Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17283, Azariah Bill, Conn. New York.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. New York.
Bill, Azariah
S. 17283
CONTENTS
carded

25.386
Connecticut Isaac Hill of Windsor in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Woodbridge of the Regt. commanded by Col. Elmers in the Cont. line for 15. Mos 20 days
Order to pay June 23, 1837
Enrolled on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 52 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May 1834 and sent July 20th J. G. Hudson Treasurer. Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $156.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept., 26.11 $182.77
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By Albion Hudson Clerk Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 6

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th. of June 1832.
State of Connecticut, County of New London, and Probate District of Norwich ss. Norwich
On this 4 th day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before Probate Court within and for the Probate District of Norwich, Asariah Bill, a resident of the town of Lisbon, within the District aforesaid, aged 85 years, on the 15 th . day of April last past, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7 th . 1832.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States, three several terms or times, and served in the several Companies and Regiments, hereinafter stated under the following named Officers. viz.
1 st Term. On the 20 th . day of June 1775 Asariah Bill joined me, and was an inhabitant of the town of Spencertown in the State of New York, and as a private soldier enlisted into the Army of the Revolution, for the period of six months, and thereupon he immediately entered upon said service, in the Company then commanded by Capt. Joel Pratt, who was then an inhabitant of said Spencertown. The Company into which I enlisted belonged to the New York State Troops , and according to my best recollection Col. Schuyler commanded the Regiment. Our destination was Lake George and the Company marched thither under the command of Capt. Joel Pratt aforesaid, and were stationed there during my period of service. Toward the close

of this period of service I was taken sick and had a furlough to return home, on account of my disease and accordingly I went to my home in said Spencertown and within its limits again returned to the army in good health, and served therein until the period of my enlistment expired on the 25 th day of December next following my said enlistment, and was discharged verbally. Having been, in years before, a scidon, I was now employed in carrying boards and other lumber across Lake George to build the barracks, at Ticonderoga - This was soon after that fort fell into the hands of the Americans.
2 d Term of service. After the expiration of my 1 st term of service, as above related, I enlisted into the Connecticut State Troops, for the term of four months, which enlistment took place on the 1 st day of February 1776 and according to said enlistment I entered the company commanded by Capt. Fosberg. The especial object of this enlistment, was, an expedition to Canada, and in virtue of said enlistment, on the 10 th day of February 1776 I joined the Company commanded by said Capt. Fosberg, and immediately marched with said Company for Montreal and Quebec. Having stopped at Albany & there drew my pay Our Company arrived at St. Johns about the 1 st day of February 1776, where I fell in with my old commander and his company, Capt. Pratt, with whom I served my first tour. From St. Johns we proceeded to Montreal, where we remained about two weeks and from thence proceeded down the River St. Lawrence by land & on the ice to Quebec, then besieged by Col. Arnold and his forces, to which our Company was a reinforcement. The last of March 1776, the small-pox broke out in the American Camp, which disease attacked me with great severity. I was removed from the camp with others, to a small island just below Quebec, called "Orleans" where I was carried through the effects of the small-pox. Just as we were recovered

a "man of war" and two frigates, came up the River St Lawrence, filled with British soldiers for General Carlton, who was the commander of the Partisans at Quebec. These three armed vessels broke their way through the ice. On the 5th or 6th of May following, the Americans began to give up the siege and began their retreat. I was one of that body. We continued to retreat until we arrived at the River Sorel, where we met some reinforcements from the colonies. General Thompson here had the command of the part of the army in which I served. We crossed the St Lawrence at the Sorel river in the night with great care, passing the enemy's vessels which had been sent up from Quebec. Genl. Thompson was taken prisoner, but I escaped, and retired with all possible expedition to St Johns. General Sullivan conducted the latter part of this retreat. The last time that I received orders, was at the river Sorel, when he gave me in person orders to draw prisoners. I was discharged verbally and arrived home on the 30th day of May 1776, the exact day of my discharge, I cannot now remember, but verify believe it was near the 20th day of May 1776 - I do remember the day when I got home at Spencer town and that was the last day of May as above stated. After my discharge which was given me at Sorel River I went immediately to Sturminster a distance of about 260 miles. The following are some of my officers and fellow soldiers, with me when discharged! Lieut Edwards  and Ensign Banet. Subs  Ensign  Parry , were two of my company officers.

