Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18752, Doud Bushnell, Conn. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bushnell David
S 18752
Private
Carded
CONTENTS

2209 Vermont
Daud Bushnell
of Waitfield in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Leigh of the regiment commanded by Col. Worthington in the Conn't Troops time of 1 year and 8 months
and Privateer
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of July 1838 and sent to P. Dillingham Waterbury, Vermont
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 133.33 Pension allowance ending 4. Sept. " 33.33
$ 166.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jn Duffield Clerk Book D Vol. 4 Page 48
1889
May 9 Chas A Bushnell History Pres
2 with note on A. B

David Bushnell '79
Declaration
No 2 647

DECLARATION in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, COUNTY OF Washington ss. } On this 12 day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable County Court, within and for the County of Washington now sitting, David Bushnell a resident of Waitsfield in the County of Washington and State of Vermont, aged 69 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, 1832:—
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
That he was a native of and resided in Saybrook in the County of New London (now called Old Saybrook ) in the State of Connecticut. At the close of the Revolutionary war - That in June 1799 he volunteered & enlisted in to the Connecticut State troops for the term of three months. under Capt. Simeon Leigh , of Saybrook Co. That he & his Co. belonged to Col. William Worthington's Regiment. That during this term of three months, he was stationed at Seabrook, on the sea shore, as a guard to the place & its inhabitants against the several companies, that comprised the Regt. being stationed at different places. That at said Seabrook, West Parish he was dismissed at the end of his three months, which he thinks was about the 15 th of Sept. 1799. That from the first day of January 1780 to the first day of March the same year he served as a substitute for one Stephen Dorison , in Capt. John Shipman's Company in Col. Worthington's Regiment, of Connecticut State troops being two months. That during that time he was stationed at Fort Trumbull, on Connecticut River, at said Seabrook - That at the close of said 2 months term, at said Fort Trumbull he was dismissed - and returned home -
That in the fall of the year 1780 he enlisted into the Connecticut State troops for the term of one year, in Capt. Shapley's Company, in Col. William Dedyards Regiment. That during that year he served all the time at Fort Trumbull in New London Connecticut, doing garrison duty at the end of that year term, he was discharged & dismissed at said Fort Trumbull returned home to Seabrook -
That on or about the 20 th day of June 1781, he again enlisted in the Conn. State troops for the term of three months. That he does not now recollect the Capt. name, as he was most of the time absent from sickness - That his Lieut. name was Ezra Brainerd , that he served in Col. Campbell's Regiment. That on the 20 th day of June he marched from Seabrook & went through New Haven & Danbury to West Point in the State of New York. That he continued at West Point till his three months period, and was then discharged. That he at West Point knew Capt. Spencer of the Continental line & Genl. McDugal who commanded at the Point -
That he had a discharge at the end of his year's service, and another when he left West Point, but through lapse of time has lost them -
That he has no documentary evidence in his possession, which tends to show his aforesaid service.

That he was born in the aforementioned Scituate, the 15 th day of May 1762, and resided there till after the close of the Revolutionary war. That in the year 1786 he removed from Shelburne - from Shelburne to Cambridge St, York and from Cambridge to Waitsfield Vermont, where he now resides. That he does not know of any living evidence to prove his service, save that contained in the two affidavits accompanying this. That he knows Eli Skinner and Jared Skinner, who are his neighbors, and will testify to their belief of his age, that he is reputed in his neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. David Bushnell We, Eli Skinner & Jared Skinner  David Bushnell residing in the town of Waitsfield County of Washington and State of Vermont
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Skinner who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty 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.
Jared Skinner  Eli Skinner
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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 Jared Skinner who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Waitsfield and that Eli Skinner who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Waitsfield - and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest, Joshua Vail Clerk.
Joshua V. Vail Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Washington
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Daniel Bushnell for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eight day of May 1902

No 2647
Private 20 mts.
866: 66.
P. Dillingham Jr. Watkins Ga
Examining Clerk
W. J. [unclear]
11/15/57
Q (vervolgd) dat de voorgaande stelling en de antwoorden hierop met de inhoud van de zaak overeenstemmen.
Q Was de bedoeling dat de zaak van de [?] en de [?]
Q Was de bedoeling dat de zaak van de [?]
Q Was de bedoeling dat de zaak van de [?]
Q Was de bedoeling dat de zaak van de [?]

David  BRIEF in the case of David Bushnell of Waitsfield in the State of Vermont (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In the County Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
69 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1779 3 private Gen. Conn. Troops Capt. Leigh Col. Worthington   1780 2 " Substitute under Capt. Shipman Col. Worthington   1780 May 1 1 " Capt. Shipley Col. Seely and   1781 June 3 " Capt. forgotten Col. Campfield   1. 8.  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
Leebrook Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Two witnesses swear that he was in service but prove no particular period.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Duffield Examining Clerk.

