Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36,420, James Bolles, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Bolles, James
S. 36,420
CONTENTS

see letter 15 Mar. 1820. & 17 July 1820
Continued under act 17 Mar. 1820 - No. 215 - which was not paid until November 1820 by Gen. H. Richards, New London, Conn.
13 880 R Connecticut
James Dolles
Montville in the state of Connecticut who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons of Star of the Connecticut line, for the term of Four years
scribed on the roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 23 of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of Aug t 1811 and sent to Gen. H. Richards New London Connecticut
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 11 13 / 31 91.35 Semi-ann. all'ce ending Feb 1819 48
$139:35
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
paid

The Honorable
John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington
James Polk
President
1849
James Buchanan Minister to Great Britain

State of Connecticut
Be it remembered That on the 23 d day of March 1818 before me Jeremiah G. Brainard a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut personally came & appeared James Bollar of Montville in the County of State aforesaid and being duly & solemnly sworn according to Law on the usages of said State did on his said oath by me to him administered depose declare & say that he enlisted to the best of his recollection in the Spring of the year 1775 as a private soldier in the company of Capt Abel Spicer in the regiment of Col Samuel H Parsons marched to Roxbury near Boston where he served for seven months which was the term of his enlistment. That immediately thereafter he re-enlisted in the company of Capt Christopher Darrow of the same Regiment commanded by Col Parsons for the term of one year was marched to New York That at the end of said year which was the term of his enlistment he immediately enlisted for three years  the term of in Capt William Richards company in the Regiment then commanded by Col Sedickiah Huntington & afterwards during his service commanded by Col Zephaniah Sturtevant both on the continental establishment

and that at the end of said three years he was honourably discharged.
To the best of his recollection in February 1780
That after his discharge he served as a volunteer in Fort Griswold in Groton on the day when that Fort was stormed & New London burnt by the enemy - That all his service was in the Connecticut line & from his enlist- ment at Roxbury, it was on the continental establishment that his whole term of service
was four years & seven months. As to his dis- charge it is longer or shorter by time or amount until it is out of the power of the applicant to produce the same. I do hereby certify that he is a native citizen of the United States
He is now & ever since the Revolutionary War has been resident in the State of Connect- icut & is now poor & in need of support from his country from his now deceased deceased
James Bolles
Sworn before me
Jurial G. Brainard a Judge of Superior Court of the State of Connecticut
Witness the Seal of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut officers of said Court under the Seal and Date aforesaid
Jurial G. Brainard a Judge of said Court

 I, James B. Bales, of the County of ... State of ... do hereby certify that ... ... Revolutionary War ... ... as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy - And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the after-mentioned act of Congress. The foregoing declaration was made to me as the applicant declared in order to obtain the provision of the late 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" 
I, Jeremiah P. Brainard, Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the within said James B. Bales did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy - And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the after-mentioned act of Congress. The foregoing declaration was made to me as the applicant declared in order to obtain the provision of the late 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"
Jeremiah P. Brainard Witness my hand and the seal aforesaid
March 23 d 1810 Jeremiah P. Brainard Judge of Superior Court State of Connecticut
I am certain that I have known the applicant James Bales upwards of thirty years - That he is a very poor and intelligent man and needs the assistance of his country for support
Jeremiah P. Brainard Judge as aforesaid

James Bolles
No. 1 ✓
13800
Continued
7 Aug 1819.
Col
to the old
• suspended 15 March 1820 - see letters of that date + 17 July 1820 -

State and District of Connecticut, ss.
ON this 26th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court holden within and for the County of New-London in said State, on the 26th day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, James Bolles aged Seventy years, resident in the town of Montville in said County in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: That he the said enlisted for the term of on the day of in the year in in the State of in the company commanded by Captain Spier in the regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said corps until Col. Tyler and when he was discharged from the said service in by Genl. Judiah in the state of Huntington That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818, as nearly as he can recollect, having no minutes, on the 28th day of March 1818; and had transmitted to him a certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, No. 13,800
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War;" and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
That I am by occupation a labourer - have grown old & infirm & suffer from the Rheumatism - That my family at present consists only of my wife - Mehitable aged sixty seven years That my four children Sarah, Lucretia, Nancy & Eunice are all from home - That my property & estate of every kind name and kind, consists of the following articles - viz a life estate in about 7 acres of poor land with an old house thereon - said life estate of the value of $40.00 - 1 bed, bedding & bedstead $5.00 - crockery ware, 1.40 - 1 small looking glass & heater $0.50 - 1 old bible, 12 - tin, 34 - Hollow ware three stumps $1.50 - 2 spinning wheels $2.00 - 6 old chairs, 25 - 2 old tables, 50 - 2 old chests $1.50 - 1 old warming pan - pail, tubs, stone pots, basket, sieve & 2 old barrels, 75 - making in the whole fifty four dollars eighty six cents James Bolles
Signed Sworn to and declared on the 26th day of June 1820 before said County Court Charles Lathrop Clerk
I, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New-London County, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Fifty four dollars and eighty six cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 26th day of June
1820
Charles Lathrop Clerk

James Botten
Count
18.000
Sept 10/19-

List of Schedule of all the property & Estate of James Boller of the Town of Montville in New London County.
1 Bed Bedding & Bedstead —
Crockery Ware —
Box —
5 Chairs —
2 Spinning Wheels —
1 Small Looking Glass —
1 Warming pan —
2 old Tables —
2 old Chests —
Iron Ware —
1 Pail 1 Tub & 1 Sieve —
Tin Ware —
Life Estate in 8 acres of Land —
Debts due nothing
New London 3 May 9 1820
James Boller
On this ninth day of May 1820 before me Eben Ezra Learned a public Notary duly commissioned presiding in the Town of New London in said County personally appeared James Boller signing the above list Henry Solomons sworn — Made Oath that the above is a true list of schedule of all his property & Estate of every name nature & kind — that there is no debt due to him from any person & that he has no means of support except by his daily labor & that he needs the assistance of govern- ment to enable him to live — that he served the United States during the revolutionary war, was eligible on the pension list but has been struck off for some reason to him unknown
sworn before
Ebenezer Learned Notary Public
James Boller

We Caleb Lyon & Turner Stebbins both freeholders of the Town of Montville in New London County have this 9 th Day of May 1820 appraised all the estate & property of James Bolles as follows viz    1 Bed & bedding & Bedstead  $5.    Wardrobe  40    Trunk  50    5 Chairs  25    2 Spinning Wheels  1.50    1 small looking glass  1.    1 warming pan  50    2 old Tables  1.50    2 old Chests  1.25    Iron Ware  75    1 pail 1 Tub 1 Sieve  34    Fin Ware  40.    Life Estate in 8 acres of Land     Debts due nothing  $53.99  
Caleb Lyon Turner Stebbins
Before me Ebenezer Learned a public notary duly commissioned & qualified in the Town of New London in New London County personally appeared Caleb Lyon & Turner Stebbins on this 9 th Day of May 1820 & being solemnly sworn made Oath that they have ap- praised all the estate both real & personal of Mr James Bolles of said Montville late a citizen of the United States at the sum of fifty Three Dollars ninety nine cents which is its fair & just valuation - that they have for many years been personally acquainted with the said

James Bolles I know that he is & has been very poor & destitute of the means of sup- porting himself comfortably having nothing but his daily labor on which to rely for support - that he has a life estate in eighty acres of poor land & excepting that no other property but a few articles of household furniture contained in the foregoing list which they verily believe to be a true list of all his property that they know not of any debt due him nor do they believe that any per- son is indebted to him to the amount of one Dollar
Caleb Lyon Turner Stebbins
Sworn before me J. L. Larned Not. Pub.
I Henry Larned a Notary public duly commissioned residing in the Town of New London in New London County hereby certify to make known that Caleb Lyon & Turner Stebbins are both of them freeholders and are well known to me as men of respectability & truth & I also certify that I have for many years known James Bolles the signer of the foregoing list, & I have always known him to be poor & destitute of property
In Testimony whereof I of the preceding affidavit, each & all of them I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office at said New London this 9 th Day of May AD 1820
Henry Larned Not. Pub.

36420
Rev INVALID.
Rev
File No. 36420
James Bolles Rev Rev. Mrs
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 57
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To The Honorable John E. Cabaniss Esq. Secretary for the Department of War Washington City D.C.
Old paper

New London Connecticut July 19 th A.D. 1874.
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit to your Department the application of James Bellis for a pension under the late act of Congress granting such compensation to the officers & soldiers of the Revolution.
It will be perceived from an inspection of the accompanying documents, marked from No. 1. to No. 5. inclusive, that the present applicant states precisely on the same grounds as Theodore Minard who has obtained a pension; and it is to be hoped, therefore, that the same justice will be extended to the former which has been extended to the latter. The deposition of James Bellis is confirmed by the concurrent testimony of William Richards and of Theodore Minard, the one an officer and the other a soldier of the Revolutionary Army. The commission of captain which William Richards sustained during the war of Independence will, it is presumed, be deemed sufficient evidence of his competency and credibility as a witness; and the high character of Theodore Minard for truth and integrity is already substantiated by incontrovertible proof on the files of your Department in the Pension Office.

It appears from the mass of evidence collected, that James Potts enlisted into the Newholland service for three several periods - the first for the term of seven months, the second for the term of twelve months, and the third for the term of three years; and that, at the expiration of each of said terms of service, he was honourably discharged. It also appears that he served out his several terms of enlistment faithfully and without impeachment, with the exception perhaps of the latter part of his third term of enlistment when he was absent from the Army, on furlough, & was prevented by the acts of God, bodily infirmity, and the severity of the weather from returning in season to the disturbed situation too in which he found his family after an absence of nearly three years, a situation at that time so common to the families of soldiers, would undoubtedly, were apology necessary, be accepted not only as an ample apology, but as an honourable justification: for if he violated a law of society, it was but in obedience to a law of nature. But it seems he reported his situation as soon as possible to his commanding General, General Mansel, who had now returned to Norwich, and who conferred on him a free pardon, by granting him an honourable discharge. In considering the merits of the

Application preferred by James Bolles for the pittance of his country for support, perhaps his voluntary services in the memorable event of Fort Griswold amid the conflagration of Newbern ought not to be forgotten; neither perhaps ought to be viewed without an eye of pity & justice, of gratitude and shame, the wretchedly destitute condition to which he is reduced in his old age, when the friends that would have assisted him are already gone, and after he has spent his blood and wasted his constitution for that country of which he supplicated charity, when he asks for justice.
Apologizing, if it be necessary to apologize to a gentleman a Patriot, for having said so much in favour of the claims of a Revolutionary Soldier.
I have the honour to be, Sir, with sentiments of very great respect,
Your M c . Servt.
Geo. A. Richard!
To The Honourable John C. Calhoun Esq., Secretary for the Department of War, Washington City, D.C.

No. 3.

I William Richards of the Town of New London in New London County State of Connecticut, of lawful age, do hereby say — That I was a Captain in the Rev. Revolutionary Army & that James Potter now of New Britain in the County of New London State of Connecticut was a Soldier of my Company. The said James Potter served for more than two years in said Revolutionary war, and when he finally left the Army, it was, according to my best knowledge & belief, on furlough. Said Potter is now in very reduced circumstances. New London Connecticut February 6 th 1819. W m Richards
State of Connecticut H. County City of New London.
On this 6 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred nineteen, before me George H. Richards a Notary Public duly commissioned residing in said City, personally appeared William Richards signor of the fore- going deposition, & made solemn Oath to the truth of the facts therein contained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused my seal of office to be affixed on the day, month, & year last above written.
Geo. H. Richards. Notary Public.

Know all men by these presents that I James Prolles of the Town of Montville in Tolland County of State of Connecticut, have made and constituted constituted appointed and by these presents do make and constitute appointed George H. Richards of the Town of New London in said County of Tolland & State of Connecticut to be my true lawful Attorney for me in my name & for my use & behoof to apply to and receive from the Government of the United States or any officer or agent thereof my pension - certificate to which I am entitled as a soldier in the War of the Revolution having served in the Connecticut Line on the Continental Establishment therein honorably discharged, giving & granting unto my said Attorney by these presents my full power & authority in & about the premises to give all necessary & proper receipts &c; one or more attorneys under him to make & substitute & the same at pleasure to revoke & generally to do & perform all matters & things which I could do if personally present, hereby confirming all things which my said Attorney may or shall do in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal at New London aforesaid on this 10 th February A.D. 1819.
Signed sealed & delivered James Prolles in presence of — Charles Thompson Ledyard

State of Connecticut
A. Town & County of New London.
On this 10 th February A.D. 1879, personally appeared James Miller signor & bearer of the foregoing instrument & acknowledged the same to be his free act & deed.
Before me Isaac Thompson Justice of Peace New London County -

I the undersigned of the Town of Mansville in New London County and State of Connecticut, of lawful age, do depose and say that I was admitted the Com. Commissioned and served as various times and places with James Bolles who was also a soldier of the same Army in the Connecticut Line on the watrous & Battle- ment. I am further well knowing to the enlistment of the said James Bolles into said service at three several times viz, once for the period of seven months, once for the period of twelve months, and once for the period of three years, or for that of the war, if not previously discharged by which. I also know of one Personal knowledge that he faithfully served during the term of his two first enlistments, the one for the period of seven months and the other for the period of twelve months as aforesaid, and that at the expiration of each of said terms of enlistment he was honorably discharged from the service, but with respect to his third term of enlistment which was for the period of three years or for that of the war as aforesaid, I do not know the said James Bolles was transferred to a different corps of the Army.
During the period of my serving with him, which was about nineteen months, the said James Bolles maintained the reputation of a correct & faithful Soldier, ever ready to do his duty, and never to my knowledge confined or punished in any manner whatsoever for any offence or neglect of duty. I have seen the Deposition taken on the 9 th day of February A.D. 1819 by the said James Bolles before George H. Richards a Notary Public; and from my confidence in the character & veracity of said Bolles, I suppose

perfect faith and reliance on the correctness and truth of the statements made in his said Deposition.
New London Connecticut February 10 th A.D. 1879.
Zebediah Minard
State of Connecticut H. County City of New London.
On this 10 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninetyn before me Geo. H. Richards a Notary Public duly commissioned and qualified in said City, personally appeared Zebediah Minard signer of the foregoing Deposition and made known that, in due form of law, to the truth of the facts therein contained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused my seal of Office to be affixed at said City of New London on the day, month, and year, last above written.
Geo. H. Richards Notary Public.

I joined the Town of New Britton in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, of which age, do depose and say - That I enlisted to the best of my recollection, in the spring of the year 1775 as a private soldier in the company of Capt. Abel Spencer of Col. Samuel H. Parsons Regiment, and marched to Roxbury near Boston where I served for seven months which completed the term of my said first enlistment. Immediately thereafter, I enlisted in the company of Capt. Christopher Darrow of Col. Parsons Regt aforesaid, for the term of one year, and was marched to the City of New York. At the expiration expiration of said year which completed the term of my second enlistment, I again immediately enlisted for the period of three years in Capt. William Richards Company of Col. Ebenezer Huntington Regiment which was afterwards commanded, during my continuance with it, by Col. Starr, both of whom were of the Connecticut line. The Continental Establishment. In the month of November or December 1777, as nearly as I can recollect, whilst the Regiment to which I belonged and which was then under the command of Col. Starr, was stationed at Reading in the State of Pennsylvania for winter quarters, General Ebediah Huntington gave me a furlough for twenty days. On my return to my family from which I had been absent for a period of nearly three years, I found them in the most distressed circumstances and in the most distressing situation. Notwithstanding these painful circumstances, at the expiration of my furlough I left home and proceeded on my route to join my company & regiment at Reading aforesaid.

But being now in a very debilitated state of body, in the month of December or January, with a very deep Snow, in what is commonly called in this quarter "the hard winter," I found myself unable to proceed further and should have been unable to return, if I had not, whilst at New Haven on my said route, discovered a vessel bound for New London, on board of which I was compelled, from the necessity of my situation, to embark. After I arrived at New London I had recruited my health a little, I proceeded to Norwich where General Sedgwick Huntington had now returned, to whom I reported my situation and the efforts I had used to reach camp, pass soon after the expiration of my furlough as a private. My time of service on my third enlistment being now about expired, as nearly as I can recollect, on or about the 15 th day of February 1780, General Sedgwick Huntington afterward gave me an honorable discharge from the Army. After my discharge I served as a volunteer in Fort Griswold in the town of Groton on the day when that Fort was stormed and carried, and almost the entire garrison put to the sword. The few of us that escaped the sword were transported to the city of New York.
At the expiration of my first term of enlistment which was for the period of seven months I immediately enlisted again for the period of twelve months in Capt. Co. of Col. Parsons Regt. as a forward, was honorably discharged at the end of my term of service.

The entire period of my military service was four years and four months which was in the Connecticut Line in the Continental Establishment. My discharges are lost or destroyed by time or accident beyond my recollection so that it is not in my power to obtain or forward them. I am a native citizen of the United States, and now am, and ever since the Revolutionary War have been, a resident in the State of Connecticut. In consequence of my reduced circumstances and very advanced age, being in my fifty ninth year, I need extremely the assistance of my country for support, having no resources of my own, and being without friends or relations to assist me.
New London Connecticut James Boller February 9 th 1819.
State of Connecticut H. County City of New London ss.
On this 9 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, before me Geo. H. Richards a Notary Public duly commissioned and qualified in said City, personally appeared James Boller Signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath in due form of law, to the truth of the facts therein contained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused my seal of Office to be affixed at said City of New London, on the day, month and year last above written.
Geo. H. Richards Notary Public.