3 d Term of service.
On the 20 th day of May 1777 I enlisted as a private, into the Connecticut State Troops, for the period of six months, and immediately marched from my place of residence, Spencer-Town in the State of New York. Sargeant Pardoe enlisted me for Capt. Woodbridge's Company, in Col. Ellmer's Regiment. Lieut. Colonel Brown belonged to the same Regiment. Majr. Conforti was our Major. Immediately after my enlistment, I joined my Company and marched to Albany; The first service performed in this town, was to go as a guard with other soldiers to Fort George with 20 waggons, two men to a waggon, with powder  for the American forces for the American forces stationed there at that time. I was gone upon this expedition from Albany two weeks. At the end of that time we returned to Albany again, and soon after, our company was ordered to the Germantown Flats , (now Hoosick ) where we were all engaged and employed in building the fort at that place. Some time in the month of September
1777 we were ordered to Fort Stanwix , and immediately we took up our march for that post and remained there until the expiration of this term of service. Col. Ellmer commanded the fort ( Stanwix ) while I remained there - and at the expiration of my term of service November 20
1777 he gave me a written discharge, which I have lost many years since, and cannot now, after diligent search find the same. I received this discharge at Fort Stanwix. Lieut. Col. Brown left Fort Stanwix at the same time, and was killed on his way to Albany, by an ambush shot.

I have no documentary evidence in my possession, and I know of no person alive who served with me, in either of the foregoing Regts. I am now nearly eighty six years old, and live at a great distance from Spencertown , from whence I went when I enlisted, in all three of said towns. It may be noticed that the two last mentioned towns , I served in the State Troops of Connecticut; at that time I was not acquainted in Connecticut, having never lived there after 2 years 23 years of age  there . During the last year I have made diligent enquiry for some one of my Company, but can find none, and hereby believe they are all dead. I am very infirm and therefore am unable to seek after them personally, and cannot without great expense make further search for evidence.
Thereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Interrogatories put by the Court.
1 st Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born at Lebanon Connecticut on the 15 th day of April 1748, and removed when young to Spencertown N.Y.
2 d Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer. I have none, but my age is well known when I was alive.
3 d Where were you living when called into service? where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?

Answer. When I entered the service as aforesaid, I lived in the town of Spencertown on the east line of the State of New York. After the Revolutionary service rendered as aforesaid, I returned to said Spencertown, lived there till peace, then moved to the State of Vermont, lived there 15 years, and then moved to Glencoe in the State of Connecticut, lived there 17 years, and now live in Simsbury Connecticut.
How were you called into service, were you drafted; did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I enlisted each time.
5th. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops, when you serv'd , such continental and militia regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. I have in the body of my declaration stated my answer to this question or requirement.
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, & if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answer. Twice I was verbally discharged, and Col. Ellmer gave me a written discharge at Fort Stanwix which I have lost.
7th. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for service veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier in the revolution. Answer. Rev. Philo Judson pastor of the Church in Simsbury
sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Before me John Glyde Judge of the court of Probate
Azariah Bill

17 283 INVALID.
File No. 17 283
Ezekiel Hill
Pr. Geo. Mass
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 426
[Arrangement of 1870.]

