Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12195, Abraham Bell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bell, Abraham or Abram
S. 12/195
CONTENTS
learned

Connecticut 31426
Abraham Bell of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Bell of the R.G. commanded by _____ in the Connecticut line for 21 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut. at the rate of 70 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of June 1838 and sent Hon. J. J. Wallasey Hous Rep.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $490.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 35.00
525.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book C 2 Vol. 5 Page 6
Act Col. R. Hawley Aug 4. 1838

State of Connecticut } ss. Court of Probate in & for the County of Fairfield } District of Stamford -
On this 31 st day of July A.D. 1832 personally ap- peared in open Court before Charles Haverley Judge of the Court of Probate for said District of Stamford, now sitting, Abraham Bell a resident of the Town of Stamford & the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers of Service as herein stated. viz; In March or April 1780 he cannot recollect the time pre- cisely, he enlisted in the Company of the First Guards so called in said Stamford for the term of nine months, under one Ma- thias Dowe a Lieutenant of said Company who is as the de- clarant believes now living & in the State of New York - Jesse Bell  Jesse Bell of said Stamford was then Capt. of said Compa- ny - he has been dead for several years - declarant enlisted as a private of as such served during the aforesaid term & was then verbally discharged - The service was entirely in said Stamford -
That in April or May (he believes April) 1781 he again enlisted in said Company of First Guards under said Dowe for one year of service in said Company in said Stamford for that time. He was then verbally discharged. Capt. Jesse Bell had charge of the Company during this year. During this year or about was twice engaged with the enemy who came over from Long Island (as he believes) in that part of said Stam- ford which has since been incorporated into the Town of Danbury; viz; once on the 2 nd of July on which occasion the Americans & the enemy each lost a man - afterwards on the 9 th of August on which occasion the Americans had three men killed - This was near the School house in the Swamp in Danbury. Capt. Haverley's School house was in the Town of Stamford - Declarant is not certain which - There were two divisions of the Company in different places - Declarant was in the Company during this year - The Capt. had charge of the Company during this year - During this year or about was twice engaged with the enemy who came over from Long Island (as he believes) in that part of said Stamford which has since been incorporated into the Town of Danbury; viz; once on the 2 nd of July on which occasion the Americans & the enemy each lost a man - afterwards on the 9 th of August on which occasion the Americans had three men killed - This was near the School house in the Swamp in Danbury.
That in April (as he thinks) 1782 he again enlisted in said Guards under Ensign Jonathan Curtis who is

now dead. In nine months of service in said Company in said Term I was voluntarily discharged. At this time Declarant says that said Capt. Isaac Pockwood had charge of said Company - he has been dead several years.
In the year 1780 Declarant says he was drafted into the service in the militia. He belonged to Capt. Jesse Bell's Company of Col. Beecher's Regiment - one Barlow of Reading in Connecticut was Lieutenant. There was a Capt. Curtis belonging to the same Regiment - of them was in Conn. many and the Regiment commanded by Col. Wells. - Declarant does not now recollect any other officers - was dis- charged for two months - of service that time - joined the Regiment Sept. 2nd of year 1780 - discharged Nov. 2nd of the same year - had a written discharge but since lost it. - Our service was in the neighboring town of Greenwich of in North Castle of Bedford in the State of New York. - Recollects well that while he was in this service Andre was executed as a spy.
In answer to the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department - Declarant says that he was born in said Stamford December 22nd A.D. 1762 - that he has a record of his age in a family Bible now in his possession. That he lived in said Stamford when he enlisted as before stated of has lived in the same place ever since of lives there still. That he always enlisted voluntarily of never went as a substitute. That he has above given the names of officers in service with him of of the circumstances of his service as far as they now occur to his memory - of that he refers to the Rev. Daniel Smith of said Stamford, Baptist Church of said Danien, James Wood of the City of New York of Charles Wood of Wal- kill in the State of New York as persons who know him well of can testify as to his character for veracity of their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Not knowing where to make every claim to a pension or annuity except the present of Declarant

That his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
I sworn to & subscribed the 31 st day of July 1882
Abraham Bell
John Hawley Judge
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Probate District of Stamford.
On this 31 st day of July A.D. 1882 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District, Abraham Bell of Dan- ner in said District, who being first duly sworn & then in Open Court upon his oath, says that he has always known Abraham Bell of Stamford in said District. That he believes him to be sixty nine years old. That opponent has always lived near him & that his character for veracity is good. That opponent enlisted during the Revolutionary War in the Inner Guards to be called in said Stamford (keeping State Troops of the State of Connecticut as he supposes) commanded by Capt. Jesse Bell now dead. Nathan Hovee was Lieutenant. This was in 1772 as he thinks in April. Enlisted for nine months. Then the town was. Said Abraham Bell was an enlisted soldier in said Company during the whole of the same time.
Afterwards in the Spring of 1781 opponent & said Abraham Bell again enlisted in said Guards still commanded by said Bell & Hovee for one year of both then the town was. This year we had a skirmish with the enemy in what is now called Danier - also another near the school house in which we took three men one of whom was Gideon Weed brother of this opponent. - Opponent was a sergeant in said Company.
Hezekiah Weed
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Charles Weed a resident in the town of Wallkill in the County of Orange of State of New York who being first duly sworn to the matter of fact in Open Court upon his oath says that he is a native of Stamford in Connecticut is now sixty eight years old - that he constantly resided

in said Stamford until about twenty years ago when he removed to said Wallkill. That he well knows Abraham Bell of said Stamford who has subscribed to the pre- gny Declaration - believes him to be sixty nine years old - his character for veracity is good. That in 1779 enlisted for nine months in the Company of John Grady in said Stamford commanded by Capt. Jesse Bell now dead. of North Shore Lieutenant - served out the whole time - Said Abraham served in the same Company for the same time. Afterwards in the Spring of 1781 again enlisted in the same  except that Capt. Isaac Lockwood may have been Captain that year - I am not certain whether he or Capt. Jesse Bell Grady under the same officers for one year. Said Abraham enlisted in said Company for the same term & served the term out - In this time was engaged in several Skir- mishes with the enemy, particularly one near the School house in what is now Danien in which we lost three men. Afterwards as he thinks in 1782 again enlisted in said Grady then commanded by Capt. Isaac Lockwood of said Stamford, now deceased. Jonathan Eutys was ensign - Thinks this enlistment was for nine months & believes he en- listed early in the Spring - served said term out - the enlist- ment certainly was not for less than nine months - Said Abraham was enlisted & served in the same Company for the same term - The service was in said Stamford which is now Danien was then a part of said Stam- ford.
Well recollects that said Abraham was on duty in the militia at Haverneck when his father's house was plundered & his father carried off by the British - he was absent in the militia on duty at this time, as as- sumed had thought three months, but said Abraham tells him it was only two months.
Charles Weed
Asked on the same day before said Court personally appeared James Weed of the City of New York who being only sworn according to law doth in open Court upon his oath depose & say that he is a native of Stamford.

in Connecticut of even resided there up to 1798 since which time he has resided in New York. That he well knows Abraham Bell of said Stamford who has subscri- bed & sworn to the foregoing declaration having together with his brother Charles Bell been a near neighbor of said Abra- ham Bell he resided in said Stamford - That he believes said Abraham to be sixty nine years old & that his character for veracity is good - That in the spring of 1781 before enlisted in the town guards in said Stamford for one year of service said town out of said Abraham was enlisted & served in said Company the same time - Defendant & said Abraham were in a skirmish near the school house in Danien in which we lost three men & in other skirmishes
Knows that said Abraham as he thinks in 1780 was drafted out in the militia & was absent in the service at Wormsneck where his brother Abraham Bell was taken off to Long Island of his house plundered by the British - He was absent in this service certainly for two months - I had thought it was longer but he says only two months.
Knows that said Abraham & defendant & their brothers were enlisted & served in the said town guards com- manded by Capt. Isaac Lockwood for nine months in the year 1782 - Defendant was enlisted & served in the same Company for the same term - Jonathan Gentry was ensign
James Weed
And on the same day before said Court personally ap- peared Susan A. Bell of said Stamford who being first sworn & sworn to the foregoing story upon her oath, in open court that she is seventy years of age is sister of A- braham Bell who has subscribed & sworn to the forego- ing declaration - he will be seventy years old in Nov. next - Knows that during the revolutionary war said Abraham was in service in the town guards in the years 1779, 1781 & 1782 - In 1780 Sept. 7. & my father's house in said Stamford was plundered & he taken

