Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29687, Alden Burrill, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.   

Burrill, Alden   

NUMBER
S. 29687

CONTENTS
Page 2

(left side)
Let to L. Mason 22 Nov. 1851
certificate corrected and Pension Agent notified 10 Decr 1851
1887 Sept 17 Mrs Mary Barker that her case is entitled to additional pension or compensation prior

(right side)
32,940
Massachusetts
Alden Burrell decd
of ---  in the State of Mass
who was an artfr in the --- commanded
by Captain Nichols of the --- commanded
by Col. Knox in the Mass line for  
Deduct for payments under 1818.

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 240 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Ending 14th Dec 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of
Nov 1851 and sent to 
L. Mason Boston

Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by H. E Robinson Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 2   Page 44
Page 3

(left side)
1226
Massachusetts
Alden Burrill 
Of Essex Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Matross in the company commanded by Captain Nichols of the Regimt commanded by Colonel Knox in the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year from March 1777 to March 1778.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 day of April 1818. and

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th of June 1818 and sent to Samuel Putnam Salem Massachusetts

Continued on the Roll on 7th day of April 1828 and notification sent to Hon. N. Silsbee at Senate U. States. Pension commencing on the 3d of April 1828.

Amount due on 4th of Septemr. 1828    $40.52

Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, & May 1, 1820.

(right side written vertically)
Duplicate certificate issued 18th day of Octr. 1828, and sent tp Pens(rest torn off) Salem, Massachusetts.

The duplicate certificate issued 18th Oct 1828, was returned, the original having been found; and destroyed
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Alden Burrell, decd.
Mass
Act 7 June 1832, Admd. $240 per annum, deducting former pay under Act 18 March 1818 at $96 per annum, Comg 4 March 1831 & endg 7 May 1831, payable to Mary Barker only surviving child.

Lyman Mason Boston, Mass
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Boston September 22, 1834
Sir,
   The claim of Mary Barker, only surviving child of Alden Burrill, is respectfully submitted for an in crease of the pension allowed him.
   The said soldier served at least three years in Capt. Nichol's Company of Artillery Artificers it is therefore respectfully requested that a certificate for an increase may be granted to the sum usually allowed to Artificers.
I am Very Respectfully 
Your Obt. Servant
Lyman Mason

James E. Heath Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
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State of Connecticut 
Count of Hartford SS
  Know all men by these presents that I Mary Barker of Hartford in said county do hereby constitute and appoint Lyman Mason of Boston in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, my sole, true and lawful attorney for me and on my behalf to prosecute any claim which I may have upon the government of the United States by virtue of the services of my father Alden Burrill, late of Salem in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for an increase of pension that may be due on account of his services as an artificer in the revolutionary war.
  And the said Lyman Mason is hereby authorized to take all necessary, proper & legal steps in the prosecution of said claim as I might do for myself.
Witness my hand this 19th day of July 1851
Mary Barker

Signed & Sealed in
presence of T. J. Work
Page 7

I, David Robbins, of the City of New York, Merchant, on oath testify as follows, 
I formerly resided in Salem, as my home: in 1813 I became a partner in business with Mr. Alden Burrill, of Salem, and from that date until 1818 we as partners carried on for our joint account the business of selling lime & lumber in Salem: during said five years he received from the partnership funds the sum of $1069.82, which on settlement made by us on 26th Feby 1816 it appeared was over and above all his interest in the partnership and in which sum he was justly indebted to me: during our said partnership he had from time to time received and expended for his own use that sum, and also a further sum of more than $400 between said 26th Feby 1816, and the time when our partnership was dissolved in 1818: - in 1827 Decr. 15th I called on him for payment and found that he had no property, real or personal, except the Right in Equity of redeeming the Real Estate described in the Deed hereto annexed, which he then made and conveyed said estate to me, subject to two mortgages, one made by him to John Rumney of Alexandria D.C., and the other to Josiah G. Burrill, copies of which are annexed: - the debt of $375:84 due to Rumney, and secured by said mortgage arose
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as follows, more than 20 years ago Mr. Benjn. Hammatt of Boson, father of said Burrill's first wife died and bequeathed to the children of said Burrill certain legacies, - the said Rumney married one of those legatees, and said Burrill having spent the money which had come to his hands, on 7th Decr. 1822 gave the mortgage of which a copy is annexed, to secure the amount then due from said Burrill to the wife of said Rumney the mortgage to Josiah G. Burrill was given to secure to said Josiah the amount of monies before that time loaned to said Alden and then due to said Josiah: the said Josiah is a master of a vessel belonging to Baltimore and is now absent at sea.

The said Rumney residing at a distance requested me to buy his mortgage, and in June 1824 I purchased his right to said estate and he assigned o me his mortgage.

The said Alden never paid any part of said mortgage monies, but the whole of the same are now due; and besides je owes me a large sum for which I have no security, and which he is wholly unable to pay, as he has n property, and is not in any business by which he can even earn a subsistence.
David Robbins
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex: March 12th 1828 
We the aforenamed David Robbins, who is a credible and disinterested witness, subscribed & made oath to the aforewritten deposition before me 
Benj Merrill Just: Peace

(written vertically)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex: March 18th 1828
I, John Prince Jr, Clerk within named, do further certify that the said Benjamin Merrill is a Justice of the Peace qualified to administer oaths, and that Amos Choate is Register of (paper rolled up) for said County duly qualified, and that their respected signatures on the annexed papers are genuine.
Attr.
John Prince Clerk of (paper rolled)
all the Judicial Courts for said County
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex" March 18th 1828
I, John Prince Jr, Clerk as within named, do further certify that the said Benjamin Merrill is a Justice of the Peace qualified to administer oaths, and that Amos Choate is Register of Deeds for said County duly qualified, and that their respective signatures on the annexed papers are genuine
Attn
John Prince Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for said County
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex SS - 
On this eighteenth day of March 1828, personally appeared in open Court, the same being the Court of Common Pleas and a Court of Records, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and having the power of fine and imprisonment for the said County of Essex Alden Burrill, resident in said County, aged 74 years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820 that he the said Burrill enlisted for the term of one year in March 1777 in the State of Massachusetts in the Company of Artificers commanded by Capt. Noah Nichols and attached to the troops under Genl. Knox in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in said corps till the end of said year, when he was honorably discharged from the service and that his name has been placed on the Pension List and dropped there from on account of his property, and he did not apply for a continuance of his pension under the Act of May 1st 1820, as he then
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then had not been required by his creditors to part with his title to his real estate.
And in pursuance of the Act of the 1st May 1820 "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 following schedule viz:

Old mahogany desk and sideboard  $3.75
2 tables $3. An old stand 0.75 - 3.75
14 old chairs 4.20 - 2 looking glasses 3.70 -7.90
glass and crockeryware  6.90
Shovel, tongs, and andirons  2.25
2 old carpets and rugs - 3.75
an old desk 2.00 - 8 tables 2.00 - 8 old chairs 1.33 - 5.33
a table 0.25 - 4 chairs 1.32 - tinware 1.75 - 2.32
Pots and kettles 2.10 woodenware 1- chair 1.00 4.10
small looking glass 0.30 - shovel and tongs 1.12 - 1.42
(total) $41.44                 And
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And the said Alden further declares that in May 1 1829 he owned the right in Equity to redeem a Messuage situate in said Salem described in the deeds annexed: that on the 14th February 1822 he was justly indebted to Josiah G. Burrill in the sum of $550 for monies which he had from time to time loaned to said Alden & expended for the support of his family and which the said Alden has never since been able to repay and for which the said Real Estate has ever since been mortgaged: that on the 7th Dec 1822 the said  Alden mortgaged the same estate to John Rumney to secure to said John the payment of $375.84 which said Alden then owed to said John for the amount of a Legacy and the interest thereon bequeathed by the father of the first wife of said Alden. to his grand children, the children of said Alden, one of whom is the wife of said John Rumney, her grandfather who bequeathed said legacy was Benjamin Hammatt of Boston, the said Alden as Guardian for the wife of said Rumney, took charge of said legacy and loaned it on interest to one (illegible name - paper creased) who afterwards failed and became totally insolvent, and so the said Alden lost the same and after her marriage gave the said mortgage to her husband to secure the said Legacy, in June 4, 1824 the said Rumney sold and assigned the said mortgage to David Robbins who now holds the same; and all the mortgage monies are now due & the said Alden is wholly unable to pay the same: And the said Alden further says that he was a partner in business with said Robbins from 1813 to 1818 in selling lime & lumber and they had a settlement in Feb. 1816 and found there was then due and owing from said Alden to said Robbins $1069.82 for monies which said Alden had from time to time taken from the partnership stock and expended in supporting his family and which the said Alden never has been able to refund, and on separation of the said partners in 1818 the further sum of more than $400 was found due
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due from said Alden to said Robbins. the said Alden has never been able to repay any part of the same, and on 15th Decr. 1827 when the said Robbins was about removing from Salem to New York the said Robbins called on said Alden for payment and said Alden then conveyed and sold to said Robbins all the residue of the said Alden's interest in said Real Estate as appears by the annexed deed. The same was not worth enough to balance and pay all that said Alden owed to said Robbins, and said Alden now owes a large sum besides to said Robbins, which said Alden is wholly unable to pay. - That the said Alden is aged, infirm & unable to labor and needs the assistance of his country for support. He has an infirm wife and two small grandchildren in his family. 
Alden Burrill

Subscribed and sworn before 
John M. Williams Justice of the Court aforesaid

I John Prince junr. Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule have been admitted to the records 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 forty one dollars forty four cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, on this twenty fifth day of March A.D. 1828
John Prince Jr 
Clerk
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29687
INVALID.
Revy
__________
File No. 29687
Alden Burrell
Artificer Rev War
__________
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. _____, Page ________

[Arrangement of 1870.}
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Massachusetts Roll, Act 18 March 1818.
Alden Burrill, Matross. $8 per month.
To what time last paid? (Died 17th May 1831. paid to his death) BLB and error died
and paid to December 16 1831
Pension Office
Cole
Massachusetts [illegible]
Page 17

Schedule wanted. when received, refer to the letter to Hon. B. W. Crowninshield H.R. 24 May 1824.
Page 18

Massachusetts Roll.
____
1226
______
Alden Burrill,
Matross. 4
Mass Line. - 3 years 
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
_______
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 13th of April 1818.
_________
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th of June 1818
and sent to Saml. Putnam, Esq.
Salem, Massa.
_________
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 22/30. $37.86
==========
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}

Salem Essex County
Page 19

Mort.
Alden Burrill to John Rumney
Assignment
John Rumney to David Robbins
Copies
Page 20

Know all men by these Presents That I Alden Burrill of Salem in the County of
Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Trader, in consideration of the sum of three hundred
and seventy five dollars and 84 cents to me paid by John Rumney of Alexandria in the District
of Columbia the receipt where of I do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey
unto the said John Rumney his heirs and assigns forever, all my right title and interest in and
to a certain tract or parcel of land with the improvements and buildings thereon situate in said
Salem being the moiety of the Estate which was assigned to me by deed of partition signed by me
and Ebenezer Burrill bearing the date the sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand seven
hundred and ninety eight, bounded as follows beginning at the Southwesterly corner of my lot,
and thence running Eastwardly forty four feet bounding Southerly by Marlboro Street, thence
running northwardly about one hundred and eighty five feet a straight line to the flatts of
the north River bounding Eastwardly by land of Rebecca Cabot thence running westerly thirty
four feet ten inches and one half inch and bounding northwardly by said flatts, thence running 
Southwardly a straight line to Marlboro Street and bounding Westerly by that half of said
assigned to said Ebenezer Burrill, and the said John Rumney shall have and occupy in
severalty the flatts ground to the northward of the lot assigned to me as aforesaid, to wit,
extending so far westerly as the westerly side line of my said lot extends, and Eastwardly so 
far as the Eastwardly sideline of my said lot extends and northwardly to the channel of
the north River with the privileges and appurtenances belonging. 
To Have to and Hold the aforesaid granted premises with the appurtenances 
pertaining to the said John Rumney his heirs and assigns to their use and benefit
forever. And I the said Alden Burrill for myself and my heirs executors and administrators
do hereby covenant with the said John Rumney his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully
seized in fee of the Premises, that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said
John Rumney. And that I will and my heirs executors and administrators shall wan[rest of word cut off] and defend the same to the said John Rumney his heirs and assigns forever against the la[w]ful
claims and demands of any Persons.
Provided Nevertheless That if the said Alden Burrill his heirs executors or 
admrs.
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administrators shall pay said John Rumney his heirs executors administrators or
assigns the amount in lawful money of the United States of one promissory note bearing
even date with these Presents for the sum of three hundred and ninety four dollars and sixty
four cents by said Alden Burrill to said John Rumney or order on demand with interest, then
this deed shall be void, otherwise remain in full force and virtue. And I Martha wife
of the said Alden Burrill in consideration of one dollar to me paid do hereby relinquish my
right of dower in the above granted Premises.
In witness whereof we the said Alden and Martha have hereunto set our names
and seals this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty two
Alden Burrill . . . . . . Seal
Essex ss. December 7, 1822. Then the above named Alden
Burritt acknowledged the above instrument to be his
free act and deed.
before me Amos Choate Justice of Peace
Signed Sealed and delivered
in presence of us
Augustus Choate
Amos Choate
Essex ss. Received December 7, 1822, recorded and Examined by Amos Choate Register
True copy of record; Book 231 as 177
Att Amos Choate Register
The following assignment was written on the same sheet of paper with the original
Mortgage deed above recorded, viz.[namely]
Know all men that I John Rumney the Mortgagee named in the within deed
of Mortgage which is given by Alden Burrill to me for 394.64. dated December 7, 1822
recorded Book 231. Leaf 7. in consideration of four hundred and thirty dollars eleven
cents paid me by David Robbins of Salem in the County of Essex Gentleman the receipt of
which I acknowledge do hereby grant bargain sell assign transfer and set over to the
said Robbins all and singular the said mortgaged premises and deed of mortgage and
note mentioned in the condition thereof and all my right title and interest therein.
To Have and to hold the premises with all their privileges and  appurtenances
to
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to him the said David Robbins and his heirs and assigns forever in as full and any
a manner as I could have held and enjoyed the same in case this assignment had been
made and no otherwise. And I hereby authorize and empower the said Robbins
his executors administrators and assigns as my lawful attorney and attornies irrevocable in the premises for me and in my name or otherwise but to his and their sole use and benefit and at his and their risque [risk] cost and charge to ask demand, sue for recover receive all and singular the sum and sums of money due and to grow due on said note
and mortgage and for the same when received, good and sufficient discharges to a
deliver, and in default of payment to prosecute in due course of Law, to judgment and excute
and in possession of the premises, and on receiving the redemption money to release or re
or discharge the premises, and generally to do all other acts matters and things in and at
the premises which I could do personally, with power of substituting one or more attornies under him my said attorney, hereby ratifying and confirming what
my said attorney or substitutes may lawfully do by virtue hereof in the Premises.
In Testimony whereof I the said John Rumney do hereto
my hand and seal this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty four.
John Rumney . .seal
Signed sealed and delivered
in presence of us
William Joplin Junior
Amos Choate
Essex SS. June 8. 1824. The above named
John Rumney acknowledged the above assignment
to be his free act and deed
before me Amos Choate Justice of the Peace
Essex SS. Received December 19, 1827, recorded and Examined by Amos Choate Register
True copy of record. Book 247 Leaf 222
Attest Amos Choate Register
Page 23