We Philo Judson, a clergyman, residing in the town of Lisbon, and John Fuller William Lee residing in the same town of Lisbon, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the late Francis Bill, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 85 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur fully in that opinion. We further certify that the character of Francis Bill, for truth and veracity is perfectly good - that he is infirm from his advanced age, and that in our opinion his declaration of his services is true.
Philo Judson
William Lee
John Fuller
Sworn and subscribed at Lisbon this 3 rd day of December 1833 Before me Ebenezer Allen Ebenezer Allen justice of the Peace State of Connecticut, New London County, p. Dec r 4 th A D 1833. I John DeWitt, clerk of the County Court within and for the County of New London, do certify that Ebenezer Allen Esq. who has signed the foregoing certificate is a justice of the Peace for New London County the current year, and that his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the day and year above mentioned.
John DeWitt Clerk

And the said Court of Probate doth hereby declare its 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 its satisfaction that the Rev d Philo Judson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Lisbon aforesaid and that the other persons who have also signed the same certificate, with the said clergyman, are also residents in the same town of Lisbon, and that they are all credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Beate Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mariah Bill for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of December 1833
Daniel Lathrop Clerk

Washington City May 20. 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions;
Sir: Permit me to certify, that in the year 1809, I became well acquainted with Francis Bill, an applicant for a pension - for more than 20 years he has resided with me, in the same town, and has ever been deemed a man perfectly honest, and his character for veracity is unquestionable. He now resides in Lisbon adjoining the town which is my own residence. In the month of Nov r last, when returning from Albany, I traveled in the stage with Mr. Bill, when he informed me that he had been to the State of New York and the State of Massachusetts in search of witnesses to prove his services in the revolution and that he could find none alive - they were all dead.
He states in his declaration, "that during the last year "he made diligent search but could find none, and verily "believes they are all dead"
Having seen him in that search, and having helped him out and in the stage, while returning from it, and witnessed his informity as well as his very advanced age, I do believe what he states.

The long acquaintance I have had with him, confirms that belief.
Yours Ob t serv t Andrew T. Hudson
Andrew T. Hudson Esq of Canterbury, Conn t , is a gentleman well known to us - he sustains a most respectable character - & full confidence may be placed in any statements which bear his signature. May 19. 1834. -
J. M. Huntington
Lloyd Barber
Ebenezer Young

Elihu Phelps' certificate [Comptroller of Gen.] in support of the claim of Amariah Bill
force Pension
Andrew J. Jackson Esq. Cavendish Connaught
Mr. Bill's application is now on file. Put this with it.

Comptrollers Office Dec r 18 th 1833
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of the public accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify, that I have not been able to find any record of the appointment of Col. Elmore, or of the officers belonging to his regiment; or any account with him or them upon the books of this Office. E. Phelps.
N. B. Reference for information is made to the journals of the old Congress. 1776 Jan. 8 th Congress order one battalion to be raised in Connecticut for Canada.
1776 March 5 th Congress appoints Brig. Genl. Thomas to command the army in Canada & promoted him to rank of Maj. Genl. — 1776 July 29 th Genl. Wooster made report to the War Office of Col. Elmore's regiment

to the War Office, which was ordered to be transmitted to Gen. Washington, with blank commissions &c. &c. for this regiment, & John Brown was appointed 2 d Col. of Col. Elmore's Regt. — 1777 — March 15 th 2 d Col. John Brown, of Col. Elmore's Regt raised in Connecticut was accepted. —

Sir
I send my certificate that I can find no evidence regarding Col. Elmore's Regt, with references to the journal of the old Congress &c which I think sufficient.
Yours truly
O. Phelps—

28548
Archie Bill is 30. 8 1/2 application 98. 5 1/2
Lisbon New London County Connecticut 16 Dec
30867
Minute 15 Mar 120 Jy Admiral Capt. Woodbridge Col. Elmer } Flor. } Reg
170248.
Send the certificate to Andrew T. Jackson Pres. O. Cantonment to

Farmers & Mechanics Bank Pension Office Hartford 17. June 1837
Sir
Azariah Pills having neglected to apply for his pension for more than twelve months his claim is herewith enclosed and transmitted for special directions authorizing the payment. The Magistrate by whom the papers are executed has lodged in this office his official signature duly certified. I am very Respectfully
Your Obedt. Servant Sam l T. Pitkin. Agent.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington