Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15214, for Reuben Phelps, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Phelps, Eben Mary
No. 15214.
CONTENTS

Letter to R. Carver 21. Nov. 1840 to Jas W. Crocker 19 Feb 1842 to R. Carver June 2 nd 1842,
Massachusetts. 3023
George Phelps and Elizabeth Carver Children of Mary Phelps, dec d who was widow of Stephen Phelps, dec d (who died on the 5 th day of October 1799) and who died on the 18 th day of January 1828, of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts who was a First Ensign in the Comp y commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded by [blank] in the Gen l Militia line for 7 months 16 days, private 4 C [blank] Ensign
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 1/4 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831 & to end on the 18 January 1838.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug t 1839. to [blank] David Carver, Greenfield, Mass.
Arrears to the 4 th of January 1838 $585.05 Semi-annual allowance ending
Same Total $585.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by [blank] Clerk, Vol. 2. Page 57.

Family Record
Grainy's
C.P.S.
In the State of Massachusetts. Jan y 17 th 1810.
   NAMES. BORN. OWNS. DIED.     Ens n Reuben Phelps, Dec m 16 th in the Year 1747. Hartford Conn t Oct r the 25 th A.D. 1799.   Mary Horsford, March 19 th in the Year 1759. Do.   Went Married, Nov m 9 th in the Year 1776. Do.   John Phelps, Aug st 26 th in the Year 1777 Do. April 23 d A.D. 1778.   Obadiah Phelps, Oct r 26 th in the Year 1780. Do.   Reuben Phelps, Sept m 5 th in the Year 1782. Do. Dec m 25 th A.D. 1806.   Dan Phelps, 2 d Aug st 26 th in the Year 178 Do. June 25 th A.D. 1824.   Wm. Phelps, Feb y 15 th in the Year 178 Do.   Elizabeth Phelps, Feb y 15 th in the Year 178 Do.   George Phelps, July 4 th in the Year 179 Do.   Samuel Phelps, Aug st 26 th in the Year 179 Do.  
Phelps, Reuben Conn. W152 14

State of Connecticut Tolland County } ss Hebron Town Clerk's Office January 17 th 1837
I certify that among the record of Marriages in this Office the following record appears, "En d Reuben Phelps & Mary Housford both of Hebron was joined in Marriage Nov r 9 th 1777"
Certified Cyrus Munn Town Clerk & Register
State of Connecticut } Tolland County } ss
Be it remembered that on this 18 th day of January 1837 Personally appeared Cyrus Munn Esquire who had signed the above certificate and made oath to the truth of the same and certify that the said Cyrus Munn is the Town clerk & Register of the Town of Hebron, legally chosen & sworn, and the above signa- ture is his proper hand writing and that he is a person of truth and his certificate entitled to credit. In testimony whereof hereunto set my hand and the seal of my Office the day and year above written.
Honor Hende Notary Public

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Hampshire County - - - }
On this Sixteenth day of December A.D. 1836, personally appeared before me Nathan Corkey, Judge of the Court of Probate in the County of Hampshire aforesaid. Mary Phelps a resident of Greenfield in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid Aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836 - - That she is the widow of Reuben Phelps who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, - that he said Phelps in the early part of the said Revolution was an inhabitant of the town of Nelson in the State of Connecticut, and at that place enlisted in the Service for the term of three years, the time of said enlistment she does not now recollect, but he soon after left said town in company with several others who had also enlisted and went to Boston in the State of Massachusetts to join the Army, from which place he came home and said he was in pursuit of a deserter, this was before we were married, he soon after returned to the army and when they left Boston, he went with them to the Southward, was in sundry actions as he afterwards told her, thinks he said he was in the battle of White Plains, recollects very distinctly of his saying that the second man from him was shot dead in the action, he has related agreat many anecdotes to her which took place in the Army, one she recollects was that two Frenchmen had deserted and were caught by her husband's brother; In the fall of 1776, he came home I do not recollect from what place, and we were married, soon after which he returned to the Service, his term of enlistment not having then expired, and staid until he was discharged at the end of the term, and it is my impression and belief that he served longer than that term but cannot distinctly state how much, - he was an Ensign and held an Ensign commission, during the aforesaid term of Service, on some considerable portion of it she does not now recollect whether he had a commission

when he entered the Service but it is her belief he had, he was employed in the recruiting Service and was frequently out enlisting soldiers - he was at home several times during his Service, once I recollect, after we were married, he came for the purpose of getting shoes, and other clothing. She does not now recollect any of the officers under whom he served except, she is very sure he served a part or all the time in Col. Willis, Regt. She resided at her father's home in Lebanon a period after they were married until he left the Service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Reuben Phelps on the ninth day of Nov. Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six; that her husband the aforesaid Reuben Phelps, died on the twenty fifth day of October Seventeen hundred and Ninety Nine; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the Proof hereto annexed; - She has no record of the time of her marriage or the death of her husband, except a family record which is now in her possession -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Mary Phelps
Before me Stearns Conkey Judge of Probate for the County of Hampshire
I hereby certify, the aforesaid applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend Court -
Stearns Conkey Judge of the Court of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I, Daniel F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire do hereby certify that the Hon. Stephen Conkey before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of Probate within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his I know to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 19 th day of December A.D. 1836.
Daniel F. Lyman Register of Probate

I David Caver of Granby in the State of Massachusetts of lawful age do on both testify before & say that I am the Grandson of Mrs Mary Phelps the widow of Ensign Ruben Phelps deceased late of said Granby, being the same widow Phelps who has made application to the War Department for a Pension under the act of July 4 th 1830. That I have within the last week been visited in person and made diligent enquiry in the town of Hebron & in the City of Hartford in the State of Connecticut & I can find no one living who was in known with my Grandfather Ruben Phelps, that is, in the same company with him, & I can not find or hear of any one now now living who was in known with him in the same company or department during his last period of service as stated by said Widow & others whose testimony accompanies her declaration. David Caver
I further state on oath as aforesaid that said widow Mary Phelps still retains her mental faculties unimpaired & that her memory is better than  as good as that of most people of her age - David Caver
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss On this twenty fifth day of January A.D. 1837 personally appeared David Caver to me known to be the person whose name is subscribed to the above deposition & before me & I do certify that he is a credible witness. Arthur Weyland Justice of the Peace.

I Lewis Hosford Carver of Granby in the state of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify upon my - that for the last thirty years until about a year ago I lived in the same house with the widow of Ensign Reuben Phelps in said Granby that I well remember when our Caleb Pendleton made out the family Record which is herewith annexed - & that it was in the winter of 1810, said Record was made from information then obtained from sundry members of the family, especially from said widow of Ensign Reuben Phelps & her sister Elizabeth Carver who lived in the same house. It appearing from said Record that said widow Mary Phelps, was married by the name of Mary Hosford to said Reuben Phelps on the 9 th of Nov. 1776. & it appears in the certificates of the Brown Church of Hibern in Connecticut that said marriage took place 9 th Nov. 1777, a mistake has occurred but in that way & said date is correct this deponent knows not
Lewis H. Carver
I further state on oath as aforesaid that said widow of Reuben Phelps still is in possession of her mental faculties unimpaired, & that her memory is better than that of most people of her age
Lewis H. Carver
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden 3 rd
On this twenty fifth day of January A D 1857 personally appeared Lewis H. Carver above named & subscribed & read oaths to the foregoing deposition before me and I do certify that he is a credible witness Justin Willard Justice of the Peace

Rev  Conr
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15214
George and Elizabeth Garver Children
Reuben Phelps Mrr. Lorrain Rev War-
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]

susp d Mays 5 th  As to Hon. W.B. Calhoun H.R. Dec 28 1837  Adm: Hon. Wm B Calhoun Dec 29 '36 - Let. Hon. W. B. Calhoun, Feb 7 23, 1837. To J. Willard ap d 21. 1837 do - do - May 5 '37 do do May 12 '37 Hon W.B. Calhoun 9 Sept '37
V 589  Mary Phelps, widow of Reuben — Mass. Let to J. Willard 24 July 1839 to David Carrer, Aug. 8 th 1839 Allou 7-16 a p m } 6 m Ensign } Act July, 4 th 1836.

