Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12158, Abner Beckwith, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
bonni
Beckwith Abner
S 12158
barded
CONTENTS

3836
Abner Beckwith
 1 — 9 months  2 — 20 do  3 — 1 "  4 — 9 "  5 — 4 "  6 — 3 " 
Whole — Proof — 28 months
1 Peter Pierson Depr Gwendolyn Ely — " Joseph Gillet "
2 Seth Smith " Richard Chadwick App
3 Peter Pierson Depr Elvira Way — "
4 Solas Champlin Depr — App: Lathrop App Rich Chadwick Depr — App: — "
5 His own statement Martin Huntley Samuel Fisher —

State of Connecticut New London County } ss Lyme Probate District of Lyme }
On this open Court sixth day of August personally appeared in before the Court of Probate for the District of Lyme now sit- ting in the Court County of New London - District of Lyme Abner Pecksmith a resident of the Lyme Probate District, County, and State aforesaid, aged 74 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 A D 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein sta- ted.
1. That in February 1776 in the Town of Lyme aforesaid he enlisted into Captain John Ely's Compa- ny in Colonel Erastus Wells Regiment for the term of nine months and served in said Company until the last day of November of the same year a period between 9 and 10 months. After his enlistment he was marched with his Company to New London and stationed at Fort- Trumbull and continued there until the month of August following. At that time orders came for a part of the militia to march to New York and join General Washington's Army. His Company and Captain Ely's Company volunteered to go. They were marched to West Chester and joined General Washington's Army and continued with it and under his command until the last of November when on account of sickness he was released on furlough until his term of service expired. Which furlough was granted a few days before his term did expire. Captain Martin Hoxland wrote his fur- lough by order of Colonel Ely. Whether he has lost.

his furlough or gave it to some person, some years ago to be used in getting a pension for this deponent he is unable to say. The deponent was in no battle as he now recollects but was in a number of skirmishes. The prin- cipal battle was at White Plains. The furlough was grant- ed to this deponent at North Castle in New York State. When the deponent first enlisted John Ely was Captain Martin Kirtland was Lieutenant, Nathan, Second Lieu- tenant and Asriel Ely was Ensign of the Company. Colonel Erastus Mott was Colonel of the Regiment. In August Captain Ely was promoted to the office of Major of the Regiment and shortly afterward was made a Colonel. Lieutenant Kirtland was then appointed Captain of the Company. He knew General Green, General Ror, General Putnam General McCougal of the Continental Army and many other officers. Peter Pierson of Lyme aforesaid enlisted with him and ser- ved the same time that deponent did and was a messmate of deponent during the time of his ser- vice except a short time when the deponent was in the hospital at Stamford and can testify to his service. He recollects no other member of said Company living in said Lyme now surviving whose testimony he can obtain. Whether any of said Company that belonged to other troups are now living except Lebbeus Chapman of Saybrook a blind man the deponent is unable to say. Martin Hunley of said Lyme was at the White Plains a part of the time deponent was there  can  testify to his service . The deponent also thinks that Abel Hunley of said Lyme was there a part of the time but cannot positively testify that he was

The deponent must in the first part of the month of February January 1777 at Lyme aforesaid enlisted into Captain Lee Lays, Company in Colonel Lysar's Troop's Regiment for the term of two months and served the full term of his enlistment. Captain Lays, Company was stationed at Fort Trumbull in New London. John Griffin was first Lieutenant William  and he says Daniel Dorr, Second Lieutenant and Andrew  Daniel Heale Ensign of said Company. During that period he was detached from that Company to go to Long Island under Lieutenant Daniel White of the Continental Army. Three whole boats were manned with detachments from his Company and another Company and were absent about eight days and took one sloop and a British sutler and carried them to Saybrook ferry. After that, deponent returned to New London and there finished his term of service. The deponent does not recollect any one belonging to that Company who is now living except the deponent's brother Thomas Beckwith who lives in Patapsco in the State of New York, and Seth Smith Esquire who now lives in said Lyme and was a sergeant of the Company and served the same time deponent did, and can testify to his service at that time. The deponent was discharged by Colonel Shrop at New London but no written discharge was given — Richard Chadwick as a volunteer of said Lyme was in the expedition with him to Long Island and can testify to his service —

The deponent next in the fore part of the month of March 1777 enlisted into Captain Abel Hall's Company at Lyme aforesaid for the term of one month and served the said term out. Colonel Jonathan Saltonstall had command of the Regiment. The Company was marched to Proton and repaired to Proton Fort. Colonel Sedgwick who was afterwards killed in the Fort was at that time a Major of the Regiment and had the immediate command of the Company at the fort. Peter Pierson was with this Deponent during said term and served the same time Deponent did and can testify to his service. The deponent's said brother Thomas Beckwith also served with him. The deponent does not now recollect any other living witnesses of his service during that period. He was discharged by Colonel Saltonstall in Proton fort.

The deponent next in the month of April 1777 at Lyme aforesaid enlisted into Captain Nathan Palmer's Company in Colonel John Ely's Regiment and served from that time to the 1st of January 1778 a period of about nine months and was then honourably discharged by Ensign Prout at Lyme aforesaid. The deponent went with his Company in the expedition to Rhode Island and was absent about six or seven weeks and was there when the news of Burgoyne's defeat reached them. His Company after that went to Norwalk and from thence crossed to Long Island and a part of the forces with two Colonels were captured by the enemy. The Company was principally employed as a guard upon Long Island Sound. Nathan Palmer was Captain, Richard Chapman and John Shipman were Lieutenants and John Prout was Ensign and Richard Chadwick was orderly Sergeant of the Company. Colonel John Ely was Colonel and Colonel Prout was Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment. ——— Seth Miner, Silas Champlin and Richard Chadwick the orderly Sergeant of the Company in which the deponent served, all of said Lyme served in said Company during the the whole time deponent did and can all testify to his service. Colonel Webb's Regiment was with Colonel Ely's in the expedition to Long Island and both of them were taken ——— Colonel Webb belonged to the Continental line —

From the first day of January 1778 to the fall after the burning of New-London in 1781 the Regiment was belonged to the Company of Militia commanded at first by Josephus Bushnell afterwards by Edward Thompson  Southwick and finally by Manasseh Seeh in said County - and during that period was frequently called out upon alarms at New-London and frequently staid there two and three weeks at a time and sometimes shorter periods. The Company was located so near that it was frequently called out upon alarms at New-London - The Regiment in consequence of the long period of time that has elapsed since his service is unable to state precisely how long he served in each of those periods but according to his best recollection he served not less than four months - Deacon Samuel Hinker and Warton Huntley belonged to the same Company and know that he frequently served on those occasions as can testify to it. They were both called out and served with him at New-London - a few

In the Spring after New London was burnt - viz in April 1782 the Respondent at Lyme aforesaid enlisted on board a spy boat, formerly a whale boat commanded by Captain Oliver Comstock and continued to serve until about the middle of July following when Captain Comstock was wounded. There were seven men belonging to the boat. Captain Comstock was regularly commissioned by Governor Trumbull Governor of Connecticut. They were not employed the whole of the time in cruising the Sound but were held in constant readiness to go whenever they were ordered and whenever they returned to New London were required to make a regular report of their discoveries. The employment was peculiarly hazardous. Several of the men were wounded and Captain Comstock very severely. He belonged to this boat more than three months. They captured a sloop during the time, and carried her to New London where she was condemned & sold.
The respondent was born at Lyme aforesaid on the second day of September 1757, and has always lived there. He knows of no record of his age except in his family bible. He lived in Lyme aforesaid when he was called into service and served as above stated as a Volunteer except when he was drafted but never was a substitute. He does not recollect the names of any other officers except those above mentioned. He knows of no written discharge being given to him and has no documentary evidence of his service. He is known to

to the Honorable Matthew Grewed, Moses Mearns Esq. Seth Smith Esq., the Judge of Probate and many of the inhabitants of the Town of Lyme who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his having been a soldier of the Revolution — He knows of no other evidence of his service except as above stated — and served during the periods aforesaid as a private. —
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state — In witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand the day and year aforesaid. Abner Buttrick

We Herman L. Waile a clergyman residing in the town of Lyme County of New London and State of Connecticut and John M. Rogers residing in the same Town of Lyme hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abner Peck with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Herman L. Waile, John M. Rogers
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 Herman Waile who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Lyme aforesaid and that John M. Rogers who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Lyme aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit Joel Soames Judge of the Probate Court for Lyme District Joshua H. Warner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Lyme aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Peck with for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Court Probate this 6 th day of August - A D 1832 Joshua Warner Clerk
through by order of Colonel Ely. (Whether he was Test.)

