Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15639, for Moses Sheldon, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Sheldon, Moses
8.15639
Ut residence and Agency
Carded
CONTENTS

Payment returned due to N Harmon Esq 25 March 1835 Letter 21 April 1837 Pen Agt S. G. W. Harmon
10 March 17963 Moses Sheldon Rupert in the State of Ver who was a Pri — in the Com by Captain Williams of the Regt ————— in the Ver Troops for 9 mo
Entered on the Roll of Ver at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Decr 33 and sent R Temple Rulland. Ver Arrears to the 14th of March 32 $ 75- Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 1. — 15- $ 90
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } recorded by DB Bullough Clerk, k { Vol. 7 Page 92

Mrs. Sheldon Prisoner
12.129-

State of Vermont & Bennington County & Manchester District
We it remembering that at a Probate court held at Manchester in the said district on the sixteenth day of August, 1832.
Present Hon. N. Clark, Judge
on this Sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before me the said Judge of the Probate Court of the district of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont & was Judson who is President of the town of Rupert in the said County of Bennington & State of Vermont age thirty years & nine 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 Conn. S. passed June 7. 1832, and born in the town of Tazewell County of Guilford in the State of Connecticut on the fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty one at which place I resided until the twenty second year of my age - when I left the State of Connecticut with my Mother for the Mississippi & arrived at Natchez in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy three in the month of April of that year when he continued to reside at different places on the Mississippi River & at New Orleans until the year 1778. that in the month of April of that year whilst going down the Mississippi to New Orleans with a raft of Staves. I was taken by Capt. James Willing who commanded a corps of United States troops destined against the British settlements on the Mississippi & the adjacent Country. that on some of the first days of May of the year last previous I entered & joined the army of the War Dept. Willing as a volunteer in the War in the War of the Revolution. & after our arrival at New Orleans the said Capt. Willing fitted out a vessel & placing me under the com- mand of Capt. Colberg destined against the British shipping & the military stores of the British at Mobile when we were informed that they had quite a quantity; on board of which vessel I went as one of the crew on our cruise for that place we captured a British vessel laden with & carrying supplies which were delivered up to Capt. Willing & authority -

seen after and the same night we had an occurrence for the settlement in Mobile against the Pressing of Seamen of the British & whilst in the Bay of Mobile our vessel Captain or Mr. Thos. King of five hundred tons burthen laden with lumber that soon after the said King on which myself together with a number of the hands was seized. Master was placed was again recaptured by the British fleet except myself & four others of our crew who escaped in a small boat without any provisions & finally made land on an uninhabited island & from thence on the thence on fourth day we arrived near the town of New Orleans & our pro- vided at this time by the Spanish Governor of that place to go up to the town to join our Commandant. Capt. Walling who being informed of our arrival came down to us & ordered the gates of the City to be opened to us which was accordingly done when we found our corps at New Orleans, this was some time in the fall of the same year when we lay for a month or more when the agent of the United States whose name I do not recollect together with the said Capt. Walling ordered & sent myself some short (where some occurred) instructed with dispatches to the American Congress (then sitting) at Philadelphia who fitted out a vessel for to receive us with the said dispatches enclosed in a leather box we then put to sea & quite along by the shore with the dis- patches enclosed for the Government of the United States & finally landed in Savannah in the State of Georgia in the latter part of the Month of December of the same year when I was confirmed by reason of sickness for more than a month (the said Hail proceeded on to Philadelphia with the said dispatches) leaving me at Savannah. But about the last of February 1779. I left the said service & returned to the State of Connecticut being unable to perform duty on ac- count of ill health. In this service I lost all my property consisting of a raft of lumber worth about eleven hundred dollars besides other personal property in all worth about fifteen hundred dollars & further that during my service of about
9 m o 11

nine Months in the Navy Service of the United States I Received no pay from the government of the United States or from the said Capt. Wallis, & further that I have I have continued to reside in the town of Rupert since the Revolutionary war & that I have at no time Received any pension of any kind from the United States nor am I at this time a pensioner under any of the acts of Congress enacted for the benefit of the Revolu- tionary Officers & Soldiers of the United States or those engaged in its service during the revolution nor have I now in my possession nor did I at the time of my discharge from the said service or at any time since have any documentary evidence or written discharge from the said Capt. Wallis or any other Officer in the said service of the Revolution which I can prove any of the facts stated as of opinion & that I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service or after saying I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity (except the present) & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or Territory what- soever.
Given to & Subscribed this day & year following Major Jackson in Open Court Attest. Henry Robinson Register.
Pennington County Pa. We William Jackson a clergyman residing in the town of Rupert in the Parish of St. Peter & St. Paul & Stephen Martindale of the S.P. Church in said county & State of Pennsylvania fully certify that they are well acquainted with Major Jackson who has subscribed here- to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we con- cur in that opinion -
Wm Jackson. Stephen Martindale
Given to & subscribed this 16th day of August in open Court Attest. Henry Robinson Register

And such proceedings were thereupon had in open court before me the said Judge of the Probate Court of said for the district of Middlesex, as shown which will more fully appear by the annexed declaration of the declarant & the interrogatories propounded to him together with the evidence of the witnesses thereto reduced in pursuance of the instructions of the War Department to be perused in making applications for Pensions under the act aforesaid. am of opinion that the said applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution as in his declaration is set forth as aforesaid & that the same is true and that to the best of my knowledge in this matter full faith & credence is to be given & that William Jackson is a clergyman of the town of Dorset aforesaid which said applicant & the said witnesses are all well known to me to be persons of truth & veracity - all which proceedings I have carefully copied & set forth as aforesaid & hereunto have subscribed my name the day & year aforesaid.
Alpheus Clark Judge of Probate witness my hand & seal this 14th day of August 1832. I, Henry Robinson Register of the said Probate Court have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the said Probate Court this Sixteenth day of August 1832. In the Independence of the United States the Fifty Seventh. — Henry Robinson Register

WASHINGTON October 16, 1931.
L. Dumas 827 East Mason Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
BA-J/ILL MWH 7
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Moses Sheldon, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 15639, based upon his military service in that war.
Moses Sheldon was born October 15, 1751 in Suffield, Connecticut and continued to reside there until twenty-one years of age, when he went with Major Lyman to Natchez, Mississippi. He resided at different places on the Mississippi River and at New Orleans until March, 1778.
In March, 1778, he enlisted in Captain James Willing's Corps and at New Orleans he was placed under Captain Colberg who commanded a vessel fitted out by Captain Willing for the purpose of harassing British shipping, and assisted in capturing a British vessel loaded with negroes and provisions. Soon after that, in the Bay of Mobile, while on a brig which had been captured, said vessel was taken by the British and the soldier escaped in a small vessel and made his way to New Orleans, where he rejoined Captain Willing. In the late fall of 1778, while on his way to carry dispatches to the American Congress at Philadelphia, he became ill, stopped at Savannah, Georgia, and remained until the latter part of February, 1779, when he left the service, having served nine months. He returned then to Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, while a resident of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont.
There are no data relative to his family in the papers in

this claim.
The above history is that of the only soldier named Moses Sheldon, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

See M. M.E.C.
15639
INVALID.
File No. 15639
1915 May 1. Hist. to
Mrs. Hugh Means. For
Act: 1917 July 21. Hist. to Mrs. Hugh Means that
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1915 May 1. B. Sheldon 307 Main St., Banning Calif. 19/75.
1915, May 1. Hist. to Mrs. Hugh Means. For
1917 July 21. Hist. to Mrs. Hugh Means that this is the only soldier with same in his war records etc.
1927 July 28. Hist. to Mr. Sheldon Peck. M.M.D.
1928 Oct. 29 Hist. to Sheldon Peck. A.D.
1931 Oct 16. Hist. to L. Dumas P.R.

Moses Sheldon
This case was suspended Sep. 26. 1833, as per letter to W. Curtis, on the ground that there was no order that Capt. Willing was called into service by competent authority - The written extracts from Gordon's History shows that he was in the service of the U. S.
R. B. Root Dec. 1833

Page 88, vol. 3 d . Gordon; History is the following account of Capt. Willing's services
"Capt James Willing, in the service of the U. States, arrived with a detachment of men from Fort Pitt at the outposts of British settlement in West Florida, on the evening of the 19. Feb. (1778) & the next morning early sent out sundry parties, who almost at one & the same time made the inhabitants prisoners of war and their parole. The colors of the U. S. being hoisted, & the country taken possession of in their name, the inhabitants fearing the confiscation of their property waited on Capt Willing to propose terms of accommo- -dation, to which he readily agreed. They are not to take arms ag t the U. S. or to assist their enemies but are to observe a strict neutrality. During such neutrality, their persons, slaves, & other property, of what kind soever, are to remain safe & un molested; but the property of all public officers of the British crown is excepted, as also the property of all British, who are not residents of the district. The agreement was signed by the delegates from the people & their associates on the one part; & by the Capt. on the other, the 21. Feb." —
The above is copied from Gordon's History of the American Revolution, by me R. G. Cushman

Bullet Mt March 25
17463 Miss Shackelford 1st Floor Apr 1
Col. J. L. Edwards Country Residence Washington City

Wm Lloyd 18 Feb 25/37
The Central Pensions is requested to make the necessary order, and send the enclosed paper to the Bank of Bridlington.
Very Respectfully Yr. Att. Servt.
G. H. H. Mann.

Manchester N.H. (Free) July 10 1823
Hon. James I. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions -
Washington City.
admt
9m o p.m.
$30
B Temple Esq Rutland

East Rupert. (Vt) July 10 th 1833.
Dear Sir
Inclosed I forward for you. delib on the Papers in the case of Moses Sheldon & Grove Moore Esq. together with the Amended Declarations. which I believe answers every Query in your Brief - as soon as con- venient to you will. please give them your attention & notify me. at this place.
Respectfully your Fidel Curtis

Nutland County, Vt. Pautet, March 2. 1835.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Comr. of Pensions.
Sir, I am requited by Mr. Moses Sheldon of Rupert, Bennington County, Vt. to write you, for information, respecting his small pension: which is only thirty dollars, per an. under the Act of June 7. 1832. Mr. Temple had an agency, in procuring the Certificate of Mr. Sheldon; but his agency was so very slight, & the circumstances so unequivocal, that I presume, the payment of the pension, will not be suspended, on that account. The case is this: - A Mr. Philo Curtis, a relative of Mr. Sheldon, a respectable lawyer of Washington County, State of New York, having retired from business, awhile, on account of ill-health, resided in Rupert during the summer of 1832. & Mr. Sheldon availed himself of his services, to cause his papers to be made out. The original declaration, & all the other papers were made out & authenticated under the superintendence of Mr. Curtis; & were, by him, sent on to you. I understood, at the time, that the papers were satisfactory, in every particular, but one. The revolutionary service of Mr. Sheldon, was rendered, on the Mississippi river, under the command of a Capt. James Wilbling; & it seems that a doubt was entertained, at the Pension Office, whether or not, Capt. Wilbling acted under the orders of the United States? Upon receiving a letter of that import from the Pension-Office, Mr. Sheldon & Mr. Curtis, both came to my office, to inquire concerning the fact. I told them there could be no question about it - that the account of Capt. W's expedition, was fully related in Gordon's History of the American Revolution, the first ever published. & that I had read it, many years before, & well remembered it. Not having the work, then, in my possession, I directed Messrs. Sheldon & Curtis to the public Library in this place, whence I had procured it, many years before; but it was not to be found. Mr. Temple being then at Washington, I wrote to him, at the request of Mr. Sheldon, stating the above circumstances; & requested him to procure the book at the public library at Washington, (presuming it would be found there) & exhibit the passage at the office; which I presumed would be sufficient to satisfy the Commissioner. Mr. Temple afterwards wrote me that he had complied with my request - had found the book, & transcribed the

