REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - ABIJAH & HANNAH SESSIONS Contributed by: Jeanne Allan (kokolo@olywa.com) Date Submitted: 18 Jul 2002 *********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ct/ctfiles.htm *********************************************** Subject: Rev. War Pension Applications by Abijah Sessions (1759-1834) and Hannah (May) Sessions, his widow. Number W 26434 Transcribers note: Most declarations for War Pensions are totally missing the character of the soldier. Not the irrepressible Abijah Sessions. At age 73 he must have honed this story of his teenage adventures with thousands retelling, and his gifts as a storyteller manage to break through the necessary legalesse as his deposition progresses. His adventures in New York are particularly compelling. Transcribed by J Allan 1983 from xerox's received from the National Archives. More information on the SESSIONS and MAY families may be found in History of Woodstock CT Clarence Winthrop Brown, Vols 7 & 8 Hammonds History of Union CT, Harvey M. Lawson, 1893, New Haven, CT, Publisher Price, Lee; Adkins, History of Holland, MA, Rev. Martin Lovering, 1915, Rutland, VT, Tuttle Co Publishers, Marble City Press; (page 1) SESSIONS, Abijah Number W 26434 Hannah (page 2) Certificate of Pension Paid to Abijah SESSIONS 12 Jun 1833 (Connecticut 9706 Book 8, Vol 3, Page 40) (page 3) Certificate of Pension Paid to Hannah SESSIONS 20 Dec 1836 (Connecticut 331 Book 9, Vol 1, Page 69) (page 4) State of Connecticut District of Stafford County of Tolland Probate Court Sept. 26, 1832 On this 26th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Stafford in the County and State aforesaid now sitting, Abijah SESSIONS of the Town of Union in the District, County and State aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of congress passed Jan 9th of 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served where stated. 1st tour. Soon after the battle of Lexington about the 19th of April 1775, I entered the service of the United States as a volunteer. I was then a resident of said Union and belonged to a Company of what was then called Minutemen to be in readiness to march at a minutes warning. As soon as news of the Lexington battle arrived I started for Cambridge, Mass., and arrived there the day after I left home. I was in Company with Samuel MARCY, Caleb BARTON, Simeon WRIGHT, James SPRAGUE and a number of other Minutemen whose names I do not recollect. We were quartered at Cambridge and did duty there on guard. The said MARCY was a Sergeant and we were under his immediate command. I have no recollection of any Field or Company Officers. All was in a state of confusion. I continued there and performed all the duty required of me until the alarm had subsided and then we returned home to Union having served from 2 to 3 days. I got home the latter part of May. I have no evidence of the above service except the testimony of the said Caleb BARTON whose deposition is herewith transmitted. 2nd tour. On my return home from the above mentioned tour I found enlisting orders -- -- I immediately enlisted in the month of May 1775 for seven months as a sergeant in a Company of State Troops, commanded by Capt Obediah WATERMAN ; Thomas GROSVENOR 1st Lieut., James SPRAGUE, Ensign. Our Regiment (page 5) was commanded by Col., afterwards Major General PUTNAM. I was enlisted by Ensign SPRAGUE, who furnished me with enlisting orders and I immediately enlisted a number of men. We then marched to Cambridge under the command of Ensign SPRAGUE and there joined our Company and Regiment. We found Col. PUTNAM there on the grounds. We were employed in building a Fort on what was then called Binter(?) Hill and were there stationed. John DURKEE was major of our Regt. At the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 Lieut GROSVENOR with a part of our Company was detached and in the battle Lieut. GROSVENOR was wounded with a ball in his right hand. On the day of the battle there was another detachment from our Company to march to Bunker Hill, I was in this detachment. We marched about one half mile and met the American troops on the retreat. We then returned to our quarters on Binter (?) Hill, about the first of July. I believe the third day, which was on Sunday, it was announced that General WASHINGTON was coming to take command of the army and that all that were not on duty were ordered out to receive him. We were paraded in Cambridge Street for some time when it was announced that he arrived at his quarters by some route not expected. We were then dismissed and went to our quarters. The same afternoon General WASHINGTON and his came into the camp, which was the first time I had ever seen him. I continued in the service at Cambridge the whole seven months and when our tour of enlistment was out, we were by General PUTNAM to stay longer until some new recruits should come in and supply our places. I was there well acquainted with General PUTNAM having been brought up in his neighborhood. At his request about all of us in our Company staid about one month longer and were then discharged, and returned home the latter part of January 1776. 3rd tour. In a few days after my return from the last tour, about the first of February 1776, 1 was called upon as a Minuteman and immediately marched again to Cambridge and served until the first of April 1776. 1 was then under the command of Lieut. Daniel LOOMIS of Union. (page 6) I performed this tour of two months at Cambridge. During this period a party of the Americans went to Dorchester and erected breastworks on Dorchester Heights and soon after the British evacuated Boston. I was there in Cambridge and saw the British ships sail out from Boston. After this even most of the militia and volunteers were discharged or allowed to go home, and I returned home sometime in April having served two months at least. I further declare that from April 1775 to April 1776 1 was constantly engaged in the service and in going and returning home. My time was so taken up that I did no other business and could not have engaged in any other business but the whole year was devoted to the service of my Country. 