Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.17.289, Abijah Beardslee, Conn

SERVICE
born
Beardslee Abijah Beardsley Drusilla
NUMBER
W. 17.289
b. 1750 d. 1789
CONTENTS

Connecticut 906
Drusilla Beardlee widow of Abijah Beardlee
who died on the 2 d November 1789 of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Bennett of the Regt. commanded by Col. Whiting in the Conn. line for 8 months Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of May 1837, and sent to Hon. G. Jenkinson, Fairfield, Conn.
Arrears to the 14th of March '37 240.00 Pension allowance ending 4. Sept. " 20.00
$260.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836. Section the 3 d }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. — Page 81

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport. On this 14 day of January A.D. 1837. Personally appeared before the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County and State aforesaid Prusilla Beardslee a resident of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut. Eighty four years of age who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
That in the Summer of 1776 she often heard her husband Abijah Beardslee D.C. say that he was a Sergeant at that time in the Stratford Militia foot company which company belonged to the Parish of Stratford which Parish was located part in the Town of Stratford & part in the Town of Fairfield (and in what Parish Newfield now called Bridgeport was situated) said company then being under the command of Capt. Shadacuss Kennett. and belonged to Col. Saml. Huntington's Regiment & Genl. Gold S. Silliman's Brigade in Fairfield County that she went as a Sergeant in said company to New York in 1776. and served until she was taken sick and came home which service was at least two months.

That in the Summer of 1779 said Abijah was a Sergeant in said Company, as she believes when Newfield was burnt said company at that time being under the command of Capt. Abijah Sturtevant of said Parish after heard her husband say he was at the Burning of the Town of Newfield, claims that he served at this time at least One Week as a Sergeant of said Company.
That in the year 1782 said Abijah still belonged to said Militia Company and was still a Sergeant of the same when he was drafted or volunteered to Rear Guard at Newfield now called Bridgeport Capt. Daniel Lacey of said Parish at this time had the command of said Militia Company That he served at this time at said Newfield as a Sergeant of a Guard at least Six months said Guard belonged to Col. Saml. Munting's Regiment in Genl. Lord Shelburne's Brigade cannot say whether said Abijah had the chief command of said Guard or not, but remembers he served as a Sergeant, which this last service was performed after she was married to him and the Guard post was about a Mile from their House.
Has no documentary evidence to prove his service has sent his commission as Ensign of said Company and a commission from Esq. Hubbell as circumstantial evidence to show his connexion with said Militia Company in the time of the Revolution does not know as he ever had a written discharge the reason she remembers his service in 1782 is that she remembers it was the Summer that son Anson was born & that he was born Sept 1 st 1782.

That she claims her husband served at least Two months in the summer of 1776 as a Sargent —
One Week in 1779 as a Sargent Six months in 1782 as a Sargent.
That Deborah was born in S d Parish of Stratford July 17 th 1750. and died November 2 1789 of a fever. was living in S d Parish when called into service and allways lived in S d Parish until he died
That she was born in S d Parish June 9 th 1752 allways lived in S d Parish to this day. has a Record of his birth  age on an old Book at home had a Record of her birth in an old bible which is now lost
She further declares and says that she was married to the said Deborah Beardslee on the 22 day of July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty. in S d Parish of Stratford by the Rev. Robert Ross who was the ordained Minister over S d Parish at that time; that her husband the aforesaid Deborah Beardslee died on the 2 day of November 1789 of a fever and that she has remained his Widow ever since that Period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. That she cannot find his Seaman's Warrant and cannot now remember whether he ever had any warrant but if he had it is lost In presence of —
Dorothy Beardslee
Sarah Beardslee
Mary Beardslee
Sworn & subscribed before me on the day and year first above written Mark Woodruffe

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war. deponent that the above named applicant is the widow of Asahel Beardslee a new lutionary soldier who served in the States
Attest, R. S. Nichols, Clerk
Mark Moore Judge
I Roswell S. Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Dorothea Beardslee for a pension for testimony wherein I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of Jany 1837
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

I testify that it appears from the Records of the Town of Stratford that Abijah Beardslee & Deborah Wheeler were joined in Marriage July 22 1785. That John Wheeler Beardslee son of the said Abijah & Deborah was born March 16 th 1781 - Anson Beardslee son of the said Abijah & Deborah was born September 1 st 1782 - Abijah Beardslee son of the said Abijah & Deborah was born August 30 th 1784 - Sarah Beardslee daughter of the said Abijah & Deborah born December 16 th 1786 - Deborah Beardslee daughter of the said Abijah & Deborah, born October 19 th 1788 -
Abijah Beardslee died November 2, 1789 -
The foregoing is a true copy from the Records of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County, Connecticut -
Stratford December 6 th 1836 -
Attest David Brooks Town Clerk
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport December 20. 1836 Personally appeared David Brooks Esq and made oath before me that the above certificate is true and that he signed the same, as Town Clerk -
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport
I Roswell S. Nichols Clerk of the Probate Court on and for the District of Stratford in said Fairfield County do hereby Certify that Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified That his commission will expire in June 1837 and that his signature to the Depositions of Philamon Sherwood, Abijah Beardslee, Elijah Burrett, Joseph B French and Thaddeus Hubbard are all his genuine Signatures
Given under my hand and the seal of said Probate Court This 16 day of January 1837.
R S Nichols, Clerk.

Philemon Sherwood of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut aged 75 Years Deposeth and saith that he lived near neighbour to Drusilla Wheeler the daughter of John Wheeler in the Parish of Stratford and remembers said Drusilla was married to Abijah Beardslee in the time of the Revolutionary War by the Rev. Robert Root who was the ordained Minister over said Parish at that time has allways been well acquainted with Abijah Beardslee until he died and with his Widow Drusilla to this day, that said Drusilla was allways considered a very Respectable woman of undoubted truth and veracity, after they was married they moved out of his immediate Neighbourhood to another part of said Parish and Deponent cannot remember any thing in particular about his services but fully believes said Abijah was an Servant in the Revolution did not see them married but has no more doubt that they were Lawfully married by Mr Root than if he had seen them married —
Philemon Sherwood
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield, Bridgeport November 23 1836 Personally appeared Philemon Sherwood & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition and subscribed the same in my presence who I certify is known to me and as a Credible Witness — Sworn & Subscribed Before me — Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Elijah Beardslee of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut 47 years of age Deposeeth and saith he is the son of Aaron Beardslee Decd. and that said Aaron was own brother to Elijah Beardslee of sd Bridgeport who was the husband of the widow Priscilla Beardslee who is now applying for a Pension
That he has often heard his father Aaron say that he lived with his brother Elijah in the time of the Revolutionary War and served himself in the Guards the latter part of the War and remarked that if sd Elijah was alive he could prove his own service by him and remembers to have heard his father say at several different times that Elijah was in service considerable part of the War and that if he was alive he would be entitled to a full Pension and his impression is from what he heard his father say about his brother Elijah service that it was in the Guards at Newfield, and other places
State of Connecticut } Elijah Beardslee County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport January 16 th 1837 Personally appeared Elijah Beardslee and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Disposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me Sworn and Subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

January 11, 1940
Mrs. Nellie B. Holt 10 Sunset Terrace West Hartford, Connecticut.
BA-J/AWF Out Abijah Beardslee W. 17289
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Abijah Beardslee of Connecticut, pension number, W. 17289.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W. 17289, based upon service of Abijah Beardslee, in the War of the Revolution. The name is shown, also, Beardsley.
Abijah Beardslee was born July 17, 1750, in the Parish of Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing in said Parish, Abijah Beardslee served in the summer of 1776, two months as sergeant in Captain Thaddeus Bennett's company, Colonel Samuel Whiting's Connecticut regiment. He served in the summer of 1779, about one week, as sergeant in Captain Abijah Sterling's Connecticut company, and was at the burning of Fairfield. He served in 1782, six months as sergeant in Captain Daniel Lacey's company, Colonel Samuel Whiting's regiment. He was commissioned ensign, October 22, 1782 in the 3rd company or Trainband, length of this service not shown.
Abijah Beardslee died November 2, 1789, in

the Parish of Stratford, Connecticut.
Abijah Beardslee married July 22, 1780, in the Parish of Stratford, Drusilla Wheeler, of said Stratford. She was born June 9, 1752, in the Parish of Stratford, and was the daughter of John Wheeler, name of her mother not given.
The widow, Drusilla Beardslee, was allowed pension on her application executed January 14, 1837, then living in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
The following data relative to the children of Abijah Beardslee and his wife, Drusilla, are shown in the claim:
John Wheeler born March 18, 1781 Anson " September 1, 1782 Abijah " August 30, 1784 Sarah " December 16, 1786 Drusilla " October 19, 1788.
Abijah Beardsley (as he signed) was forty-seven years old in 1837, then living in Bridgeport, Connecticut, stated that his father, Aaron Beardsley, was "own brother" to Abijah Beardslee, the soldier in the Revolution, and that his father, Aaron, served, also, in that war, and was then deceased.
Sarah and Mary Beardslee (as they signed) were both of Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1837; their relationship to the family was not stated.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Drusilla Beardslee, it is suggested that you apply to the

Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Drusilla Beardslee, widow of Abijah Beardslee Certificate #906 Issued May 23, 1837 Rate $40.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of July 4, 1836 Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

To Hezekiah Hubbell Esq Justice of Peace Within and for the County of Fairfield County Abijah Hurdle and Inform and Certifies and says that he Suspects that Sundry ill-minded Persons have and do carry on a clandestine trade and commerce with the Enemies of the united States of America to the Great Danger of the Liberty and Safety of the Good People of these States
These are therefore in the Name of the governor and Company of the State of Connecticut to require and command you the said Abijah Hurdle to take Seize and secure and hold in safe Custody any Person or Persons or British goods Wares and Merchandize that you shall find going to or coming from Long Island or any other Island or place within the Possession or under the control of the Enemies of this and the rest of the United States of America - and also to Seize and take and hold all manner of Provisions that shall before going to Long Island or any other place with in the Lines that are or at Open was with these States as afore said - and to cause the same to be appraised by two Judicious Disinterested Persons and to cause the same to be Libelled according to Law Dated at Fairfield the 15 Day of Novr 1782
Hezekiah Hubbell Justice of Peace

1940 Jan 11- list to Nellie B. Holt Aug
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19289 Drusilla Beardslee Widow of Elijah Beardslee Large Rev War
Act: July 7 th 1936
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 53
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dorilla Beadle widow &c
Sergt. 8 mo. $40 per am
Hon. G. Tomlinson Fairfield Conn.

James L. Edwards Esq Union Office

State of Connecticut. Bridgeport January 19 th 1837
Sir
I send you the Pension application of the Widow Drusilla Beardlee and you may if you please, send me her Certificate — you will see by the Comptroller's Certificate that his service cannot be proved from the Records at Hartford, but I wish you to refer to the Pension application of Aaron Hubbard of Connecticut, in your office where I believe it will appear by the Compt. Certificate that Col Saml Whiting some times drew the pay for Militia service in his Regiment, also I believe it will appear in the same Certificate, that the money to pay the Guards in the latter part of the War was drawn by the Sons — in some cases — Yours very Respectfully Isaac Sherman J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

Hartford Nov 11th 1836
Sir
I have examined the books in this office to find the name of Sargent Abijah Beardslee but have been unsuccessful, it is not probable that he ever served in the capacity of Paymaster, therefore it would be unnecessary to place his name on the pay table books,
If the applicant is poor no fee will be required for this service, otherwise my fee will be one dollar,
I Am Very Respectfully Yours Wm. Field
Isaac Sherman Esq

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the STATE of CONNECTICUT in AMERICA.
To
Elijah Beardsley
GENT. GREETING.
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Ensign of the Third Company in Trumbull in the 11 th Regiment of this State
reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage and good Conduct, I DO by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge, as their Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge that Office and Trust, exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Ensign and you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Public Seal of this State, at Hartford the 22 nd Day of October A. D. 1782.
By His Excellency's Command.
George Wyllys Secretary.
Jon. Trumbull

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Veteran Administration, Washington D.C.

Dec. 26, 1939.
vet er an Administration:
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary war record of Abijah Beardslee of Connecticut, Pension Number, W.17289.
Thank you,
Mrs. Nellie Beardsley Holt, 10 Sunset Terrace, West Hartford, Connecticut.

Shadacus Hubbell of the Town of Fairfield & Parish of Stratford, in Fairfield County State of Connecticut a Pensioner of the United States 73 years of age Deposeth and saith that he has allways resided in said Parish, and was well acquainted with Abijah Beardsley Esq. This Widow Priscilla who has now applied for a Pension and remembers that S d Abijah was a Sergeant in the Train Band of said Parish in the Summer of 1776 S d Train Band then being under the command of Capt Shadacus Bennett of said Parish, Lieut Edward Burroughs was then Lieut of said Company when said Company was ordered to New York under a Draft for 3 months service and remembers S d Beardsley went with said Company as a Sergeant and came home sick thinks it was in June when said Company went to New York and some time in September following that he came home sick. and Deponent fully believes that he served in this campaign at least two & half months. — and deponent says he uniformly understood that S d Abijah Beardsley was in the said service as a Sergeant at a place called Newfield (now Bridgeport). thinks it was the latter part of the War but has no means to guide his memory to say how long he served in said service thinks the draft from the militia companies did not exceed 6 months at a time. and Deponent fully believes that he served during the War as much as 2 years. deponent allways lived in the same Parish with him and knew him to be an active

man & officer in the Revolution, and fully believe that he performed several Tours of service but he was not in service with him and cannot specify particulars any further than is before stated.
Thaddeus Hubbell
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport Decmbr 22/1836 personally appeared Thaddeus Hubbell and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me Sworn and subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Elijah Durrett of the Town of Bridgeport in Hampden County & State of Connecticut. 73 years of age Deposeth and Saith That he has allways been acquainted with Abijah Beardslee & his Widow Priscilla who has now applied for a Pension. Since they were children allways lived in the same Neighbourhood in the Parish of Stratfield (formerly the Town of Stratford) now called Bridgeport — and is strongly impressed That said Abijah went to New York in 1776 in Capt Thaddeus Bennetts Artillery Company. which Company Deponent believes was in Service in that campaign Three months at least. Remembers said Abijah was Seargent of a Company of Guard in the Revolution and was Stationed at a place called Newfield (now called Bridgeport) for one season, should think for twelve Months which was the time Deponent thinks this Guard enlisted for. fully believes That. But William Hall had the chief Command of said Guard but cannot say positively but said Abijah was a highest the officer of said Guard. one circumstance in particular makes him Remember his service one Season in particular is That he had a occasion to pass the Guard and remembers said Beardslee was on Guard at said Newfield as Seargent of said Guard and was allways intimate with said Abijah who was active in the cause of the Revolution and Deponent is Sure in his own mind that said Abijah served as much as Three Years in different tours of Service but.

cannot now specify the particulars of his service any further than what he has stated -
That said Mearnsly died in said Parish many years ago of a fever -
That his Widow Orabella has never married since but is now living in said Parish as his Widow -
Remembering the time said Elijah Beardslee was married to said Orabella Wheeler the daughter of John Wheeler of said Parish by the Rev. Robert Ross who was the ordained minister over said Parish before the close of the War cannot say what year -
Elijah B. Burritt
And said Deponent further declares and says that he knows that said Elijah served one season at Newfield as aforesaid after he was married to said Orabella which service he is confident was after the hard Winter and either the year 1781 or 1782. or a part of both years. Elijah Burritt
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport January 10 1837 Personally appeared Elijah Burritt and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify as a person well known to me is a credible Witness - Sworn and subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Joseph B. French a Justice of The Peace in and for the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut. Do hereby Certify That. I reside near neighbour to the Widow Priscilla Beardslee of Bridgeport who is now applying for a Pension and as believe her to be 84 years of age, that she is in low circumstances, but of respectable character, and that I consider her statement in relation to her husband Abijah Beardslee service in the Revolution entitled to full credit - which Statement I have examined Also have examined the Deposition of Elijah Burrett relating to said Beardslee's Service and I believe his Statement is True Mr Burrett is about 93 years old and retains his faculties in a remarkable manner. Mr Burrett has I have uniformly understood resided neighbour to said Abijah & Priscilla During the Revolution to this day and was well situated to be acquainted with the facts that he has stated, and appears to be the only aged person now living in said Neighbourhood, And I do also further certify, that, in the year 1832 when my father James French was making out his Pension Application he stated to me That if Abijah Beardslee was alive, he should have no difficulty in proving his service in 1776 in New York for that said Abijah Beardslee was with him in Capt Beman's Militia Company of Stratford and served together in New York until the Brother of said James French (viz. Ichabod French) was taken sick of the camp Distemper

and said Abijah Beardslee was taken sick at the same time and as my father said himself & Ichabod B. French all left New York together to go home to Connecticut, and got as far as Harlem where said Ichabod died and they came home in Autumn, 1776, cannot say in what capacity he served — Joseph B. French
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport January 16 th 1837 Personally appeared Joseph B. French Esq., and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate who I certify is a credible witness well known to me Sworn and Subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that I have in my custody a Record of deaths of the Inhabitants of Stratford Parish, in Fairfield County Rpt by Abijah Stillings Esq. and it appears in said Record under date of September 1776 —
"Ichabod French died at Camp New York, which I fully believe to be the same Ichabod French referred to in the certificate of Joseph B. French Esq. January 16 th 1837
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace