Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,257, Return Bissell, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Bissell, Return
NUMBER
S. 15,257
carded.
CONTENTS

9107- Connecticut
Return Bissell of Washington in the State of Conn who was a Pri in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Col Swift in the Conn time for 13 mo 27 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $16 Dollars 36 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of March 1833 and sent to G. B. Woodruff - Sheffield Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March: 33. $92.72 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep. 4. 33 23.18
$115.90
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. D. Bulloch Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 3

Declaration of Return Bissell in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832
State of Connecticut } Court of Probate within & for the County of Litchfield } District of Litchfield
on this 3 rd day of Aug 1832 her solemnly appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Execs of Probate Frederick Wolcott, Judge of the Court of Probate for said District, now sitting, Return Bissell a resident of Torrington in said County, aged 74 years, who being first solemnly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated viz,
I was born at Torrington aforesaid on the 27 th day of Jan y 1758. There is a record of my age I believe in the Records of the town of Torrington, & also one made by my Father in his family Bible, which is now owned by Ebenezer Winchell of said Torrington.
In June 1776 the militia company to which I belonged in Torrington was ordered to go & marched to New York, to defend that City against an expected attack of the British. I went with said Company as a soldier for said purpose, under the command of Capt. John Strong, Lieut. Ebenezer Miller - Ensign Elijah Gaylord; we went to New York, & arrived there before the British landed at the Narrows. We remained there stationed in the City, ready for service till after the American army evacuated the City, we were in the City at the time of the Battle at Flatbush, but did not go onto Long Island. Soon after this Battle the Americans evacuated the City, & then we retreated with the army out of it, & our Company was stationed at Morristown for a while, & here Ensign Gaylord for whom I was waiter, was taken unwell, & a few days before the Company was dismissed he obtained a dismission for himself, & as I was his waiter, one for me also, & I then

came home with him. While in this tour of service we were in the Regiment commanded by Col Chapman  Sheldon of Torrington, Genl s Washington, Green, Lee, Putnam & de were in & near New York at this time. I served at this time at least three  two & a half months. I have no documentary evidence of this service & to morrow it annex the testimony of John Brige who served with me till the time when I was dismissed . . . . .
In the last part of Dec r A.D. 1770 I enlisted into a Company of the Conn t State Troops commanded by Capt Shubael Gris- wold, Lieut s Jonathan Mason, & Callin & Ensign Buel I enlisted for three months . We assembled at Litchfield & thence marched to Saratoga in West Chester County & then joined that part of our army stationed there, we remained there on duty & engaged in scouts, guards he in the adjoining country through the winter; we had some small skirmishes with the British near the lines, our Regiment was I believe commanded by Col Canfield of New Milford while there. This tour continued for three months that being the time for which we enlisted, & at the expiration of that time we were pa- rad & the Company dismissed without a written discharge I have no documentary evidence of this service, but to morrow it annex the deposition of S r Brige who served with me the whole time.
About the first of April 1777 I was a member of a mi- litia Company in Torrington & some men were drafted out of that Company to go to Pekskeel in the E. to re- inforce our army in that neighborhood. Those who were drafted had the right to pay five pounds each & be ex- cused from service, & that £5 was paid to any one who would take their place. An opportunity offered & I filled the vacancy & rec d the £5. After the number of men was obtained we assembled at Litchfield & thence marched to Pekskeel & when we

arrived there were put into a Company commanded by Capt Foot of Newington in which one Grant, was Lieut or Ensign, our Regiment was commanded by a Continental Officer I think, whose name I have forgotten, we were in Gen. M c Dougal's Brigade of the Continental Line after we had been there about three weeks we learnt that the British had made an attack on Danbury & we were immediately ordered to march to that place to oppose the British, & marched all night & reached Bridge in Putnam County N.Y. about the middle of the next day forenoon of the next day & then heard that the British had retreated after their vessels from Danbury, We then returned to Peekskill, We remained in Camp at Peekskill after this, most of the time till we were dismissed, which was about the 1 st of June 1777 I served at this time two  in all  months at the end of this time our company was dismissed on parade without a written discharge & my proof of this service is the testimony of John Strong here annexed who served with me through this tour of service
In the summer of the same year I was a member of the militia Company in Torrington commanded by Capt John Strong out of which I was then drafted to join our army on the North River, I joined the army immediately at Cronland near Peekskill, We were called out because the British were expected up the River, but that danger was soon past & we remained at Cronland but a short time, & we were dismissed without a written discharge after a tour of three weeks duration, Capt Strong commanded us at Cronland Lieut Ebenezer Miller & Ensign Elijah Gaylord, My impression is that Col Ephraim Sheldon commanded our Reg t , Gen M c Dougal had a command near there I think at this time, My only evidence of this tour of service is that of John Strong here to annexed & of John Brige which is also annexed

In Sept 1777 I went as a volunteer to the Northward to join our army opposed to Gen. Burgoyne. I went in Capt Gibbs Company of Winchester in which Ebenezer Miller was Lieut, in Col Chaplin's Sheldon Regiment in which Andrew Adams was Major, commanded by Gen. Oliver Wolcott. We joined the army at Stillwater, & I was present when the last Battles were fought between Genl Gates & Burgoyne & at the last of said Battles I was in the field but our Regiment was not brought into action. At this time I assisted in carrying Gen Arnold from the field when he was wounded; we remained till Burgoyne surrendered & then were dismissed after a tour of six weeks or more. I have no documentary evidence of this service & know of no survivor who can testify for me in support of this part of my declaration, but must rely on my own declaration supported by  testimony of  supporting  evidence of my character unless I can procure the testimony of Richard Coit
In April 1779 I was drafted out of the Militia to go to Peekskill to join our army there. I met others at Litchfield where we assembled under the direction of Col Bezaleel Babb & marched from Litchfield or Danbury to Danbury & there were mustered by Col Dergee, (so pronounced) & at Danbury I enlisted for nine months into the Continental Army ; here we were put under the command of a sergeant & marched to Nelson's Point, this side of West Point, & then I was put into the Company commanded by Capt Wright & Lieut or Ensign Mead into the Regiment commanded by Col Bradley, Gen. Huntington commanded the Brigade in which were also Colonels Swift, Miller, & Sherman. We were stationed at Nelson's Point, through most of the nine months being occasionally detached for a week's scout, to Peekskill & the adjacent country. While we lay here Gen Washington was here, also Genl Heath & Parsons. During this time Stony Point was taken by Genl Wayne, as Winter approached we marched down to Stony Point & thence to Morristown N.J. into

Winter Quarters, when we remained till Jan 4 th 1780 & then I received a discharge & came home, this discharge I have lost, I have not seen it for many years, I do not remember who gave it & having no documentary evidence of this service, rely on the testimony of John Winchell hereunto annexed.
I have always since my birth resided in S t Torrington & am known to W m Brattle Esq r , Rev. Epaphroditus Godman, Rev. David Miller & Col. Shaddeus Griswold in my present neighborhood, who can testify to my character for veracity, & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to an annuity or pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Return Bissell
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore said before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate S t John's District Court.
We David Miller a Clergyman residing in the town of New Kentford within 1/2 a mile from Nathan Bissell in S t County & W m Brattle residing in S t Torrington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Return Bissell who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion; & that his character for veracity is fair.
William Brattle David Miller
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore said before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate S t John's District Court.

And the said Court doth hereby declare its 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 it that the Rev d Darius Miller, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of New Hartford in the immediate neighborhood of S t Bissell, & that William Battelle who has also signed the same, is a resident of S t Jennings, & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Theodore Wolcott Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Conn.
I Phinehas Miner Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Litchfield, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Bissell for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this 25 th day of August 1882
Phinehas Miner Clerk

P.
15254 INVALID.
File No. 15, 257
Return Bissell
Prin. Rev. War-
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. / , Page 33
[Arrangement of 1870.]

4579
Return Bifol
5 14 16
admit private
13 ni 27 days
$46.36
Y C Woodruf
Suchfield
5.50.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Return B. Bell which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? not correctly - He enlisted in Kentucky Reg 26 July 1779 was discharged 15 Feb 1780 His other terms are intertwined in a manner to cause doubt VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
‡QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
- In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Dec. 26.
Concord
to the Hon. Secretary of War Washington D.C.
(Revolutionary War)
23

Litchfield, Conn., Dec 21 st 1832
To the Hon Sec y of War
Sir
I herewith return to your Department Return Bissell's applica- tion for a Pension
As to Qu. 5 th I can state that Mr Bissell gave me directions how to draw his applica- tion, giving me the length of each period of ser- vice, I draw drew it accordingly, But on read- ing it over to him, he concluded that he would have the interlineations made which appear in his Declaration, He said that he believed he served for as long a period each tour, as I had originally written it, but he had rather receive a pension for a less time than he actually served, than run any risk of stating the time too long, I therefore made the interlineations referred to, by his direction & before he made oath to it in the Court of Probate
As to Qu. 14 th I cannot certify that John Winchell the Deponent "is entitled to credit" as I do not know this fact. This however is unimportant, I suppose, as the service referred to by him, was Continental Service & it seems the evidence of this is found on the records at Washington, tho' for not so long a period as claimed by the applicant, He how-

error has no further evidence of it, & of course must abide by the evidence at Washington on the rolls or Records there
Qu 15 Papers are now I believe authenti- cated
Very Respectfully Yours Geo. C. Woodruff

... I John Brige of the town of Torrington & County of Litchfield, being duly sworn do depose & say that for the last sixty years I have been well acquainted with Return Bissell of said town; & that in the year 1770 he belonged to the militia company in said Torrington commanded by Capt. John Strong, Lieut. Ebenezer Miller, & Ensign Elijah Gaylord the said Company was called on to go to New York to defend that City against the British in June 1776, & it went immediately for that purpose to New York; it was in the Reg t of Col. Shelden  Spencer Sheldon of Torrington; it reached New York before the British had landed & while they lay off the Hook & was stationed in the City & lay there till after the battle at Flatbush & until the Americans evacuated the City & it then was marched to Horn's Hook & remained near there for some little time said Bissell went with said Company to New York & served in it as a soldier in the service of the United States till it went to Horn's Hook where he was released. He served at this time about  three months at least, & this I know because I was a soldier with him in the same Company & was dismissed at Horn's Hook about the time he was, which was a few days before the whole Company was dismissed.
In Dec 1776 said Bissell enlisted in a Company in the Connecticut State Troops, commanded by Capt. Sherbahl Griswold, Lieut. Jonathan Mason & Theod. Catlin & Ensign Bissell. He enlisted for three months to go to Sawpits, Kings Street, near the lines, near New York. He joined the army at Sawpits in said Company where its duty was to defend the neighboring coast & protect the property in that section of the Country from the ravages of the British. This the Company in which said Bissell was, continued to do, through the winter of 1776-7 under the Command of Col. Canfield I think, for three months , & then was dismissed. I served in said Company through the same period & consequently know that said Bissell served as above stated for the period of three months , for which he enlisted, with me

Afterwards in the summer of 1777, said Brissell & myself were drafted out of the militia to which both of us belonged to join the American Army on the North River, we accord- ingly did march to (Crompond near Peekskill) where we joined other Troops; we were called out because the British were expected up the North River but as the ap- prehended danger soon passed by, we were not long de- tained, but were dismissed after a tour of about three weeks.
Said Brissell's character for veracity is good, & his statement is entitled to credit. And further saith not.
Dated at Litchfield this 3 d day of August 1832. John Bringe
Litchfield County ss Litchfield Aug 3 d 1832
Personally appeared, John Bringe a witness to me known & believed to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing deposition by him in my presence subscribed before me Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I John Mitchell of Torrington  Harrington in Litchfield County Conn. will here soon do depose & say that in April of the 1779 Return Bissell, who I have known well for more than 50 years, was drafted out of the Militia Com- pany in St. Torrington to join the American Army on the Huds. River, & he went to Danbury Conn. & was there mustered with others by Col. Porgie or Purnee; & at that place he enlisted into the Continental Army for nine months; from Danbury he marched to Nelsons Point opposite West Point, & remained principally at that place in Capt. Wrights Company & Col. Bradleys Reg t till the army went into Winter quarters in Morristown N.J. From Nelsons Point the army in which St. Bissell still remained marched by the way of Haver Point he to said Morristown, & at Morristown said Bissell was discharged. I knew said Bissell well at this time, was drafted with him & enlisted with him, & served with him through the whole nine months, when we were discharged to- gether. I therefore personally know that he per- formed the services above stated in the Revolution- ary Army of the United States And further the de- ponent saith not
Dated at Litchfield this 13 th day of Aug. 1832
John Mitchell
Litchfield County ss Litchfield Aug 13 th 1832 Personally appeared John Mitchell a witness to me known to be the person who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut certify that George C. Woodruff before whom the preceding certifi- cated affidavits of John Berge & John Mitchell appear to have been taken was on the 13 th day of Aug t inst & since has been a Justice of the Peace in & for 1 st County & that Joseph Riggs Esq. before whom the preceding affidavits of John Strong & Richard Coit appear to have been taken was on 18 th day of Aug 1832 & since has been a Justice of the Peace within said County; and that the pre- ceding certificates & signatures which purport to be theirs respectively are genuine
Witness my hand & the seal of 1 st Court at Litchfield in 1 st County this 25 th day of Aug 1832
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
No 4. 579

I John Strong of Norfolk County of Pittsfield State of Connecticut do hereby certify that my age is seventy five years that in the year A D 1777 I served in the United States army stationed at Peaks kill & was actually on the ground in said service one & half months stationed also at barracks number three my best name I think was Foot; Matthew Grant was Lieut Return Bissell of Torrington with whom I have been acquainted all my life time was with me & did duty in the same company & during the same time While there Danbury was burnt & we were marched in pursuit of the British as far as Bridford where it was understood the British had retreated & we returned to Peaks kill & were under the command of Genl Mc Dougall
I also served in a company stationed at a place then called Camppond westerly of Danbury under command of Capt John Strong & that Return Bissell served with me in said company one month
John Strong

Sitthfield County of Norfolk August 14th D 1832 Personally Attested John Stony Signed of the Within Deposition Who is Well known to me as A Person of truth & veracity & I think his Statement entitled to full credit & belief & made oth their too as the Law Directs Joseph Rigg Justice of peace

I Richard Coit of the Town of Winchester Litchfield County State of Connecticut do hereby declare that I am now in the eightieth year of my age That in the year 1777 I belonged to the United States army & while there I became acquainted with Return Ripull of the Town of Torrington in County aforesaid who also belonged to the army. I served a month & half at Peekskill also the same length of time at Stillwater while at Stillwater the company to which I belonged was commanded by Capt Gibbs of this Town Ebenezer Miller of Torrington was Lieutenant & belonged to Col Sheldon's regiment - I recollect Mr Ripull was at Peekskill: and from circumstances related by him which took place at Still- water with which I was well acquainted & which could not have been known by Mr Ripull had he not been on the ground leads me to the full belief that he was there & belonged to the same company & that he served the same length of time that I did - I cannot now say so positively respecting the length of time we served at Stillwater it might vary a few days more or less but as near as I can recollect

it was a month and a half
Richard Coit
Litchfield County of Winchester August 18 - A.D. 1830
Personally Appeared before me Richard Coit Who is well known to me to be a man of truth & veracity & made oath as the Law Directs to the fore going Deposition & subscribed his name thereto & I think is entitled to full credit & belief Joseph Riggs justice of peace