4th tour. On the evening of the 20th of June 1776 1 received a commission from Governor TRUMBULL, the governor of Connecticut as an ensign in a Company he then raised in said Colony to join the Connecticut Army, which commission is herein transmitted. Having had previous notice of my appointment I had commenced enlisting men and the week following I marched with the men I had enlisted for New York City and there joined the army. Our Regiment was commanded by Col. John CHESTER, Lt. Col. Soloman MILLS, Major John RIPLEY. The Officers of the Company to which I belonged were Joshua BARROWS, Capt; Daniel DUNHAM, 1st Lieut.; Samuel CAMPBELL, 2nd Lieut. and myself Ensign. Benjamin TALMADGE was adjunct of said Regiment. On leaving Union I marched through the towns of Ashford, Mansfield and Windham to Norwich and from Norwich we went by water to New York in a sloop commanded by Capt. LORD. On our arrival at New York we joined our Regiment and was quartered in Broad Street for a few weeks. While in New York I was engaged in preparing a fire ship to blow up a tinder attached to Bolles(?) Flag Ship which went up the North River. We prepared a fireship and a soldier of our Regt. (page 7) who had been a sailor by the name of (off page) took command of the said fireship and succeeded in blowing up the tinders. He escaped with his life having been badly burnt. While in New York our duties were very arduous. The British Fleet being at the Narrows in plain sight. They were expected everyday to make an attack. -- -- the 20th of August a detachment of the army went over to Long Island. I was in the detachment. We landed in Brooklin erected some breastworks and there encamped. Soon after I was in a detachment which marched to Flat Bush to keep guard. One detachment was on guard 24 hours, then off 24 hours and then on guard again - which we continued until the battle commenced, which was about 48 hours. Gen'l Samuel WYLLYS commanded the guard when the battle commenced which was about the break of day. While we were on guard we were constantly exposed to the cannon shots of the British who kept up a constant fire upon us. The balls generally passed over our heads, and cut off the limbs of trees. Col. BROADHEAD of Maryland was dangerously wounded and carried off the ground in a litter. About the dawn of day were ordered to prepare for action, marched out of the woods into an open field when we were attacked by the British horse. We then fell back a little to the left into the woods. We then pursued our course as near as we could but soon came in sight of the British line. We were soon broken up and retreated in great confusion directly in front of the British lines, so near that we could hear the words of command from the British Officers. On hearing the words "ready, aim" we would fall to the ground and lie until they fired, then up and continue our retreat. Some of our troops secured their retreat on the ---. The British advanced and drove the rest of the American (page 8) forces to the left down to a creek where we had no other way of escape except by swimming the creek. I passed through the creek. One of my men was drowned by my side. I was helped out by another who was a little in advance. My commission was in my jacket and now shows the marks of being wet at that time. I lost my gun in the creek. By order of Gen'l PUTNAM I returned that night to the creek with some men and took out several dead bodies, and some guns, I was then sick and unable to do any more duty until the army left the city and encamped on Valentine Hill. I continued in the army and was in a skirmish at Morressena... at Frogs Point a week and at East Chester. Col. SHEFFORD of Massachusetts was wounded at Frogs Point. I was also in several scouting parties and was in the battle at White Plains which lasted nearly all day and many men were killed. We then marched to Millers -- where we encamped for about one month then marched to North River when a part of the army crossed the River and a part went up the River to Peekskill. I was with those that went up the river. We were there employed in guarding stores. I continued here until our time expired which was the 25th of Dec 1776. But at the urgent solicitation of General WASHINGTON, myself with many others continued in the service on after a month guarding the stores, there being no other troops then to take our places when our term expired. I was then discharged and returned home where I arrived some time in Feb 1777, as late as the middle of said Feb. Having served this tour from the time I commenced entering men until I returned home - eight months. 5th tour. In the year 1777 the Legislature of Connecticut by a resolve, embodied all the under the age of 60 years and a Company was organized (page 9) in each town. I was enrolled in the Company of Union. The Company met and chose their officers and I was chosen orderly sergeant. This corps was called the - list and were liable to be drafted for short tours of duty as necessity required. The Officers named were Capt. Soloman WALES, Lieut. John SESSIONS, Ensign Nathaniel NEWELL. I was drafted the first of July 1779 f or a tour of duty at New London f or two months and went to New London and belonged to a Company commanded by Capt. SIKES.I continued in the service at New London as a sargent one month. There being more troops there than were wanted about one half of them were discharged. I believe we drew lots to ascertain who should be discharged. I was one to be discharged and was accordingly discharged after having served one month. Col. Samuel CHAPMAN commanded the Regiment and I do not recall any other Officers and do not know any person living who was with me in this hour. Reaffidation: 1st tour as a private about 2 days 2nd tour as a sergeant about 8 months 3rd tour as a sergeant about 2 months 4th tour as a ensign about 8 months 5th tour as a sergeant about 1 month. I have no other proof of my services except my commission and the depositions of Caleb BARTON, Asa ROYCE, Nathaniel LITTLE, Asa WHITEMORE, and William FULLER which are herein transmitted. I hereby relinquish every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. (page 10) In answer to the interrogations proposed by the court as directed by the War Department. I was born in Pomfret in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut on the 2nd day of June 1759. My birth is recorded in the town record of said town of Pomfret, which record I have copied into my bible and have the same there now in my house. I moved into the town of Union in 1774 and lived in said town of Union when called into the service and have lived in said Union ever since. I was called into service in the manner stated in the body of my declaration. I have stated many of the Officers who were with the troops where I served and would Add Gen'l SULLIVAN, Lord STERLING, Gen -- later -- Col MEIGS, and General HATH. I never received any written discharge. I received a commission as an Ensign signed by Jonathan TRUMBULL which is here with transmitted. Robert LAWSON, Esq. William FOSTER, Esq., Gideon WALES, Elijah HAWS, Nath'l NEWELL Esq., Ezra MORTON and David LAWSON of said Union are persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood, who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as soldier of the revolution. Abijah SESSIONS Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. (page 12) Declaration In order to obtain the benefits of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 4 July 1836 State of Connecticut ss District of Stafford County of Tolland Stafford, Nov. 22, 1836 On this 22nd day of November AD 1836 personally appeared before Rodolphin WOODWORTH, Esq., Judge of Probate for the District of Stafford in the said State of Connecticut and County of Tolland, Hannah SESSIONS, a resident of the town of Union in said District aged 82 years who being first dully 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 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Abijah SESSIONS late of Union in said District deceased who was a Sergeant and Ensign in the Army of the Revolution and performed the following service in the Revolutionary War, to wit he enlisted in the month of May 1775 for 7 months as a Sergeant in a Company of state troops commanded by Capt. Obidiah WATERMAN, Lieut. Thomas GROSVENOR and Ensign James SPRAGUE, the Regiment was commanded by Col. --afterwards Major General -- PUTNAM and served out said term and one month more making eight months. He afterwards served two months from Feb. to April 1776 under Lieut Daniel LOOMIS. On the 20th of June 1776 he entered the service as ensign in a Company of state troops raised by the State of Connecticut. The Regiment was commanded by Col. John CHESTER and Lieut. Col. Solomon WILLIS. He continued in the service till the month of Feb. 1777 and was regularly discharged having served eight months. He was drafted and entered the said service the first of July 1779 as a Sergeant and served twenty or 30 days in the spring of 1775 at Boston as a private soon after the battle of Lexington as will appear by the Declaration of the said Abijah SESSIONS, dated 26 of Sept. 1832 on file with the pension office, on which a pension was granted, and she further (page 12) declares that she was married to the said Abijah SESSIONS on the 5th day of February AD 1778 and that her said husband the aforesaid Abijah SESSIONS died at said Union on the 22nd day of May AD 1834 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Hannah SESSIONS Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Rodolphin WOODWORTH Judge of Probate for Stafford District In presence of Rodolphin WOODWORTH Joanna D. SESSIONS I further certify that I have been well acquainted with Hannah Session, aforesaid Hannah SESSIONS, the late wife of Abijah SESSIONS aforesaid late of said Union, deceased, who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition for many years. She is a venerable and worthy old woman, and sustains a fair character for truth and veracity - I also know from my own personal knowledge that her late husband the said Abijah SESSIONS late of said Union, deceased, died on the 22nd day of May AD 1834 at said town of Union and that the said Hannah SESSIONS now widow of the said Abijah SESSIONS deceased, has remained ever since his death up to the present time unmarried, her statement of facts is in my opinion entitled to full credit. Rodolphin WOODWORTH Judge of Probate for Stafford District (page 12) And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the said Hannah SESSIONS the above named applicant was married to the said Abijah SESSIONS, now deceased, on the 5th of February 1778 and that the said Abijah SESSIONS her said late husband died at said town of Union on the 22nd day of May 1834 and the said Hannah SESSIONS the late wife of the said Abijah SESSIONS deceased, has ever since his death up to the foresaid time remained his widow and unmarried, and the said court further (end of page) (page 13) Abijah SESSIONS of Union Ct and Hannah MAY of South Brimfield were joined together in the bond of wedlock Feb 5th 1778. Town Clerk Office Union November 22nd 1836. the foregoing is a true copy taken form the record. Attest, Nathaniel NEWELL, Town Clerk.