Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,882, for Samuel S Merriman, Vermont
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(8-1776)

SERVICE NUMBER
VT. 
Merriman Samuel S. 
S21882

CONTENTS
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[left side]

Letb(?) Pensioner
August 12th 1840

Hon. A. Frank, Feb 7, 1860

[right side]

11.683
Vermont

Samuel S. Merriman of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a Pr in the Company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regt. commanded by Col Robinson in the VT line for -

13 and 1 (??) Private 2,3.33
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Service VT Merriman, Samuel S. Number S 21882
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State of Vermont
Rutland County
District of Fairhaven}

On this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairhaven now sitting, Samuel S. Merriman a resident of Wells in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, 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 June 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated
He was born at Wallingford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut on the 2nd day of April in the year 1762. And has a record of his age in his family Bible copied by himself from his father's Bible when nearly worn out. He removed from there to Conway, thence to Canaan, thence to Sheffield, and from there removed to Wells in the State of Vermont - on the 15th day of June 1775 where he has since resided.
That in the month of July 1777, he went from Pownall in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont whither he was driven from Wells by Tories as a substitute for Josiah Nobles of said Pownall to do a tour of service in the  Militia of Manchester Vermont (he supposes the troops in which he served were called militia.) And served 3 weeks in Col. Moses Robinson's Regiment, he does not know that he joined any company, and if he did, does not recollect any officers). He thinks they were under the Command of General Lincoln, and he also thinks that General Starke was there, though he does not recollect that he saw him - he marched from Manchester in a detail - must of about nine hundred men to Bennington when he was dismissed in August, not long before the Battle of Bennington.
About the middle of April in the year 1778, as he thinks, he enlisted at Wells aforesaid for 7 months in a company of Rangers in the  [illegible] - Troops or Green Mountain Boys as they were called. Commanded by Capt. Parmerlee Allin of Pawlet, in which was Lieutenant
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Benjamin Avines of Manchester, 2nd Lieutenant James Smith of Poultney, Philip Reed of Pawlet - and Martin Powell of Manchester -  Sergeant. Marched to Castleton and assisted in building a [illegible] fort. - did not join a Regiment as he thinks, though he believes he was under the Command of Col. Ebenezer Allen, or it may have been Col. Herrick, (he cannot recollect which in consequence of having been out on various  [illegible] for short periods which he does not mention) he was engaged on guard at the fort and in Scouting to Lake Champlain. And was dismissed without discharge on the 11th day of November.

In December following in the year 1778 to the best of his recollection, at Wells aforesaid, he volunteered to serve for 45 days in the Vermont Troops or Green Mountain Boys and went with 3 other men from the same company of militia which was commanded by Capt. Abel Merriman the father of the applicant, to Rutland Vermont. And after words went in a detachment to a place called Neshobe (now Brandon), returned again to Rutland aforesaid when he was dismissed some time in January without discharge. He cannot recollect a single officer with whom he served, and does not know of any surviving witness who can testify as to his service.

In the month of May following in the year 1779, at Wells aforesaid he volunteered for 2 months in the Vermont troops or Green Mountain Boys, went to Rutland aforesaid and joined Capt. Thomas Sawyer's company in, as he thinks, Col. Moses Robinson's Regiment, but of this he is not sure. He does not recollect any other officers, and knows Calib Morgan who was in the same company with him and who has testified to it - this is the same tour of service to which said Calib Morgan alludes in his affidavit, though he stated that it was in 1778 according to his recollection, which must be a mistake. He was dismissed at Rutland in July without discharge.

In the month of May 1780 at Wells aforesaid he volunteered for 55 days in the regiment troops and went to Rutland and joined Capt. Samuel Robinson
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Company (he does not recollect the other officers) in Col. Ebenezer Walbridge's Regiment. Capt Robinson and Col. Walbridge both belonged in Bennington. He served out his time and was dismissed in July at Rutland without discharge. He does not know of any surviving witness who can testify to this service.

He has no documentary evidence of service. He is known to [blacked out] Lamb, William Potter Jr and Roswell Clark who can testify to his character for veracity.

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.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. The words "1777", "he", "to" and Shubael written on evidence before execution} Samuel S. Merriman

Mr. Shubael Lamb a Clergyman residing in the town of Wells in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont and Levi Lamb residing in Wells aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel S. Merriman the above named applicant; that we know him to be 
Seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed this 14th day of August 1832
Shubael Lamb Luis Lamb

And this said Court do hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war-department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and
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served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that [ space left blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman abiding in Wells and that [space left blank]] is a resident in Wells aforesaid and that this statement is entitled to credit.
I Selah H. Merrill Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairhaven aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel S. Merriman for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day of August AD 1832.
S. H. Merrill
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I Caleb Morgan of Brandon in the county of Rutland & State of Vermont, of lawful age being duly sworn do depose testify and say that in the year 1777, I was acquainted with Samuel S. Merriman and was knowing to his entering the service of the united States to perform a tour of military service in the revolutionary war at Manchester and Bennington The length of time he served I am unable to state but I well recollect of his marching off from Pownall to Manchester in the year 1777 in the month of July and he was to be attached to Col. Moses Robinson Regiment afterward. I think the next year I saw said Samuel S. Merriman at Rutland Vermont, and it is my impression ["that"marked out] said Samuel S. Merriman then belonged to Capt. Thomas Sawyer Company in the revolutionary service the length of time he served I cannot relate but I recollect ["that" marked out] he was on what was called the two months service and further this affiant saith not.
This deponent saith not.
Caleb Morgin X his mark
Witness Samuel S. Merriman
William Potter Jr

