Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,737, Joseph Carswell, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776) SERVICE N.H. Carswell, Joseph or Caswell
Lydia
NUMBER W.22737  
CONTENTS
Page 2

1795 of
R
New Hampshsire
Joseph Carswell
of Barrington in the State of NH
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Cilley of the N.H.
line, for the term of three years

Inscribed on the Roll of N H
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 2 of August 1820

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 of 1820
it to Hon J Butler
H R

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1820 3.80Oct 
Semi-anl.all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48
$56.80

30/31  4/30
7.74
8.80
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

May 1, 1820
Page 3

Joseph Carswell's Declaration
Page 4

State of New Hampshire
Stafford, ss
On this second day of August A.D. 1820
Before me Valentine Smith, one of the Judges of the Court
of Common pleas, within & for said County of Strafford,
personally appears Joseph Carswell of Barrington in
said County, aged sixty two years, resident in said
Barrington in said State, who being by me first duly
sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the
following Declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled An act
to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval
service of the United States in the Revolutionary War"
that he the said Joseph Carswell enlisted in the service
of the United States in 1776 for five months and served
that time that he again enlisted at about the close
of the year 1776, at Ticonderoga in the second New Hampshire Regiment of the New Hampshire line in the
Company commanded by Captain Cherry that he
continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the
United States for the term of three years, when he was
honorably discharged, which discharge, with his dwelling
house, was consumed by fire about ten years after
That he was in the Battle of Bemis Heights when
Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates and that he
is in reduced circumstances, & stands in need of the assistance of his County for support; & that he has no
other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day & year aforesaid
[Signature] V Smith
I Valentine Smith Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas
Page 5

Pleas in the County of Strafford in said State
of New Hampshire, as aforesaid, do certify,
it appears to my satisfaction; that the said Joseph
Carswell did serve in the Revolutionary war, as
in the preceeding declaration, against the common
Enemy; And I now transmit the proceedings
testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary
for the War Department, pursuant to the direction
of the aforementioned act of Congress-
[Signature] V. Smith-
By Order of the Judge
A. Peirce, Clerk
Page 6

209
Joseph Carswell
Admitted
Under law
May 1 1820
decide under law
March 1818
Page 7

To the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Gilmanton within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire on the first day of August 1820
Joseph Carswell aged 62 years
resident in Barrington in said County, comes into court, 
and in pursuance of an act of Congress passed the 1st day of May 1820, brings with him, and in his proper person exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole Estate and Income - his necessary clothing and bedding excepted as follows:--

One Cow, two swine, one ax, 6 old chairs, one
Chest, one old pine table Tea Kittle if all not and I am indebted
to Sundry persons the sum of not less than Seventy
Joseph his x mark Carswell
 
And the said Joseph Carswell in pursuance as aforesaid produceth  
to said Court the following oath by him duly taken and subscribed - viz.
I Joseph Carswell 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 properly, or any part thereof, with intent thereby as to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged is 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 schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
[Signature] Joseph his x mark Carswell

And the said Joseph Carswell doth here in Court further declare on oath, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, viz.
that he entered the service in 1776 for five months and served that time, that he again enlisted for three yrs and in the compy commanded by Capt Cherry (at Ticonderoga) in the 2 N.H. Regiment of the New Hampshire line and served that time and was honorably discharged, which discharge was destroyed with his house by fire about ten years after said time - that he was in the battle of Bemis heights when Burgoyne surrendered.
Page 8

That the date of his declaration in order to obtain a pension is this day That his occupation is that of a labourer but can not labour being afflicted with a Rueumatic complaint this affected with the [illegible] contracted in the army - That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz.
his wife Lydia aged 65 years out able to labour but very little
Son Andrew aged 16 years healthy but weak in his ancles [ankles]-
Daughter Hulda aged 25 years support herself
 
Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said schedule, and that the same, 
together with a copy of the premises, be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
[Signature] Joseph his x mark Carswell
Sworn and declared before the said court the 2d day of August 1820.
Attest, [Signature] A. Peirce, CLERK.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. STRAFFORD ss.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at Gilmanton within and for the County of Strafford and State of
New-Hampshire, on the 2d day of August 1820 before
DANIEL M. DURELL, Esquire, Chief Justice, and
VALENTINE SMITS,, and associate Justices of said
SAMUEL QUARLES,
 The aforesaid schedule and oath and the above declaration duly subscribed and sworn by the said Joseph Carswell having been by him exhibited in person, and presented to the court, and the same being seen and considered, it is the opinion of said Court that the value of the properly contained in said schedule is thirty three
dollars & Seventeen cents, Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises, together with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Attest, [Signature] J. Pence CLERK.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE...STRAFFORD SS.
I, ANDREW PEIRCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Strafford, being a court of record, do certify that the foregoing schedule and oath and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the
court thereon, are true copies from the Records and files of said court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the
said Court, the Second day of August 1820
[Signature] A. Peirce, Clerk
Page 9

Let to Jany 18. 1851

4694
New Hampshire, Ports
Lydia Carswell decd
widow of
Joseph
who served in the Revolutionary war
, as a private
Incd from $80

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the  1 July 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the
4th day of Jany 1857
and sent to
David Murray
Newmarket N. H.

Cady 19 July 1850
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 64. Vol. 1
Page 10

30 June 1860
June 30/48
LydiaCarwell
Widow of Joseph Carwell NH

Lydia Caswell
Widow of Joseph
New Hampshire

admitted 
Private $80 per ann
com 9 February 1846.
Act 17 June 1844
& 2 February 1848.
[Stamp] DOVER JUN 26 N.H.

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

John Peavey Jr S
Center Strafford Co.
N.H.
Page 11

State of New Hampshire
Strafford County
On this twenty sixth day of June
in the year one thousand Eight
hundred and forty Eight
Personally appeared before C. W
Woodman Judge of Probate & of
Wills for said County
Lydia
Caswell of Strafford and a resident
of Strafford in said County, aged
ninety one years, who being first
duly sworn, according to law, doth
on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the
benefits of the provision made by the
act of Congress, passed on the 2d day of
February A.D. 1848 granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during
the Revolutionary war;
That she is widow of Joseph
Caswell who was a soldier in the
Militia of the State of New Hampshire and served as such in the
Revolutionary war in the Company
of Capt
Drew and Regiment of
Poor; that said Joseph
Caswell received when alive
pension of ninety six dollars
per
Page 12

day of March in the year one
thousand seven hundred and 
seventy nine by Rev. Isaac Smith
that her said husband
died on
the ninth day of February in the
year one thousand Eight hundred
and forty six at said Strafford
leaving said Lydia his widow
she further declares that she
is still a widow
 
Lydia her x mark  Caswell
 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
written
Before me
[Signature] CW Woodman
Judge of Probate &

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss
I Enoch Berry Register of Probate for said County
of Stafford hereby certify that the aforesaid C W. Woodman is Judge
of Probate within and for said County. And that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court of Probate this 26th day of
June A.D. 1848.
[Signature] Enoch Berry Register of Probate for said
County of Stafford
Page 13

Please make your return to John Peavey Jr Esquire Center Strafford County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire
Page 14

The following is an extract from the Records
of the town of
Gilmanton in the County of
Belknap and State of New Hampshire
Joseph Caswell of Northwood & Lydia
Evans of Barrington were joined together in
Marriage March the thirteenth in the year
one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy
nine by Rev'd Mr Isaac Smith "
I hereby certify that the above is a true
copy of the record with the exception
of the date, which is expressed on record
in fair legible figures as follows March
13th 1779 "
Alfred Prescott Town Clerk of Gilmanton
I Alfred Prescott above named depose and
say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in
the town of Gilmanton, in the County of Belknap
and State of New Hampshire, and that the
above is a true extract from the record of
said town of Gilmanton with the exception
above named as certified by me.
[Signature] Alfred Prescott Town Clerk of Gilmanton

State of New Hampshire
Belknap ss.
May 27, 1848
Personally appearing the above
named Alfred Prescott who is a credible
witness, made solemn oath that the above
affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me
[Signature] Andrew Mack
Justice of the Peace
Page 15

State of New-Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby
certify, that Andrew Mack
is an acting Justice
of the Peace, in and for the County of Belknap
duly
Commissioned and qualified. His Commission was dated on the
the 23d
day of Decm 1845 and will expire on
day of Decr
as such, to the annexed instrument is genuine
1850 and his signature
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, this 9th
June 1848
day of
the
[Signature] Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of State.
Page 16

O. W. & N. Division,
 F.S.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
December 12 1894.
Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
JOSEPH CARSWELL a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his
widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[Chart]

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
[illegible] 1776
Late, 1776

LENGTH
OF SERVICE.
5 mo.
3 yrs.

RANK.
Pri.
"

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Not stated
Cherry
COLONEL.
Not stated
2nd, N. H. Regiment

STATE
N.H.
N.H.

Battles engaged in, BEMIS HEIGHTS
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Northwood, W. H.
Date of application for pension,
August 2, 1820.
Residence at date of application,
Barrington, N.H.
Age at date of application,
Sixty-two years.
Remarks:
He married Lydia Evens March 18, 1779, and died Feb. 9, 1845.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Capt. George A. Walker,
Police Station,
So. Boston, Mass.
Page 17

Decr Hist to
 Geo. A. Walker S. Boston
Mass.

WIDOW, &c.
File No.2 2737
Lydia Caswell
Wid of
Joseph Caswell
Pri Rev War
---
Act: Feb 2d
1848
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 12
Arrangement of 1870.]

1894
Capt
Page 18

4694 Ports
New Hampshire
Lydia Caswell
widow of Joseph Caswell
who served in the Revolutionary war
, as a Private
iscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars in
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
12th day of April 1849
and sent to
John Peavey Jr
Center Strafford
Strafford
N. H
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page A

Reported
Page 19

Reported

587
Ports
New Hampshire
Lydia Carswell
widow of Joseph Carswell
who was a Private
in the
Revolution
Husband died 9th Feb. 1846

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 9th day of February, 1846
 
Certificate of Pension issued the
12th day of April 1849
and sent to
John Peavey J Esq
Centre Strafford
N. H
-
Act of JUNE 17, 1844.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 14
Page 20

private
Joseph Carswell, N. Hamp Act March 1818
to what time paid ?
Pension Office
April 11, 1849
Died 9th Feb 1846
Paid to his death.
BLB
Page 21

I Thomas Carswell of Strafford in the county of Strafford and State of NewHampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Carswell of Strafford deceased and formerly of Northwood in the county of Rockingham, and state aforesaid, who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the State of NewHampshire and the amount of his pension certificate was $96.00 per annum, and the said Joseph Carswell died, on the ninth day February 1846. and left Lydia Carswell & she has ot intermarried, but continues to be a widow of the above named, Joseph Carswell, and the said Lydia Carswell is this day a living. June 7th 1848.
[Signature] Thomas Carswell

State of New Hampshire 
Stafford ss June 6th 1848.
Personally appeared the above named Thomas Carswell, who is a credible witness and made solemn oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.

Before me [Signature] John Peavey Jr Justice of the Peace.
Page 22

I Orran Carswell of Strafford in the County of Strafford, and
State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Carswell of Stafford deceased and formerly
Northwood in the County of Rockingham
and state aforesaid, who was a Revolutionary
pensioner of the state of New Hampshire, and the
amount of his pension certificate, was $90.00
per annum and the said Joseph Carswell, died
on the ninth day of February
1846, and left
Lydia Carswell, and she has not intermarried
but continues to be a widow of the above named
Joseph Carswell. And the said Lydia Carswell
is this day a living, June 6th 1848.
[Signature] Orran Carswell

State of New Hampshire, June 6th 1848
Strafford SS
Personally appearing the above named Orran Carswell appearing, who is a credible
and made solemn oath, that the above
by him subscribed is true
before me,
[Signature] John Peavey Jr. Justice of the peace,

