Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36,439, Hezekiah Brewster, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Brewster, Hezekiah
S. 36,439
CONTENTS

Hezekiah Brewster March 30. 1818
Correct
I certify that the within Hezekiah Brewster is in my judgment a man as Salem Yoadney.
BREWSTER, HEZEKIAH

To Calvin Goodard Esq one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut.
The petition of Hezekiah Brewster of Preston in the town of New London & State aforesaid. I humbly
That he resided in the town & State aforesaid, that he served more than nine months upon the continental establishment as a soldier that he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in need of assistance from his country for support - That he never has received or been allowed any pension by the laws of the United States or any individual State thereby relinquishes all claim to any such allowance except by virtue of the law entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" to a pension under which he is desirous of substantiating his claim & prays that the same may be done according to the provision of said act.
Dated at Norwich this 30th day of March A.D. 1813
State of Connecticut
New London ss.
Hezekiah Brewster
Be it remembered that on this 30th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen before me Calvin Goodard one of the Judges of the Superior Court in the State of Connecticut personally appeared Hezekiah Brewster of Preston New London County State aforesaid & made oath to the truth of the following declaration by him submitted viz That he enlisted into the Army of the United States upon the continental establishment the War of the revolution sometime in the year 1778 & served therein & during the year & until he was honorably discharged therefrom in June 1783 That he first enlisted & belonged to a company commanded by

6 of Mrs. Stanton in a judgment commended by Col. Gen. E. B. Webb on the Connecticut line of which Dept. I and Eleanor Mrs. Stanton was great part of the time commanders - that he faithfully served them during the whole time & was honorably discharged therefrom by Genl. Huntington - That he has never received any pension by reason of his individual circumstances in life in need of assistance from his country for his support - Rebecca Green from before Col. John Goddard Judge of Sup. Ct.
To the Honble Secretary for the Department of War. It appearing to my satisfaction that the Applicant aforesaid served in the war of the revolution upon the continental establishment more than nine months as per the common engraving I hereby certify the same to the end that she may obtain a pension according to the provisions of the Act of Congress above referred to - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year aforesaid Colin Goddard Judge of Sup Court

(2,462) Connecticut.
Hezekiah Brewster, priv. Connecticut line Capt Heston
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30. of March, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18. of Sept: 1818 and sent to the care of Calvin Goddard, Esq; Norwich, Conn.
  Arrears to 4th of Sept: 1818  41.55.    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. March  48 "     1819. }    5 mo: 6/31  $:89.55.  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Heston, New London Co.

District of Connecticut ss.
On this 14 th day of June A D 1824 personally appeared in open Court in & for the City of Norwich in said District being a count of Record with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount proceeding according to the course of the Common Law. Respectfully a return of it proceedings. Respectfully Prosecutor of Process in the County of Middlesex in said District aged about eighty years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the Act of the 18 th of March 1818, the 1 st of May 1820 and the 1 st of March 1823 that he the said Brewster entered for the term of three years in the early part of the Revolutionary War at Boston in the State of Massachusetts in the Company commanded by Capt. 14 th service Standish in the Regiment commanded by Col. Suckdole in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the continental establishment. That he served in that and other campaigns from the time of his enlistment to the end of the war and was discharged at West Point in the State of New York.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time any gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with an intent thereby to diminish it or to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the

United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not now let any person in trust for me any prop- erty or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herunto annexed and by me subscribed.
Schedule of Property,
Thirty two Dollars & fifty one cents in the hands of John Brewster Esq r . my law agent.
his
Hezekiah X Brewster mark
Subscribed & sworn to on the 14 th day of June AD 1824 in open court for the City of Norwich before the Judges thereof
I Francis Stearns Clerk of the City Court for the City of Norwich do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of said Court and I do further certify that this Court having examined the testimony & evidence & testimony in this case & particularly the testimony of John Brewster Esq r who is law agent of said Hezekiah Brewster are of the opinion & do find that that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Thirty two Dollars & fifty one cents & that said Hezekiah has no other property. That all the property

contained in said Heshkiak's former schedule has been expended for his support except the aforesaid sum of thirty two Dollars and fifty one cents now remaining in the hands of his coun- selor the said John Brewster Esq. - That by reason of age & infirmity he is unable to do any kind of business & that his memory is so much impaired that he does not recollect the date of his original Declaration nor the number of his Pension Certificate which is not now in his possession.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court on this fourteenth day of June Anno Domini 1824
James Hetherman Clerk of the City Court for the City of New Orleans

Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, February 26, 1903.
Respectfully returned to
Harriet L. Bardwell, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania.
The records of this office show that one Hezekiah Brewster served as a private in Captain Amos Stanton's Company of Sherburne's Regiment of Continental troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted February 21, 1778, to serve three years; was transferred to Captain John Hart's Company, 9th Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel B. Webb, and was discharged January 1, 1781.
For information relative to pensions, application should be made to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., who is the custodian of the pension records of all wars, and whose office is separate and distinct from the Record and Pension Office of the War Department.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
Chief, Record and Pension Office.
Per

36439 INVALID. Rev
Mar. 7-1903-Heir to Harriet L. Burdwell Frankhamer Pa
File No. 36439
Hezekiah Brewster
De Reo Jas
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 479
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Claimant aged 80 years. See letter to James Nedmans. Norwich.
Cont. March 22. 1825 see letter 12 Jan. 1826 to Hon. N. Barber, H. R., - B. H. Brewster is dead.
cannot be cont. Not having sufficient funds here for his
Application to be continued under Act of May 1820.
Connecticut.
Verenick Brewster pension settled from 1780 to end of war.
Schedule dated 14 th June, 1824, $32.50 in the hands of John Brewster Esq. conservator to claimant. Affidavit of John Brewster exhibited stating that he was appointed Conservator to claimant by the County Court, in Dec r 1819, that at that time claimant had the sum of $406. \frac{23}{100} at interest, which was all that he was worth, that he has not owned from that time to this any other property except $46. 50 rec d by him from the U. States, as his pension, that all the money aforesaid and the interest has been expended in his support pensions to the 7 th of June 1824, states that the reason he did not before apply to be continued on the Pension list, was that it was understood that his pension would not be continued while he had any property or money. copies of the conservator's accounts exhibited,

Norwich Conn June 22 nd 1824.
Sir,
Enclosed are Documents to enable Hezekiah Brewster to obtain a continuation of his Pension, which, I understand, was suspended. Brewster is old & very infirm, and his mental powers impaired, particularly his memory.
It is stated in the copy of the record, that his original pension certificate was not in his possession, & that he did not recalled its number. It has since been found and is enclosed.
An early examination & disposition in his case is desirable as he must soon be without a cent for his support, unless the bounty of the Government be extended to him.
I am, most respectfully Your very obed Servt.
James Hildreth
Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary of the War Department

Norwich Conn Jan'y 10 th 1825
Sir, Enclosed I forward to the War Department Documents in support of Genl Brewster's claim to be continued on the pension List - They were returned to me by Mr Edwards that they might be duly Authenticated by the Seal of Conn t . It will be necessary to read the body of the Records of Conn t in the order of the numbering of the Pages for the reason assigned in my last letter on this subject -
I hope Brewster's Friends have in this third attempt succeeded in furnish- ing sufficient legal evidence to induce the War Department to continue his Pension. He is poor & feeble; and will not probably need the assistance of the Government long as his course is apparently nearly finished.
I am with great respect Your Humble Servt.
Hon: John C. Calkhane Secretary of War
James H. Stetson

I John Brewster of Norton in Newfoundland County & State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that I was appointed by the said County Court for Newfoundland County at their sessions in & for said County on the 1 st Tuesday of December A.D. 1819 Commissioner to Hezekiah Brewster of Boston in said County who then was a Pensioner from the United States under the Act of Congress of 18 th March 1818 to manage the care of the person & property of said Hezekiah. That at the time of my said appointment all the property which said Brewster possessed & owned consisted of the sum of four hundred sixty dollars & 23 cents money at interest. That he has not altered or disposed from that time to the present any other property except the sum of forty six dollars & fifty cents rec d by me from the United States as his pension - That all the monies aforesaid & the interest arising on the same have been expended in his support previous to the 7 th day of June 1824 as will appear by the copies of Records of the County Court for Newfoundland County hereto annexed containing  the  copies of of the appointment & accounts as settled by said Court, of said Hezekiah's Commissioner except the sum of thirty nine dollars & forty two cents the balance then in my hands. That since said 7 th day of June the said balance of $39.42 has all been expended in said Hezekiah's neces- sary support except the sum of $10.62

none in my hands as bearer or as assured
And I do further testify that the reason said Hezekiah or his bearer has not soon exhibited a schedule of his property is that it was understood by us that the pension would not be continued & paid until all his property should be expended in his necessary support.
And I do further testify that by reason of age & infirmity the said Hezekiah is unable to attend the session of the City Court & that his memory has for the same reason become so impaired that he is incapable of giving any correct account of his property or of the manner in which it has been expended and I do verily believe the said Hezekiah has nothing property of any nature whatever his beddy & clothing  excepted & that unless his pension is continued he must immediately depend altogether on charity for support
John Brewster
State of Connecticut ss.
At a City Court held at the City of Norwich on the 13 th day of September A.D. 1824. personally appeared in open court the above Defendant John Brewster & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the foregoing De cl aration before the judges of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court the day & year above written James Hildreth Clerk of the City Court of the City of Norwich

Henekeah Brewster to Jonah Writer as Conservator Dr 1819 October first - Paid Cyrus Sanderson for sundry supplies from May 11 th to October 1 st - $11.67 Dec r 3. Paid Cyrus Sanderson for sundry supplies supplies from October 1 st - Dec r 3 rd - 7.95 To Interest on 11.67 two months - 11 To my serving as Conservator 6 months - 3.00 to my time & hire to Court &c - 2.50 $25.12 7 th To ballance due in new Account 342.20 367.32
To this sum charged by order of the Honorable County Court on account of the extraordinary faithful services of the Conservator &c are $10.00 of said estate & the affairs of said Brewster ordered without any application of said Conservator crediting some of the estate as cash which was received in goods at the store Ballance due credited in New Ac t 332.00 to be accounted for
Oct r 1819 June 12 th By ballance due $356.92 Dec r 7 th By Interest on the above to this day 10.40 367.32
1819 Dec r 7 th By ballance due - $342.20 Deducted from ballance - 10.00 332.20
There is also in the hands of W m Labe Brewster for money received of Calvin Goddard Esq r for Henekeah Brewster's Pension from the U.S at two several times (vis) March the 6 th 1819 - 81.25 Sept r the 20 th 1819 - 45.50 together with Interest on the same - 2.00 Amt $126.75 $128.75

from which is Deducted for boarding Hezekiah Brewster from April 1817 to Dec r the 1 st 1819 $60.00 and also for cash paid to Hezekiah — 4.72 and for time going after petition — 1.00 amounting in the whole to — 65.72
Leaving a Balance in the hands of Hezekiah Brewster of $63.03 which is on Interest $63.03 from the 20 th of Nov r 1812
Which together with the above $342.20 is all the property that Hezekiah 342.20 Brewster has except his bed, bedding $405.23 and wearing apparel —
The above and foregoing are truly Copied from the ac t of Sarah Brewster Esq r as Conservator to Hezekiah Brewster & allowed by the County Court for New London County at their Dec r Term A d 1819 and contains the whole of the last Statement of s d Account
Certified by Charles Lathrop Clark

At a County Court or Court of Common Pleas holden at Norwich in and for New London County in the State of Connecticut on the first Tuesday of Dec r in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and nineteen
Present The Hon ble Elias Perkins Esq r Judge William Randall Esq r Justices of Quorum Benjamin Coit Esq r
Jonah Witter of Preston in said County exhibited to this Court his life as Conservator to Hesehiah Brewster which this Court allow is of full and at the request of Jonah Witter he is by this Court discharged from his said trust & this Court do appoint in the place of Jonah Witter John Brewster to be Conservator to take care of the person & estate of Hesehiah Brewster for his benefit & support and to account therefor annually to this Court
Certified that the above is a true copy of Record & that the said John Brewster has ever since his appointment hath continued to be and now is Conservator to said Hesehiah Brewster
Dated at New London County Sept 13 th A D 1824 Certified By Charles Lathrop Clerk

Asaichah Brewster 4. 1820
To John Brewster Dr
Feb 2 nd For 2 3/4 Broad Cloth for Trousers at 8/ p yd 2 3/4 34 " for making trousers 3/ " 50 " for thread & buttons & vest " 10 " for part of a day to get a copy of appt ment to you 1 00 " for to paid the Clerk for a Coff ee " 25 May 6 th for 1 day with you to get pension money of C Goddard 1 50 " for Cash delivered you " 1 92 1/2 8 th for Cash paid Capt ain Byers Anderson as p er Bill 4 46 15 th for Cash paid Brewster & Brown on book for you 3 43 18 th for one pair of Shoes paid Maj or Paul Harvey 1 75 24 th for Cash 16 " 25 June 29 th for Cash paid W illiam Saint & Daley at your request 42 " for attending Colo. with you making Schedule of property 1 50 30 th for Cash 10 " 10 July 1 st for 7 yds Cotton Shirting " 1 28 " for making two shirts & thread for the same 67 8 th for 2 3/4 yds Tow Cloth for a frock 2/ " 53 " for making frock & thread 2/ " 34 15 th for 4 1/2 Cotton Strips for your Coat 1/6 - 1 12 1/2 " for making Coat of " 1 00 " for thread & button moulds for Coat " 12 1/2 Aug st 25 th For paid James Tannanby - ap out of your pension money at your request and order 27 Oct er - For Cash paid Thepps Abbott for mending your shoes 67 Nov r 9 th For footing 1 p er Stockings found yarn 42 " for Cash " 20 Dec r 2 nd For one pair of shoes of Maj or Paul Harvey 1 75 " For 7 yds Broadcloth for a Coat 10 50 " Trousers & vest 9/ " 2 00 " for making Coat vest & trousers " 59 " for Buttons & thread for ditto " 50 " For footing 2 pair Stockings & heeling 1 p er " 64 6 th For to paid Henry Avery as p er Receipt 1 64 Amount carried up $ 63 59 3/4

85.  $ 63.59 3/4
Amount Brought up  Dec r 7 th 1920 To Cash paid Capt Joseph W Brewster and Company as per bill 21.60 " " " Cash paid Capt C Anderson as per bill - 2.50 " " " To paid Labor Brewster's bill for Board 63.39 " " " For Cash paid Minnie & Morgan as per bill 41.76 " " " For to paid Albert Morgan's Bill - 11.95 " " " For 5 yds Stannel for Bed Blanket & making same 21.62 To my time trouble & services in taking care of the person & estate of said deceased Brewster from Dec r 1819 to March 1820 100.00
To Cash paid Const ble & Clerk on acceptance of this a/c 1.01 To balance due estate of Hester Brewster 301.98 3/4 $160.00 3/4 402.01
May 6 th Contray 1820 By Cash received of Calvin Goddard Esq r for Rent 46.50 Dec r 7 th By a Note rec d of Coach Writer Esq r on Asa Tark principal & interest 170.20 " " By Coach Writers Note for a Balance 181.92 " " By Labor Brewster's Due Bill for 63.39 " " Pension money in his hands 402.01
Supra Cr
By Balance due Estate of Ives Brewster March 15 th 1821 $301.98 3/4
Orders excepted John Brewster conservator to Hester Brewster by his Atty John Hill
The above is a true copy of the original Ac t of John Brewster Conservator to Hester Brewster allowed by the County Court for New London County March Term 1820 Certified By Charles Lathrop Clerk

Hoseah Brewster 6. To John Brewster Dr
  1821   April 14 th For Cash $1.45   June 1 st For 2 1/2 yds Cotton Stripe at 23 3/4 cts " 58   " For making one pair Striped Trousers & buttons " 42   " For 2 1/2 yds cloth at 2/ " 83   " For making Sew cloth trousers & thread etc " 42   Aug 30 th For 7 1/2 Cotton Shirting " 17   " For making 2 shirts & neck & thread etc " 73   Sept 19 th For cash 1/6 " 25   Oct 9 th For cash paid J D Halsey for which you borrowed him $1.00   " 12 th For to paid Don Adams for mending of shoes " 12 1/2   " 20 th For Cash " 25   Nov 3 rd For one pair thick shoes for Rufus Chapin " 58   Dec 2 nd For cash .07 " 07   " For 2 1/2 yds Broadcloth at 3/ 3.00   " For making 4 Broadcloth Trousers " 42   7 th For 3 1/2 yds Red Flannel at 2/6 p 1/2 1.46   " For making Flannel Shirt & thread " 34   " For yarn & footing 2 pr Stockings etc " 83   " For Cash " 09   " For to paid Labes Brewster for yr Board 30.00   " 52 weeks after deducting out your labour   " For to paid Brewster & Brown for a balance 9.52   " on book due them as per receipt 53.53   " To paid George Hills bill as per Receipt on the 2.00   " settlement of my conservatorship in March 1821   Dec 7 th For my services as Conservator for the year past 10.00   " Court fee on the acceptance of the office " 81   $66.34 
Amount carried up

Amount Brought up 7 $ 66.34  1922  April 8 th To Dr. Doct. Daniel King asst bill — 3.00  May 10 th In Cash — 15  June 7 th In to paid Jacob Brewster on Bill — 30.00  " For lapping one shoe finding leather &c — 17  " To paid Rev. Lucy Halsey for one pair — 62  " Stockings of & for chop lent you 9 — 1.37  " To Paid Nathan Kimball Sheriff Deputy service of a writ case of yourself vs Jonah Witter Court vs Asa Park in part sum 1.37  " in your Note on Settlement of Dr. Case  " To paid Brewster & Brown as p to Receipt 5.37  " To Interest on $66.34 from Dec r 7 th 1921 to mid 1922  " To my attendance at the Co Court to $109.00  " settlement allowed by the Court — 3.00  " To Court & Clerk for — 3.17  $116.55
Contra — C. C.  June 7 th 1922 By Asa Park & Jonah Witter's note dated  " October 10 th 1921 payable in one year from 1921.63  date with Interest — 7.44  Interest to this date — 142.34  " By Jonah Witter's note dated June 7 th 1922  " Payable on demand with Interest — 331.41  " as p to inventory of property in his — 109.00  " possession — 222.33  add over charge as Conservator 4.00  $226.33
The foregoing is a true Copy of the original as Conservator of the Estate of John Brewster Account of John Brewster, Allowed by the Honorable County Court June Term A.D. 1922 Certified By
Charles Lathrop Clerk
Balance due H.D. 82.80

Dr. General Brewster in account with any to  himself For 2 1/2 yds Striped Cotton Cloth 22 1/2 c 1 10 55 Making one pair Trousers finding thread 34 2 1/2 yds Brown Linen & buttons for vest 25 Making vest & thread 2/ 34 Cash 1/ 29 Oct 12 th Cash 6 Nov 5 th Cash 1/ 20 4 th For making two Shirts & stocking for Stocking 1 00 8 To mending Shoes 12 Cash 1/ 25 Dec 20 th For one pair of Thick Shoes 1 58 For one pair yarn Stockings 5/ 83 Jan 15 th Cash 10 28 th For 7 yds Cotton & Wool Cloth 2 1/4 2 72 Making 2 Shirts & thread 4/ 67 10 th For 2 1/2 yds Broadcloth 2 1/4 3 00 Making Trousers & thread 2/ 42 Cash 1/ 12 1/2 March 24 th Cash Apr 15 th  Top of Interest on Asa Park's Note after Judgment before collection 4 38 19 th Cash 22 May 30 th Cash paid Chas Chapman for you 25 Cash paid Daniel Adams 12 1/2 June 7 th paid Labor & Brewster for Bill 65 00 " paid Brewster & Brown for Receipt 12 47 " my services for past year 5 50 " paid Court fee 81 $101 19 Balance due credited to new Ac 131 87 $233 05

John Brewster 9 th ————— Or
1822 June 7 th By balance on settlement with the County Court ————— $219 00 86
June 7 th 1823 By one years Interest on the same $13 11 19 to this date ————— 233 11 05
June 7 th 1823 By balance due ————— $131 11 07 Woods excepted. John Brewster
The above is a true copy of the original ac c of John Brewster Conservator to the Estate Brewster allowed by the County Court for New London County June Term 1823
Certified by
Charles Lathrop Clerk

Dr Heshiah Brewster in a/c with 1823 July 2. For one paper of Tobacco 1/4 3/4 — $0,08 3/4 " For Cash — " 10 13 For making Linen Coat 4/6 — " 75 Sept 6 th For Cash 1/4 3/4 — " 08 3/4 13 For one paper of Tobacco 1/4 3/4 & Cash 1/4 3/4 — " 09 22 — Cash — " 03 Oct 30 th Cash 04 — " 04 Dec 8 th To paid Mrs Maples for mending your Clothes 42 For one quart of Gin paid Joseph Chapman 12 1/2 13 th For one quart Do — " 12 1/2 Jan 1 st For 2 paper tobacco — " 12 1824 For 1/2 yds Broadcloth 5/ per yd — 5,67 Making a boat — 1,60 1 Doz Buttons 1/6 1 seam of front 4/ 1/2 thread 1/ — " 37 1 Barcelona Handkerchief — " 30 for one pair of Shoes 3/6 — 1,25 March 21 st For 2 paper of Tobacco — " 12 April 23, 1 paper of Tobacco small 1/ pipe — " 04 May 9 th For one paper of Tobacco — " 03 " To paid Brewster & Brown as per Rec d 5,30 " To David Brewster as per Bill 1,25 June 5 th To paid Joseph W Brewster as per Rec d 2,12 7 th For 51 weeks Board & washing 7/6 for 13 weeks at 9/ per week for 13 weeks While sick — 73,25 For to paid Do r George Downer as per Bill — 1,51 For my services as Conservator the year past — 5,00 99,36 Balance due carried to new a/c 39,42 $138,78

John Brewster 11.
0 "
1823 June 7 th By Balance due on settlement with the County Court |131.87  1824 June 7 th Interest on the above for one year to this date |6.91   138.78  7 th June 1824 } By balance due 39.42
error excepted John S. Brewster
The above is a true Copy of the original as of John Brewster Conservator to Hezekiah Brewster allowed by the County Court for New London County June Term 1824
Certified By Charles Lathrop Clerk

New London County ss
I do hereby certify that the foregoing copies contained on pages marked 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 9. 4. 7. 6. 11. 10 are truly copied from the records & files of the County Courts for said New London County, according to the tenor of the certificate to them severally annexed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Courts for said New London County, at Norwich in sd County this 15th day of January A D 1825
Charles Lathrop Clerk

own Rev. War 3rd
Lancaster Pa.
NAVY MAR 5 1903 FILES. P. E.
Feb 27 1903.
Will you kindly point out what you can in regard to the enclosed slip. When he drew his pension, how long, what for and any thing you can get in regard to his age.
And Affix Harriet L. Bardsell