Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28698, Robert W Curtis, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
bound
Kurtis, Robert W.
S-28698
CONTENTS

29.792
Robert H. Curtis of Washington in the State of New York was a private in the com- commanded by Captain Cole of the reg t commanded by Col — in the Connecticut line for two years
Albany
Inscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Feb y 1835 and sent to J. P. Miller, a Madison.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 34 280, 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st March 35, 40.00 $320 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam l Boyd Clerk, Book E 2 Vol 4 Page 11

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832 State of New York } Madison County }
On this ninth — — day of October 1832
Personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Madison in open court James B Eldridge presiding Judge Robert Curtis, a resident of the Town of Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York, aged 75 years who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he enlisted in the year 1776 in the State troops of Connecticut for two months and entered the service as a private about the first of January of that year, in a company commanded by Capt. Zechariah Cole & Lieutenant, Deach Tomlinson, and Ensign Blackman, he does not recollect the name of the Col. nor how named the Regiment to which his company was attached, but the name of the Major was Douglass does not recollect his given name and Adjutant Nathaniel Blackman; the company to which he belonged met & mustered in Stratford Fairfield County Connecticut & he marched with said company about the first of January to New York, & crossed the sound to Long Island and was stationed at Brooklin where he remained, until the time of his enlistment expired & was then dismissed, but received no written discharge. He does not recollect that any General officer was in command at Brooklin at that time, nor any other troops stationed there except the Regiment, to which he belonged, he was dismissed in the forepart of March as he believes, and he was at the time of his enlistment a resident of the Town of Stratford Fairfield County Connecticut.
And, that in the latter part of June of the same year, he was called out, with others in the militia service & marched to New York, where he was stationed, a month or less and was then dismissed & received no written discharge.
And that in the year 1777 as he thinks & believes, he enlisted as a private in a company commanded by Captain

Robert Walker for six months, and entered the service as he thinks in the month of April, of that year and was stationed in Stratford aforesaid, to guard the coast, and the troops were called State guards, his Lieutenants name was John Benjamin, & that he was at the time of his enlistment a resident of the aforesaid Town of Stratford, as was also the Capt. & Lieutenants, & no other troops were stationed there except the company of guards to which he belonged & that he served out the full time of his enlistment, & was dismissed as he thinks some time in the month of October of that year, but recd no written discharge. And that he again enlisted in a company of State guards as a private in the year 1778 for six months, & the company was commanded by captain a Lieutenant Samuel Paton Patison of the aforesaid Town of Stratford, and that he entered the service in the spring of that year, cannot tell whether in April or May, & that he with said company were again stationed at Stratford aforesaid to guard the harbor & coast, & that he served out his full time of enlistment & was dismissed in the fall of the year, and was dismissed as he thinks & believes the latter part of October or November of that year but received no written discharge and that no other troops were stationed there at the time except the aforesaid company of guards. And that, during the next three succeeding years, successively as a private he enlisted for six months, in each year, & commenced his services in each of the years, in the spring as he thinks in the months of April or May of each year and served in each of the three successive years, six months from the time of entering the service, & the company to which he belonged, was in each of the years aforesaid commanded by the aforesaid Lieut. Samuel Paton Patison of the aforesaid Town of Stratford, and that he with said company was in each of said three years stationed as before, to guard the Harbor & coast at Stratford aforesaid, & in preventing marauding parties from

the enemys vessels from landing, for plunder, or supplies & in, capturing, & preventing boats, going with supplies for the enemy on Long Island, and in each of the said three years, after rendering the said five months services he was dismissed, but never received a written discharge, and that he at each, and all times of the above enlistments was a resident of the of said Town of Stratford, and that he does not know of any one now living who served, with him in either of the expeditions above cited, or of either of the times of service rendered, in keeping garrison, & guarding the coast at said Stratford, and that he has no documentary evidence And that he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, & that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State And that he was born in the Town of Stratford County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut on the 12 th day of March in the year 1757 as he has been informed & believes and according to a family record of his birth; but knows of no publick record of his birth or age. And that he resided after the Revolutionary war in the of said Town of Stratford until thirty one years ago when he removed to the Town of Madison & State of New York where he continues to reside. And that he is acquainted with Levi Morton Esq. Nehemiah Thompson Esq. Stephen Woodhull & Samuel Curtis all of Madison aforesaid who can testify to his character for truth & veracity
Subscribed to & sworn this 9 th day of October 1832. in Open Court. A. S. Sloan Clk.
Robert W. Curtis