Off of Long Island by the British - and Abram was at this time out on a draft in the militia at Horseneck under command of Capt Josiah Bell - he was absent in the service at this time two months - can't tell exactly the time of his enlistment in the Guards but once it was for a year - for two other occasions nine months each. While he was in the guards his service was in New Hampton. God but is now 2 miles, then a part of Danbury - Josiah Bell
I swear to of subscribed by the said Abijah Weed, Charles Weed, James Weed & Jeremiah Bell res- pectively the day of year aforesaid.
Chas. H. Hildreth Judge -
No 1631. The Daniel Smith a clergyman residing in the Town of Stamford and of Ebenezer Webb residing in the same place having certi- fied that we are well acquainted with Abraham Bell who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age - that he is respected of believed in the neighborhood where he resides & have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - (Daniel Smith) Ebenezer Webb
Chas. H. Hildreth Judge -
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the in- vestigation of the matter of after putting the interrogatories be- scried by the War Department that the above named appli- cant was a Revolutionary soldier of Second as he states - and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Daniel Smith who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Stamford & opinion of that Ebenezer Webb who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place & is a credible person & that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
Chas. H. Hildreth Judge -

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Abraham Bell for a pension to his testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 18 th 20 th day of August A.D. 1832.
Samuel Lockwood Clerk
Coh 92

testimony in the neighborhood where he used to have of Holston in the neighborhood where he used to have
I certify that I will know Ezekial Weed, James Weed & Jeremiah Bell who have respectively sub- scribed & sworn to three of the foregoing depositions & that they are all credible persons of that I knew Ezekial Weed who subscribed & swore to the other three depositions of that he was in his life time & at the time of his death a credible person.
Harrison Probate Office Sept 13 th 1833
John Hardin Judge

Deborah Bell's Supplemental Occ. n
Wm. F. Hotchkiss Wm

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss. Probate District of Stamford. on this 19 th day of September A.D. 1887 before the Court of Probate in & for said District now sitting personally appeared Abra- ham Bell of Stamford in said District who being duly sworn according to law & to the best of his knowledge in open Court make the fol- lowing Declaration in addition to his original Declaration for a pension under the law of the 7 th of June A.D. 1832 he then made & forwarded in the year 1832, & now on file in the Pension Department; the date whereof he does not recollect; - That in his said original Declaration he alleged his services in the Town or Coast Guards in said Stamford during the Revo- lutionary War to have been rendered under the immediate command of Lieut. Nathan Hove who is now dead. The living when said Declaration was made - That said Hove commanded one division of the Company to which he belonged - & he be- lieves that in said original Declaration he declares or ex- presses his opinion that the said Company of Guards to which he belonged was commanded by Capt. Isaac Lockwood now dead. - he thinks also he declared when his Declaration was first drawn, as he believes it will be seen, by what has been erased therein, that said Company was command- ed by Capt. Jesse Bell, long since dead. - At all events his said Declaration as first drawn expressed what was then his recollection on the subject; of which that was will be seen by examining said Declaration, & partic- ularly the erased parts thereof - by which he means those parts which were stricken out by a pen - Afterward he was told that he was wrong in his recollection of the captains of the Company & that Isaac Lockwood was in fact the captain of the Company - as the captain, who- ever he was, commanded one division of the Company which was stationed in the village of Stamford, the division to which the declarant belonged being stationed about a mile or mile & a half to the Eastward of the village, & as the two divisions did not associate, but each did duty at or about its own station, & more es- pecially as Capt. Isaac Lockwood was much in the service in & near the village of Stamford at & about the same time, the declarant supposed on the in-

