Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,583, Solomon Beckley, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Beckley, Solomon Buckley, or
S. 31.583
CONTENTS

Connecticut 28,919
Solomon Fustley of Hartford in the State of Ct. who was a Pr in the By commanded by Major Clark of the By commanded by Col Huntington in the Ct line for 1 mo: 8 days —
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 34 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of July  34 and John A. Pease Enfield — C
Arrears to the 4th of Mar : 34  102  66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 1 Sept : 17  11 $119 77
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Rice Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 3 .

Solomon Buckley Wiltonfield Conn
New Britain P.O.
No 5409
Buckley served 1 st Conn 5 mo. 2 " 2 " 3 " 2 weeks  10 mo 6 2 weeks

State of Connecticut Hartford County
ss. Berlin Aug. 18 th 1832
On this 18 th day of Aug. A. 1832
personally appeared, in Open Court before the Court of Probate for Berlin District, in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, now sitting. — Solomon Beckley, a resident of Wethersfield in the County aforesaid, aged seventy-six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated in the Connecticut State service. —
1 st In the year 1775, I enlisted into Major. Clarke's company, in Col. Jedediah Huntington's Regt. for five months. — we marched to Roxbury near Boston where we remained until discharged, we were out five months or more; Isaac Foster was with me. —
2 d In the year 1776 I enlisted in the State troops & served in the company commanded by Herkiah Wells Capt. Charles Churchill Lieut. & Absalom Williams Ens. — We marched on or about the first of January to Roxbury near Boston, — I helped to fortify Dorchester-hill; and continued there until the British evacuated Boston, we were dismissed the last of March or the forepart of April; I was out on this tour about three months.

3. The third tour of duty, which I performed was in the Militia, in Lieut. Aaron Porter's company & Col. Talcott's Regt. — I left home, I think in July 1776, march'd on the post Road to New Haven, & from thence went by water to New York, I was in the retreat from Long Island, in the night, — We were stationed awhile at a place called Hornshook, near Hurlgate. — we were discharged the last of Sept. I served in this tour two months. —
4. At another time I was drafted, & march'd as far as Pomfret, was then discharged & returned. I was gone about 2 weeks. I have no documentary evidence of my service.
I was born & have ever lived in the town of Wethersfield. —
Interrogatory 1 st Answer Wethersfield in 1756 " 2 d do Wethersfield " 3 d do Wethersfield " 4 th do In my declaration " 5 th do In my declaration " 7 th Rev. Samuel Goodrich & Luther Barkley Esq.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present; and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State. —
Solomon Barkley
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. —
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.
State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. Berlin Aug. 18 th 1832.
This may certify that I am well acquainted with Solomon Barkley of Wethersfield. I have known him for more than

Seventy years, I was in the Revolutionary Army with him, and know that in the year 1775 he the said Buckley enlisted & went in a company commanded by Major. Clark, in Col. Jedediah Huntington's Regt. to Roxbury near Boston, we were there about five months. — I also remember that in 1776. he went in the same company with me to New York, under Lieut. Aaron Porter. in Col. Talcott's Regt. We were at N. York, Long Island, Hornshook & in that vicinity, about two months. —
I have no doubt but he served the whole time he has stated in his several declarations; he sustains a good moral character, is a man of truth, and I think his testimony may be relied on. — I am 77 years old
Isaac Porter
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid. —
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District.
State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. Berlin Aug 18 th 1832
I Abijah Porter of Berlin aforesaid, Do. certify that I have known & been well acquainted with Solomon Buckley who has signed the foregoing declarations, for more than 70 years; that in the year 1776 he enlisted in the same company with me, Under Lieut. John Buckley, but he dying immediately after, we went under Capt. Hezekiah Wells, Lieut. Charles Churchill, & Ens. Absalom Williams all of Wethersfield, about the first of January we marched to Roxbury near Boston

where we remained in the State Troops & in the service until about the last of March; we were out on this tour nearly three months. — In July following, said Solomon Beckley was in the same company of Militia with me, under the command of Lieut. Aaron Porter, in Col. Saltonstall's Regt. We marched to New Haven, then went by water to New-York, Long Island, Hornshook & that vicinity. — We were out at this time about two months. — I have no doubt but he served the whole time he has stated in his declarations, he sustains a good moral character, & his testimony may be relied on. — I am 75 years old. —
Abijah Porter
Sworn & Subscribed to the day & year aforesaid. —
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
State of Connecticut } ss. Berlin Aug. 18 th 1832. Hartford County }
We Samuel Goodrich Clergyman residing in Berlin aforesaid and Luther Beckley a magistrate of said County Hereby certify that we are acquainted with Mr. Solomon Beckley who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declarations That we believe him to be seventy-six years old; — that he is believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel Goodrich,
Luther Beckley
Sworn to, and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War department, that the aforesaid named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. — And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that the Rev. Samuel Goodrich ————— who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Berlin & Parish of Worthington; and that
Luther Berkley Esq ————— who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Berlin, & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
And the Court further certifies, that Isaac Porter, & Abijah Porter, both residing in said Berlin, who have signed & sworn to the foregoing certificates, are all of them, well known to the Court as sustaining good moral characters; men of truth, and their statements are entitled to credit. —
Certified by me Thomas Lee Judge of Probate Berlin District
I George Washington Southworth, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matters of the application of Solomon Beckley of Wethersfield for a pension. —
And I do also certify that Thomas Lee Esq. who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above is Judge of Probate for Berlin District. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of August 1832, Geo. W. Southworth Clerk

At a court of Probate Held at Berlin within & for the District of Berlin on the 25 th day of May A.D. 1853 Present Thomas Lee Esq. Judge
Solomon Beckley the foregoing affliant for a hearer appeared in court, and made statement, that he is not able to mention any thing more definitely as to his services, and moved to have his affidavit taken as to his services according to the description in the brief - whereupon this court • granted to him the following affidavit

At a court of Probate Held at Berlin within & for the District of Berlin on the 25 th day of May A.D. 1853 Present Thomas Lee Esquire Judge
Solomon Beckley the foregoing affliant for a person appeared in court, and made statement, that he is not able to mention any thing more definitely as to his services, and would to have his affidavit taken as to his services according to the description in the brief - whereupon this court granted to him the following affidavit

State of Connecticut Hartford County
ss. Berlin May 25 th 1853.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of Probate for the district of Berlin Solomon Barkley who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, & 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 five months he served in the year 1775 as a private For three months he served in the year 1776 as a private at one time, and two months at another time in the same year - For two weeks in a year not mentioned he served as a private. In the whole ten months, & two weeks, he served as a private, and for such service is entitled to a pension. —
Thomas Lee Judge of Probate
Berlin District
I George W. Southworth Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Berlin do certify, that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Solomon Barkley for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 25 th day of May 1853
Geo. W. Southworth Clerk

Supplementary Declaration of Solomon Beckley of Wethersfield. The applicant for a Pension State of Connecticut } ss. - On this 14 th day of Jan. A. 1834 Hartford County } Personally appeared in Open Court
before the Court of Probate for Berlin District in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut now sitting. Solomon Beckley who Deposes & says that he is the same person who made the Declaration by him subscribed & sworn to on the 18 th day of Aug. A. 1832 before the Court of Probate for Berlin District, and being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath further declare.
1 st That in the first specified Tour in the Year A. 1775 in his Declaration made on said 18 th day of Aug. A. 1832 before the Court of Probate for Berlin District by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he could not then & cannot now swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served on that Tour Five Months.
2 nd That in his second Tour as specified in his P te declaration he for the same reasons could not then, & now cannot swear positively, as to the exact length of time; but according to the best  positively of his recollection he was out on that Tour  not less than  Three Months.
3 rd That in his third tour as specified in his P te declaration, for the same reasons as before stated, he could not then swear positively as to the precise length of time; but from further recollection he is confident that it was not less than two months. It was in Lieut. Aaron Porter's Co. & Col. Elizur Talcott's Regt. for further

evidence of that Tour of duty reference is had to the Depositions of Deac. John Hollister & Thomas Holmes; which are attached to the application of Nathaniel Dickinson of Berlin, for a pension. — And also to the Depositions of Isaac Porter & Abijah Porter which are attached to this application. — 4 th That in his fourth Tour as specified in his Declaration for the same reasons as before stated; he then could not state positively as to the exact number of days, but now feels confident that it was not less than two weeks. — And further states that it was in 1775 when the British went out to Lexington & Concord, at this time he was drafted in the militia under the command of Lieut. John Beckley of Wethersfield to go on to meet the British, — that he joined the company at Wethersfield & marched immediately towards Boston, — When he reached Pomfret in Connecticut, they heard that the British had retreated back to Boston; and soon after we were marched back to Wethersfield, where we were discharged. — gone on this tour as before stated, not less than two weeks.
Salomon Beckley
Sworn
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Ira E. Smith Judge of Probate Berlin District

I, Simon Willcox Clerk of the Court of Probate for Buxton District do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Solomon Beckley of Wetherfield aforesaid for a Pension And I also certify that Sir E. Smith Esq who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as aforesaid is Judge of Probate for Buxton District
For testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 4 th day of January 1834.
Simon Willcox (Clerk)

31583 Rev INVALID
File No. 31,588
Solomon Buckley Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6409-
Solomon Buckley
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10 w o 8 days $32.22 pr am  little 
L. P. Pearce Esq. Enfield Ct
 Thomas L...  Mrs. D. ... Bow

5409
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Beckley which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? — no —
Handwritten initials or mark
V. * Has he mentioned 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? — no —
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.”

L3 It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
- The term where no specification is given cannot be allowed unless specific proof is made
Duration of service in Falcott's reg t must be shown

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
- The term where no specification is given cannot be allowed unless specific proof is made
Duration of service in Falcott's reg t must be shown

Hon d S L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Enfield Ct 12 apr 1834
Hon d J s Edwards
Sir The accompanying Declaration of Solomon Buckley
 1 st Claims first 5 months or more in the summer & autumn of 1775. This is now proved by the Comptroller's Certificate to be 5 8 3.  2 nd In his Second tour begun in Jan y 1776 he claims — he cannot recollect the names of his Field officers, but the Comptroller's Certificate will show that Capt Wells under whom he claims to have served was in Serain at the time & place mentioned —  3 rd In his 3 rd tour begun in May 1776 he claims to have served at NY — In this he mistakes the given name of his Col l . The Comptroller's Certificate will show that Lieut Aaron Porters Company was attached to Col l Mathew Talcott's B ty & not Elmer Talcott as the applicant supposes. The following facts have led to this mistake viz The militia 1776 proceeded to NY by companies & not by Regts. They saw little of their own Field officers after they reached there. Col l Elmer Talcott who was in Serain at the same time & place resided near the applicant & was well known to him while Mathew Talcott was a stranger to him. Another company from the same town in which the applicant resided was attached to the Reg t of Elmer  4 th In his fourth tour, which was really the first as explained in his supplementary declaration, was at the Alarm as it is called immediately after the Lexington Battle. 
 187  m d  10. 22 
when I was at your office in Feb last Mr Ela informed me that some suspicion rested upon this claim. you will perceive that the applicant is now fully sustained by documentary evidence as far as it goes, which is nearly the whole length of the case. An honest claim never was presented.
I am with great respect your most obed t Serv t J. J. Pease