Mary Phelps Sec. Mass. roll act 1836 $85.10 5 per ann. to what time paid
Died 18 th Jan 1838 p st . that paid DH
Pension Office June 2 nd 1842.

HR 589
MARY PHELPS.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 589.]
————— FEBRUARY 23, 1838. —————
MR. KLINGENSMITH, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition of Mary Phelps, report:
The petitioner states that she is the widow of Reuben Phelps, late of Hebron, in the State of Connecticut, deceased; that she was married to the said Reuben Phelps on the 9th day of November, 1776, and that her said husband died on the 25th day of October, 1799; that the said Phelps, in the early part of the revolutionary war, was an inhabitant of the town of Hebron, in the State of Connecticut, and at that place enlisted in the service of the United States for the term of three years—the time of said enlistment she does not now recollect, but that he served out the whole time of his enlistment. There is no satisfactory proof of three years' services, but the certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut fully establishes eighteen months' service. The marriage of the petitioner to said Reuben Phelps, and his death, are all proven. The committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to a pension of eighteen months' service by her late husband, Reuben Phelps, and therefore report a bill.
Thomas Allen, print.

Comptroller's Office Hartford, Connecticut 23 d January 1837.
On application for evidence of the revolutionary service of Reuben Phelps, I have examined the documents remaining in this office relating to that service, and find, and certify as follows:—
A document headed—"An account of the Guns that were lost in the Reg t late Col o Gay's while in the Continental service under the command of Gen l Washington A.D. 1776—where lost, and in what manner, and there ordered with the Baggage by the General;" "certified by Edward Mott, Maj r Com m d " apparently original;—in which is entered, under the head of "Cap. Wells Comp y ." the name "Ens r Reuben Phelps—B. Wagon."—
A document containing the an account of Guns, Bayonets &c. and the receipt of "Samuel Wells Capt t ." to the Selectmen of the town of Hebron, in which he acknowledges to have rec d sundry Guns &c. "for the use of Ens r Reuben Phelps, [of others] belonging to Cap. Sam l Wells Company," &c. & the receipt of Reuben Phelps, endorsed thereon; all evidently original. Dated July 1776.
I also certify that it appears by a list of men remaining in this office, that Joshua Phelps was a Captain in Septem r . 1776—But that we have not found his name, previous to that time.
I also certify that I have not found the name of Reuben Phelps subsequent to 1776—there being but few documents of a later period than that, remaining—and the applicant being unable to give the officers under whom he is said to have served.
In the absence of the Comptroller
Certified by me.
Royal H. Kimball Secretary of State

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the 3 d Section of the law of the United States, of the 4 th of July 1836, Mary Phelps, dec d , late of Massachusetts, who was the widow of Reuben Phelps, dec d , late a private & Disbursed in the Revolution who died on the 5 th October 1799, was entitled to receive Eighty five dollars and two cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March 1831 and ending on the 18 th January 1838, the day of said Mary Phelps's death; and that the amount is payable to George Phelps and Elizabeth Weaver, the only surviving Children of said widow.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day of August, One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
Acting Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned
Cour of Pensions.

H. of R.
Dec. 26. 1827
Sir,
I am requested by the attorney of Mary Phelps, whose application for a pension has been unsuccessfully before you for some time, to ask for the papers in that case.
Very Respectfully
Yours & obliged
W. B. Calhoun
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Springfield Mass ts Jan y 20 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq. Committee of Pensions
Sir: About 2 years ago I forwarded to your Office the Application of Mary Phelps the widow of Reuben Phelps for a Pension - The evidence was not satisfactory to you. & the claim was rejected. Mrs Phelps then made & presented her Petition to Congress, - the papers were taken from your Office & sent into the hands of the Committee of the House - who reported in favour of the claim, & the bill passed the House of Representatives granting the Pension - was in the Senate not acted upon (or not reported by the Committee on Pensions) & rejected or reported against - I can hardly say much (I know Congress adjourned) I do not now ask to trouble you further than to enquire
whether if we can now make the proof satisfactory to you the certificate can be granted for the benefit of the Children? 'She said May having cleared?
She said Mary Phelps died during the last Session of Congress.
Respectfully your most obed t Serv t
Justin Willard

Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
10104 New Hampshire Ave. N.W. Washington D.C.

Hon J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions
Springfield Mass da March 20-37
Sir: you have on your files the papers in relation to the claim of the widow of Ruben Phelps due for a Pension under the act of July 4 th 1836. In your last communication to the Hon. Mr. Calhoun you say "unless there can be furnished a specific statement of the terms of service, with names of Company & field Officers it is impracticable to determine the claim by those rules which the Department has adopted." 23 Now it is an extremely rare case that when the Pension soldier himself has been long dead, his widow should fail of obtaining a pension for at least the portion of time which she is able to prove, altho' she may not be able to prove the whole time. It is not strange that the widow should not be able to recollect the precise periods of service & the names of her officers long after her husband's departure from life - There are facts which the soldier himself might reasonably be required to recollect if living, but this can not be said of his widow, who has derived her information, second hand, from him long ago when the knowledge of no interest she could even have in remembering particulars. Scores of depositions might be procured of from credible persons who have no doubt that Phelps was in the service nearly or quite three years but

they can not testify particulars. It will probably be regarded mere supererogation for me to say that I have not the least doubt that such was the fact & that Mrs Phelps is entitled to a pension for at least 2 nd years more probably the husband was in the war 3 years.
I now enclose the Deposition of Charles Le Drette in addition to those already forwarded to the Department. This gives the names of Officers for a period at least.
If I have the minute correctly - there seems to be clearly proved the following terms of service at least viz:
6 months by the certificates of the Comptroller of the Treasury & Sec y of State of Connecticut - also by Mrs Phelps Deposition & By Le Drette
3 months by Stephen Daburn & Le Drette
9 & others service not definite. Porter testifies of more after the marriage so also does Le Drette
Were it if nothing more can be done for this poor and very worthy widow, it is to be hoped at least she may succeed for the period of 9 months a portion of the time as orderly sergeant & a portion as Lieut. or Ensign. She has been at great expense

so trouble concerning her penny - I must give up the pursuit here in a case where no doubt exists in the mind of any of her acquaintances, unless she can obtain something up the evidence such, under great disadvantages, she has been able to furnish. May I hope to hear from the Department again on the subject soon
very respectfully
your most obedt Servt
Justin Willard
for Mrs. M. Phelps
at
2
P.S. If I recollect aright, the Comptroller of Connecticut certified that he had not in his office full returns subsequent to 1775 - A letter since I have from him states that he has supposes they have the complete returns number of men who moved in 1775 tho' but few subsequently. Mrs. Phelps friends here think he did not move in 1775 - & that some of the witnesses may therefore be mistaken as to time of commencement or ending. but Le Potts no doubt is correct as to the precise time - he seems to have reasons for remembering the days M.W.

J. P. E. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Springfield Apr. 8 th - 1879
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm ee of Pensions
Sir:
I wrote you some days since to enquire if you could grant a certificate for the pay t of the pension of the widow of Reuben Phelps to her children provided the evidence should be satisfactory &c. the said widow having deceased pending the application &c. You were pleased to say to me in reply that you could grant such certificate for pay t up to the time of her decease. I would remind you that the application was not sustained by you. & Mrs Phelps preferred a Petition to Congress, on which the House of Representatives pass d a bill in her favour, & while it was pending in the Senate that body adjourned, Mrs Phelps having in the mean time deceased. What the further action of the Senate was on the subject Mr Calhoun our Rep ve could not inform me - the children & grandchildren of Mr Phelps expended much time & money in procuring evidence. & would be at least partially indemnified, by the allowance now sought for. I suppose the papers in the case are now in the files of the Clerk of the House - & should you request me to look them up. I hope you will do me the favour to write me & I will

immediately instruct some person at Washington so to do
The additional evidence which I now forward is the testimony of Elias Root who was a near neighbor of S r Reuben Phelps & testifies of his being in service subsequent to the time when his marriage with S r widow is proved to have taken place. It is impossible to procure the testimony of any eye-witness of his actual service. I take it, that in any court of law. the testimony like that of Root, would be competent. after such a lapse of time, & as to its sufficiency & credibility it seems to me that it is peculiarly of the character, with the following viz:
In the war of 1812 a large body of men from the town in which I live, were marched to Boston to defend the city & harbor. My neighbors & particular friends were among them. thus I well knew. & can not now doubt. yet I could not testify that I saw any one of them in the line or bearing arms or in any way on duty. Suppose the the testimony of those who were actually on duty in that service could not be had, would not my testimony amount to reasonable, & satisfactory proof.?

The Department will I hope excuse this attempt at argument, in relation to the evidence - it is made at the urgent request of these appellants, & not because I can suppose, that any reasons or arguments can override the notice & introduction of the Department.
I believe it was not doubted that a sufficient period of notice was proved by the Records, from the Comptroller's Office in Hartford. (Connecticut) to entitle Mr. P. to the Pension & the only question was whether her husband served any period subsequent to the marriage -
most respectfully Yr. obed serv t -
Justin Willard on behalf of the Grandchildren of Mrs. Mary Phelps.

Granby Nov 12 1840 Massachusetts
Honored Sir I write leaning from a bed of sickness which I have suffered five months my mother also is sick My father is old and we are in a pitiful condition my only brother has a family of three small children he has had severe hard times to take care of us all if you would think of Reuben Phelps pension and think that you could grant a trifle more it would be thankfully received and registered in a grateful heart never to be forgotten while life lasts and I trust God will reward you I was in Connecticut where he lived last winter and saw a number of people that thought he was during the war Judge Mann said the mistake was as liable to be on the town book out their marriage as on the family record the town clerk at that time being a physician and my son and a man of business I remember hearing my grandmother tell how she felt when he went to take the lieutenant's commission and that she lived at his father's and were married she said she had rather go without the pension than tell anything wrong Mary Phelps lived with her daughter Elizabeth who took good care of her while she lived and now she has come to want herself trusting to an ever grateful hand I must stop I suppose I might get more testimony but sickness hinders
J. L. Edwards
Reuben Carver Grandson of Reuben Phelps of Connecticut Elizabeth Carver Daughter of Granby Massachusetts please answer this

Comptroller's Office Hartford Ct. June 22 d 1837
On application for evidence of the service of Reuben Phelps, I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War, & find and certify as follows Viz:-
"A pay Roll of the 10 th Company in the 4 th Regiment, raised by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, May 1775, Hezekiah Parsons Captain. Reuben Phelps Sergt., enlisted May 3 d 1775, & discharged December 19 th 1775; in service 7 months 16 days"=
"Return of the Eight Months men in the 1 st Connecticut Regiment in the Year 1779, Reuben Phelps, Simsbury, enlisted October 1 st & discharged January 15 th ; in service 3 months 15 days"=
The above term of 3 months 15 days was found on an old paper in the file of 1779. It was impossible to tell whose pay Roll it was, as there was no Captain's name to be found on it. By referring to the settlement with the 1 st Regt. before the year 1780 I find the name of Reuben Phelps but the time of service varies from the above. It is

as follows = Settlement with the 1 st Connecticut Reg t Josiah Starr Esqr Colonel before January 1 st 1780 - Reuben Phelps commenced service Sept. 30 th 1779 & settled January 1 st 1780; In service 3 months =
The above written is all I have been able to find relating to the service of Reuben Phelps for the years 1775 & 1779 = Wm Field Comptroller

Home of Ref er
Jan y . 30. 1837.
Sir,
Accompanying are additional papers in the case of the widow of Reuben Phelps, an applicant for pension under the law of last session.
There is also an explanatory letter of W. Willard, the attorney of Mrs. Phelps.
I am intimately acquainted with Mr. Willard, and know him as a Justice of the Peace and Register of Probate, in the Town & County where I reside.
Very Respectfully
In stat. serv t
W. B. Calhoun

Springfield Mass th Apr 17 th 37
J. P. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
I take the liberty again to address you on the subject of Mrs Reuben Phelps' application for a Pension, & I hope you will excuse my importunity, if it should, (as it is quite probable it may be,) unnecessary. The old Lady & her friends are extremely anxious on the subject; and if any further evidence should be thought necessary by the Department, they will endeavour to procure it, altho' they have hitherto no hope of obtaining any thing more, other than the Depositions of credible persons, cotemporary with Mr Phelps, who can swear that they have no doubt that he was in the service two or three years, altho' they never saw him in the field or in camp or on the march with his fellow soldiers. This kind of evidence they can multiply to an indefinite extent but can ill afford the expense. I believe the relations are all in low circumstances. May I hope soon to be adorned by the Department, on the subject. Most respectfully w th ob st humble serv t Justin Willard

Springfield Mass ts Apr 24 th 1837
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 21 st inst relative to the claim of the widows of Reuben Phelps for a Pension, in which you refer me to your note to Hon W m D. Calhoun &c. In that note you say "Unless there can be furnished a specific statement of the terms of service with names of Company & Field Officers it is impossible to determine" &c. I understand the only difficulty is the one to which you allude as above. I must think therefore that the deposition of a Mr Lebreth either has not been received by the Department or has not been particularly noticed. This deposition was forwarded after the additional evidence referred to. & altho I have no copy of that deposition, yet I think it will be found to prove conclusively, a period of service of about 12 months by Reuben Phelps, & that from the "personal knowledge" of the witness, as to that this deposition is on the files of the office

I would respectfully ask your attention to it. I had supposed also that no better evidence of service could be required than the records of the Comptroller's Office of Connecticut, as Phelps belonged to the Connecticut line - this record evidence was furnished (according to my recollection) of a period of service which would entitle the Applicant to a Pension. His rank I believe is also established by this evidence -
The testimony of Charles Le Brette above mentioned also proves the Company & Regiment to which Reuben belonged receiving the Capt & Col  of the same -
If by any mischance this deposition has miscarried - I hope to be early advised of the fact that it may be again taken without delay - It seems Mrs Phelps mistook one year as to the time of her marriage but the certificate of the Parish I suppose will be regarded as satisfactory on that point.
very respectfully
Your obedt Servt Justin Willard

Additional pps re June May 12 1827

H. of R.
Sept. 6.
Sir
Accompanying this are some papers in a case already before you; they are explained in the letter to me, which encloses them.
Very Respectfully
Yours & etc.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
W. B. Alston

