Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,584, David Buell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Buell, David.
S. 31,584
CONTENTS

Connecticut 22.589
David Buell.
of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Co. - commanded by Captain Baldwin of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Ely in the Connecticut line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Oct. 1833 and sent to J. Ingham Saybrook. Cont. Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 200. Sem-ant. allowance ending 1st Jan. 34 40. $ 240.
Revolutionary Claim, Nov. 17, 1832. Recorded by J. Palmer Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 32 Three

To the Hon Mr. Danforth Sir -
To the annexed application of Daniel Buell the objections are -
II. The uncertainty as to the time of service &c -
This objection is obviated so far as is in the power of the applicant to do so, by a supplemental declaration accompanying these papers, in which the applicant makes the whole period of his service 2. years
7. Months & 15 days -
III. The papers not sufficiently attached to the certificate of the certifying officer &c -
This objection is not obviated, as will be seen -
From old age - loss of time, and loss of memory, the applicant is unable to be more precise in his declaration, or to furnish other proof of his services. I hope & trust that his case will be considered as proved -
Please send his certificate to me at Saybrook Connecticut.
Sept. 5 th A.D. 1833 -
Your obedient servant - Samuel H. Hemen

Daniel Buell
State of Connecticut, Middlesex County
Probate Court of Saybrook in said county
On this ten th — day of Sept r 1832 — personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate held at Saybrook in and for the Probate District of Saybrook, in the County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut. The same being a Court of Record —
now sitting, Daniel Buell — — — — — a resident of Riingtonworth in the County of Middlesex — — — and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy — — — years, who being first 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein
That he was born in Riingtonworth in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, and that he will be Seventy one years of age the 16 th day of the present month, if he lives to that time — and that there is a record of his birth on the Records of said Town of Riingtonworth. and that he has lived in said Riingtonworth during his whole life —  That he enlisted at said Riingtonworth, about the 1 st of August A.D. 1777 — to serve five months — and immediately joined the Company, That the said Company in which he served was commanded by Josiah Buel of Riingtonworth. Lieut. Story of Preston the 1 st Lieut. Leffingwell of Norwich, the 2 d Lieut. Sturtevant — and recollect their given names — and a man of the name of Niles of Stonington Ensign. That the Regiment to which said Company belonged, was commanded by Col. John Dey . Lieut. Col. Arnold and Maj t Dier Buel. — That the said Regiment was at New London near the Fort, a little while — cant say how long, and then marched to on the 1 st March in Oct r for Rhode Island. Stayed in Providence one night — and the next day marched through Siverton to Scituate point at Little Compton — and there joined the Army commanded by Genl. Spencer . Three several attempts, on three different nights were made by the American forces, to cross the Water, and join the Island of Rhode Island, where the British Army then were, and flat bottomed boats were provided to take the Army across, but they were met by the fire of the enemy who had anticipated the movement, which together with the darkness of the night — rain & repeated, and put an end to the design. That said Regiment then immediately left there, and returned through Providence to New London, where they arrived about the 3 rd of November. That after remaining at New London until about the 15 th or 20 th of that month, the said Regiment marched westward thro' Saybrook . New Haven & to Norwalk in this State, remaining there about a week, as near as the said applicant can recollect, and then three companies, commanded by Capt s Buel — Byers and Robt. Dey , went on to Rye . The North part of Greenwich & (leaving the rest of the Regiment at Norwalk ) — and remained there on the lines about four weeks, and then returned to Norwalk , about the first of January, and

