Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,628, for John Perry, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Perry, John
S 17628
Carded
CONTENTS

James L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington

Fairfield Aug. 12. 1832.
Sir, The pension application of John Perry is herewith returned, with an explanatory declaration, which it is hoped will remove the objections to the allowance of his claim. With the Clergyman and several of the Gentlemen who have testified regarding the reputation of the applicant I am unacquainted. They are highly respectable men whose statements are undoubtedly entitled to full credit. The papers were brought to me, by Mr. Perry's son, who as well as his father, whom I do not personally know, will be greatly obliged by your prompt action on the case.
I am very respectfully yours.
G. Hunton
J. L. Edwards Esq.

21112
John Perry
cont.
private
15 1/2 w
$51.66
Hon. G. Townshend
Fairfield

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 subjjoined 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 John Perry Cont d
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 { 1781 } was drafted a number of times but the present time one time two or 3 length of service he does not now recollect 83 Fairfield Co. has in 2 d County.   Summer of 1780 2 Private Capt. Suley Two surviving Witnesses prove general service   1778 1 " Lieut. Morris Black Rock Certificate of Clergyman and Six Citizens and a Document   1778 3 " Capt. Suley   1778 1 " " "   1778 1 " Capt. Ginn   1778 3   The whole time he served as a volunteer and drafted he fully believes was 2 Years. in all  
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 } 88. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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

State of Connecticut, } ss. County of Fairfield, }
On this 6 th day of December 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury now sitting at Reading within and for said District the same being a Court of Record in said County and State.
now sitting, John Perry a resident of the town of Redding in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Eighty three 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.
That at the commencement of the Revolutionary War he resided at Fairfield in Connecticut, and as the Inhabitants were in continual fear and alarm from the Enemy, the Coast being entirely exposed, he was very frequently drafted to serve on guard in said Fairfield & its vicinity, and that he frequently served as a volunteer, that from the year 1776 till 1781, he was drafted a number of times each year & did serve, he does not now recollect the number or the length of many of the terms of service so as to state particularly; yet he well remembers of serving in a draft, at one time, under Lieutenant Seeley, two or three Months, is not certain which, he believes this was in the year 1778. and he well remembers serving two Months under Lieut. Peter Hendrick being drafted from Capt. Thorp's Company of Militia, he believes this was in the year 1778. That he served under Capt. Thorp, in the summer of 1780, one Month at Blackrock, being drafted, and that he was drafted & served under Capt. Thorp, two or three Months, this was in the town of Fairfield, he is not certain as to the length of this service, but is confident that it was not less than two nor more than three Months. That in the year 1778 he enlisted in a Volunteer Company of Artillery raised in S d . Fairfield, commanded by Capt. John Grinnell & served one Month when he was discharged for the purpose of going on the two Months tour, under Lieut. Hendrick, as before stated. He well remembers serving in guarding the Coast, under Lieutenant Dan d . Dimon, but cannot state the length of time. He further declares that in the beginning of May 1781, he was directed by Capt. Thorp to go across on to the hill below Mill river and ascertain what strange Vessel was then lying off the point, between that place & Blackrock, it proved to be a British Vessel from which a number of men having landed unperceived by him, till too late to return, when he was taken prisoner by them & carried to New York where he lay in the British Prison, at that time called the Sugar house, till the 8 th day of August, being three Months from the time he was taken. That the time he served, in the divers Drafts and as a Volunteer, during the War, he fully believes amounts to at least two years. That he was born at Fairfield in Connecticut January 10 th 1749 where there was a record of his birth, but does not know there is at present. That at the close of the War, he resided at said Fairfield, soon after which he settled in Redding in said State, where he has since resided, and now resides his
John F. Perry

The said John Perry 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. Attest Edward Taylor clerk  John X Perry mark
We, Jonathan Battell a clergyman, residing in the town of Reading and Benjamin Meeker residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Perry — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three 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. Attest Edward Taylor clerk  Jonathan Battell  Benj o Meeker
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 Jonathan Battell who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Reading and that Benj o Meeker who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Reading and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Attest Edward Taylor clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Perry for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my said Office, 6 th day of December 1832. Attest Edward Taylor clerk

