Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17326, Elias Camp, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Camp, Elias
S. 17326
carded
CONTENTS

17.908
Connecticut
Elias Camp
of Milford in the State of Conn who was a Pri — in the Conn commanded by Captain Davidson of the Rep commanded by ————— in the Conn Hoops line for Pmo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of October 1873 and sent — sent J Baldwin Milford
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1834 100 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4 — 20
$120
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. L. Bullock Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 30

State of Connecticut,
} ss. Milford Probate District
On this 28 th day of January 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Milford District William Strong, Judge.
now sitting, Elias Camp a resident of said Milford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged 72 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 stated.
On the first of April A.D. 1781 I enlisted for and served one year in a Company of State Troops commanded by Captain Joseph Davidson of said Milford; which Company was employed as a guard in the Fort at said Milford, and in protecting the sea board from the common enemy. Our Company was mustered daily and a guard was kept constantly - my service was constant for the year and not periodical; for which service I claim a pension. My tour of service can be proved by Capt. Samuel Dike and John Mallett.
For the nature of the service performed in said Milford Fort - and for the authority under which said Fort was built - and the guard employed reference may be had to the certificate of the Hon. Elisha Phelps Comptroller of this State annexed to the papers of Samuel Dike numbered 3477 & forwarded to the War Department.
 - I was born in said Milford February 20, 1761.  - I have a record of my age in the family bible.  - When called into service I lived in said Milford - where I have lived since the Revolution - where I now live.  - I enlisted into the service. 
As our Company was a garrison in said Fort - it was not attached to any particular Regt as I recollect.

I never received any written discharge - but I faithfully served my year as before stated.
I am known, among others, to my neighbors Isaac Smith and Samuel Platt of Milford who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier in the Revolution.
The said Elias Camp 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.
his Elias Camp
We, Bezalel Pinnu a clergyman, residing in the town of Milford and Chas H Pond residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Camp who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
Bezalel Pinnu Chas H Pond
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 Bezalel Pinnu who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Milford and that Chas H Pond who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Milford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, David L Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Milford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Camp for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 28 th day of January 183 3 Office,
David L Baldwin Clerk
State of Connecticut. Probate District of Milford January 28 th 1833 -
I William Strong Judge of the Probate Court, for said District do certify that David L Baldwin whose signature is to the above certificate is Clerk of said Court and has the keeping of the records of said Court, that full faith and credit are due to his official acts, that the

(verifying) is the seal of said Court and that the (verifying) attestations are in due form —
Elias Camp the declarant and the depo- nents, Capt. Samuel Peck, John Mallett, Isaac Smith, and Samuel Platts are severally known to me to be men of truth and their statements are intitled to full faith and credit —
Symally to the request of the War De- partment the Court assigns an opinion that the Applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution that his statements and those of the deponants are true —
Elias Camp the declarant has been totally blind for more than 20 years and is thus obliged to make his mark . —
William Strong Judge of Probate "
Elias Camp
23183

23183 Elias Camp Ohio
1 year's interest $140
Sam L. Baldwin Milford Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 Elias Camp. Milford N. Haven Ct.
   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.     Enlisted 1 Apr. 1781 1 Capt Davidson Stationed Milford Ct Truly Partner who swears to his service  
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
+ The paper in each case should be complete, any further evidence the applicant may be able to prove in order to substantiate

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 the 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 claimant, 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.
□ 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 [a] note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Wells and G. D. [Signature]
attests his claim from Eliza Phelps [Signature]

17.326 INVALID.
File No. 17.326
Elias Camp
Tri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 63
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Connecticut. County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss - At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for said District on the 28 th day of January 1833.
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Peck aged 68 years and John Mallett aged 74 years both of said Milford, who being duly sworn do depose and say that, on the first of April 1780 they enlisted for one year in a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt Joseph Davidson of said Milford, and served in said Company during said term of one year, which was employed as a guard in the Fort at said Milford and in protecting the the Coast on the Sound along said Milford - our Service during said term was constant and not periodical, our company was mustered every day at roll call and a guard was kept up every night - Deposition further depose and say that Elias Camp of Milford aforesaid, served in said Company with us during said term of one year as above stated against the common enemy, during the War of the Revolution, and further deponents say not -
Samuel Peck John Mallett
Attest David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Probate District of Milford Y.
At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for said District on the 28 th day of January 1833. —
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Isaac Smith aged 67 Years and Samuel Platt aged 65 Years both of said Milford who being duly sworn do depose and say, that they are and have always been acquainted with Elias Camp of said Milford, that said Camp's character for truth and veracity is good, deponents further say that being neighbors to the said Camp, it has always been reported and believed in the neighborhood, and never doubted that the said Elias Camp, performed the services as a Soldier of the Revolution as set forth by him in his De- claration — and further deponents say not —
Isaac Smith Samuel Platt
Attest David L. Baldwin Clerk

From private
Col

Milford (pon) September 9, 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Sir,
Enclosed are the pension papers of Elias Camp - Caleb Nuttall and Miles Mallett, together with the evidence required by your "printed letter" - to wit - the certificate of Comptroller Phillips is attached to each file of papers. This certificate will make each case complete in itself - and it is believed, entirely satisfactory in as much as several pensions have already been granted to applicants in this case on this precise proof. With great respect
I remain very respectfully Yours &c. &c.
David L. Waldo

Comptroller's Office
September 6 th 1833
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that on the 8 th day of February 1781 the Council of Safety upon request & recommendation of the Civil Authority & Selectmen of Milford appointed Joseph Davidson Lieutenant of the guard at Milford in the room of Peter Hepburn resigned.
On the 16 th day of June 1781 the amount of Lt. Joseph Davidson pay roll of his company is charged upon the books of the Pay Table to the United States amt, £53, 18, 3.
On the the 9 th of February 1782 the amount of Lt. Joseph Davidson's pay roll, guards at Milford is charged to the United States upon the books of the Pay Table amounting to £1035, 7, 4; & on the same a further sum of £52, 2, 8 is also charged.

On the 6 th day of March 1782 there is charged upon the books of the Pay Table Office, to the United States, the sum of £72.14.9 for the pay roll of St Joseph Davidsons company, guards at Milford.
On the 5 th day of June 1783 there is also charged to the United States upon the books of the Pay Table for the pay roll of St Joseph Davidson company guards at Milford £151.12.2.
I further certify that I have not been able to find in this office any roll of Lieutenant Davidson company or any other evidence who belonged to it, or any evidence of the disrotation of their service.
E. Phelps