces at, and in the vicinity of, Fort Griswold, that I well remember that Simeon Miner was a private and served in said company, that I believe him to be seventy three years old That I know him to be the identical person who served at Groton Bank in the year 1777 as aforesaid
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid viz December 5 th 1832.
Before the Court aforesaid Benj n Daball A sa Dist Judge

And the said Court hereby further certifies, that it appears to said Court, that Arnold Crumb, who has signed one of the preceding certificates is residing in North Stonington in S d New London County That Timothy West, who signed one of the preceding certificates is resident in the Town of Westerly, County of Washington and State of Rhode Island That John Morgan & Benjamin Dabull, who have each signed an affidavit preceding, are resident in the Town of Groton in S d New London County - and are all credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Amos Fish Judge
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington Ct. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Simon Miner for a pension on the testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 5 th day of December A D 1832
Nathan Daboll Clerk
some plain I erved me ton by old wanted and or the ledford

Reuben
14857 INVALID.
am
File No. 14857
Simeon Miner
Prin. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 412
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Surgeon Miner (Private) Col: Lappin's Regt. R. Island Line 1778-1780
dec: 1 st April 1818
Not on Continental Estab. establish- ment.
Mission Office 25 April 1884
Respectfully yours J. B.

State of Connecticut So:
County of New London - 1
Town of Groton.
In the first day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & eighteen, before me Elias Perkins Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of New London - Personally appeared Simeon Miner of said Town of Groton a resident citizen of the United States & being solemnly sworn Deposed & said on the 16 th day of February 1778. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Joshua Babcock's Company in Colonel John Tappan's Regiment on the Continental establishment in Brig. General Gannett's Brigade in the Rhode Island line for the term of one year, and that he faithfully served the United States in the Revolutionary war against the common enemy the full term of thirteen months from the time of his enlistment and was honourably discharged at River Town in the State of Rhode Island in the month of March in the year 1789 after being paraded & delivering up our arms, and he further saith that said Regiment was dismissed the service after serving the full term of their enlistment without any written discharge since the deponent further saith that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country for support -
Simeon Miner
Sworn Before me -
Elias Perkins Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for & in and for said County.

In testimony whereof the Deponent has signed the within declaration and I have subscribed these presents and caused the seal of the Court in which I preside to be hereunto affixed —
James Perkins Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for New London County —
I Elias Perkins Judge of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas for said State am about fifty years old & did serve in the Revolutionary War tho' he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance from taken & read before me to the secretary for the department of War pursuant to the made to me, as the applicant desired in order to obtain the Provision made in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War
New London County ss: Grafton April 1 st 1818
Personally appeared Nathaniel Hewitt maybe and Coleman Both that he served in the same Company & Regiment with the within named deponent Simeon Miner and is know- ing that he faithfully served his Country in the Revolu- tionary war for more than nine months agreeable to the foregoing deposition — Nathaniel Hewitt
Sworn before me
James Perkins Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for the County of New London

In testimony whereof the Deponent has signed the within declaration and I have subscribed these presents and cause the seal of the Court in which I preside to be hereunto affixed —
Wm Perkins Judge of The Court of Com Pleas for New London County —
Simeon Miner (Private) Col. Leffingwell's Regt. R.I. Island June 1778-1780 Dec. 1 st April 1818
Not on Contumacy Sub. established mind Pension Office 21. April 1818 Hyde
I Elias Perkins Judge of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas for the County of New London do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Miner is about fifty years old & did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common Enemy and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance from his country for support and I now transmit the Proceedings & testimony taken & read before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the after directions of the fore mentioned Act of Congress, the foregoing declaration was made to me, as the applicant desired in order to obtain the Pension made by the late Act of Congress, intitled an act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War —
Wm Perkins Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for New London County
New London County ss: Boston April 7 th 1818
Personally appeared Nathaniel Hewitt, and made solemn Oath that he served in the same Company & Regiment with the within named deponent Simeon Miner and is knowing that he faithfully served his Country in the Revolutionary war for more than nine months agreeable to the foregoing deposition — Nathaniel Hewitt
Sworn before me Wm Perkins Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for the County of New London