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 Daniel Barker, Stephen Woodhull & Samuel Curtis, who have signed the annexed Certificate, are residents in the town of Madison in the County of Madison, and are credible persons, and that their Statement is entitled to credit -
I, Andrew J Sloan, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in the matter of the application of Robert W. Curtis for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this ninth day of October 1832 - A. J. Sloan Clk

State of New York Madison County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid county Robert W Curtis who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise day that he entered the service of the United States during the revolutionary war, as mentioned in the first term of service in this declaration, but to the best of his recollection, it was on, or one some of the first days of January in the year therein mentioned, & that he was dismissed on the first day or some one of the first days of March following, having performed the full term of two months services. And also by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear as to the precise day on which he entered the service, as mentioned in his declaration (in the latter part of line of the same year) but to the best of his recollection & belief, it was in the month of June of the year mentioned in his declaration, and in the latter part of the said month of June, and that at the time the militia of that part of the State, was principally called out under a requisition of either the State, or United States authorities, and that this deponent entered the service at that time, as a private under said requisition, in a company commanded by a Capt. Nathaniel Wheeler and was attached to a Regiment commanded by a Colonel Levis. Does not recollect his given name, both the Captain & Colonel were residents of Fairfield in the said State of Connecticut, and that this deponent by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory cannot recollect the names of the other company or field officers of said regiment & that to the best of his memory & belief he served considerably over one month, but is willing to claim only one month's service, as being willing to serve short of rather than over state the time. And that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect the precise day of the month, nor is he so certain as to swear

positively as to the year or the month, that he enlisted & entered the service, in the State guards, under Capt Robert Walker, as mentioned in his declaration but to the best of his memory & belief, it was the year & month, as stated in this deponent's declaration, & this deponent believes the term of service was for more than six months, as the guard was stationed as soon as the coves & creeks were clear of ice in the spring & continued, until the frost obstructed the navigation in the fall, but he is willing to limit the time of service to six months being certain of serving the length of time under said enlistment & he this deponent always understood & believes that the aforesaid guards were raised & organized, by the State authorities, & paid by the State, and that he served under this enlistment the full term of six months as mentioned in his said declaration and all other statements made by this deponent in his said declaration & in reference to the above enlistment & service, is to the best of his recollection, true. And also that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory this deponent cannot swear positively as to the precise day or month, that he entered the service in the State guards, under Captain Samuel Pattison, in the year 1778, nor the precise day that his term of services ended, as per his declaration but that from circumstances & the best of his recollection, he must have entered the service as early as the month of April of that year, & that he is positive that he enlisted & served as a private the full term of six months. And that also by reason of old age & the consequently the loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise day of the month that he entered the State guards in the year 1779 under in the company of State guards commanded by the aforesaid Capt Samuel Pattison, as mentioned in his said declaration, but on enquiry & from the circumstances of the case and from the best of his recollection, it must have been in the month of April of that year, & that he enlisted as a private for six months as a private and served that full term of time under said enlistment in guarding the harbor east at Stratford. And that he again enlisted, in the aforesaid Captain Samuel

Patison's Company of State guards, as a private for six months, and to the best of his recollection entered the service in the month of April 1780 but from old age & the consequent loss of memory cannot swear to the precise day, but that he served, six months and was dismissed but received no written discharge. in any of his previous services And that he again enlisted in the Company of State guards commanded by Captain Samuel Patison in the spring of the year 1781, as a private & this deponent by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory cannot swear positively as to the day or month that he entered the service, but from all the circumstances of the case & from the best of his recollection it must have been in the month of April of that year & that he enlisted & served the full term of six months, & was again as in all & every case where he served in the State guards stationed at — Stratford Conn. to guard the coast & harbor, at that place, & was — discharged & recd. no written discharge. at the time And this deponent, was in all & every case of enlistment a resident of Stratford aforesaid. And that he in all & every case of his enlistments & services rendered in said guard understood & believed & yet believes, that he was called into service by the State authorities, & as he believes & then understood, were paid by the State and that during the several times of service in the State guards, above referred to & as mentioned in his declaration, and that during the several periods of service in said guards, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, but was on duty, as a sentinel or picket, & when relieved, was in quarters, & had a regular routine of duty, every day, & was constantly under the command of the officers of the guard, at the guard house, appointed for that purpose, & which was the quarters of the said company, there was no other garrison. And this deponent further saith, that the reason
of the Justices of the Peace is as follows: —

why a clergyman is not one of the witnesses for him, is that at the time of making his said declaration this amended declaration & the accompanying affidavits, there was no settled clergyman resident in town of any denomination, & those officiating, had been but a short time in employ in town & none lived near him, nor had he any personal acquaintance with any one of them other with him, & they could not know anything by tradition or otherwise respecting his declaration, & therefore this deponent resorted to the best traditional evidence in his power two of them being Samuel Curtis & Stephen Woodhall, who both were formerly residents of the Town of Stratford resaid , & personally acquainted with this deponent, at the latter place, and also since their emigrating to this Town. And that the above services were rendered the United States during the revolutionary war to wit. That he served commencing in January 1776 two months, & from June the same year one month and from April 1777 six months, & from April 1778 Six months, & from April 1779 Six months, and from April 1780 Six months, and from April 1781 Six months, in all two years & nine months for which he claims a pension. And that he further deposes & says, in answer to the interrogatories required by the rules of the department. 1 st
1 st That he was born in the Town of Stratford Fairfield County Connecticut on the 12 th day of March in the year 1757 as he has been informed and believes.
2 nd He has a record of his age in his family Bible
3 rd He resided in the aforesaid town of Stratford when called into service & lived there since the Revolutionary war until nearly thirty years ago and then removed to Madison where he now resides

4th He was called into service under a requisition of the State or United States authority as set forth in the body of his declaration in the militia, and afterwards enlisted
5th He cannot state the names of the Regular officers, nor continental or other Regiments nor general circumstance of the service more fully than set forth in the body of his declaration, and the foregoing amended declaration
6 He never received a discharge
7th He can in addition to the names referred to in his declaration further state that he is personally acquainted with Erastus Cleveland Esqr. Charles Howard, John Lucas, Isaac Cox, John Noble, Erastus Hayden & many others all residents of the Town & County of Madison aforesaid & to whom reference can be had
Subscribed and sworn to this 24th day of May 1833 before me Thomas Miller Jr. Justice of the peace
Robert W. Carr Jr.
State of New York } Madison County Clerk's Office } p: I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Thomas Mil- len Jr. before whom the three preceding Affi- davits purport to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the two preceding Certificates, was at the dates of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificates to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 8th day of June 1833 - A. S. Sloan Clk.

1837. Robert W. Curtis Madison Co. New York
(c.)
A. G. Sloan Clerk Madison Co. New York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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. These 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 Robert W Curtis Madison Co. New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under 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.     Jan. 1776 " 2 " Private Capt. Booe Lt. Beach Capt. Vol. recollection Major Douglass Col. [?] Adj. [?] enlistment None New York 75 years Folsomfield Co. [?] Traditionary   June " " 1 " " Not stated No stated " " " "   Apr. 1777 " 6 " " Capt. Wal- ker Lt. [?] enlistment None " To guard Hilford & coast " "   1778 " 6 " " Lt. [?] enlistment " " " " "   1779 " 6 " " Detto Detto " Detto " "   1780 " 6 " " " " " " " "   1781 " 6 " " " " " " " "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 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) , who has 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, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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 papers to 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.
Joseph Rowen Esq. M.P.
The declarant must be sworn before him.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/MLB
May 29, 1930
Mrs. Clifford W. Cronk 344 N. Peterboro Street Canastota, New York
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 28698, it appears that Robert W. Curtis was born March 12, 1757, at Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at Stratford, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops, as follows:-
From January, 1776, two months in Captain Zachariah Coe's Company, under Major Douglass; from June, 1776, six weeks in Captain Nathaniel Wheeler's Company, in Colonel Ichabod Lewis' Regiment; from April, 1777, six months as a private in Captain Robert Walker's Company of State Guards, being stationed at Stratford to guard the coast; in 1778, six months under Lieutenant Samuel Patison, being stationed at Stratford to guard the coast; in 1779, 1780 and 1781, six months in each year, under Lieutenant Samuel Patison guarding the coast.
He also stated that he was out on alarms at Fairfield, Ridgefield, Reading and Danbury.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was living in Madison, New York, having lived there thirty-one years.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

28698 Rev INVALID.
File No. 28698
Robert W. Curtis
Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 91
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930- May 29. Hist. Soc. Mrs. Clifford W. Cronk C.S.

New York Rev.
Robert W. Curtis Suspended let. A.S. Sloan 2 Sep 1833
let to Thomas Miller May 29. 1834. —
let. Hon. W. Fuller 19 June 34 let to Thos. Miller 28 Aug. 1834
Act. 7 June '32

Thomas - Miller's Esq. Madison New York

It appears by the records of the State of Connecticut that guards were ordered by the General Assembly & stationed at various places on the sea coast, & to serve one year, at Fairfield Stratford Litchfield.
The first act, that has been examined, was passed in Dec r 1776 requiring the guards to be raised & to serve until 1 st January 1778.
The next act passed in January 1778 requiring guards to be raised, & to serve until 1 st January 1779.
The next in January 1779 requiring the guards to be raised for one year
also in Jan. 1780, & in November 1780 requiring guards to be raised & to serve until January 1 st 1782.
No charge has been found on the books of the Pay Table of Capt. Walker's pay rolls for coast guards. But in January 1779 there is charged to Robert Walker Capt, Swift's Regt, for an order on the Treasurer for £500, 0, 0.
Under date November 3 rd 1778, there is charged on the books of the Pay Table, to

the United States for an order on the Treasurer for St. Samuel Patterson for pay roll of coast guards £197, 13, 1. But no roll of this guard has been found or other proof of duration of its service.
Under date January 29 1781 the pay roll of St. Samuel Patterson's coast guards is also charged to the United State at £710, 5, 10. But no roll of this guard has been found.
Under date May 21 st 1781 St. Samuel Patterson's pay roll coast guards is also charged, & no roll has been found, or other evidence of service.
Orders were issued to other persons for pay rolls, at Fairfield, of the guards at that post. The orders were some of them drawn in favor of Sergeants, & also of officers of a higher grade, & at times subsequent to May 1781. Some were drawn in 1782.
Hartford Aug. 13 th 1834 I certify that above is true
D. Phelps ex Compt

Sir I send the annexed certificate regarding the services of Mr Burleigh. The present Comptroller is absent, & I am unable to procure his signature. Being personally acquainted with the Com r of Pensions I presume he will sign certificate. But if he should refuse, request him to return it to me, & I will procure the needfull.
I am Sir
Respectfully G. L. D. H. H. 2
See #2-

NY Feb 19
Rob t W. Curtis
J. H. Edwards Esq r
Commissioner of Pensions
Patent Office
Washington

Madison, Madison County N. York 10 th February 1835. To J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir enclosed, are the depositions of Nathan Bears and Ezra Curtis, in support of the claim of Robert W. Curtis for a pension. It is all the positive proof he has been able to obtain of his services from living witnesses. It seems Mr. Bears served with him twelve months from 1 st April 1777, and Ezra Curtis 2 months in November & December of that year making 14 months Robert W. Curtis in his declaration stated his belief that he served over six months in each year, but limited his services to 6 months in each year. Notwithstanding having made proof of 8 months services in 1777. I can see no good reason why it should not be allowed him, if he is required to produce proof from living witnesses. I have at his instance corresponded with his friends in Stratford and traditionary proof of his having served 3 or 4 campaigns in the guards at that place, could be abundantly obtained, but no letter than that already produced. Few Old men remain there as I am informed that were Soldiers of the revolution, and none but the above, that served with him in those guards, or who remained serving with him, and those composing the guards were not all citizens of Stratford as I am informed by many who reside in this place & emigrated from Stratford. If positive proof does not exist, it can not be obtained, and great pains has been taken to procure it if it did exist. The Affidavit of Nehemiah Thompson on 8 th of Nov in support of his claim, on file in the Pension Office, states his belief & the general reputation that R. W. Curtis

Served in those guards through the summer season of several years, and a more credible witness cannot be obtained in support of any claim, and all his witnesses to his traditional proof are respectable and all except Daniel Barker are natives of Stratford and knew him from their early years. If there are persons that served in those guards the same years that McCarty served, he has not been able to find them, and if any such are known at the pension Office, it does not prove that he did not serve; for it seems the guards had different stations and were not combined. (See Nehemiah Thompson's Affidavit above referred to.) Mr. Ganties declaration is also corroborated by the Certificate of the Controller of the State of Connecticut, in the particular that leaves were made to organize those guards, the different years he alleges to have served, & a register of payments to the same officers that he alleges to have commanded, in those years.
Nine and half months is proved by the enclosed, including one and half months Militia services, and three months Militia services in 1776 by tradition and by Nehemiah Thompson's Affidavit, which according to the rules, and government regulations, traditional proof seems admissible; making twelve and half months services. By the rules published by the department, I am unable to see why traditional testimony is not admissible in his case as well as others; and why, corroborated as it is, it is not entitled to credit. But such as it is, it is all that can be obtained, and all that will be sought and is respectfully submitted. And it being a long time since his application was made, it would be desirable to have it decided soon.
I am Respectfully
Yours &c
Thomas Miller

State of Connecticut ss.
Stratford in the County of Fairfield - On this 17 th day of January A. 1835 personally appeared before me David Brooks a justice of the peace in & for said County, Agur Curtis, a resident in the town of Strat- ford aforesaid, aged 78 years last March, who first being duly sworn according to law does upon his oath depose & say as follows - That I am well acquainted with Robert W. Curtis formerly of the town of Stratford aforesaid, but now of the town & County of Madison in the State of New York and have been personally acquainted with him ever since he & I were boys, as we were brought up together & near neighbors & were both born, I think, the same year - and I recollect perfectly that he enlisted in the company of State guards stationed at said Stratford in the year 1779, (according to my best recollection) then commanded by Lieutenant Samuel Patterson or Capt. Robert Walker in the service of the United States & in the revolutionary war and served two months faithfully in said company - I served with him at the same time and remember that it was in the fall or winter & think it was during the months of November & December of that year - I served at that time only two months, but think it probable that the said Robert W. might have served longer - I also testify that the said Robert W. enlisted & served in the company of Militia commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wheeler & in the Regiment of Col. Ichabod Lewis Six weeks in the service of the United States & in the war of the Revolution in the summer of 1776 - said company was ordered to New York, and served there during said term of six weeks - I served there with the said Robert W. during the same time & well remember that I applied personally to Gen l Putnam & obtained from him a pass for myself & the said Robert W. to return home at the end of said term of six weeks - I further testify that the said Robert W. afterwards served with me under Capt. Nathaniel Wheeler aforesaid in the same service, & in the revolutionary war, in 1779, at Fairfield when that town was burnt & at Ridgefield Redding, & Danbury - we were absent on said duty three days - and further say not - Agur Curtis Subscribed & sworn to before me David Brooks justice of peace

State of Connecticut ss. Stratford in the County of Fairfield on this 17 th day of January A. 1835 personally appeared the within named Agur Curtis, and being duly cautioned, made solemn oath to the truth of the within Deposition by him subscribed in my presence, before me, — and I do certify that the said Agur Curtis is a good & credible witness —
David Brooks Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } ss. Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court within for Fairfield County } the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that David Brooks Esq. whose own proper signatures, known to me to be genuine, are annexed to the Certificates on the foregoing Depositions of Matthew Beers and Agur Curtis, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and duly authorised to administer oaths and take Depositions &c. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 19 th day of January A 1835. Thomas B Osborne Clerk

State of Connecticut ss.
Stratford in the County of Fairfield — On this 17 th day of January 1835 personally appeared before me David Brooks, a Justice of peace for said County of Fairfield, Matthew Beers a resident of said town of Stratford, aged seventy seven years the 25 th of November 1834, who first being duly sworn according to law, does upon his oath depose & say as follows — That I am well acquainted with Robert W. Curtis, formerly of said town of Stratford but now of the town & County of Madison in the State of New York, from his youth to the present time, as we were neighbours while he resided in said Stratford, and that he enlisted as a private soldier in the Spring of the year 1777 about the 1 st day of April, in the company of State guards then stationed at said Stratford under the command of Lieutenant Samuel Patterson, for the term of six months, and served out his said term faithfully in said company in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war — and fur- ther the deponent saith not, except that I served with him the said Robert W. in the same company during the whole of the same period of time —
Subscribed to & sworn before me —
David Brooks Justice of Peace
Matthew Beers
State of Connecticut ss. Stratford in the County of Fairfield — On this 17 th day of January 1835 personally appeared the above named Matthew Beers, to me well known to a credible witness, and being duly cautioned, made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, before me —
David Brooks Justice of Peace

add. papers for Robert M. Curtis. Newark to be filed with (no. 16.33)
Signature
Admitted Private 2 years $80-
Signature
Three small ink spots
at the bottom edge of the page, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side.

State of New York Shelburn county
On this fifteenth day of March 1834 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county, Robert W. Curtis, aged 76 years, who first being duly sworn according to law, deposes upon his oath as follows: That since the Receipt of a letter from the war department of 2 nd September 1833, advising that his for a Pension claim had been suspended, has written to friends in Stratford, in the State of Connecticut to ascertain, whether any one yet survived, who served with him in the State guards at that place during the Revolutionary War and, that that he has not been able from them, nor to learn that any one surviving one now resides there, nor has he been able to learn, that any one is now surviving residing at any other place, who served with him, altho he has made fruitless endeavors, to ascertain the same, and that the best evidence he has been able to obtain, is that of Nehemiah Thompson herewith annexed, and he further saith, that in addition to his annexed declaration, and the amendment thereto, now in the Pension office, that the said Guards in which he served, as mentioned in his said declaration, on the 1 st coast and harbor of Stratford in Connecticut, signed their names to an enlistment roll, and as stated in said declaration was constantly under the control of the officer of the guard at the guard house or on duty elsewhere and during the whole time of the service therein mentioned, drew his rations, as well as the others, who were then enlisted; and in addition to the enlisted guards, there were others, who were resident citizens, who were not then enlisted, but were enrolled as minute men, and who were not in service, except in case of an emergency, or on an alarm; and then only for the time being, and that this declaration was not of his free

ment was enlisted for a constant service, and performed his constant tour of duty, as ordered by the commanding Officer of the said Guard, and received pay, for constant services rendered, for the several terms of enlistment as stated, in his said declaration, now on file in the Pension Office at Washington, to constant rations while the minutemen, occasionally rendering service, on an alarm, and assisting the said guards neither drew rations, or received pay, only for the time of their occasional service. And he further states, in reference to the Affidavit of Nehemiah Thompson, hereto attached, in reference to his serving in the same Guard, in the year 1781, that said company of Guards was commanded, by Captain Robert Walker, during that year, and not by Lieutenant Samuel Patson, as set forth in his said declaration. That, from age and the consequent loss of memory, he may be mistaken, in that respect, but still thinks, that the said Lieutenant Patson, commanded, the division of the Guard in which the said declarant, served that year, and on the post at which the said division, was stationed, and as the said guard was in every year, divided, and stationed at different points, or posts, he does not recollect that they were ever all paraded, or mustered together at any time , and he thinks that if Captain Robert Walker was the commandant of the said Guard, during the summer of that year, that he must have been stationed, with the division at the ferry where the said Nehemiah Thompson was stationed, or else where, and if he was the commandant of said guard during that year, the said Samuel Patson was a Lieutenant under him, and also that, the first term of service mentioned in this declarant's declaration, in the said guards, the said Robert Walker, was the Captain commandant. in the year 1777. And that, that, he cannot recollect, the name of the ensign, in said guard, for any one one year, and the

names of but one sergeant, besides the said Ishmael Thompson, to wit, Isaac Brown, then a resident of said Stratford and that he claims a pension for the services set forth in his said declaration now on file in the Pension Office to wit two months, in the year 1776, at New York and Brooklyn, and at least one and a half months the same year at or near New York, and in the 1777 six months at Stratford, and six months at the same place in 1778, and six months in 1779, and six months in 1780, and six months in 1781 for which he claims a pension.
Subscribed and sworn to this 15th day of March 1834, before me Thomas Miller Jr. Justice of the peace
Robert H. North
State of New York Madison County
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Thomas Miller Jr. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of
Madison, and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature.
Witness my hand & seal of office this 20th day of March 1834
A. S. Sloan. Clerk E. Barnard Dep. Clk.

State of New York
Madison County ss
Techniah Thompson of the Town and county of Madison aged 79 years, who being first sworn according to law now upon his oath depose & say, that, during the Revolutionary War, he enlisted, in a company as a Sergeant in the town of Stratford in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut, said company commanded by a Captain Robert Walker, said company was raised by act of the legislature of said State for the purpose of guarding the coast & harbor of said Stratford and this deponent, thinks this enlistment was in the year 1781, and that Robert W. Curtis then of Stratford and none of Madison, in the county of Madison and State of New York, was reputed to have enlisted and to belong to the same company, but was not stationed at the same place; this deponent being stationed at the Ferry, & the said Robert W. was reputed to have been stationed at or near the Harbor, and the said Robert W. Curtis was then reputed to have enlisted, for the season, and this deponent, has no doubt, & sincerely believes that the said Robert W. did serve in said company of Guards that year, and for at least six months but this deponent, was at no time as he recollects paraded, with the said Robert W. being as before stated stationed at a different post, but this deponent, well remembers that the said Robert was, at the time reputed to belong to the said company of Guards, and in service at or near the harbor. And this deponent further saith, that the said Robert W. Curtis was, in the said Town of Stratford reputed to have served through the summer season of several other years, in a like company of Guards stationed at the same place and for the same purposes, and

in Commanded by a Lieutenant Patterson, both before, and after the time, or year first mentioned and said guard was called on duty early in the spring of the year and, not dismissed, until late in the fall of the year, and has no doubt from memory and the common report, at the time and from the circumstances of the case, that he served at least six months in said guard for several years, before the first mentioned service. And also was moving to the said Robert W. in listing for two months in the year 1776 as he thinks, and going to New York before that City was captured by the enemy, and during the same year, and after the expiration of the first term of service mentioned this year, the said Robert, was, with the militia, in maps of that part of Connecticut, was called to New York, and this deponent, also went, and served two months in the same company with the said Robert W. but the said Robert W. did not serve as long as this deponent, as he thinks, by two weeks. And this deponent has long been acquainted with the said Robert W. both at said Stratford, and at Cheshire aforesaid. Lives a near neighbor to him, and, the said Robert has always been repu- -ted where he lived to be a man of truth and honesty and this deponent considers him entitled to full credit & belief, and believes he served as he states in his declaration, except as to the year he served under Captain Walker. This deponent believes that from age & the consequent loss of memory, that he is mistaken in the year, but not in the service rendered Nathaniel Thompson

Sworn and subscribed this 30th day of January 1834 before me Thomas Miller Jr Justice of the peace
State of New York } County of Madison } I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Thomas Miller Jr. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, and that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature.
Witness my hand & seal of office this 26th day of March 1834
A. S. Sloan Clerk
E. Barnard Dep. C.R.
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Jeremiah Thompson Esq. who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, and that he is a man of good moral character, and in the Town and neighborhood where he lives, considered a man of unimpeachable integrity, and a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit and belief, and I fully concur in that opinion. Thomas Miller Jr. Justice of the Peace

State of New York } ss Madison County }
Doct. Daniel Barker of the Town & County of Madison in said State who being first duly sworn according to law deposes on his oath that he has at different times heard Robert Curtis of said Town of Madison relate the incidents of the several expeditions, and services rendered by him during the Revolutionary war as set forth in his said declaration, which has been read in his presence, and that he thinks that all he there set forth is entitled to full credit and belief, and that he is in the neighborhood of town where he lives reputed to have been a soldier of the revolution and that this deponent never heard such reputation denied, and that he does fully believe all that he sets forth in said declaration to be true, and that he has no doubt but that he is of the age he states. And that he is reputed in his own neighborhood to be a man of truth and veracity, and of respectable standing as a citizen and member of society.
Subscribed & sworn to this 9th day of October 1832 before me
Thomas Miller Jr. D.P.
State of New York } ss Madison County }
I certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel Barker who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit, & that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he lives a man of truth and veracity, & is a physician & surgeon reputable in his profession, and that I believe all he sets forth in said affidavit to be entitled to credit, and that I believe the same to be true.
Madison 9th Octr. 1832
Thomas Miller Jr. Justice of the peace

(State of New York) } ss Madison County
Stephen Woodhull & Samuel Curtis of the town & county of Madison & State of New York the said Stephen of the age of 75 years & the said Samuel of the of 63 years who being first duly sworn - according to law do each upon their oaths depose & say that they are well acquainted with Robert Curtis of said Madison & have been for many years having known him in Stratford in Connecticut previous to his removal to the said Madison And that he was at said Stratford & also in said Madison reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution And these deponents have heard read the declaration of the said Robert, and they think that all he there set forth is entitled to full credit and belief and that they do fully believe the same to be true, and that they never heard it doubted in his neighborhood but that he had been a soldier of the Revolution and that they well remember that gards were kept on the coast & harbor of Stratford called Walkers gard & another called Pattisons gard and have no doubt but that the said Robert served in said gards as he states & that the said Robert is reputed in the neighborhood where he lived to be a man of good moral character & a man of truth and veracity & that they have no doubt but that he is of the age he states Stephen Woodhull
Subscribed and sworn Samuel Curtis to this 9 th day of October 1832
Before me
Thomas Millard Justice of the peace

State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss: I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Thomas Millen Jr. be- fore whom the two preceding affidavits pur- port to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County - And that I am acquaint- ed with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this ninth day of October 1832. A. S. Sloan Clk
State of New York } ss Madison County } I certify that I am well acquainted with Stephen Woodhull and Samuel Curtis, who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits, and that they are both men of respectability, and are reputed in the neighborhood, where they live to be men of truth and veracity, and I believe all they set forth in said affidavit entitled to credit, and that I do believe the same to be true Madison 9 th Octr, 1832 Thomas Millen Jr. Justice of the peace
1833 State of New York } ss Madison County } I certify that I am well acquainted with Stephen Woodhull and Samuel Curtis, who have subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit, and that they are reputed in the neighborhood where they reside, as men of good moral character, & also reputed to be men of truth and veracity, and I fully concur in that opinion & believe that all they have set forth in their affidavits is entitled to credit, and that I do believe the same to be true dated 20 th May 1833 - Thomas Millen Jr. J. Peace

MRS. CLIFFORD W. CRONK 344 N. PETERBORO STREET CANASTOTA, NEW YORK
March 17, '30.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir, -
I am very much interested in the genealogy of Robert Curtis and Judson Lewis both from Stratford Conn.
Robert Curtis, born Mar. 12, 1757 married Phoebe -?
Judson Lewis born in 1743 married Elizabeth Whiting.
Did these men have war records and receive pensions? If so I would very much like copies
Respectfully Yours Mrs Clifford W. Cronk