Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,607, for William Nichols, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Nichols William
S 17607
CONTENTS
carded

Pension increased from $20. a new certif. issued 7. April 1836 Died 22 July 1837 Order to pay 27 March 1838.
Connecticut No. 28,422 William Nichols Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wakeman of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Whiting in the Connecticut line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of April 1836 and sent to Hon. G. Jenkinson. Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of Temi-ann. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. 2 Vol. 3 Page 31

William Nichols - Fairfield Conn. 22 Months Service
24187
Hon. G. Tomlinson - Senate

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield,
ss.
Bridgport
On this thirty first day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford in said Fairfield County
now sitting,
William Nichols
a resident
of Fairfield
in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged
77
years, who being first 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.
viz in the Month of May or April 1775 Entered the Service at Stratford in Fair- field County Connecticut by enlistment in the State Troops under Col. Samuel Whiting of said Strat- ford for Seven Months went to Canada & Staid in the Service Seven Months & at the expirati- on of that time re-enlisted for five Months , longer & Staid in the Service that time mak- ing Twelve Months in the whole. I was a Water- 100 Col, Whiting - Col. Walcutt who had the Com- and of the Regiment to the best of my recollection Then as Shallon of Bridgport in Fairfield County with testimony to this Service is now in Court Col Samuel Benjamin of Stratford now dead & David Minor late of Bridgport dead were with me in Whiting's Regiment with Thomas Shallon - who returned after that time had expired - but I re-enlisted for the above mentioned five Months into another Regiment commanded by Col. Delancey - who Staid in the Service which was taken after Mr. Deyo's time - Capt. M'Kinstry of a younger Regiment was with me - Col. M'Kinstry of a younger Regiment I was also in the Service at New York for four Mon- ths under Capt. Samuel Wakeman of Weston - I enlisted at Fairfield Connecticut in the year 1776 - & at the expiration of said four Months I enlisted again & served Six Months under George Ben- jamin of Stratford - we went from Fairfield to New York - This period of Service expired about Chris- tmas in the year 1776 - According to the best of my recollection I was in the engagement on Long Island previous to the ret- reat of Genl. Washington in the night after - We also had a skirmish at White Plains - Genl. Washington was there. Joseph S. Root well of Woodbury had given a Dep- osition to this period of Service & John Beardsley Thomas Shallon are both in Court to testify to these periods of Service (the four & Six Months last mentioned) - the said Beardsley was in the same Com- pany with me & the said Shallon in the same Regiment The above periods of Service by enlistment amount to Seventy two Months . I also belonged to Connecticut State Militia & was called into Service once at Horse Neck - once at New Britton once at Danbury once at Hartford & once at New London all in Connecticut

I have resided ever since the Revolution in Tazewell County. For the last four years at Saltville. was living in the year 1785 at Stratford in Tazewell County - I rec d a discharge which I have lost. I have not any documentary evidence of my service. I have not a record of my age but I believe I was born at Saltville March 10 th 1785 - all the officers under whom I served are dead. I rec d from Genl. Branton all the witnesses to the first 7 months service - from Genl. Branton to the last two years of 4 & 6 months & from Genl. Branton to the period of six months - for five months I have not any evidence except my own card - same well known to Philip A. Cannon and Daniel Brantley both of Brantley who can testify to my character & belief in my service. The said William Nichols 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.
William Nichols
We, Philip A. Cannon residing in the town of Bridgeport and Daniel Brantley residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Nichols who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 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.
Philip A. Cannon Daniel Brantley
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Philip A. Cannon who has signed the preceding certificate, is a legitimate resident in the town of Bridgeport and that Daniel Brantley who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Bridgeport - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edw. Miller Judge
I, R. S. Nichols - Clerk of the aforesaid Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Nichols for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 31 st day of August 1832.
R. S. Nichols Clerk
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court on the day & year aforesaid
Attest R. S. Nichols Clerk

