Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,585, Gurdin Burnham, Conn. Continental Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Burnham, Gurdin
S. 31. 585
Continental
Navy CONTENTS
CONTENTS

See Cir. M. 1835 To Indiana p. 4 March 1835- June 20 1835 -
+ Indiana 25.385
of [illegible] in the State of who was a [illegible] in the [illegible] commanded by Captain [illegible] of the [illegible] commanded by [illegible] in the [illegible] line for
12 [illegible] 21.33 = 85.77
Inscribed on the Roll of the rate of 85 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] day of June and [illegible] 113 [illegible] Case [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 15.31 Semi-ant. allowance ending [illegible] 16.882
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk, Book [illegible] Vol. 8 - Page 14 -

Gordon Burnham
Ill
to
Indiana

Application For a Transfer
County of Vigo State of Ind a } ss
On this first day of May 1835, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Vigo, personally appeared Gurdin Burnham who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Holdersridge, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Pilsbim in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Illinois from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Indiana where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Illinois to Indiana "Having three sons and one daughter living in Indiana, only five miles from his former residence in Illinois he moved with his wife (both being old and infirm) so as to have the comfort and assistance of their children"
Gurdin Burnham
Sworn and subscribed to, before me the day and year aforesaid
J. G. G. R. J. P.
County of Vigo } ss State of Indiana } ss
On this first day of May 1835 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, for the said County of Vigo, personally appeared Samuel Crawford who on his oath, declares that Gurdin Burnham, who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit
Sworn and subscribed to, before me, Sam d Crawford the day and year aforesaid
J. G. G. R. J. P.
To wit: That Samuel Crawford the witness to the above is a person of veracity given under my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid
J. G. G. R. J. P. Seal

State of Indiana County of Vigo ss
I Curtis Gilbert clerk of the circuit court of said county do certify that Nicholas Younger before whom the within affidavit was made is a justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified & that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Terre Haute the first day of May 1835.
C. Gilbert.

State of Illinois } Edgar County } On this Third day of June 1833 personally appeared in open court being a court of record. To wit "The county Commissioners, in & for the said county of Edgar, Gurdin Burnham a resident of the county of Edgar & State aforesaid aged 77 years on the 13 th day of February last who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He states that he was born in East Hartford in the State of Connecticut on the 13 th day of February 1756. this his age he gives from the family register kept by his father. That in the last mentioned town & State about the 12 th or 15 th of May 1775. he enlisted for 8 months as a Drummer under Captain George Pitkin & was marched to Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts. thence to Brooklyn in said last mentioned State. Captain Pitkin now commanded as Colonel. in June was marched in Colonel George Pitkins Regiment to a certain high hill near Roxbury & in about three weeks to the south of Boston, in last named State, to a place called Squantum Farm & a certain Captain Parsons belonging to said Regiment with his company was stationed at a place called Hingham. this applicant under the command of Lieutenant Holdridge (or Holdrich) commanding as captain, was stationed at Cohasset where he continued till the expiration of his said 8 months service on continental establishment. When & where he instantly again enlisted under the said Captain Holdridge for the term of 12 months on continental establishment & marched to Roxbury. placed under the command of Colonel Thomas Willis & remained at Roxbury until 17 th March 1776. about which time the British left Boston & we marched into it, & about 8 days after returned to our barracks at Roxbury, & about 12 th April marched to New London in the State of Connecticut & there embarked on vessels & sailed for New York where we arrived on the 4 th May 1776. & in about 3 weeks. we marched & began to build Fort Washington about 9 miles from New York. in about 7 days returned to New York & pitched our tents at the Jews burying yard. while remaining there proclamation was repeatedly made & read to the lines that any men who would undertake to burn the following British vessels viz. The Phoenix a 40 gun ship. the Rose a 20 gun ship. the Thunderbomb & two Tenders then lying in Tappan bay should receive $1000 each & be discharged from service if requested. that pursuant to said proclamation he joined in said enterprise & went on board of a fireship commanded by Captain — Thomas. which in company with another fireship commanded by Captain Walbert moved off from Albany pier in East river & steered up the North River & anchored just above St. Pauls Church. next day we sailed up near the Chevaux desfies & anchored again. next day there came on a heavy thunder gust & wetted us so much that himself & 4 men were sent back to New York to get new priming & some provision especially a demi John full of rum for Capt. Thomas by

By his order, on our return to the fireships he (his applicant) John Harris cleaned & primed the fireships anew except two barrels of powder in the hinder part of the ships, which prevented our setting fire to the matches in the after part of the ships, but fired them before. Captain Thomas got intoxicated & went over board & was afterwards found dead suppose to have been killed by a canon while in the act of swimming to the shore. In fixing the ships this applicant was so situated that the boat, provided to take the men to shore left him naked & severely & powerfully burnt by the flash of powder in the explosion to swim to shore a distance of two miles, that he was taken up in his awfully burnt situation & carried to Genl. Washingtons quarters, to whom he gave a statement of the transaction in burning the ships & Vly, whom he was ordered to be taken there  conveyed to his fathers house at East Hartford where he remained till recovered of his wounds which was about the first of November following, during which time he made application to Ralph Pomeroy Paymaster General, for his part of the fireship money & received for answer that the fireship money had not come to hand, nor did this applicant ever receive all or any part of said fireship money. That about the 12 th of June 1777 he entered on board the ship Alfred of 28 guns. Elisha Heman commander. Peter Richards 1 st Lieutenant — Devoe 2 d Lieutenant — Bricklely 3 d Lieutenant — Hamilton Captain of marines — Cockrell Boatswain, and about the last of August sailed from Boston to Portsmouth in the state of New Hampshire & got in with the ship Raleigh commanded by Commodore Thompson & in about 10 days both ships set sail on a cruise for France, on our outward bound passage fell in with & captured two British vessels bound for Halifax in Nova Scotia plundered them of 4 Reams of Continental paper money, struck by Rivington the Kings printer in New York not signed, the prisoners we took on board burnt the vessels & paper money. In 8 or 9 days fell in with a large Barque bound from Jamaica to London captured her put a prize master on board & sent her to North America, after some time we arrive in France where we were detained about 4 months repairing our vessels thence sailed thro' the bay of Biscay & the wine islands thence to the Barbary coasts to Senegal, town to Surah, to the Cape de Verde Islands, & to the isle of May there took in upwards of 200 goats for the use of the ships crew, watered at St. Jago, or Jago & sailed to the West Indies & about 3. 30. to the windward of Barbadoes fell in with two British ships of war, one a 28. & the other an 18 gun ship & an engagement ensued in which the powder chest of the vessel on which this applicant was blown up killed 12 men & burnt this applicant almost to death we were all made prisoners & carried to Bridgetown in Barbadoes & there put in jail 81 in number I think this applicant was so badly wounded and burnt that he could not walk one step. After being in prison 62 days was put on board a barite & carried to Martinico & there exchanged & in about two weeks put on board of a continental vessel which had been repaired by an agent there & sailed for Boston in the State of Massachusetts where we arrived in about five months in.

In the last of August of 1 st of September 1778 He then returned home to his fathers & remained there till the summer of 1779 when he again entered into the service on board the brig Nancy commanded by William Blake & sailed to pilot the French fleet under Count D'Estaing from Newport to Boston in which service the brig Nancy was captured by the British ship Oraille commanded by O'Brien we were all ironed, put on board a British ship carried to Lord Howe's fleet & distributed among the vessels & after awhile sent to New York & all put on board the British prison ship Felicity & in about 40 days was put on board a cartel & sent to Boston & there paroled for 40 days in which time we were exchanged. That he received regular discharges for his services, which are all lost. — He states that after the close of the revolutionary war he sailed on a voyage to the West Indies returned to Charleston in South Carolina after about 3 years went to North Carolina 2 or 3 years after went to Powhatan county in the State of Virginia after about 3 years returned to his fathers in East Hartford in the state of Connecticut after 2 years & 6 months returned to Powhatan county in the State of Virginia. In about a year moved to Buckingham county in said State where married and staid about 3 years. then moved to Campbell county in said state, in about a year moved to Fincastle in Botetourt county in said State in about 2 years moved to Prestons Ironworks on Grady creek in Wythe county in said State about 3 years after moved to the Rye valley at the head of Holston river in said county & state In about 2 years moved to Wayne county in the State of Kentucky, in about 10 or 12 years moved to Knox county in the State of Tennessee after about 3 years & 6 months, moved to Vigo county in the state of Indiana & finally in May 1832, moved into Edgar county in the state of Illinois where he now resides. He states that he has no documentary evidence of that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He states that John Burns, Clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal church and John Knight labourer are persons to whom he is known in his neighbourhood who can testify to his veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier in the revolution. He hereby renounces every claim whatever to a Pension, or an annuity except the present. He declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Gurdin Burnham
We John Burns a Clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the county of Edgar and State of Illinois, and John Knight labourer residing in said county and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gurdin Burnham who has subscribed & sworn to the above foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion Sworn

Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John Burns
John Knight
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Burns who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church president in the said county & State last named above that John Knight who also has signed the same is a resident of said last named county & State and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Henry G Smith
Joseph Mathias
Hull Sims
I Milton H Alexander clerk of the county Commissioners court for Edgar county in the State of Illinois; do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Gwendolyn Burnham for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & private seal (no judicial seal being yet provided) this third — day of June — Anno Domini 1833
M. H. Alexander Clerk
The above named M. H. Alexander is known to me to be the Clerk of the County Commissioners court of Edgar County - his certificate and attestation is in due form according to the laws of this State. John M. Robinson Comm'l Ill June 18. 1833

September 3, 1927
Mrs. Joseph T. Hanna Hanna's Ford, Route #2 Fort Wayne, Indiana
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 31585 it appears that Gurdin Burnham was born February 13, 1756 in East Hartford, Connecticut.
He enlisted May 19, 1775 and served until December 10, 1775 as drummer in Captain George Pitkins' Company (also served under him as Lieutenant Colonel) and Captain Ozias Bissell's Company, Colonel B. Hinman's Connecticut Regiment.
Immediately after, he enlisted and served twelve months in Captain Holdridge's Company, Colonel Wylllys' Connecticut Regiment, during which service he volunteered to go on a ship under Captain Thomas and assist in burning a number of British vessels up the North River, and in the execution of this service was severely burned by an explosion of powder and was taken to his father's home in East Hartford, Connecticut. The name of his father is not given.
On June 12, 1777 he engaged on board the ship "Alfred", Elisha Hinman, Commander, captured several British vessels,

was captured in an engagement off Barbadoes, in which engagement he was again very severely burned and wounded, and after sixty-two days imprisonment was exchanged and returned home in August or September 1778.
He remained at home until in the summer of 1779 then entered the service on the brig "Nancy", commanded by William Burke, was again captured and exchanged after eighty days.
After the close of the Revolution he went on a voyage to the West Indies, thence to Charleston, South Carolina, after three years to North Carolina, in two or three years to Powhatan County, Virginia, in about three years more returned to his father's home in East Hartford, Connecticut, remained about two years and returned to Powhatan County, Virginia, after two years moved to Buckingham County, Virginia where he married and lived about three years, after which he lived in Campbell County, Virginia, Fincastle, Virginia, Preston's Iron Works and Rye Valley, both in Wythe County, Virginia, Wayne County, Kentucky, Knox County, Tennessee, Vigo County, Indiana, and in 1832 to Edgar County, Illinois in which last named place he was allowed pension on his application executed June 3, 1833.
In 1835 he and his wife moved from Edgar County, Illinois to Vigo County, Indiana in which State they had three

sons and a daughter living. The date of soldier's marriage and names of his wife and children are not given, nor is his residence in 1840 stated.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a Gaydon Barnham.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

31585
Ray INVALID.
1914 June 1 Hist. Soc. Geo. W. Brown. Letter in S.F. 32269 William Cannon U.S.M. 1927 Oct. 2-List. to Mrs. J. S. Hanna. MMW
File No. 31,585
Eurid Burnham
His Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Free
Hon. J. Casey W. B. Washington D. C.

Chas 16
Abraham Lincoln
FREE
Hon. J. L. Edwards Pension Office War Department Washington City D. C.

Comptrollers Office May 24 th 1834
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut do certify that it appears by the copy of the pay roll of the 2 nd Co. 4 th Reg t of troops raised by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut May 1775, that Gordon Burnham served therein as a drummer from the 19 th day of May to the 10 th day of December 1775, being six months, & twenty one days. This company was commanded by Lt. Col. Geo. Pitkin - Oziel Dibble 1 st Lt. & Capt. after the 1 st Sept r , & regiment by Col. B. Hinman.
It appears by the books of the Pay Table that in January 1776 four regiments were raised, & to serve one year. One of which was commanded by Col. Samuel Hillyer. No roll of this regiment has been

found or list of its subordinate officers. The only evidence regarding this regiment & its service is, a charge to the United States of the incidental expenses of it, & a memorandum at the heading of the account in the ledger, that this regiment was raised Jan. 1776, for one year. Col. Samuel Hillys belonged to Hartford, was a B. Col. in Genl. Joseph Spencer's Reg t & served at Roxbury in 1775.
And that there is no evidence in this Office of the character or existence of the armed Ship Alfred, or of its officers or crew, or of the Brig Nancy.
D. Stock

Yrs Sincere 22 May 1855
Sir
In February last - at the request of Gurdin Burnham I applied through Mr Ewing Representation from this District for the transfer of Burnham's name from the Pension office Rolls of Illinois to Indiana - and agreeable to the printed instructions furnished by you for the guidance of a Pensioner in such a case - herewith send the affidavit &c - if this is correct - and no other objections to the transfer - it would enable him to get his money - at a less expense besides saving the travel - should his name be placed on the rolls at Indianapolis - he could effect it by power of attorney - There is so little communication between here and Carmi - he has to send specially for it - at an expense of several dollars every payment - if at Indianapolis facilities are offered every week - by advising Burnham or myself of the result of the application you will confer a favor on a feeble old soldier
Yours S. L. Edwards Pension office Mar 18, 56
I am very Respectfully Yours & Sam L. Edwards

Robinson and Mayo
Sheeps Certificate
6.20. Bay Summer 1 Yr Private 500 10 ss each in in the ship afloat a continental armed vessel —
114 2 1 4 3 6 6 1 2 1 4 3 6 2 24 4 3 1 2 2 4 2 1 4

War Department Pension Office 25 th March 1834.
Sir
The claim of Gurdin Burnham has been again examined and the papers are herewith enclosed. The claimant is advised to apply to Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Accounts, Hartford Connecticut where he may obtain evidence in relation to his claim.
I am Sir, Very Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t J. L. Edwards
6 Mo. 20 d. 1834. 12 3/4 5, 10, Dec r man William J. Maye Esq r 24 Paris 5.10 Edgar County 6.20 Illinois 12.30

Hanna's Ford, Route 2 Gen Winfield Scott. Commd.
H Wayne Luel June 6 th 1927
Dear Sir:-
You have been so kind, am asking will you please give me the Revolutionary war record of Gaydon Branham, died Oct 1-1818 Allen Co Ind, and all data pertaining thereto, in interests of H.A.R., I thank you so much -
Sincerely
Mrs Joseph T. Hanna Hanna's Ford Route 2 -
H Wayne Luel
Chairman Research H.A.R.

Chairman of Research, Mrs Joseph T. Hanna Hanna's Ford Route 2 Ft Wayne Ind
I am faithfully for the American Flag and National defense, against the enemy within or without our gates!! S.V.H.
Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Fort Wayne, Indiana Sept 23 rd 1927.
(Rev' Records.)
Winfield Scott, Comm'r
My dear Mr Scott,
Will you please send me the military Revolutionary record and all data pertaining to himself of Gaydon Barnham Sgt, The name was given to me as of the Rev Pension List of 1840 and having died in Allen Co Ind. If I can secure this record and data it will make seven which I have proven up for our Chapter, and rescued from oblivion - This will complete my work I feel pretty sure, and thanks to your wonderful and kindly assistance.
We expect soon to erect a permanent Boulder marker, bearing the bronze tablet of our M. A. R. Chapter, and names of these seven men to forever perpetuate their memory and honor them for the great work they did, and the legacy they bequeathed to us in American Independence. Sincerely, with thanks - Mrs Joseph T. Hanna Chairman of Research. (The Soldier's name may not be quite correct.)

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 Gurden Burnham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 19 1775 Dec 10 1775 Drummer George Pitkin B. Hemenway Conn   Immediately after 12 mos Col. as Joseph Holdrege James Wyllys   June 12 1777 on board ship Alfred Elisha Hemenway commenced   captured in engagement off Barbados 62 days imprisonment, returned home in Aug or Sept 1778 exchanged after   Summer 1779 on brig Nancy com. by Wm. Burke 80 days again captured & exchanged after  
Battles engaged in, See above
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at East Hartford Conn.
Date of application for pension, June 3 1822 His el. al.
Residence at date of application, Edgar Co. Ill. and since May 1832
Age at date of application, b Feb'y 13 1756 at East Hartford Conn.
Remarks: Soldier was married in Buckingham Co. Va. In 1835 he and his wife moved from Edgar Co. Ill. to Indiana where their three sons and one daughter were living, there are no names stated
Respectfully,
Commissioner.