Mr. Temple has never drawn any portion of Mr. Sheldon's pension - Mr. S. has always had that business done at this office. N. H.
passage; which transcript he delivered to the Commissioner, or one of the Clerks: This evidence being satisfactory, Mr. S. soon after, forwarded to me a Pension-Certificate, in favor of Mr. Sheldon, for 30 dollars, annually. Mr. S. had no other agency, in this matter, than just to look up the historical passage, at my suggestion & request, & to make a copy of it, & hand it in to your office. All the more important parts of the transaction, were done by Mr. Curtis an honorable man; & the original declaration of Mr. S. was authenticated & taken before the Court of Probate in Bennington County, in which, Mr. S. resided. Most, if not all of the above-mentioned circumstances, which are material, will, probably, appear, upon recourse to your files. So far as my own statements may be of importance, in this or any other case, Mr. Ely, who, I believe, belongs to your department, will be able, probably, to advise you of the credit due to them: he having known me, at Montpelier, last October, while a member of the Septenary Council for revising our State- Constitution; & having, also, called, afterwards, at my office, to obtain from me, information, concerning the funds of Mr. Temple. Your answer is, respectfully solicited. I am as. N. Haseman.

1 - 1/2 Shetland Am? 2 - 2 1/2
Shetland cattle ague

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace of the town of Rupert in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, to wit: Joseph Sheldon of the same Rupert County & State aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot surer positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection the same not less than the period mentioned below. In the following grades. That this deponent enlisted as a volunteer in a private soldier in a company of United States troops about the first days of March 1848, and at least as early as the 15 th day of March as he believes under the said James Witting. (The 1 st Lieut. name was Harris -son the other officers I do not recollect nor the Regiment or Brigade) as mentioned in my declaration of the 16 th of August last & joined that corps at that time on the Mississippi at a place called Manchac above New Orleans. That he then understood & believes that the said Capt. Witting was duly authorized & commissioned by the Government of the United States in his service. That at this time the said Capt. Witting had enlisted one hundred men or more in this corps to which I belonged. We remained at Manchac from six or seven weeks & then moved down the River & on our arrival at New Orleans the said Capt. Witting procured a vessel at that place, his tonnage & his name at this distance of time I do not recollect on board of which he placed thirty men under the command of the said Capt. Colberg as mentioned in my said declaration among whom I volunteered & entered on a short distance about the British that the said Capt. Witting & his crew acted under the authority of the United States & in that character. I distinctly remember that she carried four swivels on her sides two on each side & a small piece (so called the Capt. Colberg) on the vessels bow: the men were also armed with muskets & bayonets the names of the other officers under whom I served is now gone from my memory. That I believe that I was in this latter service under the said Capt. Colberg at least four months. That my connection with Capt. Witting

after my escape from the Captain being taken by the British was as late as the twelfth day of November in the year 1778 This deponent further states that the being that he left New Orleans under the appointment of Capt. Walling & the Agent of the United States with the dispatches for the American Congress and about the first day of December in the year 1778 & myself with the said dispatches arrived at Savannah in the state of Georgia at least as late as the month of the 20th of December 1778. That the Vessel in which we sailed with the said dispatches was Spanish with a Spanish crew who were expressly chartered by the said Capt. Walling & the said Agent of the United States for the conveyance of the said dispatches to the American Congress at Philadelphia as mentioned in my said declaration with the said dispatches; at this latter place (Savannah) I was taken sick & confined for more than a month which on my way in the service of the United States as before I have stated in my said declaration. The said Agent proceeding with the said dispatches that I left the said service of the United States in the month of February (the day I do not recollect) 1779.
This deponent further states that upon further examination he only knows that he entered the service of the United States in the month of March & not in May 1778. That he well remembers that Lieut. Harrison belonging to Capt. Walling's company with 30 men, fell in the attack with some others in the assault on Fort San Juan then held by the British, that Harrison was Lieut. at the time of my enlist- ment in the said company. That this assault was on the 1st of April 1778 as I believe. I was well acquainted with him in the company before the battle in which he fell. That he has always since his said service been impressed with the belief that he served in the Revolutionary war some months or more during the period above mentioned under the command of the officers & remains that his said service was performed at such a great distance from his present residence & the length of time since elapsed in which they were informed of the presumption of the death of most if not all of his former officers in arms, renders it impracticable to procure him proof of such services. That this deponent