Solomon Skinner's affidavit
for David Bushnell

I Salome Skinner of Waitsfield in the County of Washington & State of Vermont - sixty four years of age, depose and say that I well remember (although young at that time) that my Brother David now of Waitsfield Brushnell belonged to the Guard on the sea shore in the west part of the Town of Saybrook, that he came home two or three times, and returned back again.
I also remember his going from home and he said he was going to New London as a soldier and that he came home once or twice, and returned back again. He afterwards went from home to go to West Point as a soldier & while he was there we heard of his being sick at West Point. He was gone to West Point when New London was taken by the British. What years he was a soldier I cannot remember, nor the length of time he served. It was in the revolutionary war, and I was then living in Saybrook in Connecticut in the family with him while he was at home
Salome Skinner
State of Vermont Washington County ss
At Waitsfield on this 31 st day of July 1832 personally appeared Salome Skinner who subscribed the above affidavit & made solemn oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth. And I certify that I am well acquainted with said Salome Skinner and that she is a person of unimpeachable truth and veracity.
Certified by Jerison Jones, Justice Peace.
State of Vermont Washington County ss
I Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of Washington County Court do hereby certify that Jerison Jones, who has offered his name to the above, is a Magistrate, duly qualified and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Montpelier in said County this eighth day of August A.D. 1832.
Att Joshua Y Vail Clerk

May 11, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Am Doud Bushnell, S. 18752
Mr. Norris S. Barratt, Jr. The Historical Society Building 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Doud Bushnell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 18752, based upon the military service of Doud Bushnell.
He was born May 15, 1762, at Saybrook, Connecticut.
While a resident of that place he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from June, 1779, three months in Captain Simeon Leigh's company in Colonel William Worthington's regiment; from January 1, 1780, two months in Captain John Shipman's company in Colonel William Worthington's regiment; from April 24, 1780, one year in Captain Adam Shapley's company in Colonel William Ledyard's regiment; from June 20, 1781, three months in Colonel Canfield's regiment. It was stated that he also served on the privateer Brig. Effetis , Captain Post, master, and on other privateer vessels more or less until the close of the Revolution.
Doud Bushnell moved in 1786 from Saybrook to Shelburne, Massachusetts, from there to Cambridge, New York, and from there to Waitsfield, Vermont, where he was living in 1818.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832, at which time he was living in Waitsfield, Vermont.
See Records of Conn. then in Rev. p. 582 For spelling of Colonel Canfield's name.

In 1832 the soldier's brother, Jedediah Bushnell, a resident of Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont, aged sixty-three years, stated that he was a native of Saybrook, Connecticut, and that his parents (names not given) resided there at the commencement of the Revolution and that his father died in June in the first year of the war and his mother and family continued to reside in Saybrook. In 1832 the soldier's sister, Salome Skinner, was living in Waitsfield, Vermont, aged sixty-four years. The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the to the Administrator

18 752 INVALID.
File No. 18,752
David Bushnell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 54
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feb'y - 14, 1905 - Writ to Fred. J. Eaton. Waitsfield 1918 Feb'y 5 Heir to Mrs. H. G. Gorman 1936 May 11, List to Mr. Morris S. Barrat! J. A. C.

REJECTED
15352
P. O.
David Bushnell
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: Consolidated with , 18
Same soldier admitted File 18 752
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____

Whitbury (P.O. July 8, 1833.
Hon. S. C. Chap Sec of War
Sir At the request of Mr Bushnell of Waitsfield I return his Pension Certificate, for the pur- pose of having the spelling of the given name cor- rected. Then should be a w. instead of vi., as he spells his name David instead of David, as will be ascertained by referring to his original papers - although it is more generally read, David, than David.
The mistake was not discovered in the spelling of the given name till Mr Bushnell was about receiving vouchers for procuring his pension money in March last; and the question was then agitated whether he should obtain the money with the Certificate as it was, or first procure it altered. His friends & advisors, then all said, as he had the certificate, as it was intended for him, and as he was the intended person named & named, he could & should in all good conscience and propriety too, receive the money. He accordingly made his papers; the Certificate was copied as it is, and his vouchers signed & his name spelled as it is in his application and the money was paid up to that date. Mr Bushnell however is not satisfied with the course, and has desired me to return the certificate for amendment, and to stop the

facts as they were, concerning the payment he has received, for though it may be substantially right as it is, yet he is aware it is not formally so.
The certificate was sent to me, and lay in my hands till the 4 th day of March, when I carried it to Mr. Bushnell, who immediately disavowed the misspelling. And the grounds upon which I and the other three present supposed it would be proper for Mr. Bushnell to pursue the course he did, were, that the certificate was granted on his application and proof , was intended for & sent to him , and that the mistake in spelling the given name, was evidently one of the clerks who drew up the certificate: and if there was anything improper, as Mr. Bushnell apprehends there might be, in his claiming the money  claim , it was an error in judgment, without any wrong design. No injustice, certainly has been done.
Justice to Mr. Bushnell required that I should make the above statement.
Yours Obedient Servant
Paul Dillingham Jr.

Jedediah Bushnell's Affidavit for David Bushnell.

Jehidiah Bushnell of Cornwall in the County of Addison in the State of Vermont, sixty three years of age being sworn, depose and say, that I am a native of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut, where my Parents resided at the commencement of the war of the Revolution until the death of my Father who died in the month of June in the first year of that war. My Mother and family continued after my father's death to reside in said Saybrook and My brother Dood Bushnell (when not absent on service) was one of the family - At that time I was but a boy, and have no certain recollection of dates, But I well remember that my brother Dood (and I think it was in the year 1778 or 1779) entered the service of his Country and was stationed some of the time during said years at a Fort in the Old Parish in said Saybrook and some of the time he served as one of a guard in the west part of said Saybrook on the seashore. Afterwards he enlisted and went to New London and was stationed at Fort Mumbel. He remained there I should think about one year. I recollect his coming home to Saybrook frequently on furlough. When he left New London he went immediately to West-point. I cannot be certain as to the length of time he served at New London. I remember distinctly that he left New London but a very short time before Fort Griswold was taken and the Garrison were massacred by the British. I have a more perfect recollection of that fact from the circumstance that my mother & family supposed that West-point was a post of much greater peril & danger than New London - And the events of the campaign showing so much the reverse made a strong impression on my mind at that time - My brother Dood remained in the service stationed at West-point several months where he was very sick and when he was discharged he was scarcely able to get home on

account of ill health. I have no recollection of my brother being in the land service after he left West-point. But afterwards he served on board a privateer. Tiz the Brigs Thetis a Commissioned vessel. Captain Post master; as I believe, I recollect his sailing on board said Brig several times. And hearing him relate the dangers of the voyage on his return. The Brig was considered a very swift sailer. I believe he also sailed and served on board other privateer vessels. He was in the service on board privateer vessels more or less down to the close of the war. After the close of the war my brother David led a seafaring life for several years. He then removed to Cambridge in the County of Washington in the State of New York. And about forty years ago he removed from Cambridge to Whitefield in the County of Washington in the State of Vermont where he has resided ever since. The foregoing deposition is made at the request of said David Bushnell who either has applied or designs to apply for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
Jehielic Bushnell
State of Vermont } Addison County } ss
On this 25 July 1832 personally appeared the Rev d Jehielic Bushnell of Cornwall, who subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth - and I certify that I am well acquainted with said Bushnell, that he is a person of innumerable truth & veracity.
Testified by Joel Doolittle Justice Peace

State of Vermont, Addison County ss. I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison do hereby certify that Isaac Doolittle, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County and that his name subscribed thereto is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middlebury this 28 th day of July
1832.
Sam l . Swift Clerk

1874.8
Doud Bushnell, of Waitsfield, Washington Co. Vermont. — — —
says he served about one year in Col. Ledyard's Connecticut reg. which was not on the continental establishment. — — —
Rejected see letter to Hon: Elias Hkeyes, Stock- bridge, Windsor Co. Vermont March 7. 1823
1535 1/2

STATE OF VERMONT, Washington County, to wit.
I, Stephen Pitkin
One of the Judges of the County Court, within and for the County aforesaid, Do certify, That it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Doud Bushnell did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding Declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the Act of Congress, passed the 18th March, 1818, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War."
Given under my hand, at Montpelier this first day of April . A. D. 1818.
Stephen Pitkin Judge of W. Co. Court
And I further certify that the said Doud Bushnell is in reduced circumstances and severely in need of assistance from his country for support.
Stephen Pitkin Judge W. Co. Court
State of Vermont, Washington, ss.
I Joshua Y. Vail , Clerk of the
County Court for the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby certify that the Hon. Stephen Pitkin before whom the annexed declaration & proceedings were taken was at the date thereof to wit on the first day of April 1818 a Judge of the County Court for said County, & that his name subscribed thereto is his proper hand writing. -
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court, this 21. day of July 1821. Joshua Y. Vail Clerk

David Bushnell
1 April 1818
Exhausted April 24 1780 in boat. Ledyard Reg. of Conn. Continental cut line for one year & not the full term
David Bushnell

STATE OF VERMONT,
COUNTY OF Washington ss.
David Bushnell of Waitsfield in the County of Washington and State of Vermont being
duly sworn, doth declare, depose and say, that, on or about the twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1780 he was duly enlisted into the service of the United States, for the term of one year that he belonged to Captain Algera Shapley's Company, and Colonel William Ledyard's Regiment, of the Connecticut Line and served therein, against the common enemy, for the term of one year as a Private until hon- orably discharged at New London, Fort Trumbull April 24, 1781. — which discharge he has lost, many years since
He further deposes and says, that he is now, and ever since has been a citizen of the United States and that by reason of age & infirmity, & by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support
David Bushnell
Declared, sworn, and subscribed, by the above named David Bushnell before me at Northfield in the County aforesaid, this fifth day of April A. D. 1818.
Stephen Dithier Judge of County Court

Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING 1300 LOCUST STREET PHILADELPHIA
May 2, 1936.
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me a copy of pension claim of DOUD BUSHNELL (1762-1845). He enlisted in Saybrook, Conn. in 1780. He died in Waitsfield, Vt.
Thanking you for your courtesy in the matter, I am
Very truly yours,
Norris S. Barratt, Jr.
Norris S. Barratt, Jr. Secretary.

WALTER E. JONES, MERCHANT.
GW
Waitsfield, Vermont.
Jan 28 1905
Pension Dept
Dear Sir -
Please send me record of David Bushnell a Revolutionary Soldier enlisting from Conn.
Yours truly Fred J. Caton

Waitfield VT Apr 27, 1888
To the Hon, Commissioner, of Pensions,
Dear Sir, My Grand- father, Doud Bushnell, served in the continental navy, or on board of a Privateer , he enlisted from Connecticut, he drew a pension at the time of his death in 1845,
Now I have not got any paper to show of his being in the Revolutionary war, but suppose there must be some record of it in Washington, (or he could not have drawn a pension as I understand he did)

I wish for a copy of what record there is of his serving &c,
He lived in Waitsfield Vt at the time he was drawing his pension
If you are not the proper officer to address about this please to send me the the address of the right one
Milo A Bushnell Waitsfield Vermont

CW
Rev. War Section.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
FEB 4 1918
....., 191 .
Chief of Rev. War Section Sir:
I have this day received from Mrs. M. G. Gorman draft No. 25 for $ 100. requesting post office addresses as per letter herewith.
Insurance Dw. of return of not of money to above
Very respectfully,
Con. Campbell Chief of Division.

CW
Rev. War Section.
February 5, 1918.
Mrs. M. G. Gorman, Waterloo, Wisc.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 31 st ultimo, you are herewith furnished the record of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Doud Busanell, of Waitsfield Vt. S. File 18,752, and the twenty-five cents which you forwarded to this Bureau with your request for the same is returned as there is no fee charged for said record.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
RETURN RECEIPT.  Received from the Postmaster the Registered or Insured Article, the original number of which appears on the face of this Card.  Mrs. M. G. Gorman (Signature or name of addressee.)  Postmaster (Signature of Postmaster's agent.)  Date of delivery, 2/9 —, 1918  Form 3511  David Busanell S. 18 752  U.S. SEC. BD. OF PENSIONS FLU 13 1918
Mrs. M. G. Gorman Waterloo, Wisc.

25 ct Recd 100 100 Patuloo, Wis. Jan 31-1918 Jefferson Co.
Pension Dept. Washington. D.C.
Gentlemen: - Enclosed find five cents (25 ct) and will you kindly inform me whether Howard Bushnell a Revolutionary War era drew pension, if so will you forward me his enlistments or records by return mail. You will find his records on page 75 & 76 Martifield, Vt. - Yours Respectfully Mabel L. Gorman
Mrs M. L. Gorman

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F. 1875-2
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of David Bushnell a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1779 3 mos. Pvt Simeon Leigh William Worthington Conn.   Jan'y 1. 1780 2 mos. John Shipman William Worthington   Apr. 24 1780 1 year Adam Shapley William Ledyard   June 20. 1781 3 mos. ✓ Canfield   ✓ also served on brig Thetis , a privateer, Capt. Post master, and on other private vessels, more or less to close of war  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Saybrook Conn.
Date of application for pension, April 1. 1818. His d. d.
Residence at date of application, Wartefield, Washington Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, born May 15. 1762 at Saybrook, Conn.
Remarks:
His father died in June "the first year of the war" His name is not stated
Respectfully,
Sister Sabina Skinner Mother Jedediah