Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,876, Isaac Coffing, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
comm.
Coffing, Isaac or Coffin, Stiles, Sarah
N 17876
CONTENTS

Connecticut
Sarah Stiles dec family widow of Isaac Coffing dec o who died on the 1798 of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut who was a commissary in the army commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Hurrell in the Conn t line for 6 months. 6 days.
Reported see letter Jany 3. 43 P. I. genl. directing paymt to be paid to, John. C. Coffing Sally Hally Benjamin Stiles, Thomas Stiles & Ransom Stiles only surviving children of Sarah Stiles deceased Ltt to Hn R. McLellan, Jan 23. 43. " " Page Feb 24. 1843
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford Conn t at the rate of 124 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834 & ending 23 rd May 1841, the day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Dec r 1842 — and handed to H. Clarke Present.
  Arrears to the 4th of March '41  1240.00    Semi-annual allowance ending 23 rd May 1841  27.14     1267.14  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by Theo. L. Moody , Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 82

February the 8th 1870 we was married Isaac Effie & Sarah Nielda

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836, and the joint Resolution of July 7. 1838.
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss. On this 2 nd day of August 1842 personally appeared before the Judge of Probate for the District of Sharon State of Connecticut, it being a court of record Newman Holley, a resident of the town of Salisbury in the county aforesaid, 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 July 4 th 1836, & the joint resolution of July 7. 1838. That Isaac Coffin or Coffing served in the war of the Revolution as Commissary for several months which included the time mentioned in the annexed old paper letter, and as declarant verily believes, after that period until late in the fall of 1775.
That the said Isaac Coffin was married to Sarah Nichols the 8 th of February 1770 as contained in the proof annexed. That said Isaac Coffin was killed on the 8 th September 1778, as also stated in the annexed proof. That the said Sarah survived her said husband said Isaac Coffin and on or about the day of 17 married Francis Hiles, who died on the day of 1796 leaving

the said Sarah his widow who continued his widow until her death, which was on the 23 d day of May 1841.
That the said Sarah Stiles at her death left her surviving the following named children. Namely - John C. Coffin, Benjamin Stiles, Sally Stiles the wife of defendant, Thomas Stiles, Parsons Stiles, -
Sarah Stiles, John C. Coffin & defendant wife
That the said children have authorised defendant to apply for a pension in right of said Sarah Stiles for the services of her said husband said Isaac Coffin.
Defendant further says that the papers & hefts annexed were found in the possession of Mrs. Sarah Stiles at her death among her other personal effects.
The old record of marriage of Isaac Coffin and Sarah Nichols hefts annexed was cut from an Ancient Bible, and is presumed to be in the hand writing of said Isaac Coffin, sworn & subscribed before me Newman Holley this 2 nd August 1842, and I certify that the names "John C. Coffin & defendant wife" were entered before signing.
John G. Mitchell Judge of Probate

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of former  Sarah Stiles, Nick Isaac Coffing N. 7. 12876, 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1 1775 to Jan 1 1776 Quartermaster and Commissary Heiman Conn.                                                   
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated
Date of application for pension by Newman Holley, Administrator; Aug 2 1842
His Residence at date of application, Salisbury, Litchfield Co. Conn.
His Age at date of application, Not stated.
Remarks: Soldier married Sarah Nichols, Feb 8. 1770, he died in 1778, leaving an only son John C. Coffing. His wife, Sarah Stiles, (date not given) who died in 1796, she died May 23, 1841. Their children were: Children John C. Coffing, soldier only son; Sally Stiles m. Newman Holley; Benjamin Stiles; Thomas Stiles and Ransom Stiles all living in 1842. In 1775 soldier referred to his brother Edward.
Very respectfully,
Mr. Malcolm Day Rood Lakewood.
Commissioner.
Litchfield Co. Conn.