Service with an embodied Corps. Called (as he believes) into service by Competent & lawful authority that he was either in the field or in Garrison or on board of the Vessels above mentioned under the legal authority of the public service of the United States for the time during which the said service was performed he was not employed in any Civil service. And this deponent further saith upon his conscience that he served in the capacity of a private during such service in no other & that he believes he served full four months under the command of the said Capt. Collier; & the Reserves, some months under the command of Capt. Willing & that he really believes that he served to the use of the Revolution at least nine months for such service he claims a pension & further saith not. 4 th as Marine 5 th as private
State of Vermont Bennington County
August 2 nd 1833
Then personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the peace of the town of Pownal in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont the above named John Sheldon who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath that the said affidavit contains the truth & nothing but the truth. John Moore Sheldon certifies that I am well acquainted with Moses Sheldon who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing affidavit that he is a man of truth & veracity & that full faith & credit is to be given to his testimony.
John Moore Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont,
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Bennington, do hereby certify that John Moore Esq. whose signature appears above, was at the date thereof a justice of the peace for said County duly qualified by Law as such & that I believe his signature genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of said Court at Manchester this 10 th day of July A.D. 1833- Henry Robinson

F.B.M.
Pension Bureau
Will you please look in your records of Rev War - for the names of Ephraim Barker - who lived in Norfolk Conn - & later in Palmer, Mass - & send me his war record if he had any -
Also - Capt Moses Sheldon of East Rupert Vermont
his name appears on page 68

The Census Pensions for Revolutionary service Printed by Blair & Rives 1841.
Any information concerning these two men I will appreciate & And Hige
Francis Barker Mearns
Mrs Hugh Mearns 501 La St Lawrence Kan

Sturges held CW July 13 1877 Pension Office
Pension Office Washington D.C.
I am anxious to get all data as to dates names & number of men service - of Elijah Sheldon born 1777 - died 1885 - buried. from East Hartford Conn. The name appears Page 449 Vol 2 of Public Records of Conn. from May 1775 - April 1800 - also Page 573. Record of Conn. men in Rev. War. He was a Stephen's man in Suffield Conn.

for Litchfield Conn. Deaft Moses Sheldon, son of Elijah Sheldon, who has a record - I am anxious for -
His name appears - Page 68 - Census Prisoners for Rev. & Military Service!! Served under Gen. Grant in the South. - Buried - East Rupert Vermont
There seems to have been two Moses Sheldons from Vermont & Conn. The Moses Sheldon from all accounts (Confid. was a Captain & his no marked on his tombstone - Robert

I want -
The essence of this information will do for gladly. - & for the cultivate of service -
Francis Barker Wheat
Mrs Hugh Wheat 501 La St. Lawrence Kansas.

Blair Neb Oct 22 nd 1928
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions Washington D C
Please send me a copy of Moses Sheldon's service in the war of the Revolution he was a native of Suffield Conn he was my Grand Father
I am needing this to go with other Sheldon History I have of the Sheldon family Sincerely
Sheldon Peck
Blair
Neb

Blair Vt June 9 th 1922 Bureau of Pensions Revolution war record
Please send me a copy of of my great grand father Moses Sheldon Revolutionary war record he was buried in the Respect cemetery, Barington Vt
on the headstone at grave appears Captain Moses Sheldon Died March 24 th 1841, age 75 years
I was told he was buried in Suffield Conn
I would like very much to know these records
I served three years in civil war Sheldon Peak, Blair Vt.

