Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,184, William Collins, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Collins William
S. 32,184
CONTENTS

Rep.
No 31.831 -
Illinois -
William Collins of Madison Co in the State of Illinois who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Humphreys of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Meigs - in the Connecticut line for 7 Months & 7 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 24 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of March, 1841 - and sent to Hon: John Reynolds of the St: of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $241.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept: 1841 - 12.05
$253.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. M. Stewart Clerk Book 12 - Vol. 8 - Page 118 -

C 408 40
35-104 William Collins Illinois
1876
on 26th Cal R.D. Myers Cal Washington
on 26 May 1876 to Jan 1878 = 7-9
1876 1877 1878

State of Illinois Madison County p:
On this fourth (12 th ) fourth day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty, personally appeared in open Court before the Circuit Court in & for the said County of Madison now sitting. William Collins a resident of the County of Madison & State of Illinois aged about eighty years born in the year 1760 in the town of Guilford & State of Conn- -ecticut: Who 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 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That he went into the service of the United States at the age of seventeen years by being drafted in the State of Conn.

mechanic, and served from April 1777 until the January following a period of eight months in the Seventeenth Regiment Commanded by Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs - which Regiment was called the Scouting Regiment - The first Company in this Regiment in which he served was Com- manded by Capt. Mumphrys of Connecticut - He was also in Company during this term of Service, Commanded by Captains Barker - Capt. Man- =spile & Captain Potter - During this term of Service the Regiment in which he served, was employed on the lines, between Fishkill & Morristown - He recollects being in two skirmishes or engagements, during the period of his Service - one at Var- =ness hill in November 1777 with the British Light Horse - Another Engagement took place

in December 1777. at De Lancey's Mill - He remembers seeing Genl. Putnam & other General Officers in the same Service - The whole length of time in which he was in the Service of the United States was eight Months, & when the said Term of eight Months had expired the men were disbanded. no discharge was received by this applicant -
In the year 1779 he Enterd the family of General Andrew Ward - (his uncle Augustus Collins being Genl. Ward's Brigadier Major) - In this term he served two months - During this term of two months he was stationed at Stratford and also at New Haven in the State of Connecticut - He thinks he was in what was called the Connecticut line of State Troops during this period - He has no docu- mentary Evidence to substantiate the aforesaid facts -

He hereby relinquishes Every Claim whatsoever 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. Witnesseth my hand this 12 th day of August W m Collins A.D. 1840. before me J. Brown Clerk
We William Hadley a Cler =yman residing near Collins =ville in the County of Madison & State of Illinois - And John Lusk residing in Edwardsville in the same County & State, - hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with William Collins

who subscribed swore to the above declaration in our presence: - that we believe him to be eighty years of age & that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides. We have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war between the United States of America & Great Britain. and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 12 th day of August A.D. 1843 J. S. Lusk Wm. Brown John D.
Interrogatories propounded to William Collins in open court before the Circuit Court in & for the County of ...

State of Illinois, at the August Term of said Court A.D. 1840
1 st When & in what place were you born?
Answer - I was born in Guilford New Haven County in the State of Connecticut on the 9 th day of October in the year 1766.
2 nd
Have you any Record of your age & if so where is it?
Answer - The period of my birth is written in my family Bible which Bible is now in my possession at my place of residence in Cottinville Madison County
3 rd Where were you living when called into Service - Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war - and where do you now live?
Answer - I resided in Guilford

1 New Haven County, State of Connecticut at the time I was called into the Service of the United States. After the war, I lived about forty years in Litchfield in the State of Connecticut - & then came to the State of Illinois & have resided in the County of Madison ever since -
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 - I was drafted into the Service for the period of eight months as stated in my declaration - When I went into the Service in the family of Genl. Wood I went as a volunteer & continued two months as stated in my declaration -

5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the Troops when you served: Such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect & the general Circumstances of your Service?
Answer It is so long since the period of my Service & my Memory has become so much impaired that I cannot well recollect the names of the Officers who were with the Troops - I recollect the names of Major Capt. Humphrey Gardner - Capt. Humphrey Sergeant Fowler & Lieutenant Ely - I cannot recollect the names of any of the Regi- ments either of the Militia or Continental Troops -
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, and if so by whom was it given such as to be entitled to it? Ans. I never had a regular discharge -

7 th - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood & who can testify to your character for truth & veracity & their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer . - I can name a great many individuals who have been intimately acquainted with me for many years. Since I came to the State of Illinois the following persons know me well - A. Small - Dr. Scott - Geo. Church - William Hadley - John T. Stock - Daniel P. Barker - Thomas L. Sprigget which latter gentleman was for many years present within the last two months the pastor of Collinsville Asst. Church of which I am a member. I have been such a member for Eighteen years. As to the said Court - the persons declared their opinions after the investigation of the matter - and after putting the forgo-

ing interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named defendant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states in his Declaration in his answer to said Interrogatories - And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Will- iam Hadley, who has Certificate of the preceding Certi- ficate is a Clergyman resi- dent in the County of Madison and Collinsville in said County & that said John T. Tusk resided in the town of Edwards- ville County of Madison & that said Tusk is a Credible Person & that the Statements of said William Hadley & John T. Tusk are entitled to Credit -

State of Illinois Madison County ss: I William Tyler Brown Clerk of the Circuit Court in & for the County of Madison & State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origin- al proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Collins for a Pardon -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 12 th day of August A.D. 1840. done at Edwardsville in the County of Madison State of Illinois Wm. Tyler Brown Clerk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
AWS.
January 18, 1924.
Senator Davis Elkins, United States Senate.
My dear Senator;
In response to your letter of the seventeenth instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 32184, it appears that William Collins was born October 9, 1760 in Guilford, Connecticut and while residing there, enlisted in April or May 1777 and served as private under Captains Humphreys, Barker, Mansfield, Potter, Colonel Return Jonathan Meig's Connecticut Regiment, he was in the battle of Valentines Hill and an engagement at DeLancy's Mill and served eight months.
In 1779, he served two months as waiter to his uncle, Augustus Collins, who was Brigade Major in General Ward's Brigade.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 12, 1840, while a resident of Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois. There is no data on file as to his family.
Sincerely,
Commissioner

6.4083
10 Sept.
11 September 1840
Pension Office.
Wm Collins, MS.
Act 1832.
Dr. J. M. French J. C. Jones Washington

J. R. Pridgett Esq
Alton Aug. 25. 1840
Sir
We enclose you the application of Mr Collins for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
The receipt of the applicant renders it very desirable that the early action of the Department should be had on his application.
Will you direct that the safe reception of the declaration be acknowledged for return mail to us.
Very Respectfully.
Charles I. Skinner

W. Collins Application for Union

Collinsville Nov. 7 th 1840
Mr. Edwards
Sir
In assigning a reason for my long delay in asking for a pension I would state that the great interest which I felt in the cause of my country made me willing to sacrifice life & property in its defence — the object of my wishes was accomplished & I was satisfied
A few years since I removed from Conn. to a small settlement in Ill. where I find much to be done in the way of public buildings & other improvements which are hard to be accomplished
My friends knowing that I was entitled to a pension prevailed on me to make an application.
As to the two months mentioned I would inform you that my Uncle Augustus Collins Brigade Major invited me to accompany him & be a waiter to himself & Gen. Ward which I did it was not a call to service in the regiment
Yours respectfully
J. L. Edwards
W. Collins

State of Illinois } ss Madison County } ss
I Aaron Small a justice of the peace in said County do certify that William Collins whose signature appears to the foregoing instrument of writing appeared before me in person and made oath that the reasons then in set forth were the only reasons he could give subscribers, and, sworn to before me this seventh day of November AD 1840
Aaron Small justice of the peace in said County
I am well acquainted with old Mr. Collins whose name appears to the within letter. He is from Connecticut and is aged and respectable. His statements would obtain with me the utmost credence
John Reynolds
Washington
27 July 1841-

Mar 1. 1841.
Miss Collins
James P. Colburn Esq. Prussian Consul Washington D.C. H. J. Reynolds H.R.
way to

and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine ————— In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Probate Seal of office and subscribed my name this ninth day of April A.D. one thousand Eight hundred and forty. Ralph D. Smith Clerk.

I Samuel Bartlett of the Town of Guilford County of New Haven and State of Connecticut of the age of Seventy Nine years being duly cautioned and sworn depose and say that William Collins formerly of said Guilford now of Collins- ville in the State of Illinois who was admitted for a pension was drafted at Guilford on the first of May 1777 the militia company of which said W m Collins and I were members were called out at their usual place for parade for the purpose of making a draft of four regiments for Nine months when he the said William Collins with three others were so drafted and I was knowing to his being in the service until the 1 st of Jan. 1778 or thereabouts when he obtained his discharge and returned to Guilford being out at least eight months I would further state that I then lived in the same school district and near S d Collins. Further the Deponent saith not.
Samuel Bartlett
State of Connecticut } ss Guilford April 8 th 1840 New Haven County }
Then personally appeared Samuel Bartlett who has made and subscribed the foregoing deposition and who is well known to me as a man of truth and made solemn oath to the truth of the same on the day and year last aforesaid Before me Abel Root Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut } ss. Guilford New Haven County }
I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford certify that Abel Root Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is a justice of the peace as aforesaid (Carried forward)

I Daniel Collins of the town of Guilford County of New Haven & State of Connecticut, of the age of Seventy six years being duly cautioned & sworn depose and say that William Collins formerly of Guilford now of Collinsville in the State of Illinois who now applies for a pension was drafted at Guilford on the first of May 1777. - that he lived with me in my father's family at Guilford when he was so drafted. that he was out in the service during the full term of Eight months and returned on the first of January 1778. - I was at my father's family when William Collins so returned and well recollects that he returned on said first day of January Seventeen Hundred and seventy eight - And further the Deponent saith not. -
Daniel Collins
State Connecticut } of Guilford this 6 th day of New Haven County } April A.D. 1840.
Then personally appeared the above named Daniel Collins who has made & subscribed the foregoing deposition and who is well known to me as a man of truth and veracity and made solemn oath to the truth of the same on the day and year last aforesaid -
Isaac Tuttle Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut } of Guilford this 6 th day of April New Haven County } A.D. 1840 - Probate Court Guilford District
I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District of Guilford certify that Isaac Tuttle Esqr. is a Justice of Peace as aforesaid and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my probate seal of office & subscribed my name on the day & year last aforesaid - Ralph D. Smith Clerk. -

35,104
Ellian Collins Illinois
admitted
Pr: 7 mo 7 day $24. 60 100 Exp: Humphreys Col: Meigs. Com
Act 7 June 1832
Hon. John Reynolds H.R.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Wm Collins , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please 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.     Apr. 1777 8 mos. Pvt. Humphreys Jonathan Briggs Conn.    In the year 1779 he served 2 mos. as waiter to his Uncle Augustus Collins, who was Gen. Ward's Brigade Major.   
Battles engaged in, none men. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Gilford, Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug. 12, 1840 Residence at date of application, Collinsville Madison Co. Ill. Oct. 9, 1840 Age at date of application, Born in Gilford, Conn. in 1760.
Remarks:
C. W. Mrs. Louise Collins Keyes. 204 Washington Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minn.
Very respectfully,
(over)
Sept 1st 1899 sent to Kingman  Miss L B Kingman Commissioner.  Goodwin R. D.

Sept
Oct 2-94
Wish to
Miss Cornelia A Collins 1803 Jersey St Quincy Ill.

687 Broad St -
Providence
R. I.
Mr. W m Lockhart
Dear Sir -
Can you send me a copy of the military record of W m Collins - Who enlisted in the Rev- olutionary war at Guilford Conn -
Respectfully
(Mrs.) L. C. Kingman
Sept. 3. 1894 -
P
28652 J

G  M July 8, 1894
43350 32182
in not D. W. Commissioner, Ad War Dept Division. Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send a statement of the military service of my Grandfather William Collins .
He was a native of Guilford Conn. & enlisted in General Israel Putnam's Command. Afterwards he lived in Litchfield, Conn., then moved to Illinois. He drew his pension at Springfield Illinois.
At present I cannot furnish the dates of his birth or death.
Also, a statement of the military service of Amos Morris , of Morris Cove, East Haven Conn. I am not sure that he drew a pension. His name is among the list

of volunteers in the Connecticut Military Register, also the name of his son Amos. Moses.
Whatever information you can give will be very helpful in establishing my right to become a member of the organiza- tion known as the "Daughters of the Revolution."
The time has come when all must stand firm for our Laws & order, & prove that we have a nation & a Government. What better way to promote sympathy in, & teach Patriotism than through organized effort.
Sincerely yours-
Mrs. Louise Collins Keyes.
Please send your reply to Mrs. C. W. Keyes.
204 Washington Ave. North. Minneapolis, Minn.

Sept. 20. 1894
Mr. Lockhart Washington D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me a statement of the military life of my grandfather, Wm Collins?
He enlisted from Guilford Conn. 1777. Applied for a pension in 1840.
I regret to trouble you but think an official

statement of these facts will be of service to me.
Please send the above to oblige Yours.
Miss Cornelia A. Collins. 1803 Jersey St.
Quincy Illinois.

(3-469.)
Rev. War
Bureau of Pensions.
File # 32.184 Application No. _____
Certificate No. _____
NAME OF SOLDIER, Wm Collins
Co. _____, Reg't Conn
INFORMATION DESIRED.
All papers for exam
K

DAVIS ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA.
JOHN W. FENTON, JR., SECRETARY. DAVE DINGER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY. MARY T. HALLISY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
United States Senate, WASHINGTON, D. C.
January 17, 1924.
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Commissioner:-
I am enclosing, herewith, memorandum which pertains to the military record of William Collins, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and data concerning dates of birth, marriage and death of the soldier's wife and his children. If you can consistently furnish me with this information, I will be indeed pleased.
Would you kindly obtain for me from the Bureau of Pensions a copy of the Revolutionary War pension of-
WILLIAM COLLINS, born 1760 Guilford, Conn. died 1849 Collinsville, Illinois. married Esther Morris.
Their children were; Amos Morris,
Wm. Burrage,
Frederick and others.
I particularly wish dates of birth, marriage and death for this soldier's wife, and all data given on his children.
*****

32184 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32,184
William Collins
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 ; Page 83
[Arrangement of 1870.]
July 27/94 Mil. Hist. Co Mrs. C. W. Keyes, 204 Washington North, Minneapolis, Minn.
1894 Oct 1 Mil. Hist. to Mrs L. C. Kingman, Providence, R.I.
Same to Miss Cornelia B. Co Quincy, Ill. Oct. 2, 1894.
1924-Jan. 18 - Hist to Senator Elkins