Connecticut 9325.
Abner Beckwith of Lyme in the State of Conn. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ely of the Regt. commanded by Col. Woodstock in the Militia line for
21. months Conn. Records completed July 26/05
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 70. Dollars 62 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Rate of Pension issued the 4. day of May 1833. and sent to M. Waite - Lyme Ct.
4th of March 33. 140. 00 Balance ending 4 Sept. " 35. 00 $ 175. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Wm. T. Brainerd Clerk, 34 Page 4.
1886 Augt 9 - Paul Beckwith present to take history

I hereby certify that Henry M. White before whom the annexed depositions of Abner Peckwith Gordon Ely Peter Pierson Seth Smith Elisha May Seth Miner Joseph Lathan Silas Champlin Richard Chadwick and Martin Hunt and Samuel Tinker were taken is and at the times when said depositions were taken was a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of New-London and State of Connecticut - duly appointed commissioned and qualified and that the signatures to the certificates upon said depositions are in his own hand writing.
And I further certify that Joshua R. Warren before whom the annexed deposition of Joseph Gillet is taken is and at the time when said deposition was taken was a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of New-London and State of Connecticut duly appointed commissioned and qualified and that the signature to the certificate upon said deposition is in his own hand writing.
City Washington DC Jany 13. 1833 }
William L. Stone M.C.

State of Connecticut 3 rd Lyme December 18 th 1882 County of New London
Personally appeared affirmed before me the undersigned, a justice of the Peace for the County of New London in said State of Connecticut, Abner Burkinwith of Lyme in said County of New London, who being duly sworn, affirmeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear more positively than he has done in his de- claration as to the precise length of service, but according to his best recollection and belief he served not less than twenty eight months as a private. That he is very confident and can positively testify that he served not less than two years and including on the time he was employed on the ship boat for said service he claiming a pension and sworn and subscribed the day of Abner Burkinwith year aforesaid
Before me
Henry M. White Justice of Peace

December 11, 1924.
Bertha E. Malone, 81 Waverly Ave., Detroit, MICH.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12158 , it appears that Abner Beckwith was born at Lyme, Connecticut, September 2, 1757, and lived there when he enlisted and served as a private in the Connecticut Troops as follows:
From February 1776, nine months in Captain John Ely's Company, Colonel Erastus Wolcott's Regiment.
From January 1777, two months in Captain Lee Lay's Company, Colonel Dyar Throop's Regiment.
From March 1777, one month in Captain Abel Hall's Company, Colonel Jonathan Latimer's Regiment.
From April 1777, nine months in Captain Nathan Palmer's Company, Colonel John Ely's Regiment.
During 1778, four months in Captains Josephus Bushnell, Edward Chapman and Manasseh Leech's Companies.
From April to July 1782, on board a spy boat, under Captain Oliver Comstock.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, while living at Lyme, Connecticut. He died December 14, 1834.
It is not stated whether he was married.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

1909 Jan. 7 Hist. to Mrs. Arthur M. Clark 1909 Feb. 20 Mrs. A. M. Clark that, etc. of service was sent to her Jan. 1909 1924 Nov. 5 Hist. to J. M. D. Newark. aw.
1924 Dec. 11 - Hist. to Bertha E. Malone - Let in cl., S. 18358, Roswell Beckwith, um
Reborn
12.158
✓ INVALID.
File No. 12, 158
Almer Beckwith
Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. a , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Gordon of Fort Haddam in Middlesex County formerly of Gordon Ely of Lyme in the County of New London and state of Connecticut aged 72 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Abner Brainerd of said Lyme - I lived in said Lyme until about twelve years ago - In the first part of the year 1776, I cannot state precisely the month but I know it was early in the year. My brother Ga- briel Ely then of said Lyme enlisted into Captain John Ely's Company in Colonel Ebenezer Doolittle's Regiment for the term of nine months - At the time of his enlistment he lived at home with me at my father's. The said Abner Brainerd & Peter Pierson of said Lyme both enlisted at the same time he did in the same Company and for the same term. and they all then continued to serve in said Company the term of nine months - The Company was at first stationed at Fort Trumbull in said New London and continued there until some time in the sum- mer when there was a call for the Militia to go to New York and join General Washington's army. - Capt Ely paraded his Company and told his men if they were willing they would go to the State of New York and assist the American Army, and if any man was unwilling to go, he might be placed in Captain Shipley's Company - Every man of his Company, except two Jonathan Haynes and David Camp volunteered to go - and went to the

