Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17386, Simeon Dickinson, Conn. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Privateer
Dickinson Simeon
S. 17386
CONTENTS
carded

Connecticut 1787
Simeon Dickinson of Haddam in the State of Conn who was a Pvt. in the Conn. commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Chester in the Conn. Troops time for 7 Mo. 7 days & Private
Enrolled on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 26 Dollars 57 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Sept 1833 and sent E. A. Bulkeley East Haddam Ct Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 26.47 Semi-annual allowance ending March - 13.25 $39.72
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Attested by E. D. Willcock Clerk, Book Co Vol. 3 Page 11

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex Probate District of East
East Haddam
On this 10 th day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, being a Court of Record, having a Clerk and seal, now sitting, Simion Dickinson a resident of the town of East Haddam Middlesex County and District aforesaid, aged seventy four years, who first being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated -
1 st That in the month of May in the year 1776 the Deponent then residing at Wethersfield in Hartford County Connecticut enlisted for six months in the service of the United States, as a drummer , in a company commanded by Captain Chester Wells in a regiment of which John Chester was Colonel - The company and regiment were ordered to New York - When we proceeded by land to New Haven and from thence to New York by water - While in New York we were stationed in Queen (now called Pearl ) Street - The Lieutenant of the company to which Deponent belonged was one Wright - the quartermaster of the Ensign was Stoddart - The names of the Lieutenant Colonel and Major the Deponent does not recollect - The name of the Commander of the Brigade he thinks was Wadsworth of Durham Connecticut - There were a great number of troops at this time stationed in New York and at Brooklyn on Long Island - When enlisted for six and

twelve months - Among the general officers the Deponent recollects General Washington - Parsons - Spencer - Wadsworth and Read Adjutant General - and on Long Island Generals Sullivan - Lord Sterling and Genl Woodhull - Among the commanders of Regiments were Colonels Myllis and Silliman - The Deponent was in New York when the American Army after the battle on Long Island retreated over to New York in the night about the last of the month of August and remained with them as they moved towards Kingsbridge and White Plains till after the middle of September when the Deponent was taken sick and recommended by Doctor Hart the Surgeon of the Regiment for the discharge - by Col Chester the Deponent was sent to Genl Washington (as no discharges were then given without his sanction) by whom he was discharged - The deponent remained in the service at least four months - and he thinks it may have been longer - he was not acquainted with any of the General officers or commanders of Regiments except the one to which he belonged - The deponent has no documentary evidence - and accompanies this declaration with evidence in support of his claim -
2nd In the early part of the month of September as Deponent thinks in the year 1777 the deponent then residing at Methuen Conn was together with the Regiment of Militia to which he belonged, commanded by Col Woodbridge was ordered to Fishkill on the North River to prevent the progress of the British Army to the Northward, when we proceeded passing through Danbury in Connecticut and thence into the State of New York to the North River. The Captain of the Company to which Deponent belonged he thinks was John Hannum - There were other troops at this time in Fishkill both Militia and continental, but the Deponent cannot distinctly recollect the names of the officers - The Deponent was during this period a drum

-men- and remained at Fishkill two months . The Regiment during this period moved from Fishkill to Red Hook when it was discharged - which was sometime after the surrender of Genl Burgoyne. The Deponent has no documentary evidence but accompanies this declaration with evidence in support of his claim -
3 rd The latter part of July or first of August not  the  Deponent  thinks in the year 1779. He then residing at Wethersfield Connecticut was together with the Regiment to which he belonged, commanded by Col Woodbridge was ordered to New Haven in Connecticut, which place had been entered by British troops under the command of Genl Tryon. The Captain of the Company to which Deponent belonged was John Hanmer as he thinks - He proceeded to New Haven, but did not arrive there till after the British Troops had left. One half of the Regiment was in a few days dismissed and the other half ordered to remain for the purpose of guarding the coast - It was determined by lot which men should compose the half Regiment that were ordered to remain - Among those ordered to stay was the Deponent - He was afterwards stationed on the shore at East Haven where we remained a month and were then dis missed - The Deponent was a drummer - He has no documentary evidence but accompanies this declaration with evidence in support of his claim -
4 th In the fall of the year 1779 the deponent then residing at Wethersfield in Connecticut was with the company of Militia to which he belonged ordered to Suffield to take charge of some Hessian Prisoners who were ordered from Boston to some part of Pennsylvania as Deponent thinks - The company was commanded by Capt. Han

-me - we proceeded to Suffield and conducted them to the Western Part of Connecticut. when they were guarded by other companies of Militia. The deponent was employed about this service one week or more. He has no documentary evidence in support of his claim, but accompanies this with evidence in support of the same -
8 th In the month of May in the year 1780 the deponent then residing at the Methuenfield volunteered on board a privateer in the service of the United States, called the Mars a ship of twenty two guns - commanded by Captain Gilbert of New York - We sailed from Boston on a cruise and were out four months - during which time we captured two brigs and two sloops - one of which was recaptured and one brig and one schooner condemned - The Deponent has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure that can testify to his service -
The deponent was born at Wethersfield in Connecticut on the 25 th day of December A. D. 1832 - The deponent has a record of his age in a book taken from a book left by his father and he believes it is recorded in the records of the town of Wethersfield - When called into the service the Deponent at all times lived at Wethersfield - Since the Revolutionary War the Deponent has lived about two years in the State of Massachusetts in the town of Richmond - a few months in the city of New York and at East Haddam where he now resides for over Fifty years - The Deponent when he first entered the service enlisted - The next time the Regiment was ordered out - The third time the Regiment to which he belonged was ordered out - the fourth time the company to which he belonged was ordered out, when on board the privateer Mars he volunteered - The Deponent has stated as particularly as he can recollect the names of the regular

officers that were with the troops where he served also such regiments as he can recollect and the general circumstances of his service - The deponent receiv- -ed a discharge from the service during the time of his enlistment, which he has lost and cannot find he received no written discharge at any other time but was regularly dismissed - The Deponent is well known to the Revd M c Clask Timothy Green, Richard Green Gen l Champion Captain Atwood William Gelston Esq and most of the other inhabitants of East Haddam who can testify as to his character for veracity and their beli- ef of his services as a soldier of the Revolution He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- -sion or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State Sworn and subscribed Simson Dickinson the day and year aforesaid
We Peter G Clarke a Clergyman residing in the town of East Haddam and William Gelston also residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simson Dickinson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- -borhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Re- -volution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Peter G Clarke William Gelston
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 certify that it appears to them that Peter G Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resid- -ent in the town of East Haddam and that William Gelston who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of

East Haddam, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Eliphaleet A Bulkeley Judge of Court
I, Matthew G. Warner, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Simion Dickin- son for a pension - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16 th day of October A.D. 1832
Matthew G. Warner, Clerk
Simion Dickinson 18071

Levi Dickinson of Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, now Seventy seven years of age, deposes and says, that in year 1776 his brother Simeon Dickinson enlisted as drummer in Col. John Chester's Regiment of Windhamfield Connecticut, in the company, under the command of Capt. Chester Wells, and continued in the service of his Country at that time, as Deponent believes, about four months -
In 1777 the company of Militia to which Deponent then belonged, in Windhamfield Conn. was ordered to North River, near Fishkill, to prevent the progress of the British troops to the northward, the Deponent continued in this service two months as he thinks, during this period his brother Simeon Dickinson was with him, and served as drummer in the same company for the same space of two months -
In the summer of 1778 as Deponent thinks, he was ordered with the company to of Militia to which he belonged, to the vicinity of New Haven Conn. where the British troops had been, and continued there for more than one month, as he thinks - During this time his brother Simeon Dickinson was in the service & company with himself - serving as drummer
In the year 1779 the company of Militia to which Deponent belonged was ordered to Suffield Conn. to take charge of some Hessian Prisoners - Deponent went, and also his brother Simeon Dickinson, and continued in the service at that time about one week as Deponent thinks - And further, Deponent saith not -
Levi Dickinson
State of Massachusetts
Hampshire County } ss
Levi Dickinson Signor of the foregoing Deposition
ss
October 2 d 1832
Personally appeared

and made oath to the same before the Subscribing authority to whom it appears the Defendant is Entitled to full Credit Moses Porter Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire I Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Inferior Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Moses Porter Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity - and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Moses Porter - and believe his signature within to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
S. Stoddard Clerk

Out
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Simeon Dickinson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (on his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 17,386
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1776 4 mos. Drummer Chester Wells John Chester Conn.   Sept 1777 2 mos. " John Harnsey Woodbridge "   July or Aug 1779 1 mo. " " " " "   Fall 1779 1 week " Hamner (guarding Hessians) "   May 1780 4 mos. " Gilbert Ash Captured 2 brigs and 2 sloops. Pirate "Mars" "  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wetherfield, Conn. Date of application for pension, Oct 10, 1832. The claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn. Age at date of application, 75 yrs. Dec 25 1832 b'm Wetherfield, Conn. Remarks: After the war he resided at Richmond, Mass about 2 years, in New York City a few months and at East Haddam about fifty years.
Respectfully,
Arthur Lee
Ship "Mars" was a Conn. Privateer.
Commissioner.

M JH
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Department of Interior.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir;
My Grandfather Simeon Dickinson was a Revolutionary Pensioner in 1832. He was born in Wethersfield Conn., and lived in East Haddam Middlesex Co Conn. from 1783 until his death in 1837. I suppose he was in the service from Connecticut

but he may have served from Massachusetts for he was living in Richmond Mass. before he came to East Raddam.
I would like a statement of his Military service from his application for a pension. It is wanted because some of my relatives (his descendants) and myself are considering the matter of applying for admission to the Daughters of American Revolutions. My Mother
Mrs Joseph Martin. was the youngest of the twelve children of Rev. Simeon Dickinson

My mothers name was Eliza Ann Dickinson,
Very Respectfully
Miss Eliza E Martin 5 Sherman St Hartford Conn.
May 19. 1914

Lincoln Dickinson Surv File 17386.
Send record to Lyman J. Wightman Room 68. Section G - Record Div
Dec. 8. 1909

Moodus, let. Jan. 25, 1904. Gen. Dickinson
Dear sir,
I wish to join the Daughters of American Rev. my Mother Mary Dickinson was a daughter of Lemuel, who was a son Simeon Dickinson , a Rev. Pensioner. His name is among list of Pensioners from Middlesex County, Conn. pg. 654. also among list of Soldiers pg. 698. According to act of Congress 1832 he must have served at least

two years, but I have not been able to find what Office he held or what battle he was in. I visited Mother's cousin some time ago, who spoke of you. Catharine Dickinson of Haddam (Shailerville let.) her father was brother to my Grandfather. If I am not asking too much any information you can give will be gratefully received.
Ida D. Stark Moodus, let.
Middlesex Co. Conn.

DETROIT, MICH.,
June 12 1900
The Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC
Dear Sir
am desirous of finding the sons- of American Revolution and write you for information in regard to pension record of Simon Dickinson a prisoner of the war of the American Revolution and a privateer (my great grandfather) Born Dec 25-1757 at Northfield Conn Residence at date of application for Pension East Haddam Conn Drummer under Capt- Chester Wells " " " Capt- Hanner
and Gilbert Doh Privateer Wars if possible should like information as to date of his death. Thanking you in advance
I am yours very respectfully, W S Wightman.
163 Ash St Detroit Mich

17 386 INVALID.
File No. 17.386
Simeon Dickinson
Pr. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 38
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 97
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feb'y 5-1904-Heir Ida B. Stark Moodus Conn
1909 Dec. 9. Hist. to Lyman J. Wightman from catalogue of 1910 June 24 W. S. Wightman 1914 May 29. Miss Eliza E. Martin

No 16,671 Simson Dickenson
22 3 66 55 26.51
7. 1/2 days drummer
$26.51
E. A. Bulkeley East Haddam Ct.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Simeon Dickerson 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? yes 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? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? Yes No See green 16 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 authenticates 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 ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Roger Clark of Wethersfield - County of Hartford and State of Connecticut - certify and declare - that Mr Simon Dickinson who is an Applicant - for a Pension - is well known to me - he being a native of this town - and previous to the Revolutionary War we were near neighbors to each other I also declare - that I have personal knowledge of his being a Drummer in the Regiment of Col o John Chester - and in the Company of Capt t Chester Wells - which was called New Living - who went - to defend their Country - against the Armies of England - in the Year A D - 1776 - at New York and elsewhere -
I also certify & declare that in New York being also a Soldier - in Col s Samuel Wyllys - Regiment often saw Mr Simon Dickinson - in said Com- pany of Capt t Wells - often performing his duty as a Drummer -
And I also know others of my neighbors who were in this Comp Company - and who always informed me that this company enlisted for Six Months Service -
Roger Clark
Wethersfield Sept r 10 th 1832 Personally appeared Roger Clark - who is well known to me - & who has signed the above certif- -icate - and made solemn oath to the truth of the same - before me James L Delden Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Hartford
} p
I, Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for said Hartford County, do hereby certify, that
Jamies L. Belden, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Roger Clark was taken, is a Jus- tice of the Peace for said County, duly qualified according to law, & that I verily believe the signa- ture, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this tenth day of Sept. A.D. 1832
Jared Griswold Clerk
300 150 60