Blair Neb
I would like very much to have my grandfather Moses Sheldon of Revolution record if you have one. I was told he was in the war of the Revolution for a short time
on his headstone appears Moses Sheldon Died Nov 21, 1925 he was buried in Vermont his wife was B. Try Eastman
Very Respectfully
Sheldon Peck
Blair
Neb

827 E. Mason St
Milwaukee, Wis. Oct. 1st, 1931.
U.S. Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
My dear Sirs:
only one F Conn
Will you kindly give me the data which you have on the service of my great-grand- father Deacon Joseph Sheldon. He lived at Walsbury Co Conn. His daughter Mary Sheldon was the wife of Luther Landon and it is possible that he may have died at her home in Stillwater or at Tinmouth, Vt.
Yours very truly,
L. D. Duneer
I wish this information to complete my D.A.R. papers.
L.D.

W. B. Sheldon, Att'y at Law and Sol'r in Chancery. No. 307 Main St., Bennington, Vermont.
Aug. 6th, 1895.
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I have lately been endeavoring to gather the official data to entitle me to admission to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. I find the name of my great grandfather, Moses Sheldon of the age of 89 years residing in the family of Aaron Sheldon at Rupert in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont enrolled on page 68 of the official "Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military services with their Names, Ages and Places of Residence as returned by the Marshals of the several Judicial Districts under the Act for taking the 6th Census" published by authority of an Act of Congress under the direction of the Secretary of State in 1841. Please forward to me a certified copy of his application for a pension if to be found within the archives of your office with your charges for the same which I shall be pleased to remit. I am, Sir, with great respect, (Dictated)
Yours very truly,
W. B. Sheldon

O. W. & N. Division.
P. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
August 16, 1895.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Moses Sheldon --- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  STATE.    CAPTAIN.  COLONEL.   
See Supplement.
Battles engaged in, None.  Residence of soldier at enlistment, See Supplemental statement.  Date of application for pension, August 16, 1832.  Residence at date of application, Rupert, Vt.  Age at date of application, Born, Suffield, Conn., Oct. 13, 1751.
Remarks:
Very respectfully,
M. Sheldon, Esq., 207 Main St., Bennington, Vt.
Commissioner.

Supplemental.
(Moses Sheldon)
He was born in the town of Suffield, Connecticut, October 15, 1751, and resided there until about 22 years of age, when he went to Natchez, Miss. He continued to reside there and at different places on the Mississippi river until the year 1758 when in the month of April, while going down the river to New Orleans, he was overtaken by Capt. James Willing, who commanded a corps of United States troops destined against the British settlements on the Mississippi and the adjacent country. He joined this corps and proceeded to New Orleans, upon his arrival at that place he went on board a vessel which had been fitted out by Capt. Willing and placed under the command of a Capt. Colberg. The object in fitting out this vessel was to prey upon the British shipping and military stores at Mobile. In the Bay of Mobile a British brig laden with lumber was captured and he, together with a number of other sailors and the prize master were placed on board to man her. This brig was soon after retaken by the British, but Sheldon made his escape with four others and shortly after arrived at the town of New Orleans and again joined the troops under Capt. Willing.
Quite in the fall of that year he was detailed, together

with a person named Hart, to convey dispatches to the American Congress, then in session at Philadelphia. He started on the journey on board a vessel fitted out for the purpose but, on account of sickness, was obliged to land at Savannah and remain there while the said Hart proceeded to Philadelphia with the dispatches. He left the service about the last of February, 1779, and returned to his home in Connecticut.

July 21, 1917.
Mrs. Hugh Means, 501 Louisiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 13" instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Elijah Shelden.
The record of Moses Shelden S. F. # 15,639, the only soldier of that name found on said records, was forwarded you May 1, 1915. It is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish the same statement more than once to the same person.
Very respectfully,
W. C. Fitzgerald Commissioner.

