Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,603, David Curtis, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
or Burtis, David Burtice.
R. 2603
Lois
CONTENTS

27.531
Laria Cartis
Returns to be made to be made to be made to Post Office South Banaan

Hannah Parsons of the age of sixty four years deposes and says -
That this Deponent is the sister of David Bentip who now resides in Sharon in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, and has been well acquainted with him from early life. In the year 1777, as near as this Deponent recollects and as she further believes, the said David Bentip, who then lived in Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, enlisted into the service of the Country in the Revolutionary Army and served under one Lambert Lockwood who was then called a quarter master , and who was stationed in Fairfield having charge of supplies and stores for the army - I recollect that my father preferred that my brother should enlist into the quartermasters department as it would be less arduous and less dangerous duty than to serve in the regular army or to be subjected to the occasional drafts which were made from the militia -
I know that my brother enlisted into the service in the year 1777 because I well recollect that he was then the 16 th year of his age, and he is now in his 71 st year - I well recollect that he continued in the

service until after the burning of Fairfield , and if that was in the year 1779, as I am informed it was, he continued in the Army for more than two years - I remember that my father went to Fairfield after the British left that place so that my brother showed them during the battle & conflagration, had escaped without injury - My brother served some length of time, in the army after the burning of Fairfield, but, how long I cannot now remember - In further this Deposition saith not -
Hannah Dawson
State of Connecticut ss. Litchfield County September 14. 1833.
Personally appeared Hannah Dawson to me well known as a person of truth and veracity who signed the foregoing Deposition in my presence and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the same
Before me
Chas. F. Sedgwick Justice of the Peace

Benjamin Tallmadge of the Town & County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut of lawful age testi- fies & declares that during the revolutionary war he frequently commanded Detachments of Continental Troops in the County of Fairfield, & State aforesaid; & he will recollect that a Man by the name of Lambert Lockwood resided at Fairfield & executed the Duties of Asst. Q. M r . or Comm d . Genl. & in that capacity furnished Supplies to his Detachments.
Benj. Tallmadge
Litchfield County p. Sept. 25. 1833. Personally appeared Benjamin Tallmadge Esq. & was well known as a person of truth & veracity, who signed the foregoing deposition in my presence, & made solemn oath to the truth of the same. Before me Chas. F. Sedgwick Justice of the Peace

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut do certify that Charles F. Dodge Esq. of Sharon in said County, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits, and that his official signatures in two instances made above, are genuine -
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 25 th day of September A D 1833.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk -

1B.1 David Curtice Born Nov 6 29 th 1762 Lewis Curtice - D o April 19 th 1763
Major Curtice Born April 13 th 1786 — Harriet Curtice d o Sept. 26 th 1788 — Clarissa Curtice d o August 17 th 1793 — Juliana Curtice do. October 10 th 1798 —
Seth Curtice Died Tuesday 11 o'clock forenoon March 27 th 1804 —
Patience Curtice died Tuesday 1 o'clock in the morn October 30 th 1804 — 0

State of Connecticut Simsbury County ss.
On this 24 th day of March 1852. Personally appeared before the Subscribers a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, George Franklin Beach of Sharn in said County, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath, declare and say, that he is of the age 25 years and over, and that he resides in the dwelling house and with the family of the late David Center, deceased. That the said Center died at Sharn aforesaid on the 2 nd day of June 1846, that he left a widow of the name of Sarah Center, who now survives at a very advanced age - That the said David Center and Sarah Center lived together as man and wife ever since the recollection of this Deponent and have several surviving children - That the enclosed papers, marked A, B, C & D, several, were found by this Deponent among the papers which were left by the said David Center at his decease and that the papers marked A & B, are in the proper handwriting of the said Center with which this Deponent is well acquainted - The said Deponent has lived in the family of said Center for eleven years last past, and is a grandson of the said David Center - G. Franklin Beach
Sworn before me - and I further certify that the said G. Franklin Beach is a credible person Chas F. Sedgwick justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield } Probate District of Sharon
On this 10 th day of October 1833. personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within and for the district of Sharon the same being a court of Records, and now sitting, David Curtis of the Town of Sharon in said District and County, and State, aged Seventy one 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, viz
I was born in Danbury in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut, and lived in said Danbury, except the time of my service as hereafter mentioned, from the time of my birth, to wit on the 29 th day of November 1761, till about the year 1783, when I removed to said Sharon and have resided there till the present time. I have no records of my age and know of none, as the public records of said Town of Danbury were burned, when Danbury was burned by the British in the Revolutionary war.
In the month of August 1777, I enlisted into the service of the United States, in the Department of the Quarter Master General, for the term of one year, and entered the service under Lambert Lockwood Esq of said Danbury, who was then an assistant Deputy Quarter Master Genl. and was stationed in the Town of Fairfield in said Fairfield County, and I served under said Lockwood for said term of one year, in said Fairfield, as a fatigue man in his office and in the Continental stables, which were in said village of Fairfield and in which horses belonging to the United States, were then kept.
At the expiration of said term of enlistment, I again enlisted into the same service in the same Department, for another term of one year, and continued in the said service, under said Lockwood at said Fairfield, till July 1779, when said town of Fairfield was burned by the British and the then removed about four miles to Greenfield in the same County, and I remained there in the same service till the close of my second term of enlistment. And then I continued in the same service with said Lockwood till about the first of January 1780 when he closed up his business. For my said 1 st years service I received thirty five dollars per month in Continental money, and for the second term, thirty five dollars per month in the same money.

During the whole of the time of my said service I received my weekly rations from the Company Stores and my wages from the United States I never received any written discharge from the service as I recollect. If I did, it has been lost or destroyed. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
I know of no other witnesses whose testimony I can procure as to my services except those whose depositions are herewith transmitted. I am known to Hon d John Cotton Smith, Rev d David L. Perry, Cyrus Swan Esq and many other Gentlemen in said Town of Sharon who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. David Curtis -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
William M. Burrall Judge of Probate
And at the same Court the said David Curtis presented to this Court the Depositions of Noah Curtis and of Hannah Parsons duly authenticated and which are annexed to the declaration of the applicant, who also presented the Certifi- cate under Seal of the Rev d David L. Perry and the Hon d John Cotton Smith of said Sharon which is annexed, where- in to this Declaration after having been duly examined by this 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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that David L. Perry who has signed the Certificate annexed is a Clergyman resident in said Town of Sharon, and that the Hon d John Cotton Smith, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said Town of Sharon, and the late Governor of this State, and the said David L. Perry and John Cotton Smith are credible persons and this statement is entitled to credit, and this Court do further certify that the Hon d Charles J. Sedgwick is (before whom the affidavit of the said David L. Perry

and John Cotton Smith purports to have been made) is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield and that he held the said Office at the date of said Affidavit and his name subscribed thereto is in own proper hand writing, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to the same.
William M. Burrall Judge of Probate
I William P. Burrall Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Meriden in the State of Connecticut. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Curtis for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand and seal of Office this 11 th day of October A D 1833.
Wm P Burrall Clerk

Declaration of Love Cont'd

Declaration of Lois Curtis, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 7, 1838
State of Connecticut } District of New Haven }
On this 24th day of March A.D. 1852 personally appeared before the Court of Probate, in and for the District, aforesaid Lois Curtis, who being first duly sworn according to law, clothed on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 granting pensions to widows of Veterans who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of David Curtis sometimes spelled Custis . She served as a furlough man in the Revolutionary War and engaged by virtue of an enlistment into the Quarter Master General's Department from August 1777 to August 1779, and for the full period of her service, and as - for the proof of said service she refers to the testimony of sundry witnesses, which is now on file in the Pension Office, which was taken in support of the application of her said husband for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832.
She further declares that the was married to the said David Curtis on the November day of 1784 that she was not married to him prior to

his leaving the deceased but the marriage took place previous to January first, seventeen hundred and ninety four, at the time above stated, and that the marriage ceremony was performed by Daniel Reynolds then a justice of the Peace, and that the said deceased died on the second day of since 1846  January and that she is still a widow.
In presence J. Franklin Beach
her son J. Curtis which
Born in open court this 21 st day of March 1852.
With my hand and the seal said Court on the day aforesaid and I further certify that the words January and June 1846 were inserted before the execution of the forgery instrument, as seen the said January -
Chas F. Sedgwick Judge

July 3, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. H.L.Kiser Kendallville Indiana
BA-J/ETH David Curtis-R.2603
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of David Curtis, of Connecticut, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 2603, based upon the service in that war of David Curtis, the only soldier of that name who served in the Connecticut Troops that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
David Curtis was born in Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, on November 29, 1761, as stated by the soldier, or on November 29, 1762, as shown by a copy of a family record. The names of his parents are not designated. The name appears, also, as Curtice.
While a resident of said Danbury, David Curtis enlisted in August, 1777, and served as fatigue man in the office of Lambert Lockwood, Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General; he was stationed at Fairfield, Connecticut, and served in this capacity, also as waiter and in the Continental stables, until January, 1780, when the business was closed. He was at Fairfield when that town was burned in July, 1779. He enlisted sometime in 1780, after his return to his father's home in Danbury, and served three months in Captain David Olmsted's Connecticut Company.
In 1783, soldier moved to Sharon, Connecticut.
He applied for pension on October 11, 1833, on account of the above noted service, at which time he was a resident of Sharon, Connecticut. He signed David Curtis.
His claim was not allowed as he did not serve six months in a regularly organized military company, as required by the pension laws.

David Curtis died June 3, 1846, in Sharon, Connecticut.
The soldier married, place not shown, in November, 1784, Lois, daughter of Nehemiah Chapman. Lois was born April 19, 1763. In 1852, she was residing in Sharon, Connecticut. The date of her death is not shown.
The following family data are shown:
Major Curtis . . . . . born April 13, 1786. Harriet Curtis. . . . . " September 26, 1788. Clarissa Curtis. . . . . " August 17, 1793. Juliana Curtis. . . . . " October 10, 1798. Seth Curtis. . . . . died March 27, 1804. Patience Curtis . . . . . " October 30, 1804.
In 1852, George Franklin Beach, aged twenty-five years and a resident of Sharon, Connecticut, stated that he was a grandson of the soldier, David Curtis, and had resided in his grandfather's family for eleven years. He stated that several children of the soldier were then living but he did not give their names nor the names of his parents.
In 1833, Noah Curtis(as he signed), a brother of the soldier, David Curtis, was a resident of Homer, Cortland County, New York, and stated that he was born in February, 1767. In same year, Hannah Parsons, a sister of the soldier, was aged sixty-four years and made affidavit in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The name of her husband was not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1936-July 3-Heint Co Mrs H. L. Kiser - Ed
2603
P. O. _____
Louis Curtis
Service: David wid. Rev. Lois
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Printed list of 1852 pages: shows clause of rejection; "He did
Re-enlisted: not serve in a military capacity
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Connecticut
Rev. Act 7. June 1832 David Curtis
Rejected
Letter to
Claimant
Nov. 9. 1832
See letter J. W. Huntington
13 Feb. 1832.
Letter to Hon. A. L. Seymour
Dec. 15/57.

✓
No 14 625 Louis Carlos wid of David Connecticut
Hon O.S. Seymour July 3 1852 C. F. Sedgwick Sep 20 1852
2603
Act July 7 1838

Town of Hamble Cortland County State of New York
} }
I Noah Curtis of the Town County & State aforesaid
Sixty six years last February before and say, that in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, I lived in the Town of Danbury in Fairfield County & State of Connecticut, with my father, and that my Brother David Curtis belonging to the same family, with the consent of my father, engaged in the Continental Service, and served under Lambert Lockwood an assistant Deputy Quarter Master General and Lockwood was stationed at Fairfield in Connecticut - with him my Brother lived as his waiter, or Fatigue-Man, as he was called the time that he was in the service - this Deponent saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of Memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of Service of the said David Curtis, but I do verily believe that he served between two and three years.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 st day September 1833.
Noah Curtis
Esq d B. Canfield Justice Peace
I certify that Noah Curtis is a Man of truth and veracity, and reputable in his neighbourhood -
Esq d B. Canfield Justice Peace

Collana County Clerks Office p.
I Sam. Hotchkiss, Clerk of said County do certify that Edgar B. Penfield Esq. before whom the within Affecavit purports to have been sworn not at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn and that I am a copy certified with his handwriting And truly believe his signature thereunto affixed to be genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal of said County this twenty third day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Sam. Hotchkiss D. Clerk

State motto of Dana Curtis De Revolutionibus

In August 1777. I enlisted into the Continental Service, into the Quater Master Genl Department and served under Lambert Lockwood Esq. an Assistant Deputy Quarter Master Genl who was stationed in the Town of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut for one year, as a Quatree man at his Office and in the Continental Stables after I had served one year. I entitled to serve another year, in the Service above said and with the said Quater Master, Mr Lockwood, before the close of my second years Service which would have closed about the middle of August 1779. The British Troops landed at Fairfield, and burned the Town. In July 1779. Immediately after the Town was burned etc. the Quater Master moved his Quarters to Greenfield, a Society so called, about 4 miles North of Fairfield, where I lived with him until he settled. his Business, which was about the first of January 1780. I Received 30 dollars pr. Month for my first years Service in Continental money, and for my 2 d year, Service about 30 dollars. for the two years above mentioned I was entitled and had an to Service. The remainder of the time I lived with Mr Lockwood was by his Particular Request. I received my weekly Rations of Provisions, from the Commissary Stores, and my Wages from the United States.

Edward Lewis
Tenn.
Nov 16-1892
Mrs. H. C.
16th St. N.W.
Wash. D.C.
Sharon Conn 17 Nov
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Pension Office
Washington
W. S. Davis (unl.) Nov 21

Sharon (Conn) Nov. 12. 1834
Sir -
some time past, I made application to you to be placed on the Pension list. by sending my Claim made out according to the directions of the Secretary of War, stating my services in the Revolutionary War under Lamberts Lockwood Esq r . An Assistant Deputy Quarter Master Genl l . in the Town of Fairfield Connecticut. which Claim was Rejected. as not being Military services, &c. I now undertake to inform your Hon r . that I performed another kind of service while I lived with Mr r Lockwood at Fairfield. by being joined to the Town Guard as a Volunteer, and serving as a Soldier in said Guard. which consisted of a number of the Inhabitants of said Town. who kept a Guard in the Nights season in the Principal Streets. and parts of the Town most exposed to the Enemy. for almost the whole time I lived at Fairfield. and was in said Guard and served at the time. the Town was burned by the British Troops. This Service I think must be called Military Service. which I think I can furnish Sufficient Testimony to provide. and further more I have to State that after I was dismissed from Mr r Lockwood. I returned to Danbury my native place and was enrolled in the Company of Militia where my Father lived. and in the year 1780. I was drafted for three Months and went into the service. and served under Capt d David Armstrong of Redfield. in the Town of Norwalk in Connecticut. all the Service that I have done in the Revolutionary War. from first to last. I think Entitle me to a Pension under the last Act of Congress. my Object in writing this letter to your Hon r is to know. if the above statements are proved whether they will be sufficient to Entitle me to a Pension. and to desire you to write to me your Decision on the above subjects as soon as possible -
To J. L. Edwards Esq r . Washington -
From Your Humble Servant David Curtis

Wm O. S. Seymour July 3, 1852

Pension Office
July 3 1832
13
Sir
I herewith enclose the letter of G. F. Sedgwick, and have the honor to inform you that the Declaration of Louis Curtis for the benefit of the Act of July 7 1838 has been received and filed. The papers are not accompanied by any proof of service. A certificate of her husband's service should be furnished by the Auditor Gen of Connecticut. If he certifies that he has no evidence of his service, then it must be established by the testimony of those who served with him, and she must be identified with the man who served. Mr Sedgwick is mistaken in supposing that the original papers of David Curtis furnished sufficient evidence of his service. Noah Curtis means that David Curtis served as he believes , two years, but that by reason of old age he is not able to swear with certainty as to his service,
Hon O. S. Seymour H. J. Raper

Pension Office July 3. 1852.
Sir,
I herewith enclose the letter of C. H. Sedgwick, and have the honor to inform you that the Declaration of Connel Curtis for the benefit of the Act of 4 th July 1838, has been received and filed. The papers are not accompanied by any proof of service, a certificate of her husband's service should be furnished by the Auditor Genl. of Connecticut. If he certifies that he has no evidence of his service then it must be established by the testimony of those who served with him, and she must be identified with the man who served.
Mr Sedgwick is mistaken in supposing that the original papers of David Curtis furnished sufficient evidence of his service. Noah Curtis swears that David Curtis served as he believes, two years, but by reason of old age he is not able to swear with certainty as to his service. Very Resp y . Your Ob d Serv t
Hon O. Sedgwick 3 No of Rep 3
for Com te of Pensions

Hon: Comm te of Pensions Present.

Sir, H.R. Mch 31. 1852
I inclose herewith the application of Lois Cartip. for a pension with accompanying documents - I hope the papers will receive early & favorable consideration.
Please return your answer to me.
Yours very respectfully A. S. Teymour,
Hon: Commr of Pensions

Mr David Curtis — Sharon County of Litchfield Connecticut

101. Middletown March 8 th 1833
Sir.
This day received your letter dated at Sharon in February Post mark 5 th March. Written as appears to the son of the D. L. M c who lived in Hartford in the time of the Revolution. — This will inform you, that I am the same Man, that held the office of D. L. M c in Hartford, I am now eighty one years of Age — I employed Lambert Lockwood as my Deputy, and his Accounts were settled with me at Hartford, but I never had his Books. I have no knowledge of you, nor can I give you any information on the subject of your letter, it being now fifty six years ago since the transaction you mention, & my Accounts having been settled in New York, with the Commissioners appointed by Congress, to settle all Accounts & Claims against the United States, my Ac s were settled some time in 1783, since which I have had no occasion to refer to them, all Accounts & Papers were probably removed to Washington, when the Offices were removed there, & deposited in the Public Office & were probably burnt, when the public Offices were burnt, at the City of Washington some years ago, when Oliver Wolcott was Secretary of the Treasury. I have no means of Ascertaining whether you was with Mr Lockwood or not, having now no documents, by which I can come to the knowledge of that fact. It would be gratifying to me, if I could give you the information you wish
I am Sir
Your Servant Nehum Hubbard

161 Bridgport July 12 th 1832
Some days past being at the Post office found your letter directed to either of the Sons of Lambert Lockwood deceased, & being acquainted on the Estate, & knowing that the two Sons were at some distance I thought best to open it & that you desired his Books examined, unfortunately all his Books & papers were burned three years ago, my house took fire in the garret where his Books & papers were deposited in a Chest, were with many other things destroyed The house was saved but the roof was burned it is possible the Widow Lockwood may know something of relation to your Servant with her Husband altho they were not Married at that time — I am yours & c
William Peet

Hon. Mr. Heath Commissioner of Pensions

Washington Dec. 13 th 51 To the Hon. Mr. Heath Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
I herewith enclose to you a letter concerning the right of the widow of David Curtiss to a pension, concerning which I had a con- versation with you this morning - Please cause the matter to be examined and communicate the result to me at as early a day as convenient
Yours very respectfully O. S. Seymour per C. M. St.

Sharon Connecticut, July 16. 1802
Sir
Your letter to the Hon. O. S. Seymour of the state of the P. interest in relation to the claims of Mrs. Lois Curtis for a pension, which she asks on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband the late David Curtis, has been forwarded to me by Mr. Seymour. It is far from my intention to ask for a decision favorable to the Curtis, unless the proof submitted will justify it. I am well acquainted with the Curtis, her late husband, and the high character which he sustained, through a long life, for probity and integrity forbids a suspicion that he would make an unfounded claim. Every person who knew him declared that he faithfully served the country as stated by him, in his application, and the reason given by the late Commissioners for rejecting his claim was not so much as was contemplated by the Pension Law -
Your letter speaks of the Deposition of Sarah Curtis, as containing the proof of service to which I referred in my letter to Mr. Seymour, - I have a strong impression that there is among the papers a deposition of Mrs Parsons a sister of Mr. Curtis, which is full to the point of his services, as he has stated it. I feel very confident that she made such a deposition before me as a Magistrate, -

I have had several communications from the Comptroller of the State, in relation to the papers and books of Samuel Lockwood. There are no accounts of his in the office for the time in which the frauds claimed to have occurred -
You will remark that, at this late day, it is next to impossible to prove the fraud by living witnesses, and that it is quite likely, from the statement of Samuel Lockwood, representing that the papers by which the fraud could have been proved have been burnt -
In the absence of such proof is not the statement of fraud by David Cook, himself as contained under his own hand, and as sworn to by him, in his application to the Comptroller as secondary evidence, to prove the fraud?
For when once laid, or then suggested as you will readily understand the ground of the claim -
Please excuse me for asking you to give the case a further examination -
Respectfully
Hon J. E. Heath
Chas. F. Sedgwick
Govt of New York,

Dec. 14, 1833.
Daniel Curtis
of Sharon Conn. whose claim has been rejected. requests that it be reexamined.
James P. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Dec 14 th 1833
answer to be returned
To be filed with David Curtis case rejected

Sharon (Conn) December 7. 1833.
James L. Edmond Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions -
Sir -
Mr David Curtis of this town who lately made an application for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, and whose application has been rejected, requests me to ask of you, a re-examination of his case, under the belief that the nature of the service which he performed, has been misapprehended by the Department. It would seem, from your letter to Mr Curtis informing him of the rejection of his claim, that his services, is viewed in the light of a mere civil employment - as a " waiter to a Company ". I am aware that one of the retrospect uses the terms, " waiter or fatigue man ", to designate the duties performed by Mr Curtis, but it is an entire mistake to suppose that he was a waiter in the sense of the word as generally understood. - Mr Curtis was regularly enlisted by an officer of the Government, to wit, Lambert Lockwood, an Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General . He enlisted into the service of the Country , and not of the individual officer under whom he acted. The amount of his wages, was fixed by law , and not by his contract of enlistment . - He received his pay and rations in a military capacity , as all officers & soldiers did. His enlistment exempted him from the performance of service in the Militia , and was accepted

in lieu of such service. and finally, the services performed, such as carrying despatches from officer to officer and from post to post, and having the oversight and custody of a vast amount of Government property, involving responsibilities and duties of a most arduous and confidential character, were eminently a military and not a civil employment.
I have been led to make these suggestions from a belief that you have been misled, in making your decision by attaching a wrong meaning to the words " waiter or fatigue man " as used in the affidavit of Isaac Curtis, and with the hope that another examination of the case, and more especially a proper consideration of the duties of a " fatigue man " in the Continental Army, will lead to a different result.
I am well aware that your duties are arduous and embarrassing, and that much difficulty must often be experienced in bringing cases which come before you to a just result. I am also aware that you may be well supposed to be better acquainted with the principles applicable to each case, than I can be. But being well persuaded that the case of Mr. Curtis is embraced by the very liberal act of Congress and by the very liberal liberal reconstruction which the Secretary of War has

seen fit to put upon it, I have mentioned, at the request of Mr. Cutlip, who is a very worthy man and a good citizen, to request of you another examination of his papers, and a different decision on his application -
With great respect
I am Sir your obedt. Servt.
Chas. F. Fitzgerald

David Curtis
9. Nov r 1833
O. E.
Recd. Vol. 29. p. 127.

War Dept
P.B.
Nov 9. 1833
Sir
Your claim to a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832 has been rejected. The services performed by you as waiter to a Company are not military services within the act. The papers are placed on file.
Mr David Curtis
Post Office
South Canaan
Ct.

(104)
C. H. Sedgwick Sept 20/52

261
Pension Office Sept 20 1832
Sir
On the 3 rd July last, the claim of Lois Curtis widow of David of 61 was carefully examined, and the result of that examination reported to the Hon O. S. Seymour, you have been advised of the decision of the office. It is useless to expect the rules of the office to be disregarded for the purpose of admitting this claim. I am not disposed to question the integrity of the courtship or the present applicant, but claims can not be admitted for any person without just such proof of service as is required to be furnished, by every applicant for the benefit of the pension laws. As you are the officer before whom the declaration was made & affidavits taken, no farther report can be made to you as Agent.
C. F. Sedgwick Esq Sharon Cc

C O P Y
War Dept. P.O. Feby 13th 1834
Sir:
The papers of David Curtis referred to in the letter of C.F.Sedgwick, Esqr. have been re examined. He alleges that he was employed as a fatigue man in the Quartermasters Department. As he was not an enlisted soldier, mustered as such into the service, and subject to martial law, his claim does not come within the Act of June 7, 1832, which provides for military service alone.
* * * * *
The letter of Mr. Sedgwick referring to these cases is herewith returned.
Hon. I.W.Huntington H 3 R.

C O P Y
Dec. 15, 1851
Hon. O.T.Seymour House of Reps.
Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 13 inst. covering a letter from C.F. Sedgwick, Esq. respecting the claim of the widow of David Curtis, whose claim to a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, was rejected some years since on the ground that his service was civil service and as such did not come within the contemplation of the Pension laws, I have the honor to state, David Curtis alleges that he enlisted in 1777, in the Quarter Master General's Department, for one year, and was stationed in the Town of Fairfield. He entered the service as "fatigue man" under "Lambert Lockwood, Esq." and attended as such" in his office and in the Continental Stables". The records connected with the Quarter Master Service in Connecticut, if there be any, are to be found in the office of the Auditor General of that State, at Hartford, where application should be made for information on the subject. The Connecticut Rolls in this Office are chiefly if not entirely confined to the service in the line and of course do not contain the name of David Curtis, who belonged to no particular regiment, but as he states, was enlisted in the Quarter Master's Dept. Until late years, the Quarter Master's Service was not considered as coming within the provisions of the Pension System, which will account for the promptness with which the original claim of David Curtis was rejected. In the case of his widow, in the event of testimony being found at Hartford, showing the service of her husband, it will be necessary to file a declaration under the Act of July 4, 1836, or that of July 7, 1838, as the case may be, and file the same with proper evidence of marriage and identity.
Mr. Sedgwick's letter is herewith returned.
I have, etc.
(Davidge)
J.E.Heath

The Deposition of Alice Mother Shaw in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut. She testifies and says that she is of the age of eighty years and over, that she is a daughter of Seth Barstow, nor deceased and that in her early life she lived with her said father. She was the nearest relation to the late Deborah Chapman, deceased and who lived within about thirty rods of the said Chapman - That she well remembers that soon after the Revolutionary war David Curtis of said Shaw was married to Lois Chapman, daughter of the said Deborah - This deponent does not remember positively that she was present at the marriage of the said parties but well recollects that it was spoken of as taking place at that time and that the ceremony was performed by Dr. Grew whom she has seen perform the marriage ceremony several times - She further remembers that said Lois continued to reside in the family of her father until after the birth of her first child - She has known the said David and Lois from that time to the day of the death of said David & the said Lois till this time - They have lived together as man and wife till his death and raised a family of children - - Alice H. Shaw
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss. On this 24 th day of March 1852 personally appeared Mrs. Alice Mother and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition and I further certify that the said Alice Mother

is a credible testimony -
Chas. F. Sedgwick justice of the Peace And I further certify that the word Neighbour and the word " hears " in the body of the foregoing Deposition were interlined before signing and swearing to the same by this Deponent
Chas. F. Sedgwick justice of the Peace

I Gideon H. Adelman Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Charles F. Sedgwick Esq. is a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid and that the Official signatures by him purporting to be made in the papers hereto annexed, are genuine
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this 26 th day of March 1872 William H. Holman Clerk of said County Court

We David L. Perry, a clergyman, residing in Sharon in the County of Litchfield, State of Connecticut and John Cotton Smith of said Sharon, do testify and declare, that we are acquainted with Daniel Burbank of said Sharon, that we believe him to be in the seventy second year of his age, that it is reported & believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he performed military service in the army of the Revolution, and that we believe him to be a credible witness -
David L. Perry John Cotton Smith
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } On this 11 th day of October
AD 1833. Personally appeared before me the Subscribed Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, the Rev. David L. Perry and the Hon. John Cotton Smith who signed the foregoing affidavit in my presence and made oath to the truth of the same. before me
Chas. F. Dodge Justice of the Peace

Kendallville Ind Mch 17 - '36
Veteran's Administration
Wash -
D.C.
C Conn
Can you give me the service record - and of David Curtis - Rev. soldier - enlisting from Wallingford - Cheshire - or Wolcott - Conn.
I am descended from a David Curtis and am trying to trace the line -
Yours Truly
Mrs H. L. Riser
Kendallville
Ind.