Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,999, Nathan Beers, Conn.

SERVICE
bonn.
Beers, Nathan
NUMBER
S. 12999
carded
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for contents entry]
[Ruled lines for contents entry]

Dead - let to J H Anthony, Feb 3. 1841.
2664
Connecticut
Nathan Peers - of Bozrah in the State of Conn who was a Pri. in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg commanded by Col Mead in the Conn time for State Service
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of May 1833 and sent to Charles A. Ingersoll New Haven Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March 33. $86,66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 4, 33. $21,66
$108 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book 80 Vol. 3 - Page 4 -

June 16 th 1824
Nathan Dyer
Will
publish his Indian or revised edition of his Washington City J. C.

T. L. Edwards Sir.
New Haven Ct Jan'y 29 th 1841
Upon a reference to your records, you will find that Nathan Beers of the State of Connecticut, a private soldier during the Revolutionary war, is inscribed upon your pension roll.
Said Beers died on the 9 th of May 1837, but his pension is only paid to the 4 th of March 1837.
His certificate is in my possession as one of his sons in law, his wife is residing in my family, & I desire you will send me the necessary instructions & blanks, to the end, that when properly executed the pensions in both cases may be received by his widow.
Very respectfully, Your most obed Servt
Said certificate is, 6 Recorded in the Pension office, in Book E. Vol 3 page 4 by E. D. Bullock Clerk.
John H. Anthony

BRIEF in the case of Nathan Beers  of Bethany in the State of Connecticut  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     does not remember the year 3 Private Gen. Meigs regt Col. Tyler   fall of 1779 8 " Col. Meigs   I was drafted a so to speak   Heaven knows where 1 Private   res. But I serve in 1781 1  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Woodbridge Connecticut.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard L. Cottrell Examining Clerk.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Connecticut County of New Haven } ss. New Haven,
On this 1 st day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the district of New Haven, now sitting, Nathan Beers a resident of Bethany, in said Probate District, in the County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 70 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.
In the winter after the Militia came from New York, the year I do not remember, I enlisted as a private in the Cont. State troops under Col. Samuel Osborn, Lieut. — Robinson, Ensign — Harrison, — Mead's Regt. Major — Tyler. Whether Mead was Col. or Lieut. Col. cannot say. At the time of enlistment I lived in that part of New Haven which has since been the town of Woodbridge, & is now the town of Bethany, in said County of New Haven. I enlisted about the middle of December and served three months. We marched by land to Pawtuxit, state of New York, where we remained about six weeks, and thence to North Castle at a place called Wright's miles, where we remained till discharge the 15 th of March following. I served at this time three months. Our company was not engaged in any battle; it never joined the rest of the Regiment. I do not remember what General commanded. I had no written discharge. The only survivor of our company that I remember is Wheeler Beecher, of

Plymouth, County of Ditchfield, State of Connecticut.
In 1779 I again enlisted in the Connecticut service and served eight months. I enlisted the fore part of July & my time was out the fore part of March. Peter Peril was our Capt. Joseph Hull of Derby Lieut. Henry Bull of Milford Ensign - Col. Matthew Mead. Capt. Keeler commanded one company in the same Regt. I remember him on account of his capturing Col. Hatfield with 14 other refugees at Morristown. Abel Holbrook was the sergeant that enlisted me. Next day after enlisting we were ordered to Litchfield. Hull's at Derby, & then to join the company at Milford (Cont.) where we staid a short time, when we marched to Horrenbach, at which place we staid till discharged. I cannot state the name of the General. No battle, but the scouts & guards had some skirmishing occasionally. I was never engaged myself. Deacon Nathan Nettleton and Samuel Green of Milford, and said Wheeler Beecher of Plymouth are the only survivors of our company that I remember.
I was drafted to go to New Haven, in which you cannot remember, and served one month. Lamberton Painter was Lieut. and commanded that part of the company that I was in. our business was to keep guard along shore. The guard house was at Savin Rock, to prevent provisions &c from being carried to the British on Long Island. No one of the company that I remember is now living.
In the fall of 1781 I was drafted for one month to go to New Haven. I went & served out the time. My time was out a few days after the rejoicing for the surrender of Cornwallis. our sergeant was Moses Atwater. I have forgot the Capt. & other officers. The company was divided into different squads, & we seldom saw the officers. our business was to keep guard in New Haven and East Haven. I was quartered in a house belonging to Capt. Froot.

of the continental army. The only survivor that I remember is Silas Hotchkiss, now living in said Bethany.
I was born Dec r 9 th 1761, in Bethany, lately part of Woodbridge, then part of the town of New Haven, where I have ever since resided. There is no record of my age that I know of.
I never received any written discharge, & have no documentary evidence.
There is no Clergyman, residing in my neighborhood, that can certify as to my character for veracity, & this belief of my services. Many persons of credibility, reside in my neighborhood who will certify as to those points, & among them Demas Gurney & John Wooding.
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.
Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.
Attest Anthony P. Sanford Clerk
Nathaniel Pison
Sworn to the above.

We Demas Sperry and John Wooden residing in the town of Bethany in the County of New-Haven & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Beers who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed
Demas Sperry
Attest Anthony P. Sanford Clerk — John Wooden
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 Demas Sperry and John Wooden, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents of the town of Bethany, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And also that Samuel Green, Nathan Stillman and Mabel Bunker, who have been deposed, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chas. L. Pugsley
Presid. of said Court.
I Anthony P. Sanford Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of North Haven, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Beers for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31 st day of August A.D. 1832
Anthony P. Sanford Clerk

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. ADY
May 9, 1930.
Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson, 193 High Street, Bristol, Connecticut.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12999, it appears that Nathan Beers was born December 9, 1761 in that part of New Haven, which was later called Woodbridge and still later Bethany, New Haven County, Connecticut.
He enlisted December 15, 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Samuel Osborn's Company, Lieutenant Colonel Mead's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted the first part of July 1779 and served eight months in Captain Peter Perritt's Company, Colonel Matthew Mead's Connecticut Regiment.
He served one month, date not given, as a guard under Lieutenant Lamberton Painter.
In the fall of 1781 he served one month as a guard under Sergeant Moses Atwater and was discharged a few days after the surrender of Cornwallis.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832 while a resident of Bethany, Connecticut, where he had always lived.
Soldier died May 9, 1837.
In 1841 his widow, name not given, was residing with one of his sons-in-law, John H. Anthony (his wife's name not stated) in New Haven, Connecticut. There are no further family data.

This is the history of the only Nathan Beers of Bethany, Connecticut found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Nathan Beers, Conn t . roll, Act June 7. 1832, at $ 43:33 per annum.
Be pleased to say to what time he was last paid.
Pension Office Feb 3. 1841.
p o to 4 March 1837 JH

Nathan B. Best
Admitted
Parole 13 months
13 months
Charles A. Ingalls Esq.
N. H. A. arm Coma

Nathan B. Cerr
Admitted Pawtucket 13 months
Charles A. Ingalls Esq. N. H. Arvin Conner

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William B. Burt which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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 Clergymen - other witnesses XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? None known to the neighbor to date XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes 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 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

1930 May 9, Hist. to Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson.
1930 May 15, Mrs. E. F. Lamson rel. To source of data. mss.
Pierman
✓ 12.999 INVALID.
File No. 12.999
Nathan Beers
Priv. Rev. was
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index:—Vol. .... , Page .....
[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 the Probate District of Milford on the _____ day of _____ 1832
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Green now of the aforesaid Town, County and State, and being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that, in the Year A.D. 1779 and in the Spring of said Year he enlisted in a Company of State Troops Commanded by Capt. Peter Ferris in Colonel Matthew Dread's Regiment for the term of Nine Months, and soon afterwards was marched to Housatuck in said State; and in the vicinity of said Housatuck, was employed for the term of Nine Months against the Common enemy - and he further says that Nathan Burt now of the Town of Bethany, in the aforesaid County and State, served in said Company about Eight Months, in the Revolutionary War - and further the deponent saith not - Samuel Green
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7 th day of August 1832
Attest David L. Baldwin clk

State of Connecticut, County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss
At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for the Probate District of Milford on the 7 th day of August 1832
Robert William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Nathan Nittleton now of the aforesaid Town, County and State, and being duly sworn doth depose and say, that in the Year A.D. 1779 and about the first of June he enlisted in a Company of State Troops Com- manded by Capt. Peter Ferris in Colonel Matthew Mead's Regiment, (the term of enlistment not recollected), and soon afterwards was marched to Housatuck in said State; and in the vicinity of said Housatuck, was employed for the term of about Eight Months against the common enemy, and then, furnished a substitute for the remainder of said term of enlistment — and he further says that Nathan Durs now of the Town of Bethany in the aforesaid County and State served in said Company with him in the Revolutionary War, as above stated — and further the deponent saith not Nathan Nittleton
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 7 th day of August 1832 Attest David A. Waldo Clerk

8299.
Whale Beach
August
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1899

State of Connecticut } ss Plymouth Litchfield County }
On this 2 nd Day of August A D 1832 personally came before me Morris Woodruff a Justice of the Peace for Litchfield County Wheeler Beecher of said Plymouth to me personally known to be reputed a man of veracity & being first duly sworn according to law Deposes & says - That in the winter of 1776 & 1777 he belonged to a company of State Troops commanded by Capt Samuel Orsborn, The Lieutenants name was either Allen or or Robinson Ensign name was Garrison & That he went from New Haven with said company to a place called the saw pits in the state of New York I recollect That Nathan Dyer of Bethany New Haven County State of Connecticut was a member of said company & performed duty in the company aforesaid at the saw pits Gate North Castle for the full term of three months being the time for which said company was enlisted & was then discharged at 3 rd North Castle point being sometime in the month of March 1777 & further the Deponent saith not
Sworn to & subscribed this Day & year aforesaid
Wheeler Beecher
Morris Woodruff Justice of the Peace
11 11 11

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that Morris Woodruff Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County legally com- -missioned & qualified, & as such is au- -thorized by law to administer Oaths &c & that the within signature which purports to be his is genuine & his proper hand writing
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court this 2 d day of August A. 1832.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.
The above word Morris in the seventh line from the top is written on an erasure before signing
Certified by
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. ADY
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON
September 12, 1929.
Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson, 193 High Street, Bristol, Connecticut.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow MARY
Full name of soldier NATHAN (A?) BEERS
Residence of soldier at enlistment Probably New Haven, Conn. or some town near New Haven.
Residence of soldier after service Bethany, Connecticut.
Name of state from which he enlisted Connecticut
Approximate date of birth 1763
Approximate date of death May 7, 1837 Age 74
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.
Nathan Beers had daughter, Caroline, born in Bethany, Conn., 1807 Caroline married Asahel Bradley and they moved to Reading, Pa. to take up Government Land through benefit of Soldier's Service of Nathan Beers.

193 High Street, Bristol, Conn. June 14, 1929.
Revolutionary War Records Section, Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am desirous of finding out some information regarding a NATHAN BEERS from CONNECTICUT or PENNSYLVANIA who fought in the Revolutionary War. If the records show more than one Nathan Beers, please give such information as possible on all Nathan Beers' from Connecticut and Pennsylvania in order that we may trace the right one who is our ancestor.
Thanking you in advance, I am
Yours very truly,
Gertrude M. Lamson
Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson.

193 High Street, Bristol, Connecticut. May 13, 1930.
Mr. E. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner, U.S. Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
(Rev. & 1812 Wars Sec.) ADY
Dear Sir:
Thank you very much for the information contained in your letter of May 9, 1930. It is just the information we desire about Nathan Beers. In filling out the D.A.R. Document, we have to give the name of book, volume number and page number in which information is given. I wonder if you would be kind enough to give this to me.
You have given "Rev. War Pension Claim S. 12999" and that will help but I would like, if you would give it to me, the name of book and page where you obtained
"Nathan Beers born Dec. 9, 1761, etc.
Enlisted Dec. 15, 1776, etc
He was discharged a few days after surrender of Cornwallis.
Allowed pension Aug. 1, 1832 while resident of Bethany, Conn.
Died May 9, 1837
1841 Widow was living with son-in-law, etc."
Very truly yours,
F. M. Lamson.
Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
MMHF
May 15, 1930.
Mrs. Ellsworth F. Lamson, 193 High Street, Bristol, Connecticut.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the information furnished you in regard to Nathan Beers was not taken from a book.
Kindly refer to first paragraph of bureau letter of May 9, 1930 (Rev.&1812 Wars Section A.D.Y.) in which it is stated, "from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12999, it appears" etc., which means that the source of the information was from the papers in his claim for pension on file in this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.