Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17332, John Chittenden, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Chittenden, John
S. 17332.
carded
CONTENTS
[Empty lined section for notes]
[Empty lined section for notes]

order to Mary May 26, 1837
Connecticut 17.285
John Chillenden
of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Corp. commanded by Captain Piffel of the Regt. commanded by Col. Parsons in the Cont. line for 2 Years. and Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Cont. at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum. commences on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Aug. 1832 and sent to Mr. F. Olmsted
Arrears to the 1st of Mar. '33 $ 160 Semest. allowance ending 1st of Sep. '33 40 $ 200
Recorded by Geo. C. Hays Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3. Page 9
Revolutionary Claim, No. 7, 1832.

State of Connecticut,
Middlesex County -
Probate Court of said County
On this tenth day of Sept r - 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of
Probate in and for the Probate district of said County of Middlesex - State of Connecticut - now sitting at said Court in said district the same being a Court of record -
John Chittenden - a resident of said Court - in the County of Middlesex - and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy four years, who being first 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.
Mr. John Chittenden
That he was born in Killingworth, County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, where he lived until within about fifty years, since and during which period he has lived in the Town of Saybrook, aforesaid - There is a record of his birth in the family Bible of his late Parents, but no where else, as he is aware of - That he was 74 years of age the 7 th day of Oct r 1831
That he enlisted at said Killingworth, the first of January A.D. 1776 - for one year - and immediately joined the Company at Roxbury Massachusetts - The said Company was commanded by Capt. Tiffin Sill of Lyme, in this State - Ambrose Packer a Sergeant, was the recruiting Officer - The said Chittenden does not recollect the names of the other Officers of the Company - That the Regiment was commanded by Col. Parsons, and the Brigade, he thinks, by Genl. Huntington - That said Company remained there he thinks until the British left Boston, which he thinks was in the month of March - That he was on Dorchester, and saw them when they left - Genl. Washington came in to the Town immediately after they went of it - The whole Army consisting of many Regiments, was then encamped off, The Regiment in which the said Chittenden served came directly to Saybrook, Connecticut, and embarked in Sloops for New York - Were eight days on the passage - and arrived there he thinks, in April, and remained in the City - They encamped a little out of it - The spot now covered with buildings - Were engaged in building a Fort, on the spot, or near where, the said Chittenden is informed that the old State Prison stood - He remained there until the British came into the Hook, when the said Regiment crossed over on to

Long Island. The said Regiment was at Flatbush when the said applicant first discovered the British constant skirmishing was kept up all day, and a great many men killed. The said Regiment was not so much engaged as many others. Were near the Fort - a short time before the whole American Army recrossed, on to York Island, the applicant and many others returned to the old encampment at the City. When the Army did return, / in the night / the said Regiment came again to its old quarters, and went to strengthening the works, and removing the provisions, and stores. The said Chittenden says, that he was at work, keeping remove stores, when the British ships came up the East River. They went up to Turtle Bay, and landed their troops under cover of the ships fire, - soon an officer came down to us full speed, and said, the British would surround us, if the Regiment was not away immediately. The Regiment then started, under the command of Col. Parsons, and came out to Kings Bridge. - were frequently fired upon by the British scouting parties. It was a very hot one. That the said Regiment remained at Kings Bridge, and White Plains. until the British came up and attacked us, at White Plains, - drove back the Americans into the entrenchments. The British then stopped during the night our forces threw up additional works, - The British then sent for reinforcements, and the following night the American Troops, all under the command of Genl. Washington, who was present, withdrew to New Castle. Soon after that the applicant was taken sick, & carried to the Hospital, at New Rochelle. Had a furlough, went home & while there his time expired.
The said applicant further saith - that he enlisted in said Richmond in April 1777 - for three years. Join the Army at Red Bank on the North River about the middle of May. That the company in which he served was commanded by Capt. Stevens and Lieut. Billings - he does not recollect the name of the Ensign. Col. Snipe commanded the Regiment & Genl. Parsons, the Brigade. The applicant was in the battle of Germantown.

and Monmouth. That he helped bury 500 dead bodies at Monmouth. That he was with the Army through that country. Returned to North River, and was discharged in New Jersey, after serving out the 3 years, for which he enlisted, & six months more which he served in the place of one Samuel Frenchick.
That he made application for a pension, under the act of 1818. & received it, but was struck off on account of property. That his certificate is herewith transmitted. and that he received a written discharge which was sent with his former application to Washington, and which he supposes, is now there.
The said John Chittenden 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. except as aforesaid. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Samuel Ingham Judge of Probate.
John Chittenden
We, a clergyman, residing in the town of Saybrook residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Mr. John Chittenden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed 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 and year aforesaid.
Before me Samuel Ingham Judge of Probate.
Sylvester Selden John Stannard
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Saybrook and that who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Saybrook and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Ingham. Judge of Probate for the District of Saybrook. Connecticut.
I, Richard P. Williams — Clerk of the Court of the Court of Probate for the District of Saybrook. Connecticut. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Chittenden for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this tenth day of September 183 2
Office,
Richard P. Williams Clerk.

