Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,486, Silas Cleaveland, Conn. Navy.

SERVICE
Loon. Navy.
Cleveland, Silas
NUMBER _____
D. 12,486
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 9237.
Silas Cleveland
of Canterbury in the State of Conn. who was a priv. & mas. in the Company commanded by Captain Bacon of the Regt. commanded by Col. Chester in the Militia time for
Private - 6 mo
Marine 8. mo
Conn. at 18/105. Navy Records completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of April 1833 and sent to A. T. Ingersoll, Canterbury Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 93. 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833. 23 33
$ 116. 65.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3 d Page 7.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } ss. Brooklyn COUNTY OF WINDHAM, }
On this 14 day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of the County of Windham aforesaid, now sitting, Silas Cleaveland a resident of the town of Canterbury in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut, aged 76 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
1 st Period of service. On or about the 25 th day of June 1776, I enlisted as a private into the Company commanded by Capt. Asa Bowen, in Col. John Chester Reg t of the Connecticut State Troops, and served the full period of six months and on the 25 th day of Dec r 1776. I was discharged at Peks kill in the State of New York, the most part of the Company were dismissed in New Jersey - I was detained at Peks kill , and was then discharged. The payroll of Capt. Bowen for the last quarter, has been forwarded to the officer, where my name appears.
2 nd Period of service, was performed in the Navy. In the month of Nov r 1778, I enlisted as a hand on board of the Ship Confederacy, belonging to the United States, the following were her officers - Capt. S th Harding - 1 st Lieut. Wm. Grop - 2 nd Lieut. Vaughn - 3 rd Lieut. Gregory - The ship was built in the River Thames, in Con. and I went on board in Nov r . 1778, and worked rigging the vessel, and in April 1779 she sailed from New London. The Confederacy carried 36 guns - we captured one 24 gun ship, belonging to the enemy, I also served on merchant vessels. I served on board the Confederacy nine months, and was discharged at the Town of Chester, before Philadelphia in August following my enlistment.
3 rd Period of service. On the 21 st day of Sept r 1780. I was in the Town of Bethel in the State of Vermont, at work, when the British Indians took me a prisoner. They being in the employment of the British government, I was by them carried to Lake Champlain - down to St. Johns where I was delivered up to the British command officer at St. Johns, Capt. Thomas - from thence I was transported to St. Regis where where I was kept a prisoner till the 5 th day of February 1781. There I was carried to Montreal, kept in prison at that place until the 20 th day of August 1780 when an order was sent by the British Governor of Canada, for an exchange - and on the 18 th day of September 1780 I was exchanged & returned home. Col. Allen & Maj. Fay were Commissioners of exchange in my case at a place now called White Hall. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
The following interrogatories were by said Court propounded to said applicant, viz:--
 1. Where and in what year were you born? Answer in Canterbury Conn.  2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? Answer Amended  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? Answer from Canterbury Conn.  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? Answered Above  5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. 
Answered Above
 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
Answer I never did
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief in your services as a soldier of the revolution. Andrew J. Judson & Asa Bowen 
Select Men of Canterbury
Silas Cleaveland

I Isaac Cleveland, of Brooklyn in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, testify that in the fall of the year, say November 1778, my brother Silas Cleveland, now here present, went away from home to go into the service of the United States, on board of the ship Confederacy, and was absent from home nearly a year. I then understood and now verily believe that my said brother served on board of said ship, during his absence, it was so understood in the family - and on his return, I often heard him speak of being on board of said ship. I was then only ten years old, and did not see him then, but now only speak of what I heard then. January 16. 1833
Isaac Cleveland
Windham County ss. Brooklyn January 16th. 1833. Personally appeared Isaac Cleveland, a person well known to me, to be a credible witness, and made oath to the facts in the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Attest Andrew Tuckerman Justice of the Peace

I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Andrew S. Judson Esq. before whom the within Affidavit was made, is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Windham County, that the within signature of his name is in his hand writing, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Brooklyn in said County this 23 d day of January A.D. 1833 -
Armin Bolles Clerk

The amended Declaration of Silas Cleaveland In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. State of Connecticut County of Windham } ss. Brooklyn
On this 23 rd day of January A.D. 1833. personally appeared in Open Court before the County Court, within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, now sitting, Silas Cleaveland, a resident of the town of Canterbury in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut, aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following amendment of his preceding Declaration , in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
The present amendment is to be applied to the "2 nd Term of service" as stated in his original Declaration, to which this is annexed and made part and is to explain the said original declaration. The ship Confederacy was always denominated a "Congress Ship" and I then understood, and now verily believe that the same belonged to the Navy of the United States, & that the Officers and men were paid by the United States, or by Congress, and was not in the State service. The Confederacy carried 36 Guns, and was said to have on board 300 men, including all. Whether she had her full complement, I do not now remember. The marines on board of said ship composed a Company, and was Officered as follows. Capt. Hardy, Lieut. Bill, and Ensign Scott. There were two sergeants, Sargent Marsh of Salisbury Ct. and Sargent Scituate, of Groton. There were also two corporals - Corporal Courstock, and the other I have forgotten. I enlisted at Thanksgiving time in November 1778, the exact day I cannot now remember, as a marine on board the Confederacy . After going on board the ship, I had there in command, an Uncle by the name of Frederick Levertis, Master at Arms , and he obtained for me the

The post of "Ship's Corporal" and my particular duty, after that, was to be under the particular direction of the Capt. at Arms . In addition to the officers named in my original declaration, I would now name. Jacob, 1 st mate of the ship. Frederick Gaudkins 2 nd mate of the ship. William Petty Boswain. Lathrop & Morey were two of the Midshipmen. Mackintosh was Gunner, Peter Scallen was Gunner's Mate. I name the following persons who among many others served on board with me. — vice — Samuel Curtis, Curtis Cleveland, Jeremiah Robbins, Oliver Rogers, Joseph Lafft, Nathaniel Gittes, Asa Dyer, Ichabod Johnson, Davis, Will Frazins, Richard Greenfield, Dick Tuttle, — Beckwith, Edward Cleveland, George Wetherlegs, George Reynolds, Charles Squire, Charles Miller, Frederick Elderkin, Lumbington Roberts, Elenner Storey.
I was discharged as before mentioned at Chester in August 1779, and returned home to Connecticut. Afterwards, I understood the Confederacy was taken by a British vessel, and carried to the city of New York, in the year, 1780, according to my best recollection. Edward Cleveland was on board of the Confederacy when she was taken, escaped from the British vessel and came to my house to live afterwards, and related to me all the particulars of the capture of the vessel. I have no knowledge that there is a single person now alive who served with me in the Confederacy , whose testimony I could procure. In the year 1777 Capt. Seth Harding commanded the "Oliver Cromwell" a ship in the Connecticut service, and from that ship the said Capt. Seth Harding , took the command of the Confederacy in the immediate service of the United States. The foregoing service is that service which in my original declaration was designated as a " hard " on board the Confederacy .
Silas Clearwater

Rev War
12486
INVALID.
File No. 12486
Silas Clearland
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Comptrollers Office
Hartford January 15 th 1833
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify, that under date March 23 d 1779, the Council of Safety for this State passed the following votes, viz., " Voted that this board concur in the decision of the " Navy Board of the Eastern Department in their " letter of the 15 th instant, in the cruise of the Ship " Confederacy & River Bromwell up Sound to annoy " the enemy - to attack their ships & cruisers as shall " appear prudent - and to prosecute the expedition " with greater security of success. That the ship " Putnam be taken into the service of the United " States for the present expedition as the measure " carries the appearance of ensuring success, & the " most deliberate reflection we cannot doubt of " Congress approving the measure."
" Voted that Major William Ledyard " Com dt at New London & Groton be directed to " exchange two six pound cannon with Capt.

" John Deshon for the use of the continental ship " Confederacy, and likewise to lend him a twelve " pound cannon for the use of said ship, and also " to exchange one twelve pounder.
" Elisha Phelps

Silas Blackland

War Department Pension office 4. December 1832.
Sir,
The claim of Silas Cleveland has been examined. He neither proves his service on board the Confederacy, nor shews the capacity in which he served in that ship. The phraseology used by him of being "a hand" on board, suggests very strong doubts, as to his having actually served in a public vessel.
As Mr Cleveland was taken prisoner, according to his statement, while engaged in his private affairs, - and not in the public service, - the period during which he was detained in captivity is not to be computed under the provisions

provisions of the Act of 7 June 1832. The papers are herewith returned.
I am respectfully your ob t servant,
J. L. Edwards
To
Andrew T. Judson, Esq. Canterbury Conn.

From Supt. of War

Canterbury to 1 st January 17. 1833.
From Lewis Capt.
Secy. of War
Sir
Silas Mead and his papers are now returned, with his amended Declaration; The 3 d Term of service, while in captivity, is abandoned, and as to his service on board of the ship Confederacy stated as his 2 d term, he wishes a re-consideration; he believes you will find his evidence satisfactory so as to embrace that term in the allowance. I enclose in this letter the certificate of Elisha Phelps the Comptroller of Connecticut, in which you will see that the Confederacy was in the service, as a ship belonging to the United States in 1779.
113 I will refer you also to the Journal of the Old Congress , under date of Oct r 23 d 1779 for proof positive, that Capt d Hoadley commanded the Confederacy .
Your ob t serv t Andrew S. Jackson

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid, before the County Court for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
Attest. Ammi Bolles Clerk
We Asahel Bacon & clergymen , residing in the town of A. S. Judson  in said Windham County, and  select men of Canterbury residing in (the same,) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Silas Cleveland who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 76 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.  Andrew S. Judson } select men Asahel Bacon }
Sworn, and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid, before the County Court for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
Attest Ammi Bolles Clerk
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 Andrew S. Judson Esq. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said town of Canterbury and that Asahel Bacon Esq. who signed the same is a resident in the said town of Canterbury and  is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that there is no clergyman residing in the Parish in which said Applicant is and that Asahel Bacon and Andrew S. Judson are select men of said town of Canterbury.
Attest Ammi Bolles Clerk
Ammi Bolles Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, 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 Silas Cleveland for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 14 th day of August A. D. 1832
Ammi Bolles Clerk
Town Clerk's Office, p. Canterbury, Augt. 15th. 1832. I certify that it does appear from the Records of said town that Silas Cleveland the above named applicant, was born in said Canterbury on the 17th. day of March 1756
Attest. Andrew Judson Town Clerk
March 17 1756

I Elijah Spencer of Canterbury, Connecticut, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Silas Cleveland of said Canterbury now her present, and do say that the said Cleveland served as a private the term of six months in the year 1776, which service was performed in Capt. Asa Bacon's company, in Col. John Chester Regt. of the Connecticut State Troops, and was in the States of N. York New Jersey and Pennsylvania . I served during the same period in the same company, and the said six months expired on the 25th. day of Decr. 1776.
July 20. 1832.
Elijah Spencer
Windham County ss. Canterbury July 20. 1832. Personally appeared Elijah Spencer, signer of the foregoing Affidavit, a person well known to me, to be a credible witness, and made oath to the facts stated in said Affidavit. Attest Andrew T. Spencer Justice of the Peace
I Asa Burghs of Canterbury, Connecticut, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Silas Cleveland, and have also carefully read the foregoing Affidavit of Elijah Spencer, and thereupon I do agree and concur with him in the facts he has stated therein. I served at the same time also.
July 20. 1832
Asa Burghs
Windham County ss. Canterbury July 20th 1832. Personally appeared Asa Burghs, signer of the foregoing Affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. I further certify that the said Asa Burghs is a respectable and credible witness.
Andrew T. Spencer Justice of the Peace

Allen Cleland
Wrentham County Mass.
No 3489
Certificate to be sent to A. F. Jackson Canterbury Rt.
I do hereby certify that Andrew J. Judson Esq. before whom the within Affidavit was made is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Wrentham County, that the authentic signature of his name is in his handwriting, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Brooklyn in said County this 14 th day of August A.D. 1852
Amos Bollen Blake

Silas Cleveland
N o 3489
Windham county Conn
admit
6 m private
8 m marine
$ 46.66
Return to be made to A. S. Jackson Canterbury Ct

Sworn and Subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the County Court, within and for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
Attest Armin Bolles Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
Attest.
Armin Bolles Clerk
I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court for the County Court within and for the County of Windham, in the State of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the amended declaration of Silas Cleveland for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 23 d day of January 1832.
Armin Bolles Clerk