Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,071, Joseph Bloss, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Bloss, Joseph
S. 21,071
CONTENTS

died July 19 1838
New York 28.668
Joseph Blofs of Monroe in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Griswold of the Reg't commanded by Col Enos in the Conn't Militia 19 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate & Pension issued the 9th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon J. Whittlesey H. Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $189.99 Sem-ant. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 - 31.66
$221.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jam H Page Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 116
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838, from 4. Sep. 1836. to 15 July 1838. age notified 31. March 1843
1883 Nov 14 Blofs & Cogswell of Titusville Pen't - The object of the enquiry for the Cogswell - Service - 1883 Dec 5. Blofs & Cogswell - Military History - 1886 Feb 26 James O. Blofs that office is unable to add to the history of James father of Joseph Blofs, already furnished as his index did not apply for a pension Prot

State of New York } County of Monroe } ss-
On this Second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Monroe now sitting Joseph Blof a resident of the Town of Brighton in the County of Monroe and State of New York aged Seventy three years the record of which is in his father's family Bible who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the year 1776 the deponent resided in Hebron in the State of Connecticut at which time the deponent was enrolled in the militia of that State and liable to do duty - that on the invasion of New York by the British in the year 1776 the militia of Connecticut were ordered to New York, when the deponent was liable to go but he was excused upon his father's who was exempt from service, going with an ox team to carry the baggage which he did do and did on the expedition at New Rochelle in the fall of the year 1776
In the fall of 1776 (the deponent thinks in the month of November) the deponent enlisted as a private at Hebron for a winter campaign (deponent thinks for three months) under Ensign Ephraim Taylor in the Connecticut State Troops in Col Enos Regiment in Capt Griswold's Company of Windsor Connecticut. This deponent immediately after his enlistment proceeded to the State of New York with the Company in which he enlisted, he went to a place called Budds Orchard and his company was stationed at New Rochelle a part of the time, & a part of the time at Budds Orchard. This deponent returned home in the winter or spring of 1777 after performing a term of service of three months or more

This Deponent immediately after his return to Hebron Enlisted again as a private at Hebron in the Connecticut State Troops under the said Ephraim Taylor in the Company commanded by Capt Augustus Collins in Col Ely Regiment - this Deponent is not certain of the time for which he Enlisted at this time but he thinks it was for an Eight months Campaign - Soon after this Deponents Enlistment at this time he joined the Regiment at New London when the Regiment was Stationed - New London was the Station of said Regiment during the whole period of this Deponents Enlistment at this time. During this Campaign the Regiment in which this Deponent was was called out to April in the re-capture of Rhode Island and stationed for some time at Little Compton - Deponent thinks Gen Spencer was the Commander of the Expedition - the object of this Expedition being to aid the Regiment returned to New London after being absent something like a month - During the same Campaign afterwards this Deponents Regiment was ordered westward to join the Continental troops under Col Samuel Webb - the junction was made at Norwalk in the State of Connecticut - When both Regiments and this Deponent with them Embarked to April a British Garrison at Stony Brook Harbor on Long Island - It was a boisterous night - and a British Cruiser captured one of our Vessels with both the Colonels & several officers - The vessel in which this Deponent Embarked escaped - and the troops with this Deponent landed at Stony Brook Harbor on Long Island - found the place evacuated by the British - The troops returned to the vessel but found that she had drawn so far on shore by the high tide that she could not be moved - The troops then marched across the Island under the Command of

Capt. Head of Col. Webb's Regiment, to Southold where there was a small detachment of the Enemy - on the approach of our troops they fled and took to their Boats to gain a British Ship which lay in the harbor - The place was untenable and our troops marched down the same day or night to Oyster pond point where we remained four or five days, when the privateer Sloop Mansfield & Schooner Spy from New London came and took us to New London where the deponent remained until his enlistment expired in the fall of 1777 -
This deponent next enlisted in the winter of 1778 or 1779. the deponent cannot recollect which to garrison Fort Griswold in Groton opposite to New London in the State of Connecticut. he thinks he enlisted at this time for three months & served for that term in said Fort - he cannot recollect any of the officers names on this occasion - his term of enlistment & of duty was short - a garrison was wanted for the fort - and the deponent volunteered to assist - he thinks the Chief Command of the fort was in Maj. Sedgwick
After this enlistment was out the deponent went to live with a Connection in Chatham Connecticut in East Hampton parish. and while there the Enemy made a descent upon New Haven the Coast and I was called out in the Militia to New Haven and was stationed for a time. I cannot tell how long at East Haven
The next Campaign of the deponent was in 1780 in which year the deponent was hired, he thinks in the month of May to take the place of a drafted or drrafted man, by the name of Poor, to join the grand Army. This deponent soon after joined the Continental Army at Peekskill in the State of New York and was attached to Capt. Searcy's Company in Col. Lamb's

Regiment of Artillery which was under the Command of Genl. Howe. Before this Regiment was shipped in said Company he was detached with his own consent to live with Joseph How Quarter Master of the Brigade of Artillery - in consequence of the ability of this Deponent in reading & writing & keeping accounts - This Deponent lived in the family of said How until his engagement expired. The Post Master & Quarter Master lived in the same house and during that summer the post man being sick, this Deponent was sent with the mail from head quarters to Morristown. This Deponent also in the same Campaign went with Joseph How & Pluckerman and returned with him through Elizabeth Town within the Enemys lines - we went in by night and came out before day. I certainly had the object of the Expedition was not known to this Deponent - we reached head quarters on our return in time to see the evacuation of May under towards the close of the Campaign - This Deponent was afterwards sent with the baggage wagons & a file of men to Morristown to move hunting tools to New Windsor when the Army went into Winter quarters and this Deponent was discharged in the winter and went home having been in the Service at this time about eight months according to the best recollection of this Deponent
My next Campaign was in the Season that New London was burned / Deponent cannot recollect the year - Deponent enlisted as a Sea Coast Guard in Hoboken in the Company of Capt. Israel Dunshee or Capt. S & C Says this Deponent is not certain which in which Engine Zechaniel Main was Lieut. Colonel - The Company was stationed at Lynn on the East Side of Connecticut River to intercept illicit trade and give alarm in case of invasion. We had boats & canoes along the Coast from Lynn to New London

by night and day. our boat was man & we entered the disembarkation of the Troops which burned New London when we brought home two deserters. This Deponent was discharged from this Service when winter came on and thinks he was engaged in this Service about eight months & the last of his recollection
This Deponent has made this statement from memory. he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove any of the facts herein stated. All his discharges have been lost and all his other papers. he knows of no person whose testimony he can present to to his Service. unless such persons reside from or five hundred miles distant. and he does not know that such persons are now alive in any place. He cannot exactly state the whole period he was employed in Service. but it is strongly in his memory that he served in the whole between two and three years exclusive of Militia. 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 and subscribed this Second day of October 1832 before me J. G. Butler Dep. Clerk
Joseph Blops
We Deane S. Miller a clergyman residing in the Town of Brighton in the County of Monroe & State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederick Whittelsey residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Blops who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 73 years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the

Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and Subscribed this Second day of October 1832 Aforesaid - J. Butler Dep. Clerk
Hiram L. Miller Frederick W. Wirtz
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after its investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Hiram L. Miller who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Bighton and that Frederick Wirtz who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Bighton and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Leonard Adams Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Joseph P. P. for a pension
1832 Oct 2 1832 Oct 2
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office being the seal of the said Court this Second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two L. Adams Clerk

State of New York Monroe County
Monroe Common Pleas of June Term 1833
on the tenth day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court Joseph Blops the Applicant for a pension mentioned in the annexed papers, who being duly sworn, deposes & says that the facts set forth in the annexed statement are substantially true - 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 he is quite certain that he served more life than the periods mentioned below (besides two or three other terms of service mentioned in his annexed statement) in the following grades say In the winter of 1776, 1777 for three months I served as a private - In the year 1777 for eight months I served as a private - In the year 1780 for eight months I served as a private - And in the year 1781 for eight months I served as a sergeant in the 1st Continental Guard and for such service I claim a pension
sworn & subscribed in open Court this 10 th day of June 1833 J. Butler Dep. Clerk
Joseph Blops
I, Frederick Whittlesey, Member of the House of Represen- tatives of the Congress of the United States do hereby certify that the papers herewith attached & before this Court were drawn by me and that they are the identical papers containing the original proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas for Monroe County in October last in the matter of the application of Joseph Blops for a pension and that said papers have not since been altered Rochester June 10 th 1833 F. Whittlesey

Richard Adams Clerk of the County of Court of Common Pleas for Monroe County and State of New York Do Certify that Joseph Bliss came into Court and made oath to the affidavits on this sheet and that at the same time the perjury sheets heretofore attached were then correct thereunto In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas this tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight- hundred and thirty three
R. Adams Clerk
Adm d 19 mo. fee $63.33

State of New York Monroe County } ss.
Sally Bliss of the Town of Richmond in the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts, but now on a visit at Brighton Monroe County State of New York being duly sworn deposes & saith that she was recently one year of age last February that she is the sister of Joseph Bliss of the said Town of Brighton, that during the Revolutionary War she resided with her mother at Housatonic in the State of Connecticut, that she recollects that after her father's death her brother Joseph Bliss enlisted into the army in the fall and left home to join the army and was absent all winter, and this deponent understood that he was with the army during that time, that in the Spring afterwards her said brother Joseph Bliss enlisted into the army again and went away from home to join the army and was gone all summer & she always understood & supposed that he was with the army during that time, that in the Spring of the year in which Maj. Andre was hung she recollects that her brother went away to join the army again in the place of a man by the name of Poole, that her brother was gone all summer, and this deponent received a letter from him dated on the ground where Andre was hung, giving a description of that scene which letter this deponent well recollects, that she recollects that her said brother Joseph Bliss afterwards enlisted and went to Lyndon in the State of Connecticut, but this deponent cannot remember the precise time which her brother was absent on any of these enlistments, she can recollect the fact of his enlistments and going away from home to join the army, and that he was so absent from home a great part of the time during the war & further saith not
Sworn & subscribed before me this 30th day of April 1833 this 30th day of April 1833
Sally Bliss
H. S. Alexander
Juror of the Peer
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Sally Bliss & believe her to be a person of credibility & veracity No. Clinton June 10. 1833 F. Whitney McE

State of New York Monroe County Clerks office /s.
I Leon Adams clerk of of said county do hereby certify that Alexan- der S. Alexander Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same an of the Justices of the peace in and for said county duly elected and sworn and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his signature subscribed to said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty Three
L. Adams clerk

Recd. New York Disbanded Oct 7 th '32
Letter 19 Oct 1833 3 papers enclosed to Hon. F. Whitt. Hey, H.R. as of Oct 25. 1834 - Whittsey
In let to Hon. F. Whittsey Apr 28 '34

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
March 25, 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Executor of Joseph Bloff, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Sixty Three — Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 1 st June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1836, to the 15 th Feby 1838,  Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Ex'r.
INVALID.
RECEIVED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Joseph Hays
P. O. _____
Service: _____
See admitted soldier
Enlisted: File No 21.071 _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18

Resolution 21071 INVALID.
File No. 21071
Joseph Bliss Rev. Rev. 1841
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]
959

House of Representatives April 24-1884
Sir
If consistent with the Rules of your office I wish you would transmit to me the papers connected with the applications of Joseph Blof & Charles Norton in previous under the act of June 1882 - which applications are pronounced at present unadjudged for deficiency of proof. I wish then for the purposes of reexamination to make an abstract of the testimony - & they shall all be safely returned to your office.
I have the honor to be respectfully your obedient
J. Whiteley
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Col Lamb. 1 st B. 42 nd .
Joseph Blfs.
resp?
Whitney Rochester

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 Bliss 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?
No — to allow one for any service which was not rendered in an embodied corps in the field or garrison — Some
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes. proof of so extensive a claim should be produced
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?
Yes.
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?
Yes.
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?
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? —
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? —
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?
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.
REQUIRE 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.
REQUIRE 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.

Abstract of the case of Joseph Knap an applicant for a Pension under the Act of June 7- 1832
His first service was in the Summer of 1776 in the Militia of Connecticut performed by his father as his substitute. For this service I do not consider him entitled to any- thing & I lay it out of the question
winter of 1776. 77
Term 3. months
His next term of service was in the fall of 1776 Enlistment in November 1776 - in the Connecticut State Troops - in Col Eno's Regiment - Capt Griswold's Company - Enlistment under Ensign Ephraim Taylor - place of service at Budd's Orchard & New Rochelle in the State of New York - Discharge in the winter or Spring of 1777 - Term of service three months or more
Spring 1777
Term 8. months
His next term of service was by Enlistment in the Spring of 1777 - under Ensign Ephraim Taylor in the Connecticut State Troops in Col Ely's Regiment - in Capt Augustus Collins Company Enlistment for 8. months - place of service at New London. Conn. - with an expedition to Rhode Island - and over to Long Island during the term - Discharged in the fall of 1777 - term of service 8 months

The most term of service the applicant claims for was in the winter of 1778. 1779 at Garrison Fort Griswold - he states his term of service on this occasion to be three months - but as his statement is necessarily indefinite in this particular I cannot insist upon the allowance for this service or for that term while he was stationed at East Haven.
year 1780
Service
8 months
His next term of service was in the year 1780 when he was bound to take the place of a discharged man by the name of Post - he was attached to Capt. Savage's Company in Col. Lander's Regiment of Artillery in Gen. Howe's Brigade - he was attached to the Quarter Master Department & officer in carrying Reprints - and served principally in New Jersey until the Army went into winter quarters after a service of about 8 months.
The service subsequently as New York Guard I understand is not allowed in any case and if not shall not result upon it in this case.
The proof of service is the oath of the Applicant - Corroborated as far as it can be by the oath of his sister - He has no other proof to offer - I know of no living person who can furnish any such proof - this seems to me to be a compliance with the Rules of the Department & I am well satisfied the applicant is entitled to a pension especially as I know him very well.

and knows him to possess a very good memory for his years and knows him to be a very respectable man and on every way worthy of credit. He has always since I have been acquainted with him (some six or seven years) sustained a very good character and is a deacon in the Presbyterian Church in the place where he resides.
I think he has at least entitled himself to a pension for nineteen months service from his papers if they are to be believed and I submit them again for decision Washington April 30- 1834
F. Whiteley

New York Feb. 23 1886
Hon Jno C Black Com r of Pensions Washington DC Dear Sir
Being interested in looking up my family genealogy, I write to you, if convenient I may get some information from the records of your office.
I know a memo. furnished by your predecessor in reference to my grandfather Joseph Bloss, who was a pensioner, it is stated that he, "in the summer of 1876, was called out to go to the defense of N.Y. City, but his father who was exempt from service engaged to substitute himself with his ox-team, both to be employed in the transportation of baggage." It was while engaged in this service that he (the father) died at New Rochelle N.Y. in the fall of 1876.
What I desire to be informed about is whether Joseph's father, whose name was James Bloss, or rather his wife was a pensioner or

whether there is any record of him in any way that you have, which will acquaint me with the date of his birth & the exact date of his death and what the name of his wife was.
His wife's name was Elizabeth Clough.
Any information that you can give me on this subject will be appreciated.
Respectfully Yours
James O. Bloss

378
[3-461.]
Old war DIVISION.
Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE,
Washington, D. C., Nov. 14, 1883.
Respectfully returned to M c Blof H. Cogswell, Titusville, Pen m with the information that this Office has no copy of the published list of pensioners for distribution.
Before furnishing the information called for in the enclosed letter relative to Joseph Blof a revolutionary soldier, it is necessary that this office should be advised of the object of the inquiry and what use will be made of the information.
M c Dudley Commissioner
[10,197-50 M.]
Titusville Pa Nov. 16 1883.
M c Dudley, Comm r of Pensions Sir:
We applied for a copy of the Pension List, as we saw your Circular stating that they may be afforded to M c 6's, and to news- papers. Several of the newspapers in our County have been sup- plied. Our H. Cogswell served from Aug 18 1862 to the close of the war and if you wish to know the kind & quality of the service ask Genl. Ketchum M.C. XIII Dist. N. Y.
In regard to the in- formation as to Co. & Regt. of our good- father, Joseph Blof,

a Revolutionary Sol- dier who died in 1838 at Brighton N.Y. it was from no motive whatever except to be informed in regard to his service. Our re- quest is, from our stand point , proper His heirs have no claim of any kind, nature and discription against the United States, that we know or have ever heard of.
Respy Yours
Bless Logswell Edr. Harold, Ry
Jos. H. Logswell, late Lt. Col. 150th N.Y. Vols. 20th A.C.

28 668 21 071
BLOSS & COGSWELL, Steam Printers, Stereotypers, Lithographers, AND BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURERS.
Titusville, Pa., Nov. 3 1883.
Com'r of Pensions. Washington D.C. Dr. Sir:
Will you favor us with a copy of the published list of Prisoners?
Respectfully Yours Bloss & Cogswell.
P.S.
Joseph Bloss, a Revolutionary Soldier and Prisoner, died at Rochester N.Y. 1838. Would it be much trouble for one of your clerks to inform us his Co. & Regt? He would probably be credited to the Conn. Contingent. He was grandfather to both of us. Said Joseph Bloss' father was one of the very earliest men to fall in the Revolutionary Struggle. B. & C.