I Robert Linus of the Town Bridgeport Fairfield County (now in Conn) Do testify that I am well acquainted with William Nichols the within named Applicant (now present) & served with him in the United States Service in the Revolutionary War. Seven Months - to wit: from May 1775 to December following. We both enlisted into the State Troops & went to Canada under Lieut. Col. Samuel Whitney & returned at the expiration of said Seven Months but I do not recollect that said Nichols returned with me. Then at Stratton of Bridgeport was with us - Robert Linus
I John Beardsley of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County (now in Conn) testify & say that I am well acquainted with William Nichols the within named Applicant & served with him in the Revolutionary War Six Months in the Connecticut State Troops at New York under Capt. George Benjamin in the month of June 1776 - we were part of the time in the City & then came out to Harlem where I was a private in the same company with me & I mean to say that we enlisted in June 1776 - I cannot say that said Nichols stayed out said Six Months & only remember that he enlisted for that time & was with us - John Beardsley
I Thomas Stratton of Bridgeport in Fairfield County (now in Conn) testify & say that in the year 1775 first the month of May or April I enlisted into the United States Service in the Conn. State Troops & went to Canada & served Seven Months under Col. Samuel Whitney of Bridgeport Conn. the within named applicant Mr. Nichols was with me & served Seven Months in the same company - I was also with said Nichols Six Months under Capt. George Benjamin on Long Island & at other places in the State of New York in the year 1776 - I know the fact that said Nichols served there two periods one of Seven & one of Six Months as the States - All the officers and a whoom we served are dead so far as I know - Thomas Stratton
The above Depositions of Robert Linus, John Beardsley & Thomas Stratton were introduced & sworn to in Open Court & are part of the evidence in the case of William Nichols herein certified under my hand & seal of office & the same are part of the proceedings in said Application - Attest R. L. Nichols Clerk

I hereby further certify that the Witnesses in support of this Application - Thomas Shatton John Beard, Henry Robert Simms & Joseph L. Brothwell are each & all credible Persons & that the character of each of them for truth & veracity is good.
John Whitley Judge
The above Certificate under the hand of said Judge is part of the proceedings in this Application & true in substance under my hand & seal of office - (Miss).
Dr. L. Smith Clerk

No 24167
William Nichols Fairfield County Connecticut
Adm't of parcel bmo. 1/20
d. c.
ms. Hon. S. Tomlinson Mar. 25. 1834
same 31. May 1834
Henry Tomlinson Senat. U.S.
R.S. Nichols Clk Fairfield County Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. Those 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, shewing the Service of William Nichols Fairfield County Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted May 1775 — 7 — private Col Whiting 77 years One deposition & traditionary evidence Certified credible-papers correct.   Enlisted " " — 5 — " Col Waterbury County of Fairfield   Served — 4 — " Col Washburn, Connecticut   Enlisted 1776 — 6 —  
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 days 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
Service in 1775 may be proved by the Rolls in the office of the Comptroller of Public accounts at Austin

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 [i] 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.
Handwritten initials or mark.
Handwritten initials or mark.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Nichols a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. L. File 17607
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Ap/ or May 1775 { 7 mos. Waiter Lt Col. Whiting Waterbury Conn.   3 5 mos. Waterbury   Spring 1776 4 mos. Samuel Wakeman Wadsworth   July 1776 6 mos. George Benjamin ✓  
Battles engaged in, siege of Fort St. John. Long Island & White Plains.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stratford, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 21, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Fairfield, Conn.
Age at date of application, { born Mch. 10, 1755, at Stratford, Conn. son of Philip Nichols.
Remarks: _____
He died July 22, 1837.
Very respectfully,
Office note: He could not have served 12 mos. in first enlistment. and 10 mos. to Dec. 1776 — see decl. July 16, 1832.
Commissioner.
6-2856
No Colonel Delancey identified.

Letter 2 o . March 1836 to Hon. Tomlinson
Connecticut N o 28,422
20 9
William Nichols of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Com y commanded by Captain Wakeman of the Reg t commanded by Col l Whiting in the Connecticut line for
6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1834.
Pension issued the 2 nd day of June 1834 and Hon ble G. Tomlinson, Secy
Arrears to the 14 th of March 1834. . . 60. 00 Semi-ann l . allowance ending 4 th Sept r " . . 10. 00 $ 70. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book 62 Vol. — Page 31

17607 INVALID.
William Nichols
File No. 17607
William Nichols
born Nov 1812
Act: June 7 th 1812
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 275
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1906 May 24. History to Mrs. Robt. M. Blakelee letter from S. File 10812 Seth Hall 1914 May 6. Hist. to Cyrus S. Bradley &

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me so much of the family and military history of William Nichols, a pensioner under the Act of 1832 residing in Fairfield County, Conn., as is contained in the records of your Bureau.
The information is desired for a friend who is probably a descendant of the William Nichols above mentioned.
Very truly yours,
Cyrus Sherwood Bradley.
"Westfield,"
Southport, Conn.
May 1, 1914.

William Nichols Conn 7. June $43.33
To what time last paid
paid to 11 March 1837
SH
Pension Office
26 March 1838

Mehitable Beardsley Anna Lyon Hannah Nichols v Providence Goodrich v Stephen Nichols v Elym Nichols v Betsey Pomeroy Wm H Nichols v Nahum Nichols v Philip E Nichols v

Pension Agency Wareford March 17. 1838
Sir
Herewith I transmit the claims of Calvin Holbrook - Calvin Mead - Solomon Glore and Rachel Carter who have neglected to claim their pensions for more than 12 months -
also the papers of part of the Heirs of William Nichols dec d - it being more than ninety days since the execution of the power of attorney. forwarded for your special directions in relation to the payment
I am Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant
Sam l Pilkin. Agent.
J. L. Edwards, Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Issue a certificate for $43:33 per annum. in lieu of the, &
28, 422 send it to
Hon. G. Tomlinson Senate U. States.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Nichols of the State of Connecticut who was a private during the Revolutionary War — is entitled to receive twenty — dollars and — cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this second day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty= four
Examined and } Countersigned. }

ah4
Wm Nichol Cl 200
28.422
James L. Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions
H. G. Fontanier
Senah 78

Mr. Tomlinson transmits the enclosed certificate to Mr. Edwards in order that a new one may be used in lieu of it

Elyot Purrott of Lawful age of the Town of Bridgetport in Fauquier County Deposeth and saith. That his deponent lived a near Neighbour during the Revolutionary War to Philip Nichols who was the Father of William Nichols who has applied for a pension. That he was also well acquainted with S d William who was a Single man & lived at Home with his Father and was also well acquainted with Col Saml. Whiting and remembers perfectly well the time said William entered the Service under Col Whiting and went to the Northward in 1775 - Deponent further States that he knew of said William going with Col. Whiting in S d Service & remembers hearing that S d William was turn d over into Capt David Darnous company in S d Campaign Remembers, S d William was gone in this Campaign several Months and remembers S d William was Sick when he return d . Home and continued so for a long time Deponent Remembers. That said William Father felt bad about his son William enlisting into the Service without he had done without his consent and often talk d with deponent about trying to get his son clear from serving in S d Campaign and deponent further States that from the intimate acquaintance he had

Elyah Murratt of Lawful age of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County Deposeth and saith. That his deponent lived a near Neighbour during the Revolutionary War to Philip Nichols who was the Father of William Nichols who has applied for a pension. That he was also well acquainted with S d William who was a Single man & lived at Home with his Father and was also well acquainted with Col Saml. Whiting and remembers perfectly well the time said William entered the Service under Col Whiting and went to the Northward in 1775 - Deponent further States That he knew of said William going with Col. Whiting in S d Service & remembers hearing that S d William was turn d over into Capt David Dennis company in S d Campaign Remembers S d William was gone in this Campaign several Months and remembers S d William was sick when he return d . Home and continued so for a long time Deponent Remembers. That said Williams Father felt bad about his son William enlisting in to the Service without he had done without his consent and often talk d with deponent about trying to get his son clear from serving in S d Campaign and deponent further States That from the intimate acquaintance he had

with Mr. Philip Nichols Family & with Col. Whiting during the Revolution it could hardly be possible that said William should have gone into said service as a Waiter to Col. Whiting and deponent not have knowledge of that fact - if it had been so - and deponent is very positive that said William did not enlist at Stratford at the solicitation of Col. Whiting to go with him as a Waiter, but as a soldier always understood, at the time and after the Revolution that said William went into service as an Enlisted Soldier -
Deponent Remembers that his uncle Ebenezer Durrett, David Minot, John Peet, Isaac Brown Robert Lewis and a number of others, who are all Dead (except said Robert Lewis) went in said campaigns with said William further Deponent saith not
Elijah Burrett
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } Bennington August 24 1835
Personally appeared Elijah Burrett, and Subscribed and made oath to the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me, is a credible Witness, and I consider his testimony entitled to full credit
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

I Joseph F. Brannell of the Town of Woodbury in Fairfield Litchfield County State of Connecticut. being duly sworn depose & say
That I am well acquainted with William Nichols a Revolutionary Soldier now living in the Town of Fairfield. That I was with him as a Soldier in the United States Service in the State Troops of Conn- -ecticut at New York for two successive periods one of four one of Six Months in the year 1776 - We went from Fairfield to New York the first four Months under Capt Samuel Wakeman & the same Six Months under Capt George Bergen in - I am fully cer- -tain of the fact that the said William served both of the above named periods in the same comp- -any with me in the United States Service
Joseph F. Brannell
The above deposition subscribed & sworn to me open Court. & the same is part of the testimony in the case of William Nichols for a pension
Shall
R. L. Nichols Clerk

I John Whipple of the town of Dedham for said District of Sha- fford certify that R S Nichols is true of said town & that the within foregoing is his signature with the seal of said town thereto affixed
John Whipple
State of Connecticut Fairfield County - I on this 16 th Day of July 1883 - Personally appeared before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Shalford the above named William Nichols & being first sworn further declares & says that he entered the service as before stated in May or April 1775 & served 10 months & under Col. Whiting & S. under Col. Waterbury M c Kinney & Shalford both testify to the 7 months service - I cannot find any witnesses to prove the remaining 3 months. John Peel & David Hine both of Bridgeport but now deceased were with me at the last of my recollection we took fort St Johns a short time before the 7 months expired - After the fort was taken Col. Whiting discharged his Regiment & Shalford & Sineus came home & enlisted for 3 months under Col. Waterbury - I cannot state any other officers except Genl. M c Kinney - we were en- camped (thereafter) in Connecticut the Cannon & then on I cannot be mistaken as to the 3 months service for I remember that Col. Waterbury's Regiment wore black Caps & were called the "Black Caps" & when I joined his Regiment I changed my uniform - See a written discharge from Col. Waterbury which I have lost - I returned home in the Spring of 1776 & in the course of ten days I enlisted at Shalford under Captain Samuel Wake- man & served in his company to New York where I was stationed in the barracks. Joseph H. Northwell enlisted & went with me I cannot state any other officers though I think the name of the Col. was Bradburn - we were employed some of the time in filling Cannon Balls & helping Genl. S was discharged after 4 months & came home to Shalford my native place & there I again enlisted under George Benjamin for six months this was I think in the fore part of July but I cannot state the date more definitely - I went back to New York - went over to Long Island & then back to the City & then to White Plains where I was discharged - one William Hall was sergeant in S c company John Peel was lieut. I do not recollect the Colonel. Genl. Sullivan was at White Plains - From top of memory I cannot state any other officers nor any other incidents connected with my service - I have stated as fully as I can the periods of my way when I served the place where & the officers under whom I served - I can't do sure as positively that I served the 20 months before stated & that I also served as a volunteer as before stated but how long I cannot say. I claim a pen- sion for 22 months - I was a private during my service I am sure that there is a widow who can testify to my service for I have my mind is impaired but I know that I was gone one year to the north & that I enlisted 4 months & served the same under Wakeman & 6 months under Benjamin as above stated
William Nichols