Copy Alden Burrill to Josiah G. Burrill
Page 24

Know all Men by these Presents,
That I Alden Burrill of Salem in The County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Trader
in Consideration of Five hundred and Fifty Dollars
to me paid by Josiah G. Burill of the same Salem mariner
the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Josiah G. Burill and his heirs and assigns forever a certain lot of in Salem aforesaid being that moiety of the estate which was assigned to me by deed of Partition between Ebenezer Burrill and myself dated October 16,
1798 bounded beginning at the southwesterly corner of the same
running easterly on Marlboro which forty four feet, then running
on a straight line by land of Rebecca Cabot about one hundred
eighty five feet to the flats [sic] of the North River, then running westerly thirty four feet ten inches and an half by said flatts, then running southerrly a straight line by that half of said lot that was assigned to said Ebenezer Burrill in the division aforesaid, with all my right in the flat grounds northerly of the premises and between the same and the channel  of the North River, as will more particularly appear in deed of Partition aforesaid- reference being thereunto had meaning all the same estate which was set to me in said Partition deed-Together with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging.
To have and to hold the afore-granted premises to the said Josiah G. Burrell his Heirs and Assigns, to his and their use and behoof forever.
And I for myself my heirs, executors, and administrators, do covenant with the said Josiah G Burrill
his Heirs and Assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-granted premises; that
they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the
said Josiah G Burrill in fee and in mortgage
AND that I for myself my heirs, executors, and administrators will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Josiah G Burrill his Heirs and Assigns, forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons,
PROVIDED NEVERTHELESS, That if the said Alden Burrill
his Heirs, Executors, or Administrators, pay to the said Josiah G Burill his Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns, the said
sum of Five hundred and fifty Dollars on demand
with lawful interest annually
then this Deed, as also a certain Note of hand bearing even Date with these
Presents, given by the said Alden Burill 
to the said Josiah G Burrill or order
to pay the same sum and interest
at the Time aforesaid, shall both be void; otherwise shall remain in full Force.
In Witness whereof, I the said
Alden Burrill have hereunto set my hand and seal this Fourteenth
Day of February in the year of lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two
Alden Burill (seal)
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in presence of us,
Augustus Choate
Amos Choate
Essex Received February 15, 1822
recorded and examined by
Amos Choate Register
True copy of record; Book 228
Leaf135. Attest Amos Choate Register


Amos Choate
Essex ss. February 15. A.D. 1822
Then the above-named Alden Burill acknowledged
the above instrument to be his free act and Deed.
before me,
Amos Choate, Justice of the peac
Page 25

Copy 
Alden Burrill
to
David Robbins
Page 26

That
County of Essex, trader
Know all Men by these Presents
That I, Alden Burrill of Salem in the county of Essex, trader
in consideration of Seven hundred Dollars
paid me by David Robbins of the same Salem, gentleman, and subject to the whole amount
of the Mortgage deeds herein after mentioned, which now remain due on principal and Interest
the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the
said Robbins and his heirs and assigns a lot of land in Salem aforesaid
being that moiety of a certain parcel of land which was assigned to me by deed
of Partition between my brother Ebenezer Burrill and myself dated October 16. 1798 recorded Book 163 Leaf 205 - bounding southerly on Marlborough Street
Forty four feet, Easterly on Rebecca Cabot's land, about one hundred and Eighty
five feet on a straight line to the flat grounds in the North River, then bounding
Northerly on said flats [sic] Thirty Four Feet ten inches and an half, then bounding westerly on a
Straight line by land assigned to Ebenezer Burrill in said Partition, extending thereby
to Marlborough Street and bounds first mentioned, with all the privileges and
and with all the buildings now standing thereon; and all the flatts appurtenant to
the same as particularly defined in said deed of Partition, reference being thereto had.
The premises are subject to a mortgage to Josiah G. Burrill for $550,00 and interest
of February 14. 1822. Book 228 Leaf 135, also subject to a mortgage to John Rumney $394.64 and interest, of
December 8,1822 Book 231 Leaf 188 afterwards assigned by Rumney to said David by deed of June 4, 1824. Entered for record just before This- distinctly reserving all claims under said Mortgage Deeds.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the afore-granted premises to the said David Robbins his Heirs and Assigns, to his and their Use and Behoof forever.
And I for myself my heirs, executors, and administrators, do covenant with the said David Robbins his Heirs and Assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-granted premises; That except as aforesaid they are free of all incumbrances [sic]; That I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said David
Subject as aforesaid.
AND that I for myself my heirs, executors, and administrators, will warrant and defend the same premises to the said
David Robbins his Heirs and Assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I the said Alden andI Martha wife of said Alden for one dollar paid me by said David as well as for other valuable considerations which I acknowledge to have received of him do hereby release to him and his heirs and assigns all right of
dower in the premises have hereunto set our hands and seal this Fifteenth Day  of December in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty seven
Alden Burrill (sedal)
Martha Burrill (seal)
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in presence of us,
Benjamin Willis
Amos Choate

Essex ss.
December 18. 1827. Then the above-named Alden Burrill and Martha Burill acknowledged the above Instrument to be their free Act and Deed before me
Amos Choate Just of Peace

Essex ss Recorded December 19. 1827 recorded & examined by the A. Choate Register
True copy of record; Book 247 Leaf 222

Attest Amos Choate Register
Page 27

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Be it remembered That Alden 
Burrill of Salem in the County of Essex, in the Commonwealth aforesaid doth make upon oath the following DECLARATION, to wit, 
That the said Burrill about the first of March A.D. 1777 enlisted for the term of three years as a private in Capt. Noah Nichols' Company of Artillery Artificers - marched in April 1777 to Ticonderoga - served at various places - was principally under the command of Maj. Ebenezer Stevens of the Artillery - afterward marched to the park of Artillery near Morristown in the Jersies - that the declarant served out the whole of his term of enlistment, and was honorably discharged at the last mentioned place by order of Maj. Gen. Knox in the sixth day of March A.D. 1780 - that he has lost his certificate of discharge.
That the Declarant is infirm; that from his reduced circumstances in life he is now in need of assistance from his country for support; and that he hereby relinquishes his claim to every pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States.
Alden Burrill
Page 28