State of New Hampshire Probate Office Stafford
I Enoch Berry Register of Probate for said County of Strafford do hereby certify that the  above named John Peavey Jr  is an acting Justice of the Peace
County of Strafford duly commissioned and qualified his commission is dated on the 17th day of June 1846 and will expire
on the 17th day of June 1851, and his signature as such
to the annexed instruments are Genuine
Given Under my hand and the seal of said Court of Probate
this 26th day of June A.D. 1848.
 Enoch Berry Register of Probate for said County of Strafford
Page 23

Before me David Mercey, a Justice of the Peace and
Quorum throughout the State of New Hampshire
appeared Thomas Caswell, and oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the Joint Resolution passed by Congress July 1. 1848
that is administrator of the Estate of Lydia
Caswell decd who was the widow of Joseph
Caswell a Revolutionary pensioner under the
act of March 18. 1818. That the said Lydia as
well received a pension under the act of Feby 2d
1848, at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum and
sd July 18. 1830, the therefore ooks for the arrears of
pension due the said Lydia at the time of her death,
under said [Illegible]
[Signature] Thomas Carswell

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss October 30 1850 Subscribed and sworn to, before
[Signature] David Murray Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the said Lydia Caswell, was the person
represented to be in the foregoing declaration
[Signature] David Murray Justice Peace
Page 24

the State of New Hampshire
Strafford SS. Court of Common Pleas
Clerk's office
I, John W. Smith Clerk of said Court,
the same being a Court of Record herby certify
that David Murray is a Justice of the
Peace throughout the said State duly commissioned
and qualified, and was at the time
of the taking the within affidavit that his
commission is dated July 6. 1846 and will
expire July 5, 1857 and that the within signatures
purporting to be his are true and genuine
In testimony whereof
them hereto set my hand  & 
affixed the seal of said
court this thirty first day
October A.D. 1850.--
[Signature] John H. Smith
Clerk
Page 25

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Strafford County, ss.
AT a Court of Probate holden at Dover in said County, on the
third day of September A. D. 1850, before the
Hon. Charles W Woodman Judge of Probate for said County,
It was proved to the satisfaction of said Court, that Lydia Caswell
late of Stafford in said County, a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of
the United States,  Died at said Stafford in said County,
and that said Lydia was the widow of Joseph Caswell, decease, late a Revolutionary Pensioner at
on the nineteenth day of July A.D. 1850
And I certify that 
Thomas Caswell was duly appointed Administrator
of the Estate of said Lydia Caswell of
on the third day of September A.D. 1850, at the Court aforesaid
AND I hereby further certify that it appears by the Records and Files in the Probate Office for said County of
Strafford, that said appointment still remains in full force, and in no wise revoked, reversed or annulled.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court, at the Probate Office in said County, this
thirtieth day of October
A. D. 1850
[Signature] John H. White
Register of Probate for said County of Strafford
Page 26

Selectmen of Barrington Certificate & Affidavit
Page 27

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss. We the subscribers selectmen
of Barrington in said County Certify
that Joseph Carswell who is a claimant
for a pension is a citizen of said Town
that he is poor and in actual need
of the assistance of his country for
support
Nov. 12th 1819
[Signature] Tobias Roberts
[Signature] John Caverly Jr
Strafford ss Novr 16th 1819. Then the
above named Selectmen of Barrington
made solemn oath that the foregoing
certificate by them subscribed was
Just & true
Before me [Signature] Job Otis Justice
Page 28

