New London-Tolland County CT Archives Military Records.....Godfrey, Reuben 1838
Revwar - Pension Warship Oliver Cromwell


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Charles Godfrey chuck.godfrey@planet.nl September 8, 2004, 1:30 am

1832 Pension Application
(Page 1)
State of Connecticut, County of New London, on this 22nd day of August, 1836, 
personally appeared before this Court of Probate for the District of Norwich 
in said State & County, in open Court now in session; Reuben GODFREY a 
resident of the town of Norwich in said Probate District & in said County and 
State, aged seventy-eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, 
doth on his oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain the 
benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named 
officers, and served as herein stated. That on or about the 8th day of July, 
1776, at Nantucket in the State of Massachusetts, he was enlisted by Capt. 
William COIT as a seaman, to serve on board the Sloop of War Oliver Cromwell 
of twenty guns, a State vessel belonging to the State of Connecticut and in 
the service of the United States, and then lying in the harbour of New London 
in the State of Connecticut and commanded by said Capt. William COIT, he 
entered and served on board said sloop of war, the Oliver Cromwell for the 
term of ten months and eleven days under said Capt. William COIT, when said 
Capt. COIT was discharged from the command of said ship and Capt. Seth HARDEN 
was appointed to the command of the said ship, that he this declarant served 
on board said ship after Capt. Seth HARDEN took the command of her, one month, 
as steward’s mate. Capt. MALALLY was the 1st Lt. of the Oliver Cromwell, John 
CHAPMAN 2nd and John PRENTICE 3 Lt. The ship did not go to sea while the 
declarant served on board of her, she was fitting for sea when he entered on 
board of her and when ready for sea, she attempted to get to sea, but owing to 
her being over sparred, she capsized before she got to sea 
(Page 2)
& before she hast montaub hoist, she runned into the harbour of New London. 
Her masts were taken out, shortened and the ship was refitted for sea, but 
before she sailed under the command Capt. HARDEN, the declarant left her and 
he declares that he served in the service of the United States on board said 
ship Oliver Cromwell as  above stated eleven months and eleven days. And the 
declarant further states that at said New London in the year A.D. 1777 the 
month he cannot state with accuracy, Nathaniel SHAWBRIDGE enlisted him to 
serve on board of the United States frigage Rolla then lying at Boston, he 
went to Boston for the purpose of going to sea in the Rolla, but when he 
arrived at Boston, the Rolla not being ready for sea, he went on board the 
United States or continental Frigate Warren of thirty two guns, commanded by 
Capt. John HOPKINS. Eop HOPKINS was first Lt. of the ship, Joshua HEMPSTED was 
sailing master of the Warren, he went to sea in the Warren in the service of 
the United States, he served on board the Warren as seaman, as a topman, for 
the term of seven months, he made two cruises in her on the Grande Banks and 
South sholes, she took several prises while he served on board her – Capt. 
Christopher VAILL was on board the Warren, I recollected him when we conversed 
last Saturday, tho he did not recollect me, I being stationed in the maintop 
and not having much acquaintance on deck & he being in the ship but one 
cruise; he has no commentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony 
he can procure, except those whose affidavits are hereto annexed, who can 
testify to his service. 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.
(Page 3)
To the first interrogatory propounded by the Court he answers that was born at 
Nantucket in the State of Massachusetts on the 7th Oct. 1757 according to his 
best recollection & belief. To the second he answers that he has no record of 
his age and never had any. To the 3rd he answers that he was living at 
Nantucket when first called into service, he lived at New London, Connct when 
he enlisted to go on board the Rolla frigage where he married while he served 
on board the Oliver Cromwell, soon after the close of the war of the 
Revolution, he moved from New London to Hebron, in Connct about thirty miles 
from New London, where he lived till about four years since when he moved to 
Norwich where he now lives. To the 4th he answers that his answer is contained 
in his declaration. To the 5th he answers that the names of all the officers 
under whom he served & whose names he recollects are stated in his 
declaration. To the 6th he answers that he never received a discharge from the 
service. To the 7th he answers that … Ichabod WARD, Rev. DAVIS and Samuel 
STORY Esq. of said town of Norwich are persons to whom he is known in the 
present neighbourhood, who can testify as to his character for veracity & 
their belief of his service in the war of the Revolution. Sworn to and 
subscribed the day & year aforesaid Asa ROATH, Judge of Probate for the 
District of Norwich Court, [signed] his mark X Reuben GODFREY
We William LIVESEY, a clergyman residing in said town of Norwich and Capt. 
Samuel STORY of said Norwich hereby certify that we are well acquainted with 
Reuben GODFREY, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we 
believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed 
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have served as a seaman in the war of 
the Revolution.
(Page 4)
and that we concur in that opinion. [Signed] William LIVESEY Samuel STORY
Sworn and subscribed the 23rd day of August in the year aforesaid before one 
Asa ROATH Judge of the Court Probate for the District of Norwich
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 seaman in the 
marine service of the United States and served as he states. The Court also 
finds that Christopher VAIL and Jane SKINNER whose affidavits are hereunto 
annexed are both credible persons, that their testimony is entitled to credit. 
And the Court further certify, that it appears to said Court that William 
LIVESEY who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in 
the town of Norwich aforesaid. And that Capt. Samuel STOREY who has also 
signed the same is a resident in said town of Norwich and is a credible person 
and that their statement is entitled to credit. [Signed] Asa ROATH, Judge of 
the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich
I James HOLBROOK Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich do 
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the 
said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben GODFREY for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand & seal of office, this 23rd 
day of August A.D. 1836. [Signed] J. HOLBROOK Esq.
(Page 5)
I Christopher VAIL of Norwich in the County of New London and State of 
Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I entered or enlisted to go on 
board of the Rolla Frigate at New London in Connecticut in the year 1777 and 
from New London walked to Boston to go on board the Rolla, but the Rolla not 
being ready, we went on board the Warren Frigate of 32 guns, John HOPKINS 
commander, and sailed on a cruise and was out about four months and took two 
prises during the cruise and then returned to Boston and was discharged. 
Joshua HEMPSTED was sailing master of the ship – and Joseph SHIELDS was 
Boatswain of the ship. Reuben GODFREY is an inhabitant of the city of Norwicdh 
and as far as I know is a man sustaining a good moral character. And further 
the deponent saith not. [signed] Christopher VAIL New London County Norwich 
August 20th A.D. 1836 personally appeared before me Christopher VAIL who hath 
subscribed the foregoing deposition and after being examined & cautioned to 
speak the whole truth made solemn oath to the truth of the same in due form of 
law before me, [signed] Asa ROATH, Justice of the Peace
(Page 6)
State of Connecticut, New London County, I John D WITT Clerk of the County 
Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that George HILL  
before whom the written deposition of Jane SKINNER was taken was on 12th day 
of Sept. 1834 a Justice of the Peace in & for New London County and that his 
signature there written is genuine. And further that Asa ROATH esq before whom 
the deposition of Christopher VAIL was taken was on said 20th day of August 
1836 a Justice of the Peace in and for said New London County, and that his 
signature there written is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 23rd day of August 1836 
[signed] John D WITT Clerk
(Page 7)
33.829
Reuben GODFREY
Admitted
Mariner on board of the Warren 4 mo & 2 months on board of the Cromwell
6 months Seaman
Hon. Samuel INGHAM House Reps US
(Page 8)
I Reuben GODFREY of the City of Norwich & State of Connecticut in addition to 
my declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 
and additional declarations thereto, further declare that at the time I 
enlisted to serve on board the ship Oliver Cromwell as stated in my said 
declaration Capt. William COIT who commanded the Oliver Cromwell, came to the 
Island of Nantucket where I then lived to enlist men for the Cromwell. I there 
enlisted & a number of my friends also enlisted with me to serve on board the 
Oliver Cromwell. We went to New London and joined the ship & commenced our 
service on board. I enlisted on board the Cromwell for no certain time, I 
enlisted to go to sea in the ship, no specific time was fixed or agreed on. 
When Capt. Wm COIT was discharged from the command of the Cromwell, he called 
all hands together and stated to them that he was discharged from the command 
of the Ship and that they were at liberty to leave the ship if they wished to 
leave her, but that if they wished to continue on board the ship with Capt. 
HARDEN, they could do so, most of the people left the ship, I continued on 
board this ship as steward’s mate under Capt. HARDEN as stated in my 
declaration, I agreed with Capt. HARDEN to stay on board the Cromwell for such 
time only as I wished & whenever I could suit myself better I had a right to 
leave the ship, the ship lay in the harbour of New London, had not been to sea 
& I was not willing to continue longer on board in such situation, my wife was 
sick & I left the Cromwell after having served on board her as stated in my 
declaration. There was a circumstance took place while I served on board the 
Cromwell which may time to show I belonged to the ship and served on board 
her. Several young men (I think three or four), came from the town of 
Stonington, a town a few miles east of New London and enlisted or shipped to 
serve on board the Cromwell when these youjng men were called for to come on 
board the ship they offered substitutes, but Capt. COIT would not consent to 
accept the substitutes until the young men who had enlisted came on board the 
ship themselves & they were obliged to come on board & appear 
(Page 9)
before Capt. COIT, who gave them a very severe lecturing, and accepted their 
substitutes & permitted the young men to go home, this is a circumstance of 
which I have a clear recollection. I well remember a coloured or mulatto man 
on board the Cromwell by the name of William or Will FAGINS and think he was a 
substitute for one of the young men enlisted from Stonington as stated above. 
I do not remember the names of the young men who enlisted from Stonington as 
above stated, but I well remember that Capt. COIT talked to them very 
severely. [signed] Reuben GODFREY
State of Connecticut, New London County Feby 27th, 1838. Personally appeared 
Reuben GODFREY and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him 
subscribed before me Geo. HILL Justice of Peace
I David FRINK of the City of New London and State of Connecticut aged eighty 
seven years depose and say that during the war of the Revolution I was an 
inhabitant of the town of Stonington in said State, of which town I was a 
native. I was well acquainted with Capt. William COIT, who commanded the ship 
Oliver Cromwell which ship lay for a long time in the harbour of New London 
under the command of said COIT. While said COIT was in command of said ship as 
aforesaid there was a very heavy draft made from the militia to join the main 
army, three young men of my neighbours & acquaintances were drafted from the 
militia to join the Army, their names were Phineas MUNSELL, John TRANT & 
Notemiah WILLIAMS, said MUNSELL was a brother in law of mine & the other two 
were my neighbours, all were married men & industrious farmers, these three 
young men ascertained that by shipping on board the Oliver Cromwell they could 
get clear of said draft from the militia and have time to get in their harvest 
before they should be called for to go to sea in the Oliver Cromwell, as they 
were not bound to go on board the Cromwell till notified they were wanted. 
These young men were notified that they must be on board the Cromwell on a 
given day. These young men had never been to sea, they hired three substitutes 
to take their places on board the Cromwell, two of whom, William FAGINS & 
Roley ZACUS, both Indians, were first rate seamen, the third, Joseph HEWITT 
had been some at sea; these three young men applied to me to come to New 
London to see Capt. COIT of the Cromwell, to see if he would not take these 
three substitutes and release them, Capt. COIT knew all these substitutes and 
that two of them were first rate seamen, I came to Capt COIT who said he would 
take the substitutes, but not until the three young men who had shipped, 
should come on board the Cromwell and present themselves to him on board the 
ship, I sent for the young men & they came over, Capt. COIT gave them a severe 
lecture, then accepted the substitutes and discharged the young men, Capt COIT 
lectured them with great severity on the subject of their want of patriotism. 
[signed] David FRINK
State of Connecticut, New London County Feby 28th, 1838, Personally appeared 
known to me to be a credible person & entitled to credit David FRINK Esq. 
subscribed to the above foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the 
same before me [signed] Geo. HILL Justice of Peace
(Page 10)
I Geo. HILL of the City of Norwich, County of New London & State of 
Connecticut, depose and say that at sundry times since Reuben GODFREY has been 
endeavouring to obtain a pension, I have heard him relate the circumstances 
respecting the persons who came from Stonington and shipped on board the 
Oliver Cromwell, that when they were called for to come on board the Cromwell, 
they offered substitutes, some of whom were seamen & worth more on board the 
Cromwell than the men who had shipped or enlisted, but that Capt. William COIT 
the commander of the ship Oliver Cromwell would not accept the substitutes, 
unless the men who had shipped first came on board the ship Cromwell & 
presented themselves to him Capt. COIT on board the ship that these men who 
had so shipped to serve on board the Cromwell, came on board the ship & 
presented themselves to Capt. COIT, who talked to them and lectured them very 
severely on the subject of their shipping tags to sea in the Cromwell and then 
through want of patriotism to abandon the project and cowardly withdraw 
themselves. 
(Page 11)
When I heard the above circumstances related by Reuben GODFREY in relating the 
incidents connected with his service on board the Oliver Cromwell I knew not 
that any person living had any knowledge of the facts and circumstances 
connected with the enlistment of the Stonington men as related by David FRINK, 
except GODFREY alone, GODFREY in relating the circumstances connected with the 
enlistment of the Stonington men was much more particular in relating 
circumstances than he has been in his affidavit above, he is now confined to 
his bed & is extremely infirm. I was at Court at New London about the middle 
of the last month and boarded at the house of Mr. David FRINK, who by mere 
accident, in speaking of the ship Oliver Cromwell without any mention of 
GODFREY related the circumstances relating to the Stonington men as stated in 
his affidavit above. Believing that Mr. FRINK’s relation proved incontestably 
that Reuben GODFREY must have served on board the Oliver Cromwell at the time 
of the enlistment of the Stonington men and at the time they were ordered on 
board and came on board the Cromwell by order of Capt. COIT and were 
reprimanded by Capt. COIT and their substitutes were accepted. I went to 
GODFREY & without naming to him that Mr. FRINK had made any statement to me on 
this subject took his above affidavit which is much less full and minute than 
his former statements to me. I further depose that no person can be found 
living who was on board the Oliver Cromwell at the time Reuben GODFREY claims 
to have served on board that ship, the most diligent enquiry and search have 
been made with no success nor probability of success, they are all dead. 
[signed[ Geo. HILL
State of Connecticut, New London County, March 19 1938 Then personally 
appeared Geo HILL esq. and made oath that the above deposition by him 
subscribed is true before me. [signed] John D WITT Justice of the Peace
(Page 12)
I Reuben GODFREY of Norwich, County of New London and State of Connecticut, 
having made my declaration for a pension under the law of Congress of 7th June 
1832. Do solemnly on oath and as confirmatory of my said declaration declare 
that I did truly serve as is set forth and detailed in said declaration, and 
in addition thereto declare that as a reason why the witness who served on 
board the Warren at the time I served on board that ship, did not remember 
that I was on board that ship at that time, that I belonged to the maintop of 
the ship & lived in the top and eat & slept in the top and was never on deck 
except ordered down from the top on duty, I was in a condition that I could 
not be known to the crew nor could they be known to me. And as to my service 
on board the Oliver Cromwell it is truly detailed in my declaration, according 
to the facts of my service as said. Mrs. SKINNER has testified to her 
knowledge of my belonging to the Cromwell though she could not testify as to 
the length of time of my service on board that ship.
(Page 13)
Mrs. SKINNER is a highly respectable woman. There is no person living who 
belonged to that ship to my knowledge. I could state many circumstances 
connected with my service on board the Cromwell in addition to those stated in 
my declaration as confirmatory of the truth of my declaration, one 
circumstance is well known in this part of the country, that Capt. Wm COIT 
when he commanded that ship fired a salute with one of the guns shotted, that 
the gun was depressed, the shot struck the water, then rose & destroyed the 
mast of a schooner lying at the wharf, went into a house & came near killing a 
woman. The ball could not be extracted, Capt. COIT ordered the gunner to 
depress the gun & let the ball go into the water, the gunner told Capt. COIT 
the ball would rise and probably do mischief, the salute was in honor of some 
Indian chiefs who had arrived at New London and visited the ship and fort, I 
did truly and honestly serve as stated the full term of time alleged in my 
declaration and having proved by Mrs. SKINNER that I did serve on board the 
Cromwell, my testimony to the length of time I served ought to be held 
sufficient [signed] Reuben GODFREY
State of Connecticut New London County Personally appeared Reuben GODFREY and 
made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me Geo. 
HILL Justice of Peace
(Page 14)
Norwich town / 14 October 1836
Sir, I rcd a communication from you on the subject of the application of 
Reuben GODFREY for a pension, that it appeared from documents at Washington 
that the ship Oliver Cromwell on board of which GODFREY claimed to have served 
was a privateer & that a pension was not allowed for service on board such a 
vessel. The Oliver Cromwell on board which Reuben GODFREY served was a State 
ship built and commissioned by the State of Connecticut and was in the service 
of the United States, was a twenty gun ship, and had a very severe battle with 
an English ship of twenty eight guns and would have taken her, but for the 
coming up of a seventy-four or frigate which took the Cromwell, the Cromwell 
was at the time of her capture commanded by Timothy PARKER of this town, a 
very brave man. I have conversed with the late comptroller of this State, 
Roger HUNTINGTON who informs me that the ship Oliver Cromwell appears at the 
comptroller’s office of this State, to be a State ship. He named all her 
commanders, Wm COIT, Com Seth HARDEN & Timothy PARKER, he also stated that 
there was a person from the pension office who examined her & knew she was a 
State ship in continental service
Very respectfully Justice Geo. HILL
(Page 15)
I William WHEAT of the Town and County of New London, State of Connecticut, of 
the age of seventy seven years, do depose and say That I was well aquainted 
with Mr. Reuben GODFREY that we lived together as neighbours for several 
years, I was personally aquainted with him at the time he was a sailor on 
board the States ship Oliver Cromwell Captain William COIT Commander, and we 
worked together for several years after he left the ship. I was also well 
aquainted with his wife whose maiden name was Elizabeth BULFINCH and at the 
time of his marriage he was a sailor on board of the ship Oliver Cromwell. I 
was not myself in the service but had frequent conversations with Mr. GODFREY 
during the time that we laboured together and am quite certain the Mr. GODFREY 
was in the service and on board the ship Oliver Cromwell nine or ten months
Dated at New London the 7th day of October A.D. 1840 [signed] William his mark 
X WHEAT in presence of Abel SIZER, Ichabod WARD
New London County, New London, October 7th 1840 Personally appeared William 
WHEAT signer of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the 
same before the Abel SIZER Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that William WHEAT the signer of the above deposition is a 
man of truth and of good moral character [signed] Abel SIZER Justice of the 
Peace
(Page 16)
State of Connecticut, New London County I John D WITT Clerk of the County 
Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Abel T. SIZER 
Esq. before whom the written deposition of William WHEAT was taken & sworn, 
was on said 7th day of October 1840 and still is a Justice of the Peace for 
said New London County and that his signature thereto affixed is genuine. In 
testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said 
County this 9th day of October A.D. 1840 [signed] John D WITT Clerk
(Page 17)
I Reuben GODFREY of Norwich, New London Co. State of Connecticut, in addition 
to my declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, 
now on file in the pension office at Washington, by way of supplementary 
declaration, states that all the facts as detailed in said original 
declaration are perfectly correct and true, that the ship Oliver Cromwell 
while I belonged to her & served on board of her, once attempted to get to sea 
from the harbor of New London, while she was under the command of Capt. 
William COIT, the ship was over sparred and before she got to sea, she 
capsized, shifted her cargo, returned to New London and her masts were 
shortened, which detained her a long time in port, while I served on board 
said ship and said COIT commanded her, several Indian chiefs visited the fort 
at New London and with … the Captain of Turnbull, Capt. COIT invited them to 
visit the ship Oliver Cromwell and a salute was ordered by Capt. COIT to be 
fired when they came on board the ship, the guns of the ship being shotted the 
balls were drawn except the ball of one gun which could not be drawn, Capt. 
COIT ordered the muzzle of that gun to be depressed & to discharge it in 
firing the salute, the gunner informed Capt. COIT that the ball when it struck 
the water would rise and as the ship lay broadside to the town, the ball would 
probably do mischief, Capt. COIT ordered that gun with the others of the ship 
to be discharged
(Page 18)
The gun was discharged, when the shot struck the water it rose, passed through 
the second story of a house near to a woman in a chamber & caused much alarm, 
this is a circumstance connected with my service on board the Cromwell, known 
to all the survivors of the then inhabitants of New London. On another 
occasion Capt. COIT ordered a shotted gun to be discharged in a similar way, 
the ball rose when it struck the water & passed through the mast of a schooner 
lying at the wharf and came near killing several men on board the schooner and 
on the wharf. While I was serving as aforesaid on board the Cromwell, a 
detachment was sent from the ship of which I was a member to Fisher’s Island 
to prevent the British stealing cattle from that Island and we had a fight 
with the British. The reason why Christopher VAIL, whose affidavit is with the 
evidence in support of my declaration, does not remember me to have been on 
board of the ship Warren with him, probably is, that he may have forgotten me 
from length of time, and also from my being stationed in the top and being 
there most of the time and slept & eat there & had my chest there, I was not 
known to the men who were stationed on deck, nor did I know the men serving on 
deck [signed] Reuben GODFREY
State of Connecticut New London County January 31st 1838 Personally appeared 
Reuben GODFREY & made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him 
subscribed before me [signed] Geo. HILL Justice of Peace
(Page 19)
I Elizabeth BECKWITH of the town and county of New London and State of 
Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I was well acquainted with 
Reuben GODFREY during the war of the Revolution at said New London, he married 
a woman at said new London, whom I knew, during war of the Revolution, the 
precise year I do not remember, it was a number of years before the burning of 
New London by Arnold, at the time of the marriage of said GODFREY he belonged 
to the ship Oliver Cromwell then lying in the harbour of said New London, I 
recollect too that said ship at that time was commanded by Capt. William COIT 
of said New London whom I knew for many years afterwards, at said New London, 
said GODFREY came to New London from Nantucket, there were a number of men, 
who came from Nantucket with said GODFREY who enlisted on board the ship 
Oliver Cromwell; the length of time said GODFREY belonged to the Oliver 
Cromwell I do not know, I was seventy four years old last Feby 1837 [signed] 
Elizabeth BECKWITH
State of Connecticut New London County Sept 22 1837 Personally appeared Mrs. 
Elizabeth BECKWITH known to me to be a person entitled to credit & made oath 
to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed before me Geo. HILL 
Justice of Peace
(Page 20)
I Jason CHAPMAN of the town of Waterford and County of New London and State of 
Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I am about seventy five years of 
age, that I was well acquainted with Reuben GODFREY at New London in said 
county and State, my acquaintance with said GODFREY commenced about the close 
of the war of the Revolution, that said GODFREY worked for my father soon 
after the close of the war of the Revolution for the term of about a year, I 
then understood that said GODFREY has been in the sea service during the war 
of the Revolution, I have been much acquainted with said GODFREY and believe 
him to be a man of good character & entitled to credit & that his declarations 
are entitled to credit. Further saith not [signed] Jason CHAPMAN
State of Connecticut, New London September 22 1837 Personally appeared Jason 
CHAPMAN known to me to be a person entitled to credit & made oath to the truth 
of the above deposition by him subscribed before me Geo. HILL Justice of Peace
(Page 21)
I Benjamin S. GODFREY of the town of Norwich, County of New London and State 
of Connecticut, aged fifty seven years depose and say that I am the son of 
Reuben GODFREY of said Norwich, who is now making application for a prension 
under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, that I was born at new london in 
said County in Dec. 1780 where I lived with my father till I was about ten 
years old, when my father moved to Hebron in Connecticut, my mother has been 
dead about eight years and my father has lived with me & has been supported by 
me for about five years. And from my earliest remembrance I heard my father 
and mother converse on the subject of his services in the war of the 
Revolution, and while we lived at New London I remember to have often heard my 
father converse with divers persons of New London about his services in the 
war of the Revolution and from that time to the present, I have very 
frequently heard my father talk with divers persons about his services in the 
war of the Revolution, and uniformly when he met any of his old acquaintances 
connected with the war of the Revolution, it was his constant habit to talk 
over his experiences & services in that war. I have heard my father relate at 
divers times & to divers persons while we lived at New London and since, that 
he came from Nantucket to New London and entered on board the ship Oliver 
Cromwell by enlistment and that he served on board that ship about eleven 
months & that the ship was commanded by Capt. William COIT most of the time of 
his service on boared that ship, that Capt. COIT was discharged from the 
command of said ship, and
(Page 22)
Capt. HARDEN was appointed to the command of that ship under whom he served 
for a short time making in the whole something short of a year. I have heard 
both him and my mother often relate all the particulars of my fathers serving 
on board the Oliver Cromwell. I have frequently from my earliest remembrance 
heard my father relate the circumstances of his service on board the ship 
Warren, from Boston, that he walked from New London to Boston to go on board 
that ship, that he served on board the Warren as a topman, that while on board 
that ship they took several prizes, one of which was recaptured & carried into 
New York, I have also heard my mother speak of my father’s absence from home 
at the time he was on board the ship Warren [signed] Benjamin GODFREY
State of Connecticut New London County Feby 1st 1838 Personally appeared 
Benjamin GODFREY and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him 
subscribed before me. Geo. HILL Justice of Peace
(Page 23)
State of Connecticut New London County I John D WITT Clerk of the County Court 
in and for said New London County do hereby certify that George HILL Esq. 
before whom the annexed depositions were taken & sworn to viz. Elizabeth 
BECKWITH & Benjamin GODFREY and also before whom the supplemental declaration 
of Reuben GODFREY hereto annexed was sworn to was at the several dates thereof 
and still is a Justice of the Peace for said New London County & that full 
faith and credit are due to his official acts as such, and that his signature 
to them ….. affixed is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 2nd February A.D. 1838
(Page 24)
Comptroller’s Office Hartford June 6 1839
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Reuben GODFREY 
who claims service in the War of the Revolution Naval on board ship Oliver 
Cromwell I find in this Office “A list of Mariners that have and do belong to 
the Ship Oliver Cromwell William COIT Esq. Commander. Among the list of 70 men 
that of Reuben GODFREY, no date to this list but is filed Feb 25 1777 Cap 
William COIT …. List of Men on board ship Oliver Cromwell. And on our other 
paper headed A List of Officers seamen and mariners I find …. With 240 names 
that of Reuben GODFREY, no date appears on this list but is filed Feby 1777 a 
list of seaman on board the ship Oliver Cromwell for Cap. COIT [signed] Henry 
KILBORN Compt.
(Page 25)
Reuben GODFREY July 76 (2) 10 Cap COIT O. Cromwell 1 Seth HARDEN never work 
….. he left apr 11 mns …. 77 (1) Rolla 7 mo. Warren Hopkins (1) VAIL says 4 mo 
(2) list of names filed in Compt off 25 feb 77 no date for enlist GODFREY on 
the list
(Page 26)
Aug 29, J. L. EDWARDS Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington
(Page 27)
Norwich/Conn/Augt 24th 1836
Please have the goodness to communicate with me on the subject of the Pension 
of Reuben GODFREY, whose hopes for a pension are enclosed
Very respectfully your obt serv Geo. HILL
(Page 28)
Washington April 21 1838
Sir Your note to me some days … offering a small pension to Reuben GODFREY. I 
am authorized by Mr. GODFREY to accept your proposition and I would thank you 
for the certificate as soon as convenient. 
I sent you, probably written the last month or six weeks, the application of 
Widow LORD, her given name I do not recollect. …………………………..
Respectfully yours ob. ser. Samuel INGHAM
….J.L. EDWARDS
(Page 29)
Revy Invalid Navy File No. 15152 Reuben GODFREY Mariner for the Warren and 
Cromwell Rev War Act June 7, 1832 Index Vol. 4 Page 15
(Page 30)
Geo. HILL 27 Oct 1840
(Page 31)
Connecticut Revy Reuben GODFREY sent See let to George HILL Esq. 30 Aug 1836 
to same Nov. 26 1836 Hon. S. INGHAM Feb. 18 ’38 to same 12 April ‘38
(Page 32)
Reuben GODFREY Oct. 15 J. L. EDWARDS Esq. Commissioner Pensions Washington
(Page 33)
S.F. 15152 Reuben GODFREY Mr. INGHAM of the H of R. transmits to Mr. EDWARDS 
the written papers Feb. 6 1838
Hon Samuel INGHAM HR
(Page 34)
Connecticut 31391 Reuben GODFREY New London Co. in the State of Con. As a 
Mariner in the Warren/.Cromwell commanded Captain COIT in the map for 6 months 
Conn. Sea Services and Navy Records completed Feb. 7, 1838 inscribed on the 
Roll of Connecticut the rate of 24 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th 
day of March, 1831 Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of April 1838 
and sent to Hon. S. INGHAM, H.R.  Issued to the 4th of March ’38 168.00 anl. 
Allowance ending Sep. 1838 12.00 Total $180.00 Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 
1832 Recorded by D. BROWN Clerk Vol. 4 Page 15


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