Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2196, Eli Conant, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Conant, Eli
R 2196
CONTENTS

STATE OF
Wisconsin
ss.
COUNTY OF
Walworth
On this Eighth day of April 185 8 , before me, a Justice of the Peace, personally came Rufus P. Conant and Rebecca Greene who being by me first duly sworn, upon their oaths, made the answers following, in answer to questions asked by me, to wit:
Were you acquainted with Eli Conant answer — We Were —
Where, when and how long did you know him? State the name of the town, county and State in which he then resided.
we knew him in Concord in the State of Massachusetts The said Rufus P. Conant knew him from his earliest recollection to the age of ten years which was in January 1798. and the said Rebecca knew him from her earliest recollection to the age of thirteen years or to the month of May 1801.
What was his age when he enlisted or joined the army? What his complexion, the color of his hair and eyes? He was about Forty or Forty one years of age when he entered the army of a sandy complexion and darkish Brown hair dark Blue Eyes
What was his occupation at the time he enlisted, and with whom was he then or about that time living?
He was a Clothier by trade and conducted business on his own account
Is he now living? If not, when and where did he die, and what evidence have you of his death, and why do you believe he is dead? State fully.
He is not living — He died at Concord in the State of Massachusetts in May 1801. The said Rebecca Greene saw him after he was dead & attended his funeral. The said Rufus P. Conant fully believes that he died at said place in said month
What became of his discharge or description certificate?
Know nothing about what became of said papers
Were you acquainted with his parents or either of them? If yea, what are their names? Are either of them now living? If yea, where do they now reside, and what is their occupation?
answer all in the Negative
Where did they reside when he joined the army?
Cannot answer positively but think in said State of Massachusetts
If either of his parents are dead, which, when and where did they die, and how do you know of their death? Did either of you see them dead, or were either of you at the funeral; or do you know by reputation only? If so, is the reputation general in the neighborhood?
We fully believe his parents are dead, but know nothing personally about it — Know it from reputation

Had he brothers or sisters? If so, how many and what are their names? Where sisters' names have been changed by marriage, state the present names of the sisters.
We had three Brothers, Andrew, Abel & Silas Cenant who all lived in Concord aforesaid at the time he joined the army
State which are now living and which dead, and how do you know, or what reason have you for believing the others are dead
We have never heard of the death of Andrew & Abel but have heard of the death of Silas, but we fully believe they are all dead
At the time he, (the soldier,) died, had he ever been married?
He was married when he joined the army and when he died
If married, what was the name of his wife before marriage, and when, and where and by whom was he married?
The name of his wife before her marriage was Elizabeth Gardner. cannot tell when where or by whom they were married
What reason have you for believing he was married? State fully.
Common Reputation & that they lived together and had a family of fourteen children
Did he leave any children, who are now living? If so, how many? What are their names and ages?
He did { two — Rufus Pleasont aged sixty one in December 1849 & Rebecca Green aged Sixty two in August 1849.
Is his widow now living? If so, where does she reside? If dead, how do you know of her death? When did she die?
She is not ————— by information of a Brother with whom she resided in March 1834
Where has his widow been living since he joined the army? Remained in Concord a short time after his death and then removed to Enfield State of New Hampshire
Where did he live at the time, or near the time he joined the army?
in Concord aforesaid

Where was he born? What town, county and State?
We think he was born in Auburn in the State of Massachusetts
If a foreigner, when and from what place did he emigrate? Who came with him? At what port did he land?
Rufus P. Conant
} Two Witnesses' Signatures in full.
Rebecca Greene
I Certify, That after the foregoing answers were made, they were all carefully read over by me to the witnesses, who, each of them, made solemn oath that the same was true, to the best of their knowledge and belief. I FURTHER CERTIFY, That said witnesses are credible and respectable witnesses, and citizens of said county and State; and in my opinion, the matters contained in said depositions are true in all things as stated.
O. Richardson Justice of the Peace.
Know all Men by these Presents, That the the subscriber have appointed, and by these presents do appoint and constitute Thomas Allen Esq., my true and lawful Attorney in fact, to receive from the Secretary of War, Paymaster General, second or third Auditor of the Treasury, or any other officer or officers authorized to settle or pay the same, my land warrant and all moneys, drafts or other dues of every kind, nature and name, for extra pay, commutation money, bounty, clothing money, prize money, withheld pay, or any other dues of any kind due to me from the United States, whether paid by any of the before mentioned or any other officers of the United States; and I do hereby request said officers, or any or either of them, to pay said amounts to said Stollis  Stollis , and do hereby give to said Stollis  Stollis full power to endorse all drafts, pay certificates, or any other papers in reference to said business, and to execute any and all receipts or discharges, or any other act which I could do if present; and any act by him to be done, shall be the same as if done by me in proper person.
Rufus P. Conant Claimant's signature or signatures, first name in full.
Witness my hand and seal this 8th day of April A. D. 1850.
IN PRESENCE OF Robert Bridges  O. Richardson Justice of the Peace. Rebecca Greene
STATE OF Wisconsin
COUNTY OF Walworth
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That O. Richardson Esq., who has subscribed the foregoing affidavits, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Walworth and State of Wisconsin duly commissioned and authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements, and that the foregoing are his signatures.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk of said Circuit Court of and affixed the seal of the said Circuit court of said county at Elkhorn this 15th day of April A. D. 1850.
W. H. Pettit CLERK.

January 31, 1925
Mrs. Stanley T. Lowe Ann Harbor, R.F.D. #6 Mich.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.2196, it appears that Eli Conant was born in Andover, Massachusetts.
He enlisted at Concord, Massachusetts, in 1775, at the age of forty or forty-one years and served as a Lieutenant at the battle of Bunker Hill.
He married, date not stated, Elizabeth Gardnor. He died at Concord, Massachusetts, in May 1801. There were fourteen children but Rufus P. aged sixty-one in December 1849, and Rebecca Greene aged sixty-two in August 1849, are the only names that are stated. The widow died in March 1834 and Rufus P. applied for pension for himself and Rebecca Greene, the only surviving children, on an application executed April 8, 1850, while residing in Walworth County, Wisconsin. The claim was not allowed for the reason that the soldier died in 1801 and children had no title to pension.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

P Miss
Eliz Conant
May 1832
100 N. 10th St. Phila.
Dear F. P. [?] Mr. L.
=
Hon. George C. Whiting Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

No 38099
Eli Conant
Meas:
Act 7 th June 1832
Letter to Thomas Hollis Esq. Boston - Feb 7 th 1851 from F. Potter. Apr. 28/58
2196
act 7 th June 1832

Mem. J. P. Jones April 28

Pension Office, Apr. 28 th 1858,
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 21 st inst. I have the honor to state that in 1851, the Chlvering Eli Conant, applied for a pension in right of his revolutionary services, under the Act of June, 1832. The claim was rejected for the reason that Eli Conant died in 1801, which & consequently
At the time of his death there was no law allowing pensions for revolutionary services. An application for bounty land has been made.
Hon: M c F. Potter, H on Rep t .

Washington April 21-1858.
Sir,
Will you please inform me at your earliest convenience, if an application for a pension and bounty land, in behalf of Eli Conant, former of Concord Mass. for revolutionary services - was made during the year 1855. and if so, what action was had in relation to the same.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions.
Respectfully yr. Obt. Servt. Jno. F. Otis. of Com on Rev. Pensions.

Boston Nov. 4 th 1850 —
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington — D.C. —
Or Sir —
I have been requested by Rufus P. Conant of Geneva Wisconsin — to make application for the Pension, due, by virtue of the services performed by his Father, the evidence of which service may be seen by the Certificate furnished by the Secretary of this Commonwealth which will be forwarded with this communication.
I have also been appointed his attorney, to transact any business relating to this subject, and shall with this, forward the power, together with other statements made by the claimant, made & acknowledged before C. D. Richards an Justice of the Peace — I am unacquainted with business of this kind, and must ask your indulgence if I have omitted anything proper to secure the payment of the Pension, if there should appear to be anything due. — What I have done, or may do for Mr Conant is entirely gratuitous and therefore I have not felt able to obtain legal aid —
Very respectfully
I am Sir, your obed Servt.
Thomas Hollis — M.A. M.A.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
October 31 1850.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Eli Conant is borne on a payroll of Capt. David Wheeler Co. Col. Nixon's Regt at Winter Hill, for travel, as Sergt. of Concord; roll dated Jan'y 15th 1776.
none of these are in year of battle of Bunker Hill as alleged by child
On a roll for his pay as Lt. in Col. Jacob's Regt. from Jan'y 1 to Oct. 11. 1778. 9 mos. 11 d. - paid by his order to Capt. Joseph Hoxme.
On a payroll of Capt. Abraham Andrews Co. Col. Cyprian How's Regt. from Co. of Middlesex, as a Lt. from July 1. 1780. 4 mos. 2 days.
There appears to be no evidence of any other service by any person of the name.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, made by the Son of the party who rendered the service.
State of Wisconsin County of Walworth Town of Geneva
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Eli Conant in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Andover in the County of Massachusetts and State of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of Concord in the County of Massachusetts and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775. as a in the Company commanded by Captain in Regiment and he served as follows, * viz:—
as a Lieut. — at the Battle of Brattle Hill and as I think at Dorchester Heights — I do not know the name of his Captain or the number of his Regiment, but have heard him say he was often under the Command of General Washington & served during the Entire War
* Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
J. W. Foster Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

5199
I am now 61 years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this 11th day of October A. D. 18 77
Signed by said in my presence,
H. Richardson
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Rufus W. Conant

Copy
Pension Office, February 7, 1851.
Thomas Hollis, Boston, Mass.
Sir:
The declaration in the case of Eli Conant deceased, has been received. It appears that he died in 1801 and consequently no pension is due to his heirs.
I am &c -----

Rev. War Section Record Division.
V.L.M.
March 7, 1922.
Mrs. C. A. Brownlee, Cambridge, N. Y.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 8 th ultimo, you are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. File No. 3,196 that Eli Conant was born in Andover, Mass. and enlisted in 1775 at the age of forty or forty-one years at Concord, Mass. and served as a Lieutenant at the battle of Bunker Hill.
He married, date not stated, Elizabeth Gardner and died in May 1801 at said Concord. There were fourteen children, Rufus P. Conant aged sixty-one in December 1849 and Rebecca Greene aged sixty-two in August 1849 are the only two whose names are stated. The widow died in March 1834 and Rufus P. Conant applied for pension for himself and Rebecca Greene, the only surviving children on an application executed April 8, 1850, while residing in Walworth County, Wisconsin. The claim was not allowed for the reason that

soldier died in 1861 and children had no title to pension.
Very respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.

R.F.D. #6 Ann Arbor, Mich. January 7, 1925
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Is the name "Eli Conant" on your pension records for the Revolutionary War? If so, I wish to have a copy of his pension papers. This I know about him.
Eli Conant born March 16, 1741(or 2) Acton, Mass. married Elizabeth Gardiner Dec. 23, 1767 in Concord, Mass. served in Revolutionary Army in Captain Wheeler's Company in 1776 served again in Captain Andrew's Company in 1880
All charges will be paid.
Yours very truly,
Mrs. Stanley T. Lowe

Cambridge, N.Y., Feb. 9, 1922.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please give me the full record of the service in the Rev. War. of Eli Conant born at Acton, Mass. Mar. 16, 1741-2 moved to Concord, served as Sergt. in Capt. Wheeler's Co. also as lieut in Expedition to Rhode Island. He was discharged Oct. 11, 1778. Died May 26, 1801. Married Dec. 1767 to Elizabeth Gardner. This is all I have been able to get in reference to his service. I should like to have a fuller record if possible and have been advised to write to you for same. Also did he apply for a pension and receive one?
Yours Respectfully,
(Mrs. C. A.) Mary T. Brownlee, Cambridge, N.Y.

1922 Mar. 7 H.C. to Mrs. B. R. Brown 1925 Jan. 31 H.C. to Mrs. Stanley T. Love me
2196
RECEIVED
P. O. Eliz Conant
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: Claim filed too late to be on printed list of 1852 of
Re-enlisted: defections.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18