Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1543, Eleazer Butler, Conn

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Butler Eleazer.
R. 1543
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]

Eleazer Butler Mass. 33.669 Ad 7 June 1837

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. Boston
Municipal Court of the City of Boston On this third day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, Eleazer Butler late of Yarmouth in the Province of now & for some time past Nova Scotia, Yeoman, a resident of said Boston aged seventy three 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States and served as follows. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War he resided at Wyoming on the Susquehanna River then a new settlement supposed to belong to Connecticut & settled principally from that colony, but since ascertained to be a part of Pennsylvania. In 1776. two companies were raised in Wyoming to join the American Army & on or about the first day of September the said Butler enlisted at said Wyoming as a private in one of said companies commanded by Captain Robert Durkee. The first Lieutenant was Wells, the second was Simon Spaulding, the Ensign was Math. Hollenbeck; the orderly Sargent was named Cole & the Adjutant of the two companies was Timothy Pierce. Captain Durkee took the command of both companies. The said Butler marched with these troops into Somerset County New Jersey, where he joined the main army & was stationed that autumn & the ensuing winter on the Millstone River, where the corps formed the advanced Guard of the Army, the British then occupying Brunswick. General Lincoln was stationed near, & this detachment was, as said Butler believes under his command. During the ensuing autumn & winter this detachment had frequent skirmishes with the enemy. In April these companies fell down the River to Bound Brook, where the Soldiers were inoculated for the small pox. From this post he marched with his company to Morristown New Jersey & while stationed there took the camp fever. When partially recovered he obtained leave to return home for a short time to recruit & left the army for that purpose in August 1777. Early in the winter he rejoined the Army then in Winter quarters at Valley Forge and continued in service in the same company there until the commencement of Summer. About the first of June 1778 he left the Army with his Captain & some of the other officers of his company.

to repel a threatened attack of the savages & tories on Wyoming & fought in the battle of Wyoming. His company was usually attached to the Connecticut troops, but often acted as an independent corps, a great part of the time it composed as he thinks a part of Colonel John Durkee's regiment in the Connecticut forces. From old age & consequent loss of memory he is unable to state with precision the exact time of his service. He feels assured however that he served at least eleven months from the time of his enlistment until he left to recruit in August 1777 & at least six months in his subsequent term of service & for these terms, amounting together to seventeen months, he claims a pension. He knows of no survivor who can prove his service, not having seen a fellow soldier for fifty years past, & very many of them having been killed or scattered over the country by the battle & massacre of Wyoming. He hereby relinquishes 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.
And in answer to the questions prescribed by the Department of War, he says, he was born in Hampton in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut on the twenty second day June 1763.
He has no record of his age
He moved when very young from Hampton with an Uncle to Wyoming & was residing there when the war began. After the massacre he removed to Norwich, Connecticut & thence in 1779 to Yarmouth Nova Scotia, where he has resided since, until his recent arrival in said Boston. He volunteered. He has stated the names of his officers & the particulars of his service. He remembers receiving no written discharge. He has had no commission & knows no clergyman in the United States & no persons in said Boston who can prove his reputation or veracity except John M. Marston Merchant & Samuel Starwood Master Mariner.
Sworn to & subscribed the day
& year aforesaid, before me
Ebenezer Butler
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
We John M. Marston of the above named Boston Merchant & Samuel Starwood of the above named Yarmouth Master Mariner - now commorant of said Boston hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Butler who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have

been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion sworn to & subscribed the day & year afore said
before me
Peter O. Thacher. Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston. S
John M. Masson Samuel Starnwood
I certify that one interlineation on the first page, and one other interlineation on the second page in the application & statement of the said Eleazer Butler, were made before the oath was administered to him to verify the same. Peter O. Thacher Judge.
And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion, that the above named Applicant, Eleazer Butler, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - and this, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department.
And the said Court doth further certify, that John M. Masson, who has signed the preceding certificate, is resident in Boston aforesaid, is a Merchant there, is personally known to the Judge, and is a credible person. And that Samuel Starnwood, who has also signed the same certifi- cate, is represented to the Court as a person of truth & respectability, & also a credible person - And the Court is of opinion, that their state- ment aforesaid, so by them verified, is entitled to credit.
Peter O. Thacher. Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston. //
Suffolk ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, Thomas D. Phillips, clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eleazer Butler for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this third day of October A.D. 1848. Hundred & thirty six. Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk of said Municipal Court.

October 11, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Ella Trask Roberts Old Home Farm Alton, New Hampshire
ELEAZER BUTLER R. 1543 BA-J/MLB am
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 5, in which you request the record of Eleazer Butler, Second, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
You are furnished below the history of the only soldier named Eleazer Butler found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1543, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Eleazer Butler was born June 22, 1763, in Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut. When very young, he moved with his uncle (name not designated), from Hampton, Connecticut, to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River, in that section which was originally settled by Connecticut but was later Pennsylvania.
He applied for pension October 3, 1836, at which time he was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, to which city he had moved from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
He alleged that while living in Wyoming, as above, he volunteered about September 1, 1776, served as a private in Captain Robert Durkee's Independent Company, was in winter quarters at Valley Forge and in the Wyoming massacre.
After the Wyoming massacre, he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, and in 1779, at the request of his father who then lived in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, he moved there to be with him and remained there until he moved to Boston, Massachusetts. He did not give his father's name.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

No reference was made in Eleazer Butler's claim to wife or children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

State Street Boston Nov 12 th 1836
Sir
We enclose to you the application of Mr Butler for a pension. We have sent to Connecticut to search the records in the office of the Comptroller but find no record of the Company to which Mr Butler was attached. His Company was raised at Wyoming just before the massacre which broke up the settlement & either destroyed the inhabitants or scattered them over the face of the country. Mr Butler has not seen the face of a fellow soldier for forty or fifty years & is not aware that any one is alive, his case therefore must stand on its own merits. If a certificate is granted you will please forward it to
Yours very Respectfully Dow & Andrews
Messrs Dow & Andrews Dec 15 1836 OL
See Vol 39 Page 361

Dept of War Penna Office Dec 15 1836
Gentlemen Sir
I have rec d and examined the declaration of Ezeaz Butler, and have placed it on the file of this Office. Mr Butler alleges that he enlisted on the 1 st of Sept. 1776 in Capt Rob t Durker company in which he served 11 months; and subsequently with a detachment of said company, serv d under the same Capt. There is in this Office a roll of Captain Rob t Durker company, dated Sept 17 1776, but the name of Ezeaz Butler is not borne thereon.
Proof of his service until therefore he required. the Jan 1 st
Mess rs Derby & Andrews Boston Mass.

Eleazer Dutton Maps.
Dates see lot No. Derby and Andrews. Dec 15. 1836 —
1543
Act. 7 June 1832

1931- Oct 1. Hict. to Mr Elmer E. Butler 3/3
1931- Oct 2- " " Miss Jessie M. Crosby 10/3
1931 Nov. 28. Elmer E. Butler adv.
cost of photos. M. M. H. P.
1932 Jan. 30. Photos mailed to Elmer
E. Butler & account delivered 9/10/32
1932 June 6. Photos mailed to
Oliver Butler & account delivered P. O.
ntfd. 9/2/32.
1933 Oct. 11 Hict. to Mrs. Ella Frank
Roberts -
MLB
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1543
REJECTED
Elmer Butler
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Printed list of 1857 - Rejected Alleges: suspended claims
shows cause of sus-
Re-enlisted: pension "Not on the rolls - no proof of service"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Old Home Farm Alton New Hampshire October 5 th 1933
A. D. Walker Assistant Administrator Veterans Administration Washington D. C.
Dear Sir: Mr. Elmer
E. Butler of Boston Transcript staff gave me your address as reference to assist me in establishing my record to join D. A. R. from the service of my Great Grandfather Eleazer Butler 2 nd who was at Valley Forge with Washington and in Battle of Wyoming Valley Pa. Miss Jesse M. Crosby, The Crosby School, 4241 Harrison Street - Kansas. Mrs. has joined the Daughters American Revolution her D. A. R. membership number 273.980 73.980.00 it should not be difficult for me as her ancestor was Eleazer Butler 2 nd , daughter Sarah Butler Crosby who was a sister my Grandfather Nathan Butler. Will you please help me to establish my records Thank you very truly yours (Mrs) Ella Trask Roberts Old Home Farm Alton New Hampshire

4241 Harrison St. Kansas City, Mo. Sept 14, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:
Will you please tell me if Eleazer Butler who served in the Revolution in Capt. Robert Durkee's Co. at Wyoming Pa. drew a pension?
I have a letter from Mr Goddard State Library of Conn. from which I quote.
"Sup. Index to Rev. M S S.:
Butler, Eleazer, soldier, pension-- Draper pen. p. 97. (Gen file in Pen. Office in Washington, D. C. index No. R1543.) "
Eleazer Butler was my great great grandfather and I wish to thank you for any information you can give me.
Sincerely yours,
(Miss) Jessie M Crosby.

Watertown, Mass., Sept. 13, 1931. 164 Church St.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Have you on your pension records anything concerning Eleazer Butler, who was a soldier in the Revolution in the independent company from Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, of Capt. Robert Durkee, his uncle.
I would appreciate any information you can give me.
A correspondent in Connecticut writes me that he finds in the manuscript volume of pensioners from Connecticut an Eleazer Butler with the notation--R. 1543, and has suggested that I write to you to determine whether this is my man.
The Eleazer Butler in Capt. Durkee's company was Eleazer Butler 2nd. His father, Eleazer Butler 1st, is on Connecticut records as having served 15 days in the campaign of 1757 in the French and Indian War.
If you have a record of an Eleazer Butler the date would of course determine which Eleazer it was, as Eleazer 2nd was born 1763.
Records at the Munitions Bldg., War Dept., state that Eleazer Butler (2nd) enlisted in Capt. Robert Durkee's independent company in September, 1776, was homesick early in May, 1778, and "deserted" May 27, 1778, a little more than a month before the Wyoming massacre. His home was given as Westmoreland, which was in the valley of the Susquehanna. He was very evidently there with his Durkee kinsfolk, as his parents had removed in 1762 from Ashford, Conn., to Yarmouth, N.S. He was but 15 years old in 1778, but he was a large man and probably a large boy. Wholesale desertions from Durkee's company and from Capt. Ransom's for the purpose of returning to defend Wyoming Valley homes, and the resignations of Durkee and Ransom for the same purpose, would explain Eleazer Butler's desertion. Grandsons now dead have said that he was among the defenders of the valley during the massacre. Lorenzo Sabine's "Loyalists in the American Revolution" states that he was a Royalist in the massacre. The New England Historic-Genealogical Register, Vol. 7, Page 184, for the year 1853, called him a "survivor" of the massacre, as follows: "The last survivor of Wyoming, Eleazer Butler, is still living at Yarmouth, N.S., in a green old age."
I am
Yours respectfully,
Elmer E. Butler Elmer E. Butler.

BA-J/100112
Rev. 4/18/12 No. 102.
May 21, 1932.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War claim for pension of Eleazer Butler, File No. R.1543.
Actual 1 of each page.
UNCERTIFIED.
45¢.....3 pages.
XXX
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.

Charlestown, Mass., April 24, 1932. 17 Bainbridge St.,
Veterans' Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
I would like to secure from your office a photostat of the application for a Revolutionary War pension of Eleazer Butler , such as was sent some months ago to Elmer E. Butler of Watertown, Mass. Eleazer Butler, I am informed, was the only one of the name on the Revolutionary rolls, and served in the Independent Company of Capt. Robert Durkee, from the Wyoming Valley. I am enclosing a postoffice money order for 45 cents , which was the amount paid by Elmer E. Butler.
Yours very truly,
add Oliver Butler.
36407
See - copy of Pension Record
enc ok gg

Watertown, Mass., Jan. 27, 1932. 164 Church St.
Mr. A.D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D.C.
This photo was delayed by his letter by money being misrouted in their office
Dear Sir,
Some weeks ago, just after the Christmas season, as I recall, I wrote to you for a photostat of the pension application of Eleazer Butler (R.1543). My file number on your records is BA-J/MLB. For a money order for 45 cents sent in payment for the photostat I received a receipt from the treasurer of the United States. I am still awaiting receipt of the photostat.
Very likely the large number of such photostats your office must handle is sufficient explanation for the delay in my case. However, I would like assurance that my order has not been overlooked and that I may expect it to be filled as soon as your office can attend to it. I remain
Yours very sincerely,
Elmer E. Butler Elmer E. Butler.
Photo had been mailed when this reached Post Office Sept

Rev. & 1812. No. 63.
January 21, 1932.
Rev.&1812 Wars Sect.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War claim for pension of Eleazer Butler, File No.R.1543.
Actual 1 of each page.
Rev. Eleazer Butler Rev. S. Butler
45¢.....3 pages
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
my recd Oct 3-1932 A copy returned - 3/22/32 sent to James E. Butler!

list to Elmer E. Butler: Sol. decl. Oct. 3-1836 + Court record — 3 pages
the not to be object. benefit on those based upon I be more "with" within the name and number. in larger with correspondence before before in each case in the of each case and KINQUA JAMES MARY of it
Outer's 1818 Misc Section.
xxx
1818 ..... 3 pages
Elmer Butler, late No. 1818. Hea. Misc Section for benefit of
1818 ..... 3 pages
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hea. Misc Section.
1818
Outer's 1818 Misc Section.
of benefit Elmer E. 1818
1818 Oct 3 1836

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Referred to
Mr. Holman Acctg Div
To acknowledge
For your information
For report
For approval
For follow-up
For signature
Mrs Webb 8/14/41
To prepare reply
For attention
To send literature
To note and return
For your disposition
Remarks
From
Date

Col. Hazard:
The attached correspondence and the certificate of deposit for 45¢ in payment of photostatic copy of the pension application of Eleazer Butler, R-1543, was brought to my desk late yesterday by one of the adjudicators in the Pension Service, upstairs, with the statement that they could not locate this claim and seeing the letter "R" before the number, concluded that it was a Retirement case.
I have gone through our index but fail to find a card there for this man. Perhaps the R stands for something other than Retirement, and it may be that you will be able to identify the claim over there.
With this thought in mind, I am sending the papers to you for your attention.
D. M. Braun
Chief, Annuity Section.
January 12, 1932.
REC-118 JAN 13 1932

Watertown, Mass., Dec. 27, 1931. 164 Church St.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
I am enclosing for forty-five cents drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States, for which kindly send me a photostatic copy of the pension application of Eleazer Butler (R. 1543).
Yours very sincerely,
adda Elmer E. Butler Elmer E. Butler.
7 cc - copy of pension record

November 28, 1931.
BA-J/MMHF
Mr. Elmer E. Butler, 164 Church Street, Watertown, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date in which you request an exact statement of Eleazer Butler (R.1543) in regard to his service in the battle of Wyoming.
Photostatic copies of original papers on file in Revolutionary War claims are furnished at the rate of fifteen cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied is three.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this office by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

File Reference BA-J/MLB.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Many thanks for your kindness in sending to me the information re the pension application of the Revolutionary soldier, Eleazer Butler 2nd, matter concerning whose claim is numbered R.1543.
The material solves several questions, the answers to which I have sought for three years: The full date of birth of Eleazer Butler 2nd; his place of birth; the reason for his being at Wyoming Valley, substantiating my own theory; his whereabouts from the time of the Wyoming massacre until his marriage in 1783 in Nova Scotia; and by inference establishing the date 1763 as that of the emigration of his parents from Connecticut to Yarmouth, N. S. (histories of Yarmouth give both 1762 and 1763 as the dates).
Would you like for your records data regarding his marriage and death?
Eleazer Butler 2nd, son of Eleazer and Lydia (Durkee) Butler, married Aug. 25, 1783, Joanna Ellenwood, of Yarmouth County, N. S., daughter of Benjamin 2nd and Susanna (Corning) Ellenwood. He died at Hebron, Yarmouth Co., N. S., March 24, 1857. His wife died March 4, 1844. They had 11 children.
While Lorenzo Sabine in his "Loyalists in the American Revolution" says Eleazer Butler 2nd was on the Royal side in the Wyoming massacre, his record of two years' service, with severe fighting, under his uncle, Capt. Robert Durkee; statements handed down by his sons and grandsons, and a granddaughter still living, and a statement in the N. E. Gen. Register that he was "the last survivor" of Wyoming would indicate that Sabine was mistaken. I am interested in establishing that he was mistaken.
May I trespass on your patience and ask a few more questions?
Does the wording of the application for pension of Eleazer Butler indicate definitely on which side he fought at Wyoming? If so can you send an exact quotation of that section? Have you the original of his application?
Could a photostat be made of it for me, and if so what would be the charge (I might want several prints)?
Perhaps explaining his residence in Boston, would it have been necessary for him to reside in the United States in order to receive a pension?
I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
Elmer E. Butler.
Elmer E. Butler.

Washington      October 1, 1931
Mr. Elmer E. Butler 164 Church Street Watertown, Massachusetts
BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Eleazer Butler, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1543, based upon his military service in that war.
Eleazer Butler was born June 22, 1763, in Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut. When very young he moved, with his uncle (name not designated), from Hampton, Connecticut, to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River, in that section which was originally settled by Connecticut but was later Pennsylvania.
He applied for pension October 3, 1836, at which time he was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, to which city he had moved from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
He alleged that while living in Wyoming, as above, he volunteered about September 1, 1776, served as a private in Captain Robert Durkee's Independent Company, was in winter quarters at Valley Forge and in the Wyoming massacre.
After the Wyoming massacre, he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, and in 1779, at the request of his father who then lived in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, he moved there to be with him and remained there until he moved to Boston, Massachusetts. He did not give his father's name.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The foregoing history is that of the only Eleanor Butler found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

Washington October 2, 1931
Miss Jessie M. Crosby 4241 Harrison Street Kansas City, Missouri
BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Eleazer Butler, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1545, based upon his military service in that war.
Eleazer Butler was born June 22, 1763, in Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut. When very young he moved, with his uncle (name not designated), from Hampton, Connecticut, to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River, in that section which was originally settled by Connecticut but was later Pennsylvania.
He applied for pension October 3, 1836, at which time he was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, to which city he had moved from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
He alleged that while living in Wyoming, as above, he volunteered about September 1, 1778, served as a private in Captain Robert Durkee's Independent Company, was in winter quarters at Valley Forge and in the Wyoming massacre.
After the Wyoming massacre, he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, and in 1779, at the request of his father who then lived in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, he moved there to be with him and remained there until he moved to Boston, Massachusetts. He did not give his father's name.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The foregoing history is that of the only Eleazer Butler found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator