Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12660, Christopher Culver, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
bulver, Christopher
S. 12660
CONTENTS
carded

Mr. H. M. J. N. Williams Jan'y 8. 1846
Paid at Treasury, under act 6 April 1838, from 4 March 1843 to 31st May 1843. Agent notified 24th April 1845.
B 851
3851
Connecticut
Christopher Culver
of New London the State of Conn who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Totten of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Conn line for Militia for 3 mo - and Corporal - 5 mo - Sergeant - 8 mo -
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 68 Dollars 53 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Jan'y 1833 and sent to Hon. N. Barber House of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832 $ 102 49 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 - 34.16
$136.65
{ Revolutionary Claim } Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk Book J Vol. 3 Page 36

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
March 19 th 1846.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The child ren of Christopher Calver, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of sixty eight — Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1843, to the 31 st May 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson L. Harris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

State of Connecticut County of New London 325
On this 6 th day of August AD 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the City Court of the City of New London now sitting Christopher Culver a resident of the City of New London in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy Nine years and nearly Eleven months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he first entered the service at New London by enlistment into the Company commanded by Capt Gordon Saltonstall afterwards Genl Saltonstall. That according to his best recollection he enlisted in the month of June or July 1775 and continued to serve therein till late in the fall or the early part of December following when the company was discharged. That the Company was stationed at New London and was employed on Fort Trumbull and other defences at New London. That Colonel Waterman from Boston was the Engineer who directed as to the fortification that the Officers of the Company were
Gordon Saltonstall Capt Adam Shapley 1 st Lieut John Temple 2 d do Rich d Chapman Ensign
That he was a member of the Company when first called into service and was a Corporal of the Company that when they first commenced work at Fort Trumbull there were trees growing there which he assisted in removing. That by trade he was a mason and was employed most of the time at his trade that he laid with his own hands the stone at the South East angle of the Fort but it was subsequently removed. That after the weather became so cold that the men could not dig trenches. The company was discharged after a service of six months according to his best recollection. That

Daniel Chapman of said New London he believes was a member of said Company a part of the season but he cannot from his own recollection testify that he was a member of the same company. he had no knowledge that any other members of the company is living. the said Chapman can testify that he believes that said Culver served as stated herein but not from his own recollection
That afterwards in the month of April 1776 he enlisted at New London into Capt Shapleys company for the term of Eight months that he continued in service at New London in said Company till the latter part of December following when the company was discharged that during this term he was a Sergeant and had a warrant signed by Colonel Erastus Wolcott which he has lost. the officers of the company were as follows
Adams Shapley Captain John Humphreys 1 st Lieut Rich d Chapman 2 nd Do Nat Richards Ensign
that during this term of service Shapleys company was stationed at New London and were employed on the fortification at Fort Trumbull Daniel Chapman of New London and Ebenezer Maynard of Watford can testify as to his service in Capt Shapleys Company
That afterwards in the early part of the season in thinks in the month of March 1777 a draft was made of three men out of each company from which Capt Beebe's company was formed which was stationed at New London that he joined Capt Beebe's company as a Substitute and served therein for the term of three months when his term expired and he was discharged he does not remember the names of any of the officers of the company other than Capt Beebe nor did he remember the name of the person for whom he was a Substitute. he does not know of any person living who was a member of the company except Capt Daniel Chapman of New London who he believes did belong to

Bube, company and who can testify that he believes, that your applicant belonged and served in Bube's Company as herein stated. That he lived at New London when he entered the service when he has continued to live since then. That he was born in New London in the year 1752 but has no record of his age. That he was living at New London when called into service where he has since continued to live since which. That he first entered the service by enlistment. That he again enlisted and then entered the service as a substitute but for whom he does not know. He don't know that he was discharged from the service when his term expired if he did has lost them. That he did receive a sergeant's warrant This warrant was signed by Col. Molecott, which he has lost. He has no documentary evidence except the receipts of John Perkins, Edward Carter, Silas Peck & Bube's company many members of Shapley's Company for extra pay while working at Fort Tumbull. The two first from Shapley's Company and the receipts are dated Novr 2 Decr 1776. The other two of Bube's Company whose receipts are dated April 5 th and May 8 th 1777. Colo. South Ledyard and Col. are the only field officers he remembers. That he is well known to Henry Douglass and Jonathan Cirt Alderman of the City of New London and to Elias Perkins Esq. the late Mayor who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, and that the persons mentioned in this application can testify to his services as herein stated.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Done to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Christopher Gulliver
Wm T. Main and Clarke.

We the undersigned a clergyman residing in the Town of New London and Jonathan Coit residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher Culver who has subscribed and sworn to the within foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is a patriot and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Court. W. B. Main and Clerk      Jonathan Coit Abel M c Emen.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Abel M c Emen who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of New London. and that Jonathan Coit who has signed the same is a resident in the Town of New London and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit and that David Chapman & Ebenezer Maynard are credible witnesses. I William J. Brainerd Clerk of the Court of the City of New London do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Culver for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said City Court this 11 th day of August AD 1832.
Wm J. Brainerd Clerk.
C. C. Culver No. 2137

Retrans
12660 INVALID.
Mch. 21, 1904, Hist. to J. Douglas Mead White Plains, N.Y.
File No. 121660
Christopher Columbus Dis. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

CULVER, CHRISTOPHER (CONN.)
S-12660

New London Nov. 30 th 1776
Then Recd of Christopher Culver in full of Out Sal y : Wages £5-16-8 Which Was Due as Witnes out hand.
Silas Peck jun r
John Peck jun r mach r
New London December 10 th 1776
Then Received in full of Christopher Culver of their Sal y wages £1-8-10
As Witnes our hands & Edward Salter Isaac Backwith
New London April 8 th 1777
Then Received of Christopher Culver the Sum of two pound Six Shillings & ten pence in full for work done on Fort Trumbull by me Jonathan Hamilton jun r
New London May 8 th 1777
Then Recd of Christopher Culver Seven Shillings & Six pence in full for work Done on Fort Trumbull by me
Jonathan Perkins

Christopher Fulson -
July 75. Capt. Saltonstall
apt 76. " Shapley
March 77. " Bush
New London.
"
"
  forfe.  5 mo.    Sergt.  8 mo.    priv.  3  

Christopher Calver
5. 13. 16
W Pleasants L
P 38
2. 1. 16 C. Maynard

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Christopher Colburn 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? He must state thereon whether his services were continuous 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? His warrants as Corporal & Sergeant must be accounted for, and the 12th evidence he produced 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? 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.

Daniel Chapman of the Town and County of New London depose and say that I am Seventy one years of age that in the year 1775 I was for six or 8 weeks a member of Capt Saltonstalls company stationed at New London. in 1776 I was a member of Mathew Shapleys company for 8 months and in 1777 was a member of Bakers company two or three months that he well remembers Christopher Culver of New London who was a sergeant in Shapleys company during all the time he belonged to the company & previous thereto. that he also remembers that he was in service with Mr Culver, when Mr Culver was a substitute, but he cannot swear positively as to this part of the service, nor can he make oath to the fact that Mr Culver belonged to Saltonstalls company though I believe that he was in Sal- tonstalls company as he has stated. D an Chapman Signed sworn to in Court W th M c Kinney Clerk
Ebenezer Maynard of Waterford in New London County of the age of seventy four years depose and say that in the Spring of the year 1776 he enlisted into Capt Shapleys company stationed at New London for the term of Eight Months. That he well remembers Christopher Culver of New London who was a sergeant in the company. Mr Culver belonged to the company during all the time I was in service Ebenezer Maynard Signed sworn to in Court W th M c Kinney Clerk

3137
Christopher Cadov
advent
3 rd private
5 th Corporal
8 th serg t
68. 33
Hen. L. Barker
Ad. B

State of Connecticut New London County ss
On this 15 th day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the City Court of the City of New London now sitting. Christopher Culver a resident of the City of New London in the County of New London and State of Connecticut who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition to and in explanation of his declaration of the 6 th of August A.D. 1832.
That the periods of the war when he served were as follows to wit:
In 1775 in the month of June or July he enlisted into Capt. Saltonstall's company and served therein without interruption till sometime in December following, during all which time he was a Corporal , and that he served at least Five months in Saltonstall's company, that there is no person living to his knowledge who can state as to this part of his service except Mr. Daniel Chapman who was then a boy of the age of fourteen years only a son of Rich d Chapman the ensign of said company & who cannot add any testimony to his disposition as a companying this application.
In 1776 In the month of April 1776 he entered Shapley's company and continued to serve therein till the latter part of December following, that he served in said company the term of Eight months without interruption during all which term he was a Sergeant .
In 1777 In March 1777 he entered Capt. Beebe's company as a substitute and served therein without interruption three months .
He does not remember that he had a warrant as a Corporal in Saltonstall's company, his warrant as a Sergeant in Shapley's company he has lost, he remembers that after the war he frequently attended militia musters, & carried his sergeant's warrant with him, to show to the officer, because he could not be compelled to train unless he had a sergeant's office, that his warrant became much worn, was put into his

chest with other papers and now cannot be found That he is now eighty years of age, that although he is remem- bered by the witnesses Daniel Chapman and Ebenezer May- nards yet he dare not take an oath as to their services and knows of no other testimony than that heretofore given as to his own services
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Christopher Culver
And the said Court further certifies that the said Daniel Chapman and Ebenezer Maynards are credible witnesses. I William F Brainerd Clerk of the City Court of the City of New London do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Culver in addition to and in explanation of his former application for a pension. In testimony where- of I have hereunto set my hands and the Seal of said City Court this 15 th day of December AD 1832
Wm F Brainerd Clerk

I Daniel Chapman of the Town and County of New London aged Seventy one years depose and say that in the autumn of the year 1775 he entered Capt G Saltonstall's company stationed at New London and served therein six weeks at least, that in April 1776 he enlisted into Capt Mathews company & was soon afterwards transferred to Capt Shapley's Company and served therein till Decr following. That in Feby or March 1777 he was drafted into Capt Barber's Company & served therein four months. That he well remembers Christopher Culver of New London. That he was a Sergeant in Capt Shapley's company and served therein constantly during the period you deponent belonged to said Company and during the time you deponent belonged to Mathews Company. I also remember that I was in service with said Culver when he was a Substitute, but am not able to recollect the period of service or the company in which he served. That I believe said Culver served as he has stated in Saltonstall's and Barber's Companies, but am not able positively to state the fact under oath. Daniel Chapman Subscribed & sworn in Court May 13, Mainard Clk.
I Ebenezer Maynard of Waterford in New London County aged Seventy four years depose and say that I enlisted into Capt Shapley's company stationed at New London in the month of April 1776 and served therein till December following. That I well remember Christopher Culver of New London who was a Sergeant in said Company and served therein without interruption during all that period to wit from April 1776 to December following. Ebenezer Maynard Subscribed & sworn in Court May 13, Mainard Clk.

White Plains N.Y. March 5th, 1904.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
It is my desire to get information in the nature of a certificate of the service of John Comstock, and Christopher Culver, both ancestors of mine who served in the Revolutionary War.
Their names are both mentioned among the pensioners as follows:- Extract from "The Record of Connecticut men in Military & Naval Service during the War of the Revolution - Edited by Henry P. Johnston, A. M., under the authority of the Adjutant General of Connecticut at Hartford - 1889". Page 655 "Pensioners in 1832. In New London County; John Comstock - Christopher Culver". Page 661 "Census of pensioners in 1840, Christopher Culver - aged 87".
I addressed a letter to the Record and Pension Office, War Department, and in their reply they give me the information desired in relation to John Comstock, but state that the name of Christopher Culver cannot be found on their rolls. I enclose the letter, and you will notice in the last clause they suggest I communicate with you for additional information regarding Christopher Culver. Please return the attached letter to me as I wish to use the information, and also advise me, if it is a possible thing to do, whether you have the record of Christopher Culver. Also can you advise me whether both of the John Comstocks mentioned came from New London County. Thanking you in advance for the information asked for, I am,
Very truly yours,
J. Douglass Mead
P.O. Box 549 White Plains, N.Y.