May 1, 1915.
Mrs. Hugh Means, 501 Louisiana Street, Lawrence. Kans.
Madam:
In response to your undated letter, which was received on the 26 th ultimo, you are advised that in the claim Sur. File No. 15,639. Rev. War, it appears that Moses Sheldon was born October 15, 1751, at Suffield, Connecticut, where he continued to reside until twenty-one years of age, when he went with Major Lyman to Natchez, Mississippi. He resided at different places on the Mississippi River and at New Orleans, until March, 1778, when he enlisted in Captain James Willing's Corps organized for service against the British settlements on the Mississippi and the adjacent country.
At New Orleans, he was placed under Captain Colberg who commanded a vessel fitted out by Captain Willing, for the purpose of harassing British shipping, and assisted in capturing a British vessel loaded with negroes and provisions; that soon after, in the Bay of Mobile, while on a brig which had been captured, said vessel was retaken by the British, and soldier escaped in a small boat, and made his way to New Orleans where he rejoined Captain Willing.

In the late Fall of 1778, while on his way to carry dispatches to the American Congress at Philadelphia, he became ill and stopped at Savannah, Georgia, where he remained until the latter part of February, 1779, when he left the service and returned to Connecticut, having served nine months.
He was allowed pension on account of his services, on his application executed August 16, 1832, while a resident of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont.
There is no data relative to family.
Very respectfully,
G. M. Saltzgaber Commissioner.

July 28, 1922
Mr. Sheldon Peck Blair, Nebraska
Sir:
In reply to your letter received 12th ultimo, you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. File # 15639 it appears that Moses Sheldon, the only soldier of that name found on file in this Bureau, was born October 15, 1751 in Suffield, Connecticut where he continued to reside until twenty-one years of age, when he went with Major Lyman to Natchez, Mississippi. He resided at different places on the Mississippi River and at New Orleans until March 1778 when he enlisted in Captain James Wil ling's Corps.
At New Orleans he was placed under Captain Colberg who commanded a ves el fitted out by Captain Willing for the purpose of harassing British ship ing, and assisted in captur- ing a British vessel loaded with negroes and provis ons.
Soon after that in the Bay of Mobile, while on a bri which had been captured, said ves el was taken by the British and soldier escaped in a small vessel and made his way to New Orleans where he rejoined Captain Wil ing.

In the late Fall of 1778, while on his way to carry dis- patches to the American Congress at Philadelphia, he became ill and stopped at Savannah, Georgia where he remained until the latter part of February 1779, when he left the service and returned to Connecticut, having served nine months.
He was allowed pension on account of his services, on his application executed August 10, 1838 while a resident of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont.
There are  is no data on file relative to family.
Very respectfully,
Atty. Genl. [unclear] July 28, 1892
Commissioner.

October 29, 1928.
Sheldon Peck, Blair, Nebraska.
Sir:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15639, it appears that Moses Sheldon, the only soldier of that name found on file in this bureau, was born October 15, 1751 in Suffield, Connecticut where he continued to reside until twenty-one years of age, when he went with Major Lyman to Natchez, Mississippi. He resided at different places on the Mississippi River and at New Orleans until March 1778 when he enlisted in Captain James Willing's Corps.
At New Orleans he was placed under Captain Colberg who commanded a vessel fitted out by Captain Willing for the purpose of harassing British shipping, and assisted in capturing a British vessel loaded with negroes and provisions.
Soon after that in the Bay of Mobile, while on a brig which had been captured, said vessel was taken by the British and soldier escaped in a small vessel and made his way to New Orleans where he rejoined Captain Willing.

In the late fall of 1778, while on his way to carry dispatches to the American Congress at Philadelphia, he became ill and stopped at Savannah, Georgia where he remained until the latter part of February 1779, when he left the service and returned to Connecticut, having served nine months.
He was allowed pension on account of his services, on his application executed August 16, 1832 while a resident of Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont.
There are no data on file relative to family.
The above history was furnished you on July 28, 1932.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.