Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,693, Samuel Comstock, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Comstock, Samuel
S. 22,693
CONTENTS
A July 27. 1756 at Lyme New London Co. Conn. there at enlistment Marlow, Cheshire Co. N. H. in 1832

Date of death not on list
21. 694 New Hampshire Sam l Comstock of Milford in the State of N. H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Woolson , of the Reg t commanded by Col. Selden in the Revolutionary War line for 18 months & 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 61 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Oct 1833 and Leah Francis Matson  Stoddard  N. H.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1830 $ 154.17 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept r 1833 - 30.83 $185.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Agt June 7, 1832. } Recorded by H. H. Allison Clerk Book C Vol. 25 Page 47
W

Declaration of Samuel Comstock Chisholm County 8929 VH

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this fifth day of September 18 32 personally appeared in open Court, Before Aaron Watson Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire
now sitting, Samuel Comstock a resident of Marlow in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy six 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. (His) About the first of January 1776 he lived in the town of East Haddam  Lyme in the County of New London in the state of Connecticut and enlisted into Captain John Melliys Company in Col. Samuel  Parry Wadsworth Regt. of State Troops for the term of three months & marched to the town of Roxbury near Boston in Massachusetts, he continued in said Company about six weeks when he enlisted at said Roxbury into Capt. Christopher Ely's Company in Col. Samuel H. Parsons Regt. of Connecticut Troops for twelve months, after serving about seven weeks longer at Roxbury he marched with his Regt. to New London in Connecticut when his Brother Isaac Comstock took his place as a substitute & he the said Samuel went home & left the service. He served under these two enlistments according to the best of his recollection more than three months - That about the first of July 1776 he lived in said East Haddam  Lyme and enlisted into Capt. Eliphalet Holmes Company in Col. Samuel Seldens Regt of State Troops for six months & sailed from said East Haddam to the City of New York & joined his Regt. on the day the Declaration of Independence was declared by the United States from the City of New York he went to Long Island & joined the Army under Gen. Sullivan soon after this the Army retreated to New York & from there to Kingsbridge about this time the British took possession of the City of New York from Kingsbridge he marched to the White Plains on the North river where he continued in the performance of his duty until the expiration of the time for which he enlisted when he was dismissed & went home - That in the fall of the year 1777 he lived in said East Haddam  Lyme & was drafted as a militia man from said town & marched to Saratoga in the state of New York in a Company commanded by Capt. Amos Dole in Col. Jonathan Patten's Regt & served two months During this term of service he was at the taking of Gen. Burgoyne & his Army - That in the year 1778 he was again drafted from said town of East Haddam  Lyme & served on fort Ticonderoga in New London two months under Col. McClancy at the expiration of his term of service he was hired as a substitute & served two months in addition making in the whole four months the last two months he served in Capt. Abner Comstock's Company in the same Regiment

He also served two months more on Fort Greenwich but cannot account the names of his officers - that in the year 1839 he was again drafted as a Militia Man from South  South  Down  Down of East  East  Hampton  Hampton & served two months in Col Meads Regt. During this term of service he marched to a place called Townshend  Townshend where he was stationed until the time for which he was drafted expired.
He was born in East  East  Hampton  Hampton in the state of Connecticut on the 27th day of July 1756 he has the record of his age for the last forty years. He has lived in Marlinton, the state of New Hampshire. He was living in East  East  Hampton  Hampton when he first joined the service. He was called into the service as before stated; but when he was a substitute he served in Capt. Comstock's company but cannot tell for whom he was a substitute, and served as a sergeant - recollects Gen. Sullivan and Gen. Clinton  Clinton at Saratoga  Saratoga - his Colonel Samuel Selden was taken by the British and thinks he died at New York City - Abner Smith and Samuel Comstock Jr. living in many years passed, can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Samuel Comstock
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Abner Smith and Samuel Comstock Jr. both of Marlinton in said County
Samuel Comstock
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Abner Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy  seventy six 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.
Abner Smith
Samuel Comstock Jr.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
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 Abner Smith and Samuel Comstock Jr. who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the Town of Marlinton aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, the Parker Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Comstock for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September Anno Domine 1832
The Parker Register of said Court of Probate

State of New Hampshire } Cheshire County ss } On this Twenty Second Day of January A D 1833 Personally before me The subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Cheshire Samuel Comstock who being duly sworn upon oath & Saith that the reason why he did not obtain the official of a clergyman & produce it with his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7 th 1832 is that there was not at the time of his making the declaration nor is there at this time a clergyman who has resided in the town of Marlow more than one year & consequently knows nothing of his services in the revolution Samuel Comstock
State of New Hampshire } Cheshire County ss } Sworn & Subscribed this day & year above mentioned Before me Francis Watson Just. Peace
Cheshire ss. Feb. 4. 1833
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for said county certify that Francis Watson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county - And I believe that the foregoing official signature is his. In testimony whereof I hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court
S. Hale, Clerk

No 8929 Sam Comstock
Print 18 mo 15 days
16 interrogatory mts Coupled with Nov 28/1832
61.67 1/2 123.34 30.83 154.84 1/2
Francis Watson E Soddards N H Prob.

No 8929
BRIEF in the case of Samuel Comstock -  of Marlow in the State of N. Hampshire -  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     about In 1776 Jan'y 1 - — 1 1/2 — Private Gen. Sullivan — Cap Wolley — Col Wadsworth   when he enlisted — 1 3/4 — — Ely — Parsons —   about 1776 July 1 - — 6 — — Holmes — Selden —   Fall of 1777 — 2 — — Jones — Lattimer —   In the year 1778 — 2 — — Col McCleary —   at the expiration of the last term — 2 — * Substitute Capt Comstock , Col McCleary does not recollect his officers   He also served — 2 more — Private Col Mead —   In 1779 — 2 — — capture of Burgoyne —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? capture of Burgoyne  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Syme, Con.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary (not a clergyman) two living witnesses, not certified to be credible  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct except as to the living witnesses 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sam P. Potts Examining Clerk.

July 11, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXX
St-J/KEL Samuel Comstock-S.23893
Mr. Samuel W. Comstock Hotel Brooks Brattleboro, Vermont
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Samuel Comstock, a Revolutionary War soldier, who, you state, in 1840, was residing in Alstead, New Hampshire, and was drawing a pension.
You are furnished herein the history of the only soldier named Samuel Comstock found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, who received a pension while residing in the state of New Hampshire, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in his claim for pension, S.23893, based upon his military service in that war.
Samuel Comstock was born July 27, 1756, in Lyme, Connecticut.
While residing in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut Troops as follows: from about January 1, 1776, six weeks in Captain John Willey's Company, Colonel James Wadsworth's Regiment; then joined Captain Christopher Hix's Company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Regiment in which he served about seven weeks when his brother, Jehiel Comstock, took his place and Samuel returned home; from about July 1, 1776, six months in Captain Eliphalet Holmes' Company, Colonel Samuel Selden's Regiment and was in the retreat from New York; from sometime in the fall of 1777, two months in Captain Isaac Jones' Company, Colonel Jonathan Lattimer's Regiment and was at the capture of Burgoyne; in 1778, two months at Fort Trumbull under Colonel McLane; and in same year, two months as sergeant in Captain Almer Comstock's (no relationship shown) Company, Colonel McLane's Regiment; again two months at Fort Trumbull, dates and officers' names not given; and in 1779, two months under Colonel Mott.
This has to "Cont."
- Found col. in Conn. had under John Selden & Capt Jonas Haltom
I think this Col. McLellan as I could find no Col. McLane of Conn.

Samuel Comstock was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while residing in Marlow, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, where, he stated, he had resided for forty years.
There are no data as to wife and children.
In 1832, soldier's brother, Jehiel Comstock, lived in Royalton, Niagara County, New York, and was aged seventy-five years: there is no claim for pension on file on account of the services of Jehiel Comstock in the Revolutionary War.
In 1832, one Samuel Comstock, Junior, was a resident of Marlow, New Hampshire; no relationship was shown and there are no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Samuel Comstock(S.32693), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
Samuel Comstock, Certificate No.21694, issued October 10, 1833, rate $61.67 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New Hampshire Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Revolution
22693 INVALID.
Col. S. Post. to Mr. Geo. Hart V. Lillie 1883 July 11 - West Th Mr Samuel H. Comstock 8th
File No. 22693
Samuel Comstock
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Comstock a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jany 1 1776 3 mos. Pvt. John Wiley Christopher Ely James Hadsworth Samuel H. Parsons Conn.   July 1 1776 6 mos. Eliphalet Holmes Samuel Selden   Fall of 1777 2 mos. Amos Jones Jonathan Patimer   1778 2 mos. at Ft. Trumbull no officers stationed there   1778 2 mos. Sergt.  Abner Comstock at Ft. Trumbull no officers stationed there   1779 2 mos.  
Battles engaged in, Capture of Burgoyne
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lyme, New London Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5. 1832 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Marlow, Cheshire Co. N. H.
Age at date of application, b. at Lyme Conn. July 27. 1756
Remarks: ✓
Very respectfully,
brother Jehiel
Commissioner.

HOTEL BROOKS
Brattleboro, Vt. 7 July 1933
Pension Bureau near Sept. Washington, D.C.
Dear Miss:
As I am to be here not long, and want to go to his grave, I will appreciate an Early reply. Thanking you
Yours very truly Samuel W. Comstock
above address -
C. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

GEORGE W. HUNT
DEALER IN
STOVES, * RANGES, * TINWARE
PLUMBING, STEAM AND
HOT WATER HEATING
ANTRIM, N. H., Nov 1 26 / 7 1913
War Dept ment
Pension Office Gentlemen
I am a descendant of Samuel Comstock of Milford N. H. Our Samuel's Blk - profus Vol 30, p. 416 states he received or was granted a pension June 1 st 1840.
Will you please give me his War Record and date of death or last payment of pension
Yours truly Mrs G. W. Hunt

No 8929
Sam Comstock
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]
Francis Mason Esq Hoddan N H

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Comstock which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes, II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes, 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? yes - 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? yes - VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes - VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes -

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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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?
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? no
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Note reference to witness - not certified to be credible
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? yes
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?
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.
X Not required when an applicant proves the whole of his Service

Saml Comstock
1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900

I Ebenezer Holmes of East Haddam in Middlesex county & State of Connecticut. Deposits & saith that Samuel Comstock now an inhabitant of Norfolk in Hartshire State, enlisted as a soldier under Capt John Wiley of E. Haddam and Col. James Wadsworth Regiment, on or about the first day of January AD 1776 to serve from that time until the first day of April next and also said Comstock enlisted himself a soldier on or about the first day of July AD 1776 under Capt Philip Holmes to serve from that time in Col. Samuel Sedgwick Regiment in the Connecticut Line, until the first day of January then next further the deponent saith not
Dated East Haddam October 23 rd AD 1832
Ebenezer Holmes
State of Connecticut - Middlesex County ss East Haddam October 23 rd 1832
Personally appeared Ebenezer Holmes signer of the above Deposition and acknowledged the same to be true — Before me
A. Orins Holmes justice of peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Ebenezer Holmes & that he is a respectable & credible person
B. Orins Holmes justice of the peace

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex I John Fiske Clerk of the County Court for said County of Middlesex do certify that Elias D. Holmes Esq. was on the 28 th day of October A D 1832, and now is a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Middlesex as per commission on file in my office and that his name subscribed to the within certificates marked A. B. are his proper hand writing & signa- tures
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Mid- dletown in said County this fifth day of March A D 1833.
J. Fiske Clk

Hon L. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Stoddard New Hampshire May 20 th 1833
Hon. S. S. Edwards
Sir
I herewith transmit the papers in relation to the Claim of Samuel Comstock for the benefit of the Act of June 7 th 1832
You will observe that one of the Deponents Ichabod Comstock is Dead of course we could not obtain a new affidavit and as William Gardner Esq. was unacquainted with said Comstock we were obliged to get the certificate of another Magistrate as you will see by the affidavit, should the Department grant the applicant a pension you will please forward his certificate to me
The Declaration of William Pike which was Directed to the Pension  the office in August 1832 by me I have not yet heard from, as soon as it is acted upon you will please forward me the result
I am Very Respectfully Your Most Servt
Francis Matson

State of New York Kingston County ss
I hereby certify that he is a reputable & credible person who has signed this affidavit
Ichiel Comstock of the Town of Roxton in the county and state aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is acquainted with Samuel Comstock of the Town of Marlow in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire. That deponent is the brother of the said Samuel and has been acquainted with said Samuel ever since his birth now about seventy five years. That this deponent was knowing to the enlistment of the said Samuel in the service of the United States (then Colonies) some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five as a soldier for the term of two or three months and that he continued that time in such service. But this deponent is not able to tell the regiment or company. That some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six said Samuel again enlisted in said service for the term of seven months in Col Samuel Seldens regiment and this deponent thinks in Capt Elphit Holms company but this deponent is not certain as to the name of the captain and that he said Samuel continued in such service during the said term of seven months.
And this deponent further says that said Samuel in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven again enlisted in said service for about the term of two months in Capt. Amos Jones company and Col. Tyler's regiment and continued in such service during the term of his enlistment.
And this deponent further says that the said Samuel served several other short terms being called out as a militia man. But this deponent cannot now state the exact times. Ichiel Comstock.
Sworn before me this 7th day of Feby 1832
H. G. Jones Not Public

I certify that I was acquainted with Gabriel Comstock when living, and believe him to have been an amiable and respectable person he died February the 16 1853 as I have been informed no doubt about the 20 1853 Alfred Greenman Jr. P.
David Comstock
State of Middlesex ss I do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I the undersigned Clerk of Middlesex County do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof and that the same is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 22 nd day of April 1853
Alfred Greenman Jr.
Alfred Greenman Clerk
My by February 1852
I the undersigned Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof and that the same is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof
Alfred Greenman Jr.