the state of Connecticut New York and there served until their term of nine months expired and they were dismissed - She said Brooks with a friend were both neighbors of mine - and I knew them well - While they were at New London I went several times @ New London @ see them and slept in the barracks with them and my brother - At the time they volunteered to go @ the White Plains they also drafted to go there, but having met my self was prevented from going - My brother returned from the White Plains with the camp equipment and I also understood at the time that the said Brooks was also with them - They were in actual service the whole nine months Gordon Ely
State of Connecticut County of New London I ss Lynde December 27th 1892 Personally appeared before me Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace for New London County Gordon Ely and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace -

I Peter Pierson of Lyme in the County of New-London (and State of Connecticut) aged 76 years on oath affirm and say that I am well acquainted with Abner Beebe of said Lyme. We were both born (and brought up in said Lyme. — In February 1776 I enlisted into Captain John Ely's Company for the term of nine months (and served in said Company more than said nine months — The said Abner Beebe enlisted into same Company at the same time I did (and served in it with me between nine & ten months — We were discharged the latter part of November 1776. We were mess-mates the whole time we belonged to the Company, except a short time when he was in the hospital at Stamford — The Company was in actual service the whole time in the Revolutionary War — Captain Ely the latter part of the time was Colonel of the Regiment (and Captain Kirtland took the Command. He was previously a Lieutenant. The Company was at first stationed at Fort Mifflin at New London (and continued there until the month of August following, when we went to the State of New York (and there joined General Washington's army (and continued with it, until we were dis- charged at New Castle in the State of New York. In March 1777 the said Abner Beebe (and

myself enticed into Captain Abel Hall's Comany in Col Latimer's regiment stationed at Grotton Fork for the term of one month and served our time out there - The Comany was in actual service the whole month - Colonel Ledgard who was after- wards killed in the fort was I think at that time a Major and had the near immediate command of the Companies at Grotton Fork - We were both discharged at Grotton Fork at the end of the month - I believe I was drafted for that for- but cannot say whether the (mis) Abner was drafted or enlisted, but I know we both served there that month -
Peter Pearson
State of Connecticut To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting County of Litchfield ss Personally appeared Peter Pearson (and before me subscribed and made oath to the foregoing dep- osition - And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person J Bruns No. Wails Justice of Peace

Joseph Gillet of Lyme in the County of New- London and State of Connecticut aged 76 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Abner Beckwith of said Lyme. In the month of September 1776 I was ordered to go to I was ordered to go to the White Plains in the State of New-York to serve the term of three months in Capt. Mather's Company. Capt. Mather being absent at the time Daniel Lord the Ensign took the command. Rich- ard Ransom was Lieutenant. I think Colonel Ely was Colonel of the Regiment but I am not positive. While I was there I recollect seeing Abner Beckwith of said Lyme in. He was not in the company I was but I distinct- ly recollect seeing him. On account the long time which has elapsed since I cannot state concerning his services but I should think any  what deposition he may make con- cerning his services would be strictly true. Joseph Gillet
State of Connecticut } County of New-London } to Lyme Jan'y 7 A.D. 1833
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Joseph Gillet and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person
Joshua Warren Justice of Peace

I Seth Smith of Lyme in the County of New-London and state of Connecticut in oath before and say, that I am now 79 years of age. — That I am well acquainted with Abner Buxsmith of the Lyme — That soon after I left Captain Samuel Mathews Com- pany at Fort Trumbull in New-London in December 1776 then drafted or  he enlisted as a sergeant into Capt Lee Lacy's Company stationed at Fort Trumbull for the term of two months and served the term out at Fort Trumbull — The said Abner Buxsmith was a private in the same company and served the same time I did, that is he served two months — John Griffin and Daniel Loder were the Lieutenants of the Company and Dan- iel Hall was an Ensign — I performed the duty of orderly sergeant — I am unable to state the precise time I entered into Capt Lacy's company but think it was soon after I left Capt Mathews Company — Col. Ebenezer Doolittle had command of the Regiment —
Seth Smith
State of Connecticut } ss Lyme December 25, 1832 County of New London } Personally appeared before me before me Henry M. Justice of the Peace Waite for County of New London Seth Smith and sub- scribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace

I Elisha Way of Lyme in the County of New London and state of Connecticut, aged 76 years on oath depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Abner Packard of said Lyme. We were both born in said Lyme in the same year and have ever since lived there - In the fore part of the month of March 1777 I was enlisted for the term of one month, to serve in Captain Abel Halls Company in Col- Latimer's Regiment in Groton fort in the Town of Groton in said state - and served the month out in said Company in said Fort - The said Abner Packard joined the Company at the same time I did and served the whole month with me in said Company - and was my room mate while in the fort - Colonel Ledyard who was afterwards killed in the fort had the immediate command of the Company there - We were discharged at the expiration of the month at Groton - We were during that month in the service of the United States - Elisha Way

State of Connecticut County of New London } ss by me December 21 st 1832 Personally appeared before me Henry M. Waite Justice of the Peace for New London County and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing dep- osition. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace —
State of Connecticut

I Seth Miner of Lyme in the County of New London (and) State of Connecticut, a Revolutionary veteran, aged 74 years in oath depose (and) say that I am well acquainted with Abner Bunkerth of (said) Lyme - We were both born in (said) Lyme (and) have ever since lived there - About the first of January 1777 I entered into Captain Nathan Holman's Company for the term of one year (and) continued to serve in it until the first of January following - The (said) Abner Bunkerth as near as I can now recollect entered the Company on the first of April 1777 (and) continued to serve in it until the end of the year. He was a private - The Company was originally raised to guard the sea coast upon Long Island sound, but in the latter part of the year was in the expedition to Long Island under General Sarray - The (said) Bunkerth was with us in that expedition - The Company was in actual service the whole year - According to my but recollection the (said) Bunkerth served in the Company nine months -
Seth Miner
State of Connecticut
County of New London Gss Lyme December 13 th 1832
Personally appeared before me Henry McVate a justice of the peace for New London County both known (and) subscribed (and) made oath to the foregoing deposition - And I certify that the deponent is a credible person
Henry McVate justice of peace

State of Connecticut } ss Lyme December 13- 1832 County of New London }
I Joseph Barkthwaite of Lyme in the County of New London (and) State of Connecticut aged 75 years on oath depose & say that I am well acquainted with Abner Barkthwaite of (said) Lyme - I served twelve months in the year 1777 in Captain Sa- thran Holmes Company, raised to guard the sea coast. I belonged to that part of the company stationed in (said) Lyme - The (said) Abner Barkthwaite served nine months in (said) Company - He entered about the first of April & continued to the end of the year - He was a private. Given & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
Joseph Lathan
Henry M c Waite Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } ss Lyme County of New London }
Be it remembered that on this day of December 13 th 1832 before me Henry M c Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came Seth Miner and subscribed and made oath to the former of the two foregoing depositions, and also personally came Joseph Lathan and subscribed and made oath to the latter of the two foregoing depositions. And I certify that both deponents are personally known to me and are credible persons.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal
Henry M c Waite Notary Public

I Silas Champlaine of Lyme in the County of New London and state of Connecticut aged 74 years on oath de- pose and say that I am well acquainted with Abner Bicknell of said Lyme — On the first day of January 1777 I enlisted for the term of one year in Captain Nathan Dalmey's Company in Colonel John Ely's Regiment in the Connecticut Line, and continued to serve in that Company until the first of January following — The Company was originally raised for the defence of the sea board upon Long Island sound — In the latter part of the year it was ordered to Nor- walk and there with the rest of the Regiment which was joined by Col- Tracy's Regiment, both Regiments un- der the command of General M'Henry. The two Regiments then embarked on board four vessels to cross to Long Island for the purpose of capturing a fort there — The vessels were separated and the two Colonels and a part of the men were taken by the enemy and carried to New York — I will recall that the said Bicknell was a private in the same Company and was with us in the expedition to Long Island — Before we went there a part of the Company was stationed in the eastern part of Lyme, while I was in the

western part. - In consequence of that I was less acquainted with the eastern part of the Company than I was with those that were constantly with me. During that circumstance I am unable to say at what precise time he entered or how long he served - but I know he belonged to the Company and was with us in the expedition to Long Island.
Silas Champlin.
State of Connecticut } ss Lyme
Be it remembered that on this day 7 of December AD 1832 before me Henry M. Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came Silas Champlain and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
In testimony whereof I set my hand and have hereunto set my hand and offered my official seal
Henry M. Waite Notary Public
State of Connecticut } ss Lyme December 7 - 1832
Personally appeared Silas Champlain and before me subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the deponent is a credible person. Henry M. Waite Justice of the Peace

I Richard Chadwick of Lyme in the County of New-London (and) state of Connecticut aged 76 years on oath depose (and) say that I am well acquainted with Abner Bickwith of (said) Lyme. — We were both born (and) brought up in (said) Lyme. Some time during the Revolutionary War I cannot state precisely the time, an expedition was made to Long Island under the command of Lieutenant Barill Waite. — It consisted of twenty one men in three whale boats, — I entered as a volunteer. — We crossed Long Island sound (and) captured at Long Island a sloop (and) brought her to Connecticut River — Lieutenant Waite at that time belonged to the United States army under General Israel H. Denny. The (said) Abner Bickwith was one of the men that went with us in that expedition. I think this expedition was before I enlisted into Captain Palmer's company —
On or about the first day of April 1777 I enlisted into Captain Nathan Palmer's Company of Guards in Colonel John Ely's Regiment in the Connecticut line (and) continued to serve in that company until the first of January 1778. — I served as orderly sergeant of the company. — The (said) Abner Bickwith entered about the same I did, (and) served, until we were dismissed in the January following — I cannot state precisely the day he entered

but believe it was the first of April - I am confident it was in the month of April 1777 that he entered - (and according to my best recollection he served nine months at that time - He was with the Company in the expedition to Rhode Island (and also to Savannah. - The Company was prin- cipally employed as a guard when Long- Island Sound. He served as a private - This service was in the Revolutionary War - Richard Chadwick
State of Connecticut County of New London ss Syme
Be it remembered that on this day of Decem- ber A 1832 before me Henry M c Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came Richard Chadwick and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and offered my official seal.
Henry M c Waite Notary Public
State of Connecticut County of New London ss Syme Dec 6 - 1832
Personally appeared Richard Chadwick and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition before me. And I certify that the deponent is a credible person - Henry M c Waite Justice of Peace

I Martin Huntley of Lyme in the County of New-London (and) State of Con- necticut aged 81 years in oaths depose (and) say That I am well acquainted with Alvan Bicknell of (said) Lyme (and) know that he frequently served at Nutmidden in times of alarm - we both belonged to the same Militia Company for a considerable time, (and) when danger was appre- hended at Nutmidden as the enemy was in possession of Long Island, (and) Long Island Sound, the militia was frequently called out to man- man until the danger was in some meas- ure over we sometimes remained longer times (and) some times shorter periods - but I know that the (said) Bicknell spent considerable time in their tours of duty -
Martin Huntley

State of Connecticut } ss Lyme December 21 1832 county of New London,
Personally appeared before me Henry M. Waite Justice of the Peace for New London county, Martin Huntly and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition And certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace

I Samuel Tinker of Lyme in the County of New-London (and) State of Connecticut aged 80 years on oath depose (and) say that I am well acquainted with Abner Peckwith of said Lyme - (and) know that he was frequently called upon to serve at New-London (and) places adjacent in the time of the Revolutionary War - I heard his application read before the Court of Probate in the District of Lyme in which he stated that from the first of January 1778 to the fall after the burning of New-London in 1781, he served at different times in New-London not less than four months - From my knowledge of his service during that period, I have no hesitation in saying that my full belief is he served as much as that time within those periods - I was frequently with him in service at New-London. We both lived so near New-London that we were frequently called upon to serve there -
Samuel Tinker
(and) came to see you -

State of Connecticut } ss Lyme December 21 1892 County of New London } Personally appeared before me Henry M. Waite Justice of the Peace for the County of New London Samuel Tinkham and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace

Lyme Conn. April 27 1833
Sir
Enclosed are the papers of Abner Dacksmith, with an explan- atory deposition. — As soon as his case can be decided he wishes it may be done — He is very impatient —
He trusts that he will be allowed for two years service but submits his case as it is —
Respectfully Yours &c
Henry M. Wait

