Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37054, John Hart, Continental (Conn)

SERVICE
NUMBER
continental (com)
Hart, John
S. 37054
CONTENTS

see letter to Hon. John A. Rock- well, Dec. 15. 1845- LH to C.B. Matteson, May 21. 1866
Dis-
continued on the roll under the law of the 10 May 1820 to John Hart Esq. 5 July 1820 Middlesex Co. Connecticut
6553
Connecticut.
John Hart
of Saybrook in the state of Connecticut who was a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel S.B. Webb of the Connecticut line, for the term of 3 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 30 th of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th of Feb y . 1819 and sent to the Hon. Genl. Huntington House of Rep s U. States.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 - 5 - \frac{2}{21} \frac{4}{30} 103.95
Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 120.00
$ 223.95
Discontinued and { Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Reinstated by order of Sec y of War - see letter to Hon. John Woseley Esq. Rep s Feb y . 19. 1821. H. Middlesex Co.

I John Hart of Say Brook, County of Mid- -dlessex, & State of Connecticut do testify;
That I served in the army in the War of the Revolution more than three years; That I was appointed by Congress to the command of a Company in the Regiment commanded by General B. Webb Col., in the Connecticut Line, and was commissioned on about the first of January One Thousand -Seven Hundred, & Twenty Seven, and immediately entered the service, enlisted a Company, joined the army at the opening of the Campaign in the following Spring, & Served in said Company, until December in the Month of April One Thousand, and Eighty, Seven Hundred, when there being Super- -numerary officers, I received a discharge from the army, and retired from ser- -vice. . . . My commission with my dis- -charge endorsed upon it has, in some manner unknown to me, become lost.
I further now testify, That I, owing to some misfortunes, in business, lost my property, & have not been able to regain any thing & that I am in reduced circumstances & in need of the as- -sistance of my country for support, & pray that I may obtain the privilege made in the late act of Congress for revolutionary soldiers. Middletown March 30 th 1818 John Hart

I Bersoni Shipman of Saybrook, County of Middlesex, a State of Connecticut, do testify; That I am acquainted with Capt. John Hunt of said Saybrook, signer of said Deposition proceeding this . That about the first of January One Thousand Seven Hun- dred Seventy Seven he was appoin- -ted to the command of a Company in the Regiment commanded by Col Samuel B. Webb, & raised a Company of men, and served in the army until the Spring of One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty, when he, as I understood, was discharged from the army —
I further testify, that the representation made by said Capt. John Hunt concerning his property, in his Deposition proceeding this, is true, further saith not
Middletown March 30 th 1818
Bersoni Shipman
U. State of Connecticut, Middlesex County, ss. Middletown March 30 th 1818. Personally came Capt. John Hunt of Saybrook in said County, signer of the preceding

Deposition on the first page deposition , and made solemn oath to the truth there- of; and personally appeared Benoni Ship- man of the same (Say Brook), signer of the preceding Deposition on the second page, and made solemn oath to the truth thereof before me, Stephen Fitch, Warmer a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut.
B. I, Stephen Fitch, Warmer a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut do certify, That it appearing to my satisfaction, that John Kent the signer of the Deposition on the first page of this paper, served in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as in his Deposition he has testified; I therefore, transmit the preceding testimony. Stephen Warmer
Middletown (Connect) March 30 th 1818. To the Honorable the Secretary for the Department of War.
I John Fitch Clerk of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut do certify, That the Honorable Stephen Fitch Warmer a Judge in the State of aforesaid, is one of the Judges of the said Court, and that his name subscribed to the preceding certificate marked A. B. is his proper hand writing and signature.

In testimony whereof I have here- -to sets my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Mid- -dletown aforesaid on this 17 th day of April 1848. Wm. Pirk. Clerk
Mr. Wm. Clark
John H. B. Latrobe

No 23. John Hart
S not entitled 6553 4 Feb '19
2

United States of America.
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT } ss. Haddam 14 th June 1820 County of Middlesex.
On this 14 day of June 1820, personally appeared in open ad Court of Common Pleas, holden at Haddam in and for the County of Middlesex; being a Court of Record, according to the laws of the State of Connecticut; by which it was created; and having the power of fine and imprisonment; John Hart aged Sixty Eight years, resident in Saybrook in the County and District aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: to wit: in the Connecticut Line in a Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel B Webb  Capt.  of which company, as more particularly stated in his original declaration, dated 30 th day of March A. D. 1818; that he has received a Pension, the Certificate of which, bears the Number 6553
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Schedule of the real and personal estate of John Hart abovenamed, comprising every article of the same, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted: to wit:
  The use & improvement during my natural Life of one half of a poor dwelling house and of less than one quarter of acre of Land 100.00   9 Green chairs - - - - - 4.50   10 common - do - - - - - 4.00   3 Tables - - - - - 6.00   andirons shovel and tongs - - - - - 4.00   Several articles of crockery - - - - - 3.50   do of Iron Ware - - - - - 4.00   1/2 doz old Silver Spoons - - - - - 5.00   1/2 do tea Spoons - - - - - 2.50   1 Looking glass - - - - - 5.00   1 old carpet - - - - - 2.50   1 old Trunk - - - - - 1.50   1 Writing Desk - - - - - 1.50   1 old Bureau - - - - - 3.00   $146.00 
John Hart
Debts due from me to Thos Bull of Hartford about Balance in favor of John Hart - - - - - 60.00  $86.00
John Hart

I, the said John Hart _____, do also swear _____ that my occupation is, and for more than fifteen
years last past, has been therefor  various formerly ; that by reason
of age & infirmity I am unable to labour therefor
therefor , that my family consists of three persons who steadily reside with me;
whose names, ages, and capacity to contribute to their own support, are, as near as can be
ascertained by me, as follows, to wit: Nancy Hart
my wife aged 61 ; ability equal to a lower part
of her support.
John Hart a son, aged 33 ; ability nothing  his support for his support partially  devanged - Rebecca Hart a daughter unable to do any thing towards her support aged thirty years
who  wholly unable to contribute to  support.
SWORN to and declared on the 14 th day of June 182 0 - before the Court of Common Pleas for said County W. Pirk Clerk of said Court.
I, W. Pirk Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court: and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is One Hundred & Forty Six dollars and  cents
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 14 th day of June 182 0
W. Pirk Clerk of the Court for the
Clerk of the Court for the

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Hart Cur. File 37054
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1. 1777 Apr. 1780 Capt Samuel B. Webb Conn                                                                 
1821
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, Mar. 30. 1818  Has it was al. Residence at date of application, Saybrook Middlesex Co. Conn. Age at date of application, 66
Remarks: In 1820 his wife Nancy was 61 years old; Son William 33 yrs. daughter Rebecca 20 years.

12 Jany Brook Feb 2
Free
Hon. Jon a O. Morley Representative in Congress Washington

Sir
Saybrook 1 st February 1821.
I would not again trespass on your pa- tience respecting Cap t John Hart's concerns, but for the necessity of the case - He this day showed me three depositions recently taken, which I think will satisfy the Hon. Secretary at War, that Cap t Hart is needy enough. They however, do not make known his actual situation so clearly as it ought to be done - When my letter of 8 th Dec. was written, his (illegible) Son William lived with his Father - About the 1 st of January, the Town took the Son among their town-paupers again - In regard to Cap t Hart's having been sup- ported by private charity more or less, for a number of years past, I have had a more actual knowledge than most persons, because I was conversant with Gen t Hart's business - I knew that he supplied his Brother John with provisions, and that no payment was received - After Gen t Hart's death in 1817, that resource failed - therefore till John obtained his pension, his family lived on very short allow- ance - while the pension continued, he lived comfortably - since its discontinuance, he has fared hard. He now lives on faith & hope -

Mr. Hotchkiss has not given that distinct, lucid state- ment, which he ought - I will add a few remarks -
Capt. Hart occupies the half an old House, which by virtue of Genl. Hart's will, he is to possess during his natural life, and the use of half the garden adjoining, which garden contains a quarter of an acre - no doubt the use of them might be taken by his creditors - He is about 70 years of age - has no means of support - is unable to labor - He must have been aided to live this winter by charity. - There certainly appears to be no other possible resource. He is a man of independent mind, and notwithstanding the ill health of his wife, the derange- ment or idleness of his son & daughter, and his actual poverty, he is mortified that the witnesses should have described him as poor - To be a pensioner does not humiliate his feelings -
My affidavit would have been forwarded, had I not written to you on the subject -
It would be far from me to promote the granting a pension, to any person not entitled to it, according to the true intent and meaning of the statute - Formerly there were impositions in many instances, some to my personal knowledge but this case is universally acknowledged by the whole community, to be as prominent as any other -
I have the honor to be most Respectfully Your ob. Servt Geo Pratt Hon. Genl. C. Morley

Testimony of Frederick W m Hotchkiss, respecting the temporal circumstances, of John Hart Esq r . of Saybrook, presented before William Lynde Esq r ., Justice of Peace. January 27 th 1820.
I, Frederick W m Hotchkiss, testify, that I have been personally, and intimately acquainted with John Hart Esq r . for many years; That he was, formerly, a merchant of respectability & extensive business; — That, by various misfortunes, he is now reduced to poverty, & has, for years, been much dependent on the charity of his friends; — That he has no real estate; and has only the use of half a house, & half a garden which contains less than the fourth of an acre of ground: — That he is in debt, without the means of discharging it; and must incur further embarrassment by borrowing of his friends, and relying on their liberality to remit, or their patience in deferring to make demands on him: — That, at this time, his property is limited, almost entirely, to a few articles of household furniture: — That his wife is very feeble, & has, for several years, been in such a state of ill health & debility, as not to be able to walk to her nearest neighbors, or to the church which is not more than ten rods distant from her residence: — That he has a son who has been, for several years, and still is, supported by the town on account of his pauperism, and incapability of providing for himself: — That he has, also, a daughter who causes a constant bill of expense to him without being competent to alleviate any of his burdens: — That he has not one child living with him, or in this town, to render him assistance. — His means of support are so extremely slender / especially if we consider the difficulty of his laboring for daily bread, amidst the infirmities of the age of seventy years / that I can see no probable method of his maintaining himself & family, but by private, or public charity.
Frederick W m Hotchkiss
State of Connecticut
Midsex County.
Se Saybrook Jany 27 1820
Personally appeared the Rev d Frederick W m Hotchkiss and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed who is a gentleman of the highest respectability
Before me A. Lynde Justice of Peace

I Ambrose Whittlesy of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut of lawful Age do testify & say that I have been acquainted with John Hunt Esq for several years. & that he has no real Estate to my knowledge & has only the use of half of an old house & half a garden containing less than a fourth of an Acre of Ground the yearly rent of both of which would not exceed from ten to fifteen dollars. That I know of no property he possesses. except a few articles of house hold furniture of small value. That being unable to support his family he called on me some years time since. as one of the Select Men of the town for the maintenance of his Son that said Son by the Name of Williams has for several years been supported as a town pauper & one partially deranged & incompetent to provide for himself. That his family now con- sists of three persons viz. himself, his Wife & one Daughter. That his Wife is a Woman of very feeble health. & that his daughter is also feeble & partially deranged & totally incompetent to support herself. That he at this time amidst the infirmities of the age of about Seventy is unable to provide for himself & family by daily labor, and has no other means of providing Maintenance but by private or public Charity
Ambrose Whittlesy
State of Connecticut Middlesex County
ss Saybrook Jan'y 21 1823
Personally appeared Ambrose Whittlesy who is a person of the first respectability for truth and veracity, and after being cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the above disposition by him subscribed
Before me
B.
Wm Lynde Justice Peace

Testimony of Samuel Carter, of the town of Saybrook, county of Middlesex, & state of Connecticut.
I, Samuel Carter, testify and say, that I have, for several years, been personally acquainted with John Hart Esq., & live in the vicinity with him, and have frequently visited at his house, as a neighbor & family physician; — that his family consists of three persons, viz. himself, his wife, & one daughter; — that his wife is, and has been for years, a woman of much debility, and subject to asthma & some spasmodic paroxysms; — that, in consequence of these infirmities, she has been incapable, for a considerable proportion of her time, of attending to the labors & calls of the family; — that he has a son, by the name of William, who formerly resided with him, but who is incapable of providing for himself, & has, for years, been supported by the town, as a pauper; — that his daughter is partially deranged, & incompetent to provide for herself; and is dependent on the father for support; — that he has no real estate; and has only the use of half a house, & half a garden which contains less than one fourth of an acre of ground; — that his circumstances are so reduced that he is dependent on private or public charity for support; — that, at the age of seventy, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for him to maintain himself & his family by daily labor.
Samuel Carter
State of Connecticut Middlesex County
Se Saybrook Jan 27 1821
Personally appeared Deat Samuel Carter the above deponent, who is a person of the first respectability for truth and veracity, and after being duly cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
C. Lynde Justin Pierce

State of Connecticut. Middlesex County -
I John Fisk Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of s d County of Middlesex do Certify that William Lynde Esq r was on the 27 th of Jan y 1821 is a Justice of the Peace within & for s d County of Middlesex as per Com d on file in my Office & that his Name subscribed to the preceding Certificate mark? A. B. C. is his proper Hand Writing & signature -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the seal of s d Court this 30 th day of Jan y . AD. 1821 -
J s Fisk Clk
I William Lynde do certify that the Rev d Dea n W m Hatchbury Am d bro d W m Kelley & Dea n Samuel Gardner the within & several are disinterested witnesses in the cause of Capt n John H. Hart aforesaid & all do testify that the facts detailed in their respective marks A B C so far as they relate to said John H. Hart's present circumstances are in my opinion
Carefully stated
Say Brook Jan y 31 AD 1821
W m Lynde Justice of Peace

Saybrook Feb 2 d
Free
Hon. J. C. Moseley House of Reps.
Washington
Confidential

Reprinted & Revised Sleepbrook 1 st Feby. 1831
Your kind favor of the 18 th of Jan y with the Inclos- ure has been rec d . for which I return you my thanks & and I have now the pleasure to transmit to you Inclosed three Depositions taken agreeably to the Instructions rec d from the War Office, which I will thank you to deliver to the proper Boards. The three Depositions, were rec d from Mr. Hatchkiss, Capt. Ambrose Whittelsey, & Doctor Samuel Carle, all of this Place, all of whom I presume you are acquainted with. They sustain Characters for credibility equal to any I am acquainted with, and I can't best confidently hope there is among you a better accredited. They were taken before William Lynde Esq. Justice of the Peace for this County, with his Certificate as to their credibility & Characters, and accompanied with a certificate from John Fish Esq. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the official Characters & Seal of Esq. Lynde, & under the seal of the Court which I presume will be thought correct. Any aid in your power to render me in this stage of the Business, at the office I doubt not you will afford which will be duly esteemed and gratefully remembered. And should the result be favorable, I will thank you to transmit to me the Evidence of it. Perhaps it may not be improper for me

To observe that the last payment I rec d on account of my Pension was on the 4 th of March 1820 and I can but hope if my application should be successful I shall be permitted to draw pay from that time With much consideration & esteem for your friendly aid & assistance I remain your respectful friend & very humble Servant
John Ward
Hon. J. D. Morseley House of Reps
P.S. I request Col. Morseley to be so good as to examine the inclosed depositions before he delivers them to Secy. and be care he should judge them insufficient to answer the intended purpose. Then in that case I would thank him to return them to me. & I will send in more proof. But I flatter myself they will be thought ample & full to all the necessary points.
J. D.

John Hart, who was a Captain 3 years, property $146.
Pensioner's age 68-
wife's - 61
Son's (insane) 33
daughter (not able to work) - 30 -
A minister of the Gospel states, under oath, that the claimant has for years, been much dependent on the charity of his friends. His insane son is supported by the Town - and his daughter is unable to work.
Report to Hon. J. O. Moseley, H. R. and inform him respecting the case of Eliphalet Lord.

Wednesday morning, May 21.
Sam. Cole Esq.
My dear Sir —
May I ask
of you if not too much trouble to read the enclosed letter & send me an answer by the bearer. My real purpose in this haste is, I may go out of town on a morrow
Truly Yr friend
O. Brattle

210 COMSTOCK AVENUE SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
Feb. 26 th 1910.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly furnish me a copy of my ancestors service from his Pension Papers. He was Captain John (or Jonathan) Hart of Farmington Conn & served in the War of the Revolution

Thanking you for the courtesy
Sir—
Respectfully Yours, Mary E. Hart.
MAR 2 - 1919

37 054 Rev INVALID.
1910 March 19 Hist to Mary E. Hart. V.L.M.
File No. 87,054
John Hart Capt Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Hart (Capt.)
S. B. Webb's Comm. Reg?
1777-3 years.
30 March 1819-
Admitted
The original minutes
Hon. E. Huntington ✓ H. of Rep.

I am Neige of New Hartford in the State of Connecticut do hereby, -
That I was an adjutant & lieutenant in the Connecticut Regiment commanded by Samuel B. Webb for almost six years, during the revolutionary war; That I was well acquainted with Capt John Hunt the signer of the preceding deposition, who commanded a Company in the said Regiment, who was appointed a Captain in January One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Seven, and was afterwards commissioned, and served in the said Regiment about three years, In the Spring of the year One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty, there being more officers than was necessary, therefor said Capt Hunt was discharged from Service; - I further testify, that the said Capt John Hunt was a good officer, and served with reputation, and was honorably

discharged from Service;
Further this Deposition with not -
Middletown May 20 th
1858.
John Meigs
State of Connecticut ss. Middletown.
C On this 20 th day of May 1858 personally appeared before me Stephen Fitch Witness one of the Judges of the Su- preme Court for the said State, John Meigs, the signor of the pre- ceding Deposition, and made solemn Oath to the truth thereof.
Further Testifyeth that I am, & for many years have been, in- timately acquainted with the said John Meigs, and that he is a man of unquestionable honor and integrity. -
Stephen Fitch

# Daniel Lizer of Middletown in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that he  was a Soldier in the Company of Capt. Edward Butkley in the Regiment commanded by General B. Webb Esq. in the revolutionary army from the year 1777 to January 1780, when he was appointed a Sergeant in said Company & served on till the war terminated; That he well knew Capt. John Hunt of Saybrook in said State, the person spoken of in the preceding Deposition of Capt. John Mays; and that having heard read the said Deposition of Capt. Mays, the said Daniel Lizer declares, that the facts therein are truly stated, further he saith not. - - Middletown May 23 d 1818. Daniel Lizer
State of Connecticut, ss. Middletown 9. May 23 d 1818. Personally appeared Dan- iel Lizer of said Middletown, signer of the preceding Deposition, a person well known to me and of good character & credit, and made Solemn Oath to the truth there- of before me Titus Wapner a Judge of the Superior Court for said State. - -

I Robert Warner of Middletown in the State of Connecticut do testify That I was well acquainted with Capt. John Hunt of Jay Brook in Said State, when in the revolu- tionary army; That the said John Hunt commanded a company in the Regiment commanded by Samuel B. Webb Esq.; That as inspector in the Connecticut Line in the year 1778, I mustered the company of the said Capt. John Hunt then under his command; and by reason of dis- proportionary officers, I was informed That he took a discharge from the army, and was a good offi- cer when in service, further Saith not, - - - - - Robert Warner Middletown May 26 th
1818 - - -
State of Connecticut ss Middletown May 25 th 1818. Personally appeared before me Stephen Fitch Warner one of the Judges of the Superior Court

For the State of Connecticut, Major Robert Warner of said Milford Town, the sign of the preceding Deposition, and made solemn Oath to the truth thereof. - I do further certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Major Warner, & that he is a man worthy of credit. - J. Titus Warner
I John Titus Clerk of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut do hereby certify, that the Honorable Stephen Titus Warner of Milford- town aforesaid is one of the Judges of the said Superior Court, and that his name subscribed to the preceding Certificates marked C. D. E. is his proper hand writing and sig- nature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed the Seal of the said Court at Middletown aforesaid May 28 th 1888. J. Titus Clerk

Wartford May 27 1811
This may certify that John Hart was a Captain, served in the revolutionary army from the year 1777 to the spring of 1780 in regiment of the Continental Army, raised by Col Samuel B. Webb, which regiment was afterwards called the 9 th Conn t regiment of which I was Lieut Colonel at the time of Captain John Hart's Discharge
Ebenezer Huntington Lieut Colonel of S t B Webb, or 9 th Conn t Reg t in revolutionary Army

Certify that Capt n John Hall formerly of Samuel B Webb's regim t is in indigent circumstances & entitled to the provisions of the law of March 1818 D t Jan y 28 1819 Eben: Huntington,