Shrewsbury Mass Jan 25 37 Bro Calhoun
I take the liberty to draw largely upon you in the case of the widow of Ensign Reuben Phelps, application for a Pension - You will recollect I forwarded her declaration & evidence some time since & you had the goodness to forward me the letter of the Com ee of Pensions which he had the kindness to address to you on the subject - The Grand son of Mrs Phelps has since that time removed to the State of Connecticut & has procured much additional evidence which I now send to you - The old lady labours under a disadvantage having nothing to aid her recollections but the verbal accounts given by her husband many years ago - he died in 1799 - She seems to have made a mistake as to the Town Clerk of Hebron has as to the year of her marriage but it is not a material one - She is probably mistaken in her recollections as to the term of the original enlistment of her husband - but I think there can be no doubt that he served at least a period of 2 years & with the ranks of an ensign for a large portion of that time & as a sergeant the remainder - having taken great pains in this case, if you will give it a little of your personal attention you he

will very cheerfully pay any sum you may deem appropriate for your trouble. If the papers now forwarded regard to be authenticated in any different manner (which I think will not be) I ask them kept together for that purpose. Should there be any questions as to the two depositions which I have entered I will thank you to certify as to my authority for
Yours very Truly J. Willard
Thank you for the Cambridge Rep t

Granby Mass. August 15 th 1889
Hon. Sir I received your communication of August 8 th and herewith enclose the claim of the heirs of Mary Phelps deceased according to the direction received from you. Hon. you stated the first service of 7 months and 18 days as a private Mr. Phelps was a Sergeant I am sure the second says
Very respectfully yours
Hon L. J. Edwards Com. pension
David Barber
As to the granting of the testimony of Mr. LeBrett and Mr. Eno. perhaps the second deposition of Mr. LeBrett had better not have been taken
Mr. Eno was an extraordinary active and intelligent man of his age. He stated if I am not much mistaken that the Heuben Phelps he testified of was from the Eastern part of Connecticut and that there was not a man by the name of Heuben Phelps that was a native of Simsbury that went into the service
Hon L. J. E.
D C
M 76 a 77 a. 23 33 1 77 10

I Elijah Morley of Coventry in Tolland County and State of Connecticut aged 67 years do depose and say that in the year 1782 or about the age of 14 years, I enlisted into the Continental Army as a three years man in Col. Webb's Regt. Capt. Walker's Company and was marched from Hartford to West Point where we joined the army under Genl. Washington and remained in the service until peace was declared when we were discharged and I recollect that Reuben Phelps of Hebron served at said place as a soldier that I saw him several times, doing duty but cannot tell whether he belonged to the same regiment think he did not What he was acquainted with, & Phelps and knew him well at that time that when the informant entered he lived in East Hartford that he now lives in Coventry & further saith not
Elijah Morley
State of Connecticut } Hebron Probate District Tolland County }
Personally appeared Elijah Morley signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath in due form of law that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth &
This Court certifies that the s d Elijah Morley is a man of truth & his statement entitled to credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court this 8 th day of June 1837 Charles N. Hurlbut Judge Probate

Memorandum for Mr. Morley —
To call upon the Commissioners of Pensions & equum about Mrs Reuben Phelps application for a widows pension
— It seems Mrs Phelps did not recollect rightly as to the time of her marriage. She mistook the year. & this mistake occasioned other apparent inconsistencies in her statements. But in the additional testimony will be found a certificate of the true time of her marriage which we finally obtained, this complys with Mr Edwards requisition so far .
Mr Edwards also requires proof of the earnings of his Field & Company Officers — this is also furnished by the deposition of Charles Le Breth as to one period of service & by the Records from the Comptrollers Office in Hartford as to another period the former about 6 months & the latter over 12 months (having no copies I may not be correct — please look at the papers)
The Commissioners also require a specific statement of the terms of service — See see if this is not fully furnished by the two pieces of evidence above named & corroborated by a Mr Parkin & a Mr Porter
Enquire if any further & more particular statement of Mrs Phelps would be of use — Her husband died (I think) a long time ago & her recollection is not very clear — but since agitating the subject many particulars have come to her mind — so her grandson says — I never saw him — I think there is much discrepancy in the evidence as to the names of the Company & Field Officers, but this only goes to show that the evidence is not dictated or made up — as to the material part of service there seems to be no doubt over

and Mrs Phelps would rather give up all but the shortest time move & the lowest rank of her husband, than to be put to further delay & expense.
Please ascertain whether there is any unusual distrust as to this case - & if so what is the cause of it. I mention this because I know I have obtained several Pensions upon much less satisfactory evidence & less conclusive evidence than is furnished by Mrs Phelps.
possibly the fact that she came out of her County for Amsterdam may have an influence. The reason of this was, that Springfield is much nearer to her residence - in Granby than Northampton It is in the besides Granby is in Mr Calhoun's Congressional District. & her friends wanted her Amsterdam - farther than their business & connections call them to Springfield two times when they go to Northampton once - so they tell me -
Should you have leisure & convenient opportunity I should like to have you get copies of the Declarations & other papers, as I did not retain any - nor do I think any of Mrs Phelps family did.
Yours & J. Williams for Mrs Reuben Phelps
of Springfield Mass

Springfield Mr. Feb. 11. 1842
Sir I have been requested by the Son of Mrs. Mary Phelps, widow of Ruben Phelps and to renew the application heretofore made for a full Pension on account of services rendered by said Ruben in the War of the Revolution. This case has long been before your department & before Congress, and after examining all long suffering & petition a Pension was granted to the heirs of said Mary, she having died subsequent to the first application, I think in 1837 - 38.
Encouraged now given that a full Pension should be allowed, said Ruben having been a Commissioned Officer; but a half Pension, as I understand only was granted & with the expectation of further action by Congress on the Commission of Pension -

Will you allow me, Sir, to make the enquiry whether this expectation cannot now be realized & the matter secured favorable action by the proper offices.
I am very Respectfully Yours very Ob t Serv t
Thos M. Cooley
Hon. L. P. Eaward Comm. of Pension Washington
Answer the writer, to the care of Hon W. B. Calhoun H. R.

I David Caver of Granby in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull age do testify and say that I am the son of Elizabeth Caver, and have always lived in the family with my Parents, in said Granby. That my Grandmother Mary Phelps, who was the widow of Reuben Phelps late of Vernon in the State of Connecticut lived many years, and died at my fathers house. I was well acquainted with the family. The said Mary Phelps is the same person who lately made application for a pension as the widow of the said Reuben, and that the said Elizabeth and George Phelps of said Vernon are the only surviving children of the said Mary and Reuben who were living at the time of the death of the said Mary.
David Caver
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire County ss. } August 14. 1839
I the undersigned affirmed David Caver who is well known to me as a person of truth and a credible witness, and submitted and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit —
Before me Nathan Cook Clerk of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Warren Conkey Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Warren Conkey and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
S. Wells
Clerk.

I, Royal A. Kimman, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, hereby certify, that I find in the records in this Office in June, B 1776, that the General Assembly of this State passed an act to raise six six Battalions to join the Continental Army in New York, by a requisition from the Continental Congress for troops to reinforce the Continental Army in different Departments—
And I further find that the General Assembly were authorized to appoint the officers to command said Battalions, and the Govt authorized to commission said officers and I further find that Fisher Gay was appointed Colonel of the second Battalion so raised and that Hezekiah Phelps was appointed ensign of the seventh company in said second Battalion commanded by said Fisher Gay—
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of this State and signed the same at the Office of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut this 21 st day January A.D. 1837—
Royal A. Kimman Secretary

I Amos Phelps of Hebron in Tolland County & State of Connecticut aged 79 years do testify & say that in the year 1776 I performed a tour of duty of three months near New York in a Company of Militia Cavalry Commanded by Capt. Asahel Phelps and was stationed at New Rochelle and that Reuben Phelps of Hebron was at that time Ensign of a company of State Troops stationed within about five miles of New York or just below Fort Washington That while he the deponent was there stationed he went down & visited the s d Reuben Phelps at his quarters that he dined with him having always been very intimate together that the s d Reuben marched from Hebron some time in the spring that he understood that the s d Company were enlisted for six months that at the time the deponent saw the s d Reuben Phelps, he the s d Reuben had been in the service not less than five months as he thinks
Amos Phelps
State of Connecticut } County of Tolland } ss. Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District, Amos Phelps signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 19 th day of January A.D. 1837
Simon House Clerk

