Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17481, Obed Higley, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Higley, Obed
S. 17481
bearded
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for entry]
[Blank lined area for entry]

17863
Connecticut
Obed Wrigley
of Simsbury in the State of Conn who was a Pvt in the Conn by Captain [blank] of the 1st, ended by Col Ennis in the Conn troops line for & Continental
2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Octo r 1833 and Dents C. O. Pittsfield, Simsbury etc
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r 1833 $191.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 1834 38.33
$229.99
{ Primary Claim, } { 7, 1833 }
Recorded by Book
E. D. Root
Clerk
Vol
3
Page
19

State of Connecticut, } Hartford County, } ss. Simsbury August 8th 1832.
On this 8th day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for Simsbury District in said County, now sitting. Obed Higley, a resident of Simsbury in said County & State, aged 74 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers & served as herein stated, viz.
1st. That in the month of December 1775 he enlisted into the Company of which Ebenezer F. Bissell was Capt. — E. Andrus 1st Lieutenant & Jonathan Humphrey, Junr. was 2nd, Lieut. & Moses Goodman was Ensign, for thirteen months; and that said Company belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col. Jedidiah Huntington, on the Continental establishment; that he enlisted in Simsbury, & marched from Simsbury to Roxbury in Massachusetts, where he was stationed through the winter. That he then marched (with said Company) from Roxbury to Providence, thence to New London, & that at the last mentioned place he & said Company embarked & went by water to New York. That he was sick in the hospital in the City of New York, at the time a great part of Gen.  Col. Huntington's Regiment was cut off, on Long Island. That he served out the whole time of his enlistment, during which he was ordered to Peekskill in the State of N. York & to Hackensack in the State of N. Jersey, at or near which place a British picket guard was taken. That he was discharged at or near Peekskill on or about the last day of December 1776 or first of Jan. 1777, he cannot recollect with certainty which. That at the desire & particular request of his Officers, he continued in the service half a month longer. That the Brigadier General's name was — Parsons, if he recollects.

2nd. That in February 1777 his brother Isaac Higley was drafted to serve in the State troops for three months, and that he said Obad having then but recently been discharged from the Continental service, took the place of his brother Isaac as his substitute, in a company under the command of Capt. Abel Pettibone of Simsbury aforesaid, that he was marched from Simsbury to the White Plains in the State of N. York, when he was stationed the greater part of said time, & when, having done duty the whole of said three months, he was discharged. While on this tour of service he says the Continental stores were burnt in Danbury.
3rd. That in the latter part of May 1777 & soon after after the expiration of his last abovenmentioned tour of three months, he enlisted into the State troops for six months under the same aforesaid Capt. Abel Pettibone, that he was marched to New Haven; that in this tour he was marched to East Haven, West Haven & to Horseneck, & thence back to West Haven - & from West Haven he was marched for Fort Montgomery. That he served the whole term of six months & was discharged at or near White Plains; that the regiment to which Capt. Pettibone's company belonged was commanded by Col. — Dno.
4th — That afterwards he was drafted into the State service, for what length of time he does not recollect, under the same Capt. Abel Pettibone, that he & Capt. Pettibone's company were marched to Litchfield, when he continued two

weeks; then he & said comp any were dismissed.
To the interrogatories propounded, he answers to the 1st, That he was born in Simsbury, October 25th 1757.
2nd, My birth is recorded In the family Bible; and I believe in the town records of said town.
3rd, That he lived in Simsbury all the times he was called into the service, & has lived there ever since the revolutionary war, except that he lived some years in that part of Simsbury which has been incorporated as a town by the name of Canton; & that he now resides in Simsbury.
4th. Answered before, in the declaration.
5th, That in his first tour of 13 months he repeatedly saw Generals Washington & Parsons, & Col. Huntington & Col. Wyllys
6th. That he does not distinctly recollect of having at any time received a written discharge; if he did the same has been lost by time or accident.
7th To the inhabitants of Simsbury generally, & particularly to every person in the west part of said town & Canton.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Obed Higley
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me — John O Pettibone Judge of Probate
We George Shippen a clergyman, residing in Canton, formerly a part of Simsbury, & Luther Higley residing in the same Canton, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obed Higley, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhoods where he resides, to have been a soldier

soldier of the revolution, that opinion. —
and that we concur in
George Phippen,
Luther Higley
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me John O Pettibone Judge of Probate And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to said Court that George Phippen who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergymen, resident in the town of Canton in Hartford County, and that Luther Higley who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town of Canton, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. John O Pettibone Judge of Probate
I Benjamin Ely Clerk of the Court of Probate for Simsbury District, do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Obed Higley for a pension — And I also certify that John O Pettibone, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand- writing as above, is Judge of Probate for Simsbury District.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 8th day of August 1832
Benjamin Ely Clerk.
164 1/2

7494
Abel Heigley
No enlistments were for a longer period in 1775-6 than 12 m o
Enrol Reg t in 1779 were raised for 9 m o
23 m o private $76.66
153.32 38.33 191.66
Hon John C. Pettibone Simsbury Conn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 1 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 subjjoined 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 Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Obed Hoagley

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) _____, who has 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 days 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 the 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.
[2] 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.
[6] 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 [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.

P 17481
INVALID.
File No. 17481
Obed Highley
Pr Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 452
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I George Cornish of Simsbury, County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, being duly sworn, according to law, do depose & say that in February 1777, I was drafted for three months, as a private, on a tour of Militia Service in the revolutionary war. The Officers of the company were Capt. Abel Pettibone; Lieutenants Treacy & Coffin & Ensign Richard Case. I lived in Simsbury when I was drafted. We were marched from said town through Litchfield & other towns in Connecticut, to Peekskill in state of New York. When we arrived at Peekskill our company was put into Col. M c Dougall's Regiment. We were continued in that Regiment a short time, I think two or perhaps three weeks, when our company was detached & we were marched by Crompond to the White Plains. While at this place the officer highest in command was a major Fish. I fully recollect that while on this tour of duty the Continental stores at Danbury were burnt, which was about the 25th of April. I served out the three months for which time I was drafted & was discharged at White Plains.
And I further depose & say that Obed Higley of the same Simsbury & now residing in this town, was a private soldier with me in the same company & under the same officers & for the same time & was discharged at the same time & place with me & the company.
George Cornish
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 20th of July 1833, by the said George Cornish, whom I do certify to be a credible person
John O. Pettibone Judge of Probate

I David Phelps of Simsbury, Hartford County, in Connecticut, being duly sworn according to law, do depose & say, that I was drafted for three months, in a tour of Militia service in the revolutionary war — The officers of the company were Capt. Abel Pettibone, — one — Hollings & Timothy Goffit were the Lieutenants & Dieckard but was the Ensign. I was drafted in February 1777 — & was marched through Litchfield, Winsted & other towns in Connecticut, to Peekskill in the state of New York; when arrived there was put into Col. Mc Dougall's Regt. when we continued 2 or 3 weeks & were then detached & ordered to the White Plains; At the White Plains one Major Fish was the Officer highest in command. While on this tour of duty the Continental stores were burnt in Danbury, which was about the 25th or 26th of April. I served out the time for which I was drafted, three months in Capt. Pettibone's company & was discharged at the White Plains. I lived in Simsbury when I was drafted, & was a private.
And I further depose & say that Obed Higgens of the same Simsbury was a private with me in the same company, under the same officers for the same length of time, for we were townsmen & fellow-soldiers, marched together & dismissed together. —
Sto. ( David x Phelps ) Mark —
Subscribed & sworn to by David Phelps the above named deponent, (with whom I am personally & well acquainted & who is a credible witness) before me in Simsbury, this 24th day of July, 1833. —
John D. Pettibone Judge of Probate

State of New York
Madison County } ss.
On the 13 th day of June 1830
personally came before me William Andrews of the town of Coeymans in said county; and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he the said deponent was a soldier in the continental army in the revolutionary war between the United States & Great Britain and that he was regularly enlisted (to serve the term of thirteen months) into Capt. Ebenezer D. Buel's company in the month of December 1775. That the name of the first Lieutenant of said company was C. Andrews that the name of the 2 nd Lieut. was Jonathan Humphrey Junr. & the name of the Ensign was Moses Goodman, and that the said company formed a part of Col. Jedediah Huntington's Regt. And this deponent further saith that he was regularly discharged from said army on one of the last days of December 1776, or on or about the first days of January 1777, which latter he cannot distinctly recollect, at or near Peekskill in the State of New York. And this deponent further saith that he was enlisted in the town of Simsbury in the county of Hartford & State of Connecticut.
And this deponent further deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with Obed Higley of Simsbury aforesaid, and is personally knowing to the said Obed Higley's enlistment as a soldier in the aforesaid revolutionary war into the same company and at the same time and for the same length of time as this deponent was enlisted; and that the said Higley served in the continental army.

army in the same company and was regularly discharged from the said army at the same time and place with this deponent as herein before mentioned and further this deponent saith not —
William Andrews
Subscribed and sworn before me this 12 th day of June 1830 Barack Beckwith a Judge of the court of common pleas of the said county —
Madison County Jn. On the 12 th day of June 1830 personally came before me Samuel Morris to me well known as a man of truth and veracity and being duly sworn
Deponent and saith that that he, said deponent has been for some time past, and is now well acquainted with William Andrews the above named deponent and that the said Andrews is a man of good moral character and that for truth & veracity his general reputation stands unimpeached & unimpeachable —
Sam l Morris
Subscribed & sworn before me Barack Beckwith a Judge of the court of common pleas of said county —

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with each of the within named deponents and consider them to be men of good moral character and of good reputation for truth & veracity —
Barak Beckwith
Judge of the court of common pleas of Madison county —
State of New-York Madison County Clerk's Office
ss. I certify that Barak Beckwith Esq. whose name appears to the taking of the foregoing affidavit was a Judge of Madison County Courts on the day of the date of the same duly commissioned & sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe the signatures of "Barak Beckwith" to the said taking of said affidavits to be the proper hand writing of the said Judge — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of said County this 16th day of June A.D. 1830.
John G. Curtis Clk

State of New York
Oniida County ss.—
On this 16 th day of July 1832, Daniel Olmsted personally appeared before me Enuman Enos, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county; who being duly sworn deposeth and saith; that in the latter part of the month of February A.D. 1776, this deponent enlisted in to the company of Capt. Ebenezer Fitch Bissell, in Col. Frederick Huntington's regiment, of the continental revolutionary army; that he was regularly discharged from service in said company, at Pekskill in the state of New York, in the month of January A.D. 1777; that he was well acquainted with Obed Rigley, before this deponent enlisted, that he and said Rigley resided in the town of Simsbury, in Hartford county, in the state of Connecticut; and that he (this deponent) knows that said Obed Rigley served in said Ebenezer F. Bissell's company during all the time that this deponent served in said company, as a Soldier.— Daniel Olmsted
Sworn and subscribed before me this 16 July 1832
Enuman Enos Justice of the Peace
I am and have been for many years well acquainted with Daniel Olmsted the above named deponent; he sustains the reputation of being a man of strict veracity Enuman Enos—

Clerk's Office Onida County
I George Brown clerk of said County do certify that Truman Enos Esq before whom the within affida- -vit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for said
County & duly authorized to act as such. & further that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature
Witness my hand & seal of office at Utica this 13 th day of July A.D. 1833
Geo. Brown Clk
J. B. Read (By C. M.)

(Supplemental Declaration of Obed Higley.) State of Connecticut, } ss. Probate Office, Simsbury District. Hartford County }
On this day of 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate for Simsbury District in said County, now sitting, Obed Higley of Simsbury in said County, aged 75 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, in his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. 1st That in the month of December 1775 he enlisted for thirteen months into the company of which Ebenezer D. Bliss was Captain — D. Anselm & Jon a Humphrey, were Lieutenants & Moses Goodman was Ensign; the said company belonged to or made part of the Regiment of Col. Jedidiah Huntington, on the Continental establishment; that he was marched from Simsbury through several towns in Connecticut to Roxbury in Massachusetts where he was stationed through the winter. That he was marched with said company from Roxbury to Providence, thence to New London; where he & the company embarked & went by water to New York; that he was sick in the hospital in the city of New York at the time when a great part of Col. Huntington's Regiment was cut off, on Long Island; that he was marched to Peekskill in the State of N. York, & to Hackinsack in New Jersey, at or near which place a British picket guard was taken — and having served out the 13 months for which he enlisted he was discharged at or near Peekskill on or about the last day of December 1776 or first of Jan y . 1777; and at the special & particular request of the officers, he continued in the service here a month longer. The Brigadier's name was as — Parsons.
(See depositions of William Anselm & David Olmsted.) 2nd That in February 1777, his brother Isaac Higley was drafted to serve in the State troops for three months, that he, said Obed, having then but recently been discharged from the Continental service, took the place of his brother Isaac & as his substitute in a company of which Abel Pettebone was the Capt. — one — Theoddy, given name not recollected, & Timothy Lysit were Lieutenants & Richard Luce, Ensign. That he was marched through Litchfield & other towns in

Connecticut to Peekskill in the state of N. York & when he arrived there the Company was put into a Regiment of which the Col. was Mr. D'Angual, does not know his given name. That not long after the company was put into Col. Mr. D'Angual's Regiment, it was detached and ordered to the White Plains. At this last mentioned place one Major Fish was the officer highest in command; that the Continental stores were burnt during this tour of service, which was in the latter part of April; that he served served out this tour of duty of three months, was discharged at the White Plains.
(For proof see depositions of George Cornish & David Sheperd) Dr. That in the latter part of May 1777 & soon after the expiration of the above mentioned tour of three months, he enlisted into the state troops for nine months, not for six months as stated in his former declaration, & this has been brought to his recollection by conversing with one of his fellow soldiers who was in the same campaign or tour of service. Capt. Abel Pettibone commanded the Company — that he was marched to New Haven & was part of the time stationed in East Haven & part of the time in West Haven — that he was marched from West Haven to Housenock; thence back to West Haven; and from that place was ordered & marched for Fort Montgomery, and at the expiration of the nine months he was discharged at or near the White Plains. Capt. Pettibone's Company belonged to Col. Roger Eno's Regiment. (See depositions of Asa Hays & Rowell Gage.) Hth That afterwards he was drafted into the State service, for what length of time does not recollect, and was marched in a Company commanded by the same Capt. Pettibone to Litchfield, where he continued two weeks & was discharged.
That in all the said tours he served as a private.
Obed Hovey
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid, before me —
John D. Silliman Justice of Probate

(Higley.) And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter (the answers to the interrogatories, certificate of a clergyman and another respectable citizen are on the sheet of the former declaration,) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
John C. Pettibone Judge of Probate
I, Benjamin Ely, Clerk of the Court of Probate for Litchfield District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the whole proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Obed Higley for a pension. And I also certify that John C. Pettibone, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 26th day of
July, 1833. —
Benjamin Ely. Clerk.

I Roswell base of Simsbury in Hartford County & state of Connecticut, being duly sworn according to law do testify & say that in the month of May 1777, at said Simsbury I enlisted into the State troops for nine months, the company was commanded by Capt. Abel Pettibone - and the company belonged to Col. Roger Eno's Regiment - We were marched to N. Haven - Then a part of the company was stationed & a part of the company was stationed at West Haven & in the vicinity - That I served out the time of my engagement & was dismissed at Housenick. - Eld. Hefley of the same town of Simsbury was a soldier or private with me in the same company & served the same length of time that I did & was dismissed at the same time and place with me.
Dated in Simsbury this 9th day of July 1833. Roswell base
Sworn to & subscribed before me in Simsbury this 9th day of July 1833 -
John O Pettibone Judge of Probate And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Roswell base, the above named deponent & that he is a credible person -
John O Pettibone Judge of Probate

I Asa Hays of Simsbury in Hartford County in Connecticut, being first duly sworn accord- ing to law, do testify & say that in the latter part of May 1777, at said Simsbury, I enlisted into the State troops for nine months, into a company commanded by Capt. Abel Pettibone then of said Simsbury & was marched to New- Haven & West Haven & other places. That said company was attached to or made a part of the Regiment commanded by Col. Eno. I served at the whole time of nine months for which I enlisted and was then dismissed or discharged in the month of February 1778. And I further depose & say that Obed Wigley of the same Simsbury, with whom I have been acquainted ever since I was a private in the company & time aforesaid and that he was a soldier or private in the same company with me & served at the time or term of the enlistment of nine months.
(Dated at Simsbury this 9 th day of July 1833.
Asa his + Hays mark
Sworn to & subscribed in Simsbury this 9 th day of July 1833.
John O. Pitkin Judge of Probate
I certify that I am well & personally acquainted with Asa Hays the above named deponent, & that he is a credible person.
John O. Pitkin Judge of Probate