Revolutionary War Details in Ancestor’s Pension Files: Peter P Hall

In honor of Veteran’s Day I decided to look a little closer into the pension files of some ancestors. While reading through the Pension Application files I found this lovely letter. A bit heart breaking but, worth sharing. The point is we all need to take the time to read deeply and reflect on the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Especially our veterans.

Affidavits for Revolutionary War Pension

Transcription follows:

Orwell, Rutland Co, Vermont To the Hon Secretary of War for the United States of America,

Sir the undersigned the constituted authority of the Town of Orwell– having learned that the application of Mr Peter Hall (through his agent B. Temple Esq of Rutland) for a pension for Revolutionary Services—has not been granted to this time, they have to offer a few remarks for your consideration & information— Mr Hall was one of the first settlers of this town a farmer, his character for honesty, truth & patriotism stands as fair as any man of our acquaintance for that moral honesty he has become proverbial among us— We have ever believed he was justly entitled to a pension and we heard his tales of Revolutionary Services when his mind was good, it is now gone, which places him under embarrassment about procuring testimony–his statement here every one believes –& all regret the state of his mind is such that he can do nothing to assist himself— He enlisted at Mansfield Connecticut under Capt Peter Curtis–served three campaigns the first at Boston, Roxbury and he tells of assisting in taking & destroying a Lighthouse in Boston Bay. At Hackensack, NJ —He was for a time at NewYork–tells of rowing all night—to bring out [the] army from Long Island—of a retreat to the White Plains, of his discharge a short time before his enlistment expired in consequence of fever ague [Malaria]. –is Positive he was discharged by Col. Meigs–this is the most we can learn from him. —& In saying we believe– is we are confident we speak the feelings of all acquainted with him—we might add that Mr Hall is & has been from an early day a regular member of the Christian Church & an exemplary Christian. —The state of Mr Hall’s income is such that a pension would be a timely aid to his infirmity & would be well used by him—should your honor grant our request by placing Mr Hall on the Pension List we confidently believe you will nut have conferred it on a more deserving man—we remain with the highest respect your humble servants. Orwell 15 January 1834 Signed Mr B. Temple of Rutland, agent for Mr Hall; Roswell Bottems Jr Town Clerk; Bishop Bottom and Ruluff White, Selectmen; Chauncey H Conkey 1st Constable; Asa Fletcher Town Treasurer

What an impressive testimony to my 4th great grandfather Peter Hall that his fellow townspeople would have written such a description of his character.

Following this are many additional affidavits and the most interesting is from fellow soldier, Bela Rogers:

I Bela Rogers of Castleton in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont and the age of eighty six and a Soldier in the Revolution do testify and say that I was acquainted with Peter Hall who is now ? while in the army of the Revolutionary war. I knew him at Farmington in Connecticut. He belonged to Capt. Noadiah Hooker’s Company. The year 1775 the regiment I between was commanded by a Mr Spencer [Later General Spencer of Spencer’s brigade]. He the said Peter Hall enlisted and I enlisted in the month of May in the year 1775 and was discharged the same year in the month of Decem. The said Peter Hall belonged to the same company that I did and we both were discharged at Roxbury and further this respondent saith not. Given under my hand at ? this 14th day March 1833 Bela Rogers.

Transcription of Peter Hall’s original application which was at first rejected:

3rd of August 1832 Rutland Vermont

In 1775 He [Peter Hall] lived in Mansfield, Connecticut & immediately after the Battle of Lexington [April 19, 1775] he enlisted for seven months in Col. Meigs Regt, Capt Ely: Company Lt. Curtis — he does not remember the names of the other officers –marched to Cambridge & Roxbury & was stationed at Roxbury until his time was out, when he was discharged. His regiment was paraded at Roxbury during the Battle of Bunker Hill, but was not called into action. Soon after his time was out in the winter of 1776 he enlisted for three months & served in Captain Curtis Company I (being the LT Curtis above mentioned promoted) and marched for Whiteplains and after his time was out he again enlisted for seven months in the same company & Regt & marched to New York where he was when the enemy took the place in Sept 1776 — retreated to Whiteplains where he was discharged by Col Meigs –was not called into action at Whiteplains. In the winter of 1777 he again enlisted in Capt Curtis’s Company again for three months and marched to Whiteplains & Horse Neck and served guarding the line and in the winter of 1778 he again enlisted and, served three months in Capt Curtis Company again in guarding the line about Horse Neck and Whiteplains making in whole twenty three months of service. In addition to this he remained in service a fortnight at Roxbury after his time was out in 1775 until the new recruits came in. His memory is very much gone & he couldn’t remember the names of other officers under whom he served nor the precise time when he entered & left service –nor other regiments with whom he served. He knew Gen Washington, Putnam, Lee, Sullivan, Gates, Schulyer & many others whose names he forgets. He never recvd . a written discharge except from Col. Meigs above mentioned & this he has lost — He has no documentary evidence, &knows no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his services, He was born in Mansfield 1 August 1755 his age is recorded in his Bible, & in the town clerk’s office in Mansfield. Soon after the close of the revolutionary war he moved to Orwell, Vermont where he has ever since lived. –He is known to Rev. W Kellogg, & to Apollos Austin Esq. whose affidavits he has present & to most of the inhabitants of Orwell. He forgot to mention that the last year of the war he lived in Pawlet, Vermont & volunteered service about two months at Castleton & assisted in building a Picket Fort there –but he has forgotten the names of the officers under whom he served. R.C. Royce Registrar signed Peter Hall.

From historical records we learn that a few months after hostilities at Lexington and Concord erupted, Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, aged 35 a militia captain, enlisted on July 1, 1775 as a major in the 2^nd Connecticut Continental Regiment. The regiment was formed on May 1, 1775, commanded by Colonel Joseph Spencer [ Later known as Spencer’s Brigade]. So this is probably when Peter Hall enlisted. Spencer was promoted to Brigadier General on June 25^th and the command fell to newly commissioned Colonel Samuel Wyllys. The Muster Roll for Peter Hall is under the 2nd Regiment Col. Wyllys. Further on August 9, 1776, now, General Spencer was promoted to Major-General of the Continental Army, and given command of a division composed of Parsons’ and Wadsworth’s Connecticut Brigades. In January 1776, due to a pressing request from General Washington, the Connecticut Council of Safety voted four regiments of 728 men to be raised to serve at camp near Boston until 1st of April. 1st raised under Colonel James Wadsworth, was present at Long Island at time of the battle August 27th, half of his division being engaged; present at White Plains October 25th, and on December 14th was ordered eastward, and took command in Rhode Island, which was surrounded by Admiral Sir Peter Parker’s forces. General Spencer remained in command through 1777. Colonel Noadiah Hooker was of Farmington, Connecticut. He marched to Roxbury as a captain in early stages of the American Revolution and was promoted to colonel in 1776. It appears that Peter was a lucky man in not facing many battles but he repeatedly enlisted to serve his country and was a witness to history.

The testimony of Peter Hall, though not remembering all the details is consistent with the facts. His pension file includes this summary in response to an inquiry.

So we have confirmation that he served about 2 years and 1.5 months over the course of the Revolutionary War and was granted a pension after August 3, 1832. He died the 25th of October at the age of 80. I encourage all of you to honor a veteran this day, by digging a little deeper.

ADDITIONS

In the DAR applications this gem which gives he was a shoemaker dark eyes, dark hair, and dark complexion and 5’7″. Also more details including under War service.

Governor Trumbull included the 5th Connecticut Light Horse Militia commanded by Major Elisha Sheldon as part of the state militia contingent sent to General Washington in New York after the Battle of White Plains. They Raided Fort St. George and Corum (Long Island, NY) 11/23/1780 during Peter Hall’s tenure.

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