I Stephen Barber of Hebron in Tolland County State of Connecticut aged 84 years do testify I say that during the Revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Reuben Phelps then of Hebron that some time in the fall of the year 1775 the said Reuben Phelps volunteered for a tour of duty as a sergeant near Boston in a company of Militia commanded by Joshua Phelps Capt Roger Phelps Ensign and was marched from home the deponent thinks under Ensign Roger Phelps that he does not recollect that the said Capt. marched at that time that he the said Reuben Phelps was absent he should think not less than three months that he always understood & believes that he served not less than monthly as a sergeant near Boston that he the deponent wished to go at that time being a member of the Com- pany & expressed his desire to the said Ensign Roger Phelps but something occurred in the course of the conversation dissatisfying to the deponent & he finally did not go that the said Reuben Phelps did go as sergeant instead of him the deponent & that he the said Reuben was afterwards in the service a considerable length of time as he has always understood and merely believes Stephen Barber
State of Connecticut } ss. Hebron Probate District County of Tolland }
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District, Stephen Barber, signer of the foregoing affidavit, and made oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 19 th day of January A.D. 1837
Simon Hosmer Clerk

I Increase Porter of Hobson in Tolland County State of Connecticut aged 85 years do testify & say that I knew Reuben Phelps of Hobson from a child & will remember his leaving home to join the revolutionary Army & that he returned home sometime the last part of the summer of 1777 and was married to Mary Hoxford of s d Hobson stayed a short time & returned to the Army again that while at home on furlough as before I saw & conversed with him upon the movements of the Army & other matters connected with it - & do believe that he was then an Ensign in s d Army that in service after the time of his marriage that it has always been understood & believed in the neighbourhood where he used to reside here that he the s d Reuben Phelps did serve a considerable length of time in the revolutionary Army as an Ensign & the deponent further states that he was well acquainted with Mary Hoxford previous to her marriage with Reuben Phelps & after until he removed from s d Hobson & that she always maintained a fair moral character.  Increase Porter
State of Connecticut } ss Hobson Probate District Tolland County }
Personally appeared Increase Porter signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & that Court certifies that the s d Increase Porter is a man of truth & his statement entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of s d Court this 20 th day of January 1837  Cyreus Moline Judge Probate

State of Connecticut } Hebron Probate District Tolland County }
I certify that at a Court of Probate held within & for s d District on the 20 th day of Jan y 1837 sundry respectable persons of the town of Hebron testified under oath that they were acquainted with Reuben Phelps during the Revolutionary war that they always understood & believe he was in the service a considerable length of time that he was married while in service to Mary Horseford & this Court is of the opinion after having examined s d testimony that the s d Reuben Phelps did serve as an Ensign not less than two years In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20 th day of Jan y 1837 and affix the seal of s d Court Cyrus Moulton Judge Prob t

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss.
On this 27 th day of June A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me Nathan Boskey Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County. Mary Phelps of Granby in said County widow aged Seventy eight years, and being first known according to Law doth on her oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress passed on the 14 th day of July A.D. 1836 -
That Deceased Phelps her late husband who died in the year 1799. Served as a Revolutionary Soldier at sundry periods of the war, which together amounted to an aggregate period of more than three years and that this is all she intended to state in her original declaration now on file in the Pension office, she well recollects that he was out a great portion of the time during the war and was in the Public Service, that he served a period of six or seven months in the early part of the revolution at Boston and thinks it must have been in 1775 or 6. and that immediately after that, he served some time at the South, about the same length of time, that he was absent several times in 1778 and 1779, and has no doubt but he was in the Service from what he stated to her and from circumstances which took place at the time, and that he was at New London at the time or soon after it was burnt. she well recollects that he came home once while he was stationed there, and she thinks he might have been out as a private some part of the time.
Attest William Carver
Mary X Phelps
Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year first above written - Before me Nathan Boskey Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss. William H. Symonds
Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County do hereby certify that William Conkey Esquire before named is Judge of Probate for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this first day of July A.D. 1837
David F. Symonds

V 885. 3. Sec. Mary Phelps du o widow of Reuben.
Mass
Maria 1776
died 1799
At July 4 th 1836
Allow
7 m th 16 d pri 25 10
6 m th Engr 60
passam s 85 10
Cont militia
certificate to Geo Phelps and Elizabeth Carver children of said du o from 4 Mar 1831 to Jan 15. 1838
Dana Carver Granby Mass.

I Warner Carver of Granby in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say that I was born in the town of Hebron in Connecticut A.D. 1766 and that I was well acquainted with Ensign Beuben Phelps of that place and was knowing to his being in the army of the United States in the time of the revolutionary war that said Phelps together with two of my brothers (older than myself) all enlisted for three years at about the same time, and all joined the army together that Phelps came home twice during his term of service one in respect of a desertion and once after clothes, shoes etc that he came to my father who was a shoemaker after shoes deponent thinks he had an Ensigns Commission when he entered the service as he enlisted a number of men who joined the army with him that Phelps was with the army at Boston the first season and it was from there he came home after a desertion after which he was with the army on the South River and also at New York particularly was at Fishkill some part of the time that said Phelps was married in the fall of 1776 to Mary Hoxford who is now his widow they were married in Hebron and I attended the wedding and that she has remain- ed a widow ever since the death of said Phelps, and further the deponent saith not
WARNER CARVER
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Hampshire, ss. Decr. 16 th 1836. Be it remembered that on the day and year above mentioned, Warner Carver personally appeared before the subscribing authority and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing dep- osition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that said Warner Carver is a credible witness, and his testimony entitled to credit. William Belcher, Justice of the Peace.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that William Belcher Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this nineteenth day of December A. D. 183 6
Samuel F. Lyman Register of Probate.

I Moses Root of Ludlow in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, depose and say; that I was born in Hebron in the state of Connecticut in the year A.D. 1772; — that I well knew Ensign Reuben Phelps, — lived a near neighbour to him — that it was said by every one, so far as I know and believe, that he had served three years in the revolutionary war, and was said to have been an Ensign in that service; and have myself, since arriving to a state of manhood, heard him relate many incidents occurring in the army during the time of his service; — has heard him say that he had been in action a number of times; and thinks he heard him say he was in the battle of Monmouth, but is not positive as to that fact; but recollects distinctly of his telling me on a particular occasion, that I should not have been as nimble and spry as I then was, if I had laid out and slept in the open air and on the naked ground as much and as long as he had. And further the deponent saith not. Moses Root Granby, Mass. Dec. 15 — 1836.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Hampshire ss. December 15 th 1836 Be it remembered that on the day and year above mentioned, Moses Root personally appeared before the subscribing authority and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that said Moses Root is a credible witness, and his testimony is entitled to credit.
William Belcher, Justice of the Peace.

I Moses Rood of Ludlow in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, depose and say; that I was born in Hebron in the state of Connecticut in the year A.D. 1772; - that I well knew Ensign Reuben Phelps. - lived a near neighbour to him - that it was said by every one, so far as I know and believe, that he had served three years in the revolutionary war, and was said to have been an Ensign in that service; and have myself, since arriving to a state of manhood, heard him relate many incidents occur- ing in the army during the time of his service; - has heard him say that, he had been in action a number of times; and thinks he heard him say he was in the battle of Monmouth, but is not positive as to that fact; but recollects distinctly of his telling me on a particular occasion, that I should not have been as nimble and spry as I then was, if I had laid out and slept in the open air and on the naked ground as much and as long as he had. And further the deponent saith not. Moses Rood Granby, Mass. Decr. 15 th - 1836.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Hampshire ss. December 15 th 1836 Be it remembered that on the day and year above mentioned, Moses Rood personally appeared before the subscribing authority and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the fore- going deposition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that said Moses Rood is a credible witness, and his testimony is entitled to credit.
William Belcher Justice of the Peace.

I Aaron Carver of Granby in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, depose and say, that I was born in Hebron, in the County of Tolland & state of Connecticut, in October A.D. 1769, at which place I lived untill about the year A.D. 1794, when I removed from thence to this place, where I have resided ever since. That I recollect, (although a boy) Ensign Newben Phelps, and that he was a soldier in the revolutionary army; and, as was currently said by every body, as far as I can recollect, and denied by nobody, had enlisted for three years in said army; and, so far as this deponent knows and believes, served out his said term faithfully. - and the deponent further says that, he has a recollection of seeing him at home in his military uniform, at some time during his term of service; the family of the deponent being near neighbours to the said Ensign Phelps. and the deponent says further, that he has been well acquainted with the family of said Phelps from that time to the present. - That he was a married man, and husband of the present Mrs. Mary Phelps while he was in the army, but whether they were married previous to his entering, or during the time of his service there, he cannot tell; as he has not the means of ascertaining the time when he entered, or left, the service: and further, that Mary Phelps, widow of the said Ensign Newben Phelps, has never been since married, but remains his widow still. And further the deponent saith not. Aaron Carver
Granby Mass. December 15 th 1836
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Hampshire, ss. December 15 th 1836. Be it remembered
that on the day and year above mentioned, Aaron Carver personally appeared before the subscribing authority and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that S. Aaron Carver is a credible witness, & his testimony is entitled to credit.
William Belcher, Justice of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that William Belcher Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this nineteenth day of December A. D. 183 6
Samuel F. Lyman Register of Probate.

Springfield Sep 23 rd 1877
My Dear Sir
I am much obliged to you for your kind fav r of 19 th inst. think I can appreciate your views of the com m of Mr Calhoun
I have concluded to go to Congress with Mrs Phelps application - so there by am I convinced that she is entitled to the benefits of the act of July 1830 - I now enclose her Petition together with another deposition of a Mr Eno which could be seen & known would have great weight. Will you have the kindness to put this deposition with the others & there present the Pet n & get the papers into the hands of a Committee!
You will find one period of about 6 months established by the Comptrollers of Compt 3 - 6 mo. before the marriage
Also 3 months by Comptrollers certificate after the marriage - 3.00
6 months by a record from Sec. 7 State of Pennsylvania (I think) 6.00 also by Mrs Phelps Dep n
three months by Stephen Daker near Boston - 3.00 18.00
Porter - Le Dotts - 2 Eno Sep r - as to move at sundry times much of it since the marriage -
I took no copies of the Dep n & forgot particulars - but you can easily collate & digest the evidence - I have no doubt Phelps was in move at least two years - I do not understand the propriety of rejecting this evidence on the ground that Phelps record is not found on the rolls at Washington - Were there no rolls destroyed when the War Office was burnt? Is it certain that all the names of those who served are preserved there?
Yours truly & J. Willard
over

PS If subpoena then could be no objection to your appearing as counsel for the witnesses before the Committee - she will afford to pay liberal fees if she prevails - J.M.
There are discrepancies in the testimony - true would it be reasonable to expect any thing else - - these discrepancies only prove that the main story is true - & that the witnesses have not put their heads together - & it also proves that it is true that the counsel of Mr. Phelps has taken no pains to accord contradictions between the several witnesses - This is most true - I have taken several depositions with no other object in view but to get from the witness every thing which he could remember relative to the case -
The histories of the four Evangelists did not agree alike they tell of transactions (I believe) more recent to them than the transactions of the Revolution are to witnesses of the present day J.M.

I Elias Root of West Springfield in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being duly sworn, testify depose & say, that I am sixty nine years of age the sixth day of Dec r - now last past. That I was born in the town of Hebron in the State of Connecticut, & lived at my fathers house in said Hebron in the year seventeen hundred & eighty one - I was well acquainted with Reuben Phelps of said Hebron also then living about a mile & a half from my Fathers House. I knew that said Reuben Phelps had been for some time in the Army. & I once saw him clothed in the dress of the army, with about a dozen men whom he had enlisted & saw him with said men march away from said Hebron to join the Army somewhere at the West This was in the year seventeen hundred & eighty nine or it might be in 1780 - In the month of September 1781 I again saw him. he returned home to said Hebron. I remember that he then wore a blue dress trim d with red & that it was the dress of an officer - his coat having long skirts. Sometime in the same month of September. New London (which is about 16 or 18 miles from said Hebron) was burnt by the British thro the instigation of Benedict Arnold. I remember that the cannonading was distinctly heard at Hebron & also that the smoke of the burning town was distinctly seen. My own father mounted his horse & rode to New London at that time - said Reuben Phelps also went there as soon as the alarm came to Hebron of the burning of New London. I did not see him when he left Hebron for New London

but when he returned, (which was but a few days after, & after about 2 days after my father returned) I saw said Reuben - he was passing my father's House, & my father called him in to enquire of the operations at New London. I have now as perfect a recollection of the interview between said Phelps & my father as if it had occurred but yesterday. said Phelps then said his furlough would be out in two or three days - that he must go & see his folks & then be on his way to join the Army at some place on or near the North river at West Point I think he said. I have a distinct recollection that he then wore a regimental dress, I did not see him when he left Hebron to join the Army, but he was soon missing & I do not recollect having seen him after that time. It was then perfectly well known that in all that region that said Phelps was a soldier in service in the Revolutionary war - & it is impossible for me to doubt the fact that, as late, at least, as September 1781, he was in the regular service as above stated - said Reuben was considerably older than myself & my impression is that he was a married man - tho' I do not recollect any thing as to the time he was married - I have no doubt as to the name, being Reuben, & I never knew any other man in Hebron by that name of Reuben Phelps. & further this deponent saith not.
Elias Root
Hampden 30 March 27 th 1839
Then Elias Root above named personally appeared and and made subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me, & I do certify that the said Root is well known to me as a person of good character for truth & veracity & Justice Willard Brother of the Peace a credible witness.

I David Cerver of Granby in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts of lawful age do hereby say that Mary Phelps the widow of Reuben Phelps formerly of Hebron in Connecticut deceased, on account of whose services in the Revolutionary war she has made application for a widows Pension, was my Grand mother, & that I was living in the same house with her in said Granby at the time of her decease and that I am know- -ing to her having departed this life on the Eighteenth day of January AD (1838) eighteen hundred & thirty eight - & further this Deponent saith not.
David Cerver
Hampshire ss.
March 29 th 1839 Then the abovenamed David Cerver personally appeared and subscribed and made oaths to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me - and I do hereby certify that the said David Cerver is a person of good reputation for truth & veracity & a credible witness.
Justice Willard
Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Justice Willard & Beggs before whom the foregoing depositions of Elias Root and David Cerver were severally verified and whose signature is affixed to the above certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within the said County duly Commissioned & Acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that full faith & credit are & ought to be given to his Acts & Attestations done in that capacity and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice Willard & believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Springfield this Eight th day of April A.D. 1839
Attest John Ingersoll Clerk

I Charles Lebrett of Ludlow in the County of Hampden and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of lawful age depose and say that I was born in Woodstock Windham County State of Connecticut on the 14 th day of July A.D. 1752 and that I was well acquainted with Hezekiah Phelps of Hebron Connecticut and that I had enlisted previous we the said Phelps and myself joined the Army on the 1 st day of January 1776 at Prospect Hill near Boston Mass Hezekiah Phelps as Orderly Sergeant in a Company commanded by Capt Callin in Colonel Durgyns regiment he served three months certainly and I think more at this term Deponent saw the said Phelps in June 1776 near New York he then was Ensign or Lieutenant I cannot now recollect which do not know the length of time he had engaged to serve Deponent was taken prisoner at Germantown by the British but by the assistance of a quaker woman made his escape and went to the camp at White Marsh on the 6 th of December where I met with David Phelps on the first day of January 1777 my term of service expired and I left Phelps in the army at Hornistown New Jersey Phelps had served from some time in June until I left the army how much longer deponent knoweth not as belong- ed to the same brigade but not to the same regiment
Deponent enlisted again in the Continental service in June 1777 saw the said Phelps several times the last time deponent saw him was the latter part of December 1777 but what rank in army he then sustained or what officer he served under deponent does not know and further the deponent saith not
Ludlow March 10th 1837 Charles Lebrett
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss March 10th 1837 Be it remembered on the day and year above mentioned Charles Lebrett personally appeared before the subscri- bing Authority and made solemn oath in due form of Law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed and I hereby certify that according to the best of my information the said deponent is a credible & his testimony is entitled to great credit Theodore Sikes justice of the peace

Mrs Phelps Pension L D Britts Dep ty
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss. J. J.
Justin Willand Clerk of the Probate Court the same being a court of Record within & for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that Theodore Tilton before shown the within deposition of Charles Leavitt was executed as a justice of the Peace within & for said County & that his signature subscribed to the certificate thereof is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this fourteenth day of March A.D. 1837
Justin Willand Clerk

I Charles Le Brett of Ludlow in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being now eighty five years of age, - the 18 th day of last July - being duly sworn do testify depose and say that I was born in Woodstock in Connecticut July 18 th 1752 - that on the 3 rd day of Dec r 1775 I enlisted for one year in Capt Shurrs Company in Col. Hitchcocks Regiment. I served thirteen months - a short time before the Battle on Long Island I was transferred to Col. Knox Regiment of Artillery, the latter part of said 13 months. In May 1777 (the second Monday) enlisted into Col. Bradleys Regiment in Capt. Isaac Childs Company & served till I was discharged. When peace took place - but I was transferred twice from 2 nd to 3 rd Bradleys Regiment.
I was well acquainted with Reuben Phelps of Hebron in Connecticut. I first became acquainted with him on my way to Boston to join the Army. in Dec r 1775. I first saw him in Dudley 12 or 13 miles from Worcester - where we spent a night together, we rode together to Cambridge he then left me & went to Winter Hill - & I went to Prospect Hill, on the 1 st day of June 1776. I saw said Phelps on guard at Winter Hill Cobble Hill & Prospect Hill. In the summer of 1776 I saw said Phelps at Hors Brook on York Island after the battle of Long Island, he was one of the forage under Gen. Putnam who made his troops (called Rangers) to East Chester. said Phelps was then an commissioned officer - in the I saw him in service at Fort Washington & at Fort Lee. He was in Col Dungers Regiment, in Capt. Estlin Company - He was afterwards transferred to Col. Bradleys Regiment to which I belonged. this I think was in 1778 1779, Dunger Regiment

was put into Madleys - In the Regiments so united were the following named Officers. Capt Asahel  Brigant Brown Ensign Asahel Clarke - Lieut Solomon Lott. Col Brown - Lt Eliza Chapman afterwards Capt. Chapman In 1778 or 1779 in the fall of the year quite late I should think, I was on guard with said Reuben Phelps at Fishkill on the North river 60 miles above New York. we both belonged to the same Guard commanded by Capt. Oney or Olney, said Phelps was the ensign or Lieut. of the same Guard. In Col George P. Madleys Regiment. I had then been with him between two & three months in the same Company soon after this I was ordered to Lancaster to guard some prisoners & I did not see him afterwards, except when he went to New London in 1781 with said Dinges Regiment - two regiments out of our Brigade went to New London - viz Col Swift & Col Dinges. Madleys Regiment did not go. I saw said Phelps march off at that time to New London at the time of the burning of that place. & I saw said Phelps when he came back from New London in said Dinges Regiment. I am quite sure I was in service at Larry Town in New Jersey in 1778 or 1779 & I have no doubt it was in the same year that I was at Fishkill with said Phelps. & I believe said Phelps was then enrolled as belonging to Col Madleys Regiment. said Madleys Regiment was a continental Regiment raised for 3 years or during the war. raised principally in Connecticut As to the precise time I was on guard with said Phelps at Fishkill I am uncertain but I know it was some time after Palmyra the spy was hung on the Hill above Fishkill, I also know that it was between the time when the American Army went into winter Quarters at Valley Forge on the Schuylkill River & the time when Stony Point was taken. I was at the action

in the Storming of Stony Point in 1779 - It might have been previous to 1779 that I was at Fishkill with Phelps. I was at Valley Forge with the Army in the winter of 1778 - having been taken prisoner at the Battle of Germantown in October previous I did not get to Valley Forge until Dec - 1777 - I think it was the 9 th day of Dec - The British routed us from that place soon - & we went (the whole Brigade) towards the White Horse from thence we went to Kings Ferry & then to Fishkill & it was after this time that I will remember to have been on guard there with said Reuben Phelps, under said Capt Olney & Philips being Lt in command of the said Guard. said Guard consisted of 50 men detached from different Companies & different Regiments, & was called the main Guard. on duty last d from 9 o'clock in the morning to the same hour on the next morning. I have not the least doubt as to the identity of Reuben Phelps at this time - I knew him well, & knew him to be a subaltern Officer. I saw him at a number of different times: about that time in various different  different  different different  different  different  different  different  different  different I don't know to what Regiment he belonged to - but I have not doubt he belonged to 3 d Madleys Regiment. It is however possible that he belonged to Swifts or Dungee's Regiment - but I think he not - I am a Pensioner & receive $90 per annum from the Gov t of the U.S. for my Revolutionary services, from the natural effects of advanced age my memory is is not perfect & I may not be correct as to some minor particulars in the foregoing statement - but I feel confident that my statements are true as to the material parts
Charles LePore
Hampden H.
June 19 th 1837 I hereby certify that the above named Charles LePore this day personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within & for said County & made solemn oath to the truth of the above statement as now subscribed. & that he is a person of truth & veracity and that his statements are entitled to credit. Justice Willard Pres. Pass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss.
John Ingersoll
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for all the Judicial or Commonwealth Courts within & for said County do hereby certify that within William Esq. before whom the foregoing Deposition of Charles Le Smith purports to have been executed is a just copy of the same within & for said County, and that his signature subscribed to the certificate of said execution is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Common Pleas Court at Springfield this fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
John Ingersoll Clerk

To the Congress of the United States
The undersigned widow of Reuben Phelps late of Hebron in the State of Connecticut deceased, respectfully represents that the now resides in the town of Granby in Massachusetts, that she is seventy-eight years of age, that she was married to the said Reuben Phelps as she verily believes on the 9 th day of Nov r A D 1770 but that the record of said marriage preserved by the Parish Clerk of said Hebron states that said the marriage took place on the same day of the year 1777 that said Phelps was a soldier of the Revolution as stated in his declaration now on file in the Pension Office, that altho she is confident he served his country in the Revolution for a period of two or three years, & that a considerable portion of that service was subsequent to their said marriage, of which facts she believes the testimony now on file with her declaration reasonably & satisfactorily proves, yet as said testimony is not deemed sufficient according to the rules of evidence adopted & practiced upon in the Pension Office to entitle her to a pension under the act of July 4 th 1836 according to her said declaration, but has been rejected by the Commission of Pensions as insufficient. She therefor, feeling herself greatly agrieved in this premises, humbly prays your Honorable body, to examine the testimony offered & to grant her such relief in this behalf as the justice of the case may require
as in duty bound &c
Dated at Granby this 13 th day of September A D 1837 and signed in presence of John Stearns Wm Canver
Mary Phelps her mark

25 Cong. 2. Sess. 3
H. R. 589.
An act for the relief of Mary Phelps, of the State of Massachusetts.
1838. May 28. Read twice & referred to the Com ee on Pensions.
Papers

( Rep. No. 609. )
FEBRUARY 23, 1838.
Read, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. KLINGENSMITH, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
An act  A BILL
For the relief of Mary Phelps, of the State of Massachusetts.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to place 4 the name of Mary Phelps, of the county of Hampshire, State 5 of Massachusetts, on the revolutionary pension-roll; and to 6 allow her a pension at the rate of sixty dollars per annum 7 during her life; to commence on the fourth day of March, 8 eighteen hundred and thirty-one.
Passed the House of Representatives May 26 - 1838.