and more than six charges. The applicant says that he was in the said company commanded by Capt. Baldwin - and went on said expedition on to the lines, and returned with the company to Norwalk, and was there discharged, after serving out the whole time of five months. When said company left Norwalk upon said expedition, the remainder of the Regiment, together with Col. Wilks, Continental Regiment, started in vessels to go to New Long Island, but were fallen upon in the night by the British vessels. The two Colonels taken - and their men also taken.
That at about the 20 th of June, he thinks, in 1778 - Seth Benton, then of Guilford, now deceased, was drafted, with others, to go down town near New York - and that the applicant took his place - and served out the time as his substitute - That the company in which he served was commanded by Capt. John Smith of New Canaan. Said John Smith of New Canaan 1 st Lieut. and Vice Capt. of said company. Said company was said to belong to Col. Moseley's Regiment, but never joined the Regiment nor saw it. The said company was stationed the whole time at Norwalk, and guarded the shore. At the end of 2 months, having served that time, the said applicant and company were discharged at Norwalk, and returned home - Nothing of importance took place, during their stay there -
That in A.D. 1774 - Peter Ward, then of Killingworth, was drafted to serve in a Regiment to be commanded by Matthew Mead of Stamford, or that neighbourhood. and that the applicant took his place, and served out the time as his substitute - and was discharged at Stamford the first of March, having served in said Regiment eight months - That the company in which he served was commanded by Capt. Sturtevant - Lieut. Col. Bull - The Maj r of the Reg t was Sturtevant - also not recollect the names of the other officers - Served at Norwalk the whole time - on the shore - line etc. Some of Col. Mead's Continental Troops were there occasionally - The British Army at White Plains
That in June 1780 a Reg t was attempted to be raised to go towards New York, but did not fill up - a number of men were drafted in to it for a short time. The Reg t was to be for 8 or 9 months the applicant thinks - Moses Norton of said Killingworth, now dead, was drafted for two months, and the applicant took his place, and served out the said time as his substitute - He then took the place of John Clark then of New Milford, now dead, and served as his substitute in said Regiment, and served the time out, and until said Regiment was discharged at Stamford, making eight or nine months in which he served in said Regiment - That said Regiment was stationed, and served out its time at Norwalk, and its vicinity. That it was much harassed by the enemy during the time - That Col. Wilks Regiment was stationed there at the same time - That about 4 o'clock in the morning next after the springing of the mine, Col. Wilks & Capt. Bissell were taken from their quarters by the enemy. The applicant was on guard & the first to give the alarm - He and some other men ran immediately to the House from which the Col. was taken - found it on fire, put out the fire, some wounded men & the House in a desperate situation - The officers of the company in which the applicant served, were John Smith Capt. Samuel Gilmore Lieut. & Samuel Doty Ensign - Of the said Regiment besides these Col. Edwards, Lieut. Col. May & Capt. Henry Bull say others - Do not recollect any others -

That in March or April A.D. 1781. The said David Buell, applicant enlisted in to the Shore Grenadiers, consisting at that time of about 25 men - Company under by Lieut. Col. Wright. Then of said Killington, is on record to serve in that time. That he served in said Grenadiers, until some time in August, when he exchanged with a Connecticut who took the applicant's place in the Grenadiers, & the applicant took the Connecticut's place to York Town, and as so there when Cornwallis was taken. The applicant says, that he never had any written discharge as he recollects and that he never made application for a pension before now.
The said David Buell hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Germain G. Grafton Judge of Probate
David Buell
We Luke Wood a clergyman, residing in the town of Killington and Jeremiah Elliott residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Buell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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.
Before me Germain G. Grafton Judge of Probate
Luke Wood Jared Elliott
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the Rev. Luke Wood who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Killington - and that Jeremiah Elliott Esquire who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Killington - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Germain Grafton Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Seymour, Connecticut.
I, Richard P. Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Seymour State of Connecticut. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Buell for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this tenth day of September 1832
Office,
Richard P. Williams
Clerk.

Ezra Kelley of Gray Brook - County of - Middlesex and State of Connecticut deposes and saith that he is 71 years of age. That from his youth up he hath been well acquainted with Mr. Daniel Buell, who hath signed the annexed applica- -tion for a pension. That the deponent further saith that he served in the Revolutionary Army at Horse Neck, from the month of Jan to the month of Sept being two months, in A.D. 1778. in a company commanded by capt. Smith, and that said Daniel Buell belonged to said company, and served therein during the whole of said term of two months. That he the deponent further saith that in the month of Aug 1779. he was drafted, and served at Horse Neck until the first of March 1780. being seven months, in a company commanded by Josiah Henson and Regiment commanded by Matthew Mace, and that said Daniel Buell belonged to, and served in said company the whole of said seven months, with the deponent. The deponent further saith, that he again served at the same place, three months, being from January to March. That when he went on he met the said Daniel Buell at Stamford, on his return home, from serving in said Horse Neck. That he always understood and supposes that said Buell had served there from Jan a day previous. The deponent further saith, that he served in the Shore Guard at said Ridgefield from the 1st part of March 1781. to Oct following, and that said Buell served in company with the deponent in said Guard from said March, until the month of Aug when he went away and joined the Army, at the high lands in the State of New York, as the deponent understood and went from them to York Town. The deponent saith that he knew about said Buell going to Providence and the State of Rhode Island in 1777 - and being absent about six months.
Ezra Kelley John Buell of Higganworth. County of Middlesex State of Connecticut, deposes and saith, that he is 84 years of age. That from his youth up, he hath been well acquaint- -ed with Daniel Buell of St. John, who hath signed the annexed application for a pension. That the deponent served in the Shore Guard in said Town from Jan to Oct 1781. and that said Daniel Buell served therein in company with the deponent from said March until Aug when he went away and joined the Army at the high lands. That the deponent again served in said Guard at the same place from March 1782. to Oct and that said Buell belonged to said Guard and served therein from March to the August following, when he went into the Boat Service and further the deponent saith not. I now and subscribe in open court of Probate this 7th day of November 1832. and certify that I am well acquainted with the said John Buell, and that he is a credible witness. - Samuel Hingham. Judge of Probate

