Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S, 37,001, Eli Curtis, Conn.

SERVICE
Curtis, Eli
NUMBER
S. 37,001
CONTENTS

8023
Notification sent to Thomas Chester Esq. Oct 1820 Hartford Connecticut
Connecticut Eli Burris of Hartford in the state of Connecticut who was Ensign Ensign in the regiment commanded by Colonel Chandler of the Connecticut line, for the term of 2 Years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 25 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of March and sent to Judge Farnum
to 4th of March 20924 and all acc ending 120 9 10 4 30 35. 32924
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Respectfully

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of HARTFORD,
ss. Special County Court, or Court of Common Pleas, holden by order of the Chief Judge of said Court, on the first Tuesday of August, 1820.
ON this 1 st day of August, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, the same Court  the of Bristol within said District being a Court of record for said County, having the power of fine and imprisonment,  of Bristol within said County  Eli Curtis aged 71 years, resident in  Bristol in the County of Hartford,
who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows:
Served in the eighth Regiment of the Connecticut line Company commanded by David Smith Capt. The Original declaration bears date 21 st April 1818 and the number of the pension Certificate is 8023
"And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, 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 18th day of March, 1818; 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."
Schedule of the whole property real & personal of Eli Curtis of Bristol in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut. Thirty five and half acres of land very gravelly soil generally except a strip of cold low swamp Butted & bounded North & East by land of Benajah Barlow South on said Barlow in part & part in highway & Merit Gilbert & Southville West part in Plymouth line and part in the River of Aaron Dumbar Ditch with an old one story dwelling house 24 feet square on the ground with a Wood shed & Barn value at  Eight & a half acres of land at a place called Burro Hill about half a mile from any highway principally in unfeasible with some principal growth Shrub Oak & Five uninclosed Butted & bounded North on land of Isaac Norton East on land of Benajah Barlow & West on land of Ebenezer Dyer South on land of Benajah Barlow & West on land of Ebenezer Dyer the above all being held in fee simple the one half to myself & the other half to my wife Mary Curtis.
   Item Value Amount to her     1. One 7.16 1 1/2 doz Plates   1 two year old Heifer 10 1 doz Cakes & 1 doz Sugar Boxes &c   Two Yearlings 12 4 doz Knives & Forks   Eleven Old Sheep & ten Lambs 16 2 Shovel & 2 Forks   One Old Horse & White Clock 6 1 doz and one doz two handle forks   One Writing Desk & Book Case 3 1 Case 2 round Butters & 1 round Do   One Bill & Paper Book with sundry other Books 6 4 doz 1 doz & 1 doz & 1 doz   One Case of Draw 3 1 doz flat iron tea pot Pepper Box &c   One Half doz Old Chairs (been used about 40 Years) 4 1 Writing iron Shimmer bags Pails   Two Locks & 1 doz Old Candles, Stoves &c 1.60 2 doz Whisk & 1 doz Warming Pan &c   Fourteen Pounds 10 oz Old Pewter 75 1 doz candle sticks 1 doz 1 doz 1 doz   Two doz Dozen Glass & Pails 3.34 1 doz board fair needle 2 doz   Sixty two Old dry Casks, Pails & Bucket Casks &c 4. 1 Shovel & 2 Spade 2 Pitchforks &c   Two Sets two Kettles, Spiders Old hop Kettles & Pails 2. 2 Hoop Butts Hedges Trunk stone &c   Two iron Silver Teaspoons 50 2 Chairs 2 Tables   Half doz Cotton Plates, 2 Doz, 2 in one Doz 80 1 Plate 1 Hand Saw 1 Shipwright   Two doz Old Platters 3 Round Bowls, 2 Pitchers 1.25 3 hangers   Half doz Wine glasses 1 small looking Glass 97.24 Isaac Whittier, Isaac Norton, Eli Curtis  

Bristol June 29 th 1820 Personally appeared Isaac M. Shetter, Isaiah Norton & Daniel Hill and made oath that they made a just estimate of the property real & personal of Eli's estate of said Bristol as contained in the above. Before me Philip Gaylord Justice Peace
My occupation was an Attorney & Barrister at Law which business I pursued until bodily infirmities & ill health occasioned by hardships endured in the Revolutionary war rendered me incapable of pursuing that branch of business, and I was advised by Physicians to renounce that occupation & resort to the cultivation of the Earth - which branch I have endeavored to pursue until within about Ten Years, for which term of time the infirmities of Age & the almost entire loss of sight has rendered me incapable of performing any kind of business whatever that would tend to the support of myself & family which consequently has caused a gradual decrease of my property until what I now possess remains in a situation which renders me but trifling assistance - My family consists of my Wife Mary (estate of about 65 Years of age with whom I have lived in the Marriage State about 40 Years and have had no Child - and also a proportionable part of the support of Patience Hopkins Sister to my Wife One of the Daughters of Hiram, to John Hopkins late of Watbury deceased agreeable to the last Will and Testament of said deceased the said Patience being a Person of an insane mind - Eli's estate  Sworn to and declared by said _____ on the _____
day of August, 1820, before said Court, and it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is
$470
Six hundred twelve _____ dollars and forty five 1 / 2 cents.
1. Thomas Chester
Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of _____ aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of said Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 21 st day of August 1820
Thos Chester
Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Hartford.
I also certify that on the 29 th & 30 June 1820 Philip Gaylord & Enos Ives Esqrs were Justices of Peace of said County & I believe that
30  97.24 597.24 597.24  15.21 15.21  612.45 612.45 612.45  to Hill

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT—ss—HARTFORD
On this 21 day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the County Court for the County of Hartford for the said district, personally appeared Eli Curtis aged years resident in Bristol in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn, according 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 Eli Curtis
in April 1777 enlisted in the state of Connecticut
in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the
Connecticut Line Continental establishment
Colo Chandler Regiment; that he continued to
serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until the 11 December 1779,
when he was discharged from service in the state of New Jersey, that he was in the battles of Germantown &c.
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for the County aforesaid
I, Hon. Brace Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to
my satisfaction, that the said Eli Curtis did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; 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,
21 April — 1818 Jonathan Brace Judge as aforesaid
April 21. 1818 Sealed with the Seal of said Court by direction of the Honorable Jonathan Brace who is the Presiding Judge of said Court
Thomas Chester Clerk
Some satisfied that Eli Curtis the person herein named served in the Continental Army at the time of the American Revolution and that he is in indigent circumstances. Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for the County of Hartford aforesaid

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
Aug Comm
May 22, 1928
Charles R. Hale 33 Capitol Ave Hartford, Conn.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 37001, it appears that Eli Curtis enlisted in April 1777 and served as private and sergeant-major in Captain David Smith's Company, Colonel Chandler's Connecticut Regiment, he was commissioned, April 21, 1778 Ensign in the Eighth Connecticut Regiment, to rank as Second Lieutenant, was in the battles of Germantown, Red Bank, Mud Fort, and Monmouth, and resigned December 4, 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 21, 1818, while a resident of Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut. In 1820, he stated that he was seventy-one years old. Date of birth not given.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Double Data Only family data - wife, Mary - dau. of John Hopkins - aged 65 yrs in 1820. to whom
"had no child" he died less than a year after

37 001
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 37,001
Old Parties
Ensign Rev Mr
Act: 18 th March 18 n
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 95
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Insults data 1925 May 27. He to Chas. R. Noble Esq.

$ 612. 41 3/4
no
Vide letter of Pensioner to Mr. Senator Dana — a cap of feeling, altogether.
Feb 93, p. 21
Letter to Mr. Dana

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To the Colonel of the ... Regiment ... in the Army of the United States, to take rank as a Second ... from the 22 day of April A.D. 1778. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of an ... by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as ... and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officers, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness His Excellency John Jay President of the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the 10th day of April 1778, and in the third Year of our Independence.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest
Secretary of the Board of War

...of the ... ...from the ... ...Quincy ... ...Head Quarters ... ...New Haven ...
Eli Huntis L 37.001 Conn.

8023
Connecticut
Eli Curtis
of Hartford in the State of Connecticut who was an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Chankler of the Connecticut line, for the term of 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of May 1809 and sent to Judge Tuckerman
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 17 - $ 209.24 Semi ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1809. 120.
10 mo. \frac{12}{30} \frac{4}{31} $ 329.24
Discont. { Revolutionary claim, } envelope within - { Act 18th March, 1818. } see originals.
Pension confirmed by Sess of 26 Feb 1821.
19 Oct 1820, Mr. [unclear] [unclear] M rs [unclear] [unclear] M rs [unclear] [unclear] M rs [unclear] [unclear]

To the Hon ble County Court to be held in Hartford on the Tuesday of August 1820. The deposition of Frederick Wolchik's Esq r of Waterbury, to be inspec- ted in the application of Elihu's Esq r of Bristol in said County for the continuance of his pension from the United States. Taken and rendered up by me Rufus Harkness J. of Peace
Open by J Chester Clk

I Frederick Hotchkiss, of Waterbury being of just & lawful age do testify and say that, by the honor- able County Court for the County of New Haven I was appointed Oct 1802 Conservator to Patience Hopkins of Waterbury an insane person & one of the heirs of John Hopkins late of Waterbury deceased.
The property both real & personal belonging to s d Patience that came into my hands amounted to $ 262.03. The rent of land and interest of money which s d estate accumulated while in my hands amounted to $259.40. The whole of s d property both principle & interest was expended in boarding clothing & taking care of s d Patience by the 22 nd day of March 1814. All which has been inspected ap- proved & allowed by the hon. County Court for the County of New Haven as appears by documents in my possession. The expenses of supporting s d Patience for the term of five years from March 22 nd 1814 to March 22 nd 1819 amount to $552.64 which the heirs of John Hopkins late of Waterbury deceased have been liable to pay. Said Patience is still insane and as expenses are as at any former period and to appearance likely to continue through life in that situation.
The estate of s d John Hopkins was given to the heirs and by them received as in trust for the support of s d Patience as will appear by the will of s d John deceased Eli Curtiss Esq r of Bristol formerly of Waterbury whose name is entered on the Pension list agreeably to the act of Congress passed 13 th of March 1818 married Mary one of the daughters of s d John Hopkins

and is accountable for his proportion of the support of said Patience Hopkins.
And I further testify that I am well acquainted with the said Eli Curtis & have been for above 30 years and that he is entirely unable to labor in any respect whatever by reason of lameness & infirmity and the almost total loss of sight.
Frederick Hotchkiss
New Haven County ss. Cheshire June 15 th 1820 personally appeared Frederick Hotchkiss Esq r of Weterbury in said County signer of the foregoing deposi- tion & made solemn oath to the facts therein stated before me
Rufus Hildreth J. D. of Peace

Eli Westphal of Connecticut who was inscribed on the lists of revolutionary pensioners of the United States under the act of March 1818 being known to me personally, I do but justice to his character and worth in declaring my full confidence in his patriotic fidelity and in his fairness and integrity according to the statements of his case and circumstances given in his letter to myself now presented for the consideration of the Secretary of War and dated the 12 th of January 1825.
Sam l H. Dana
Washington Feby 2. 1825

the South Carolina case
The Deposition of Doct r Situs Morrison ... to be used in behalf of the Contes Esq r who served in the defence of the country in the Revolutionary war. and to be Improved before the Honorable County Court to be held at Hartford in the County of Hartford on the first Tuesday of August A d 1820 for the Special purpose of hearing evidence of those who wish the further continuance of their position formerly granted by an act of Congress - and in be- half of those entitled thereto - Taken and sealed up by me Esq r Justice of Peace
Open by J Chesterbl

Situs Merriman of Bristol Hartford County Physician and Surgeon of lawful age and competent abilities and skills testifies and says, that he has been personally acquainted with Eli Courtly Esq r of said Bristol for the term of ten years last past and that during that period he has been incapacitated for bodily labor or of performing the duties of his profession by reason of inability of the nervous system generally and of the Optic nerve in particular which are so far debilitated as almost deprive him of his sight and which according to the intelligence probably originated in the hardships which ensured during the War of the American Revolution
Situs Merriman
Hartford County ss Bristol June 30 th A d 1820
personally appeared Doct r Situs Merriman and made solemn Oath that the facts set forth in the above Deposition by him subscribed are True —
before me ————— Enos S er s Justice of Peace
E. I. T. C.

To the hon. County Court to be holden at on Hartford on the 1 st Tuesday of August 1820 The deposition of Rev. Sam d Woodworth of Gorington to be improved in the appli- cation of Oliver Curtis Esq of Bristol in ad d county for the continuance of his pension from the United States taken & sealed up by me July 24 th 1820
William Battell Justice
Open by J Chester Clerk

I Samuel Woodward of lawful age testify & say that I was well acquainted with Elisha Curtis Esq. of Bristol before the revolutionary war & know him to have been at that time a very strong healthy man. I have been acquainted with him since that war & know him to be a diseased man. About 29 or 30 years ago I lived in the neighbour- hood very nigh him & being a Physician myself was often consulted in his case, he then labored under a Rheumatic affection of his limbs which which he said & I believed was owing to hardship sustained to the indolency of the weather in the war. we resided nigh each other a little less than two years. since that time I have frequently seen him & been informed that the same disorder con- tinued, he now having lost the use of his limbs to such a degree that he is totally unable to do any business, his sight likewise is become very deficient (he being more than seventy years of age). The loss of sight & the use of his limbs has reduced him to a dependent situation indeed not being able to put on his clothes or take his food without assistance. . . . Mr Curtis has always sustained the character of honesty & honor- able. his moral character is unimpeachable
Samuel Woodward
Liberty Hall County of Washington July 21 st 1820
Personally appeared the above named Sam d Woodward & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement before me
William Battell Not of Peace

To the Hon ble County Court to be held in Hartford on the Sunday of August 14 th 1820 The depositions of Isaac Sheldon Isaiah Horton and Daniel Hill all of Bristol to be improved in the application of Eli Curtis Esq of said Bristol in said County for the continuations of his petition from the united States taken and sealed up by me Philip Gayton Just Peace
Open by J Chester Clerk

Bristol (Hartford County Connecticut) -
Personally appeared Isaac W. Shelton Isaiah Norton &
Daniel Hill true holders of said town of Bristol of lawful age and competent abilities being duly sworn do testify & say that on the 26 th day of June 1820. they viewed & estimated the value of lands and other property of Eli Curtis of said Bristol as specified in a schedule by him subscribed as containing the whole of his Estate both Real & Personal (excepting clothing and bedding) and do testify that the sum annexed to each article are according to our best judgment the true and just value of said articles
and they also further testify & say that for five years last past they have personally acquainted with the said Curtis and that he is by reason of infirmity incapable of doing any thing for his own or his family's support and that the income of said property will be but little or nothing towards the support of him self & family and that he is in our estimation a proper subject for public or private charity.
Isaac W. Shelton
Isaiah Norton
Daniel Hill
Bristol 29 th of June 1820
Personally appeared before me Isaac W. Shelton Isaiah Norton Daniel Hill and made oath to the facts contained in the above
Before me Philip Gaylord Just Peace
Pg. 58

Schedule.
Of the whole property, real & personal, of Eli Curtis of Bristol in the County of Hartford
Thirty five & half acres of land - dry gravelly soil, generally, except a strip of cold, low swamp, hatted & bounded South & east by land of Benajah Barlow South on D. Barlow in part, on highway in part, & in part on Merit Gibboud & Lot Newell. West part on Plymouth line & part on the heirs of Aaron Dunbar deceased - with old one story dwelling house 24 feet square on the ground & a wood shed & Barn $470
Eight & half acres Land at a place called Curse Gutter about half a mile from any highway, principally inaccessible with team, principle growth hemlock & ivy, uninclosed - Batted & bounded North on land of Isaiah Norton, East on Hezekiah Sperry & Hezekiah Bishop South on Benajah Barlow & West on Lament Peak $30 The above all being held in fee simple the one half to myself & the other half to my wife Mary Curtis
  One Cow $16.00   One two years old heifer 10.00   Two yearling heifers 12.00   Eleven old sheep & ten lambs 16.00   One old wooden wheeled clock 6.00   one Writing desk & book case 3.00   Bible & Prayer books & sundry old books & pamphlets 6.00   One case of Drawers 3.00   One & half Dozen old chairs - (been used about 40 years) 4.00   Two low chests 1.00   Six old tables & stands 6.00   Fourteen pounds 10 oz old pewter 1.60   Half Doz old milk pans & milking pail etc 00.75   Twenty two old dry casks - pork & beef barrels 3.34   Two tubs - 2 kettles - Spider - Old brass kettle & pail 4.00   Two ounces old Silver tea Spoons 2.00   Half Doz. earthen platters - 2 Jugs - 2 earthen pots 2.50   Five white platters - 3 punch bowls - 2 pitchers 00.80   Half Doz drinking glasses - Looking glass (small) 1.25 

District of Connecticut
On this day of 1820. Personally appeared in Open Court (being a count of record) for the county of Hartford with in said District. Eli Curtis of Bristol with in said County Aged 71 Years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows viz. In the Eighth Regiment of the Connecticut line 1 st Company Commanded by David Smith Capt. The original disch n bears date 21 st Ap r 1818. and the number of the pension certificate is - 8123 And I do solemnly swear that I was a - Resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring my self with in the purview 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 Revolution- ary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I - have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due me. Nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule here unto annexed and by me subscribed, - My Occupation was an attorney at Barristo- at Law. Which business I pursued until bodily infirmity and ill health rendered me incapable of pursuing that branch of business and I was advised by physicians to renounce that occupation & resort to the cultivation of the Earth, which branch I have endeavored to pursue until with in a short Ten Years for which term of time the infirmity of age and the almost entire loss of sight has rendered me incapable of performing any kind of busi- -ness whatever that would conduce to the support of my family, which consequence has caused a gradual decrease of my property until what I now possess remains in a situation which renders me but trifling assistance my family consists of my wife Mary Curtis of about 65 Years of age with whom I have lived in the Marriage state about 40 Years and have had no child. And also a proportionable part of the outpat of Patience Hopkins Sister to my Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs to John Hopkins late of Waterbury deceased agreeable to the last will and testament of said deceased the said Patience being a person of unsane mind

Schedule.
of the whole property, real & personal, of Eli Curtis of Bristol in the County of Hartford
Shirley five & half acres of land - dry gravelly soil, generally, except a strip of cold, low swamp, hither & bounded South & east by land of Benajah Barlow South on D. Barlow in part, on highway in part, & in part on Merit Gibboud & Lot Newell. West part on Plymouth line & part on the heirs of Aaron Dunbar deceased - with old one story dwelling house 24 feet square on the ground & a wood shed & Barn $470
Eight & half acres land at a place called Curse Gutter about half a mile from any highway, principally inaccessible with team, principle growth hemlock & ivy, unclosed - Bounded & bounded North on land of Isaiah Norton, East on Jeremiah Sperry & Hester Bishop South on Benajah Barlow & West on Lament Peak $30 the above all being held in fee simple the one half to myself & the other half to my wife Mary Curtis
  One Cow $16.00   One two years old heifer 10.00   Two yearling heifers 12.00   Eleven old sheep & ten lambs 16.00   One old wooden wheeled clock 6.00   one Writing desk & book case 3.00   Bible & Prayer books & sundry old books & pamphlets 6.00   One case of Drawers 3.00   One & half Dozen old chairs - (run used about 40 years) 4.00   Two low chests 1.00   Six old tables & stands 6.00   Fourteen pounds 10 oz old pewter 1.60   Half Doz old milk pails & milking pail &c 00.75   Twenty two old dry casks - pork & beef barrels 3.34   Two tubs - 2 kettles - Spider - old brass kettle & pail 4.00   Two ounces old Silver tea spoons 2.00   Half doz. earthen platters - 2 jugs - 2 earthen pots 2.50   Five white platters - 3 punch bowls - 2 pitchers 00.80   Half doz drinking glasses - Looking glass (small) 1.25 

  Doz & half plates 00.36   Doz cups & saucers, sugar bowl etc 00.34-   4 pr knives & forks 00.75   2 pr old peal & tongs 00.50   1 pr Andirons & 2 candlesticks 00.75-   Case with 2 square bottles & 3 junk bottles 00.34   4 keys - 1 Gallon bottle - 1 two qt Bottle (wood) 00.30   pr. flat irons - tea pot - pepper box 00.62   Toasting iron Skimmer & ladle (brass) 00.50   2 Old Wheels & reel - Warming pan 1.50 
  Old cradle & scythe One scythe & snath 1.25-   Board plan & riddle 2 old axes 1.00   Shovel & spade 2 pitchforks & dung fork 1.75   2 hoes Beetle & wedge - Grindstone (iron crank) 1.50   2 Chains 2 rakes 1.50   1 plow 1 Hand saw - 1 Chisel 3 Augurs 1.25 

— Copy —
John Hopkins Will
Eli from out of care

In the Name of God Amen This 23 rd day of January A D 1800. I John Hopkins of Waterbury in the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut in New England being advanced in age & weak in body but of sound & perfect mind and Memory thanks be to God. And calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die do make & ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally & first of all I give and recom- -mend my soul into the hands of God who gave it trusting in the mercy of God through our Lord & Saviour, and my body I recom- -mend to the Earth to be decently buried at the direction of my friends ——— And as to such worldly goods & estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I give & dispose thereof in the following manner, and first my will is that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my personal estate ———
Secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Patience one third part of my personal estate after debts are paid. Also I give to my said Wife during her natural life the use and improvement of one half of my dwelling house & provided that no one of my Children shall have occasion to use & improve the other half of said house for their own personal necessity or convenience my will is that she shall have the use of the whole of said house: Also I give to my said Wife the use and improvement of one half of my barn: Also the use and improvement of one third part of my improved lands: And for the purpose of necessary fire Wood and fencing timber my Will is that she shall have the use of 20 acres of Wood Land lying West of my house lot: Nothing South on the path which leads to Elihu Ford's old house ———
And I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Mary the Wife of Elihu Curtis Esq. of Watertown Lois the Widow and relict of John Hotchkiss of Watertown late of Cheshire decd. Rhoda the Wife of Frederick Hotchkiss of said Waterbury & Patience my youngest Child & to the natural heirs of my Daughter Sarah deceased the late Wife of Amos Culver of said Watertown to be counted equal to one of my said Daughters a certain piece of Land con-

=Running about fifty Acres lying North from my dwelling house lotted & bounded as follows beginning at the S. East corner of my lot on the west side of the highway about 80 rods Northward from my dwell- =ing house. Then running westerly about 40 rods to a white oak tree marked with stones by it continuing the same course to the West line of my land to a rock with stones on it. The N. West corner of my land then Easterwardly in the line of my land to a heap of stones at the S. East corner of the Goat lot so called. Then Southwardly to the first men- =tioned corner. Running East on highway, South on my own land, West on Elias Fords land & North on Eli Parrows land. Also I give to my 3 Daughters and to the heirs of S. Sarah the sum of one hundred & twenty pounds each, counting 3 heirs equal to one of my 3. Daughters computing what I have advanced & charged to each of my 3. Daughters as part portion as part of this sum to be paid out of my personal estate at inventory price provided it shall be sufficient: but provided my personal estate shall be insufficient to pay and satisfy my debts and legacies my will is that so much of my real estate shall be sold as shall be necessary for that purpose. But if my personal estate shall be more than sufficient to pay and discharge my debts and legacies expressed in this Will my will is that the residue & remainder shall be equally divided among my Children —
And I give and bequeath to my beloved Son David Hopkins and to his heirs forever the residue & remainder of my real estate
And whereas divine providence has so ordered that my Daughter Patience has long been and still is in a state of insanity and how long she may remain incapable of providing for herself is uncertain. Therefore my will is that provided the estate that shall fall to her by virtue of this will or otherwise shall be insuffi- =cient for her support during her natural life; my heirs and legatees named in this Will shall be bound to pay and contribute to her support in proportion to what each one shall receive of my estate

And I do constitute & appoint my Son David Hopkins and my W. Amos Culver of Watbury to be joint Executors of this my Last will and Testament. And I do hereby revoke disannul and disallow all other & former Wills & Executions by me in any wise made or named; ratifying this and no other to be my Last will & Testament ————— John Hopkins (seal)
The day and date above written the s d John Hopkins the testator signed sealed published pronounced and de- = clared the foregoing as and for his Last will & Testament in presence of us who were present at the signing and sealing thereof
Watson Stevens Kimball Hall Ebenezer Andrews
The within and foregoing is a true Copy of the original Will on record
Certified John Kingsbury Judge of Probate for Watbury District Watbury 5 th June 1820

Rec'd Jan'y 22. 1825
Dear Mr. Dana.
Senator Tongue
Washington
Yours
Eli Curtis's
Jan'y 12. 1825
Rec'd Jan'y 22.
Ack. Jan'y 22.

Eli Curtis of Bristol, Hartford County, State of Connecticut late an Ensign in the Revolutionary War to the Honorable Samuel H. Dana Esq. Senator in Congress of the United States, from the State of Connecticut, Sir with the highest sentiments of esteem and regard, I would address your honor and give your honor to understand that the Secretary of War has ordered my name to be stricken from the Pension list on account of my having too much property to be entitled to receive a Pension agreeable to an act of Congress passed the eighteenth of March One Thousand eight Hundred and eighteen, and the 1 st of May One Thousand eight Hundred and Twenty and in so doing I beg leave to suggest that I think that he has either mistaken the meaning or the spirit of the law, or under existing circumstances mistaken the amount of my Property, according to the best of my recollection of law as it has been read to me there is no specific sum mentioned in the law to determine whether the person applying shall be admitted to a Pension or rejected, it appears to me to admit every one that is under such indigent circumstances that he is not able to support himself without either publick or private charity, I was called upon to give in my occupation and the ability I had to pursue it, and the number of my family and the ability they had to support themselves, and I think that I made it appear by incontrovertible proof that I was totally unable to follow any occupation whatever, the right of my eyes is gone from me, the strength of my body and the use of my limbs have forsaken me, and as to Property I have none except what was purchased by the avails of what was given in trust to my wife for the support of Patience Hopkins a Delirious person, as will appear by an attested copy of the record of the last will and testament of John Hopkins late of Waterbury deceased, and also a deposition of Frederick Hotchkiss Esq. of Waterbury, they were sent on together with my Schedule to the Secretary of War, from which I verily apprehended that it would appear to any person evident and clear that I had not any property that I had a right to dispose of for my own support or to any other person except it be in trust for the support of the Patience, The Patience has been in a state of Delirium about thirty years, during the whole of which time there has appeared no lucid intervals or anything like a composed mind, she has been supported fed clothed and cleaned with great care trouble cost and expense and still continues to be supported at the same extraordinary expense, and for ought it now appears she is likely to continue so to a very advanced age, all which will appear from the Deposition of Frederick Hotchkiss Esq. of Waterbury, and as to my inability to pursue any kind of business, it will appear from the Deposition of Doct Samuel Woodard of Torrington and Doct Titus Meariman of Bristol forwarded on with the others. The trust reposed in me for the support of the Patience I shall endeavor not to violate, as I have always through the Revolutionary War performed the trust reposed in me by the United States, In April One Thousand seven hundred and seventy seven I enlisted a Private Soldier under Capt David Smith and received Twelve dollars bounty and one months pay in advance, by order of the commandant of the Ridgmont I was inculcated for the small Pox and have never enjoyed sound health since, soon to soon after leaving the first house I marched on to join the Army as far as Newtown and there was promoted to the Office of Sergeant Major of the Ridgmont in which office I continued to serve until the 22 d of March 1778 when I was appointed in General Orders an Ensign, previous to that time I was entitled to Cloathing from the Publick, according to the terms of enlistment but I did not receive any Cloathing at all nor any pay until it had become due about six months from the time I was promoted to an Ensign, I had the whole command of Capt Smiths Company, he being appointed Brigade Major and Brigade Inspector and David Judson who was the 1 st Lieut was appointed Brigade Quartermaster, until I was discharged about the middle of Dec 1779, I all this time performed the trust reposed in me to the acceptance and with the appearance of my Superior Officers,

There was an act of Congress making provision that all those belonging to the Army who were contained in the muster role for the month of Janry 1780 should have the depreciation of Continental money made up to them by which Act it was considered that I had lost my claim to the depreciation being made up to me although at the time of my discharge I was not of that Act and I believe it had not then passed into a Law, now if your honor pleases I wish to know if it would be gratifying to the feelings of General Government after having done and suffered so much in personal service loss of health and property in order to save my Country (which was ever dear to me) from British Tyranny and to gain the Independence of America and to erect and support a Republican Government in this Country under whose auspices I fondly hope to live and die, gratifying to see me intirely stript of property and stocked in with the Town poor and that for no fault of mine, and in this situation and no other would grant me a Pension? my humble prayer is, and I conceive it to be agreeable to the spirit and meaning of the Act that they should assist me while I am struggling with all my might to avoid that mortifying degradation a Pension to one who is entirely upon the Town for his support can be of no service to the Pensioner, and can answer no valuable purpose except it be to assist the Town in supporting their poor, which the Town is able to do without it or if it comes into the hands of the Pensioner, it is ten to one that he by an intemperate use of it will become more expensive to the Town than he would have been had there been no Pension granted all that know my situation with one voice say that there could not be a more proper subject for a pension than myself, I do not know as this statement will be of any service to me but I wish you to make such use of it as your wisdom may direct in my behalf, the high estimation that you stand in my feelings it seems to me would entitle me to some attention from your honor I wish you to apply to the War department and see if all those papers that has been mentioned are there and have been attended to, and if any informality attend the taking of any of them be kind enough to write to me and inform me wherein any informality has happened and be kind enough to request in my behalf the secretary of War to reconsider his determination on the matter and grant a continuation of my Pension, In order to insure success in the business I think the Attorney General ought to be consulted, I wish you to converse with the Honorable Mark Richards Esq: a member of the house of Representatives from the State of Vermont, who was personally acquainted with me in the Revolutionary war and knows something of my present situation and circumstances and will I am confident assist in anything that is in his power, Your due attention to this matter will entitle you to a specific compensation greater than I am under circumstance to make, what is in my power I will with alacrity and joy bestow which is my best wishes for the continuation of your usefulness and honor, through this transient state of existence, and may peace close your eyes in death and felicity and happiness attend you through the endless ages of eternity, which is the sincere prayer and hearty desire of your humble servant
Samuel W Dana Esq
Ch. Curtiss
Bristol Janry 12 th 1821

Eli Custer
Ensign Eli Custer Yrs Papers
a minute 2 years
Eli Custer Ensign Ap. 1777 to Dec. 1779 Chandler's connect. Regt.

Eli Curtis of Bristol in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, being sworn depose & say that I enlisted as a Private in April 1777 in the army of the United States Continental establishment David Smith Col. l of the Company Col. l Chandler Regiment - I served in said Corps till I was promoted 21 st day of April A D 1778. to be an Ensign in the Eighth Connecticut Regiment in which Corps or in the service of the United States I served till 4 th December 1779. when I was discharged from the service at Morristown & State of New Jersey - I was in the Battles of Germantown, Redbank, Newport, Monmouth. I am now in reduced circumstances & stand in need of assistance from my Country for support. I have no other evidence now in my possession of my services except what is herewith attached - I am in my seventieth year.
Eli Curtis
State of Connecticut ss County of Hartford April the 21 st 1878
Sworn before me Jonathan Brown Judge of the County
Court of the County of said - Witness also the Seal of the Court
I, William Andrews of Bristol in State of Connecticut being sworn depose & say that I am acquainted with Eli Curtis the person who has made both to the foregoing deposition showing said the same. I know

The facts therein stated to be true so far as it respects his having served more than one year as an Ensign in the Corps of Col d Chandler - He was in the battles of Germantown, Whitemarsh, Redbank & New York - & is now in reduced circumstances & needs assistance from his Country for support —
Wiltshire Andrew State of Connecticut to County of Hartford April 21 st
A 1818 Sworn before me
Jonathan Brainerd Judge of the County Court for said County

Rev. 4/18/2 War HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR
COMMITTEE ON MARKING GRAVES CHARLES R. HALE, CHAIRMAN 33 CAPITOL AVENUE HARTFORD, CONN.
May 17-1928
Chief Clerk.
Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me Revolutionary War record of Eli Curtis on the 1818 Pension roll from Connecticut. We wish to get a headstone for this Veteran.
Yours very Truly
Chas. R. Hale