Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21728, Sylvester Burnham, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Burnham, Sylvester Caroline
NUMBER
W. 21728
CONTENTS

New York Albany
Caroline Burnham widow of Sylvester Burnham who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 11. January 1840 of Lewis Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Holmes of the Reg t commanded by Col Selden in the Row line for 12. Mo. 5 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 40. Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of  May 1845 and sent M. L.  Ebenezer Larrabee , N.Y.
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by H. S. Evans Clerk, Book Ll. Vol. 1. Page 529.

9101
9101-
Connecticut
Sat. I. C.
Palmer, May
13-39-
Sylvester Burnham
of Salem in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Holmes of the Regt commanded by Col. Selden in the Connecticut line for
Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 40 Dollars & 2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of March 1833 and sent to claimant Salem Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 33: $81 50
Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 4, 33 - 20 37
$101 87
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 3 - Page 3
25 3 29
Jan 16 - 1840

State of Connecticut } S.S. County of New London } Colchester July 26 th A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before Benjamin Trumbull Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester now sitting Sylvester Burnham a resident of Salem in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged seventy two 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That on the 25 th day of June A.D. 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Eliphalet Holmes' Company of Militia in Col. Selden's Regt. and Genl. Wadsworth's Brigade and on the 6 th of July following joined said Company at East Haddam in S t . Connecticut and sailed from there to New York and did duty with said Company in and about New York, White Plains and North Castle until the 30 th day of December 1776 when he was discharged at said North Castle.
That the time of his enlistment and discharge appear from a roll of said Company now in the hands of said Capt. Holmes.
That the reason why S t . Capt. Holmes' testimony is not hereto annexed is that his mental faculties have become impaired by reason of age.
That when he joined said Company he lived at said East Haddam where he was born on the 22 nd day of March 1760 but has no record of his age. That he was discharged by said Capt.

Holmes which appear from said Roll of said Company in sd Capt. Holmes' hands but thinks he never had a written discharge
That in June 1777 he entered into Capt. Smith's Company at East Haddam in Conn. where he then Rev'd for a tour of Military duty of six Months, one Shipman of Saybrook in said Conn. was Lieut. and Joshua Gates Ensign said Company was a part of Col. John Ely's Regt. of Militia or State Troops in Connecticut he was stationed at New London in Connecticut for about two Months and then marched to Little Compton in Rhode Island where he was stationed he thinks about six weeks and then marched to Saybrook in Connecticut and did duty at the fort until the expiration of said term of service same time in December when he was dismissed by Lieut. Shipman and thinks he had no written discharge that since the Revolutionary war he has staidly resided in the state of Connecticut but at different times in the towns of East Windsor, Marlborough, Colechester and Salem - That he has has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service except Capt. Jeremiah Smith whose testimony is herunto annexed. He 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
Silvester Burnham
Sworn to & Subscribed } the day & year aforesaid }

Pomeroi Hall residing in the Town of Salem in the County of New London State of Connecticut hereby certifies that he is well acquainted with Sylvester Burnham who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that he believes him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that he concurs in that opinion  sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid  Pomeroi Hall
Jehuiah Smith of East Haddam in Middlesex County, State of Connecticut certifies and says that he was a Member of & did duty in Capt. Eliphalat Holmes Comp y . of Militia or State Troops in and about New York, White Plains & North Castle from some time in July 1776 until December following and that Sylvester Burnham who has subscribed the foregoing declaration did duty in said Company during the same period, that he has seen the roll of said Company now in the hands of said Capt. Holmes by which it appears under his hands that said Burnham enlisted on the 25 th of June 1776 and was discharged on the 30 th of December following. And further states that he lived a near neighbor to the said Burnham fourteen years and that he has been well acquainted with him ever since 1776 that he believes him to be seventy

two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that he concurs in that opinion.
And further states that he believes the said Burnham to be a man of truth & veracity.
Jeremiah Smith
Sworn to & Subscribed } the day & year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a revolution-ary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that he has been long acquainted with the said Barnaby Hall and Jeremiah Smith who have signed the foregoing certificates and that they are credible persons and that their several statements are entitled to credit.
Benj m Trumbull Judge of
Allest B. M. Trumbull Clerk -
Said Court
I Benjamin M. Trumbull Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester in the County New London and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sylvester
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 26 th day of July A D 1832
B. M. Trumbull

9741 Caroline Burnham
N.Y. Act 7 th July 58
due made in 1843. double pension Adm d 12 mos days per 40.55
also act 3 march 43 —
Wm L. Easton Lowville N.Y.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by an act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" State of New York } Levi's County } ss
On this 16 th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before me Horace D. Shum one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Levi's in said state of New York Caroline Dunham a resident of the town of Leyden in the county of Levi's and said state of New York aged Seventy three who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by an act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Sylvester Dunham late of the town of East Raddam in the state of Connecticut who departed this life on the sixteenth day of January 1840 That her husband the said Sylvester Dunham was a soldier during the war of the Revolution and at the time of his death a pen- sioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That as this Declarant was not married to the said Sylvester until after his said service in the war of the Revolution she cannot relate the various particulars thereof but she has frequently heard her said husband relate that he served upon a number of occasions under Captain Elphalet Wolcott upon an expedition marched to New London and thence to New York That he also served three years as a cooper for the Army but

cannot relate further particulars And Declarant further saith that she was married to the said Sylvester Burnham on the same day of September Seventeen hundred and Eighty seven by Rev William Vale at East Wadsworth farm. That the following persons were present at her marriage to wit a number of persons persons all of whom are now dead, That previous to her said marriage she resided in the town of East Wadsworth and bore the maiden name of Dutton
That her husband the said Sylvester Burnham died as aforesaid on the first tenth day of January Eighteen hundred & Forty (1840) at East Wadsworth aforesaid That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that her marriage took place previous to January 1791 to wit at the time above stated
In seventh line from top the word "persons" was repeated and from the deponent near aforesaid before me and I certify that the Declarant Caroline Burnham her mark is not in a condition to attend court owing to old age and bodily infirmity
Horace Johnson & Judge of Lewis County Courts
I certify the reason why Caroline Burnham made her mark to the above declaration instead of writing her name is the trembling of her hand
Horace Johnson & Judge etc
Lewis County ss
John Panning of the town of Leyden in said county of Lewis doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Caroline Burnham who now resides in said town of Leyden and county

afraid and has been well acquainted with her and her late husband Sylvester Burnham for the space of many years last past That she is well known to him to be the widow of Sylvester Burnham late of East Waddan Conn. deceased
John Banning
State of Connecticut Lebanon ss
On this 16 th day of September 1843 personally appeared before me John Banning to me well known to be a person of truth and veracity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition which subscribed
Horace Johnson Judge of Lebanon County Courts
State of New York Lebanon ss Clerk's Office } ss I Charles Orr, Clerk of said County do certify that Horace Johnson Esq. before whom the above depositions were taken was on the day of the act of the same a Judge of County Courts in and for said County duly appointed and sworn and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and verily believe his signature above one genuine and further that the term of office of said Judge commenced on the 9 th day of April 1843 and will expire on the 9 th day of April 1848.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 25 th day of September 1843.
C Orr's Clerk

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County } of East Haddam Oct 12. 1844.
I Calvin B. Mark of East Haddam aged Fifty Four years in December last. Having been duly cautioned examined and sworn upon and say that for many years I was well acquainted with Sylvester Burnham late of East Haddam deceased a Revolutionary Pensioner, and with his wife Caroline now his Widow, and all of their children - That for several years prior to the said Sylvester's decease they lived near me in said East Haddam and their oldest child Hermit Burnham was about eighteen months older than myself, and is now living in the State of New York - Their second child who was a few months younger than myself is also living in the State of New York - Their third child a daughter I was married to, in the year 1812, and she died in the year 1832. That said Sylvester Burnham died at East Haddam on the sixteenth day of January 1840, and left said Caroline his widow, who remained single and unmarried, during her stay in East Haddam, and removed to Leyden, Lewis Co State of New York in the fall of the year 1840, and has since that period resided there - and further saith not -
Calvin B. Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Calvin B. Mark the Deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person and his statements may be relied on -
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut, Middlesex County ss. East Haddam Oct 12 th 1844.
I Alvan Beebe of East Haddam aged Eighty Three years having been duly cautioned examined & sworn before and say that I was well acquainted with Sylvester Burnham late of East Haddam deceased a Revolutionary Pensioner, and with his Widow Caroline Burnham whose maiden name was Caroline Dutton. That I was present and saw them married in said East Haddam in the fall of the year Seventeen Hundred Eighty Seven by Joseph Vail Pastor of the Congregational Church in Hadlyme. I cannot state the month or the day, but I recollect the wedding was postponed one day as the minister did not come to marry them -
I am confident that said marriage was in 1787, as said Burnham's oldest child was born before I left my Father which was in the year 1790. in the Spring - There were but a few present at the wedding - Said Burnham & his wife lived within fifteen rods of my father's after their marriage, and said Caroline was my own Cousin, and consequently I went to the wedding - I was married in the year 1782, my wife was at the wedding, she is now dead - and further the Deponent saith not -
Signed in presence of
Wm Marsh
Alvan his { Beebe mark
John C. Palmer
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before me and I certify that Alvan Beebe the Deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person and his statements may be relied on
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

March 28, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sylvester Burnham-W.21728 BA-J/AWF AW
Mr. Charles R. Hale 30 Oak Street Hartford, Connecticut
Dear Sir:
The Revolutionary War record of Sylvester Burnham which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 21728, based upon his service in that war.
Sylvester Burnham was born March 22, 1760 in East Haddam, Connecticut, names of his parents not given.
While residing in said East Haddam, he enlisted June 25, 1776, served as a private in Captain Eliphalet Holmes' company, Colonel Selden's Connecticut regiment, until discharged December 30, 1776. He enlisted in June, 1777, served six months as private in Captain Smith's company, Colonel John Ely's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted in April, 1778, served in Captain Phelon's company under Colonel Brown, was stationed at Fishkill Landing, New York, two years employed in making barracks, and one year at Newburgh.
He lived after the Revolution in East Windsor, Charles-ter, and Salem, Connecticut. He was allowed pension on his application executed July 26, 1832, then a resident of Salem, Connecticut.
He died January 16, 1840 in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Sylvester Burnham married October 11, 1787 in East Haddam, Connecticut, Caroline Dutton of said East Haddam. They were married by the Reverend Joseph Vail, pastor of the

Congregational Church of East Haddam.
The widow, Caroline Burnham, was allowed pension on her application executed September 16, 1843, then aged seventy-three years and living in Leyden, Lewis County, New York, having moved there in the fall of 1840.
Their oldest child, Harriet, was born sometime in the year 1788; she was living in 1844 in the state of New York; their second child, name not given, was also living in 1844 in the state of New York; their third child, a daughter, name not shown, married in 1812, Calvin C. Mack, she died in 1832. The said Calvin C. Mack was about fifty-four years of age in 1844 and residing in East Haddam, Connecticut. There are no further data as to their children.
Alvan Beebe was eighty-three years of age in 1844 and residing in East Haddam, he was cousin of the widow, Caroline Burnham.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1835- March 28 - Hist. L. Chas. B. Hale
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21728
Carolina Burnham
wid of
Sylvester Burnham
Priv Red War
Act March 3 rd  1843
Index: Vol. A , Page 106
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 9741, Caroline Burnham
N.Y.
Suspended Ltr to S. Eaton H. B. Hall '44 " " Hon. C. J. Benton. Feb. 20. '45.
Act July 7 th 38

6.902.
New York Albany.
Caroline Burnham Conn. widow of Sylvester Burnham who was a private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of May 1845 and sent to
M. L. Easton, Esq. Saratoga N. York.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. 2
Vol. 1. Page 71.
Rep.
25 Certificates
Act 1838
" 1843.
Date of death act m 43

April 1845.
Adaltes can
Carlum Bunham.
J. G. O'Neills Esq
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
FREE

Lawville N.Y. March 27. 1875-
W. L. Edwards Esq
Com to Spi I enclose the additional evidence in the case of Caroline Burnham required by yours of 20 th ult to Hon. C. S. Brewton which I trust will be satisfactory. The papers last transmitted contained the affidavit of Alvan Beebe who testified that he was present at the wedding of Sylvester Burnham & Caroline Dutton
The situation of Mrs Burnham who is very poor and sick requires speedy action I hope the certificate may be forwarded immediately on receipt of this
Respectfully Yours
Wm D. Easton

Sylvester Burnham Application for N o 1298, Pension with Additions

State of Connecticut
New London County } ss. Colchester
On this fifth day of December A D 1832 personally appeared in open court before Benjamin Shumbull Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester now sitting, Sylvester Burnham the Applicant for a pension in the foregoing declaration who being first duly sworn according to Law, made the following declaration as a Supplement thereto, — Vir —
That the Roll alluded to in said foregoing declaration in the hands of Capt. Eliphalet Holmes whose mental faculties are impaired by age, was carried before the Court of Probate at the time he made his said foregoing declaration by consent of Ozias Holmes Esq. Son of said Capt. Eliphalet, Attorney who has the care of his father, but as others their might be interested in said Roll besides him (the present Applicant), he was not permitted to send said Roll to the War Department.
That he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his second term of service, nor of any person who can testify to his first term of service except Jeremiah Smith whose testimony has been procured.
That the reason why he did not procure the testimony of a Clergyman in his present present neighborhood to testify to his character for veracity and his belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, was that the Rev. Eli

Hyde the nearest clergyman had been lately dismissed and was not then at said Salem, but that he and has now returned and together with Elisha Morgan — of his present neighborhood can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, and further states that he has no documentary evidence and knows of none except the Roll alluded to, and that he served his first term of service as described in his foregoing declaration, and he served in his second term of service six months for which he claims a pension. & that in both terms of service he served as a private Sworn to and subscribed This 5 th day of Dec. 1832 } Sylvette Burnham
We Eli Hyde a clergyman residing in the Town of Salem in New London County and State of Connecticut and Elisha Morgan residing in said Salem hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Sylvester Burnham who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declarations and believe him to be a man of good character for truth and veracity, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed This 5 th day of Dec. 1832 Eli Hyde Elisha Morgan

And the said Court hereby certifies that the Roll alluded to in the said Sylvester Burnham's application for a pension was produced in Court at the time he made his declaration on the 26 th day of July last, and that the statement made from said Roll is correct, and further certifies that it appears to him that Eli Hyde who has subscribed a proceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in said town of Salem and that Elisha Morgan who has also signed the same is a resident in said Salem and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Benj m Trumbull Judge of Court
I Benjamin M. Trumbull Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester in the County of New London in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sylvester Burnham for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fifth day of December A D 1832
B. M. Trumbull

Thos Thomas Thomas
— 18th Dec 1861 —
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

State of Connecticut, Middlesex County p. East Haddam March 15. 1839.
I Sylvester Burnham of said East Haddam aged Seventy Nine years depose and say, That in the Month of April in the year 1778 I enlisted into Captain Phelps Company of Artificers in Col Brown's Regt. for a period of three years, Conditioned to go into the lines if required. I was stationed at Fishkill Landing in the State of New York and was there employed with six others of the same Regt in making barrels, my pay was forty dollars a month in Continental Money, and I was entitled to Twenty Dollars bounty which was never paid me. I remained at Fishkill Landing two years and at Newburg one year and served out the period for which I enlisted. At the close of my service there was due to me Two Hundred Dollars which I have never received. I made application for a pension for said services and other services in 1818. which was rejected, and I am now in the receipt of a pension of $40.52 for Military services under Act of 1832. granted March 25. 1833. and reference is had to my application under act of 1818 for proof of the service herein stated. Sylvester Burnham
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Sylvester Burnham is a credible person and his statements may be relied on.
John Palmer Justice of the Peace.

State of Connecticut
Middletown County } ss Killingworth October 15 th A.D. 1844.
I Amanda T Everts of said Killingworth in the County & State aforesaid aged forty eight years, having been duly cautioned examined & sworn depose and say that I am the Daughter of the Rev Joseph Vail late deceased who was Pastor of the Congregational Church in Hadlyme Society in East Haddam in said County and State from the year 1780. to the year 1838. That I have the custody of many of the Sermons papers, books, and the record of the marriages performed by him from 1780. to 1831. which were left by him in my possession - That upon examination of said Record book I find the marriage of Sylvester Burnham and Caroline Dutton recorded therein in the hand writing of my father the said Joseph Vail in the regular course of the record as follows, to wit - "Seventeen hundred Eighty Seven October eleventh Sylvester Burnham to Caroline Dutton" and I certify that the above is a true extract from said Record with the exception of the date which appears on said Record in fair legible figures as follows to wit "1787 Oct. 11." and that from the general appearance of said record it was made at the time the marriage took place, and is a true and correct record of the event - and I further state that the said Joseph Vail died on the 21 st day of November 1838. in said Killingworth - and I have since had possession of said book of Marriage Records - and further saith not -
Amanda T Everts
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that the word "year" was interlined before execution, and that said Amanda T. Everts is personally known to me and is a credible person and her statements may be relied on -
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut Middlesex County } p East Haddam October 12. 1844.
I Timothy Holmes, of said East Haddam aged Forty Two years having been duly cautioned, examined & sworn depose and say, that I hold the office of Clerk of the Church and Society of Hadlyme being the 3 rd Congregational Society in East Haddam, and as such have the custody of the Records of births, baptisms, deaths & marriages in said Church & Society - That Joseph Vail was rector of said Church from the year 1780. to the year 1836.
That I have examined said Records to find the marriage of Sylvester Bunker & Caroline Dutton, but can nowhere find the same recorded, nor do I find the record so full as to raise a presumption against said marriage having taken place - nor does the record of baptisms recognize such relation, or the record of deaths - and further saith not -
Timothy Holmes, Clerk of the Congregational Church & Society
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Timothy Holmes the Deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person and his statements may be relied on
John B Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } Middlesex County } p.
I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court for Middlesex County hereby certify that John C Palmer is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that his commission as such took effect on the 20 th day of June 1844. and expires on the 20 th day of June 1845. and that the signatures to the Certificates on the Depositions of Daniel B Warner, Timothy Holmes, Gabeal Swan, Alvan Burt, Calvin C Mack and Amanda V Everts all hereto annexed, purporting to be his and his own genuine and proper signatures -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature and the seal of said Court at Middletown in said County this 16 th day of October 1844.
J. Fisk Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex } ss. East Haddam October 12 th 1844.
I Gabez Swan of said East Haddam aged Sixty eight years, having been duly cautioned examined & sworn depose and say, That from my earliest recollection I have known Sylvester Burnham late of East Haddam deceased a Revolutionary Pensioner, and his widow Caroline Burnham whose maiden name was Caroline Dutton, that I was present and saw said Sylvester & Caroline married at said East Haddam, the year I cannot state, but am confident I was there, and that the marriage took place in the fall of the year and I should think it was before 1790, as I was but a boy - I recollect that they were not married the day that was set, as the Minister was not there, but were married the next day, and my belief is that they were married by Parson Joseph Foil the Pastor of the Congregational Church in Hadley while in said East Haddam - and further the deponent saith not.
Gabez Swan Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before me and I certify that Gabez Swan the Deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person and his statements may be relied on
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County } ss. East Haddam Oct 12, 1844.
I Daniel B Warner of said East Haddam aged Thirty Seven years, having been duly cautioned, examined & sworn depose and say that I now hold and since the 1 st Monday in October 1843, have held the office of Town Clerk in said Town of East Haddam and as such have the custody of the Records of Marriages, Births & Deaths in said Town and that I have carefully examined the same from the year 1780, to the present time and do not find the marriage of Sylvester Burnham & Caroline Dutcher recorded therein, nor do the records of births or deaths recognize such relation - That said Records are very incomplete and do not furnish a presumption against said marriage having taken place - Nor do I find the death of said Sylvester Burnham recorded in said records - I knew said Sylvester Burnham who was a Revolutionary Pensioner and died in East Haddam and left said Caroline Burnham his Widow and further saith not -
Daniel B Warner
Town Clerk, East Haddam
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Daniel B Warner the Deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person & his statements may be relied on -
John C Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut Middlesex County } p.
Be it remembered that on this 17 th day of March 1845. I Eliphalet A Bulkeley Judge of the County Court for Middlesex County & state of Connecticut. Have carefully examined a book of marriage records said to have been kept by the late Rev Joseph Vail deceased, late and for many years pastor of the Congregational Church of Hadlyme, composed in part from the Towns of East Haddam & Lyme, and in which the marriage of Sylvester Burnham and Caroline Dutton is recorded as follows to wit " October 11. 1787. Sylvester Burnham to Caroline Dutton" do certify that said book is prefixed with the following caption, to wit "An account of the Marriages" "Note. That I have not kept an exact account of all ye couple that I have married, nor of the time when several were married" That the marriages entered in said Book commence Jan'y 31. 1781. and are continued to August 14 th 1836. - That the record of the marriage of Sylvester Burnham to Caroline Dutton is in regular course, and from the appearance I have no doubt of its genuineness and authenticity - and that the same is in the hand writing of the said Joseph Vail and has every appearance of being an ancient record - There are some marriages on said record where the date of the month is not given, and I take them to be the cases referred to in the Note above recited - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature, and do cause the Clerk of said Court to affix hereto his signature and the Seal of said Court on the day and year above written.
Eliphalet A Bulkeley Judge of the County Court
By Order of the Court Attest W. P. Wilcox Clerk

May 9. In at 10 A.M.
James L. Edwards Passenger Office New York P.C.

East Wadsworth St. May 4. 1829.
Sir,
By request of Mr Burnham I transmit the enclosed to get your advice on the point whether he is entitled for the services stated to any increase of his pension — Mrs Lewis and Mrs Dodge are waiting anxiously for the receipt of intelligence —
Hon J. L. Edwards Comm d of Pensions Washington —
Your Obedt Servt J. C. Palmer

Sylvester Burnham
admit
final 12 m o 5 dup
40.52.
12-26
Claimant

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sylvester Burnham 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 ? 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 ? The best evidence of service, the roll alluded to is not produced, nor any sufficient reason given for its non production. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ? 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?
no
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?
One of the terms not proved
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?
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.”

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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡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.

HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR
CHARLES R. HALE, CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON MARKING GRAVES
30 OAK STREET HARTFORD, CONN.
March 14, 1935
Chief Clerk Pension Department Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please send the revolutionary service as given in the pension application for Sylvester Burnham, his widow Caroline had a pension in 1832 #W 21728 ✓ also for Israel Cone #S 36477 he was on the 1818 pension roll, also for John Stewart #S 28902. We would like to get Connecticut headstones for them.
Yours very truly,
Chas. R. Hale
CRH: MB

March 28, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/AWF
Mr. Charles R. Hale 30 Oak Street Hartford, Connecticut
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Sylvester Burnham, pension claim, W. 21728, the Revolutionary War record of Israel Cone, pension claim, S.36477, and the Revolutionary War record of John Stewart, pension claim, S. 28902.
The data furnished herewith were obtained from the papers on file in the above noted pension claims.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Gurnham, Thomas GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3795 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Mar. 25, 1790 and 261-60-55 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.