Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12221, Elisha Bidwell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bidwell, Elisha
S 12221
Carded
CONTENTS

11580 8387  New York  Elisha Bidwell of Dr. Lawrence in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Phipps of the Reg t commanded by Col. Austin in the Cont y . time for 6 1/2 mo.
Elisha Bidwell New York
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of April 1831 and sent to Berlin
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. '31 $3.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov. '31 10.83  $14.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E, Vol. 4 Page 15

In the Matter of Elisha Bidwell
Application for Pension
11890
11880
admitted
6½ mo
$21.66

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed
June 7, 1832.
State of New York
County of St Lawrence p: On this twenty fourth day of Sep- tember 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of St Lawrence, now sitting Elisha Bidwell a resident of the Town of Canton in the Coun- ty of St Lawrence and State of New York aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on his oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He was born on the 11 th day of July 1750 in the Town of East Hartford, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, in the Town Clerks office of which Town there is a record of his age. In July 1776 (about the 15 th day of the month as near as he can remember) he enlisted as a private in the Connecticut Troops, raised to march to New York, at the Town of East Hartford aforesaid, in a company under Captain Elisha Phipps - Lieut. Samuel White - and Ensign Zebulon Bidwell, who was a brother of the applicant. Col. Chester and Major Ferris were the officers of the Regiment, and Gen. Willis Commanded the whole Connecticut troops. They marched under his Command to Long Island to join Gen Washington's army last of July or first of August 1776. The applicant was stationed in the City of New York at the time of the battle on Long Island. After the Continental Troops re- treated from New York and crossed the Hudson River, he was stationed with Col. Chester's Regiment near Kings Bridge at a place called Valentine Hill in Westchester County until about the middle of November, when the regiment was dismissed a few days before Fort Washington was taken by the enemy. He was detained after his company was discharged by Ensign Bidwell his brother, who was left by Col. Chester to transact some business in relation to the regiment. In the latter part of November 1776 a few days after the surrender of Fort Washington, he returned home with his brother Ensign Bidwell to East Hartford

He was engaged in this campaign three and a half months in actual service and did not receive a written discharge.
In the month of July 1777 the militia of Connecticut was again called out to march to the State of New York to oppose the enemy coming up Lake Champlain. He entered the service again some of the last days of July 1777 but whether as a volunteer or by enlistment he does not know, but thinks the whole company of militia turned out. His company officers were Captain Zebulon Bidwell his brother, also was Ensign the year before, Lieut. Stephen Robats, Ensign Joseph Brulton. Col. Chester command- ed the Regiment. He does not remember any other field officers. He and his company marched immediately to the North River, nearly opposite the Mohawk, where he joined his regiment, & after a short halt, crossed the river & marched up to Stillwater and Saratoga, at which last place he was dischar- ged the last of October or first of November 1777 after serving three months & a few days more . At the first battle at Sar- atoga he was out on a scouting party towards Lake George at the last battle he was engaged and in this battle his brother Captain Bidwell, near him, was mortally wound- ed by a cannon ball, which destroyed one of his legs, and died a few days afterwards. Shortly after Gen. Burgoyne surren- dered his soldiers were marched away the applica- tion was discharged without any written discharge. He has no documentary or written proof of a discharge, and has been unable to find any person living who can testify to his services from personal knowledge. After this service he resided in East Hartford upwards of twenty years, and after that time removed to the Town of Midd- lebury in the State of Vermont in which Town and in the Town of Weybridge adjoining he resided until he removed to the Town of Canton aforesaid about four- teen years ago where he has ever since resided and now resides. He is acquainted with Henry Barber, Samuel Bissell, Minot Jenison Esquire one of the Judges of the said Court all of Canton aforesaid; also with Doctor Darius Clark of Canton aforesaid who has known

Darius Clark of Canton aforesaid
thirty years, all of whom can testify to his character and the belief of themselves and his neighbours of the truth of his declaration. There is no clergyman residing in his immediate vicinity.
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. — [The words "of the United States" on first page interlined]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid D C (S W C L K)
Elisha Bidwell
We Darius Clark physician and Henry Foote residing in the aforesaid Town of Canton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Bidwell, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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.
Darius Clark
Henry Foote
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid D C (S W C L K)
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 Darius Clark whose name is subscribed by him to the foregoing certificate is a respectable physician and surgeon and a Coroner of the County of St Lawrence, resident in the said Town of Canton, and it also appears to them that Darius Clark who has subscribed the preceding certificate is a physician residing in the said Town of Canton and that Henry Foote who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and that they are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to credit.
J. Alvin C. S. W. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas

Plus in and for the County of St Lawrence and State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Bidwell for a Pension. [The word "Elisha" last line written on erasure].
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office bearing the seal of the said Court this Twenty Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J. A. Smith Clerk

No. 11880
Elisha Bidwell
adm d
John Leslie Roper Canton St. Lawrence Bay N.Y.

No 11889
BRIEF in the case of Elisha Bidwells of Canton  County of St Laurence in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Eighty two years, 82  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.     Enlisted on July 1776 about 15 th In 17 — — private Gen. Connecticut Forces Col. Chester, Major Tracy Capt. Elisha Phipps, Lieut. Samuel White, a Gen. Willis Col. Chester's regt. Capt. John Bidwell   Entered the service last of July 1777. does not recollect whether as a volunteer or enlisted — 3 — —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Lake George  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? East Hartford - Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
No
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk.
201.66 21.66
333 11

This record was not furnished her. in 1922, but at her request was a little different. I gave her more info. as it may suffice for what she wants
July 21, 1932
BA-J/AMHF:MLB XXXXXXXXXXXXXX ELISHA BIDWELL S. 12221
Grace B. McNaughton 808 North Emporia Wichita, Kansas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of June 2, which was referred to this office from the Office of The Adjutant General, for further response in regard to the Revolutionary War record of Elisha Bidwell, of Canton, New York, a pensioner for Revolutionary War service.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 12221, of Elisha Bidwell, based upon his military service in that war.
Elisha Bidwell was born July 11, 1750, in East Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. His age was recorded in the office of the town clerk of that town.
While a resident of East Hartford, Connecticut, he enlisted July 15, 1776, served three and one half months as private in Captain Elisha Pipkin's company, Colonel Chester's Connecticut regiment. His brother, Zebulon Bidwell, was ensign of the company to which he belonged and they returned home (East Hartford) together at the expiration of this service. Elisha Bidwell enlisted the latter part of July, 1777, served in Captain Zebulon Bidwell's company, Colonel Chester's Connecticut regiment, was in the second battle of Stillwater and was discharged about November 1, 1777. In this second battle of Stillwater, his captain, Zebulon Bidwell, who was his brother, was wounded near him by a cannon ball which destroyed one of his legs and he died a few days later.
After the expiration of this service, he resided in East Hartford more than twenty years, then moved to Middlebury,

Vermont, in which town and in the adjoining town of Weybridge, he resided until he removed to Canton, Saint Lawrence County, New York.
He was allowed pension at the rate of $21.66 per annum on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Canton, New York, where he had resided about fourteen years. His pension certificate No. 8387 was issued April 8, 1833, pension commenced March 4, 1831, under the provisions of the Act of June 7, 1832, and he was paid at the New York Agency.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite all the data in last paragraph above.
There are no data in regard to his family in his claim for pension, except the references to his brother Zebulon.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev. Wm
12221 INVALID.
1922 Apr. 29 Hist. to Frederick Bidwell 1922, Aug. 24 hist. to Grace B. McNaughton. Ev. 1932 July 21 Hist to Grace B McNaughton MMHO-MB.
File No. 12, 221
Elisha Bidwell Prior Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 83
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ex. EW
Re: Rev War
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. July 3 , 19 02
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1 st Name of widow Lydia Loomis No. of claim Bidwell Name of soldier Elisha Bidwell
P.O. address of claimant Atenlistment after service East Hartford Company Canton, New York, in later life
Regiment _____
State where enlisted hitch
Date of enlistment 1751
Date of discharge 14 March 1834
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
In the campaign about Saratoga in 1777 he served in a company commanded by his brother Captain Zebulon B. Bidwell
Return attached letter with reply.
Washington Boardman
Commissioner.
connected at time of enlistment

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Elisha Bidwell of the State of N. York who was a private in the Revolutionary army is entitled to receive Twenty-one dollars and sixty six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, & payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War office of the United States this 8 day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Signed L. W. Cap,
Secretary of War
Examined & Countersigned
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
SEAL
is received L. G. O. JUN 6 1932
C O P Y
End 1

THE CREDIT SERVICE BUREAU
COLLECTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
1013 BEACON BUILDING WICHITA, KANSAS
June 2, 1932
War Department, Washington D. C.
To Pension Dept. Revolutionary War Soldiers.
Gentlemen:
Re - ELISHA BIDWELL, Private, New York
I am enclosing a copy of a document that is in possession of my uncle, who is around ninety years of age and lives at this time on the West coast. I made a copy of this document when I was in the west. I am wondering if you could send me a certified copy of the records in Washington, showing the information contained in the enclosed copy of the certificate which was issued. Thanking you for any help you can give me, I am,
Respectfully yours,
Grace B. McNaughton Grace B. McNaughton
Address
808 North Emporia, Wichita, Kansas.

Rec
STATE OF NEW YORK
STATE TAX COMMISSION
WALTER W. LAW, Jr., President JOHN J. MERRILL WALTER H. KNAPP
BUREAU OF LOCAL ASSESSMENTS AND EQUALIZATION
SETH T. COLE, Deputy Tax Commissioner
In Reply Refer to
TAX DEPARTMENT
ALBANY N.Y., April 17, 1922
Subject:
United States Pension Bureau, My dear Sirs,
On March 27th I wrote you begging for the military services of my relative, Elisha Bidwell, who was granted a pension of $21.66 per annum on April 8, 1833 under the act of June 7, 1832.
It may be my previous letter has been misplaced. Will you please send me this information?
With kindest regards, Very truly yours,
Frederick D. Bidwell, State Tax Department, Albany, New York

17. ME Rec ADDRESS OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO STATE TAX DEPARTMENT
RECORDED MAR 28 1922 DIVISION STATE OF NEW YORK
STATE TAX COMMISSION
WALTER W. LAW, Jr., President JOHN J. MERRILL WALTER H. KNAPP
BUREAU OF LOCAL ASSESSMENTS AND EQUALIZATION
SETH T. COLE, Deputy Tax Commissioner
TAX DEPARTMENT
In Reply Refer to
ALBANY N.Y. March 27, 1922
Subject:
United States Pension Bureau,
My dear Sirs,
Will you kindly furnish me the war record of a relative of mine, Elisha Bidwell, who was granted a pension of $21.66 per annum on April 8, 1833 under the act of June 7, 1832?
With kindest regards,
Very truly yours,
Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, New York

Postage due Stamp 10c F.M.S. Grace B. McNaughton
Room 302 El Dorado National Bank Building Telephones 861 and 538 El Dorado, Kansas
May 23, 1922
Pension Bureau, Department of the Interior, Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
The writer is a descendant of ELISHA BIDWELL who served in the Revolutionary War. He was my Great, Great Grandfather, and a Brother of Zebulon Bidwell, who was killed at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.
Am very anxious to get this War Record of my ancestor. Will you kindly supply me with the same, and if there is any expense connected with same, will be glad to remit on receipt of information from you.
Thanking you in advance for this courtesy, I am,
Yours respectfully,
Grace B. McNaughton.
ADDRESS:
Mrs. Grace B. McNaughton, Box 428, El Dorado, Kansas.

Grace B. McNaughton
Room 302 El Dorado National Bank Building Telephones 861 and 538 El Dorado, Kansas
July 20, 1922
Pension Dept.
Department of Interior,
Attention-Mr. Washington Gardner.
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
War record of Elisha Bidwell, Revolutionary War.
His widow, Lydia Loomis Bidwell.
At time of his enlistment, his home was East Hartford, Conn.
Later in life, his address was Canton, N. Y.
Date of his birth 1751.
Death March 14, 1834.
In the campaign about Saratoga in 1777 he served in a company commanded by his brother, Captain Zebulon Bidwell. Cannot give the name of the captain or regiment in which he served in 1776, about New York, His brother Zebulon Bidwell was killed in the first Battle of Saratoga in September 1777.
Elisha Bidwell was granted a pension by the government April 8th, 1833 of $21.66 per annum.
My Uncle, W. B. Bidwell, of 2521 South J Street, Tacoma, Wash. has the certificate of War record of Elisha Bidwell furnished by the pension Dept. but I am unable to get it at this time.
Thanking you for what you may be able to do for me, I am,
Yours very truly,
ADDRESS Grace B. McNaughton, Box 1096 El Dorado, Kansas.
Grace B McNaughton

A. G. 201 Bidwell, Elisha (6-2-32) ORD
1st Ind.
RRG:ao
War Department, A. G. O., June 10, 1932. - To the Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
1. The writer has been informed of this reference.
2 Inclosures: Letter and memorandum.
C. H. Bridgman Major General The Adjutant General. By [Signature]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Elisha Bidwell a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 15 1776 3 1/2 mos. Pvt Elisha Pipher Chester Conn   July 1777 3 mos. Jehiah Bidwell Chester  
Battles engaged in, Last battle of Stillwater Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated? East Hartford Conn Date of application for pension, July 24 1832. His ch. was ab Residence at date of application, Canton St. Lawrence Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, born July 11 1750 at East Hartford, Conn. Remarks: It is not stated whether he had a wife or children.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
(brother Jehiah)

(COPY) WAR DEPARTMENT THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE WASHINGTON
RRG:ao
A. G. 201 Bidwell, Elisha (6-2-32) ORD
June 10, 1932.
Grace B. McNaughton, 808 North Emporia, Wichita, Kansas.
Dear Madam:
I have your letter of June 2, 1932, in which you requested an official statement of the service of Elisha Bidwell, said to have served during the Revolutionary War.
The name Elisha Bidwell has not been found on the records of the Revolutionary War on file in this Department. The collection of Revolutionary War records on file in this Department is far from complete and it is suggested that information relative to the man in question may possibly be obtained from the Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, this city, or from the authorities of the State from which he entered the service.
As the records of the Pension Office were transferred to the Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C., I am forwarding your communication to that official from whom you will doubtless receive a reply in due course.
Very truly yours,
O. H. Bridges
Major General, The Adjutant General.
By
A. P. Wade