State of Connecticut
County of New-London 3 rd June April 22. A.D. 1833
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace for the County of New-London aforesaid, Abner Bunkerith, who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that in the year 1776 he served more than nine months in Captain Ely's Company - but having enlisted only for nine months - and not being able to specify the length of time that he served only the nine months he claims - only to be allowed for the service of nine months in that term of service - He also served twelve months in the three next terms of service - making a service prior to January 1778 of twenty-one months -
He is unable to specify the precise periods that he served from January 1778 to the fall of 1781 - He however recollects serving four weeks in Captain Edward Chapman's Company in Colonel Jonathan Latimer's Regiment he believes in the year 1780, in the summer season, in hot weather, but having had no indorsement until later to lay up in his mind, the precise terms of these short periods of service, they have gone from his recollection - He however believes he served in the whole four months - This is all the information he can give upon the subject - If he cannot be allowed for this service

he must be content. To be allowed for his other services — He also served three months in the year 1782 on board the Ship boat as stated in his declaration — His service prior to the year 1778 and his service in the Ship boat without any allowance for the service from 1778 to 1782 amount to 24 months. and he submits to the Commission whether he ought not to be allowed for the 24 months —
He however is unable to give any more information than he has done & submits his case to be decided when the testimony produced — Honor Beckwith from and subscribed this 22 nd day of March 1833 —
Before me
Henry M. Wait Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Henry M. Watts before whom the annexed deposition of Abner Cook with was taken, was at the time of taking the same, (and ever since has been,) a Justice of Peace for the County of New- London, duly appointed commissioned and sworn, and that the certificate to the same is genuine in his own hand writing.
Dated Gt. 25 th April 1833
Henry M. Watts

Mr E.W. Morgan,
Chief Clerk,
Pension Bureau,
My dear Mr Morgan:
I am very desirous of pulling thro' the papers of an applicant for membership in Society of the Sons of the Revolution by the 15 th inst, but lack all the data necessary. The soldier's name is Abner Beckwith, pensioned, so advised, from New London Co. Conn., placed on the rolls in May 1833. He was born in Lynde Conn sometime in 1850 or 1860, but have no record of birth marriage or date of death. We need all the record especially family data, we can get. I will appreciate your prompt attention in

behalf of an old retired clerk of the Bureau.
Yours very truly,
J. M c Dowd Stewart
1922 H. St. N.W.
Nov. 3 rd 1924 City.

Putnam, Conn. Feb. 22, 1909.
Department of the Interior,
War Department,
Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly give me the record of the service of Abner Beckwith who was in the Revolutionary war from Connecticut, and oblige,
Very truly,
Mrs. Arthur M. Clark 128 South Main St Putnam Conn.

128 South Main St. Sutphin Ct.
Dec 19/88
Department of the Interior, Washington D.C.
Will you kindly give me a copy of the record of Homer Beckwith a pensioner from Connecticut U.S.
Yours respectfully
Mrs. Arthur M. Clark

Record Division.
March 30, 1909.
Mrs. Arthur M. Clark, # 138 South Main Street, Putnam, Conn.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 23" and received the 24" ultimo, you are advised that a certified statement of the service of Abner Beckwith, Sur. File No. 12 158, Revolutionary War, was furnished you January 7, 1909, and it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to each person.
The pension records of the War of 1812 fail to afford any information in regard to Chauncey Taft described in your letter.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
aw Nov. 5, 1924.
Mr. J. McDonald Stewart, 1922 H. St. N. W. Washington, D. C.
Sir
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12158, it appears that Abner Beckwith was born at Lyme, Conn. September 2, 1737, and lived there when he enlisted and served as a private in the Connecticut Troops as follows:
From February 1776, nine months in Capt. John Ely's Company, Colonel Erastus Wolcott's Regiment.
From January 1777, two months in Capt. Lee Lay's Company, Col. Dyar Throop's Regiment.
From March 1777, one month in Capt. Abel Hall's Company, Col. Jonathan Latimer's Regiment.
From April 1777, nine months in Capt. Nathan Palmer's Company, Col. John Ely's Regiment.
During 1778, four months in Captains Josephus Bushnell, Edward Chapman and Manasseh Leech's Companies.
From April to July 1782, on board a spy boat, under Capt. Oliver Comstock.
He was allowed pension, on his application executed August 6, 1832, while living at Lyme, Conn. He died December 14, 1834.
It is not stated whether he was married.
Washington Gardner