State of Vermont
Rutland County}
Wells 27th July 1832 then Caleb Morgin of Brandon in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont personally appearing and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth according to his best recollection before William Potter Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County}
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland do certify this William Potter Jr Esq is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and that the foregoing signature is his proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 25th day of August A.D. 1832.
R. Pierpoint
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20,585
Samuel S. Merriman
Admitted
13 Mo's 1 days
$43.33
claimant, care of the
Clerk of the County
Rutland Vermont
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tubular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, ( thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A STATEMENT, showing the Service of Samuel S Merriman and of Ruthana Levunty - Vermont
Period When the Service was entered
1777
Duration of the claimant's service 21 days
Rank of the claimant Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers Cols Robinson, Gen Lincoln
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country though which he marched. From Manchester to Bennington in Vt and then Vt.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Wells in Vermont
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
A living witness.
Period When the Service was entered
Ent? 1778
Duration of the claimant's service 7 months
Rank of the claimant Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Parmula Allen
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Allen or Col. Herrick
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country though which he marched. From Manchester to Bennington in Vt and then Vt.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Wells in Vermont
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
A living witness.
Period When the Service was entered
vol ? 1778
Duration of the claimant's service 45 days
Rank of the claimant Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served Capt Merriman
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country though which he marched. From Manchester to Bennington in Vt and then Vt.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Wells in Vermont
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
A living witness.
Period When the Service was entered
Vol? 1779
Duration of the claimant's service 2 months
Rank of the claimant Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served Capt Sawyer
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers Col Robinson
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country though which he marched. From Manchester to Bennington in Vt and then Vt.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Wells in Vermont
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
A living witness.
Period When the Service was entered
vol? 1780
Duration of the claimant's service 55 days
Rank of the claimant Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served Capt Robinson
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers Col Walbridge
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country though which he marched. From Manchester to Bennington in Vt and then Vt.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. aged 70 years
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
A living witness.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years
 of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the service of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:
For year months, and days, I served as a ; For mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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In reply to your request of , received for a statement of the military history of Samuel S. Merriman [S underlined twice] 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. 
S.File 21.
882
[6 columns: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. - Length of Service. - Rank. - Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered, further divided into two columns: Captain. Colonel. - State.] [no entries under Rank. column]

July 77/3 wks./ [check mark under Captain]/Moses Robinson/Vt.
Apl. 78/7 mos./Parmelee Allen/Allen or Herrick
Dec. 78/45 days/*Abel Merriman/[check mark under Colonel./"
May 79/2 mos./Thos. Sawyer/Moses Robinson/"
May 80/55 days./Samuel Robinson/Ebenezer Waldridge/"

Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wells, Rutland Co., Vt.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 14, 1832. allowed -
Residence at date of application, Wells, Vt.
Age at date of application, Born Apl. 2, 1762, Wallingford, Conn. son
Remarks: of the above Capt. Abel Merriman
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Revolution [written diagonally across top left corner]
21882
Invalid.
File No. 21.882
Samuel S. Merriman
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 82"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 267
(Arrangement of 1870.]

1909 July 8. Hist to
Mrs. Elmer E. Paul [c with diagonal line through it]:
1919 Oct. 21. Mrs. Helen F. Daily as infd no Samuel S. Merriman as reported in 1840 Census that it is Samuel S. Merriman.
1920 Nov. 9 Virginia A Sparr informed no Samuel S. Merriman as reported in 1840 Census. Letter in Thomas Miller W.7454.
Page 15

Granville, N.Y- June 30, 1909
Pension Office, Revolutionary Dept.
Washington, D.C.
Messrs: -
Please send me proof of Revolutionary
service of Abel and Samuel Merriman,
and Josiah Cross,
Ebenezer Dart and Ziba Ware, residents
of Wells, Rutland Co, VT, JT is claimed
that the first three at least, drew pensions,
Truly yours,
Agnes E. Paul.
Mrs. Elmer E. Paul
Lock [illegible] 484
Granville, N.Y-
Pension Office
U.S. JUL 2 1909
Page 16

3-871.
Record Division.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Briefed by L.D.L
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Saml. Merriman
Service Vt
Additional Service Rev. War
No   claim, State records , 190
No claim, combination records , 190
Remarks:
No claim except I. #21882
0-8 Chief Division
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AW [initialed upper left corner]
Rev. War Section.
October 21, 1919.
Mrs. H. F. Daily,
73 N. Root St.
Aurora, Ills.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 4" instant, you are
advised that a careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension on file on account of the Revolutionary War services of any soldier named Samuel or Samuel S. Merriam.
The Revolutionary War pensioner of Wells, Rutland Co. Vt., was Samuel S. Merriman and his name was incorrectly printed on the Census of Pensioners of 1840, as Merriam.
Very respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner.

See Mrs. Dailys letter in Roswill Fairman W645
Page 19

[envelope addressee runs vertically down page]
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
General [illegible] Office

[faint illegible postmark ]
FREE [stamped above addressee name]

[written horizontally across addressee's name]
Mar 21. 44
SheCam
Saml S. Merriman
Roll Vt look into
Page 20

The Case of Samuel S. Merriman of Wells in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont a revolutionary pensioner should be inquired into yours respectfully yours