AFFIDAVIT.
I, Ebenezer Burrill of Salem in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, Gentleman, do
on oath depose and testify,
That I know the within named Alden
Burrill served the term of three years
as a private in Captain Noah Nichols
Company of Artillery artificers on the
Continental
Establishment. I served
the whole time with him in
the same
Company, and was discharged at the same time
Ebenezer Burrill
(Supplementary Affidavit.)
I, Ebenezer Burrill, aforenamed, further testify that the said
Alden Burrill and I both resided in Salem when we enlisted: we enlisted
together, served three years together and were discharged together; I then received a discharge of which the following is a true Copy; viz-[namely]
“The term of three years, for which Ebenezer Burrill of Captain Noah Nichols company of Artillery Artificers engaged to serve having expired, he is hereby honorably discharged from the service of the United States. Given under my hand
at the Park of Artillery near Morristown this 6th day of March 1780
(Signed)
By order of General Knox
E. Finley A.D.[aide de] Camp”
And I know the said Alden Burrill had a written discharge
of like tenor and import which he has lost.
Ebenezer Burrell
Essex. Ss. June 12, 1818 Then the above named Ebenezer Burrill
Subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit before me
Benjamin Merrill Justice of the peace
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, Ss.
On this thirteenth day of April,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
eighteen, personally appeared before me Samuel
Putnam a Justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court of said State
the aforenamed Alden Burrito and Ebenezer Burrill and in
my presence severally subscribed and made solemn oath to the aforewritten Declaration and AFFIDAVIT by them respectively made as aforesaid: And
it appearing to my satisfaction, that the aforenamed Alden Burrill
served more than NINE MONTHS, to wit, from the sixth
day of March A.D. 1777 to the sixth day of
March A.D. 1780 at one period of the Revolutionary War,
on the Continental Establishment, against the common enemy, I do hereby certify
the testify in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary
of the Department of War.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the Court aforesaid, at Salem, this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
eighteen.
S. Putnam Justice Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
June 16, 1818
I further testify that said Ebenezer Burrill and Nathaniel Call are
credible and disinterested witnesses, and that said Alden Burrill
is poor and indigent.
S. Putnam Justice
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
Page 30

Essex Ss.
I. Ichabod Tucker Clerk of the Supreme
Judicial Court aforesaid certify that Honorable Samuel
Putnam is a Judge of said Court that the
signature within is his handwriting and that the
seal affixed is the Seal of said Court
Attested
Ichabod Tucker Clerk
Essex Ss. June 15. 1818 
I further certify that Benjamin Merrill Esquire whose 
signature is under the affidavit of Ebenezer Burrill, is a Justice of the Peace qualified to administer oaths
Attested Ichabod Tucker clerk
Page 31

Application for a new Certificate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex 1s:
On this tenth day of October 1828 before me
the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Essex Alden Burrill personally appeared, who on his oath
declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged
to the company commanded by Captain Noah Nichols in the
regiment commanded by Colonel Knox
in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the secretary of war, which certificate after the said Alden received it, he left in the hands and custody of Ebenezer Burrill, brother of said Alden, who during the years 1818, 1819 and 1820 was agent to receive in his behalf the Pension monies due the said Alden, till the names of both of them were stricken off the list; the said Alder has never since seen his Certificate and supposed that said Ebenezer (who is dead) destroyed it, as of no value.
Alden Burill
Sworn and subscribed to before me,
the day and year aforesaid
Benjamin Merrill Justice of the Peace
I, Joseph H. Lord of Salem, on oath testify that I well
know that the said Alden Burrell is the same person described in the above affidavit, and he was in 1818 and
is now a U.S. Pensioner
Joseph H. Lord
Essex Ss.
Oct. 11, 1828
Then the above named Joseph H. Lord who is a credible and
disinterested witness subscribed and made oath to the above
affidavit before me
R. Merrill Justice of the Peace
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Essex Ss: October 11. 1828 I certify that Benjamin Merrill within named is a Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths, and that his signatures within are genuine 
Attested John Prince Clerk all the Judicial Courts of said County
Page 33

Brief in the case of Alden Burrill, deceased, late of
Essex County and State of Massachusetts,
act 7 June 1832,
Claim, (original, or for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Originally under act of 18 March 1818
Admitted under act of 7 June 1832 at $240
per annum, deducting former payments
at $96. per annum, from 4 March
1831 to 17 May 1831
Page 34

Pension Agent's office 
Boston 
November 29. 1851 
I hereby certify that it appears from the Books of this Office that Alden Burrell a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of 1818, who resided in Essex County, Massachusetts was paid at this Agency his Pension at the rate of eight dollars per month to the 14th day of December 1831 (fourteenth day of December eighteen hundred and thirty one) at which time he was reported to this office to have died Franklin Haven
Pension Agent
Page 35

