Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17330, Henry Chichester, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Chichester, Henry
S. 17330
carded
CONTENTS

17.559
Connecticut
Henry Chichester
of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Connecticut by Captain Hoxley of the Regt commanded by Col _____ on the Connecticut line for 3 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Aug. 1832 and unto Hon. A. D. Dyer Esq.
  Arrears to the 14th of Mar '34  $ 166    Semi-annual allowance ending 14th of Mar '34  40     $200  
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by _____ Clerk Book E, Vol. 2, Page 9.

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield
ss.
On this Tenth day of Augt. 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Norwalk in said County -
now sitting, Henry Churchman a resident of
Stamford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged
sixty nine 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. That he was born
in Huntington County of Suffolk State of New York and resided until the fore part of the Month of June 1779 - at which time I left said place then in possession of the British - and came to the Town of Stratford in County of Fairfield in said State. And on the 7 of July 1779 was called out in Militia Company to assist in taking care of the effects and property of the Inhabitants of Fairfield at the time it was burnt. About the first of November 1779. I enlisted in Stratford in said County into Capt George Simmons company - which was raised for the purpose of crossing Waverly Sound to capture said town - English Judge. and we accordingly crossed Long Island Sound landed at Stony Brook marched thirty five miles into the country to said town where made prisoners and lost half of our return six of our number the Capt Myruff and four others by the British light dragoons on Prisoners the Judge was sent to Connecticut by the remaining part of our party & was afterwards exchanged for Genl. Silliman of said Fairfield then being the 12 of Nov. I was taken to New York imprisoned in the Old Surgeon rooms in Liberty Street and was exchanged in Month of Nov. 1780 we marched to Elizabeth town New Jersey then to Stony Point State New York there crossed the Hudson River and then home to said Stratford where I continued sick and on the charity of my friends - washing including my sickbed which was four Months. One year and and a little over four Months
On the first of April 1781 I enlisted under Capt. David Housley in Stratford in said County in the whole boat service and crossed Long Island Sound and our boat with three others succeeded after a severe engagement in capturing two out of three of the enemy vessels and put them into deep and sawed asunder Capt. Housley one year and was then discharged in said Stratford. On the 2 nd day April 1782 I enlisted in said Stratford under Capt. Samuel Housley in the same service. and joined a small Party from Port Common led by Capt. Branton on the south side of Long Island off Peconic Inlet we captured a British Govt Schooner mounting six guns together with the whole of her company of six coasting vessels we recovered the vessels took the Schooner into New Port Rhode Island and was then discharged having served four Months.
On the 10 Augt 1782 I enlisted in said Norwalk under Capt James Deane in the same Service. and on Long Island Sound about the middle of Sept was taken prisoner by two of the enemy boats put on board of the British brigantine of 14 guns of 24 lbs each and was then sent to New York put on board of the Jersey Prison ship and was exchanged in Nov. 1782 and I returned to said Norwalk having served three Months
About the 20 of Nov. 1782. I enlisted in said Norwalk under Capt Elizer Jones in the same whole boat service. and continued under his command until the close of the Revolutionary

State of Connecticut.
Fairfield County. ss Probate Court. District of Norwalk June 28. 1833. Personally appeared the within named Henry Chichester and being duly sworn in open Court. According to Law upon me says in explanation of his declaration here set forth that on the 7 day of July 1779. I was called into the service of the United States as is here stated. and was in constant and actual service until the first of November cannot recollect the officers nor can I find any proof of any said service -
That on the 1 November 1779. I enlisted as a Private Soldier in Capt George Sykes Company Col. Dyer under Genl. Silliman and was in actual and constant service including the time I was a Prisoner One year and four months
That on the first of April 1780. I enlisted as a Private Soldier in Capt Samuel Howley Company Col. Abel Root under Genl. Silliman and was in constant and actual service for one full year -
That on 2 nd day of April 1782. I enlisted as here stated as a private soldier in Capt. Samuel Howley Company in the State Service Col. Abel Root under Genl. Silliman and accompa- nied with the Regiment as is here stated and operated in taking the prisoners did not receive any Pay or Money and had nothing to do with prisoners and was in actual and constant service for Four Months
That on the 13 August 1782. I enlisted as here stated as a Private soldier in Capt. James Dumbarton Company Col. Stephen St. John Genl. M'Clure & Silliman and was in constant and actual service for Three Months
That on the 20 Nov. 1782. I entered the service in Capt. Ebenezer Jones Company Col. Stephen St. John Genl. M'Clure & Silliman and was in constant and actual service in quartermaster's department the sea cost and service in Long Island some one full year - Sworn and subscribed
Henry Chichester
in open Court the day and year first said
Benj. Isaacs Judge
Attest All my service 1779-1782
5628.
Henry Chichester

Was and was / principal part of the time employed in guarding and protecting the sea coast, and served in said several engagements about three years. Born in the spacious town of Huntington Sept. 17. 1762. Recorded in my Family bible never recd. any Military discharge nor have no documentary evidence of my service.
The said Henry Chichester 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. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
We, Abraham Day - a clergyman, residing in the town of Newport and John Knapp residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Henry Chichester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 - 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 date aforesaid.
Abraham Day John Knapp
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 Abraham Day - who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in town of Newport and that John Knapp - who has also signed to same, is a resident of the town of Newport - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Benj Isaac Judge
I, Charles Isaac - Clerk of the said Probate Court - do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Chichester for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Office, this 10 day of August 1832.
Chas. Isaac Clerk

Will you kindly send me a history of Henry Chichester a Revolutionary Soldier. He had a Pension and lived many years in South Norwalk, Conn He died there in the early fifties. He married Deborah Hoyt. If this Henry Chichester did not marry Deborah Hoyt - please see if Henry Chidester did, as in olden times the name was sometimes pronounced with a d. and oblige his grand daughter
Mrs Alfred Morehouse Darien Fairfield Co Connecticut -

17. 330 INVALID.
Nov 9'96 Sold penn'd to Mrs Alfred Morehouse Darien Conn
J.W.D.
File No. 17.330
Henry Chichester
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7" 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 427
[Arrangement of 1870.]

House of Representatives Washington March 1 st 1851
Sir
You will please allow B.B. Chapman to examine the original papers on file in your office rela- ting to the pensions of Henry Chichester of Fairfield Co. Connecticut and James Amble of Chittenden Co Vermont under act of June 7 th 1832
Yours Very Respectfully
C. H. Cole
W.C.
Hon. Com te of Pensions

Henry Shichester
Adm
Adm
5. 6. 13. 15 17
P-191
Henry Foulenson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Henry Cliechert which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
No - The service on [?] and the privateer is not within the act - The period of actual service and captivity must be distinctly set forth
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Not in each instance
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
It should appear whether there are survivors of the several terms
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
no
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
3 rd and subsequent
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Dec 3/92
Mr Coote James Smiler Henry Chickering 6 on 32
Rev. J. P. Hunt
Both the above cases - Ex 5 pp. Chapman Scates Nov 3/92
Rev. J. P. Hunt

I Leavitt Starr, of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged Seventy five years being duly known to be the person who do hereby say that during the Revolutionary War I resided in that part of the ancient town of Stratford now called Bridgeport, in said Fairfield County, and was born there. In the month of November 1779, I became acquainted with Henry Chickester now of Norwalk in the said County, and who hath applied for a Pension. He was then in the public service as a Private in the Corps of Connecticut State Troops raised and called into the service by the state of Connecticut for guarding and protecting the coast along Long Island Sound. I further do hereby say that in said month of November 1779, the said Chickester together with Captain Lyman under whose command he served and several other men were taken Prisoners while on an expedition to Long Island. The said Chickester and said other Prisoners were taken by the enemy at the City of New York, and detained as Prisoners of War one year or more. I was not personally present when he was taken, but was well acquainted with the said Chickester before he was so taken and knew him well after his return and it was well known understood and received by all his acquaintances at said Stratford that he with said other men were captured as aforesaid.
Leavitt Starr

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss d. d.
Before the court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said County and State the same being a court of record and now sitting at said Danbury in & for said District; on this 1 st day of May A D 1833, personally appeared Levina Starr, and being duly sworn, subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. The said Levina is well known to the court as a person of good character for truth & credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal this 1 st day of May A D 1833 -
Attest Edward Sayler clerk
I Reuben Root of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said State do hereby certify that Edward Sayler Esq. who hath signed the foregoing certificate is clerk of said court, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is in his proper hand -writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1 st day of May A D 1833 -
Reuben Root Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Danbury in court

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss. Probate District of Stamford
On this 28 th day of June A.D. 1833 before the Court of Probate in & for said District, personally appeared Peter Smith of Stamford in said Dis- trict who being duly sworn according to law & the rules & acts in open Court testified that he is seventy seven - almost seventy eight years old. That he is well acquainted with Henry Chichester of Stamford in said County. That in the year 1782 in the Revolutionary war, from sometime in the fall of that year, until the conclusion of hostilities between this country & Great Britain this Defendant & said Chiche- ster both belonged to several whaleboats engaged in the pursuit his service against the enemy on Long Island Sound under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Jones then of said Stamford was deceased. Defendant cannot recollect the precise time when the service commenced, nor with certainty the length of its duration, but it was for several months. The whaleboats were employed in guarding our coasts from the incursions of the enemy by water & in picking up & otherwise annoying the enemy. Defendant with known said Chichester was in this service, he could they were often together in the same boat. This was vol- unteer service. It is defendant's impression of belief that the service continued nine or ten months.
Peter Smith
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid - J. J. Charles Hawley Judge of the Court appeared as certifying that I well knew the Defendant Peter Smith & that he is a credible person -
J. J. Charles Jr. J. J. -

I Hannah Seeley of Planting in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged sixty five years and upwards do depose and say that I was born in that part of the ancient Town of Stratford now called Bridgeport it is situate on Long Island Sound in Connecticut. In the year 1779 Henry Chichester now of Aquia the in the said County came to reside with David Hawley of said Stratford who resided in the same neigh- -borhood in which I then lived. I then became acquainted with the said Chichester and have known him ever since. My Father's House was situate within a very few rods of the shore of said Sound. The said David Hawley who was my Father's Brother was for a considerable period of the Revolutionary war engaged in the public service and was a Captain and commanded a Whale boat stationed ordinarily at said Stratford and engaged in protecting the coast from the enemy's ships as far as said Stratford. My Brother Samuel Hawley in the year 1782 was also a Captain in the same service and commanded a Whale Boat in guarding the said coast. I further depose and say that the said Henry Chichester in the spring the year 1781 entered the said service under the command of my said Uncle David Hawley and continued in the said service under his command one year - and that in the spring of the year 1782 the said Chichester again entered the said service under the command of my said Brother Samuel Hawley and served therein several months - but the

beside period I cannot recollect. After do great a lapse of time, I cannot testify to the length of the latter period of his service with confidence, but believe it was four or five months. In both said terms said Chickester served as a private. The said corps in which he so served, was regularly embodied, and called into service and I have always understood by authority of the State of Connecticut, and was a part of the body of State Troops stationed along the coast, during the War. And during the terms above mentioned the said Chickester was constantly engaged therein. When not absent on a cruise I was in the habit of seeing him every day. And when the craft in which he served departed on a cruise or returned therefrom, the place of my residence commanded a view of the Harbor, and I usually saw them. The words "War" on the first page, and "length of the" on the second page, interlined before execution
Hannah her x Seeley marks

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss. b.d.
Before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in said County & State, now sitting at Danbury in the said District, personally appeared Hannah Seeley the above named Deponent known to the said Court to be a person of good character for truth, and a credible witness; and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and being duly sworn, made solemn oath to the truth of the same, all on the 29th day of April 1833.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 29th day of April 1833.
Allen Edward Luyson Clerk
I, Reuben Root of Danbury, in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Danbury in said County & State do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. who has signed the foregoing certificate is Clerk of said Court, and that the signature above written purporting to be the signature of the said Edward Taylor was in his proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of April 1833
Reuben Root Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Conn.

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } p Probate Court District of Stamford August 10. 1932 Personally appeared Seth Seymour of said Stamford and being duly sworn in open Court deposed and say that he is well acquainted with Henry Churchman of said Stamford and knows that said Churchman was in the Service in the Revolutionary War often seen him when in the employ of the United States and knows that said Churchman was two times taken Prisoner by the enemy during the War Sworn & Subscribed in open Court Seth Seymour the day & year aforesaid Benj. Isaac Judge
At the same Court Personally appeared Daniel Hloyt of said Stamford aged 73 and being duly sworn in open Court deposed and say that he is well acquainted with Henry Churchman of said Stamford and knows that said Churchman was in the Service in the Revolutionary War and that he served at different times and under different officers for more than two years Daniel Hloyt
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid Benj. Isaac Judge and that the said Seymour & Hloyt are credible Persons

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Probate Court District of Norwalk May 1 1833 Personally appeared William Waterbury of Darien in said County and being duly sworn according to law depose and say that he is twenty years old and that he is well acquainted with Henry Cheekhurst of said Norwalk and knows that in the fall of the year 1779 said Cheekhurst was a Prisoner and confined in the old Fugus house in the City of New York the defendant was a prisoner at the same time and that said Cheekhurst was a prisoner for more than a year Sworn & Subscribed in William Waterbury
upon Court the day and year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three said Waterbury in a Credible Person
Brn. Isaac Judson