Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,632, Joseph Bearss, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bearss, Joseph
S 16,632
Carded
CONTENTS

17.083 Connecut Joseph Beass of N. Fairfield the State of Connut who was a Pri. & Ser t in the Conn by Captain _____ of the Reg by Col Chandler in the Connut line for Militia 21. mo 23 d
17.083 Connecut Joseph Beass of N. Fairfield the State of Connut who was a Pri. & Ser t in the Conn by Captain _____ of the Reg by Col Chandler in the Connut line for Militia 21. mo 23 d
Inscribed on the Roll of Connut at the rate of 90 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July 1833 and Sen t . Edward Taylor. Danbury Connut Arrears to the 4th of March '33 $181.76 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep. 1. " 45.44 $227.20
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk book E Vol. 3. Page 5

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss.
On this 25 th day of July
1852 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said County and State now sitting at Danbury in and for said District the terms being a court of record. Joseph Dineen a resident of New Fairfield in the said County aged twenty six years who being first duly sworn according to law took an oath and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 18 th 1842. That he was born in New Fairfield aforesaid in the year 1826 and produced here in court a copy of the record of his birth certified by the Town Clerk of said New Fairfield. The day of his birth was the 5 th day of January 1826. That he entered the service of the United States during the following named officers and served as herein stated, to wit —
That about the first day of June 1875 he enlisted for the term of nine months as a private soldier in the Regiment commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Connecticut State Troops, in the Company, commanded by Captain Schenck. The other officers of said company were Captain Briggs Lieutenant and Ensign Reeder. He was immediately placed under the orders of said Colonel at said New Fairfield at drill until some time in the month of April following when he joined the said Regiment at Stamford in said Fairfield County where Col. Waterbury resides after remaining at Stamford two or three weeks for the recruits to come in the said Regiment proceeded to New York through Horseneck and Rochester.

then up the north river in Boats to Half Moon Point now Watervliet in the State of New York — The said Regiment was there or a little above joined by several Regiments of New York Troops and the redlets was commenced by Col. Schuyler After a halt of three or four weeks at Half Moon Point the Troops proceeded on the northern ex- pedition. While at Half Moon Point the said Beers was appointed Sergeant of the said company and continued thereafter to serve in the said capacity during the remainder of the campaign — They proceeded through the woods to Schenectady now Whitehall and there embarked on Lake Champlain in Boats, a part of the Troops and Baggage were sent through Lake George they landed at Ticonderoga and lay in the Barracks there three or four weeks — The believe Ticonderoga was reduced before his arrival — He was present and served at the Siege of the fort at St Johns at the outlet of Lake Champlain: After the reduc- tion of Fort the Army proceeded northward and captured Montreal — He was left at St Johns to garrison the fort and remained in said fort until the latter part of the Month of December: then he returned with his said Captain to Ticonderoga where he was discharged and arrived at his home on the 16 th day of Dec 1775 — On said northern expedition General Montgomery assumed the command either at Ticonderoga or the Isle aux Noix — II Early in January 1776 he was drafted to serve in the Connecticut Militia in the service of the United States for the term of three months He served in obedience to the said call the term of three months next following at the city of New York in the company commanded by Captain Purdie of said New Fairfield — The other officers were Lieut. David Hays of said Danbury — He has no particular recollection of the officers who — con =

mended - During this term of service he performed garrison duty and was an orderly sergeant in said company -
III. That about the 1st. day of April 1776 and immediately after the expiration of the last mentioned period of service on which he was mustered as aforesaid he enlisted in the service of the United States in the Regiment commanded by Col. John D. Silliman in the company com- manded by Captain Gaylord H. Mitchell for the term of Eight months as second Sergeant - John Chandler was Lieutenant Col. of said regiment and Benjamin D. Dike of said company was Ensign of said company - He was mustered for service immediately after his enlistment at said New Fairfield the said company being then nearly full and marched with said company to New York - his impression is that said company there joined the Regiment - During his whole term of service under his enlistment he served as second Sergeant of said company but his war- rant signed by said Col. Silliman was not given him until the latter part of the Month of June following - The said warrant is herewith presented - and is hereunto annexed - He was in the battle of Flatbush in the Month of August; the Regiment to which he belonged was on that day as he believes under the com- mand of General Sullivan - Colonels Silliman and Chandler were also engaged in the said battle. The American Army retreated to New York by crossing the East River in the night and soon after evacuated New York - The British Army pursued to Harlem Heights thence to Kingsbridge, where there was a skirmish between detachments of the two armies and thence to White Plains where was fought the

The Battle of White Plains - He was engaged in the said battle and though not inclined to boast believes he discharged his duty - The Americans retreated gradually up the North River - He continued to perform his duty as Sergeant in said company until the first of December 1776 when he was honorably discharged not far from Danbury in the State of New York - he does not recollect but believes it was on the River Bronx.
IV When Danbury was burned by the British in April 1777 he volunteered to assist in repelling their incursion - the night they occupied Danbury he fired at Sentinels posted in a bridge upon a small stream running through the village - He was in company with one Daniel Lignum now dead and Jonah Brush then also of New Fairfield also now dead - Three musketeers were fired at the same time; one of the Sentinels was killed and the other wounded in the shoulder - The next day he volunteered and placed himself under the command of General Wooster and caught him in his arms when mortally wounded and there accompanied the militia of the vicinity in the pursuit of the enemy until they embarked on Long Island Sound between Fairfield and New Rochelle in this service he was engaged eight days.
V That in the Autumn of the same year to wit in October 1777 he was called out as a Sergeant in the Militia of said State of Connecticut in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph P. Cooke in Captain Penfield's Company - Rheniah Beardsley of said New Fairfield was then lieutenant Col.

of said Regiment. The British Army at that time had sent a detachment up the Hudson River and burned Esopus. Said Regiment marched to said Esopus - there was another Regiment of Connecticut Militia commanded by Col. Mosely - the duty of said Regiment was to advance to repel all incursion of the enemy and to protect the persons and property of the citizens - On this term of service he was engaged six weeks - There were no regular troops with said Militia - The said Regiment returned to Peshkill and were there dismissed in November.
VI. That in the year 1778 or 1779 in the month of September he was called out as a Sergeant in the Connecticut Militia and served in the service of the United States about four weeks in the Regiment commanded by Col. Leanfield as I believe - I served in the Company commanded by Captain Pinfield Benjamin. Daughton of said Danbury was Lieutenant of said Company. The said Corps during this said term of service was stationed at Brunspons in the State of New York where there was a small military Post - No enemy appeared and at the expiration of said term of four weeks he was dismissed.
VII In the year of 1778 or 1779 in the month of July he was called out as a Sergeant in the Connecticut Militia and served three weeks in the State of New York in the Regiment commanded by Col. Cooke - On this term he served on the Hudson River as a guard near Peshkill and above

ance below but not far from said Fishkill — Of the circumstances attending these two latter periods of service he has not so precise a recollection as of the others, he has lost his several discharges and has no other documentary evidence other his service warrant for the office of sergeant and knows of no other evidence or person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his said service other than whose affidavits are herewith produced in Court — And he further saith that each time when he so entered the said service he resided in New
Canfield —
Being examined, he said Joseph Beers saith that in reflection and further consideration and enquiring, he is inclined to believe that he was not discharged at Loundeborg on his first campaign until the 5 th or 6 th of December
He further saith that in the month of July 1779, when the British landed at New Bedford after words at Nova Scotia and burned the those towns, he belonged to the militia of Connecticut, and was called into the service of the United States, and served at said Nova Scotia and New Bedford, two weeks, as sergeant in the company of Militia commanded by Captain Peter Canfield. He was engaged in battles with the enemy at both places.
And he also saith that in said first campaign he was in the said service, sixteen days beyond the term of his enlistment —
The said Joseph Beers being blind, subscribes this declaration by making his mark. Joseph his Beers mark
Joseph Beers

The said Joseph Bearp 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 in open Court
Joseph Bearp mark
We, Miah Mead a clergyman, residing in the town of New Fairfield and Lepe Scudder Esq residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Bearp who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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 in open Court
Miah Mead Lepe Scudder
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 Miah Mead
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of New Fairfield and that Lepe Scudder Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Fairfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Bearp for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my hand Office, this 26 th day of July 1832.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss
I Reuben Booth of Danbury in the County & State aforesaid, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said County & State do hereby certify to all whom it may concern, that Edward Taylor, who hath signed & certified the foregoing proceedings of the said Court is Clerk of said Court of Probate and was Clerk as aforesaid at the time of signing & certifying the same, and that the sig- -natures above written which purport to be the signatures of the said Edward Taylor are in truth his proper hand writing, and that full faith & credit are due to his official acts as such Clerk
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in said Danbury this 26 th day of July 1832
Reuben Booth Judge of Probate for the District of Danbury Connecticut

15957-00187 State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss.
On this 4th day of April 1833, personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said county and state, now sitting at Danbury in and for the said District, the same being a court of record, Joseph Beardsley of Danbury in the said county aged seven & six 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 4th 1832, and supplementary Act declaration made before said court, for the same purpose on the 26th day of July 1832 - That having heard read the deposition of the executor of his will to the administration of which he was a party, he saith - that in addition to the statements made by him in his said original declaration of the officers under whom he served, he served in the town of three months in the year 1778, mentioned in his said original declaration, under Col. Congfield of the Connecticut Militia. And in the year 1779 when Norwalk was burned, he served under Colonel Eli Mudgett. The officers under whom he served on all other occasions, as to the location, stated in his said original declaration - That in the term of service stated in his said original declaration, and numbered I, he served seven months, although it was his belief at the time of making the same that he served nine months on said tour, he is now satisfied he served seven months.
In the term numbered II, he served three months.

In the term numbered III he served eight months - and recollects that he was then hanged at North Castle in the State of New York. In the term numbered IV he served eight days. In the term he numbered V he served six weeks. In the term numbered VI he served four weeks. In the term numbered VII he served two weeks. In the term numbered VIII he served two weeks. That being blind, and unable to attend personally in his concerns he has employed an Agent to procure testimony in support of his said claims, who has since the passage of said Act been engaged in making inquiries for witnesses, and he owes prudence all the testimony he shall ever be able to obtain. And he therefore requests that the Commission of Pensions will now allow him for so much of the summe set forth and stated in his said original declaration as he shall find supported by evidence - and contents that all which is not thus supported shall be definitely rejected - And he prays that this his supplementary declaration may be deemed & taken as a part of his said original declaration. Sworn to & subscribed in New York -  Joseph + Boast Mark
Edward Taylor Clerk

New Fairfield July 16 th 1832
This Certifies that Joseph Dears was born January 8 th 1756 as appears on the records of this Town
Attest Seelye Barnum Town clerk

December 5, 1930
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB
Mrs. Emma B. Parchen 528 South Pleasant Street Princeton, Illinois
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16632, that Joseph Bearss was born January 8, 1756 in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
While residing in said New Fairfield, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut troops, as follows:
From April, 1775, seven months as private and sergeant in Captain Nehemiah Beardsley's company, Colonel Waterbury's regiment and was in the siege of St. John; from January, 1776, three months as orderly sergeant in Captain Pardee's company, Colonel Canfield's regiment; from April 1, 1776, eight months as sergeant in Captain Gaylord Hubbell's company, Colonel Gold Selleck Silliman's regiment, and was in the battle of Flat Bush, skirmishes at King's Bridge and the battle of White Plains; in April, 1777, eight days when Danbury was burned, names of officers not given; later in 1777, about six weeks as sergeant in Captain Peter Penfield's company, Colonel Joseph P. Cooke's regiment; from July, 1778 or 1779, four weeks as sergeant in the same company and regiment; from September, 1778 or 1779, three weeks as sergeant in the same company and regiment; from July, 1779, two weeks as sergeant in Captain Peter Penfield's company, Colonel Eli Mygatt's regiment and was in the battles of Fairfield and Norwalk.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 26, 1832, at which time he was living in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
He died November 4, 1834. A.B.

There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

1274.
Joseph Bearp
Adm o 11 Mo Forgl $55.00 10 " 23 days Printed 35.88 $90.88
p 20.
Please Credit J Edward Taylor Esq. Danbury Conn.
3 3 33 3 3 3 1 11 3 3 1 11 11 35.55 3 33 33 35.88
BEARS, J. W. 6/11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Bearp 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? No. no troops were raised so early as March 1875. Several of the terms are not satisfactorily stated. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? not in all cases 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?
It does not appear that proper exertions have been made to obtain the best evidence of service
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?
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.

16,632 INVALID.
File No. 16,632
John B. ... Sept 1900
Act: Jan 7" 39
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Mar 8 '98 J V McIntyre, City see No 31763 1930 - Dec. 5 - His wife Mrs. Emma B. ... 1931 - Apr. 6 - Mrs. Emma B. ... date of death correct according to our records.

Gold S. Silliman Esq; Colonel of a Regiment ordered to be raised in the Colony of Connecticut to join the Continental Army.
To Joseph Bearse Greeting.
Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage and good Conduct. I do, by Virtue of Authority in me vested constitute and appoint you the said Joseph Bearse to be the second Sergeant in the third Company in said Regiment, and I do hereby authorize and empower you to exercise your said Office in the due discharge of all the Duties of it, which you are faithfully and diligently to attend, and this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, at Fairfield in the said Colony of Connecticut.
June 28 th Annoque Domini 1776.
Gold S. Silliman

AM DR 0 I had friends at Brookfield in the County of Fairfield and that I was at present a residence since years ago living daily known as a shop and they had a man acquainted with Col. J. Williams late a Colonel in the Connecticut State Militia and frequently saw him with him and from my knowledge of his hand writing am convinced I fully believe the within warrant for him had indeed to be his proper handwriting
Abel Smith
known and acknowledged in open Court this 26th day of July 1882 - and the said Court of Probate certifies that the deponent contains a good and true truth, and is a credible witness - Albert Edward T., in Clerk
Joseph Brans S 7 16632 - born -

1557_00200 I Abie Smith of Brookfield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged Seventy five years, being duly sworn do depose and say that I have known & been acquainted with Joseph Beards of New Fairfield in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut more than fifty years, and that he served in the army & in the militia during the war of the revolution as follows - In March 1776 I saw him with the Connecticut militia in the City of New York, how long he served at the time I do not know - In June of the same year I enlisted into the army and we rendezvous'd at New York the same month he, the said Joseph Beards served from that time until the 25th of December of the same year as serjeant in Captain Gailor's Hubbell's company and in Colonel Silliman's Regiment - I also recollect that he served under Lieutenant  Shadrach Hubble in Col. Cook's Regiment at Crump Pond in the State of New York in the year 1777, the precise time I do not recollect, but I think it was over a month -
And in October of the same year, he rendezvous'd at Pekskeel in the State of New York, at the time the British Fleet were ascending the Hudson River, to afford relief, as was supposed, to General Burgoyne, he marched to Red Hook & back to Fishkill, where we were dismissed, I served at the same time, under Lieutenant Shadrach Hubble, I do not recollect what company he was in, but he was in Colonel Cook's Regiment - The length of time I do not distinctly recollect, but should think five or six weeks
He was also on duty at the time Danbury was burned by the British under General Tryon & followed them to Compo in the town of Fairfield where they reembarked - The time we were in

the service was four or five days - And I also recollect that he was in the service with the militia at the time Norwalk was burned by the British troops - how long he served at this time I do not know -
Abel Smith
Being further examined, he saith, that he the Deponent enlisted at Danie, in said Colonel Lilliman's Regiment until the month of December, and that when he joined the said Regiment, the said Beards was in the said service; and that he then understood from him, and the officers of the said corps, that he had then been there two months: and that he was an eight months man.
Abel Smith
July 26 th 1832. Sworn and Subscribed in open court - And the said Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent has taken a good oath - for truth, and in a credible manner. Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Ed. Beards
17 July

I Gideon Babbitt of New Kingfield in the County of Washington and State of Con- =necticut aged seventy one years being duly sworn to depose and say that I was acquainted with Joseph Beals of said New Kingfield during the Revolutionary war - and have been acquainted with him ever since - The said Beals enlisted in the service of the United States at the commencement of the war for the term of nine months in the Company commanded by Captain Ma- =thias Beardley in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Waterbury of the Connecticut State Troops; and went upon the Northern expedition at the time St Johns and Montreal were captured. He was absent from home three times in the spring of the year until they months of December following - had a Brother who enlisted in the same Company in the same town and served with the said Beals. The said Beals also served in the year 1776 in Col. Silliman's Regiment - and he served several other terms in the Militia of the State of Con- =necticut. First - three months in the City of New York in January and the following months in the year 1776, in the Company commanded by Captain Beardley of said New Kingfield - one other term of a week or ten days when Danbury was destroyed in April 1777 - and three short terms afterwards in 1778 or 1779, one at Sodus, one at Fishkill, and one at Crump Pond all in the State of New York. In these latter terms of service he was engaged between three and four months. During the greater part of this said

service, he was a sergeant, and served as such.
In July 1779, he also served about two weeks, in the Militia of Connecticut, to repel the invasion of the British on the shore of Long Island Sound when the towns of Norwalk and Fairfield were burned - I am confident he served as above stated - In his town of Sohier, Crump Road, Hockhill and Norwalk and Fairfield served in the same service with him -
Gileon Hubbell
July 26 th 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open court and the said court of Probate certifies that the Deponent is a credible witness & sustains a good character for truth. Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Joseph Tracy, Pres.
14 July

I Eleanor Nichols of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged seventy years - seems having duly sworn to depose and say that I know and was acquainted with Joseph Bous, Esq. during the Revolutionary War - I was engaged in the service of the United States at the City of New York in the months of July & August 1776. He said Joseph Bous's father in the said service in Col. Schuyler's Regiment in Captain Hatchell's Company, according to my best recollection and belief - and it is my belief he was a sergeant in said company - I believe also that he was engaged in the battle of White Plains or along Island in said month of August That length of time he served in the said corps. I do not distinctly remember but have always understood and believed it was eight months - He was signed "1776" interlined before signing -
Eleanor Nichols
no evidence as to fact
July 26 th 1832 I sworn & subscribed in open court And the said court of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth and is a credible witness
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Amos Stevens of New Fairfield county of Fairfield & State of Connecticut being duly sworn doth depose & say that I was acquainted with Joseph Bears of said New Fairfield who hath applied for a Pension in the time of the American Revolution, and in the year 1775 I was knowing to said Bears enlisting into the company commanded by Captain Nehemiah Beardsley, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Waterbury, and proceeded with said Regiment on a rather tour of eight or nine months In the year 1777 in the fall in the month of September, said Bears belonged to Capt Peter Penfield's Company belonging to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph P'book & proceeded with said Reg't to Peekskill and thence up the River as far Red hook, on a tour of six weeks I served with him on this last tour in the same company - Amos Stevens
July 26 th 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open court and the said Court of Probate certifies that the Deponent is a credible witness, & sustains a fair character for truth
Edward Taylor Clerk

I Abel Smith of Brookfield in the county of Linnfield and State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose and say that in the month of August or early in September 1779 Joseph Bean Esq. of New Haven in said County, who was at the time a Captain and afterwards the Connecticut Militia and was called into the service of the United States for the term of seven years to six weeks. He found at Crump Pond in the State of New York, during said term a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Peter P. Field in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph P. Cooke; and as a Sergeant in the said company served in the same Regiment at the same time and place, but in another Regiment  Company - Abel Smith
I William Patch of Danbury in the County of Linnfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years being duly sworn do depose and say that I was at Crump Pond in the month  summer of the year 1779 on the occasion of the death of a Brother in the service with the Troops there and saw the above named Joseph Bean Esq. in the service I think as a Sergeant in Colonel Cooke's Regiment of Militia The word "summer" is intended before signing - Wm Patch

July 26 th 1832 Sworn & subscribed in open court, and the said court of Probate certifies that the Deponents sustain good character for truth & are credible witnesses
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Edward Taylor of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in said County and State do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Booth for a Review - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this 4 th day of April 1833 -
Albert Edward Taylor Clerk
I Reuben Booth of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in said County and State do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. who has signed and attested the annexed depositions of Booth and the Court, and was such Clerk at the time the same purport to have been signed and attested by him, and that the proceedings and signat ures , and also the signat ures subscribed to the annexed documents purporting to be his are in the genuine hand writing of the said Edward Taylor -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10 th day of April 1833 -
Reuben Booth Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Conn.

I Gideon Hubbell of New Fairfield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged twenty one years being duly sworn, do depose and say in addition to the affidavit made by me before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the State of Connecticut on the 26th day of July 1832 that in the town of Danbury in the year 1776 by Joseph Banta in the year 1777, he served six weeks and I served in the same company with him and that I served with him at Red Bank in the year 1779, and in the same Regiment and company - and also served with him and in the same company in July 1779, when Banta was wounded Gideon Hubbell
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. Be it known that in the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury on the 27th day of April 1833 personally appeared the above named deponent and acknowledged the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same and this court certified that the deposition is a credible one - J. H. Edward Saylor Clerk

I Abel Smith of Brookfield in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy five years, being duly known to be of good and sound mind, in addition to my testimony given before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury, on the 26th day of July, 1832 in the matter of the application of Joseph Bergh for a Pension that I served in the same Regiment with said Bergh, in another Company in the year 1777 at Camp Red Bank in the State of New Jersey, and that it was in the month of August.
I further depose and say, that at the time of performing the duties by said Bergh mentioned in my said former deposition, when Danbury and New Milford were burned by the British Troops, I served with said Bergh, and in the same Regiment.
And that at the several times when the said Bergh served in the Militia of Connecticut and attested in my former deposition, the Troops with which he served, & the Corps to which he belonged were called into the service of the United States by competent authority.
Abel Smith
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss. Be it known that on this 18th day of March 1832, before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said County, I personally appeared Abel Smith the above named deponent, & acknowledged the foregoing deposition & made oath to the truth of the same, and said Court certified that the deponent is a credible witness. Attest Edward Saylor Clerk

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield
Probate District of New Milford p.
On this 18 th day of January A.
1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for said District now sitting at New Milford in said District and County Henry Manning of sd New Milford aged nearly seventy five years and being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath depose, testify and say as follows (to wit) —
On the first day of May in the year 1775 I enlisted into a company of Connecticut State troops commanded by Capt. Joseph Smith and marched to Hartford, New Haven, New York, back to Harlem and to Albany & St Johns and to Montreal and was finally discharged at Liconderage about the 23 rd or 24 th of November of the same year  on my return from Joseph Beane of New Fairfield in said State of Connecticut came in company with me from Montreal to Liconder- age and the Regt was then disbanded. The said Joseph Beane belonged to Capt. Moke- nich Beardsley's company in the same Regiment to which I belonged. I had no particular acquaintance with the

15557_00212 said Joseph Brown till the time we came from Montreal to Lianchevoga together but I will recollect him several times in the Army while I was out on this tour and further the deponent saith not Henry Mearing
Sworn to & subscribed by the sd Henry Mearing the day & year aforesaid and I certify that the said Henry Mearing who has subscribed & sworn to the fore- going deposition sustains a good char- acter for truth and is a credible witnes- saker for truth and is a credible witness Nathaniel Perry Judge of the Court of Probate for said District
State of Connecticut, District of New Milford. I William J. Starr Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of said Court in taking the deposition & testimony of Henry Mearing for the benefit of Joseph Brown an applicant for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 18 th day of January A.D. 1833 William J. Starr Clerk

I Stephen Gregory aged Seventy nine years now living in the Township of Pike in the County of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania, Deposeth and saith that I was Born in the town of Newfield Fairfield County and State of Connecticut; and that I am well acquainted with Joseph Bears now living in said Newfield, that he the said Bears enlisted under Capt. Jeremiah Beardsley in Col. Waterbury's Regiment in the Connecticut State troops, in the Spring 1775 on the last of March or first of April: Zephaniah Briggs was the Lieut. and ensign Keeler: I enlisted at the same time he did, under the said Capt. Jeremiah Beardsley in the same Regiment; and I have known him ever since: - the term for which we enlisted was I believe nine Months; the first place we went to was to Stamford we staid there a short time, thence to New York staid a short time, thence by water to Albany, thence to half Moon point, when there, Sergeant Phineas Beardsley returned home, and said Joseph Bears was appointed Sergeant to fill the vacancy, I think he was appointed the last of June or first of July, we went from half Moon point to Skeensborough at the head of Lake Champlain thence in boats to Ticonderoga, made a halt there, I staid in garrison at the fort, being lame, said Bears went on to St. Johns with the army, I saw no more of said Bears until after we returned home. I think in the year 1776 I was in the army at New York I recollect of seeing said Joseph Bears in the service, but he was in a different company. and further saith not
Bradford County S.S.
Stephen Gregory
In this ninth day of February 1833 personally came before me Israel Stevens one of the justices of peace in and for said county, Stephen Gregory aged 79 years, and made solemn Oath that the above deposition to which he has subscribed his name is True according to the best of his knowledge and belief and I further certify that the said Stephen Gregory is to me well known, is a man of good General reputation, a creditable witness & good Moral Character. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the day and year above written
Israel Stevens J.P. Peace (Seal)

Pennsylvania Bradford County
I James D. Bell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County certify that Fred Stevens before whom the within affi- davit was sworn & subscribed is known to Recognize in the courts of said County as a duly commissioned & acting Justice of the peace. And that I am acquaint- ed with the hand writing of said Justice and believe the within signature purporting to be his to be genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Eleventh day of February A.D. 1833
For J. M. Rottly E. S. Goodrich Supt

I Oliver Taylor of Danbury Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged 74 years being duly sworn doth depose and say that on the first Monday of May in the year 1776 I enlisted in the State troops of the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Gaylord Hubbell, & proceeded to the City of New York & joined the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gould Silliman, in the Brigade commanded by General Wadsworth. I was in several battles on Long Island, and in the retreat out of New York, I was in the battles at Harlem, Westchester & White Plains in the State of New York, & was honorably discharged at Tarrytown on the 25 th of December in the same year - That I am well acquainted with Joseph Bearn of New Fairfield in this State who hath applied for a Pension - That said Bearn was an orderly Sergeant in the same company, and performed the whole of said term of service, as said Sergeant, and was honorably discharged at Tarrytown, on the 25 th day of

December of the same year, and returned home with me and others on being discharged as aforesaid - Eli D. Saylor
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss
Sworn & subscribed in open court, and the said board of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a fair character in truth and is a credible witness - sworn and a cycle. since the 15th day of Decr. 1883. where the said Deponent the District Attorney in charge of the case. Edward Saylor Clerk

Princeton, Illinois.
Pension Department, Washington, D.C.
November, 13th, 1930.
I wish to find out if I am eligible to membership in the D.A.R. and have been directed to write the pension department, and wish to know what proceedings I would have to take to get the proper credentials in case I can establish that I am eligible,?
I wish to have the record of Joseph Bearse, some times spelled Barce Bearse or Bearss, born at New Fairfield, Fairfield County, Conn. Jan. 28, 1756 and died November 4, 1835. Married Jemima Beebe. I have the family tradition that he served in the Revolutionary War, but do not know how to establish the facts that I think would be required.
I have the family lineage from the time the Bearse family landed at Barnstable County, Mass. in 1639, they came from England in ship, Confidence. and I am a direct decendent of the Joseph Bearse spoken of, he being one of the grandfathers on my fathers side of the family.
Please let me know what the expense would be to get the information that I have asked about, or any help in this matter that can be given me will be greatly appreciated,
Very truly yours,
( Mrs. ) Emma Bearse Parchen,
528 So. Pleasant St,
Princeton, Illinois.

April 6, 1931
Mrs. Emma B. Parchen 528 South Pleasant Street Princeton, Illinois
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB aw
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the date of death, November 4, 1834, of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Joseph Bearss (S. 16632), as furnished you December 5, 1930, is correct according to the records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner