Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5007, Reuben Hill, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Hill, Reuben
R. 5007
CONTENTS

18905- Reuben Hill Connecticut
Return this c.m.
J. M. Hand Esq. ans. ab. 1834 George Griswold Guilford New Haven Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 14 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 show what is necessary to be done. These 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, showing the Service of Reuben Hill of New Haven County Conn.
   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.     1776 — 4 — Private Capt Grant Col Ely at Skirmish with the 86 years two living   77 4 4 — — Hodgkin — with the Genl — Westport   Lord British Re 2 one living   New York has deceased since the first declaration  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 } ss.
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

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 fix 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 [j] 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.
[Handwritten notes and scribbles at the bottom of the page, including fragments of text like "the law makes" and "the opinion of the court"]

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Connecticut } ss. Madison August 6 th 1832 County of New Haven }
On this 6 th day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Reubin Elliott Judge of the court of Probate for the district of Guilford of the county of New Haven. Reubin Hill a resident of Connecticut aged 86 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
Enlisted for four months in the fall of the year 1778 into the Connecticut State Troops. Under Capt. Grant of Groton - Lieut. of Monington was Lieut. The Regiment was under Col. Ely of Lyndbrook Gensl. Spencer commanded - Marched to Providence in Rhode Island. He guard of Continental Ship that were there - no action. only one enemy ship came in sight. I served out the term of enlistment and was discharged at New London - John Branton and John Bishop of Madison are the only survivors remembered - pay 40/ a Month.
Afterwards enlisted as guard on the beach Stationed at the east Wharf or salt works in Madison then part of Guilford in the year 1778 - for four years and served out the term of enlistment.

Land was Captain Thomas Wadsworth Esq. Deputy State Sergeant - I was in the skirmish with a British Galley - that showed a Schooner in here near the head house - Capt. Phinehas Heights was killed - at the time - He was killed at Danbury at the time that place was burnt by the British but did not arrive in season and also he was at New Haven at the time the British invaded that place -
John Fish was on guard with me at the Creek I was born in Killingworth county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut March 7, 1746 - My age was recorded in my Family Bible - When called into service I joined Dr. Madison then a part of Gullford - have resided there ever since -
Saint B. Shepard & John F. Meigs will testify as to my veracity and their belief of my services - 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 - I swear an Subscribed to the foregoing year for said John F. Meigs before me Stephen Elliott Judge of Probate We Samuel W. Stephens a clergyman residing in said Madison and John F. Meigs residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Fish who has subscribed and known to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 86 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Swoon and Subscribed the day and year afore said -
Samuel W. Stephens
John F. Meigs

State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss. Madison Aug. 6 th 1832
Be it remembered that on the day and year aforesaid personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford District John Scranton & John Bishop both of S d Madison to me personally known to be & certify to be credible witnesses and being duly sworn, on their oaths declare and say - That they were in the service of the United States in the year 1776 at New London in Capt Oliver Grants Company and that they very well remember that Reuben Hill was a Soldier in S d Company & served out the full term of his enlistment which was four months & that they were verbally discharged by Col d Ely at New London.
John Bishop
John Scranton
Sworn and subscribed the day and date above before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
And the S d John Scranton further states that he was knowing to the S d Hill's serving as a Coast Guard on Long Island some at several different times for two or three years -
John Scranton
Sworn and subscribed the day and date above before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate

The Application of Reuben 18905 Hill of Madison in New Haven County, State of Conn d for a Pension under the Law of 1832
Taken before Reuben Elliott Judge of the Probate Court for Guilford District in said County

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 in the army of the United States and further certify that it appears to them that Samuel H. Shepherd who has signed the preceding certificate as a Clergyman resident in Madison & John F. Morris who has also signed the same is also a resident in Madison is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit. Reuben Elliott Judge
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Hill for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 6 th day of August 1892 George Griswold, Clerk -

(Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June A.D. 1832)
State of Connecticut } p. Guilford } (County of New Haven) August 16 th 1833
On this 8 th day of August A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in said County of New Haven - Reuben still aged eighty seven years of Madison in the said County of New Haven and said State of Connecticut who being duly sworn according to Law doth and his will make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated -
That in the latter part of the year 1776 - the particular month and day he does not recollect he enlisted for four months into Capt. Gurney's Company in a Regiment commanded by Col. John Clegg of Saybrook in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental Establishment - That he was marched through Killingworth Saybrook Lyne New London (Norwich) and Stamford in the State of Connecticut to Providence in the State of Rhode Island - General Spencer commanded - That the business of the Troops was to guard some Continental Ships which were lying at Providence - That he served in said company and Regiment at said Providence for the full term of four months for which he enlisted, when he was marched

to New London in the State of Connecticut where he was verbally discharged by Col. Oly - that his wage was Forty Shillings per Month, and that he served as a private soldier - That John Bishop of Madison is the only person now living whom he recollects to have served with and whose testimony he can procure to prove his service, and that he has no documentary evidence.
That sometime in the summer of 1777 - the particular month and day he does not remember he volunteered to serve as a guard upon upon the shore of Long Island Sound at Guilford in that part now called Madison. The Capt of the company he believes was - Lord - Thomas Harkness he recollects was an officer of the Guard and was an Ensign he believes - Timothy Wood he well recollects was a Sergeant in the Guard - but the other and higher officers he does not recollect - That he continued to serve in said Guard under the abovenamed officers during four years. That the business of the said Guard was to watch the British Vessels in Long Island Sound - and to look out for and take the Tories and Loyalists with the British - That he was in a severe skirmish with a British Galley which chased an American Schooner ashore near the Guard House where the Guard quartered. And that in this skirmish Capt. Phineas Merss of Guilford was killed - That he expected to take one of the boats which tended with the British - That he served in said Guard as a private and that his service in said Guard was not constant.

during the Winter seasons of the four years for which he served. (That being in the coldest weather no occasion to stand guard as the Wapsels and boats then were all laid up - That he served at least eight full Months as a private in said Guard during each of the four years for which he volunteered making his service in said Guard Two years and six Months - (That he received no compensation for his services as said guard as his service was voluntary - That he has no documentary evidence to prove his service in the said Guard - That he knows of no person living who was in the said Guard with him whose testimony he can produce to his said service excepting John Bishop of Middletown who is now living and who can testify to his service during a part of the four years - That in addition to his service in Rhode Island and to his service as Guard as above stated he was called to New Haven when the British invaded that place - and was also called to Danbury in Connecticut when the British burnt that place - That he was then at Killingworth in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut on the 7 th of March 1746 - That he knows of no record of his age excepting that it is recorded in his family Bible - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or any annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State - That since he made his declaration in August 1832. John Sarenton one of the steps.

to which he refers in the said declaration has deceased -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
The declarant states further that when war was first declared he belonged to Capt Jehiel Mayes Militia Company and he with about twenty of the Company volunteered under Capt Mayes and marched through Hillingworth Stockbridge Lyne & New London to Norwich in order to repel the invasion then made by the British at Boston but on our arrival at Norwich we received counter order and were marched back by Capt Mayes to Greatford where we were employed in watching the Enemy who were then on the coast, and were con- tinued in service one year when we were dismissed,
I was born in Hillingworth, when called on to service I lived in Guilford now Windsor have lived there ever since and do now live there & in all the service which I performed & station - I do not recollect any of the field officers except the major of those mentioned in the two Declarations I never received a written discharge - I am acquainted with Colt Reynold Webb Capt Hubbard Stanton of Madison and Mr Joseph Hand of Washington & C who can testify as to my character for veracity and then being of my service as a Soldier of the Revolution Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - R. Ely Jr H. H. New Haven County ss Madison Aug 3 1833
Personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of the Court of Probate for Guilford District Reuben Hall who being duly sworn deponeth 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 three years it served as a private soldier and for such service I claim a pension sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Reuben Elliott Judge

John Bishop of Madison in the County of Nothampton and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Six Years testifies and says - That in November 1776 - He enlisted into and belonged to Capt. Grants Company - in a Regiment commanded by Col. John Ely of Saybrook in the Line of the State of Connecticut - That He enlisted into said Company and Regiment for four months - and that Reuben Hill then of Guilford but now of Madison did also enlist into the same Company and same Regiment with the deponent for four months - and that the said Reuben Hill did serve for four full months in said Company and Regiment, with the deponent - That the said Reuben Hill did serve with the deponent during those four months at Providence in Rhode Island and at the ex- piration of the four months they were marched to the Barracks at New London in the State of Connecticut where the said Reuben Hill and the deponent were discharged on the 10 th day of March 1777 -
And the deponent further says that according to his best knowledge and belief the said Reuben Hill did serve as a Guard upon the Shore of Long Island Sound at Guilford, in that part now called Madison for at least three seasons during the Revolutionary War. The particular year deponent does not remember - but knows that the said Hill did serve as said Guard as deponent also served as guard - and frequently saw the said Reuben Hill serving on the said Guard - and further the deponent does not - know to understand by
John Bishop
over

State of Connecticut New Haven County } ss. Madison August 16 th A.D. 1833 - } Personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for New Haven County and residing in said Madison - John Bishop of said Madison well known to me to be a person of truth & veracity and made solemn oath to the truth of the within and foregoing deposition by him subscribed - before me Reynold Webb - Justice of Peace
New Haven County State of Connecticut ss - Gustaf August 16 th A.D. 1833 -
I George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court for Guilford District - Do hereby certify that Reynold Webb who has taken & subscribed the foregoing Deposition is a justice of Peace for New Haven County Duly Appointed & Legally qualified to administer oaths & that his signature is in his own proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 16 th day of August 1833
George Griswold Clerk
I Also certify that the foregoing contains the original & additional decree of the Court in the matter of the Application of Reuben Hall for a pension - In testimony &c George Griswold Clk

5007
Not. 7 June 1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
Jan'y 20 th 1877 High - to High - to Ex Hall. Patent Office see p. 31781
P. O.
5007 Reuben Hill
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Reason for Suspension - Printed Volume of 1852 - page 79 -
Application filed: _____, 18
"He did not serve six months"
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
_____, 18