Joseph Robinson testimony in favr of Joseph Carswell
Page 29

I Joseph Robinson of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire late a soldier in the war of the revolution depose and say that I served in said War in the Newhampshire line under the continental establishment for more than three years successively  That I well knew Joseph Carswell then of Northwood now of Barrington in said State of Newhampshire who is now a claimant for a pension. That said Carswell enlisted in the latter part of the year 1776
at or near Saratoga in the State of New York for three
years. That he served in Capt Cherry's Company in
the second Newhampshire Regiment the full period
of his enlistment and was honorably discharged
from the service. That he fought the enemy at the
battle of Bena's heights at the time General Burgoin [Burgoyne]
Surrendered to General Gates. I further testify that
I have lived for many years past in the vicinity
of Carswell and know that he is in indigent
circumstances, and that for a considerable
part of the time he is incapable to labor or do
any thing for the support of himself or family
by reason of Rheumatic Complaints
Joseph his x mark Robinson
Joseph Robinson made his
Mark above-

Rockingham ss. August 12, 1828 then Joseph
Robinson who subscribed the above made
Solemn Oath the same was just & true
before me [Signature] Israel Bartlett Justice

I hereby certify that the above deponent is a
credible person
[Signature] Israel Bartlett Jus Peace
Page 30

John Knights testimony in favr of Joseph Carswell
Page 31

I John Knight of Northwood in the State of New Hampshire
late a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Depose and
say that I served in said war in the New Hampshire line
under the continental establishment in the year 1776
and continued in service for more than three years
successively. That I well knew Joseph Carswell then of
Northwood but now of Barrington in said State of New
Hampshire, who is now a claimant for a pension. That
said Carswell enlisted in the latter part of the year
1776 at or near Saratoga in the State of New York for three
years. That he served in Capt Cherry's Company in the
second New Hampshire Regiment the full period
of his enlistment and was honorably discharged
from the service. That he fought the enemy at
the battle of Bemis height, at the time General
Burgoine [Burgoyne] surrendered to General Gates. I further
testify that I have lived for many years past in
the vicinity of said Carswell, and know that he
is in indigent circumstances, and that for a
considerable part of the time is unable to Labor or
do anything for the support of himself or family
by reason of Rheumatic Complaints.
[Signature] John Knight

Rockingham August 12th 1820 Then John Knight
who subscribed the above affidavit made Solemn
Oath the same was just and true
before me [Signature] Israel Bartlett Jus Peace

I hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible
person-
[Signature] Israel Bartlett Jus Peace
Page 32

Newmarket N.H. Jany 14 1837
Sir
The name of the Administrator of Lydia
Caswell, w Thomas Caswell and not Joseph
as stated in this certificate I therefore
return it for correction as the name of
the pensioners husband was Joseph n posible
that the Regr of Probate made a mistatke
in making the certificate, but by reference
to the declaration setting for the claim on
will undoubtedly paid the name Thomas
Please address the Subscribed

I am very respectfully,
your Obt Sert
David Murray

James E Heath Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington
Page 33

[illegible] $96 per annum
ded fom payts at
$80/annum 
1 July 1848 & ending 19 Judly 1850 payable to Joseph Caswell Administrator of the Estate

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington DC.

official business

David Murray 
NH

Lydia Caswell
Wm Cole
4694
Nov 7/
Page 34

Newmarket N.H. Nov 1. 1850
Sir,
Enclosed I forward you the claim of the heirs
of Lydia Caswell for the arrears of Pension due
the said Lydia, at the time of her decease.
Her certificate was surrendered to the pension Agent at Portsmouth, in September by the
Administrator
Please address the subscriber

I am very respectfully,
Your Obt Sert
David Murray

James L. Edwards Esqr
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 35

DATE OF BOSTON.
POLICE STATION, No. 12.
Fourth Street, Boston

Hon. William Lochren
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Washington
D. C
If it can be obtained
I am very desirous of obtaining the
War record of Joseph Caswell a
Revolutionary Soldier, and pensioner
He was a native of Strafford, State of
New Hampshire
about the year 1831. I have been
told that while alive he drew his
pension at Portsmouth N. H.
If I could obtain from your office in
what Co. and Reg. he served, and how
long, what battles he was in, and his
antecedents, I should be thankful, as he
was my Great, great, Grandfather
I am very
truly
Your Obt. Servant
George A. Walker
Capt. Police Sta. 12
South Boston Mass