Boston November 18, 1851

Sir
I herewith return to you a certificate from 
your office in favor of Mary Barker
child of Alden Burrill, deceased,
and respectfully request that the error
Therein fixing the date of said Burrill’s
death at May 17, 1831. instead of December
16th 1831. may be corrected.
A reference to the certificate of the
Probate Court filed
with the application
will show that said Burrill died December
16th 1831 which a comparison with the
books in your office will no doubt verify
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
Lyman Mason

James E Heath Esquire
Commissioner of pensions
Page 36

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Esssex Ss
I, Edwin Lawrence, Register of Probate of said county do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the Probate Court of said county that Alden Burrill late of Salem in said county (deceased), was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96 per annum, that he died on the 16th day of December 1831, that he left a widow who has since deceased, and that he left one child and no more viz Mary Barker now of Hartford in the state of Connecticut.
In testimony whereof I have here unto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed these presents this 12th day of August 1851.
Edwin Lawrence
Page 37

Sir
Boston December 3rd 1851-
Sir.
Your letter of the 22nd November respecting
the date of Alden Burrill's death has been
received I shall make no apology
for again calling your attention to the consideration
of so small a claim except that which caused
its presentation or first - viz -- the indigence of the claimant and its consequent importance to her
The certificate of the Probate Court
shewing the date of said Burrill’s death
which was given after the most abundant
proof that he died December 16th 1831 - and at
the place of his death, I have already filed;
I now enclose a certificate from the agent for
paying pensions at Boston, showing that said
Burrill was paid to the 14th December 1831- being
paid to that date instead of the 16th probably
for convenience of reckoning as ⅓ of a month 
for the fraction.
This will be found to agree with
the printed list of pensions in Essex County under
the act of 1818. which I beg leave to refer.
as it is manifest that an error
has been committed in examining the books
at the Auditors office, I respectfully request
that it may be corrected according to the
Page 38

facts in the case
Very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Lyman Mason
Salem Massachusetts
Page 39

Last evidence 3rd April 1828
Received 5, april 1828 
Honorable N Silsbee 
documents mentioned within received 3rd instant.
Honorable Nathaniel Silsbee 
City of Washington
Page 40

Salem 28th March1828.
Honorable Nathaniel Silsbee
Benjamin W Crowninshield
Gentlemen
I have taken the liberty to
trouble you with the accompanying
documents relative to the claim of Mrs Alden Burrill
to a pension from the Government. I believe it ┃
unnecessary for me to state any thing respecting
the character of Mrs B. as I believe it is known
to each of you to be unimpeachable, for strict
Integrity, irreproachable, temperate, she
has however the misfortune to be extremely poor-
I hope and and trust, the papers I herewith inclose, may be sufficient, to place 
Mrs. Burrill on the pension list, as it can
hardly be possible to procure any thing more

as Rumney is at this time some where
in your present neighbourhood,
but I do not
exactly know where J. G. Burrill is a 
Master of a vessel sailing from Baltimore and
but seldom at home, and when so, 
but for short periods of time
My Knowledge of Mrs. Burrill
Page 41

is of nearly forty years standing
and I feel well
satisfied she would not tell an untruth, add to
this I did my self within two years, examine
to a very considerable extent, into the affairs of
Messrs. Burrill and Robbins, so far as to fully satisfy
me that Mr B. was indebted to Mr Robbins and others
far beyond his ability to pay -
As it respects my self, Gentlemen
I have nothing further in view, than to serve
a very poor, but worthy old woman, and I will add 
each of you knows me well and will fully believe me.
Respectfully
Gentlemen
your Obedient servant
Joseph Ropes
Washington April 3rd 1822
Mr Edwards
Sir,
The writer of the preceding letter is 
well known to us as
a gentleman of respectability and integrity in whose declarations the greatest confidence may be reposed. Mr. Alden Burrill has also long been known to me as a fellow townsman of
unblemished character. We have for some time past
understood that Mr. Burrill, although in possession
Page 42

of a House and some land that he occupied, was indebted to a much greater amount that all the property
in his possession was estimated to be worth, and that he held
this possession by the indulgence of his creditors, and we
have not the least doubt but that the State of his
affairs are such as we have supposed them, and such as they
are represented to be, in the papers which had been
presented to your consideration. We know that Jody
Burrill is employed as a ship Master and is now leaving from
a port within the state of Massachusetts and we have no reason to doubt but that the absence of said Burrill and
of Mr.  Rumney, from Salem, was the cause of their testimony not  having been obtained. We will only add, that, in our opinion
W. A. Burrills claim to a pension has all the
strength which poverty and an unblemished character can
give to it.
Respectfully
Your obedient servants
Nathaniel Silsbee
W. Crowningshield
Page 43

____States
Massachusetts District
I, Nathaniel Call of Boston in the County of Suffolk, and
District of Massachusetts, make oath. That during the war
of the revolution. I was a Lieutenant in the company of artificers
commanded by Captain Noah Nichols attached to the train of
to Artillery commanded by Major Ebenezer Stevens and served in
said corps between two and three years. That in March 1777, I
enlisted Alden Burrill of Lynn and now of Salem in the county of Essex, as an artificer in said corps, and that I served
with said Burrill in said corps two years, during which
time he faithfully performed his duty. The said corps during the
said time, served in New York and Massachusetts
Nathaniel Call
Massachusetts District June 5, 1818
Sworn to before me
M. Davis
District Judge US
Massachusetts District
Page 44

[stamp:[ To CHF [illegible] division
Action answer
September 14, 1887
Commissioner
29687
To Mr Grover Cleveland
Sir. I have taken the liberty of writing 
you on the subject of Pension. My father
was a Revolutionary Pensioner and served
through the war. his name was Alden
Burrill of Salem Massachusetts, also on books 
Boston, received a few weeks since
letter from main from Mr. Harmon Chum 
Attorney Saying his name is on
the Books their [there] from Essex county was
serving as a matross in Artillery
his Pension was 96 Dollars
my Father died December 16" 1832
Mother died March 2" 1838 age 70
my mother never received a pension
as I was with her after Father Died
and took care of her while sick and
Buried her and paid all her expenses
she sold her thirds after Father died
for 500
Page 45

to her son in Law, he cheated her out of
two hundred; now sir after all these
years why cannot the Heirs of these
Pensioners receive a share, certainly
Sir I think their cannot be but very
few living, my Father was well in
years when I was born, when I
quite small I had to Bind Shoes at 3 
cents a pain in order to get myself
a pair and have ever worked hard
done all I could for Father and mother
I am now nearly 76 am quite feeble
and cannot do much am put hard
of hearing which makes is vey unpleasant
to be among strangers, I am Boarding
in a large Boarding House and all
Gentlemen or either the reverse for
they anything but Gentlemen, I
am very unpleasantly situated and
have stayed over a few att [at] 3 a week
as I cannot get [get] Board att [sic] less
Page 46

That and four and 1 half. I find my fuel and furnish my room up two flights and care for my room which is as much as I can possibly do, I find by the Bills I burnt much
more fuel than ever before and
have come to the conclusion that I
had some help. cannot stay here
annother [sic] winter I had rather be in
the Poor House the Lady of the House
I have know for years and have never
known anything against her untill
she took Bourders, one year ago her
husband who was not very good went
off and left her, then she has never seen
or heard from him, she has an aged
Father to care for and took Bourders [boarders]
every cent I have must go for Bourd 
and Fuel, I have by few cloths hardly enough to be 
comfortable in cold weather
I find she has changed very much for
Page 47

for the worse since the Bourders come
as she does not always know what she
about, you may think the rather
Strong language but is it is the truth
and nothing but the Sacred Truth.
now Sir will you give this your first
oppertunity, I know you have many
pressing case, you have done nobly go
on kind sir never be weary in a
good cause, my children have
families to care for
if you would like to read the letter
from Main
I will forward it
or anything you would wish to know
Sincerly yours
Mary Barker
479 Cambridgeport Massachusetts

[Bottom of page, inverted:]
Mary barker
Massachusetts
September 1887

[[top of page, inverted:]
P.S. I may possibly go from here if I can find a place, but you can send to my son Henry H. Barker 39 Avon Street, Boston Massachusetts, and he will forward it to me.
Page 48

Madam
In answer to your communication, without date, addressed to the
President of the U.S., by him referred to this Bureau, relative to your father Alden Adams, who served in the war of the Revolution from Massachusetts, I have to state
that under the first act passed by Congress for the service of those soldiers, he
received a pension at $96t per annum (the rate prescribed in the act) up to the date
of his decease - subsequently, but after the decease of his widow, you applied
under a later act, for an increase of his pension, as an artificer, from $96 to $240 per annum 
which was allowed, and this additional amount was paid to you as his only child -
a claim
under these or any other circumstances that a claim may be presented, there is no law existing which entitles you to, or that will authorize the payment of additional compensation on account of your father’s Revolutionary Services
September 17 1887.