State of Connecticut -
Middlesex County ss (Probate Court of Say Brook in said county)
On this 31 day of July 1835. personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate holden at Killingworth in and for the District of Say Brook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut. the same being a Court of record & now sitting. (David Buell) of said Killingworth, who hath made the annexed application for a pension, & being duly sworn. deposeth and saith - That as regards the 1 st Term of service in said application mentioned - to wit - from Aug t 1777 - to January 1778. he is unable from old age & the consequent loss of memory to swear positively to the day on which he enlisted or on which he was discharged, but from the best of his recollection & belief he enlisted on the 1 st day of Aug t 1777 - and was discharged the 1 st of January 1778. that there is no doubt upon his mind that he served at that time at least five Months -
That as regards the 2 d Term of service in said application mentioned to wit - from 20 th June 1778. to the 20 th of Aug t following - the applicant is unable from the cause aforesaid, to swear positively to the day on which he joined or on which he was discharged from said service, but from the best of his recollection & belief he joined on the 20 th of June & was discharged on the 20 th of August 1778. & is sure that he served at that time at least Two Months -
That as regards the 3 d Term of service in said application mentioned - to wit - Eight Months in 1779. the said applicant saith that he well recollects that he served Eight Months, & that he was dismissed at Stamford the 1 st of March. & that he must therefore have joined the Army the 1 st of July 1779 - he saith therefore that he served at that time Eight Months -
That as regards the 4 th Term of service in said application mentioned to wit - in 1780. he is unable to swear positively to the respective days on which he joined the Army, & on which he was discharged. but he is sure that he served at that time in all at least, Eight Months . H
As regards the 5 th Term of service in said application - to wit - in 1781. in the Gap at Killingworth & in the service in taking Cornwallis at Yorktown - the applicant saith, that from the cause aforesaid, he is unable to swear positively to the days on which he joined, or the days on which he was dismissed from said service. but he saith, that according

to the best of his recollection and belief, he joined the said Shore Guards on the 1 st of April 1781. and served therein until the middle of August of the same year. when he joined the Army, & drove a Team to York Town, & was there at the surrender of Cornwallis. Oct r 19 th 1781. He came directly home & arrived the 15 th of Dec r 1781. making the whole term of his said service in Guards at the South. Eight Months & fifteen days -
The said applicant therefore saith, that from old age and the consequent loss of memory he is unable to swear more positively to the length of his said - the number of officers and other material circumstances. but according to the best of his recollection and belief he served as above & therein before stated. - accounting in all to. Two Years Seven Months & fifteen days . - for which service he claims a pension - He saith that he always served as a private soldier.
Daniel Bull
I Richard P Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the District of Saybrook in the State of Connecticut. do hereby certify. that the foregoing on this piece of paper contains the original proceeding of said Court in the matter of the supplemental application of Daniel Bull, within recited for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6 th day of August A. D. 1833.
Rich d P Williams Clerk.

State of Connecticut } S - Samuel Ingraham, a Notary Midsesex County ss } Public in and for the State of Connecticut, do certify, that George Easton Esq. before me in the foregoing deposition of Martin Buel was sworn, was on the oaths, and all times, within one year now last past a Justice of Peace in and for the County of Midsesex - and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper handwriting and signing -
Witness my hand and official seal at New Britain in said County this 22 day of November 1832
Samuel Ingraham Justice of Probate and Notary Public

I Richard P Williams clerk of the Court of Requests for the District of New York, County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the within and foregoing contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David Buell for a pension - And also his supplemental application under order of the 31 st July 1853 - of which the first is testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this 6 th day of August A.D. 1853 -
Clerk
A THOMAS DAY, Secretary Keeper of the Seal thereof. whom it doth or may concern. That in witness whereof the the foregoing Affidavit of was taken, is and at the time was within and for the Com- nwealth of Massachusetts, by the said State, duly appointed, an officer and authority, by the law to give certificates thereof; the witnesses and to take Affidavits concerning the same, is hereby his official acts and attestations. In testimony whereof I have of said State, at the city of day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Nov 30 David Buell 19300 ✓

6 th Oct 1833 I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That George Easton Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Martin Buell was taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signa- ture purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the city of Hartford, in said State, the Thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty- three .
Thomas Day
Nov 30
Frank Buell
19300
✓

19306 David Bell 6T.
Item this is Adm 2 years $80.
S Ingham Saybrook Connecticut Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Buell C.T.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Aug. 1777 - Mar. 1778 0 5 Private Capt. Davis Col. Ely N. Haven Ivoryton R.I. 70 born at Killingworth C.T. in area there and now lives there   1778 Sub. C. 2 " Capt. Smith Mosely Horse Neck   1779 " 8 Capt. Stanton Sargt. Hark   June 1780. " 8 or 9 Capt. Smith Col. Shipman Shermist Horse Neck N.Y. Service proved by three surviving witnesses and Certificacy of Claggyman and Citizens   1781 - " 10 Quartermaster Capt. Wright  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _____ A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the statement, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served the duration of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

31584
Reg INVALID.
own
File No. 31,584
David Buell
Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 th 182 nd
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss - } Saybrook Aug. 7 th 1832 Walker Knowles of Haddam in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, being duly cautioned to tell the truth, doth on his oath, depose and say - That he was twenty years of age the first day of last April - that he served in the year 1780 - in a Regiment commanded by Col. Buel Buel Buel - and Colonel Shipman May - The company was commanded by Oliver Smith. Captain - Samuel Aiken Lieut. and Thomas Doty Ensign - and Henry Bull of Milford Assistant - That the time of service was nine months - that I served said time - and that I was a Corporal during said time - That said Regiment spent most of the time at and near Noras Neck, and that Daniel Buel belonged to said company, and served out the whole period of time - The Deponent further says, that the said Daniel Buel, he being of Haddam, is now present, and that he is the same man above referred to - and further the Deponent saith not.
Walker Knowles
State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss - } Saybrook Aug. 7 th 1832 Personally appeared in Open Court of Probate Walker Knowles of Haddam in the county of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, and made solemn oath, that the above deposition by him subscribed, contains the truth, and nothing but the truth -
Samuel Dughey
I certify that said Walker Knowles is well known to me, and that he is a credible witness - 22 Nov. 1832 Sam l Dughey Judge of Probate -

(Faint mirrored text bleed-through from the reverse side of the page)
I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Samuel Ingham Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Walker Knowles was taken, is, and at the time of such caption was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the thirtieth day of August , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three .
Thomas Day
(Faint mirrored text bleed-through from the reverse side of the page)

I Martin Buell of Wallingford in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say That I am well acquainted with David Buell of Killingworth in the county of Middlesex and State aforesaid and that on the first of August 1779 he entered the service as a substitute for Peter Ward of said Killingworth who was drafted to serve seven months in the Militia of the Connecticut line and that said David Buell served said term of seven months at Horse Neck 20 called in the State of Connecticut in the Regiment commanded by Col. Matthew Mead and Major Tyler and in the Company commanded Capt Joshua Starson, Lieut. Sely and Ensign Redfield and was discharged at Stamford the first of March 1780 - At the time of entering said service said David Buell was an inhabit- ant of said Killingworth
Martin Buell
State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss Killingworth July 25 AD 1832 Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Martin Buell (considered by me to be a credible witness) who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, made solemn oath to the same deposition, which is taken at the request of David Buell said deposition drawn up and certified by
George Carter Justice of the Peace

James Wright of Saybrook County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that he is 76 years of age. That from his youth up, he hath been well acquainted with Mr. Daniel Bull of said Town who hath signed the annexed application for a pension. That he served from about May or June to the first of January 1778. in a company commonly called Josiah Bullock's. said Regiment commanded by John Ply - at New London, in the State and Rhode Island. That said Daniel Bull joined said company at said New London, the forepart of August, and served therein as a common soldier until the last of December, when he was discharged, at Norwalk in this State to which place said company here marched. And further this deponent saith not. Sworn and subscribed before me in open court of Probate this 7th day of November 1832 - and I certify that said James Wright and that he is a credible witness - and that owing to ill health he cannot write. James Wright
Martin Rootfield of Killingworth County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that he is 76 years of age, that from his youth up he hath been well acquainted with Mr. Daniel Bull who hath signed the annexed application for a pension and he further saith, that he hath examined the above deposition of James Wright, and that he the deponent served in the said company with said James Wright and in the same manner as said James Wright served in said company the whole time, and in the manner as is there stated by said Wright; all which is in the knowledge and recollection of this deponent. and further this deponent saith not.
Martin Rootfield
Sworn to and subscribed before me in open court of Probate this seventh day of Novr 1832 and I certify that the said Martin Rootfield is well known to me and that he is a credible witness.
Samuel Ingham Judge of Probate
Martin Bull Deposition for Daniel Bull an applicant for a pension (1832)