19293 John Chittenden b.T.
Return this
adm d
Sam e Ingham Old case

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 10 14 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Chittenden C.T.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the Names and Rank of the Common whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Decy 1776 entered 1 . . 6th Suffolk Col Parsons Shoreham Roxbury Mass He born in Middlesex Co. entered there and now lives in D r County Certificate of a Clergyman and a Citizen   April 1777. " 3 . . Stevens Swift battle of White Plains and Germantown and Monmouth Long Is d N.Y.   Served a Sub. . 6 .  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Old case - was on the pension list act of 1818.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed 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 and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

John Chittenden S. F. 17332 Conn.
22

CHITTENDEN, JOHN (CONN. CONT.) S-17322
John Chittenden Soldier in the 7 th Connecticut Reg! in the army of the United States of America having served the Term for which he Engaged is hereby Discharged with Disinflation.
Given at Springfield this 10 th Day of May 1780 N.B. to Discharge the 2 nd and and Eight Pralions
David H. Sill Lt. Col. Comd. 2 nd Conn t Brigade

carded

27840
INVALID.
Rey
see 17332
le No. 37840
John Whittenden Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
lex:—Vol 2, Page 282
[Arrangement of 1870.]

446
Connecticut Roll
John Chittenden // Colo Swift Private Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. and Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 16 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th of May 1818 and sent to S. T. Hosmer, Esq d Middletown, Conn.
Arrearages to 1 st Sept. 1818 4 months 19/30. $: 37. 06
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
77 Three Years
Saybrook Middlesex Co.

17.332 INVALID.
File No. 17.332
John Chittenden Pre Rec War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 427
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Stittenden
Payable on the 4 th March and 4 th Sept r of each year at the W. S. Branch Bank in Middlesex
Recorded.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Revolutionary Claim
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18 th of March 1818
John Chittenden late a Private in the Army of the Revolution
is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Connecticut Agency at the rate of Eight dollars _____ cents per month, to commence on the 16 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Given at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES,
this 9 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War

John Chittenden
19293
✓ no. 30-
du Wells 3 years
Adm
24 mo. pri
80 $

I Richard P Williams. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Gaybrook. County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut. do certify hereby. That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Chittenden therein named for a revision.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Gaybrook in said District, this 22 nd day of June A. D. 1833.
Richd P Williams Clerk.

I John Chittenden of Saybrook, in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that I belonged to the army in the war of the Revolution for three years; that I enlisted as a private soldier for three years in the Company commanded by Capt. Aaron Steeles, in the Regiment commanded by Herman Swift Esq., it being the Seventh Regiment in the Connecticut Line, in the Spring of the year One Thousand, Seven Hundred, and Seventy Seven, & immediately joined the army, and served in it until the said three years had expired, until the 9th day of May One Thousand, Seven Hundred, and Eighty, when I was duly discharged by a writing under the hand of David G. Hill Esq. Colonel Commandant of said Regiment, which was in the Second Connecticut Brigade; which discharge I have delivered to the Issue taking this Deposition for transmission.
I further testify, that I am Sixty years of age, that I have to support in my family my wife, my aged father, and eight children, I am of the occupation of a farmer, and my whole property is worth fifteen hundred dollars, and, according to my best belief no more; and by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I am in need of a pension from my country for support, as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Given under my hand this 10th day of April 1818. John Chittenden

State of Connecticut. S.S. Middletown.
a On this 10 th day of April 1818, before me, the undersigned, one of the Judges of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, personally came John Chittenden of Saybrook in said State, the sign of the preceding Depo- -sition, and made solemn Oath to the truth thereof. Stephen Wosmer.
b I Stephen Wosmer one of the Judges of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said John Chittenden did serve in the revo- -lutionary war, as stated in the prece- -ding declaration, against the common enemy; & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the Act of Congress, providing for certain pensions engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war.
Stephen Wosmer
Connecticut, S.S. Middletown April 10. 1818.

John Fish Clerk of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the Honorable Stephen H. Warner of Middletown in the State of Conn. is one of the Judges of the said Court and that his name subscribed to the preceding certificate man- -ual A. B. is his proper hand writing and signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court at Middletown - this 16 th day of April 1818.
Wm. Fish Clerk