Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.20,710, Robert Chauncey Beardslee, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Beardslee, Robert Chauncey Hulda
N. 20,710
B&Wt 26687-160-55
CONTENTS

Connecticut 181
Letter to Pension Agent June 14. 1848.
Huldah Beardslee widow of Robert C. Beardslee of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut. Pension. who was a P. Serf. in the company commanded by Captain Beach of the regt. commanded by Col. Whiting in the Cont. service time for 13 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 45 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Nov 1836 — and sent to Isaac Sherman Esq. Bridgeport
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 for 219.33 3/4 Pension allowance ending Oct 237 22.66 $ 242.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } " Feb 1833
Recorded by [Signature] Clerk, Book Vol. 1 Page 78

Ch: Dr. Beardlee Aug: 10/55
153. 380. May 31. act Mar 1/55
Huldah Beardlee, wid o Robert C. Beardlee fms (100 years old)
Rev: Pioneers
W: 1600a9 May 16/55 B. D. B.
Conn July 31 - 181
Special G. Col. C C
etc
Vol. P. 1-92.
Sam l Beardlee, Trumbull, to Hild.

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport.
On this 10 th  18 th day of October 1836 personally appeared before the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County. Huldah Beardslee a Resident of the Town of Trumbull in said County and State aforesaid aged Eighty one Years who being first duly Sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836,
That she is the Widow of Robert Chauncy Beardslee who was a private & corporal in the War of the Revolution - That said Robert enlisted in the Spring of 1775 in the Parish of North Stratford now called Trumbull which Parish was at the time of the Revolution a part of the Town of Stratford in said County - into a company of State Troops under command of Elisha Beach Col. or Cap t of said company and remembers her Husband often telling her that he was at the taking of St Johns Fort in said campaign and remembers his telling that they buried the dead after the Battle by digging a Hole and covering them up with Brush for fear the Indians would scalp them Remembers that said Robert was gone all summer in this campaign which was in the year before she was Married to Robert Chauncy, says she lived in said Parish & he lived in the same when he enlisted to go to the Northward in said Campaigns allways understood he served

Seven months in said campaign as a private Foot Soldier does not know as said Robert had any written discharge —
That said Robert served in a company of Guards as a corporal under Sergeant David Lake in the Revolution keeping Guard at New Pasture Point in the Town of Stratford. for six months cannot say what year but knows it was after Fairfield was Burnt from this circumstance That when Fairfield was Burnt she had but 2 children & when he was in this Guard Service she had 3 children, that said company of Guards belonged to Col. Saml Whitney as Regiment & Genl Goldsborough Brigade & was in field or Garrison during said Campaigns & not employed in any civil pursuit during said Campaigns. That her Husband was born in the Parish of Stratfield in said County in April 1754 has now no Record of his age lived in the Parish of North Stratford aforesaid when called into service and continued to live there until his death was called into service as a volunteer does not know whether he ever had any written discharge, has now no documentary evidence of proof his service, — That she was born in North Stratford said Parish February 23 1755
She further declares and says that she was Married to the said Robert Chauncy Beardslee on the first day of September 1776 in said Parish by the Rev. James Buel who was

She ordained Memphis over said parish at that time and that her Husband the afforesaid Robert, Chauncy Beardlee died on the 27 th day of March, A D 1813 at said Parish in Trygally by Malignant fever, worked in the Woods and got cold which was, supposed to be the cause of his disease; that she has remained his Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed —
Mark Moore Witnesses Isaac Sherman
Muldah (hfr) Beardlee Mark
I sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written before me
Mark Moore
Mark Moore of Probate Judge of Probate
I hereby certify that the reason that Muldah Beard- lee who has subscribed the above declaration made, her mark thereto is that she cannot now write her name
Mark Moore Judge of Probate And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the court department that the above named applicant is the widow of Robert Chauncy Beardlee a revolutionary soldier and served as the states
Attest R S Nichols, Clerk
Mark Moore Judge
I Russell S. Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the widow Muldah Beardlee for a pension for testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10 th day of October A D 1836
Roswell S Nichols, Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport I Roswell S Nichols Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County and State aforesaid. Hereby Certify That Isaac Sherman before whom the Depositions of Mr Brinsmade Robert Linnus Daniel Curtis & Thomas Stratton Samuel Wolfford was taken, and John Goulding before whom the Deposition of Josiah Gorham was taken, and Samuel Beardslee before whom the Deposition of Elisha Hallow was taken are all Justices of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and their commissions expire in June 1837 and that their signatures to said Depositions are all genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court the 24 day of October A D 1836
R S Nichols, Clerk.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } Mr. Trumbull Sept 19 th A.D. 1836
This certifies that I have examined the Church Records of North Stratford now Trumbull, of which I am Clerk of sd Church, and on examining sd records, do find in the hand writing of the Rev d James Beebe formerly Pastor of sd Church the following record, &c.
Sept 1 st 1776
Robert Chauncy Beardslee and Hulda Hawley both of this place were married
Abi Brinsmade, Clerk of sd Church
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield } ss. Magistrate September 10. 1836 personally appeared Abi Brinsmade and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate who I certify is well known to me is a credible Witness and as I fully believe that he is Clerk of said Church and that his certificate is true,
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF Hartford
ss.
Trumbull
On this 23 day of May A. D., 185 5
Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace, duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the County aforesaid, Huldah Beardslee
aged 100 years, a resident of said Trumbull in the State of
Connecticut who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Robert C. Beardslee of said Trumbull deceased, who was a private & corporal in the Army of the Revolutionary War and that she the said Huldah Beardslee is a pensioner of the United States as the widow of said Robert C. Beardslee on the Roll of the Connecticut agency under Act of Congress in conformity with the 3 rd section of the law of the United States of the 4 th July 1836 at the rate of forty five dollars and 33 cents per annum that her pension certificate is dated November 16 th 1836 No. 181. and for proof of his service, her marriage to him and the time of his death she refers to her application for a pension under said act of July 4 th 1836 at the Pension office at Washington City —
that he and continued in actual service in said war for the term of 14 months or more and was honorably discharged at on the day of A. D. as she believes
She further states that she was married to the said Robert C. Beardslee in the Town of Stratford  in the present now called Trumbull on the first day of September A. D. 1776 by one Rev. James Buel Cong. Minister and that her name before her said marriage was Huldah Hawley that her said husband died at said Trumbull on the 27 th day of March A. D. 1813 at 80 years and that she is now a widow.
To her application for a pension for proof of his said death She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
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."
Huldah Beardslee mark
WE John H. Purdie residents of Trumbull
and Laura Beardslee in the State of Connecticut
upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Huldah Beardslee in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Laura Beardslee John H. Purdie
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Samuel Beardslee
Justice of the Peace.

September 9, 1938.
Mrs. Nellie Beardsley Holt 10 Sunset Terrace West Hartford, Connecticut.
BA-J/ILL Robert Chauncey Beardslee W. 20710
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Robert Chauncey Beardsley, W. 20710.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 20710, based upon service of Robert Chauncey Beardslee in the Revolutionary War.
Robert Chauncey Beardslee was born in April 1754, in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and resided in North Parish of said Stratford during the Revolutionary War; the names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in the spring of 1775, served as a private in Lieutenant Elijah Beach's Connecticut company on the northern expedition, was at the taking of St. John's Fort and at Ticonderoga, length of this service seven months. He enlisted in 1780, and served six months as corporal in Captain David Lake's company of guards, stationed on the east side of Bridgeport harbor, in Connecticut.
The soldier died March 27, 1813, at his home in Trumbull (formerly called North Stratford), Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Robert Chauncey Beardslee married September 1, 1776, Huldah Hawley; they were married by the Congregational Minister of North Stratford, Connecticut. Huldah was born February 23, 1755 in North Stratford Parish, Stratford, Connecticut; the names of her parents are not shown.
Huldah Beardslee, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed October 10, 1836, at which time she resided in

Trumbull, Fairfield County, Connecticut. She was living there in May 1855.
Hulda Beardslee stated that at the time Fairfield was burned she had two children, and that at the time her husband, Robert Chauncey Beardslee, served as a guard she had three children; however, she did not state the names of said children, nor designate the name of any other child.
Hulda Beardslee, the above noted widow, was allowed 160 acres of bounty land on warrant #26687, under the Act of March 3, 1855, on account of the service of her husband, Robert Chauncey Beardslee, in the Revolutionary War.
In 1855, Laura Beardslee, was a resident of Trumbull, Fairfield, County, Connecticut; one Samuel Beardslee was a Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County at that time; no relationship between these persons and the soldier's family was stated.
In 1836, Elijah Hawley resided in Trumbull, Connecticut; he stated then that he was present at the marriage of Hulda Hawley and Robert Chauncey Beardslee, but did not state any relationship to said Hulda.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Hulda Beardslee, widow of Robert C. Beardslee, Certificate #181 Issued November 16, 1836 Rate $45.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 4, 1836 Connecticut Agency.
If you desire information in regard to the location of the land which was granted Hulda Beardslee, you should address The Commissioner, General

Land Office, this city, and cite the following: bounty land warrant #26687, 160 acres, Act of March 3, 1855.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rev 20710
WIDOW, &c.
Aug 9 99
Mrs. L Beardlee
Stepney Conn
Dec. 8-1902
Hon. Chas. N. Peck
Stratford Conn
File No. 20710 Harold L Beardlee Widow of Robert G Beardlee Conf. New War
1938-Sept 9-Hrt. to Mrs. Nellie B. Holt L.L.
Act July 4 th 86
Index: Vol. 74 , Page 54
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓ 26,687
5 Men Am

W. J. Edwards Esq. Commission of Service Washington D.C.

Pension Agency Hartford June 8. 1848
Sir
On the 8 th March last, I transmitted to your address, a letter containing the pension papers of Huldah Beardsley, Abigail Pool, and others for special directions relative to their payment to this letter I have not received an answer
Several subsequent letters on same business having been neglected to, I am led to suppose that this has been mislaid or did not reach your Office And I beg leave to call your attention to it as the pensioners are anxiously waiting for payment
Very Respectfully I remain Your
Obed t Servant
H. Goodwin & Co Agent
J. S. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Bridgewater Octobr 24 th 1836
Sir I send you The Pension Application of the Widow Huldah Brandslee and if you please you can send her Certificate to me J L Edwards Esq Young Respectfully Commissioner of Pensions Isaac Sherman

153380

State of Connecticut Fairfield County } New Britain. May 25 - 1855
Lorain D. Holden, Commr. of Bounty Land Sir: Please you the application of Huldah Brewster for a certificate for Bounty Land under Act of March 3 - 1855 Please send her bounty Land Warrant to me.
And Oblige Yours
Sincerely Brewster

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. Stratford October 17 th 1836
I hereby certify that I have examined the Town Records of the Town of Stratford (of which I am Clerk) for the purpose of finding the Record of the Marriage of Robert Channey Beardslee to Huldah Hawley but do not find their marriage recorded in said Records and I also further certify that the practice of Recording Marriages during the Revolutionary War does not appear by said Records to have been a general thing.
Isaiah Gorham } Town Clerk of said } town of Stratford
State of Connecticut Fairfield County - ss. Stratford Oct 17 th 1836
Personally appeared Isaiah Gorham and subscribed in my presence and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Certificate before me -
John Goulding Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the name of Thomas Stratton was interlined in the above certificate before signing October 24 1836 Attest, R. S. Nichols, Clerk.

Elijah Hawley of the Town of Trumbull in Fairfield County State of Connecticut a Pensioner of the United States Deponeth and says that he was well acquainted with Robert Chauncy Brainerd Dec d of the Town of Trumbull formerly called North Stratford in said County and with his Widow Huldah who has now applied for a Pension and he remembers of being present at the said Huldahs wedding when she was married to said Chauncy by the Rev James Brube
Elijah Hawley
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Trumbull October 15 th 1836
Personally appeared Elijah Hawley and subscribed and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible Witness Sworn and subscribed before me
Samuel Brainerd Justice of Peace

Robert Linnus of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut a Pensioner of the United States. Deposeeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Robert Chauncy Beardslee now De. of Trumbull in said County, and remembers that said Robert belonged to Capt. L. Beach's company of State Troops raised in the Parish of North Stratford now called Trumbull in the Spring of 1775. for a campaign to the Northward at the time St Johns was taken Remembers said Company was enlisted for Seven months service Remembers seeing said Robert Chauncy in said Company in said Campaign at Ticonderoga - The reason that Deponent remembers said Robert being in said Campaign is that Deponent belonged to Col. Whiting's Company in said Campaign and one circumstance which happened to said Robert at Ticonderoga while the Troops was there strengthens his memory - which is said Robert being intoxicated one night got in among a quantity of Beer Barrels and in the morning his Clothes was Stuck full of Beer. — Robert Linnus
(State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss Bridgeport Septm 27. 1836 Personally appeared Robert Linnus and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who is well known to me and is a credible Witness entitled to credit. Sworn & Subscribed before me,
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport October 14/1836 Personally appeared Daniel Curtis of Trumbull in sd County of Lawfull age who Deposeth and saith that Robert Chauncy Beardslee died at sd Trumbull in March AD 1813 of the a malignant fever. The reason that deponent remembers that he died at that time is that Nehemiah Peet & David Plumb both of sd Trumbull and the same Spring of the same fever and that deponent resided in the Neighbourhood at the time
Daniel Curtis
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport on the day above written personally appeared Daniel Curtis & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is well known to me & is a credible Witness. Sworn & subscribed before me
Dea. Sherman Justice of Peace

Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut October 12th 1836
I certify that the name of Sargent David Lake appears on Haskell's Receipts under the following Head viz "The United States Dr To the State of Connecticut for sundry expenses for the service and expence of guards on the sea coast for the defence of said state" and he is credited for services at Stratford December 12th 1780 £103-3-5-, he is also credited under the same head Nov 25th 1782 the same amount,
I further certify that the name of Captain Elijah Beach appears on the pay table books in this office in Col Swifts Regiment, in 76 and he is credited "By Account rendered for his Company by Lieut Nichols", sundry items £916-2-
I further certify that the name of Robert C Beardslee has not been found Wm Field Comptroller

Samuel M c Ufford of Stratford in Fairfield County State of Connecticut a person of the United States deposeth and saith That he is well acquainted with Robert Chauncy Beardslee Dec. This Widow Huldah who has now applied for a Pension and remembers that Robert performed about Six months service in the Revolution in a company of Connecticut State Guards at a place called Wind Pasture Point in said Stratford That Robert Resided in the Parish of North Stratford in said Stratford now called Dunbar where he entered performed service which Guard was commanded by Lieut David Lake and was a Regular organized Corps in service by Authority of the State of Connecticut and belonged to Col Samuel M c Intosh's Regiment & Genl Goddard's Silliman's Brigade That Thomas Strutton was a Soldier in said Guard in said Six months service & that Deponent was himself a Soldier in said Guard and served Six months with Robert in said Guard Samuel M c Ufford
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport October 14. 1836 Personally appeared Samuel M c Ufford and Subscribed made oath to the Truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me — Sworn & Subscribed before me — Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Huldah Brandin N o 440
3. Sec. County
181
Mr. Peterson
died March 1813
admitted / Prints 7 nos. 23.33 Coped 6 " 22. —  $ 45.33
78

Thomas Stratton of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County State of Connecticut a pensioner of the United States Deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Robert Chauncy Beardsley of the Town of Inglebull formerly called North Stratford in said County and with his Widow Hulda who has now applied for a Pension. and remembers said Robert served six months in the Revolution in keeping Guard in the Town of Stratford at a place called New Pasture part in said County on the East side of Bridgeport Harbour in or about the year - 1780 That said Robert served as a Corporal of said Guard which Guard belonged to Col. Whiting's Regiment in Genl. Gold's Silliman's Brigade and was in service by Authority of the State of Connecticut That said Deborah knows he served in said Guard because he served with him said six months which Guard was a Serjeant's Guard commanded by Serjeant David Lake said Guard was not employed in any civil pursuit and was constant in field or at the Guard House during said Campaign
Thomas Stratton
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Bridgeport October 7 1836 Personally appeared Thomas Stratton and subscribed I made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible Witness. Sworn & Subscribed before me Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Fairfield County
1) Trumbull Feb May 23 1855
2) I, Prosper Nichols of Trumbull of lawful age do hereby depose and say that Hulda Bland who has made the foregoing application for County Lands is now the widow of Robert C Bland who died at Trumbull in said Fairfield County on the 27th day of March 1813 or 1815. That said Robert C and Hulda lived and cohabited together as man and wife and I have no doubt that they were married as she has stated in said application and that I saw him when he was dead and attended his funeral.
Prosper Nichols
State of Connecticut Fairfield County
1) Trumbull Feb May 23 1855
2) I, Prosper Nichols of Trumbull of lawful age do hereby depose and say that I am the person who made said application to the trustee of the estate upon my knowledge of the facts of the life and death of said Robert C Bland in said Fairfield County. That I have no interest in the estate of said Robert C Bland other than as provided for by law.
I am the person who made said application to the trustee of the estate.

State of Connecticut Fairfield County { To Humball May 23 - 1855 I Nathanial Breach of Humball of lawful age before and say that Huldah Breach who has made the foregoing application for Country Land is now the widow of Robert C Breach and that said Robert C died at said Humball in said Fairfield County on the 27 day of March 1813 or 1815 That said Robert C and Huldah lived and cohabited together as man and wife and I have no doubt that they were married as she has stated in said application and that I saw him when a corpse in his house
Nathanial Breach
State of Connecticut Fairfield County { To Humball May 23 - 1855 Personally appeared Nathanial Breach who signed and made Oath to the truth of the above deposition before me a Justice of the Peace duly qualified to administer Oaths in said Fairfield County who I certify is a credible person well known to me and that I have no interest in the claim of said Huldah Breach for Country Land
Samuel Breach Justice of the Peace

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE,
ss.
Amos S. Trafton
Clerk
of the County Court, within and for Fairfield County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify—THAT
Samuel Brewster
ESQUIRE,
was on the 23 rd day of May 185 5 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and know that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature; and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged, and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Bridgeport, in said County and State, on this 25 th day of May A. D. 185 5
Amos S. Trafton
Clerk.
183.380

25
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.

Veterans Administration: Dear Sirs:
Aug. 6, 1938.
Kindly send me the Rev. War record of Robert Chauncey Beardsley, Connecticut W. 20710.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Nellie Beardsley Holt, 10 Sunset Terrace, West Hartford, Conn.