Mr Isaac Coffing Post Road in Woodbury Conn
COFFING, ISAAC (CONN.) W. 17876

Ticonderoga June 26 th 1775
I have taken this opportunity to acquaint you that I am a live yet and I hope you and the Children are all Well I cannot tell When I shall Com home I have Joined Colo. Himmans Regiment in the place of a Quarters Master I hope that these Contentions Between us and Old England Will be put to an End Before Long if they are Not I Shant know What to Due I Receivd your Letter that you sent By the post and I hope you Will Write to Me Every opportunity that you have and inform Me how things are at home in Which Will Give Me a Great Deal of Satisfaction Remember Me To all our friends if Brother Edward should Com over tell him to Write to Me I could think of a Great Many things More to talk about if I Was at home No More at Present. But I remain your Duty husband Isaac Coffing

Isaac Coffing (Conn.)
W. 17876
Six receipts dated Ticonderoga July and August 1775-
and An account of provisions issued at Ticonderoga beginning Aug. 7 1775- ending Aug. 10 (Conf. papers) have been removed from this claim to be sent to the War Dept.
D.G.
March 24, 1911
Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913.

Pension Agency Hartford Feby 21. 1843.
Sir
Application has been made to day at this Agency by Newman Holley Esq. Administrator on the estate of Sarah Stiles widow of Isaac Coffing dec d . For the payment of a Pension on a certificate issued 30 Dec r 1842 at the rate of One hundred twenty four dollars per annum Commencing 4 March 1831 & terminating 23 rd May 1841 the day of her death and payable to John C. Coffing, Sally Holley, Benjamin Stiles, Thomas Stiles & Ransom Stiles, children of the deceased.
I have not received instructions from your Department to enroll this pensioner, and as I am in some doubt whether the Act of June 19 th 1840 authorizes me to pay to an Administrator where a certificate is issued payable to children, I have to request you to inform me whether I should be justified in paying this pension to the Administrator on his exhibiting proper evidence of his appointment, or whether I should require a power from each child named in the certificate.
I am Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
A. H. Pomeroy Ag t

Jan 16 '43
Pension Office.
Very
Genl. L. Edwards Esq. Comt. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Hudson Jan'y 12. 1843. New York
Sir,
On the 30 th ultimo, I was at the Pension office, and had allowed for cash.
The one Mrs. States' and the other Mr. Thomas'.
Dr. Crump the chief Clerk stated to me that the certificates would be ready on Saturday afternoon the 31 st ult., if I remained, and it was understood as I supposed that they would be mailed to me on the 31 st if I did not call for them in person.
I left on the 31 st at 6 o'clock A.M. expecting the certificates to be out by mail. They have not yet been rec d and I am led to believe that they have misplaced .
This business was by you referred to the Chief Clerk Dr. Crump, and he will

know what has become of them.
They may have been misdirected .
Will you see what has been done in the matter.
Very Respectfully & truly yours - then
Wheeler. H. Clarke,
Col. L. Edmunds, Esq.

Comptroller's Office Hartford 21 st Sept 1842
I do not find the name of Isaac Coffin as Commissary in Colonel Hinman's Regiment in 1775 nor as Quartermaster of that Regiment, nor have I found his name in any of the records which I have examined
Gideon Welles Compt l

Hudson N York, October 24th 1842.
Sir,
I enclose you the certificate of the Compt. of the State of Connecticut,
From this certificate it appears that the Records of that State contain no evidence of the services of Isaac Coffin, the first husband of Mrs Sarah Stites.
The case therefore depends as it now stands upon the papers sent you & the records in your office, if any such you have.
There appears to be an objection raised at your office respecting the form in which the application was made.
The declaration contains the names of the children of Mrs Sarah Stites and all of their names. And the declaration was made before a court of Record & the proper certificates attached.
If however any informality exist they will be obviated if there should be any necessity for it.
Let me ask it as a favor if the papers are informal to investigate the claim & if there should be found proof satisfactory, a declaration & proceedings can be forwarded according to your rules or according to any suggestions you may make. This may save to the applicants the expense they might otherwise save incur.

My impression is that the application is in the form required. The Surrogate's Court or Probate Court of Connecticut is a Court of Record & this kind of business has been done before that court. West Y. Conn.
Wheeler, B. Clarke,
Hon. J. L. Edwards,

Hudson N York August 22 1842.
Sir.
Yours of the 17th instant relating to the case of Mrs. Sarah Stites is recd.
I thought the application was in proper form and that the names of the children were duly certified.
They are, John C Coffin
Sally wife of Newman Holley Pam a Stites, Thos Stites, & Hanson Stites.
But if after reexamination you should be of opinion that it was insufficient in form that objection shall be obviated.
You require the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut to show the grade and length of service.
Rec d from the Comptroller of Connecticut a letter in answer to my application, in which he states that he cannot find Mr. Coffin in any capacity.
The applicants will therefore depend on your search, which they suppose you will make.
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Yours &c Wheeler A. Clarke.

Sir.
I send enclosed the application of Newman Holley Esq r , under act of 1831, & Resolu- tion of 1838, in right of Sarah Stiles for the service of the first long time Isaac Coffin. This application is for the service of Isaac Coffin in the year 1775, & 1776, &c.
The knowledge of this service was known traditionally by the family during the old lady's lifetime. But John C. Coffin the only son that Isaac Coffin & wife had being a very wealthy man did not see fit to do any thing about it. And it was supposed by the family that the claim belonged to the children of the soldier. Mrs Sarah Stiles the widow lived with Mr. Coffin and the rest of the children for these reasons did nothing about it.
Your letter of the 22 nd January last informed them that all the children were entitled to it, they then immediately requested me to make the application such of them as I saw.
The Application contains evidence that Sarah Stiles in Feby 1770 married Isaac Coffin - the Commissary that he died in 1778. that she married again & became a widow the second time in 1776. & has remained a widow since.
The papers contain evidence of the service of Isaac Coffin as Commissary.
The only question is as to the grade of that service and its duration.
The rest of that Corps and all the Army that went from Connecticut in that Expedition went up about the 13 th May 1775, and returned about the first day of January 1776. Stay 7\frac{1}{2} months; if he served no longer than that period it would be long enough to entitle to a pension.
The Annexed letter shows that on the 25 th of June 1775 he had entered Housmans Regiment in the place of a Quarter Master, On the 26 th July 1775 the

receipts show he was acting as Commisary.
The services it may be presumed was first as Quarter Master up to May 26th July 1775. say of May 15 days from 26 days of July making 2 months & 11 days as Q.M. = 2.11 Commisary from 26th July to 1st Jan y 1776 is 5 mo s & 5 days as Com y ————— $ 5.33 M o . 7.16
If the services was longer than to the first of Jan y 1776 you will add to the above.
The above statement is made simply as a matter of conjecture, & it is not intended to influence your calculations, in case you need as not furnish the proof. The papers of themselves are evidence of services.
The application is made by Mr. Holley alone, without getting the authority from the rest, knowing that a certificate if granted will be made payable to all the children who will then be enabled to get their share.
Res t Yours
Wheeler, H. Clarke,
Genl. J. L. Edwards,
Ithaca New York
August 4th 1842,

Sarah Stiles - dec?
No 5640
Aug Conn
act 4 July 36
m 7. 278.
6 mo. 6 ds (com.)
acord
6 mo. 6 ds (comfy)
It 24 to 23 may 41 the day of her death To. John C. Boffing - Sally Holly Benjamin Stiles Thomas Stiles & Hanson Stiles are surviving children of Sarah Stiles decd
When St (Carter) Edw.
Present.

State of Connecticut Litchfield County } S. John C. Coffin of Litchfield County aforesaid in the town of Litchfield being sworn say I am the son of Isaac Coffin & Sarah his wife, that my mother Sarah Stiles mentioned in the annexed Declaration, married the said Francis Stiles on or about the year 17 who and died on or about the year 1796 that my said mother died on the 23 d day of May in 1841 the widow of said Francis Stiles not having remarried since his death.
That he said John C. Coffin, has heard his mother speak of his father, the said Isaac Coffin, services in the war of the Revolution & the old papers he is annexed refer to that service. Deponent cannot tell how long that service was.
Sworn & subscribed before John C. Coffin the day 20 th July August 1842 by said John C. Coffin who is a credible person & witness.
John G. Mitchell, Judge of Probate

State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss. Be it remembered that on this 2 nd August 1842 Newman Holley appeared before the Judge of Probate for the District of Sharon in said State and made the foregoing Declaration for the purposes therein contained.
And thereupon it was satisfactorily proven before said Judge of Probate, that said Newman Holley was authorized by his wife & John C. Coffin to make this application, that the said Sarah Hiles left her surviving the said John C. Coffin, Sally, the wife of said Newman Holley, Benjamin Hiles, Thomas Hiles, & Benjamin Hiles, the only children she had at the time of her death. In testimony whereof by the direction of said Judge of Probate, I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 2 nd August 1842.
Wm C. Bristol Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Sharon

Re WIDOW, &c.
Feb. 16/94 Will Hist. to Malcolm H. Rudd, Lakeville. Co. 1906 Sept 18. History to Malcolm H. Rudd [Letter in 5.7.03. 429 Bartholomew Parsons]
File No. 17876
Sarah Styles Widow of Isaac Coffing Commissary Genl. War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. M Page 246
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hudson N. York Nov 28 th 1842.
Di.
Enclosed is the application in the case of Sarah Styles do made by an Administrator as suggested by you in your letter to me of the 31 st Oct r 1842,
The claim as presented is for service as graduate Master's in Humanities Dept from June 1, 1970. 06 to July 26 1975, making 1 mo & 26 days as Dr Master.
 And from July 26 th 1775 to Jan'y 1 st 1776 as Comfy making pay 8 months & 6 days as Comfy Dr Masters pay was $40.— per month Making for 1 mo & 26 days pay — $74. 66 Commissarys pay was $50 & upwards per month Making for five months & 6 days $210 00  \frac{1}{2} / 334. 66  for Ann $167. 33 
I do not pretend that I have at hand the means of stating correctly the pay per month for a Jr. Master or Commisary. That you can decide upon from your superior means of knowing better than I can. The above figures are made merely as suggesting, and not as an assertion of the amount.

The pay of Dr. Master should I think commence the 13 th May 1775, certainly as early as that is.
The letter in the former papers which said Isaac Coffin's part to his wife is in the perfect tense. The language is, according to my recollection "I have joined in the plan of a Dr Master" &c The time of joining therefore might have been as early as this tour commenced which was as early as 13 May 1775. And this letter was probably the first he had written his wife, after leaving home. But so far as regards the amount of time he served and the rate of pay per month and the amount per annum you feel disposed to allow in this case, it is all submitted to your judgment, notwithstanding any suggestions here made. believing you will allow all that can legally be claimed.
I am Sir, Truly Faithful,
Yours, Charles H. Clarke,
Hon. J. L. Edwards. Conc. &c.

John G. Hitchell Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Sharon in the State of Connecticut To Newman Hallay Esq. of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut GREETING. WHEREAS Sarah Hiles late of Salisbury in sd County deceased, having while she lived, and at the time of her Death, Goods, Chattels, Credits, and Estate in said Salisbury in District now lately died intestate; by virtue whereof the power of Administration, and full Disposition of all and singular, the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate of the said deceased; and also the hearing, examining and allowing the Accounts of the Administration thereof appertains unto me: And I being desirous that the Goods, Chattels, Credits, and the Estate of the said deceased should be well and truly administered,
DO therefore, (trusting in your Fidelity and Care) commit unto you the said Newman Hallay Esq. full Power to administer the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate of the said deceased, which to her while she lived, and at the time of her death did appertain: And to pay all debts in which the deceased stood bound, so far as her Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate can extend, according to the value thereof; and to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate of the said deceased, and exhibit the same into the Regis- try of the said Court of Probate, on or before the 25 day of January next ensuing: And also render to the said Court a true and plain account of your Administration, on or before the 25 day of November Anno Domini 1843 And I do, by these presents, ordain, depute and constitute you Administrator of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate aforesaid.
In witness whereof, I have Signed these presents, and fixed the Seal of said Office thereunto, this 25 day of November in the year of our Lord 1842
John G. Hitchell

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 and the joint resolution of July 7. 1838.
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss.
On this 25 th day of November 1842 personally appeared before a Court of Probate held in the town of Salisbury in Litchfield County aforesaid, the said Court being one of Record and now sitting. Wendman Wolley a resident of Salisbury aforesaid 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 July 4. 1836 & the joint resolution of July 7. 1838. in right of Sarah Stiles deceased for the Revolutionary service of her first husband Isaac Coffing also deceased, and is made as administrator of said Sarah Stiles.
That said Isaac Coffing & Sarah Stiles were married February 17 th 1770. That said Isaac died in the year 1778. That said Sarah for her second husband after her said first husband's death married Francis Stiles who died in the year 1796. That said Sarah Stiles died on the 23 rd day of May One Thousand eight hundred and forty one, not having

intermarried since the death of her said second husband said Francis Steele
That said Sarah Steele left John C., Coffin, Sally Holley, Benjamin Steele, Thomas Steele & Pamela Steele, her children & the only children who survived her, and who are still living.
And the declarant claims that said Grace Coffin performed services in the war of the Rev. War as follows.
As Quarters Master in Colonel Sherman's regiment from the first of June 1775 to the 26th July 1775, making 1 month & 26 days as a Quarters Master. And he further claims that said Grace Coffin served as a Commissary from the 26th of July to the first day of January 1776 - or thereabout.
Making (say) 7 months & 6 days as Commissary & making 7 months & 2 days as Quarters Master & Commissary as declarant claims. (He) He further claims that said Grace Coffin served as a Quarters Master and Commissary from the first day of January 1776 & the last day of December 1776 (specifically said) as to those services not herein particularly claimed as above declarant refers to the declaration & proof and allegation contained in the application.

heretofore sent to the Commission of Pensions in this matter, and reference is also made to the other proofs, in that application to which a letter of said Commission appears, bearing date 31 st October 1842 addressed by said Commission to Mr. Hulme, H. Clarke, Hudson New York,
Declarant makes this application as the administrator of the personal Estate of said Sarah Stiles, being thereunto appointed as appears by the Letter of administration annexed. Sworn to & subscribed before me the said Comt the day & } Newman Holley year above written } Administrator &c
John G. Uttyrell Judge of Probate
State of Connecticut District of Sharon Litchfield County } ss.
Be it known that on this 25 th day of November 1842 Newman Holley Esq. a resident of Salisbury in said County the administrator of the personal Estate of Sarah Stiles late of Salisbury aforesaid deceased person- ally appeared before the court of Probate, held in for said District of Sharon, the same being a court of Record and there produced evidence satisfactory to said court that Sarah Stiles above named died on the 23 rd day of May one Thousand Eight hundred & forty one, leaving her surviving John C. Coffin Sally Holley wife of said Administrator, Benjamin Stiles

Thomas Stiles & Ransom Stiles her only children and no other children.
That said Norman Holley is administrator of the personal estate of said Sarah Stiles as will also appear by the Exemplified copy of letters of Administration granted him, which is hereto annexed.
In testimony whereof I William J. Batchford clerk of said Court by the authority of the same have this 25 th November 1842 set my hand & seal of said Court.
Wm C. Batchford Clerk

HOLLEY MANUFACTURING CO.,  B.  FINE PEN AND POCKET CUTLERY,  SHEARS, SCISSORS, AND RAZORS.
Lakeville, Conn., Jan. 24 th 1894
William Loehven Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Dear Sir:
I should be greatly indebted to you for an abstract of the pension certificate of one, Isaac Coffing, a commissary in the Revolution, who was killed on Long Island in 1778. His widow Sarah Stiles, received a pension from 1836 until 1841, at which time she died. I am desirous of procuring accurate data in regard to his services.
Very respectfully Yours Malcolm Day Trustee.

O. W. & N. Div. P. S. M. E. C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., February 16, 1894.
Sir:-
In answer to your request for the military history of Isaac Coffing, an officer of the Revolutionary war, you are informed that his widow, Sarah, was granted a pension for the service of her husband in that war as a Commissary in Colonel Hiram's Connecticut Regiment, for a period of six months and six days "actual service".
He was married to Sarah Nichols, February 8, 1770, and it is supposed that he died September 8, 1771.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Malcolm D. Rudd,
Lakeville, Conn.