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. J.D.
Reuben Booth of Danbury in the said County, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the said County of State do hereby certify, and make known, that Edward Taylor Esquire who has subscribed and certified the foregoing proceedings of said Court, and the caption of the annexed deposition, is clerk of said Court, and was clerk as aforesaid at the time of signing and certifying the same, duly appointed therefor. That the foregoing signatures purporting due the signatures of the said Edward Taylor are in his proper hand writing. And that full faith and credit are due to his attestation as such clerk. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Danbury aforesaid this 13 th day of December 1832 —
Reuben Booth Judge of Probate for the District of Danbury Connecticut

17-306
Connecticut
John Perry
of Reading in the State of Conn who was a Pri in the Conn command by Captain Thompson of the Reg command by _____ in the Conn bounty for enlistment 15 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 57. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Aug 1838 and sent John & Johninson  Fairfield at
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 103 32 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sep 4 11 26 83
$129.15
{ Revolutionary Act June 7
Recorded by CDR Book 4 Vol. 3 Page 6

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Perry 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. S. F. 17,628.
    DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  STATE.    CAPTAIN.  COLONEL.      June 11, 1776  3 mos.  Priv.  Eliphalet Thorp  Jonathan Dimon  Conn.    Jan. 1777  1 "   John Grinnell  Dimon     " 1777  4 "   Eliphalet Thorp.  ✓     " 1778  2 1/2 "   " "  ✓     1779 & 1780  2 "   " "  ✓      { In May 1781, while serving in Capt. Thorp's co., was captured by British near Mill River and detained in the Sugar House for three months, when released on parole. Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fairfield, Conn.  Date of application for pension, Dec. 6, 1832. His cl. was al.  Residence at date of application, Redding, Fairfield Co., Conn.  Age at date of application, { B. Jan. 10, 1749, at Fairfield, Conn. D. May 13, 1835.  Remarks: _____  In 1833, a son of soldier was referred to, name not stated.  There is no further data relative to family. 
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev Sec 19 Porter Ave., Batavia, N.Y., Feb. 28, 1917.
The Pension Department, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen, - According to the U. S. Senate docu- ments of the first session of the 23rd Congress 1833-4 John Perry appeared as a pensioner from Fairfield Co., Connecticut for two years since

vice in the Revolution. If you have access to these documents will you please send me any data concerning him as birth, death, military service etc.
If there is a charge for looking up these records, I will remit at once. Very truly,
(Miss) Lucy K. Perry.

17628 INVALID.
Rev War
1917, Mch. 14. History to Lucy N. Perry. Ex
File No. 17628
John Perry Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Perry & Sons Joseph Barr & Sons

We whose Names are hereunder written do Acknowledge ourselves Prisoners of War to the King of Great Britain & having leave from his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton to go home on our Paroles do hereby pledge our Faith & Word of honor that We will not do or say any thing contrary to the Interest of his Majesty or his Government & that if We cannot effect the above change We will whenever required so to do repair to whatever Place his Excellency or any other his Majesty's Com- mander in Chief shall please to Order Us
Given under our hands in New York this Eighth day of August 1781
John Perry Genl Waterbury Brigade - of Fairfield A true Copy in Connecticut
John Winthrop (am Pris r )
Witness B. Moore Adj t Genl. & Pris r Office
Jeoff Burr Genl Waterbury Brigade Fairfield in Connecticut

I Nathaniel Perry of the Town & County of Fairfield And State of Connecticut. Aged Seventy Six Years being duly sworn and I do hereby certify and say that I am personally acquainted with John Perry formerly of said Fairfield now a resident of the Town of Redding in the County of Fairfield after said and further do I certify and say that I am personally knowing to his said John Perry served in the Revolutionary War, that he served with me on the Guard of the Sea Coast of the Town of Fairfield - Under Capt. Eliphalet. Sharp. Col. Dimes Regt. but for what length of time he served I cannot tell And further I am personally knowing to his frequent service on the Guard of the Sea Coast of Fairfield but know not under what officers he served neither do I know the length of time he served but I fully believe he served on the Guard of the Coast of Fairfield between the years 1776. and 1781. at least two years, and in the year 1781. he & John Perry was taken Prisoner by the Enemy. and further the Deposition of Nathaniel Perry (Dated at Fairfield this 18th day of July. 1832. Nathaniel Perry
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } } Fairfield July 18. 1832. the foregoing (Deposition of Nathaniel Perry was taken Subscribed & sworn to before me.
Jermiah Strong Jr. P.P.
I certify that the foregoing Deposition is a true copy of the United States and a person who for Truth and Veracity is Unquestionable — Jermiah Strong Jr. P.P.

I Nathan Beers of the Town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut. Aged Seventy five Years. being duly sworn and sworn do. Testify and say that I am personally acquainted with John Perry formerly of said Fairfield, now a widower of the Town of Redding in the County of Fairfield. upon said, and further do Testify and say that I am personally knowing to him, the said John Perry. Serving in the Revolutionary War, that he served with me on a tour of duty in the Town of Weston in said County of Fairfield, for two months on Guard under the command of Lieut. Peter Hendrick Col d Dimes. Regt. I think in the Year 1778. we were both drafted from the Militia Company commanded by Capt. Eliphalet. Chap. to serve on the above tour of duty - and further the Deposition further out. dated at Fairfield this 18 th day of July 1832 Nathan Beers,
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss. Fairfield July 18 th 1832. The foregoing Deposition of Nathan Beers was taken Subscribed & sworn before me. Jeremiah Sturges J.P.
I certify the above Deposition is a County Surveyor and has been in that office for more than thirty years. and a man who for Truth and Veracity is incontestable
Jeremiah Sturges J.P.

We the undersigned, Inhabitants of the town of Redding in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut, hereby certify and declare that we have for many years been acquainted with John Perry who hath applied for a Pension for Revolutionary services, that he is a man of good character for veracity & that we fully believe he served in the Revolutionary war.
Joel Foster John Maurice Heron Tarus Hinstock Eli Read Asahel Salton
Sworn & subscribed before me this 9 th day of August 1832.
And I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the subscribers of the foregoing declarations and that they are all persons of good character and respectability for truth & veracity.
Jonathan R. Sanford Jus. of Peace
J has m.
my own Jus. P.

State of Connecticut } ss I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Fairfield County } Court within & for the County of Fairfield in s d State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Jeremiah Sturges Esq, whose own proper signature, known to me to be genuine, is annexed to the Certificates on the Depositions of Nathaniel Perry & Nathan Beers hereto attached, is now & was at the date of s d Certificates a Justice of the Peace for s d County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions I further certify that Jonathan R. Sanford Esq, whose own proper signature known to me to be genuine is annexed to the foregoing Deposition of Joel Foster & others, is now & was at the date of his s d Certificate a Justice of the Peace for s d Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of s d County Court in Fairfield this 11 th day of December AD 1832.
Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of said County Court

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss.
on this 30 th day of July
1833, before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said County and State, the same being a Court of record, and now sitting at Reading in the said District and County, personally appeared in open Court John Perry of said Reading, now aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, in supplement to his original declaration made before the said Court for the same purpose on the 6 th day of December 1832, and in amendment thereof - to wit.
That in the year 1776, and in the spring of said year, as he believes, and he is confident it was as early as the 1 st day of June, he belonged to the Regiment of Connecticut militia commanded by Colonel Jonathan Dimes, in the Company commanded by Captain Ephralet Hops. He was drafted to serve at Fairfield in said County for the term of three months, and did serve the said term, at Garrison duty. A small military post or guard was maintained there, and was commanded by Lieutenant Nathan Seeley, who was also an officer in the same Regiment, but in another Company. At the expiration of said term of three months, he was verbally dismissed by Captain Lieutenant Seeley. The said Seeley, as well

at all the commanders of the small military posts in the vicinity on Long Island found received his orders from Col. Gould. A. Silliman, and during his absence, from said Col. Dimon.
II That in the month of January 1777, he enlisted in a company of Artillery, which was raised by authority of the State of Connecticut, he does not recollect for how long a term he enlisted, but believes, it was attached to said Regiment commanded by Colonel Dimon. It was commanded by Captain John Grinnell, and was called into service during the exigency, at there was an apprehension of an invasion by the British troops on Long Island. The said company was posted in the village of Fairfield as a guard, and was commanded by said Captain Grinnell, who was under the orders of said Colonel Silliman. The said company during this tour of duty performed garrison duty, & served as a guard. In this term of service he served one month and was discharged verbally by said Captain Grinnell in the month of February 1777.
III After being discharged from said Captain Grinnell's company & as aforesaid he was again immediately enrolled in said Captain Ephralet Thorp's company, and was in said month of February 1777 drafted to serve two months in said Fairfield at a place now within the town of Westport, where another small garrison was stationed and was commanded by said Lieutenant Peter Kendrick - who was also under the

orders of said Colonel Silliman. He served the said term of two months, and at the expiration thereof, & not, in the month of April 1777. when he was dismissed by said lieutenant Bendrick and returned home.
IV That in the month of August 1777, and about the 20 th of said month he belonged to said company commanded by said Captain Tharp, and was then drafted to serve two months at said post in the village of Fairfield a Garrison-duty. He immediately joined the corps at said post and served there under the command of said Captain Tharp himself, the said term of two months: and at the expiration thereof was dismissed by said Captain Tharp. This was in the month of October, but a few days before information was received of the capture of General Burgoyne. The commanding officer at said post was acting during this term under the orders of said Colonel Silliman he believes.
V That in the month of June 1778 he still belonged to said Captain Tharp's company, and was drafted to serve two months, as a guard at various military posts within said town of Fairfield and along the shores of Long Island Sound. He served the said term at Mill River and at Green Farms villages in said town of Fairfield where military posts were stationed during the whole war. He served on this term of duty under the command

Lieutenant Daniel Dimer, who was an officer in said Captain Tharp's company, and at the expiration of said term of two months, to wit, in the month of August 1778, was verbally dismissed by said Lieutenant Dimer.
VI That in the month of December 1778, he belonged to said company of Militia commanded by Captain Tharp, and was drafted to serve at said Post in the village of Fairfield. He served in pursuance of said draft, at said Post, as a Guard, under the command of Sergeant Andrew Mulkey, who was also an officer in said Captain Tharp's company. said Post was subject to the orders of said Colonel Dimer or said Colonel Dimer. He believes he served on this tour one month, but of this he is not sufficiently certain to state the fact positively; but he can safely declare it was at least half a month; and at the expiration of his term, to wit, in the latter part of said month of December, or early in January he was dismissed.
VII That in the month of July 1780, he was drafted as a soldier in said company of Militia to serve under the command of said Captain Tharp, one month at Black Rock, a small harbor or cove on said Sound, and within said town of Fairfield. He performed said service for said term, and at the expiration thereof, to wit, in the month of August 1780 was verbally dismissed by said Captain Tharp.

A small body of troops was stationed here as a guard, and he performed garrison duty.
VIII That in the month of August 1779, he was detached by said Captain Tharp, with six men & some two weeks as a guard at Kindeys Point, a small eminence at the mouth of the Harbor of Mill River in said Town of Fairfield. He himself had the command of said Guard given to him by said Captain Tharp, and he served at the command thereof under the orders of said Captain Tharp, the said term of two weeks: their duty was to guard the coast and protect the persons & property of the inhabitants from the inroads of marauding parties of the enemy - There was a guard house at said Kindeys Point but no defensive works, or fortifications.
IX That in the month of October 1779 he was detached & served two weeks at Mill River aforesaid - He performed said service - and served under the command of said Sergeant Bulkeley, at Garrison duty, and at the expiration of said term, and in the latter part of said month of October 1779, he was dismissed.
X That having stated officially in his said original declaration, the facts relative to

being taken a Prisoner by the enemy he will only add with respect to that that the document herewith annexed is a copy of his parole, delivered to him by the British Officers, on his release from his imprisonment.
And the said John Perry further saith that in all the terms of service herein stated, he served as a Private Soldier, excepting when he commanded the guard at Kindersley Point, as before said. That the Officers under whom he served are foreknown all dead, and that he knows of no other evidence to prove his said service than that which is herewith annexed.
That on each occasion when he so served, he was called into the service by competent authority, that is to say, by his Superior Military Officers, upon the requisition of Officers of the State, or continental troops; and that the troops, serving as guard at said several posts, were embodied corps; and that during each term of service herein set forth, he was constantly employed in military duty and attended to no civil employment. That although he performed other terms of service during the war, than those herein stated, yet by reason of his extreme old age and consequent loss of memory, he is unable to recollect times, dates, & other particulars with sufficient distinctness to describe the same; and must consequently lose all benefit thereof.

That it has been with extreme difficulty he has been able to state with particularity the aforesaid terms of service. That he has been enabled to fix the time of the commencement of said terms from recollecting other events, and determining their dates; and although the dates he has now assigned to some of the said terms are different from those stated in his said original declaration, he is confident they are correct, and he prays that his supplementary declaration may be deemed and accepted at least in part of his said original declaration.
Learned and dulled John his  X Perry in Open Court Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Perry for a Pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my said office this 30th day of July A.D. 1832. Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

William Bee the Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. who has the signed and certified the foregoing proceedings of said Court, is Clerk thereof, duly appointed and sworn, and that the preceding signature purporting to be his, is in his proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of July 1833 —
William Bee the Judge of Probate for the District of Danbury Connecticut
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