State of Massachusetts } Hampshire County } ss.
On this fourteenth day of August A 1839 personally appeared Elizabeth Caver of Granby in the said County, wife of Warren Caver of said Granby, also the said Warren Caver, who being severally duly sworn according to law do on their own behalf and on behalf of George Phelps of Hebron in the State of Connecticut on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed July 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, that thereby the said Elizabeth is the daughter of Mary Phelps late of Granby deceased daughter of Reuben Phelps her late husband, late of Hebron deceased etc - that the said Mary was the lawful widow of said Reuben & that the said Reuben was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and served at least seven months & sixteen days as a Sergeant & six months as an enlistee in the war of the Revolution as proved by the evidence now in the Pension Office filed in support of the claim of the said Mary for the widows Pension on account of said services, that the said Mary was married to the said Reuben Phelps previous to the first of January 1796 or Nov 9 th 1776 or 1777 (the declarant believes the former) as appears by the evidence above referred to - that the said Reuben died at the time in said evidence mentioned, and that the said Mary has deceased since her said application was made Nov: on the eighteenth of January A 1839 - that the said Elizabeth Caver aged fifty, and the said George Phelps aged about forty eight years are the only surviving children of

B. Mary Phelps died & of the said Reuben & Mary - for further proof of which & of the kinship of said Elizabeth & George Reuben is made to the family Record now - the Pension Office files in the can sponsor - also to the annexed Depositions
William Carrer Elizabeth Carrer
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written, before Jonathan Conkey Judge of Probate
I hereby certify that the said Elizabeth Carrer the of said applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmary to attend court - Jonathan Conkey Judge of Probate

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that William Cuskey , Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the  Judge of Probate  the same being a Court of Record within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said William Cuskey and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
S. Wells
Clerk.

Levi Ennis Dep r in case of Reuben Phelps' will

I Levi Eno of Somers in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut being seventy four years of age on the sixth day of next October (1837) do hereby testify as follows to wit
On the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty I enlisted into the army of the Revolution in the Continental Regiment commanded by Col Butler tho' not in person, said Col Butler was engaged on the Susquehanna against the Indians & Lieut Col Hoyt was in active command of our Regiment. our Major's name was Walbridge - we had Capt's David Parsons, - Hinchley - De Wolfe - Lieuts Israel Strong - Keeler - Robbins (who was Adjutant) & Lieut Linn. I enlisted at Simsbury in Hartford County Connecticut where I then resided & where I had then always lived I enlisted for six months at this time - am now a Pensioner.
We first joined the Army at Nelson's Point on the North River opposite West Point. Then we crossed the river at Kings Ferry & marched to Orange town in New Jersey - thence we went to a town called Tottoway Station in Pennsylvania on New Jersey I do not know when we remained till about the 1 st of November. Then returned to the Highlands north of West Point where we built huts for the troops to winter in, & there I was discharged on the 13 th of Dec r - 1780
At Nelson's Point in July 1780 I found Reuben Phelps who was then an orderly Sergeant in the same Col. Butler's Regiment I became perfectly well acquainted with him - I saw him every day many times - our Tents being within five or six rods of each other where we pitched our Tents during the summer. I can not

now remember who was said Phelps' Captain - I understood that he, said (said Phelps,) came from the Eastern part of Connecticut but I do not recollect if I ever knew what town he came from, but I do know that he was not from Synsbury, as I knew every man that  was in that town (as I believe,) at being my native town & the place of my home until I was twenty five years of age. I well remember that said Reuben Phelps was sick & was left the service or furlough a little while before I was discharged - Ver. about the 1 st of Dec r - I was then seventeen years of age & said Reuben Phelps was six eight or ten years older than myself. I have a perfect recollection as of his person - I remember "just exactly how he looked" He was a stout man. Square built. & handsome form - was smart active & sprightly. rather light complexion - "a gentlemanly man in his manners and conversation" - I am certain that the Reuben Phelps above described & testified of did not belong to Synsbury. & I have no knowledge or recollection of any one of that name in the service from that town at any time - Several of the Sergeants of Col Butlers Regiment were promoted while I was in it, but I do not recollect whether said Phelps was one of them
Levi Eno
I Roswell Danbop of Granby, Massachusetts on oath depose & say that I am sixty one years of age. That I was born in Hebron in Connecticut & was a near neighbor of Reuben Phelps, (whose widow now lives in said Granby) for twenty years, was well acquainted with him knew that he was reported to have been in the service in the Revolutionary war, and never had the least doubt

of the fact that he was a considerable time so in secret. my impression is for several years - I have heard the testimony of Levi Eno this day given before Justice Willard Bryan, I have heard it read over by said Willard & compared to his said Eno and sworn to as written out on this sheet & I have no doubt of the identity of said Pluffs - altho' he was older than I recollect him yet the description of his person & manner given by said Eno agrees with my own recollection of him
Roswell Farnham
Hampden ss. September 20 th AD 1837 Then Levi Eno and Roswell Farnham above named both personally appeared before me the subscriber, and severally subscribed and made solemn oaths to the truth of their several depositions above written, and I do further certify as follows Viz: That I had satisfactory evidence that the said Levi Eno is a credible witness, & that his reputation not only for truth, but also for general character & respectability, is good, & I further certify that his appearance is that of a fair & intelligent man in the full & unimpaired enjoyment of all his faculties both mental & bodily - I also certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Roswell Farnham to be a credible witness.
Justice Willard
Justice of the Peace
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court, being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify; That Justice Willard Esquire, before whom the above depositions were power of Attorney executed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden And that, I believe his name thereunto subscribed to be his true and proper signature. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty third day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
John Ingersoll Clerk

Granby May 9 th 1842 Mass please answer
Hon sir I wish you would go to the pension office and view the depositions there on file and family record in favor of a pension claimed by my grandmother Mary Phelps widow of Reuben Phelps of connecticut for his services in the revolutionary war, we find him recorded three times at the Controller's office at Hartford besides the other testimony on file my grandmother is dead the Commissioner knows when she died there has been no testimony sent since her death the Commissioner himself thinks it is strange that there should be so much proof and not obtain the pension it has passed the house but failed in the senate both of the committees reported in favor of it but there has been addition since that it puzzles the heads of springfield lawyers and the Judges of Hampden and Hampshire I think it can't be obtained they say they drew pension with half the the testimony I wish you to view it and do by my Mother Elizabeth Barker who is the only surviving his as you would be done by under like circumstances she is a widow and poor has no help but herself and it is two years since this present month. I have been under the care of a doctor if there is no pension there is your mind I don't want it
it is strange the rich have money bestowed on them without application when the poor can't obtain it with satisfaction Hon John Tyler President of the USA Keuben Barker Granby Mass

You shall be paid for your trouble First, tell me what and I will send it by Mail