Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10358, Roswell Beckwith, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Beckwith, Roswell
S 10358.
CONTENTS

1836 Aug 19 Paul Beckwith - present - history
New York
Richard Beckwith of Madison in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sile of the Regt. commanded by Col. Tyler in the Cont. line for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Oct. 1833 and sent to B. Beckwith Cazenovia
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $91.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th of Mar. 34 18.33 $109.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. L. Steele Clerk Recorded by Dk E. Vol. 4. Page 89

State of New York {
Madison County {
On this fifteenth day of September 1832, personally appeared before me Roswell Beckwith, a
resident of the town of Cazenovia in the county of Madison and State aforesaid, aged twenty eight 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 the 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
viz. David S. Hill Captain Lieut. Baldwin his Christian name not recollecting Ensign. Pendleton according
to my best recollection The name of the Adjutant of the Regiment to which I belonged was Day, the
name of the Major was Prentice The name of the Col. was Samuel H. Parsons, Lieut. Col. Tyler That he
enlisted as a volunteer for one year in the month of December 1775 according to his best recollection
and actually entered the service according to the terms of his enlistment about the first days of January
1776. That at the time of his enlistment he resided in the town of Lyme in the County of New London
and State of Connecticut, and entered the service
that is to say joined the American army at Roxbury near Boston, and was mustered into service (by General
Spencer according to his best recollection) that on his

way to join the army he passed through Norwich and from there through Providence in Rhode Island to Roxbury, that he assisted in erecting the fortification at Dorchester heights; was present and saw the British soldiers paraded on the decks of their shipping with the view as was supposed of landing; and also saw the British shipping deck down the harbor with their army in order to evacuate Boston. That soon after the evacuation of Boston by the British army Col. Parsons Regiment marched directly for New York to which he was attached, that he marched by the the way of Providence aforesaid to Lyme the place of his enlistment and from there he with the Regt. embarked on board some transport vessels and sailed for New York and joined the American army under Gen. Washington. That he went over to Long Island with the army in the month of August and was in most if not all  the  battle the battle on  during the day of the battle  to said Island, that he retreated with the American army from said Island to New York. That soon after the American army evacuated Long Island. A regiment of volunteers was raised from the other Regiments to be composed of those only who were willing to serve either by water or by land by night or by day on any private expedition.

This said Regt. was commanded by Col. Knowlton His memory is correct, that he entered this regiment as a volunteer and served therein without any interruption untill the capture of Fort Washington by the British Capt. Pope commanded the company to which he was attached (and the Lieutenants name was Babcock,) that is to say at first but afterwards Capt. Pope was broke for disorderly conduct & Lieut. Babcock took the command, that he with the said Regt. was in Fort Washington and was taken a prisoner of war by the British forces at the time of the capture & surren- der of said fort to them. After the surrender of said Fort he was with other of the prisoners marched to Harlem, where they were kept two or three days and from thence were marched to New York and kept about a week according to his best recollection in what was then called the North Stone Church from thence he was imprisoned on board the an old ship called the Dutton as he was then informed where he remained according to the best of his recollection untill some time in the month February, that during his imprisonment in said ship he had a very severe attack of fever in which he despaired of life that some time in said month of February on the said prisoners signing a parole not to take up arms against the British untill a regular exchange of prisoners took place he with the other prisoners were discharged from said ship and that he then returned to the aforesaid town of Synn the place of his enlistment and nativity.
That in a very

few days after his return he had a relapse of fever by which he was brought near the borders of the grave and did not recover so as to perform any business according to the best of his recollection until about the first of June 1777. That he remained a prisoner on parole and was not regularly exchanged as he was then informed and supposes. He then until some time in the year 1780. That on the same account he had not the privilege of again entering the service of his country, and was not called upon to perform such military duty until the burning of St. London when he was again for a few days called into the service of the country and was shortly after informed by Gov. Trumbull that he had been regularly exchanged as a prisoner of war - And he further states that the Physicians bill and nurses bill for attending him in his sickness above mentioned (immediately on his return from his imprisonment) were paid by the State.
That he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can positively certify to it. He further states that immediately on his return to Connecticut from his imprisonment he received a years wages the term for which he enlisted. He further states that on his recovery from the fever above mentioned which he had immediately on his return from imprisonment he sent his Doctor & Nurses bill by William Noyes Esq. to the paymaster's office at Hartford where it was accepted and paid with some overplus money which he did not understand.

