Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 717, Simeon Belknap, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Belknap, Simeon Miriam or Mirriam
P 717 B.L. Mt. 40931-160-55
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for entry]
[Ruled lines for entry]
✓

173.337

State of Vermont } On this 13 th day of June A One thousand eight hundred District of Randolph ss. } and fifty-five personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court now sitting at Randolph within & for said District Miriam Belknap aged seventy seven years a resident of Randolph in the State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Simon Belknap who was a private in the War of the Revolution, for the full period of three months as this declarant believes & in the Connecticut line for the proof of the declaration she respectfully refers to the files and records of the Department made by the late Simon Belknap under the act of 1832 & forwarded to the Pension Office in the year 1832 or 33
She further states that she was married to the said Simon Belk- nap on the 9 th day of January A 1804 by one Elder Ramsay a minister and that her name before her said marriage was Miriam Edson; that her husband died at said Randolph on the 11 th day of January 1841. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3. 1855," and she further states that she is now a widow Miriam Belknap
We John S. Smith and H. A. Parish residents of Randolph in the State of Vermont upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed by Miriam Belknap in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be -
John S. Smith H. A. Parish

I John S. Smith of lawful age depone testify & say that I hold the office of town Clerk of the town of Randolph in the county of Orange & State of Vermont and that in a "book containing the record of marriages births & deaths" the following is recorded "to wit,
"State of Vermont,
Orange County ss. Be it remembered that at Randolph in the county aforesaid on this 9th. day of January in the year of our Lord 1804 Simon Belknap of Randolph and Miriam Edson of Randolph County aforesaid were duly joined in marriage
by me W m Ranney Minister."
Also that
"Simon Belknap the above mentioned died January 11th. 1841"
Attest John S. Smith Town Clerk
The foregoing declaration & statements of Mrs. Miriam Belknap to this Court well known as a credible person, and also the affidavits John S. Smith & M c A. Parris to the Court well known as credible persons and also the said John S. Smith to me known as the town Clerk of said Randolph, appeared subscribed and were duly sworn to the truth of the statements by each severally made in open Court as above
Witness my hand and the seal of said Probate Court the day and year first above written -
John B. Hutchinson, Judge

178. B 57 / Oct Mon 3/55
June 20/55
Miriam Belknap wed Simeon Belknap
Price
born Grooms
Married
born Grooms
Rev. War
Vt Reg 1832
Ad. 160 acs Sept 18/56
(Lodge)
2.
J. H. Parish
Randolph
Vt
Rev J. H. Parish June 24/56
Vol B=1-100

1410 Simson Belknap Randolph, Orange County Vermont
Sept. 23 d Nov. 1832.
Ph. 4. 16
Rejected
Rejected see let to J. R. Parish Dec. 14, 1832.
J. R. Parish Randolph Vt.
Page 89.

BRIEF in the case of  Simeon Polkwaap  of Randolph, Orange County  in the State of Vermont  (Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  In open Court. 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
74 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.     Simeon In 1776 July 3. Wt. States Gen. Gen. Gates, Col. Torrey's Reg't   1778-9 6. Gen. Chester -   - 80 6. Teamster Not admissable by the regulations of the Dept of War, having enlisted as a teamster.  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
East Windsor (Now Ellington) Connecticut.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By a living witness as far as relates to his services as a teamster - By the Judge of the court as to the traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They are - The certificate of the Judge alone not being sufficient to make out the case according to the Regulations.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Robt. Fowle Examining Clerk.

n° 1410.
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter or document.]
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text at the bottom of the page, possibly a signature or a note.]

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of Vermont District of Randolph ss. On this 28 th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Frederick Griswold Esq. Judge holden at Brookfield in the district of Randolph, in the County of Orange & State of Vermont, Simon Belknap a resident of Randolph in said district. County & State aged seventy four years who being 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. 1832 - That in the year 1776 in July he went into the service in the Militia from the town of East-Windsor now Ellington, Col t under Capt. James Fitch, Lt. Elisha Hobbie & Ens. Daniel Ellsworth marched to Hartford & New Haven, and from thence went to N.Y. by water was in Col. Terry's Reg t under Genl. Shester, was at Westchester a part of the time, and was discharged about the first of October same year. That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1778-79 & enlisted as a teamster under Capt. David Johnson for six months & served the full term, Col. Smith Dep. Quartermaster commanded. drew rations for himself team & pay the same as the soldiers of the Army was employed from Springfield Mass. to various places on R. River N.Y. Providence R.I. &c. and also that he enlisted the year following as a teamster under Capt. Belknap for six months and served the full term under same Col. as before and was employed & paid in same manner as the year previous. He states that that he knows of no witness to prove any of the foregoing service but the 2 d tour of training and has no documentary evidence thereof. He further states that in the year 1780 he was taken a prisoner at the burning of Royalton Vt. by the Indians and carried to Canada where he was confined for two years - one in Montreal and one fifty miles above on an Island in the river St. Lawrence, where the prisoners were guarded principally by Tories and at the

end of said two years made his escape by running away He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity  emolument except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State Simson Belknap
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate
And the subscriber Judge of the court aforesaid having been for many years acquainted with the aforesaid Simson Belknap, after the investigation of the matter & from the known opinion of the neighbourhood is satisfied that his statement is true - Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate
J. B. Parish Clerk or Reg. of the Probate Court for the district of Randolph Orange County Vermont do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Simson Belknap for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of July A.D. 1832
J. B. Parish Clerk or Reg.
Office of the Reg. of Probate July 28. 1832 I hereby certify that the above and foregoing are truly copied from the original now in my office - J. B. Parish Clerk or Reg.

The subscriber Register of the Probate Court within & for the District of Randolph in the County of Orange & State of Vermont, hereby certify that for a number of years past I have been well acquainted with Simon Bicknall the applicant for a pension upon the foregoing declaration, that he is considered a man of undoubted truth & veracity and also that the general opinion in his neighborhood is that he was a Revolutionary Soldier, and I have no doubt of the fact - Witness - Frederick Griswold Judge Probate J. K. Parish
the

Samson Belknap
Oct 1832. in H.
R.
A. H. Clark

State of Vermont County of Orange
Be it Known, that on this 21st day of January A. D. 1853 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace  Notary Public , in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Miriam Belknap
resident of Randolph in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the widow of Simon Belknap who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4
That she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Simon Belknap for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand M. Belknap
Miriam Belknap
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Miriam Belknap to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged. and well known to me as the widow of the late Simon Belknap
J. K. Parish Notary Public
State of Vermont County of Orange
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Orange County  both  County Supreme that Miriam Belknap the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the widow of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that J. K. Parish Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace  Notary Public , in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this 21st day of January 1853,
J. M. Flint Clerk
1. Claimant's name. 2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank. 5. "He is," "she is," or "they are." 6. Revolutionary soldier's full name. 7. Claimant's signature. 8. Claimant's name. 9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of." 11. Magistrate's name. 12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Ex'r.
INVALID.
NO. 717
REJECTED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Simeon Bellmash
P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
St. H. Parish Dec 14th, 1832 Sill Knight Aug 22/53 717 Rejd 1832

L 40.931
S
Verlass
Miriam Belknap
wid
Simon Boyd
Additional Evidence No. 173.357
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

173.357

Randolph Vt. June 16. 1835 J. P. Wells Esq., Comr. Pensions Sir,
Please find the application of Mrs. Miriam Belknap, widow of the Simon Belknap for the Revolutionary services of her late husband for bounty land under the late act. I would respectfully refer the Comr. to the files in the office for proof of the service of Simon Belknap, made under the act of June 1832. At which time if I recollect he made proof of some service in the Conn. line and also that he was taken a prisoner by the Indians at the burning of Royalton. I conclude if the proof of service is found in your office as I think it will be for some time, in the Ct. line it will be sufficient - if not I am sure I conclude the certificate of the Comptroller of Ct. which will be sufficient -
Respectfully Yrs. Ob. Servt.
J. K. Parish.

State of Connecticut Hartford September 1 st 1856.
I Charles Hosmer, Recording Secretary, of the Connecticut Historical Society, do certify that, upon application for the service of Simeon Belknap, a private in Capt. James Fitch's company, in the war of the Revolution, I find among the Militia Rolls deposited with said Society, a Pay Roll, with the following heading viz:—
"A Pay Roll of Capt. James Fitch's Company, commanded by Maj r Nath l Perry, to 1 st of Oct r . inclusive;— among the names of the men on said Roll, is "Simeon Belknap, 46 days in service, £3. 1. 4. Intire Wages."
The commencement of service is stated on the Roll to be 24 th of August, 1776.
Cha s Hosmer, Rec. Secy
State of Connecticut, County of Hartford ss. On this 1 st day of September A.D. 1856 personally appeared Charles Hosmer Esq r the signer of the foregoing document and made oath that the same is true before me, Geo. Robinson Notary Public

Washington City June 8 th 1858.
Hon. L. P. Waldo. Com r of Pensions Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith the power of attorney executed by the heirs of Simon Belknap dec d of the State of Vermont, whose claim has been rejected under act of 7 th July 1852.
I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to establish the claim before it comes up for examination.
Very Respectfully Your Obedt. Servt. S. M. Knight.

I John Shirtliff of Swanton in Franklin County & State of Vermont formerly of the town of East Windsor in Conn. testify and say that in 1779. 1780 I was acquainted with Simeon Belknap of the same town now of Randolph Or. County Vt. and that he enlisted for six months as a teamster under Capt. Belknap & commanded by Col. Smith Dep. Quartermaster and served the full term, that he drew pay & rations as soldiers in the Army the teams were found by the Government and were employed from Springfield Mass. to various places on the North river N.Y. and in the winter was employed in drawing wood to the troops stationed at Springfield aforesaid.
Further saith not.
John Shirtliff
State of Vermont District of Randolph ss At Randolph in the district aforesaid this 27 th day of July 1832 personally appeared John Shirtliff the signer of foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath that it contains the truth and nothing but the truth -
Before me Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate
This certifies that the signer of the foregoing affidavit is a credible person & his statement should be relied on as credible.
Witness my hand and seal of office of the Probate Court for the district aforesaid
Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate

Randolph Vt. Sept. 3. 1856. Com d of Pensions Sir,
I herewith send to the Office a Certificate of the services of Simion Bilknap in Fitch's Co. & Tenny's Reg t in 1776- from the Com d Historical Society, which I believe will be satisfactory to sustain the claim of Mrs. Miniam Bilknap the widow of the said Simion Bilknap to Bounty Land upon her application No. 173,357-
I am Sir Yr Obed t Serv t ,
J. K. Parish,

Randolph W. Nov. 29. 1832.
Hon. Secretary of War.
Sir.
I return the papers again in the case of Simon Belknap, and have to say that if the Department require in  this case any further evidence of service he does not now know of any in his power to obtain. In relation to his captivity he could make proof yet as he was not engaged in the army at the time he was taken a prisoner. He did not procure evidence of that fact.
He will if necessary procure the statement of as many citizens of his town relative to his own character as may be required.
He can obtain such certificate of Dudley Chase late Senator of Vt. Libbeus Egeston St. Gov. of Vt.
Yours Respectfully J. B. Parish
P.S. The credibility of Shurtleff is certified by the Judge of Probate before whom it was taken & the seal of the Probate Ct. attached to certificate.
The certificate of the Reg. of the Probate Ct. is also made relative to the reputation of the applicant.