Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12571, Bibye L Cotton, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
bonn.
botton, Bibye L.
S 12571
CONTENTS
carded

28,063 Vermont
Bibye L. Cotton of Windsor in the State of Ver who was a Private in the Com by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col. Durkee in the Co. Hoops here for
15 mo. 22 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Ver at the rate of 52 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Feb 1834 and serv. Heor Ho Everett. H. of. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $131. 10 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4, 34 26 22
$157 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Dullon Clerk,
E Vol. 3 Page 58

By the S. Cotton
28.
No 26 1/2
5 m o 14 days in Surlee
8 m o 8 days in Webb
2
$ 15, 22

Dike Cotton
admitted in Phelps C d burials reg d July 1780
dis No 100

STATE OF VERMONT, } WINDSOR COUNTY, ss. }
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Bybe D. Colton a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged sixty nine 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.
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 the last of May or first of June and served in the 4th Regiment of the Connecticut Troops under the following named officers, viz. Capt. McGregor , Lieut. not recollected, That the Col. name was Burke , and Lt. Col. Trosvenor - That he resided in the Town of Pomfret in the State of Connecticut when he enlisted. That he was mustered at Woodstock Connecticut immediately after being enlisted and marched to Nelsons Point opposite West Point in the State of New York - That he enlisted for the term of six months. That after remaining at Nelsons Point a few days they marched to Robinson Farms, so called, where he was drafted into Genl La Fayette's Infantry and was there joined to Capt. John Buck , there was not any Lieut. the Ensign name was Robinson - That after wards they marched to Peekskill, thence to Kings Ferry crossed the river to Haverstraw. thence to Kacayate thence to Pomahurst , thence to Sapan Bay . While at said Bay saw the execution of Major Andre - Thence marched to Harrington , thence to the English neighborhood , so called, near Fort Lee , thence to Elizabeth town , thence to Springfield where they took about five hundred of the Enemy on a foraging party thence marched back again to the English neighborhood - That they prepared for Winter Quarters at the Highlands in New York and built huts - That at the expiration of the term of his said enlistment he was discharged at said Highlands about the last of December in the year 1780 and that he received a written discharge but has lost the same. That after he was so discharged he returned to Pomfret in Connecticut - a few days after he arrived at Pomfret he was drafted to go to New London to guard the coast

which was in the month of January 1781 - Marched immediately to Fort Triggold where in a few days, he enlisted as a Sargent for one year in Capt Blough's company, Lieut Ezekiel Carey - Ensign Giddit - That he served in Capt Blough's company as orderly Sargent for about two months, within which time they took a British Schooner off Stonington and bro't her to Ledges wharf at Proton - That he served in Col. McClannings Regiment - That the remainder of the said year he patrolled from New London to Horse Neck and back - Was in no engagement during the said year - That he served out the year and was discharged at Proton Fort by Col. McClannings which discharge he has lost - That this years service he thinks was in the Connecticut State Troops - —
That in the month of August 1782 (on a peace day not recollected), he again enlisted into the Third Connecticut Regiment - Continental Establishment - commanded by Col Webb. Maj Wright and in the company commanded by Capt Hopkins, Lieut Lynn - to serve out the time of a Soldier by the name of Ward Cotton - That there was nineteen months of the said Ward Cottons term unexpired when he took his place - That the said Ward Cotton was discharged on account of ill health - That he continued to serve in said Company and Regiment until the 8th day of June 1783 when the war being ended he hired a substitute to serve out the remainder of his term of nineteen months and was honorably discharged at West Point State of New York by Brig. Genl J. Huntington which discharge he intends shall accompany this declaration - That during the last term of service he was stationed at West Point - He was born at Pomfret State of Connecticut September 9th A.D. 1763 and lived there till he enlisted - After the war he moved to New Hampshire and then to Bethel where he now lives and has lived for forty two years last February - Ward Cotton whose place I took as above stated has been dead some twenty years.

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
L. Marsh, Register
Bibye L. Cotton
We, Washington Granger a Clergyman residing in Bethel and Stephen Cleveland  Mill May residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Bibye L. Cotton — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine 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.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid, }
L. Marsh, Register
Washington Granger Stephen Cleveland Mill May
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 Washington Granger who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Bethel, Vermont and that Stephen Cleveland & Mill May who has also signed the same, are is a resident in Bethel aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Bibye L. Cotton for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of August A. D. 1832
L. Marsh, Register

Bibye L. Gottling affidavit

State of Vermont } Personally appeared before me the Subscriber Windsor County } a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windsor. Silas L. Cottam, who being duly sworn deposes and swith that he has heretofore made his declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, which declaration together with a certain discharge dated June 8, 1833 and signed J. Huntington B. Genl. he has once transmitted to the Secretary of War, which papers have been returned to him, but which he intends again to send to said Department with this affidavit. That in the said discharge as originally then the margin the word, Sergeant , which word was written by Benja Dorr at the time and on the occasion represented by the said Dorr in his affidavit herewith transmitted to the department. That afterwards he the said Cottam went before Judge Chase of Randolph then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont, for the purpose of making his declaration for the purpose of procuring a pension under the act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 at which time, on examining his papers, he noticed the said discharge with the word " Sergeant " written as aforesaid on the margin, and recollecting the occasion on which it was so written, and knowing that it did not belong there, he tore off the paper so much of the paper as contained the said word, which gave it the appearance that it now has. That he did perform the services as stated in said declaration herewith returned to said Department, for which he now claims a pension. That for all the time aforesaid he served in an embodied Corps called into service by competent authority, and he served all that time either

in the field or garrison and for all the time during which the service was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit. — And the said Cotton further deposes and saith that previous to transmitting his said declaration to the War Department as above stated, he procured the affidavit of Elisha Lillie of Randolph Vermont, with a view to send it with his declaration, but through mistake it was mislaid and not sent, but which he intends to send with this affidavit. — And the said Cotton further deposes and saith that he served as orderly sergeant during one full year, from January 1781, to January or February 1782, which is alluded to in his original declaration, that for a part of said year he served under Capt. Clough, and for part under Capt. Canstock, and a part under Lieut. Lathan, who had the command of a hanging party. Bibye L. Cotton
Sworn to before me this seventh day of October A.D. 1833.
Thos. P. Russell Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } I hereby certify that Bibye L. Cotton the Signor Windsor County ss } of the above affidavit, has long been personally known to me, and that he has ever sustained and still does sustain an unimpeachable character, and is a credible witness.
Thos. P. Russell Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Windsor County ss } do hereby certify that Thomas P. Russell is a Jus- tice of the Peace duly commissioned & qualified and that his signatures above are genuine Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County Court, this 24 th day of October 1833
Benj. Swan Clerk

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., _____, 189__
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Bibye L. Colton , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1780 5 mos 14 da Pri Bull. 1 McGray Dunkele Conn   Jan 1781 12 mos Sergt. Clough. McCamming Hobbs "   Aug 1782 July 8 - 83 to Sub Hopkins Webb "  
Battles engaged in, None mentioned Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pomfret Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug 10 - 1832 Residence at date of application, Bethel Vt. Age at date of application, born Pomfret Conn. Sep 9 - 1763 Remarks: Saw the execution of Maj Andre before
Very respectfully,
W. D. Dyer
Commissioner.

State of Vermont Windsor County ss. Personally appeared before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windsor, Betsy D. Colten, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he has made his declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832, which declaration, together with several affidavits and other papers he has twice sent to the Department and which have been again returned to him, and which he intends to send again with this affidavit. That at this distance of time he cannot recollect every particular relating to his service, but has endeavored to state the circumstances of his service with that particularity which recollection would enable him, and which would satisfy the Department that he was not making a false claim upon the Government. But that he has it to regret deeply that he has not, (notwithstanding the evidence of disinterested individuals which he has sent to the Department) been able to convince the Government or its agents, that he is not a scoundrel , claiming upon his oath for services which he never performed. That his Maker knows his claim is just to the utmost of his demand, and that if the Government persists in denying him his just and hard earned claims, he must shortly resign himself his palsied limbs and unwounded heart to the silent grace, cheered only by the consolation that he has fought and bled for a beloved and an ungrateful Country.
That he knows he served as a soldier, six months in the year 1780, as stated in his original declaration, which is corroborated by the affidavits of Heman Allen and Rowland Colten, to which the Department are referred. That a few days after the expiration of the said six months, he was drafted as a soldier for two months, as stated in his original declaration, that soon after being thus drafted and going to Fort Griswold, he was induced to enlist for one year by a promise from the officer en-

