Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16133, Constant Griswold, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Griswold, Constant S. 16133
Carded
CONTENTS

9953 Connecticut
Constant Gismola Hartford in the State of Connecticut who was a Pri - in the Conn commanded Captain _____ of the Reg commanded Col Chester in the Conn for Militia Bmo
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June 1833 and Sent S. W. Parsons, Hartford Ct arrears to the 4th of March 33 $86 66 semi-annual allowance ending Sept 4, - 21 66 $108 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Vol. 3 Page 15

Letter to P. A. G. 28 Sept 1837. #93 Out 19 Oct E Warren Esq. Room 62 A. S. O. War. Dept. referring him to 3 d Auditor's office for date of death. P. 105

1040 Declaration of Constant Griswold of Wethersfield County, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut } ss. Hartford Probate District, } Hartford.
On this 31st day of July 1832, before the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut personally appeared Constant Griswold of Wethersfield in the County & State aforesaid aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States by enlisting for the term of seven months on the month of May 1775 in the Town of Wethersfield & State aforesaid, as a private in the company commanded by Captain John Chester, Lieutenant Samuel Brewster, & Charles Butts Ensign in the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Wyllys, in the Connecticut State troops. That he continued to serve with the said troops until about the 10th day of December 1775, when he was discharged from the service by Colonel Sam Wyllys, which discharge is here with transmitted.
Thomas Holmes of Wethersfield, whose name was entered in the roll under the above act

as appears by his pension Certificate dated July 25. 1882 served in the same company was enlisted & discharged at the same time - that  the deponent he was in the battle of Bunker Hill - alias "Breed's Hill" the 17 th of June 1775 - In this battle, one Rowlandson a private in Captain Chester's company was killed. Several others were wounded - recollects seeing General Putnam, during the engagement - saw General Warren a few days before the battle at Lexington also at Cambridge saw General Washington - & General Samuel H. Parsons at Roxbury, who was Colonel at that time - that he stayed about 8 months - about one month longer than the term of enlistment.
2 nd And the deponent further declares that he entered the service of the United States by being drafted for the term of 3 or 4 months about the month of July or August 1776 at Wethersfield in said State of Conn- ecticut as a private in the Militia Company commanded by Benjamin Wright, as Captain, Oliver Pomeroy Lieutenant, John Robbins Ensign all of Wethersfield, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Talcott of Glaston- bury - That he was stationed at New York about the 29 th of August 1776, when the battle on Long Island was fought & soon after the battle he went over to Long Island with part of his company, and returned to New York after short time, say a few hours - Soon after the American troops were withdrawn to New York by order of General Washington the City of New York was evacuated, and the Army moved up to Harlem, Hook - from thence

6 th Harlem Heights: - About the 12 th of October 1776. the British took possession of New York & the American forces were fortified at Harlem Heights - That he was disbanded at West Chester on or about the month of November 1776. having served 3 or 4 months -
7 th And the deponent further declares that in the year 1777, on or about the latter part of July or the beginning of August 1777, he joined & marched with the militia Company from Wethersfield to the North River, State of New York, said Company was commanded by Captain Elias Williams - Charles Butler was Lieutenant Joseph Miller was Ensign; the regiment was commanded by Colonel Thomas Baldwin of Wethersfield - that passed through Conning Berlin, Woodbury, Danbury, Fishkill up the North River to Red Hook (or Red Bank) abreast of the British fleet - and was afterwards dismissed a little below Red Hook on or about the month of November 1777 - after serving about three months . Danbury was burnt about 2 or 3 months before he marched throught. saw the Chemung Standing alone - John Marsh of Wethersfield served with the deponent during the tour of service - His affidavit is hereto annexed -
And the deponent in reply to certain interrogatories propounded by the Court of Probate further declares -
1 st That he was born in Wethersfield March 29. 1758 2 nd That his age was recorded in the family bible but has been torn out, etc.

3 rd That he has always resided in said Wethersfield, excepting during the time he was in the service of the United States - 4 th That he was called into service, first by By enlistment - 2 d by being drafted - 5 th That while at Cambridge Mass. he saw General Washington - General Putnam - Genl Warren and at Roxbury he saw Colonel Samuel H. Parsons after wards Mayor General. The general circumstances of his service are contained in the declaration. 6 th That he has in his possession a discharge from Colonel Saml Weythlyp, who was 7 th That any respectable person in his town will certify that his character for veracity is unquestionable & that he is generally reputed to have been a Soldier of the revolution -
That 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. to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid  Constance Grew Wood
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 Thomas Holmes & John Church whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I William Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Constance Grew Wood for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 21 st day of July 1842.
W. Whitman, Clerk of Court of Probate for the District of Hartford

State of Connecticut } ss: 7 County of Hartford
On this 27th day of October 1832, before me the Subscriber a Notary Public for the County of Hartford personally appeared Constant Griswold of Wethersfield in the County aforesaid and made oath that he is the same person mentioned in a declaration taken before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford July 31st 1832 in order to obtain the provisions of the Pension Act of 1832.
That about the middle of April 1775 he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer in this company commanded by Captain John Chester and served in said company not less than six days nor more than 14 days. - That immediately on his return home to Wethersfield he again entered the service as a private in Captain John Chester's company and Colonel Wyllys's regiment and served in said company not less than seven months nor more than eight months .
That he again entered the service of the United States about July 1770 in Captain Benjamin Wright's company of foot in Colonel Falcott's regiment and served as a private not less than three and one half months nor over four and a half months.

That about July 1777 he again entered the service of the United States as a private in a company commanded by Captain Elias Williams company in Colonel Thomas Baldwin regiment, and served in said company not  less  than  three  months .
That the aggregate of his services at  at  at in the war of the revolution amounted to at least thirteen months and twenty-one days and he thinks about 15 months But if the Hon Secretary of War should determine to grant a pension for 13 months and 21 days only, he the deponent will respectfully acquiesce in such decision.
Sworn & Subscribed } Constant Griswold to the day and aforesaid } This 27 day of October 1832.
Samuel H Parsons Notary Public.
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Constant Griswold the signer of the above affidavit - that he sustains a fair moral char- acter, and that he is the same person who appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford on the 31st day of July 1832 and made oath to the declaration for a pension under the act of 1832 Witness my hand & seal This 27 day of October 1832.
Samuel H Parsons Notary Public

1049
Constant Griswold Connecticut
Admitted
Private 13 months
Samuel H. Parsons aft Hartford Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
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 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, shewing the Service of Constant Griswold of Hartford Connecticut
   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.     Vol 1775 6 Private Capt. Brockhurst Living witness? Documentary Evidence   1775 from Dec 2 12 Col. Saml. Wyllys   1776 to March 15 15 Col. Salton   1777 to March 15 15 Col. De Olain  
Allege that his whole service was at least thirteen months & twenty one days - We think it was about 15 months but only claims a pension for 13 months & twenty one days
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 }
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 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 Subaltern. { 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.
[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 guardian.
[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 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 _____; 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 attendance 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.
[1] 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.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule 10 note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[a] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[b] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[c] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Conchita Pineda Com. S.F. Miss.

Constant Griswold of Capt. Hudson's Comp. & my Chief Having serv d the time he was listed for is hereby dis- charged from the Service with Honor. Dec 10 1875. Sam l Wylly, Col l of the 11 th Regt.

affidavit Thomas Holmes de Constant Griswold Constant Griswold Service in State troops 7 or 8 months from May to Dec 1775. See also discharge 10 Dec 1775 with Battle of "Bunker Hill"

I Thomas Holmes of Wethersfield, Rockledge, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged 75 years, do depose to say that I am well acquainted with Constant Griswold of said Wethersfield and knew him many years before Hence the revolutionary war; That in or about the month of May 1775 we both enlisted as privates at Wethersfield in the company com- manded by Captain John Chester, Lieutenant David B. Webb, Charles Butts Ensign (all sides) in the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Wyllys, for the term of seven months; and served together at Cambridge and Rox- bury in the State of Massachusetts, were both in the Battle of Bunker Hill  and (Breed Hill), and were both discharged at the same time on or about the 10th day of December 1775, and returned to Wethersfield our native place.
Thomas Holmes
State of Connecticut ss. Hartford County of Hartford
On this 8th day of July 1832, personally appeared Thomas Holmes known to me as a person of veracity and made oath that the preceding affi- davit by him subscribed is true.
Col. Parsons Justice of the peace

State of Connecticut ss Hartford County of Hartford ss
I Samuel H Parsons a notary
Public for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Enoch Parsons Esq before whom the within affidavit was executed is a Justice of the peace for the County of Hartford and I know that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. Witness my hand and Seal of office this 29. day of October A.D. 1832.
Samuel H Parsons Notary Public

I John Marsh of Wethersfield. (Rocky-hill) in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventy eight years, do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Constant Griswold of said Wethersfield, having resided in the same Town more than sixty years and knew him before & since the revolutionary war.
That in the year 1770 an or about the month of July & August in the summer of that year we we were both drafted at said Wethersfield for about 3 months service in the militia company of which Benjamin Wright, was Captain, Oliver Pomeroy, Lieutenant, John Robbins Ensign all of Wethersfield, who were elected , in the regi- ment commanded by Colonel Talcott of Glas- tenbury (now dead). That we left home in the summer of 1776, sailed from Wethersfield to New York on board of a vessel commanded by Israel Williams (now dead). That soon after our arrival at New York, part of the Company  was went out to Long Island & returned very soon to New York and were subsequently discharged on

About the month of November 1776 (as near as I can recollect) at West Chester in the State of New York, and returned home to Wethersfield - where we remained until the year 1777 - absent about three or four months.
In the 1777 on or about the latter part of July or beginning of August we boarded to the North River in the Company com- manded by Captain Elias Williams of Wethersfield in which Charles Butler was Lieutenant, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Belden of Wethersfield; we passed through Danbury, Fishkill, up the North River to Redhook abreast of the British fleet - afterwards we were disbanded a little below Redhook (or Redbank, so called) about the month of November 1777 - absent about 3 months
Joseph Hadden
State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } W. Hartford
On this 5 th day of July 1832, personally appeared John Mearns (who is a credible person) and made oath that the preceding affidavit by him subscri- bed is true -
Before me En. Parsons S. Just. Peace

State of Connecticut } ss Hartford County of Hartford
I Samuel H. Parsons a Notary
Public for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Enoch Parsons Esq before whom the the annexed foregoing affidavit was executed is a justice of the peace for the County of Hartford, and I know that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
Witness my hand & official seal this 29 th day of October 1832
Samuel H Parsons Notary Public
State of Connecticut } ss Hartford County of Hartford
I Jared Griswold Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Samuel H. Parsons Esq before whom the Affidavit of Constant Griswold hereto annexed, was taken, was at the time the said affidavit purports to have been sworn to, and still is a Notary Public in and for said County of Hartford
I further certify, that Enoch Parsons Esq before whom the affidavits of Thomas Holmes & John Marshall were respectively taken, was at the time and still is a justice of the peace for the said County of Hartford - and that the signatures of said Samuel H Parsons & said Enoch Parsons appear to be in their handwriting - Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 28 th day of March 1833.

I
16/33
INVALID.
no
File No. 16/33
Constant Griswold
Pre Rev War
—————
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 153
—————
[Arrangement of 1870.]