Information so given to him, (his own recollection after such a lapse of time exposing him to mistake) that Isaac Lockwood did in fact command said Compa- ny, & therefore had his Declaration altered so as to bear its present shape - He is now however told by John Dibble an old soldier of the same Company, & one who was much in service during the war of rebellion whose recollection he believes he can rely, that said 1 Isaac Bell in truth commanded said Company during the whole of the time while the declarant served in them as stated in his said original Declaration & that he therefore avers that said Bell was the captain of said Company during said time - The cause of any mistake he may have made in this respect he believes will be considered as satisfactorily shown & he begs that he may not be deprived by reason of any such mistake of the benefit which which he has long felt ought to be allowed to him for the long ser- vices which he knows of solemnly makes oath that he rendered in said Company as stated in his said original Declaration - In that Declaration of what appears upon its face he refers in corroboration of what he has hereinafter stated. The information above stated was given to him by said Nathan Howe in person or by some one who reported it to me from him - I do not now recall which - but I well know that I received such in- formation from some one upon whom I supposed I could place reliance & knew that the information came to me either directly, or second hand from said Howe - If it was in consequence of said information that I was led to suppose I might have been mistaken in my previous impressions on the subject - There was a division of said Company of Guards stationed at the Eastward of Haver, at Middletown, to which said John Dibble belonged - Adram Bell
Sworn to & subscribed in
The day of year aforesaid before me & I certify that I know the said Adram Bell to be the identical person who made the original

al and a true translation referred to -
John H. Asa Judge
I Johanna B. Ferris Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abram Bide for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 30 th day of September A.D. 1837.
J. B. Ferris Clerk

Hampton Sept. 30. 1837
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
I enclose a supplemental declaration of Abram Bell for a pension. His original application was made in 1832. It was refused because you were satisfied that he belonged to Capt. Isaac Lockwood's Co. I pre- sume he was mistaken in that respect - That Jesse Bell was his Capt. & I believe you will find that he so declared when his declaration was first drawn - The causes of his mistake you will find detailed in his supplemental de- claration & I presume you will find the account given by him to be satisfactory. It was a mistake into which under the circumstances detailed by him, he might easily have been betrayed & one which will probably, when corrected by your satisfaction interpose no obstacle to the granting of his application.
I forward also the testimony of John Dibble to be used on the application of also on those of Stephen Weed, Charles Weed & James Weed -
Respectfully your obed Servt.
Chas. Hawley

Rev. Wm
12/195 INVALID.
File No. 12,195-
Abraham Bell
Prin. Pr. wa
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Connecticut Revol
Abraham Bell Suspended
See letter
Charles Hawley
18. Oct. 1833.
See letter to Hon. Mr. Fort March 5. 1834
do do J. T. Whittelsey Oct 12 37
do do do Nov 16 "
Act 7. June '32

Rev. War.
Abraham Bell, S.F. 12, 195
~ In his affidavit executed Jan. 27, 1838, in Fairfield Co., Conn., John Dibble refers to his previous tes- timony in Abraham Bell's case; but no such testimony has been found in said case.
A.H.M.
Aug. 21/05.
~
Am

J. L. Edwards Esq.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Stanford Sept. 14, 1833
Sir
I again forward the papers of Abram Bell with such additions as will I presume obviate all objections taken - viz: The papers are duly authenticated, - the grade of Service is stated - it is shown the Service was Constant & continued of his proof as probable as satisfactory as any which have been forwarded to your Department with the exception of Documentary evidence - his services being proved by four perfectly respectable witnesses -
For the same kind of services pensions have already been granted to several whose papers went thro' this office - viz Isaac & others Stanford, The widow Bell of others Danvers - Your Department having long ago recognized the Town Guard Service as entitled to a pension under the late law -
Mr Bell's papers were as you see by the recollection, forwarded very early - they were not returned until about a week ago - He requests they may be soon recommended
Your respectful Servt
Ch. Wardlaw

Abraham Belle
13 Return this Allen 21 mo fr $70. pr. per husband Genl State Hosp Cap Bell
E. H. Hargreaves Mrs. I. F. Hargreaves A. R.

1031
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abraham Bell which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? grades not all stated VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Must appear whether service constant and during the terms stated That evidence cannot be produced

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Probate District of Stamford -
on this 27 th day of October A.D. 1887 before the Court of Probate in & for said District, now sitting, personally appeared Madderus Bell Esq. of Danien in said District who being duly sworn & to the best of his knowledge that he well knows Abram Bell of Stamford in said District of Greenwich widow of Danien aforesaid & James Weed late of said Stamford now of the city of New York & Charles Weed formerly of said Stamford now deceased. This deponent knows that in the Revolutionary War in the years 1781 & 1782 there was a company of coast guards kept up in said Stamford and which then comprised said Danien, which was commanded by Joseph Bell long since dead. & that in the year 1781 Nathan How now dead, was lieutenant of said company. & he supposes he com- manded such during the year 1782 - he knows also that said Abra- ham Bell, Hazykiah Weed, Charles Weed & James Weed were soldiers in said company, for this deponent being then in the service at a station eastward of that where said Horse was stationed has in several instances met the aforesaid persons in service in said company on occasions of alarms of matters. This was in 1781 - There were guards kept up in the same place in 1780 but de- ponent does not now recollect who their officers were. - & he has now no particular recollection of meeting them on alarms in 1782 but knows that the guards were kept up that year & that Joseph Bell was their Captain - said Bell commanded one division of said company stationed in the village of Stamford and Horse another division at the eastern near the station river. of them were and their division stationed still eastward - These guards according to deponent's recollection were kept up steadily, during the years aforesaid. Deponent's age is seventy eight years. Deponent met the persons aforesaid in service in said company, in the year 1781 on several occasions of which he knows that they were then soldiers in said company - Deponent was not in the service steadily in 1780, but served occasionally in the militia; but was in service in 1782 & may have met the aforesaid persons in service during that year but can not now recollect. In the year 1781 I well recollect from several skirmishes of this incident which occurred in that year. Said Abram, Hazykiah, Charles & James belonged to the division of said company commanded by S. Horse - I well knew said Horse. Though the last of his life that Isaac Lockwood commanded said company, but was then as I am now well satisfied that his recollection was at fault, & that said Joseph Bell was his Captain. I know

Michael Hart S d Lookwood did during S d war an Arm y and Guard in said Stamford for I have seen him in Service as such - & this very likely led S d Hove into his mistake - Said Abram, Hizkiah & James are all men of perfectly good character for truth, integrity & respectability - I have known them from my youth - I said Charles until his death I sustained an equally good character - I seem to have located the day of year a forward before me of Dec. 1781 that I will leave the disposal of that he is a creditable person
Thaddeus Bell
Chas. H. and S d Judge
and on the same day before said Court personally appeared John Clock of said Danien aged seventy nine years who being duly sworn att. on his oath testify that he well knows said Hizkiah Weed, Abram Bell & James Weed & well knew said Charles Weed. In the Revolutionary War in the year 1780 this Regiment belonged to a Company of Coast Guards in Stamford which then embraced said Danien. One Division of said Company was commanded by Lieut. Nathan How. now our Station near Noroton River. To this Division Regiment belonged & he well knows S d Hizkiah belonged to said Div. in said Guard, for they used to be in the Service together. Regiment belongs also that said Abram, James & Charles were also enlisted soldiers at the same time in said Company under said Howe, but from his great age he cannot state the fact from clear recollection - said Hizkiah has always been a near neighbor of the deponent & has been more familiar with the deponent than either of the others - Howe said Division was subdivided, one part being mostly Stationed on the East side of the Cove into which S d river empties called Noroton Neck - the other on the West side called the Pound - said Abram, Charles & James all lived on the West side of the river I believe as deponent believes Stationed at the Pound, while he & others residing on the East side of the river were Stationed at S d Noroton Neck. deponent thinks the enlistments were for a year at a time but his recollection will not now enable him to state with certainty - I cannot now state certainly who was the Capt. of S d Company, for he commanded a Division of S d Company Stationed in the village of Stamford of we saw very little of them - I well knew Issac under Capt. Jesse Bell in the Guard Service during said war, but cannot now assert whether he commanded said Guard, in 1780 - I also served in the same Guard, in the year 1781 till July when said others were taken Prisoner by the British of Stamford,

was parolled & served no more - S d Kyrkbride still up to that time - I believe S d Abram, Charles & James, belonged to S d Guards under S d Horse of S d Continentals & did along after that - our enlistment began in the early part of the year but I cannot now give the day nor the month - I always considered S d Kyrkbride, Abram, Charles & James men of her- ofly good standing for truth & respectability.
Sworn to & subscribed } the day & year above. } S d before me & I cer- } John Cook tify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person.
Chas. H. Candler Judge
and on the same day before said Court personally appeared Wil- iam Waterbury of said Danien aged seventy five years who be- ing only sworn as to his oath testified that he well knows S d Kyrkbride, Abram, Charles & David & S d Charles - In the year 1788 I well knew S d Abram belonged to & was in the public service against the enemy in a division of a company of coast guards under the immediate Com- mand of Lieut. Nathan Hovey now deceased. Who the Capt. of the Co. was I cannot state. I know S d Abram belonged to S d guards for I have seen him in interview with them & have been in guard with him in what is now Danien. tho' I did not belong to S d division - I cannot state what the periods of his enlistment were - but the ordinary periods of enlistment were nine months or twelve months - In regard to the servi- ces of S d Kyrkbride & Charles & James I have no particu- lar recollection & indeed my memory is very much impaired in regard to the incidents of those times - They all have ever I noticed perfectly good character for truth & res- pectability - Sworn to & subscribed the } William Waterbury day & year above said J. D. } Certify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person.
Chas. H. Candler Judge
and on the 28 th day of said October personally appeared before said Court Benjamin Wood of said Danien aged seventy eight years who being duly sworn testified that he well knows I always has known S d Abram, Kyrkbride & James I well knew S d Charles - I was in the regular army until some time in 1780 I after that was very familiar with a company of coast guards in Danien & served

one division of which was stationed near Morolon River under the command of Lieut. Nathan Horne who was dead. - I will know that said Abram, Azariah, James of Charles were enlisted to be guards and guards of said duty therein according to my recollection this the years 1781 or 1782 - as to their services therein in 1780 I do not know for I have no recollection particular of having much knowledge of said Company in that year - I myself served with said guards repeatedly in the year 1781 or 1782 - but I cannot give now any particulars of the engagements, or the terms of service, as my memory has become very frail - nor can I state who the Captain was with certainty but I know I used to understand that Capt. Jesse Bell who was dead had command of the Company - The Captain however had a division of the Co. stationed in the village of Stanton if we did not see them in the service as our station was more than a mile from them - I know too that Isaac Lockwood who used to have charge of guards in said Stanton some part of the war - I will know the fact of said Abram, Azariah, Charles & James being in the service in said guards from seeing them in service & being in service with them - I cannot now state from my recollection with certainty that I never belonged to said guards; it may be that I served with them as I have stated, because in consequence of the state of the country I was in subsistence at home & kept with said guards for greater safety - Those who were active on the whig side were frequently shot by the Tories at their homes in the region bordering on the lines - I was in the preparation of the war in the Continental Service - I always considered the character of the above named persons perfectly good for truth - said Horne had the immediate command of said guards during all the time aforesaid - I believe he of said guards were in service there during the year 1780 -
Sworn to I subscribed the day of year aforesaid of I certify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person.
Benjamin Weed
Ch. H. Hildreth Judge -

And on the same 28 th day of October before said Court personally appeared Abraham Seeds of said Stamford aged seventy six years who being duly sworn with testimony that he will know of always has known said Abram, Hephzibah & James of said kindred and Charles. I will know they were all members of a company of Court guards in the revolutionary war in 1780 or 1781. They were They belonged to a division of said company commanded by Lieut. Col. John Howe since Dec. of Station near Norton River. I did not belong to said guards but know they did for I used to see them in service therein very frequently as I lived within a mile of their Station & had very frequent opportunities of seeing them. I was on the ground where a skirmish was fought near the School house in said Danvers immediately after the skirmish I saw on the ground three men who were killed in the skirmish - said guards were in that skirmish of I saw all these four persons above named there among the rest - one of the men killed was a brother of said Hephzibah. These guards were killed steadily up during the years I have named under the command of said Howe. Col. Bell since Dec. was the Capt. of said Company of which Station with a division of the Co. in the village of Stamford, distant about a mile of a half from my residence & I used to see him in the village. I think S o Jesse commanded S o guards during all the time aforesaid. I know Capt. Isaac Lockwood and company guards in Stamford some part of the war, but think S o Bell had charge of the guards above spoken of as I very well recollect said Hephzibah was a Sergeant in said guards during the time aforesaid - all the persons aforesaid lived near me, said Hephzibah within a mile of a greater of the others within a mile. They are all persons of entirely good character & truth & integrity. I never heard a word against either of them.
Abraham Seeds
Sworn to & subscribed to day of year aforesaid
I certify that I know the deposition of that he is a credible person The witness having been re-sworn after the erasure in the 7 th line - John Howland Judge

State of Connecticut } p. Probate District of Stamford County of Fairfield } On this 24 th day of January 1838 before the Court of Probate in the said District now sitting personally appeared John Dibble who has heretofore testified on Abram Bell's applica- tion of being duly sworn testifies that the service of said guards was not occasional, but steady service in guarding the shore under regular enlistment such as commanded the whole attention of the guards. I presented them fol- lowing any regular civil pursuit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & I do hereby certify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person - John Dibble
Chas. Hawley Judge
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Benjamin Weed who has testified already on the applica- tion who being duly sworn testifies that the service of said guards was steady service in guarding the shore under a regular enlistment of such as continental soldiers on the same station would have rendered. Said guards being regularly embodied for that purpose. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & I do hereby certify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person - Benjamin Weed
Chas. Hawley Judge
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Thaddeus Bell Esq who has heretofore testified on the applica- tion who being duly sworn testifies that the service of said guards was steady service in guarding the coast requiring the whole time of attention of said guards of such as conti- nental soldiers on that station would have rendered - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & I do hereby certify that I know the deponent of that he is a credible person - Thaddeus Bell
Chas. Hawley Judge

On Abram Bell's Application
Wm J. J. Whittier W.R.
Joshua B. Ferris Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the re-hearing application of Abram Bell Herewith used Charles Mead (now deceased) & James Mead in proceedings. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28 th day of October A.D. 1837.
Joshua B. Ferris Clerk

JOSEPH CONRON 40 TENTH AVE. NEW YORK
March 24, 1927.
Record & Pension Bureau, War Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
I would like you to kindly let me have a copy of whatever record you have of Abraham Bell, a relative of mine, who was a private in Captain John Crawford's Co., Colonel James Converse Regiment, and enlisted in July 1777.
Thanking you, I am,
Yours very truly,
Raymond Dyer Conron
19 East 93rd Street, New York, N. Y.
no use this to answer has come one here been here + may want copies for abook