The purport of at the time, but on being informed that those who were taken prisoners with him were paid for the time they were in imprisonment over and above the year for which they enlisted and until they could return to their homes; he afterwards called himself at the paymaster's office at Hartford and was there informed that the overplus money above mentioned was to pay his wages for the time he was detained over & above his year's service He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the element, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Roswell Beckwith
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Barak Beckwith a Judge of Middlesex County Court of Com. Pleas.
Interrogatories put to the said applicant after being duly sworn according to law
1 st When & in what year were you born
Answer in the town of Lyme New London county & State of Connecticut On the 21 st day of October 1753.
2 nd Have you any record of your age & if so where is it Ans. I have my father's family record now by me
3 rd Where were you living when you were living when called into service, & how were you called into service
Ans. I was living in the town of my nativity and volunteered into the service

4 th Where have you lived since the Revolution Ans. I resided in the place of my nativity until I was 48 years of age I then removed with my family into the town of Coeymans now town of Westerlo in the county of Albany in the State of New York where I resided ten years from thence I removed to the town of Catskill aforesaid where I now reside
5 th State the names of some the regular officers who were with the troops when you served Ans. Genl. Putman, Col. Huntington, Col. Ward Regiment of Massachusetts troops, Genl. Washington I often saw. Col. Huester who commanded the Regiment of Rangers mentioned in my declaration - was killed at Hauley, lights Major Colburn then took the command of the said Regiment
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service Ans. I had no opportunity to receive a discharge as at the time my years enlistment ended I was a prisoner as stated in the above declaration. And as stated in said declaration I received my years wages on my return home from captivity of Capt. David L. Sill under whom I enlisted
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution Ans Perry G. Childs, Pres. of Madison county Bank Charles Stibbins Bank Commissioner Col. Elisha Farnam Israel Strong. William Andrews Bank Butkewitz Judge

State of New York Madison County ss.
Amendment to the declaration of Roswell Buckm.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a judge of the Court of common pleas in & for said county Roswell Buckm. of Coesville in said county who being duly sworn deponeth 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 nine months & three days at least I served as a private soldier, and for five months at least as a corporal. And for such service I claim a pension Roswell Buckm.
Sworn & subscribed before me this 18 th day of July 1833.
Barak Buckm. Judge

13,885
Roswell Beckwith, Madison Co. New York.
5-16
P. 374
Admitted
Private 11 months
11 May 3 rd
Barak Beckwith. Sgt. Madison County New York. Caserovia

BRIEF in the case of  Redwell Beckwith  of  Madison Co.  in the State of  New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 78 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.     Enlisted In 1775 4 + — As a Private Gen. Spencer Col. Parsons Lieut. Col. Tyler Major Purn Lieut. Capt. Hill Lieut. Baldwin Ensign Pendleton Adjutant Day Capt. Dipe Lieut. Babcock Plunkett   Volunteered in 1781 1 — — for  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Town of Lyme New London Co. Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  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.
J. Robinson Examining Clerk.
From his enlistment until discharged on parole 11 months

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
December 11, 1924.
Bertha E. Malone, 81 Waverly Ave., Detroit, MICH.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.10358, it appears that Roswell Beckwith was born October 21, 1753, at Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.
While residing there, he enlisted in January 1776 as a private in Captain David F. Sill's Company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut Regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island, after which he volunteered and served in Captain Pope's Company, Colonels Knowlton and Colburn's Regiment of Rangers, until captured at Fort Washington at which time he was a Corporal. He was imprisoned at Harlem, in the North Stone Church in New York, and on board the prison ship, "Dutton," was paroled in February 1777 but not exchanged until 1780 1780. He was again called into service for a few days when New London was burned.
He was allowed pension on his application executed Sep-

tember 5, 1832, at which time he was a retired Baptist clergyman, residing at Cazenovia , Madison County, New York. He died February 4, 1836.  (from a. B.)
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
On July 19, 1833, a brother, Samuel Beckwith of Hartford, Connecticut, aged 78 years, testified in the case but did not state that he himself served and a careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file for said Samuel Beckwith.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner..

Julia W. Pendleton Pulmyea Lois
Reborn
INVALID. / 10358
Aug 1-1903- Eng Mrs
10.358
Brookell Beckwith
Pris. Fred Ward
1913 May 8. Hist. to John L. Merrill
1924 Aug. 15. Mrs Jas. A. Johnson info name of wife not dated etc
1924 Oct 20 - Hist. to B.M. Fox nm
1924 Dec 11 - Hist. to Bertha C. Malone
June 7 th 32
Index Vol. a , Page 28
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Roswell Beckwith , — — — — — 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? Evidence of service must be furnished, with the date & length thereof in each tour.
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? 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?
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? 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?
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? yes
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, deposeh 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."

Comptrollers Office
July 18 th 1833
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify, that it appears by a ledger of the Pay Table that five Regiments were raised, viz, Col. Parsons afterwards Col. Tylers Reg t raised "January 1776 for one year: Col. Jedediah Huntington, Col. Charles Webb, Col. Samuel Wyllys, & Col. John Barker for the same time; that there is no record of the appointment of the other officers or list of them either in this Office, or that of the Secretary of State that I have been able to find; neither is there any pay or master roll yet discovered.
An account was kept with those regiments respectively, & various sums of expense charged to the regiment  shut from time to time, & the aggregate of each, charged to the United States.
In the account kept with Parsons Reg t afterwards Tylers, I find charged under Date May 23 rd 1777 to the United States, "To order on

" Treasurer Roswell Beckwith hospital bill Col. " Tylers regiment £3, 10. 6 ————— £3, 10. 6 " do - do for wages £4, 6, 8 mileage 4/8 while prisoner 4, 11, 4 1 & under date July 28 th 1778 there is charged to the United States, for order on the Treasurer " Roswell Beckwith for hospital expence Tylers " regiment £15, 1, 11; B. Phelps 
N.B. In the journal of Congress for August 9 th 1776 it appears that Samuel Holden Parsons, was by Congress, appointed a Brig. n General; & on the 10 th Lt. Col. Tyler was appointed Col. of the regiment totally commanded by Col. Parsons.  B. Phelps 

State of N.Y. Catservia August 5 th 1833
Dear Sir I send you enclosed additional paper relating to the claim of Russell Beckwith to a pension which he had not received at the time when I forwarded to the Pension department his amended declaration. He had written in the month of May last to his brother who has subscribed to the enclosed affidavit but receiving no answer in due season from him was led to conclude that he had probably deceased.
I am very respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq.
your att. Servt.
Barnes Beckwith

State of New York Madison County } ss.
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of said County do certify that Barak Butkewitz before whom the within affidavit subscribed & sworn to by Jeremiah Mark and also the affidavit subscribed & sworn to by Ezra Dikeman and also the annotatory declaration of Rowell Butkewitz and subscribed by him, purports to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the within certificate certifying to the credibility of Ezra Dikeman, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the county courts in and for said county; And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature Witness my hand and seal of office This 24 th day of July 1833.
A. Sloan Clk

13,885
Roswell Beckwith
Declaration
To obtain a pension
v

State of New York Madison county fr. On the 5 th day of September 1832 personally came before me Israel Strong of the town of Coxsackie in said county and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has been personally acquainted with Roswell Buckwith the above applicant for a pension for a number of years and has had frequent conversations with him during that time on the subject of his services in the revolutionary war, of his being in Col. Parsons Regiment at Roxbury of his being in the battle between the British and American army on Long Island, and of his capture at Fort Washington and subsequent imprisonment. This deponent also further says that he himself was a private in the said Col. Samuel H. Parsons regiment at the same time the aforesaid applicant states in his declaration that he served therein and although this deponent was not at that time acquainted with the said applicant and cannot therefore positively testify to his actual service at that time yet from the frequent conversations held with him on the events and circumstances of the campaign and of the said regiment he has not the least doubt in his mind but that the said applicant served in said regiment as stated in his declaration as no person who did not actually serve therein could possibly relate many particular circumstances and events which transpired in said regiment and campaign and with which this deponent is well acquainted. & which are not; and in the nature of things would not be the subject of public history without without having seen therein at that time

and this deponent further states that the said applicant is a clergyman of the Baptist denomination in regular standing and has been such for many years but owing to his advanced age and increasing infirmities of body is seldom able to officiate in that capacity and further this deponent saith not
Israel Strong
Subscribed and sworn before me This 5 th day of Sept. 1832
Barak Beckwith a judge of Madison County court of common pleas
State of New York
Madison County }
ss. On the 5 th day of September 1832. personally came before me William Andrews and being duly sworn deponent and saith that he is well acquainted with Roswell Beckwith the above named applicant and has been for the last seven years and resides in the same town with him and has frequently during that time conversed with him on the subject of his services in the revolutionary war in the year 1776. and this deponent further states that he himself was a private in Col. Federal Huntington's regiment at the same time and was attached to the same brigade and this deponent further states that he was present and heard the above deposition of Israel Strong and fully agrees with him therein and further this deponent saith not
William Andrews
Subscribed and sworn before me This 5 th day Sept. 1832
Barak Beckwith a judge of Madison County court of common pleas

I Lewis Leonard a clergyman residing in the town of Cazenovia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Roswell Beckwith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be 78 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that I fully concurs in that opinion I also further certify that he is a clergyman of the Baptist denomination in good standing and is a member of the church in Cazenovia of which I am stated pastor, but that owing to his age and infirmities he is seldom able to officiate as a clergyman Lewis Leonard
Sworn & subscribed before me the day and year above written
Barak Beckwith a Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Madison

I Barak Butkwith one of the judges of the court of commonpleas in and for the said county do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Lewis Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Cazenovia and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit and I do further certify that it appears to me that Israel Strong, and William Andrews who have signed the Affidavits immediately preceding the certificate signed by Lewis Leonard are both residents of the town of Cazenovia of reputable character & standing in society and that their statement is entitled to credit And I do further certify that the said Applicant is unable from bodily infirmity to attend court And that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me as one of the judges of the court of commonpleas in and for the county of Madison aforesaid in the matter of the application of Roswell Butkwith for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5 th day of September 1832
Barak Butkwith Judge
State of New York Madison County
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Barak Butkwith before whom the four preceding Affidavits purport to have

been sworn, and also whose name appears to the preceding Certificates was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 27 th day of September 1832
A. S. Sloan Clk.

State of New York Maddison County } ss
Jeremiah Mark residing in the town of Smithfield in said county being duly sworn deponent and saith that he is seventy seven years of age, that he was born in the town of Lyme in the county of New London and State of Connecticut and that he was five years of age rising a soldier in the revolutionary war of the United States that he is well acquainted with Roswell Beckwith now living in the town of Coxsackie in said county that he was born in the same town with the said Beckwith and was well acquainted with him in his childhood & youth & riper years and knows him to be a person of good reputation & standing in society & has been and is now a regular clergyman in the Baptist denomination for several years. The said deponent further testifies that he was knowing to the said Beckwith's being a soldier in the revolutionary war and saw him in the service at Roxbury near Boston near the time that the British troops attempted to land from their shipping, and this deponent further testifies that he was knowing to his being a soldier in the service of his country in the year 1776 at New York and saw him there several times while in the service that this deponent belonged to the same Regiment with the said Beckwith a part of the time (viz. Col. Parsons regiment) but not to the same company, that while lying at N. York there was an interchange of visits between them several times, having been playmates & schoolmates together in childhood & youth, the deponent further states that he well recollects hearing at the time that the said Beckwith was made a prisoner at Fort Washington by the British at the capture of that place, this deponent further states that he does not recollect if he ever did know the exact length of time that the said Beckwith was in the service of his country but he is certain that he was in at least nine months, and further this deponent saith not
Subscribed & sworn before me This 19 th day of June 1833
Barak Beckwith, a Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the said county

State of New York
Madison County ss.
Ezra Dykeman of said county being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Jeremiah Mark who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit relating to the revolutionary services of Roswell Butkwith, & that the said Mark is a man of very reputable character and unimpeachable veracity & that his statements are entitled to full credit
Ezra Dykeman
Subscribed & sworn before me
this 19 th day of June 1833.
Barak Butkwith, a judge of the court of common pleas in & for said county.
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Ezra Dykeman (late a judge of the court of common pleas of said county) who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit respecting the credibility the credibility of Jeremiah Mark. & that his statement is entitled to credit
Barak Butkwith, Judge

State of Connecticut, Hartford County, ss Hartford On this 19 th day of July 1833 appeared before Elisha Phelps a justice of the peace for said county Samuel Beckwith of said Hartford aged Seventy eight years & being duly sworn deposes & saith that his brother Samuel Roswell Beckwith formerly of Lyme in this State, but now of Garenova in the State of New York, sometime in January 1776 enlisted, into a regiment commanded by Col. Samuel H. Parsons, for the period of one year - marched for Roxbury near Boston as it was then said, & soon after the regiment was ordered to march for New York, & my brother when proceeding from Roxbury to New York called upon our family at Lyme. It was afterwards reported, & believed by our family that my said brother was taken prisoner at Fort Washington & detained in captivity at New York. According to my best recollection he did not return home until some time in January 1777 - when he came home he was not well, & afterwards he was very sick, & remain so about two months, in consequence, as I then believed, of his usage while a prisoner.
S m Beckwith
Subscribed & sworn to, the day & year above
Elisha Phelps justice of peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Samuel Beckwith, & know him to be a credible person.
E. Phelps justice of peace

I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Elisha Phelps Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Samuel Beckwith was taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 29 th day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three .
Thomas Day
Deacon

81 Waverly Ave., Detroit, Mich. Nov. 24, 1924.
The Bureau of Pensions, Rev. and 1812 War Section, Washington, D. C.
Have you a record for Samuel Beckwith who lived at Lyme, Conn. and who served in the Revolutionary War? According to "The Beckwiths," a genealogy written by Paul Beckwith: "At Hartford, Conn., July 18, 1833 appeared Samuel Beckwith, who says he was born at Lyme, Conn., in 1755. That he and his brother Roswell Beckwith were both taken prisoners at Fort Washington by the British and that he did not return home until January, 1777." This quotation is ostensibly from a pension ap- plication.
The quotation does not state the company in which Samuel Beckwith served. Roswell Beckwith served first in Capt. Sill's [Sill's] Co., Col. Parsons's Regt.; but at the time of his capture at Fort Washington he

was in the company of a Capt. Knowlton, which company enlisted "to serve by day and night, by land and by water, open or secret service."
Will you send me also, please, the certificate of Revolutionary service of Abner Beckwith of Lyme, Conn., who enlisted for two years in Connecticut State Line, Capt. Ely's Company, Everest's Regt. He was also in Naval Service in the Spy. Age of applicant desired.
Thanking you, I am
Yours truly, Bertha E. Malone.

S. M. Fox
721 PIERRE STREET MANHATTAN, KANSAS
September 23, 1924.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir.
I would respectfully ask for a certificate of Revolutionary War service of the following soldiers from Connecticut.
ROSWELL BECKWITH, born 1753; died at Cazenovia, New York Feb. 2, 1836.
Enlisted in Sill's Company, Parsons' Regiment of Lyme, Conn. in 1775. Was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, Nov. 1776. On prison ship in New York Harbor, etc.
Please state by whom authenticated on application for pension. Also, his wife, marriage and children if given.
SAMUEL BECKWITH, said to be born in Lyme, Conn. Said to have enlisted in Sill's Company, Parsons' Regiment in 1776. Said to have been prisoner on prison ship.
Please state by whom authenticated, wife, date of marriage, and children mentioned.
----- Descendants say their ancestor, ----- BECKWITH, was killed at the Battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776. They think his name was ELISHA, but, if a fact as to his death at White Plains, I think his name was SAMUEL. for the only one.
To whom do I apply for information and identification of said BECKWITH, killed as above ? -----
Very respectfully,
S. M. Fox

PRESIDENT JOHN LENORD MERRILL
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT JOHN BREWER WIGHT
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT FRANKLIN MURPHY, JR.
SECRETARY JOHN RANDEL WEEKS
TREASURER OSCAR HALSTEAD CONDIT
REGISTRAR GEORGE H. RICHARDS
HISTORIAN WILLIAM C. ARMSTRONG
CHAPLAIN RT. REV. EDWIN S. LINES, D. D.
THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
W. I. LINCOLN ADAMS JOHN LAWRENCE BOGGS NEHEMIAH PERRY HOWELL ALEXANDER MALIEU HUDNUT CHARLES SYMMES KIGGINS CHARLES M. LUM RAYMOND TOWNLEY PARROT DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON HENRY ALBERT POTTER FRANK HENRY PRESBY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HEADQUARTERS
756 BROAD STREET, (ENTRANCE 1 CLINTON STREET) NEWARK, N. J.
PHONE 3085-M MARKET
May 3, 1913.
Pension Bureau,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly send me such record you may have of the services of Roswell Beckwith in the Revolutionary War. A history of the family states that he was born in Lyme, Conn., on October 21st, 1753; enlisted in Capt. Sell's Co., Col. Parson's Regiment, in 1775, for one year; re-enlisted under Capt. Knowlton, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, and placed on board the prison-ship Dalton, and later paroled, and finally exchanged, but was too feeble from his long confinement for further service; removed to New York State in 1795, and died there February 2nd, 1836. The history does not give references proving its statements, and we desire the information to prove the eligibility to membership in our Society of one of his descendants.
Thanking you in anticipation of the usual prompt and courteous response of your Department, I remain,
Very truly yours,
John Lenord Merrill
President.

R. Palmyra - Wisconsin R.
July 26-43
U. S. Pension Dept. Washington - D.C.
I am desiring authentic data regarding date of expiration &c of pension of one Roswell Beckwith Revolutionary War Soldier and prisoner in Jersey war ship prison - in order to fix my eligibility to become D. A. R.
Can you send me copy of such papers.
Yours
Mrs. Julia H. Peardon. Palmyra Wisconsin.

October 20, 1924.
S. M. Fox, 721 Pierre St., Manhattan, KANS.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.10358, it appears that Roswell Beckwith was born October 21, 1753, at Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.
While residing there, he enlisted in January 1776 as a private in Captain David F. Sill's Company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut Regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island, after which he volunteered and served in Captain Pope's Company, Colonels Knowlton and Colburn's Regiment of Rangers, until captured at Fort Washington at which time he was a Corporal. He was imprisoned at Harlem, in the North Stone Church in New York, and on board the prison ship, "Dutton," was paroled in February 1777 but not exchanged until 1780. He was again called into service for a few days when New London was burned.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

September 5, 1832, at which time he was a retired Baptist clergyman, residing at Cazenovia, Madison County, New York.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Sal removed with "family".
A bro, Samuel Beckwith.
Barak Beckwith, rel. not stated.

aw
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Aug. 15, 1934.
Mrs. James A. Johnson, 731 West Delavan Ave. Buffalo, N. Y.
Madam:
I have to advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 10358 of Roswell Beckwith, the name of his wife is not stated.
One Lydia Newbury married Timothy Beckwith a soldier of the Revolution and was pensioned as his widow, W. 35226, while living at Waterford Conn.
The name Lydia Darr , or Darr , does not appear on the Census of Pensioners of 1840, as a resident of Waterford, New London County, Conn.
Respectfully,
Hayo Haymaker
Acting Commissioner.
see her letter →

Rev. War Section.
May 8, 1913.
Mr. John Leonard  Leonard Merrill, President. S. A. R. 756 Broadway, Newark, N. J.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 3" and received the 5" instant, you are advised that the papers in claim No. 10,358. Rev. War, show that Roswell Beckwith applied for pension September 5, 1832, at which time he was a retired Baptist clergyman residing at Cazenovia, Madison County, New York.
He stated that he was born October 21, 1753, at Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, where he resided and enlisted in 1775, in Captain David F. Sill's company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island, after which he volunteered and served in the regiment of Rangers commanded by Colonels Knowlton and Colburn, Captains Pope and Babcock, until he was captured at Fort Washington; he was first imprisoned at Harlem, then in the North Stone Church at New York, and on board the prison ship "Dutton" from which he was paroled in February 1777, but not exchanged until 1780.
He was "called out" for a few days at the burning of New London.

Sur. File No. 10,358.
His claim was allowed for service of eleven months as a Private.
The date of his death is not shown.
For the date of last payment of pension and to whom paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data:
"Roswell Beckwith, Certificate No. 20,948. issued October 23, 1833, under the Act of June 7, 1832. at the New York Agency."
Very respectfully,
J. L. Davenport.
Commissioner.