listing him, that he should be a sergeant, and that his year should commence immediately upon such enlistment, but that he was deceived in this, to wit that he was obliged to serve out the two months for which he was drafted, before his year's service was suffered to commence, and that he now perfectly recollects, that he was not discharged from said year's service till the last of March or first of April 1782. That when he made his original declaration he did not state the time at which he was discharged from the said year's service, and that subsequently he transmitted his affidavit to the Department in which he stated that the year's year's service as orderly sergeant expired in January or February 1782, but that upon reflection, and by conversation with Elisha Lillie (whose affidavit he intends shall accompany this paper, and who was in the same company with him, during the latter part of the said year's service, and whom he well knew at that time), he now distinctly recollects that the said year's service did not expire till the last of March or first of April 1782 as above stated. — That he knows of no person now living by whom any part of the said year's service can be proved, except the said Lillie, and that he knows he performed the said year's service as orderly sergeant as heretofore stated. That he well recollects the troops in Fort and Griswold were now troops as stated by the said Lillie. —
That in August 1782 he knows that he enlisted into Capt. Hopkins Com- pany in Col. Webb's Regiment: as a soldier, to serve out the un- expired term of Ward's Battery enlistment, as stated in his original declaration, and which service is proved by the affidavit of Rowland Cotten + Amos Grover together with his discharge, to which the department are

respectfully referred. That the statement of the S r . Rowland Cotton he knows to be true, as he saw the said Rowland almost or quite every day during said service, and that the said Row- land was an orderly sergeant in Lieut. Col. Clift's Company in Col. Grosvenor's Regt. That the Department may be sat- isfied that he belonged to Capt. Hopkins's Company, he will recite the names of several of those on the Roll of said Company as they now are now to him, but who he has never seen since his the army in 1783. viz. Avery, (transferred into his Company sometime in the winter of 1783.) Bacon, Cotton, Carpenter, 1 st Carpenter 2 d , Heirum (or Burkum 1 st ) Heirum 2 d , Upham, Jenot, Chapin Googing, Schovill (Corporal), Stowell 1 st , Stowell 2 d . That the Department are respectfully referred to the Roll of said Company for the above names. That the custom of calling the Roll was by the surnames only. That he has now just entered his seventy first year of age, and that from the great length of time since the happening of the facts above recited, he may have forgotten some facts, but that he knows his statement is substantially correct, and that relying on the justice of his claim he confi- dently hopes the Department will speedily do him that justice to which he knows he is entitled, and that for the remainder of his short days he may enjoy the comforts and emoluments which his pension might afford him. That his given name being a pecu- liar one, it is spelled, even by his most intimate acquaintances in a great variety of ways. That it is frequently written "Bilee Cotton" and that there is no doubt but the name written in pencil mark upon the back of the original declaration means his name, as

there never was to his knowledge any man in the Army after the Revolution bearing his given name, or any name affixed to it. That the Department may be satisfied that he was is not an impostor he would state another circumstance the evidence of which may be in the Department, viz, that in the latter part of winter or first part of the spring of 1783, a soldier by the name of Raymond was court-martialed for assaulting the officers barracks, and that in the S c Cattle was a scoundrel against him, and that the sentence of the Court was that he be whipped one hundred lashes and drummed out of Camp, which was carried into execution. — Bilibye L. Cotton
I swear to before me this 6th. day of December 1833.
Jonathan North Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } I hereby certify that Bilibye L. Cotton is personally Windsor County } known to me, and that he has ever sustained and still does sustain an irreproachable character and that his statement is entitled to credit. —
Jonathan North Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Windsor County } ss
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Jonathan North is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned as such, and that the above are his signatures. —
In Testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of December Eighteen hundred & thirty three —
Benj Swan Clerk

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
8 April No 11 1833
1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Bybee L Cotton Bethel

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Servin at Fort Grimald should be proved

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
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 of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
As the discharge in this case has evidently been recently mutilated for the purpose of concealing the true rank held by the claimant when he was discharged, that rank should be proved as above as he is not on the Rolled Webb's list, turn over

It is very uncertain from the different names be whether the claimant is the same in- dividual who served in Durkee's reg t according to the Rolls in this office. The same identity should be shown if possible
Proof of same by J. P.
Mr. H. Pratt John C. Chase Esq. Bethel, Vt

Bybe L. Cotton
26/4
15 m o 22 days private
52.44
See letter of explanation to H Everett
Rev H. Everett H.R.

Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Randolph, Vermont, Oct. 5, 1823.
How, S. J. Edwards,
Dr. Sir,
Bileye L. Catter of Rutland Vt. is a person well known to me, having been personally acquainted with him for many years. Mr. Catter is a man of the first respectability in the town and vicinity where he lives, and has ever sustained a character for uprightness and strict integrity not surpassed by any gentleman of my acquaint- ance. He has always been understood ever since my first acquaintance with the said Catter (which is many years ago) that he was in the Revolutionary War at considerable time. There is no doubt of that fact, and his statement in relation to it is entitled to the utmost credit. —
I am, Sir, with great respect
Your Very Obed. Servt.
Dudley Chase

Washington 27 th Aug. 1834
Sir
I enclose the pension papers of B. L. Cotton, with a letter from Julius Converse Esq. and an
very respectfully,
Your Ob d Serv t
Horace Everett
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm r of Pensions

I Nathan Allen of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont and recently three years upon testify and say that I am acquainted with Bibles Lake Cattan now of Bethel in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont and have been acquainted with him ever - since the Revolutionary war that we lived - during the war in Connecticut. and - that on the last of May or the first of June 1780 we both enlisted in the Connecticut Troops and served in the 4th Regiment commanded by Col. Parker & Lieut. Col. Grosvenor in the Company - commanded by Capt. M c Gregory. We were both mustered at Woodstock, Connecticut, and went together through Danbury to Delancey Point in the State of New York & from thence down the River to Robinson's Ferry where we were both drafted out with others to join La Fayette's Light Infantry in the Company commanded by Capt. John Buel. & Ensign Robinson (there was no Lieutenant) we - served together six months - we were together in the same Company in the New Jersey Campaign and went from thence to Jersey Ferry to Hackensack to Popam Bay, to Harrington & other places in New Jersey, also to the English Neighborhood to Elizabethtown & Springfield. We were both discharged at the Highlands about the last of December 1780. We built huts at the Highlands and prepared for winter quarters. I had a written discharge signed by Col. Gros- venor or some other superior officer but have lost it - I was discharged about the same time with B. Cattan. a few days before him as I believe -

the said letter is now about seventy years of age is a man of integrity and his testimony entitled to belief.
Sluman Allen
State of Vermont } At Chelsea in said County Orange County ss } on the 8 th day of May AD 1833. personally appeared Sluman Allen a person well known to me and a cred- ible witness and made solemn oath that the above deposition contains the truth and nothing but the truth. before me John W Smith Justice of Peace

State of Vermont, Orange County Clerk's Office.
I Harry Hale, Clerk of the County Court of Orange County, do hereby cer- tify, that John W. Smith is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Orange aforesaid, and that the writing purporting to be his signature is genuine. —
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office at Chelsea in said Orange County, this 8 th day of May A.D. 1833.
Harry Hale, Clerk
Human Agency
Disposition

I Amasa Grouver of Bethel in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont of lawful age depose testify and say that I was in the Army of the Revolution in the year 1782. and belonged to Col. Samuel Webb's Regiment and in the latter part of August or first part of September in said year 1782. I was ordered on guard at Verplank's point so called in the State of New York. where I found an guard at that time at that place By S r L. Cotton. who belonged to the Company commanded by Capt. Hopkins. that we were called on guard in consequence of the appearance of a British Fleet off Verplank's point. that the said Cotton belonged to the same Regiment that I did. viz. Col. Samuel Webb's Regiment. that did not belong to the same Company with me. That I frequently saw the said Cotton afterwards belonging to the Army, and that when our Regiment went into winter quarters the next winter. the said Cotton was there belonging to the said Regiment. That I well recollect. that the next spring (in May as according to the best of my recollection) the said Cotton was mustered at West Point. with the rest of the Regiment. That I do not know at what time the said Cotton entered the said Regiment. nor at what time he left the said Regiment. but that I know the said Cotton was doing duty in said Regiment at the times above stated. That the said Cotton now lives in Bethel Vermont and has lived there to my knowledge for more than forty years last past. and that I have been personally acquainted with the said Cotton for a long time. and that

he has ever sustained an irreproachable character, and further I say not —
Thomas Russell
State of Vermont } Butte Jan'y 1 st 1834 Windsor County } Personally appeared Amasa Groom the sign of the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth.
Before me
Thos P Russell Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the said Groom has long been person- ally known to me, and that he ever has and still does sustain an irreproachable character, and is a credible witness
Thos P Russell Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, Do Windsor County } hereby certify, that Thomas Russell is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, duly commissioned and that above is his signature —
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name this fourth day of January 1834
Benj Swan
Amasa Groom Affidavit

Benjn. Dorr Apt.

I Benjamin Dorr of Cornish in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire do testify and that say that about the year 1789 Biliby L Cotton was living with me, and one day we were looking over our papers, found a among his and his discharge signed by J Huntington Esq dated at West Point June 8 th 1783 I observed to him that he had better have all his discharges alike, as he had a former discharge which gave him the rank of S er g t and I in a sportive way not thinking it would ever be called in question inserted on the margin of the above named discharge, the word S er g t Benjamin Dorr
State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss— May 9. 1833. The above named Benjamin Dorr personally appearing made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true — Before me
Newton Whittelsey Justice of Peace.
I certify that the said Benjamin Dorr is a credible witness, ————— N Whittelsey Justice Peace
I Benjamin P. French, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Sullivan in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Newton Whittelsey is a Justice of the Peace and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of office May 10 th 1833.
B. P. French

Affidavit Elisha Lillie

Elisha Lillie Affidavit

I Elisha Lillie of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont. do testify and say that I was a soldier doing duty in Fort Griswold in the Winter of 1782 from some time in Jan'y to sometime in March as I think. living there two months. That while I entered the said Fort. Byles L. Cotten now of Bethel in the County of Windsor was then acting as orderly Sergeant in the Company in which I served. That the said Cotten served as such orderly Sergeant during the two months that I was there. That sometime during the said term there was a number of Soldiers volunteered from said Fort to go to Stonington as I understood. that said Cotten was among the number. and that a British Sloop was taken as it was said off Stonington by that party that left the Fort. — Elisha Lillie
State of Vermont Windsor County ss. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: I, Byles L. Cotten, do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit of Elisha Lillie, signed after above, contains the truth and nothing but the truth. And I certify that the said Lillie is a credible person.
Jonathan North Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont ss. Woodstock County Clerk's Office 14 th August 1832 I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, do hereby certify that Jonathan North is one of the Justices of the Peace within said County, and that the above is his signature — In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name the day & year last above. — Benjamin Swan

I Elisha Lillie of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont. do testify and say that I was a soldier doing duty in Fort Griswold in the Winter of 1782 from sometime in Jan'y to sometime in March as I think. being there two months. That while I entered the said Fort. Bylee L. Cotton now of Pittsfield in the County of Windsor was then acting as orderly Sergeant in the Company in which I served. That the said Cotton served as such orderly Sergeant during the two months that I was there. That sometime during the said time there was a number of Soldiers volunteers from said Fort to go to Stonington as I understood. that said Cotton was among the number. and that a British Sloop was taken as it was said off Stonington by that party that left the Fort. — Elisha Lillie
State of Vermont Windsor County } Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Elisha Lillie known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth. And I certify that the said Lillie is a credible person.
Jonathan North Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office 14 th August 1832 I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, do hereby certify that Jonathan North is one of the Justices of the Peace within my said County, and that the above is his signature —
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name the day & year last above. —
Benj Swan

I. Elisha Lillie of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, of lawful age do testify and say that I did duty as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in Fort Griswold, in Connecticut, in the winter of 1782 from sometime in January to sometime in March of the same year being about two months. That when I entered said fort I found there Betsy G. Cotton now residing in Bethel in the County of Windsor in said State of Vermont, doing duty as orderly Sergeant in the Company to which I was attached. That said Cotton did duty as orderly Sergeant all the time I remained at said Fort. That I now very well recollect that I conversed with said Cotton repeatedly at said Fort and that he uniformly told me that he had been in the service considerable before I entered said Fort, and I well recollect that said Cotton seemed to understand military duty very well, much better than any other one with whom I was acquainted in said Fort. I was therefore satisfied that said Cotton must have been in the service sometime before I entered said Fort, or he could not have understood military duty so well. — I further testify that when I left said Fort I left said Cotton there doing duty. That I have been intimately acquainted with the said Cotton for between forty and fifty years last past, and that I have had very frequent conversation with the said Cotton within that time, and that he has invariably told me, in speaking of the service at said Fort that he had for sometime before entering said Fort patrolled the coast with small parties to pick up refugees, but I do not now recollect the precise time that he said he served under said enlistment, but I recollect that he has frequently told me that he served under one enlistment, one year, but I do not now recollect what enlistment it was. — I well recollect that the troops in said Fort were raw troops. — That I do not now know of any person now

living that was in the said House at the time when I was there except the said Cotton. —
Elisha Lillie
Sworn to and Subscribed this 25th. day of November A.D. 1833. —
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Butte November 25. 1833 I hereby certify Windsor County } that I am personally acquainted with Elisha Lillie the signer of the above affidavit and that he has ever sustained and still does sustain an unimpeached and unimpeachable character. —
Jonathan Marsh
Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Windsor County }
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Do hereby Certify that Jonathan Marsh is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, duly Commissioned as such and that the above are his Signatures. —
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court and subscribe my name this twenty ninth day of Novem- ber 1833. —
Benj. Swan
Elisha Lillie's Affidavit

Recommendation of Philip L. Cotton
ward Cotton
SPB 11c66
cut 17 Dec 51 for 3 yrs Bulky Co
11111 -
1

We the undersigned Select Men, Civil Authority, and Clergymen of the Town of Bethel, in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that we are personally acquaint- ed with Gihye L. Cotton of S d Bethel, and many of us have been personally acquainted with the said Cotton for more than twenty years, past, and that the said Cotton has ever sustained and still does sustain an irreproachable character, and that full faith and credit is to be given to his statement. —
Bethel Dec. 6, 1833 —
Ebenezer Parkhurst, First Constable
Jonathan Marsh Justice Peace Jerros Child Select Men James Sabine Rec d Ch. Ch.
Isa Brackins Justice Peace Washington Grange
Methodist Clergyman. Thos O. Russell Justice Peace
Julius Conner Justice Peace

State of New York
Erie County ss. I Rowland Cotton of Buffalo in the County of Erie, in the State of New York
of lawful age depose and say that I am personally acquainted with Bibye L. Cotton now residing in the Town of Bethel in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont. That the said Bibye L. Cotton enlisted as a soldier in the year 1780 into the Regiment commanded by Col. John Burke in the Connecticut line for the term of six months and that the said Bibye L. served out the term of his enlistment and was discharged at the Highlands in the State of New York by Col. Thos. Grosvenor. That the said Bibye L. again enlisted in the summer of 1782 into the Company commanded by Capt. Hopkins in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Webb in the Continental line. That the said Bibye L. enlisted at this time to supply the place of his brother Ward Cotton who had previously enlisted for three years about nineteen months of which time was then unexpired and who at that time was out of health. The said Bibye L. served under this last enlistment until the first part of June 1783 when upon procuring a substitute for the remainder of said term of nineteen months he was discharged from the Army.
That during most or all of the time of this last service said Bibye L. was stationed at West Point New York where your deponent was also stationed during all the time aforesaid. That your deponent at this time belonged to a different Regiment of the same Brigade with the said Bibye L. was perfectly acquainted with him at that time and saw him almost or quite every day during said service - and that the said Ward Cotton died about twenty years ago.
Subscribed & sworn this 23 day of Sept Rowland Cotton 1833 before me
S. H. Grosvenor Justice of the Peace

State of New York,
Erie County ss. Buffalo September 23 d 1833 Then personally appeared Rowland Cotton and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth before me.
S. H. Grosvenor
Justice of the Peace
Erie County ss. I hereby certify that I am and for the last twenty years have been personally acquainted with the said Rowland Cotton who signed the above affidavit and that he sustains an irreproachable character and is a Credible Witness
S. H. Grosvenor
Justice of the Peace
State of New York ss. Erie County, Clerk's office ss. I Noah P. Sprague Clerk of said County certify that Stephen H. Grosvenor Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in said County & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signatures "S. H. Grosvenor" above three times written are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my official seal this 23 d September A.D. 1833 Noah P. Sprague, Clerk

May 2 nd Miss Deeka office 28
Refrain
12571
INVALID.
892 to Miss
File No. 12,571
Bibye L. Cotton Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bibye Lake Captain of the 3 Connecticut Regiment, having hired a Man to supply his Place, — is hereby discharged.
West Point 8 June 1783
Jonathan Blaine