Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,985, John Hamlin, Conn. Continental Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn Continental Privateer
Hamlin, John Caroline
W. 17. 985
CONTENTS

61 6314 - Connecticut -
John Hamlin of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut who was a Pri — in the Conn commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded by Col Brown in the Conn line for State Troops - 18 mo
+ Private
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Feb. 1833 and sent to Hon W. L. Storrs Hous. of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sep: 1833 $ 79.99 Semi-ann. allowance ending Dec 1833 26.66
Deed $106.65
Nov 29, 1834
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book D Vol. 3 - Page 47 -

Connecticut - 163
Caroline Franklin widow of John Franklin, dec. who was a pensioner under the Act of 18. Mar. 18 and who died on the 18th 1834, of Middlesex in the State of Conn. who was a P. in the Comp. commanded by Captain  of the Regt. commanded by Sherman in the Conn. line for Providence
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22. day of Mar. 1839, as sent to Mr. G. G. G. Hartford Conn.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. - $159.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 26.66
Recd. for { $186.65 $80.00 {
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk. Book A Vol. 1 - Page 184

6708
Ino Hamlin
W. C. E
admit—
peri. 16 mo—
$ 53.33—
M. L. Storrs

6708
BRIEF in the case of  John Hamlin of Middletown  in the State of Connecticut (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     early In 1776 Jan or Feb — 12 — private Gen. Col. Willy Cap Sumner   ! dont know — 3 — " Cap Daut Col. Brown   Fall of '77 — 1 — " Cap Smith  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at New York  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Middletown  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Three living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Three Right 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk. 22 Jan 33

Caroline Hamlin widow of John Con
act. 7 July 38
5 years
Married in 1784 adm.
2 years free
824 should be 10 mo. pri. 53.11
No deduction
An. J. Tracey Hartford Conn.

State of Connecticut - Probate District of Middletown } ss
On this 8 th day of August A.D. 1838, personally appeared before the Probate Court, held within and for the District of Middletown, - Caroline Hamlin a resident of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged eighty-six years, who having been first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," - That she is the widow of John Hamlin, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and at the time of his death was a pensioner of the United States; that she does not remember any other particulars of his service except that he was at New York and at Long Island; - that she was acquainted with him before he went into the army, and was under an engagement of marriage with him at that time; - that after his return from the army, he went one or more voyages in the private armed vessel called the "Lady Greene," and was taken a prisoner in that vessel and carried to the island of Jamaica, and was kept there many months; that he did not reach home till after the close of the war; that about a year after his return, they were married; that she does not recollect the name of the officers under whom her husband enlisted, but does recollect the mention

of the names "Higley" and "Sumner," as officers under whom he served but she does not know what rank they held; - that her late husband and herself were both natives of Middletown - that he resided in Middletown at the time when he went into the army, and ever after continued to reside there till his death, and that since his death, she has remained his widow, and always continued to reside in the same place.
And she further declares that her maiden name was Caroline Hanney, and that she was married to the said John Hamlin on the fourteenth day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four; - and that her husband the aforesaid John Hamlin, died after a short illness on the Saturday next succeeding the annual Thanksgiving, in the year (1834) eighteen hundred and thirty four, but she does not now remember the precise date; - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated.
Caroline Hamlin
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me
Sam l Cooper Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown, Conn.

State of Connecticut } ss Middlesex County }
I Samuel Cooper, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown, in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the within and foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court aforesaid, in the matter of the application of the widow Caroline Hamlin, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of this Court to be affixed, - at Middletown aforesaid, this 8th day of August A.D. 1838.
Sam l Cooper Judge etc

Middletown, Connecticut
2 d Congregational Society
July 30 th 1838.
I hereby certify that it appears on the Records of this Society in the handwriting of my predecessor in the pastoral office - the Rev d Gershon Buckley - that
John Hamlin and Caroline Ranney were Married on the fourteenth day of November, in the year one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four.
The above is a correct statement of as it appears on the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows -
"1784 - Nov r 14 th - Married, John Hamlin and Caroline Ranney."
Lebulon Crocker,
Pastor of the 2 d Cong. Church & Society, Middletown, Conn.
I, Lebulon Crocker, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor of the Second Congregational Church and Society in Middletown, in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Society with the exception above named as certified by me -
Lebulon Crocker

State of Connecticut Hartford County
§ August 21st 1838.
Then personally appeared, Zebulon Crocker, who signed the foregoing deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the truth of the matters therein contained - before me Isaac Baldwin Justice of Peace

I, Stillman K. Wightman, of Middletown in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, on oath, depose and say - that I personally knew John Hamlin of Middletown who was formerly and until the time of his death a Pensioner of the United States - that his original declaration was made before me as Judge of Probate in and for the Probate District of Middletown; that I well remember that the said John Hamlin died in this town about four years ago, leaving a widow Caroline Hamlin, whom I know to be now living in this town, and still remaining the widow of the aforesaid John Hamlin; - and further the deponent saith not -
Stillman K. Wightman.
State of Connecticut } ss. Middlesex County }
Middletown, August 2 nd of A.D. 1838.
Then personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, - Stillman K. Wightman, signer of the foregoing deposition who read and signed the same in my presence, and made solemn oath to the truth of the matters contained therein - before me -
J. W. Griswold, Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut - Secretary's Office - Hartford, August 28 th 1838.
I, Royal P. Hinman, Secretary of State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Samuel Cooper is judge of the Court of Pro- bate for the District of Middletown, - that Samuel W. Griswold is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, - and that Barnard Baldwin is a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Hartford, - and that I ut- terly believe their several signatures, as attached to the foregoing documents, to be true and genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said State - at Hartford aforesaid on the day and year first above written.
Royal P. Hinman Secretary of said State

State of Connecticut } County of Middlesex } ss. Middletown Aug 2. 1832,
On this second day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court in & for the District of Middletown at said Middletown now sitting, John Hamlin a resident of said Middletown, aged seventy six 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
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, & served as herein stated:..
I enlisted for one years service in the year 1776 in Colonel Wyllys Regiment in the Company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Sumner (I cannot remember what particular day but according to my belief & best remembrance it was in the very early part of the year 1776, I should think in January or February) of which Lieutenant Robert Warner was Lieutenant — which one year of service I performed & fulfilled & was dismissed at the end thereof — I resi-

ded at the time aforesaid of said enlist- ment & ever have since resided & now reside at Middletown in the State of Con- necticut - I was marched immediately after said enlistment to Roxbury in Massachusetts where we remained until the enemy went off when we were marched to New London in Connecticut where we were embarked on board of Vespel and sailed to New York in the Spring where we remained until the end of the said year for which I enlisted. When the enemy retreated from New York I was in the engagement but am not able to relate any particular circumstances attending it. I was not during said term of service in any other battle of importance but was en- gaged in several skirmishes the details of which I do not sufficiently recollect to relate them. Mr. Hooker of Farmington Connecticut was 2 d lieutenant & Mr Hubbard of said Middletown was Ensign of our company - I cannot remember their Christian names - Butcher Gilbert formerly of said Middletown now dead or in the western country was our orderly sergeant.

These are all the particulars of any note that I can state respecting said term of service -
I afterwards served three months in the Connecticut Militia having been ordered out - I cannot name the year - we were marched to Guilford, Conn't where we remained I should think as much as two months when we were marched to Poquonag, Conn't. Nathaniel Brown was the Colonel of our Regiment - Captain Dart of Chatham was an Captain - Ebenezer Smith was our lieutenant - Isaac White was our orderly sergeant - at Bosworths of Chatham  less than there was no battles during this term of service - there were three British ships lying off the Coast from which invasions were expected & in consequence of this we were called out - all of the above named Officers are dead so that I cannot refer to them for testimony.
In the fall of the year 1777 I volunteered in the Connecticut Militia to march to the army that was encamped near Genl. Burgoyne's Army near Saratoga - I was out engaged in service a month - we marched towards there

but before we reached the pond Ben Joyne was taken - we had got nearly to Albany - Abner Smith was our Captain - I cannot remember our Colonel or our other officers - nor do I remember any one now living who was with me unless it is Mr. Ebenezer Sage -
I have no documentary evidence of the foregoing facts nor do I know of any living person who can testify my Statement except those whose depositions are annexed hereto -
I the said John Hamlin hereby claim - quick every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Subscribed the day & year aforesaid

In answer to the first interrogatory said Abolitionist states he was born in the year 1756 at said Middletown - to the second, that he has no record of his age - to the third, that he always lived in said Middletown to the fourth and fifth that he cannot state more particularly than he has done to the sixth that he never received any formal discharge or discharge from Service, but was dismissed as was usual - to the seventh - he says that Mr Nehemiah Hubbard & Izaak Westphalen of this Court did testify to his char- acter for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution - sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid John Hamlin

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories prescribed by the War Depart- ment that the above named Appellee- Court was a revolutionary soldier thereof as he states — & the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Nehemiah Hubbard Esq. who has signed the annexed certifi- cate is a resident in said Middletown a credible person & gentleman of the highest respectability & character & that his statement is entitled to credit — That Benjamin Gilbert Esq. of annexed affidavit is a person of credit & veracity The other annexed certificates is from the Judge of said Probate Court  in which said certificates are annexed John Pick Clerk of the said Court of Probate within & for the District of Middletown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hamlin for a pension —

In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of said office this 2 o . day of August AD 1832
M c Guire Clk

December 12, 1930
Mr. Charles R. Hale 131 Washington Street Hartford, Connecticut
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section REL
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.17985, that John Hamlin was born in 1756, in Middletown, Connecticut.
While residing in Middletown, Connecticut, he enlisted in January or February, 1776, served one year as a private in Captain Ebenezer Sumner's Company, Colonel Wylllys' Connecticut Regiment and was in the retreat from New York.
He enlisted, date not given, and served three months in Captain Dart's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted in the fall of 1777, and served one month in Captain Abner Smith's Connecticut Company.
After his return from the army he entered on board the private armed vessel "Lady Greene", went on one or more voyages on said vessel, was taken prisoner and carried to the Island of Jamaica and held for many months, not reaching home until after the close of the war.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 2, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Middletown, Connecticut, where he had always lived.
He died November 29, 1834.
* * * * *

I Stillman K Wightman of Middletown Indn of the County of Robate for the District of Middletown do certify that I am well acquainted with John Hamlin publisher of the Poughkeepsie Declaration - that I believe him to be 76 years of age - that he is reputed to be a soldier in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution & that I concur in the opinion - that I believe the statement of said Hamlin to be true.
Stillman K Wightman

I Benjamin Gilbert of Middletown in the State of Connecticut aged 72 being duly sworn depose & say that in the year 1776 I enlisted a soldier for six months in Capt Churchills Company & Colonel Saps Regiment & went down to New York where I saw in said year John Hamlin of said Middletown who was then a soldier in the Army in Colonel Wyllys Regi- ment in Service & I understood that the term of Service of said Regiment was one year & that said Hamlin served his time out as a soldier in it - & further say not. Dated at Middle- town this 2 d . day of August 1832 Benjamin Gilbert
Sworn to this 2 d day of August
1832 before me William L. Morris
A.
Justice of the Peace

This certifies that Mr John Hamlin of Middletown sustains a fair character in point of morality; & from his general reputation for honesty & integrity, his testimony would be taken in any Court of Justice in the State of Connecticut— Middletown July 30 th 1832. Certified by Isaac Doolittle Josiah Sage

I Nehemiah Hubbard of Middletown in Connecticut hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Hamlin of said Middletown - that I believe him to be 76 years of age - that he is reputed to have lived in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion
Nehemiah Hubbard 80 years of age

I William Sumner of Middletown in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged 75, being duly cautioned, under the pains and penalties of perjury prescribed by the Statute, do affirm - That in the year 1776 I was a private in the company commanded by Capt Ebenezer Sumner, and the Regiment commanded by Col. Mylly, in the Connecticut State troops, and served in said company one year excepting six weeks just previous to my the termination of my enlistment, which I being discharged on account of illness was for one year - That John Hamlin of said Middletown, was during all of said time, a private in the same company & I was well acquainted with said Hamlin - I have read the statement of said Hamlin, in his application for a pension dated this day relative to his years service in 1776 & 1777 & according to my best recollect- ion and belief, it is correctly stated - Dated at Middletown the second day of August A.D. 1832 -
William Sumner
Middletown Conn Augt 4. 1832
Then & there personally appeared

William Sumner signs of the foregoing affidavit & made solemn affirmation to the truth of the same according to the laws of this State before me
B.
William L. Stone Justice of the Peace

I Stephen Rainey of Middletown in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged 79, being duly cautioned and sworn, depose & say - That in the 1776, I was a volunteer for about two months, in the Company Commanded by Capt Ebenezer Sumner & Regiment Commanded by Col. Mylly, in the Connecticut State troops - at the  a part of said regiment was during that time, stationed partly at Roxbury in Mass. and a part of the time at New York - That during all that time John Hamlin of said Middletown was a private in said Company - I have for a very long period, been acquainted with said Hamlin, and have full confidence in his veracity & integrity & believe that he was, as he is reputed to have been, in the service, during the time that he has stated in his application of this date for a pension - Dated at said

Middletown this 2 d day of August AD 1832.
Stephen Reiney
Sworn to & Subscribed to this 2 d day of August AD 1832. Before me,
C. Stillman K sq Wightman, Justice of the Peace, State of Connecticut.
County of Middlesex ss. Middletown.
I John Trull Clerk of the County Court for s d County of Middlesex do hereby Certify that Will m L. Storrs Esq r is a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Middlesex as per Commission on file in my Office & that his name subscribed to the preceding Certi- ficates mark d A. & B. are his proper Hand writing & signature — I also Certify that Stillman K sq Wightman is a Justice of the Peace in & for s d County of Middlesex as per Com n on file in my Office & that his name sub- scribed to the preceding Certificate mark d C. is his proper Hand Writing & signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & seal of s d Court this 2 d day of August AD. 1832.
J. Trull Clk
6/7/32.

Rev #1812
HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR
COMMITTEE ON MARKING GRAVES CHARLES R. HALE, CHAIRMAN 131 WASHINGTON ST., HARTFORD, CONN.
Nov. 24-1930
Chief Clerk,
Pension Department.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me Revolutionary War record of ✓
  John Hamlin  glid  Nov. 29-1834  Clu  1832  Pension Roll    also Epaphras Sage  -  May 28-1834  -  -  -    also Daniel Pardee  ✓  -  -  -  -  
We need the records to get them headstones
Yours very Truly
Chas. R. Hale

Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated.
Cromwell, Conn., May 18 1906
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.,
6314 163
Sir:— I respectfully apply for the Military History of John Hamlin, a Rev. Soldier who resided in 1832 in Middlesex Co. Conn—
I am, Sir,
My truly Yours, C. Collard Adams

Payment to be made at Hartford, Con. by Sam l L. Pitkin Esq. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Connecticut
First payment to be made on the 31st December, 1838, and on the 4th March and 4th Septem- ber in each year there-
after. Issue a New Cert: at $53.33 per ann & send Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A Vol. 1. - to M. Gardner Page 184 by - G. J.
R. Burrows Hartford Clerk. Con.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the first section of the act of July 7, 1838, Caroline Hamlin, — widow of John Hamlin, deceased — who was a Private during the Rev. War and died on the — day of — 1834 is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of eighty dollars and — cents per annum  month , commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this fourth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
J. Cooper. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

621
Mal
Co
7 July 1838
(entire)
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Stearns' Garrison
Washington D.C.

Nantock Ct. Aug. 28 th 1838 -
Sir
I now enclose the paper of the widow Caroline Hamlin of Middlesex. She is the widow of the late John Hamlin a pensioner who died in 1834. The marriage is proved by the Parish Record: the service has already been proved to the satisfaction of the Government.
Very respectfully
Yours obedt Servt
D. DeFourey
D. L. Edwards Esq. Com d of Pensions
{

W. Oct 10
Mr. Hamilton Cl. 2068
30 June 18
Johns Hopkins
Pennsylvania
Hyattsville Md
Washington City

House of Rep rs
October 9. 1837.
Sir,
I wish to obtain, from the papers in the Pension Office in the case of John Hamlin, "the latest date of his service in the Revolutionary War". He was of Middletown, Conn.
Very Respectfully
Your ob t & obliged serv t
J. L. Edwards Esq.
W. H. Chapman

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17985
Caroline Hamlin
Wid. of John Hamlin
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. 64 , Page 313
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1894 Sept. 20. Hist. To
Hon. H. F. Andrews
Audubon, Iowa
1906 May 25. History to C. Collard Adams.
1930. Dec 12 - Hist. to Chas R. Hale. Tombstone data EEL

tbl. Mid. file 17985 Rev. War.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Hamlin , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan or Feb 1776 1 yr. Ebenezer Sumner Myles Conn.   3 mos. Dart Col. Brown "   Fall 1777 1 " Abner Smith    Widow stated that after her husband returned from the army he made one or more voyages in the pot armst vessel "Lady Greene" was taken prisoner, carried to Jamaica + kept many months.
Battles engaged in, none - retreat from N. Y.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Middletown , Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 2. 1832 - allowed.
Residence at date of application, Middletown , Middlesex Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, B. Middletown Conn. 1756.
Remarks: Sol. mar. Caroline Ranney, Nov. 14, 1784 + d. 1834 Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.
Wid. appln. Aug 8. 1838 res. Middletown Conn. 86 yrs - born Middletown
Very respectfully,

vision.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., _____, 189___
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Hamlin , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information, as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 1776 1 1/2 mos Private Benjamin Tinker Wylye Conn.   Not stated 3 mos. " David Nathaniel Brown "   July 1777 1 mos. " Abner Smith Not stated "  
Battles engaged in, None mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wadsworth Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug 2 1832
Residence at date of application, Wadsworth Conn.
Age at date of application, 75 1/2
Remarks: Married Caroline Ramsey Nov 14 1784 and died in November 1834.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Connecticut. 163.
Caroline M c Amlin, widow of John Hamlin, dec d .
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Mar. 181
and who died on the — 1834 —
of Middletown in the State of Connecticut
who was a Pri — in the Com ty commanded
by Captain — of the Reg t commanded
by Col. Sherburn in the Conn t
line for 2 years
(To be corrected: $53.37 1/2 when old age is not
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Sept r '38, and sent with Hon. J. Towne Hartford, Conn t
Arrears to the 4 th of 4 th Sept r $ 200.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th June 40.0
$ 240.0
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. B. Beman Clerk Book A — Vol. 1. — Page 184

Let to Claimant
February 18, 1839.
3. Let. to Pen. Agent, Feb. 18, 1839.
do. to M. Gardner March 13. 1839