Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,265, Levi Crittenton, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
or Brittenton, Levi Brittenden.
NUMBER
S. 15,265
Born in Conn.
CONTENTS
carded.

27.006 e Massachusetts
Levi Brittain of Richmond for the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Dewey of the Regt commanded by Smith in the Mass time for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Decr. 1835, and sent to W. H. Bishop Senor Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1835 $118.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Mch 35- 21.67 $130.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Aderson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 14

Levi Britton

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace within & for the county of Berkshire & commonwealth of Massachusetts, Levi Crittenton who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 seven months I served as a Soldier , at the campaign in the vicinity of New York in the year 1776 as stated in my declaration.
For six months I served as a Soldier in the Militia at or in the vicinity of Fort Edred on the Hudsons River & at Livingstons Manor D 1777 as also stated in my declaration - Making in the whole one year & one month and for such service I claim a Pension
Levi Crittenton
Berkshire ss. Subscribed & sworn to by Said Levi Crittenton this 29 th day of July D 1833 before me Robbins Kellogg justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty seventh day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Levi' Crettenton a resident of the town of Richmond , in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five 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. viz That about the month of May or June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy six at Great Barrington in said County of Berkshire he entered in the company commanded by Capt. Stephen Devey in Col Smiths Regiment & Genl. Fletchers Brigade and soon after Marched from Sheffield in said County of Berkshire to New York when he arrived with said company on the fourth day of July following, that he continued to serve in said company & Regiment the full term of his enlistment which was as he believes seven months, but which he is unable to state exactly that he was at the evacuation or retreat from New York and was at the Battle at the White Plains & finally discharged at Croton in the State of New York at which former time he is unable to state -
And said Levi' Crettenton further says that in the month of April 1777 he was in a short campaign or term of service in the Militia under the command of
7 M o in 1776
A

capt Silas Goodrich of Said Great Barrington -ton at a place called Livingston Manor in the state of New York We attacked a party of Tories at that place under the command of a British Officer called capt Hooper who was killed in the engagement & the remainder either taken or dispersed we were on this service about half a month & then marched to Great Barrington soon after this I was ordered to Fort Edward Fort Edward & Fort George on the Hudson River under the command of the same capt Silas Goodrich during this service our company belonged to Col John Ashley's Regiment & Genl John Ashley's Brigade Regiment & Colonel's Brigade and was with the army when it retreated & he returned home to Great Barrington about the middle of August 1777 immediately after I was again ordered under the command of Said Silas Good- rich to Pownington that he was in the battle of Pownington on the sixteenth of August and was detached and ordered as one of the guards to take the prisoners captured at Pownington to Boston, that he returned from Boston by way of Great Barrington and tarried there a few days & then returned to the Northern Army with Genl John Fellows & joined Genl Gates Army at Bemis Heights & that he continued to serve in the American Army there till the surrender of Genl Burgoyne's Army - on the 7 th of October when Genl Fraser was killed, & also at the surrender of Genl Burgoyne on the 17 th of October he was stationed at the Fording place at Ballon Hill or Norton Hill opposite Schuyler's villa on the Hudson River defending the same soon after he was discharged and returned home that he continued to serve constantly in the service of his country as one of the militia from the time he was ordered to Livingston Manor in April 1777 until he returned home in October 1777 after Burgoyne's surrender.

surrender as he was contentedly under arms or on duty during all that time under the command of his officers without the power of attending to any other business, being a period of six months or more.

both Silas Goodrich of said Great Barrington The said Britton in answer to the interrogatories submitted by the War department states as follows viz that he was born at Southington in Connecticut in the year 1757 as he has always understood and verily believes - and in answer to the second he says he has a Family Record in his Bible which the day of his birth is entered which is now at his house in Richmond and in answer to the third he says he was living in Great Barrington upon being called into the service which I resided till the year 1779 & then went to Hartford Conn & spent a few months & in the year 1780 went to Canaan in Connecticut & then returned & resided till he removed to Richmond upon being when he has since resided and in answer to the fourth he says, he enlisted in the first engagement & was drafted in the second in the second & was at no time a substitute and in answer to the fifth he says he in the first engagement was stationed a part of the time near Genl. Moxon's Brigade, Col. Glover's Brigade - Capt. Doolittle at the Northend he recalls Col. Moxon. Maj. Ashley the general circumstan- ces he has before stated In answer to the sixth he says he has no recollection of ever receiving any written discharge & in answer to the seventh he says he will state the names of Rev. Ebenezer W. Dwight & Henry W. Hopkins -
that he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person now living by whom he can prove his first engagement except Nathaniel Forst & none to prove his second engagement in a more explicit manner than is stated in the affidavit of Ezra Hildreth Esq. of W. William Whiting which are hereto annexed as to prove his other engagements aforementioned he knows of no person living by whom he can prove the same.

