Revolutionary War Ancestor – Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer was the 5th great grandfather of Stanley Dean Sizer (husband of Kathleen Weddle Sizer). Anthony Sizer served in the 7th Connecticut Reg. commanded by Col. Swift, Captain Ephraim Chamberlain from Middletown, Connecticut as a wagoneer [sic] for Elijah Hubbard [Lieut.], Commissary for a two-year period. Congress passed the Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. Anthony applied and received a pension issued the 28th day of December, 1832 with pension in arrears and semi-annual allowance due him for $160.00. Anthony Sizer was 69 years of age at the time he appeared in the court at Westfield before Honorable Oliver B. Morris, Esq. He stated he was born at Middletown, State of Connecticut on the 12th day of March, 1763 and he has possession of a copy of the town birth record.
He states “In the year 1779 I entered the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution at the request of Elijah Hubbard of said Middletown who wears a commissary in the United States Army and was employed by him in the transportation of Military Stores from said Middletown to the army for the term of two years. …We went several times to Morristown in New Jersey following with the Army in their marched [sic] from Morristown up to West Point Fort and traveling back and forth with same loaded with provisions and military stores to be delivered where ever they happened to be. We went armed …especially …in the state of New York which the rest of us lay under our carts and wagons. …I enlisted and was to have twenty-four pounds which was one years wages provided I brought back a certificate of a years service and a regular discharge. …camped down upon the ground every night – We built cabins of bushes and barks and stayed in them several weeks. …we drew rations of forage and provisions from the public stores at Danbury and elsewhere. We were …going armed and strictly guarded our teams to keep off the cowboys and lay under our carts and wagons at night. …I consider myself a soldier in the service of the United States and claim that I have served my country as such, One year ten months and twenty days, besides the first term of two years.
I know of no person living who can testify to any part of the aforementioned services – Elijah Hubbard died a number of years ago, Samuel Sizer died about a year ago and I can find no person who was with me at that time – nor have I any documentary evidence to prove any part of my service except a pass signed by Elijah Hubbard dated 21st Feb 1783, and another pass dated 15th March 1783, which are neuto [sic] annexed – I have a quantity of Continental money and some other Revolutionary [cannot make out] which I might transmit to the Department. I came from Middletown to Blandford [Massachusetts] about forty years ago and have resided there ever since. I am well known to Rev. Charles A. Turner – Doctor Eli Hale – Ornin [sic] Sage and Enos Boise Esq. of S. Blandford. Anthony Sizer signed his name in a beautiful script. His 5th great grandson found it interesting that “Cowboys” were thieves at that time. His wonderful record is 14 pages long and he is good at detail. He probably could tell some great stories to his grandchildren. Source: Sand Point, Seattle, WA Regional Archives
Source: Penson & Bounty Land, NARA 804, Roll No. 2193 and service in the Revolution under claim 24550, NARA T718, roll 7, FHL microfilm 1,319,387, declaration No. 14080, receiving it and his wife Lucretia Ward Sizer filed after his death for W24550, Index Vol. A, Page 437.
by: Kathleen Sizer from: sizer@bentonrea.com.