Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 45285, James Billings, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born
Billings, James
S. 45-285-
continental
CONTENTS

11,062 R
New York
James Billings
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Huntingdon  Connel ne, for the term of 3 Years - 1777
scribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of May 1818 and sent to Moses Chapin Rochester, June 1818
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1818 79 22 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 18 Sept 1818
9 28 31  $127 22
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
M. Chapin Continued

Date of death not on A. B.
Verification sent to Samuel Lake Esq. 31 July 1820. Winfield New York
See letter to Pensioner 29 Dec. 1828, care of Albert Gallup Esq. Berne, Albany Co. N. Y. Duplicate Certificate issued 20 th January, 1829, and sent to Pensioner, care of Albert Gallup Esq. Berne, Albany County, N. York.

James Billings Private Soldier Application for a pension Can't Reg't
Col. Prentiss Reg't. Connec- ticut line 1777-3 years on Roll
return to be made to Moses Chapin Esq. Rochesterville N.Y.

State of New York } County of Genesee }
Be it remembered, that on this eighth day of May , one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the subscriber, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Genesee, personally appeared James Billings , who being by me first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war." That he the said James Billings is sixty six years of age and now resides in the Town of Murray in the said County of Genesee; that in May 1775 , at Sturminster in Connecticut he enlisted for six months as a pri- vate soldier, in the company commanded by Captain James Eldredge , of Colonel Samuel H. Parsons reg- iment, in the Connecticut line of the Continental army - that from the said time of his enlistment he was in active service at Roxbury in Massachusetts till his term of enlistment was almost completed when he en- listed for one year as a private soldier in the company commanded by the same Captain, and in the regi- ment of the same Colonel, as he believes - that he was

marched to the City of New York, where he was in continued active service one year, and was then regularly discharged - that late in the fall or early in the winter of the year 1776 he again enlisted for three months in the same corps, in the company commanded by Captain Oliver Grants, of Colonel Ely's regiment - that he continued in active service at Providence in Rhode Island, from the time of this last enlistment till February 5 th 1777 when he enlisted for three years as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain William Belcher, of Colonel Samuel Prentiss' of the Connecticut line - that he was in active service, in the States of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania from the time of said last enlistment till February 2 nd 1780 when he received the discharge, and receipt for equipments which accompany this statement - that he was at several small battles or skirmishes, and at the attack and burning of Danbury in Connecticut - that he has never been placed on the pension list of the United States - that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support - that he knows of no person alive by whom he can prove his said enlistments - and that he has no other discharge than the one inclosed, and knows of no other evidence in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year first herein above written
Halper Parker judge

I Ralph Parker one of the Judges &c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction from the examination of the said James Billings, that he did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as stated in the preceding declaration - that Robert Walker, being by me sworn does depose and on oath says, that he is well acquainted with the said James Billings and knows him to be in reduced circumstances and to stand in need of the assistance of his country for support, of which I am satisfied and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Ralph Parker
State of New York } County of Genesee, ss: }
I Simon Cummings, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee aforesaid, and keeper of the seal thereof do certify that the name Ralph Parker subscribed to the foregoing statement and certificate, is known to me to be the proper hand writing and signature of Ralph Parker who, at the time of the date of the same was one of the Judges of the said Court; and I further certify that said Court is a court of record.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said Court by me hereto affixed this 11 th day of Nov. 1818 S. Cummings

I Duncan Cummings Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath (or affirmation) and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of Property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Nothing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this fifteenth day of July A D 1821
S. Cummings Clerk of the Court for the County of Genesee

A court of Common Pleas held at the Court-House in the village of Batavia, in and for the county of Genesee, in the State of New-York; on the fifteenth day of June of the term of June 1820, being a Court of Record, in pursuance of the 41st article of the Constitution of the state of New-York, which has unlimited jurisdiction, keeps records of its proceedings, and has immemorially exercised the power of fine and imprisonment.
Present, the Hon. John H. Dunes - Isaac Wilson. Richard Smith & Moses Hayden
GENESEE COUNTY, ss. - On this fifteenth day of June , 1820, personally appeared in open Court, (being a Court of Record,) James Billings aged seventy - years, resident of the town of Clarkson - in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: -
Three Years in Capt. Belcher & Perkins' Company in the first Connecticut Regiment. Commanded by Col. Prentice & Starr. was discharged in March 1780. That his Declaration was dated the 8 th of May 1818 - and his Certificate is numbered 11,062 -
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed."
Inventory or Schedule
Real Estate I have none
Personal property - I have none except a balance of my pension money & is about $30.00 And the Deponent further says he has no family that he lives with his son Walter Billings of Clarkson (Formerly Murray ) on whom he is wholly dependent for support. That he has not given any property to the said Walter , nor has he received any bond for his maintenance. That he is a Farmer by occupation, and although he has his health very well - is not able to do much labor. -
Sworn and subscribed the } 15 th day of June 1820 }
James his  X Billings mark
Before me
S. Cuming Clerk of Genesee Com. Pleas in open Court -

I Simeon Cummings for the county of Genesee, do hereby certify
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Genesee, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath (or affirmation) and the schedule thereto annexed, are truely copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the o- pinion of the said court that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is nothing and _____ dollars cents.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this seventeenth day of June 1820.
S. Cummings
Clerk of the Court for the county of Genesee.

January 18, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Rex F. Bracy Norwalk Ohio
JAMES BILLINGS S. 45235 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your personal request of January 15, 1934, for the Revolutionary War record of James Billings, Pension File S. 45235.
You are furnished below his record as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 45235, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of James Billings' birth and names of his parents are not shown in the claim.
He enlisted in May, 1775, at Stonington, Connecticut, and served one year six months as a private in Captain James Eldredge's company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut regiment. He enlisted in the fall or winter of 1776 and served three months as private in Captain Oliver Grant's company, Colonel Ely's Connecticut Regiment. He enlisted February 5, 1777, served as a private in Captains William Belcher's and Ebenezer Perkins' company, in the 1 st Connecticut Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Prentiss and Colonel Josiah Starr, was in several small battles or skirmishes, at the attack and burning of Danbury, Connecticut, and was discharged February 8, 1780.
James Billings was allowed pension on his application executed May 8, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-six years and residing in Murray, Genesee County, New York.
In 1820, the soldier was living with his son, Walter Billings, in Clarkson (which was formerly Murray), Genesee County, New York, and at that time stated that he was aged seventy years with no explanation of the discrepancy in ages given.
The name of soldier's wife is not shown in the claim.

In 1829, James Billings gave as his post office address, Berne, Albany County, New York, in care of Albert Gallup.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

unt J Boyd sville Ohio
45 285
Rev INVALID.
File No. 45 285
James Billings Pain Rev Year
Act: 18 March 1868
Index: Vol. 3, Page 43
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Oct. 23-1902 Miss Edna E. Boyd Painesville O.
Aug. 8-1903-May G.H. Paine
1914 Apr. 7 Hist. to E.A. Zufelt V.E.M. 1921 Dec. 5 Hist. to Jean L. Mosher 1933 Aug. 23 Hist. to Mr. Edmund E. Freeman M.L.B. 1934 Jan. 15 Hist. to Rex J. Bracy M.L.B.

Recd of James Billings Spirit Lake Mayonot Castlegar 27 Pounds of Cashes Camp Nov 2 nd 1780 Wm. Mackenzie

Pens. Office 19th Jan 1829.
Mr James Billings
H. I. P. M. S.
Care of Alfred Galtup Esq.
Stane, Albany County
Washington
Hon. Secretary of War

To the Hon. The secretary at war -
The undersigned would respectfully represent that he is a pensioner of the United States under the act of the 13th. of March 1888 - & the acts subsequent thereto. That his pension certificate No. 11062 which he has lost as stated in the within affidavit that in consequence of such loss he has not been able to realize the pension due him on the 14th. of Sept. last which he very much needs -
He therefore prays that your honor will cause to be transmitted to him a duplicate certificate payable as formerly at the New York agency & please to direct the same to the New Post office in care of Albert Gallup.
Free of your petition as in duty bound &c - In presence of James H. Billings his mark John Warner

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
County of Albany 88.
On this twelfth day of January 1829, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Albany personally appeared James Billings who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Perkins in the regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Starr . in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York that he received a certificate of that fact, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War: which certificate, on or about the first day of September 1828, at or near the town of Clarkson in the County of Monroe & state of New York he as he believed lost that he has since sought there for it & it could not be found
Sworn and subscribed to. before } James Billings me, the day and year aforesaid. } his mark John W. Justice J.P. Time
NOTES.—The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
If the pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics , and insert, in lieu thereof, "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one"
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.
When a person acting as an Agent or Attorney for a Pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.
AS

Albany County N.Y.
On this twelfth day of January 1829 - Before me the subscriber a justice of the peace of said County personally appeared Jonathan Braman of said County and duly made oath that he well knows the subscriber James Billings to be the person described in the within affidavit
Sworn & subscribed to
Jonathan Braman
before me the day & year first above written
John Warner Justice of the Peace
I John Warner the justice above named do certify that the above named deponent Jonathan Braman is a man well known to me that he is a man of truth & veracity & of an excellent character
John Warner
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COUNTY OF Albany } CLERK'S OFFICE. }
I, Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the County of Albany do hereby certify, that John Warner whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the due execution of the annexed application for certificate and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in said County commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised by law to take the proof of the execution of deeds and other instruments to take the proof of the execution of deeds and other instruments AND FURTHER, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner  Justice of the Peace and verily believe that the signature, "John Warner" subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand writing of the said Commissioner Justice of the Peace
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and af- fixed the seal of the said County, the 14 th day of January 1829
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

OTTN
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
In reply to your request sent you Aug. 2, 1903 you sent me Oct. 23/02 a statement of the services of James Billings in the Revolutionary War .
Will you kindly accommodate us with the place and date of his birth & death.
45285

Also his wife's name have greatly in need of said information and hope you will kindly send all your next time we send -
Sincerely (Mrs) Margaret Boyd 160 Erie St Painesville Ohio - August third 1903 -

Jamesville, O. 8/28/02.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: Will you kindly send me any information you can obtain in reference to Hugh Mosher and James Dillings , who were in the Revolutionary War and are my Great, great grandfathers. Hugh Mosher served and died in the war.
I thank you kindly for the information in regard to John Abel sent me recently.
Yours truly (Miss) Edna C. Boyd 160 Erie St.
Jamesville, Ohio.

E. A. ZUFELT ATTORNEY AT LAW
720 Erie Ave.,
SHEBOYGAN, WIS., March 30th, 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Do the records of the Pension Office show the service in the Revolutionary War of James Billings , of Stoughton, Connecticut, who enlisted in the 1st Conn Regiment (Inf.) and served from May 6th, to December 10, 1775, and from February 6, 1777 to February 6th, 1780? At the time of his death I understand the pensioner was a resident of New York.
If there is such record, I would like to have a copy of it for the purpose of proving eligibility to membership in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. If there is any expense occasioned, I will remit the amount before you forward the copy, if you so desire.
Yours truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "E. A. Zufelt". The signature is written in dark ink and is positioned below the closing "Yours truly,".

131-132 CHARLES L. MOSHER CLEVELAND
Nov - 19th - 1921
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions
To the Commissioner - Dear Sir: -
Please send me a statement of the military history of James Billings, a soldier of the Revolutionary War as shown by the records of your department.
For your assistance in preparing the same I might say that I have seen such a statement prepared at the request of Margaret J. Boyd on August 8th 1903 - Q.W. + N. Division C.O.N.G. - 545285 - Rev War. showing dates of enlistment - May 1775 - 18 months Winters 1776 - 3 mos Feby 1777 - 3 years.
I am enclosing copy of same and would thank you for this and any other information - over -

which you may have, in proper certified form that I may use the same in my application for membership in the D. A. R.
If there is any expense or charge in connection with this request and you will advise me the amount of the same I will remit the amount immediately on receipt of advice from you.
Thanking you to give this matter as early attention as you conveniently can, I am,
Very truly yours, Jean S. Mosher Address:- 1351 Summit Ave. Lakeewood, Ohio.

Rev + 18 12
West Hartford, Conn August 5, 1933
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen;
Will you kindly send me the war record of
✓ Benjamin Billings W 1702 widow Wealthy B.L.Wt. 541 -160-55
✓ James Billings S 45285 Conn & Cont. N.Y. in 1818
Thanking you for the many favors at hand, I remain
Sincerely yours
Edmund E. Freeman
S.A.B.
15 Mitchell Place

Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Please furnish me with Revolutionary War record of James Billings . Pension file S 45285.
Rep F. Bracy REX F. BRACY
Norwalk, Ohio.
January 15 1934

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Billings a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1775 1 yr 6 mos Pvt James Eldredge Samuel H. Parsons Conn.   Feb 1776 3 mos Oliver Grant Ely   Feb 1777 William Belcher Samuel H. Parsons Continental   Ebenezer Perkins Josiah Starr   discharged Feb 2, 1780  
Battles engaged in, Battle of Danbury
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Stonington Conn.
Date of application for pension, May 8, 1818
Residence at date of application, Murray Genesee Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, 66 yrs.
Remarks: In 1820 soldier was living with his son Walter Billings at Clarkson (formerly Murray) N.Y. No other family data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
* Conn. books gives Feb 6, 1780 as date of discharge { I have not used much at all }

August 23, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Edmund E. Freeman 15 Mitchell Place West Hartford, Connecticut
Benjamin Billings W. 1708 *****
James Billings S. 45285 *****
BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Benjamin and James Billings.
Their records follow as found in claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
BENJAMIN BILLINGS. W. 1708
Benjamin Billings, son of William and Mary Billings, was born in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, September 22, 1755.
While residing in Preston, Connecticut, which was then a part of the township of Norwich, he enlisted in June, 1775, and served six months as private in Captain Tyler's Connecticut company. He enlisted in June, 1776, served as sergeant in Captain Belcher's Connecticut company, and was in the retreat from Long Island, length of this tour six months. He volunteered in September or October, 1777, served two months under Lieutenant John Smith in Colonel Jonathan Lattimer's Connecticut regiment, and was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted in June, 1778, and served six months as sergeant major in Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut regiment in the expedition to Rhode Island under General Sullivan. He enlisted in June, 1779, and on June 21, 1779, was commissioned ensign and served as such nine months in Captain Daniel Tilden's company, Colonel Wells' Connecticut regiment.
After the Revolutionary War the soldier lived for a while in New London County, Connecticut, then in Macedon, Wayne County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, while a resident of Macedon, New York.
He died January 13, 1838, in said Macedon, New York.

Benjamin Billings married March 18, 1781, Martha Hewit, who died February 8, 1791, in the twenty-ninth year of her age. They had a daughter, Fanny, who was born November 25, 1781, and was christened in Norwich, Connecticut, July 30, 1788.
Soldier married January 4, 1794, Eunice Tracy, who died January 19, 1795; they had twins, a son and daughter not named, born January 17, 1795; one child died at the age of four days and the other died six days old.
Benjamin Billings married September 16 or 26 (both dates are given), 1798, in Groton, Connecticut, Wealthy Allyn; they were married by one Joseph Allyn, a justice of the peace, whose relationship to Wealthy was not shown.
Soldier's widow, Wealthy, was allowed pension on her application executed July 9, 1849, at which time she was aged eighty years and a resident of Walworth, Wayne County, New York. In 1855 she was living in Macedon, New York.
The following children of Benjamin Billings and his wife, Wealthy, were referred to in the claim:
Hannah, born December 30, 1799, and christened in Norwich, Connecticut, May 14, 1801.
Maria, born September 12, 1801, and christened in Norwich, Connecticut, September 20, 1801.
William Billings, who died October 22, 1838 (date of birth not given).
Benjamin Billings, who was the only surviving son in 1849, and with whom his mother, Wealthy Billings, was living in Walworth, Wayne County, New York. At that time he referred to his father as the "late Captain Benjamin Billings", but gave no explanation of the rank. In 1855, soldier's son, Benjamin, was living in Macedon, New York.
In 1852, Mrs. Eunice Capron, aged eighty-nine years and the widow of soldier's half brother, Lieutenant Samuel Capron, formerly of New London County, Connecticut, was residing in Macedon, New York. In 1855 Eunice Capron was dead.
The name William Capron also appears in the claim but his relationship to Samuel and Eunice was not stated.
*****

JAMES BILLINGS
S. 45285
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 45285, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Billings.
The date of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not stated.
He enlisted in May, 1775, at Stonington, Connecticut, and served one year six months as a private in Captain James Eldredge's company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut regiment. He enlisted in the fall or winter of 1776 and served three months as private in Captain Oliver Grant's company, Colonel Ely's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted February 5, 1777, served as a private in Captains William Belcher's and Ebenezer Perkins' company, in the 1 st Connecticut Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Prentiss and Colonel Josiah Sturtevant, was in several small battles or skirmishes, at the attack and burning of Danbury, Connecticut, and was discharged February 2, 1780.
James Billings was allowed pension on his application executed May 8, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-six years and residing in Murray, Genesee County, New York.
In 1820 the soldier was living with his son, Walter Billings, in Clarkson (which was formerly Murray), Genesee County, New York, and at that time stated that he was aged seventy years with no explanation of the discrepancy in ages given.
The name of soldier's wife is not shown in the claim.
In 1829 James Billings gave as his post office address, Berne, Albany County, New York, in care of Albert Gallup.
Very truly yours
A. B. MILLER Assistant to Administrator