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
S.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Levi Crittendon
W. P. Walker J. Probate
We Edwin W. Dwight a Clergyman, residing in the town of Richmond  Mass and Henry W. Bishop residing in Lenox hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Levi Crittendon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
S.
Edwin W. Dwight Henry W. Bishop
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. 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 A . And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Edwin W. Dwight who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Richmond in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Henry W. Bishop who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Lenox in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Levi Crittendon for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty seventh day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate
A. except that the said Crittendon was at White Plains on the day of the battle, and near, though not in the engagement -

Ephraim Forstut of West Stockbridge in the bridge in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - states aged Seventy seven years being duly sworn deposes & says that about the month of May or June in the year nineteen hundred & seventy six he enlisted in the company com- manded by Capt. Stephen Dacey Col. Smith's Regiment & Genl. Folsom's Brigade that Levi Crittenton of Richmond in said County also en- -listed about the same time in the same company that we marched soon after from Sheffield in said County to New York when we arrived on the fourth day of July following, that I continued to serve in said company & regiment the full term of my enlistment which I verily believe was seven months and till said company & Regiment were discharged, during all which term said Levi Crittenton also served as a soldier in the company & Regiment aforesaid, that we were at the retreat from New York, at the battle at White- -Plains and finally discharged at Croton
Ephraim Forstut
Berkshire ss. July 27. 1882 Then the above named Ephraim Forstut personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - and I further certify that said Forstut is a Man of truth & veracity - Robbins Kellogg Justice of the peace

Ezra Kellogg of Great Barrington in the county of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esq r aged seventy seven being duly sworn deponeth & saith that that he has been well acquainted with Levi Critten- ton of Rushmore in said county at the time of since the Revolutionary War - that during said War he resided at Great Barrington - that in the season of 1776 he was absent from Great Barrington on a tour of Military duty to the Southeast as he then understood & it was then so generally understood in the neighbourhood he was absent during this season at the Northward & therefore can only state from general information -
That in the season of 1777 - he was personally knowing to said Critten-ton doing duty at the northward - he knows he was at Brimfield on the day of the Battle at that place - but he is unable to state how long he was engaged in this campaign he is unable to state - he further says that beside the two campaigns above mentioned it was generally understood in the neighbourhood when said Critten-ton & he resided that said Critten-ton was engaged & did other tours of duty in the Revolutionary way, that the two beforementioned that it was generally understood & believed that he was a good & active soldier during the revolution & have never heard or otherwise said of him -
Ezra Kellogg further states that said Critten-ton has always sustained a good reputation & is a man of veracity
Ezra Kellogg
at the Battle of Bannington, after said Battle I returned to Great Barrington & said Critten-ton was absent as I then understood & believe to assist in taking the prisoners (taken at said Battle) to Boston - after he returned from

both sides goodrich of San Great Barrington
Berkshire ss. August 16 th 1832 personally appeared Ezra H. Kellogg Esq. within named and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed before me and I further certify that said Ezra H. Kellogg is a man of truth and veracity Robbins Kellogg justice of the peace
Mr. Buttleton

William Whiting of Berkshires in the county of Leoga & State of New York aged seventy five years being duly sworn deposes & says that in the year 1775 & ever since he has been well acquainted with Levi Britton now residing in Pittsfield in the county of Berkshires, that during the Revolu- tion said Britton as well as Myself resided at Great Barrington in the county of Berkshires, that in the season of 1776 said Britton enlisted & was absent on a tour of duty in the vicinity of New York as was then understood & firmly believing that in the following season we  he  was in the month of April A.D. 1777 said Britton was and attached to Capt. Silas Goodrich company of Militia. Said company was in the month of April afterwards went into the state of New York to Annam to take a party that had collected under a British Officer from New York by the name of Hooper, several of his men were killed & the party routed, that said and but Hooper fled & I understood & firmly believe that said Britton was the one who took him & bro't him in, he soon after died of his wound was out at that time about two weeks & said Britton was also with said company during the whole time In the latter part of June or beginning of July 1777 he again engaged under the command of said Goodrich and marched with said company to Fort Edward & joined the Main Army at that place and remained with said Army & assisted in the retreat to Stillwater & afterwards returned to Great Barrington after which during this campaign said Britton also was doing duty in the same company campaign and was most of the time waiter to General Fellowes. Immediately after we returned home we were again ordered out with said Goodrich's company & marched from Great Barrington to Pownington & said Britton was also went & he as well as Myself was at the Battle of Pownington, after said Battle I returned to Great Barrington & said Britton was absent as I then understood & believe to assist in taking the prisoners (taken at said Battle) to Boston - after he returned from

Porter he joined the Army at the campaign of the taking of Saratoga & to my knowledge continued in the service till after the surrender of Saratoga & soon after he returned with the other troops to Great Barrington where he was attached to Col John Ashley's Regiment & Genl Hovey's Brigade. From my personal knowledge of said Britton & his services I considered said Britton was under arms or in the service of his country from April 1777 till November following, being frequently called out on other short skirmishes than those before stated.
That I well know that said Britton was an active soldier during the revolution & verily believe that that his service in the Revolutionary war would amount to more than two years service in the whole
William Whiting
Be it known that on this 28 th day of August 1832 the above named William Whiting made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me & I further certify that said Whiting is a man of uncommon retentive memory & of strict integrity & veracity
Robbins Kellogg justice of the peace
Col Britton Richmond Mass. application for pension Sept 27 1832 10750

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County do hereby certify that Robbings Release & Deed before whom the annexed Depositions of Ephraim Forster Ezra Hellely & William Whiting & additional Declaration or affidavit of Levi Britten were executed, even on the respective days which they bear date & now is one of the sittings of the Court within & for said County duly & regularly appointed and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & have no doubt that the signatures annexed to said Depositions & affidavit are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourth Day of August A D 1833 — Henry W. Bishop. Register Probate

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Levi Crittendon 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. S. F. 15,265-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May & June, 1776 7 mos. Pvt Stephen Dewey Smith Mass   Apr. 1777 6 " Silas Goodrich John Ashley        
Battles engaged in, White Plains, Bennington, both battles of Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Great Barrington, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 27, 1832. His C.C. was al.
Residence at date of application, Richmond, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, Born in 1757 at Southington Conn
Remarks: He stated that in 1780 he moved to Canaan, Conn., where he married (name of wife not stated). There is no further data relative to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1917, Feb. 26. Hist. to Louis H. von Sahler. 1919 Apr. 14 Hist. to Raymond E. Van Syckel
I
15265 INVALID.
File No. 15. 265
Levi Crittenton
Prof. Rev. man
Act: June 1 st 1852.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 83
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ver Schatz 1/6
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Bureau of Pensions Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
General Pension Office, Washington, D.C.

Kindly send me any facts that you have about Abraham Crittenden , or Cruttenden , of Southington & Guilford, Ct., & Rev. Crittenden , or Cruttenden , of Southington & Great Barrington & Richmond, Mass. Connected with the Revolution.
Yours H. von Sahler, The Hall Homestead, Southington, Connecticut. Feb. 16.
Kindly send me any facts that you have about Abraham Crittenden , or Cruttenden , of Southington & Guilford, Ct., & Rev. Crittenden , or Cruttenden , of Southington, Great Barrington & Richmond, Mass., - connected with the Revolution.
Yours truly Louis H. von Sahler, The Hall Homestead Southington, Connecticut. Feb. 15.

18750
Levi Coulton
43332
8660
21.67
108.33
Please to forward the Certificate to Robbins College - West Hartford Parkinson Co Mass
Enrate 13 months Adm
H. M. Bishop Esq.
Levi (Mash)

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink , will apply to the claim of Levi Guttentag which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? 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? 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? Me No Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 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 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 shewn 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.

THE MICHIGAN SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Rev War msk
PRESIDENT GEORGE H. BARBOUR DETROIT VICE-PRESIDENT MAJOR FREDERICK M. ALGER DETROIT VICE-PRESIDENT CHARLES H. LEONARD GRAND RAPIDS SECRETARY RAYMOND E. VAN SYCKLE DETROIT
REGISTRAR FRANKLIN S. DEWEY DETROIT CHAPLAIN REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D. D. DETROIT HISTORIAN PROF. WARREN W. FLOREN, PH. D. ANN ARBOR TREASURER FRANK G. SMITH DETROIT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 1728 FORD BUILDING DETROIT, MICHIGAN
The Commission of Pension - Washington D.C.
Sir -
I kindly ask your services and family data in re -
Rev. Grittenden - b. Farmington Conn 11/28 1757 d. Richmond, Mass 4/25 1841
pensioner, Rev. Wav.
Respectfully Yours
Raymond E. Van Sycke
Recy