Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16490, John Adams, Mass
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE       NUMBER
                     W. 16490---
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---Mass----      Adams, John---
                        -----Molly---

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CONTENTS
res. at enl. Rowley, Mass. Son of John-
dx Mar, 15, 1821 at New London, 
Merrimack Co N H.
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Lalter (folded paper) W. widow Aug. 25
184 ' 3.
1883 Augt N D Addas, he story

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N. Hampshire - 2829
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Molly Adams 
widow of John Adams 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 
and who died on the 15th March 1821
                     N. H.
of Merrimack in the State of N. H.
who was a Pvt. & Com. in the County commanded 
by Captain Adams of the Regt. commanded
by J Huntington in the [illegible]
line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord
at the rate of 21 Dollars - Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of May
'39, and said to and Samuel Lowes
Bradford, N. H.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar.- $63 or
Semi=annual allowance ending 10.50
$ 73.50
ACT JULY 7, 
1838. 
Recorded by R [Illegible]  Clerk
Book A Vol. /- Page 33
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July
1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows.
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack - On this seventh day of November A.D. 1838
personally appeared before me Benjamin Wadleigh Justice of the
Court of Common Pleas for the County of Merrimack
Molly Adams a resident
of New London in said County of Merrimack aged Seventy nine years
last December who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth
on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838
entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows.
That she is the widow of John Adams who was a soldier in
the Army of the Revolution and served three months in Captain Benja
min Adams Company in Col Huntingtons Regiment in December
1775 and January + February in 1776, for proof, I exhibit this schedule
of the whole company which was made while he was in the service and
has been kept by my husband and myself ever since, "Roxbury
Camps Decmr 10th 1775 A List of the company of Militia in Col Hun
tingtons Regt under the command of Captain Benja Adams and
Lieut Rufus Wheeler, Sergeant, Moses Scott, John Brocklebank, Samuel
Burbank, Fifer, Thomas Tenny, Corporals, Broadstreet Pearsons and David
Goodwin, John Adams, Burpee Ames, Thomas Burpee, James Brocklebank
Jedediah Chapman, Moses Crummy, Joshua Dickison, Elishua Dodge,
Joseph Dole, John Dodge, David Ellsworth, Abner Foster, Samuel N.
Gage, Thomas Gage, Daniel Jewett, Thomas Kilborn, Dudley Lull
Samuel Longfellow, Moses Nelson, Samuel Northend, Moses Palmer,
Samuel Pingry, Thomas Pingry, William Pingry, Moses Poor,
William Read, William Tenney, David Tenney, Joseph Todd,
Moses Wood, John Wood,"
"Moses Scott for Mr. John Adams"
and for further proof I refer to the declaration of my Brother James Brocklebank
he having served in the same Company and obtained a pension for the same
Page 5

service, and the affidavit of Joseph Todd, now on file in Pension
office in my Brothers case, for service in the same company; my late 
husband the said John Adams lived at the time he went into
the service in the town of Rowley in the Commonwealth of Massa
chusetts, the next service was in the fall of the year seventeen
hundred and seventy six, three months a fourth corporal
in Captain Insleys Company in Colonel Jonathan Cogswell
Regiment and for proof I refer to the affidavit of Daniel
Hale hereto afixed, whole service six months, three months
a soldier in Captain Benja. Adams Company and three months in
Capt Insleys Co, a Corporal,
She further declares that she was married to the said John
Adams on the fourth day of March seventeen hundred and
seventy seven by the Reverend Mr. Lesley then Minister at a Parish
called Ipswich farms or West Parish, which lie part in Ipswich
and part in Rowley aforesaid, we were married at the Ministers
house, my husband was a son of John Adams, and while we
lived in Rowley he was call'd John Adams Jr. Reference to the
Church records of marriage as certified by Joseph Conant Clerk, that her
name before her intermarriage with said John Adams was
Molly Brocklebank, that her husband the aforesaid John Adams
died in the town of New London at our residence in the month
of March A.D. 1821 and she believes on the 15th day of the month that she
was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the
Marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seven-
teen hundred and ninety four "Viz" at the time above stated
and that she has not since been married and still remains
his widow.
Witness Samuel Jones Molly Adams
Benjamin Wadleigh
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State of New Hampshire Merrimack
Sworn and subscribed the seventh day of November
eighteen hundred and thirty eight before me
Benjamin Wadleigh Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas
for the County of
Merrimack
I hereby certify that by reason of age and bodily
infirmity this declaration is taken out of Court
in the town of New London at the place of her
residence
Benjamin Wadleigh  Justice of the Court 
of Common Pleas
for the County of
Merrimack
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18 10
Samuel Jones Esq.
Bradford
N. H.
Page 8

State of Massachusetts
Essex County  SS.
I, Joseph Conant Clerk of the West Parish
Church in Ipswich, County and State aforesaid hereby certify that 
the following is a true copy of the records of said church as entered
therein by Rev. Mr Leslie late pastor of said Church, with the exception
of the date hereof - which is expressed in fair legible figures - who
"Married, Mr. John Adams to Miss Molly Brocklebank, both of
Rowley - March 4. 1777."
Ipswich West point Oct 17, 1838
Joseph Conant Clerk of said Church
I, Joseph Conant above named, depose and say, that I have the
office of Clerk of said Church in the County, town & state
aforesaid, that the above is a true extract from the records
of said church, with the exception above named, as certified
by me - Ipswich West Parish, Oct. 17. 1838
Essex ss. Oct. 17, 1838
Joseph Conant Clerk of said Church
Sworn and subscribed before me
Josiah Caldwell Justice of the Peace
Samuel Jones Esq.
I have taken the above documents by request
of S. Coburn - our Postmaster - to whom your letter was addressed
and hope you will succeed in securing a pension for Mrs. Molly
Adams
Expenses - Horse + Chairs to west parish 1.00
my time & service -- 1.00 $2.00 which you will
enclose me by mail addressed to S. Coburn, Postmaster- Ipswich
Yours respectfully, Josiah Coldwell
Page 9

I, Joseph Conant Clerk of the West Parish Church in
the town of Ipswich in Essex County, & State of Massachusetts, do
hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the
records of said Church - "Married Mr. John Adams Jr to
Miss Molly Brocklebank, both of Rowley, March fourth
seventeen hundred and seventy seven, with the exception
of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible
figures as follows - - March fourth, seventeen hundred & seventy seven,
viz, March 4. 1777.
Ipswich March 15. 1839
Joseph Conant Clerk of said Church
I, Joseph Conant above named, depose and say, that I
hold the office of Clerk of said Church, in the town,
County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true
extract from the records of said church with the
exception above named, as certified by me
Ipswich March 15, 1839)
State of Massachusetts
Joseph Conant Clerk of said Church
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss.- Sworn & subscribed before me
March 15, 1839- Josiah Coldwell, Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, ss. Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, Register of probate
for said county, hereby certify that Josiah Caldwell
esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit of
Joseph Conant purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county; and his
name subscribed to the certificate thereon, is
his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and seal of office
this eighteenth day of March A.D. 1839.
Nath. Lord Jr.
Page 10

Gen. Notes taken
by N. D. Adams Aug. 1883 Rev WIDOW, &c.
1928 July 19 Photos to E V.
Martindale, See John Adams
S.39926. A. D. Y.
File No. 16490
Molly Adams
Widow of
John Adams
Corp. Bev War
Act: July 7th 1838
Index: -Vol. A, Page 4
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

New Hampshire
Molly Adams
Susp? see letter to Hon
C.G. Atherton Mar. 2d. 1839
Ad 7 July 1838
Page 12

Hon J. L. Edwards 
Commission of Pensions
Washington City 
D.C.
Pension Papers
Page 13

Bradford Merrimack County New Hampshire
November 10th 1838
To Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, I send you the application of Molly
Adams for a Pension; I send you the list of the officers
and soldiers in Captain B. Adams Co, in 1775. I send
of Massachusetts
you this, because the Secretary of State says in a former
application that Benj Adams Co. roll for this service
is not found in his office, this was an application of James
Brocklebank in 1835 and in that case I obtained
the affidavit of Joseph Todd a soldier who served in the 
same company, three months, presuming this list
might be of service in your department I have obtained it
of the Widow, to send to you, hoping you will do her justice.
I am aware that the certificate of Marriage is not in conformity
to the regulations, yet I think you will be satisfied of the facts 
on examination without putting her to further cost to obtain
the certificate of the Secy of State of Massachusetts or Clerk of Court.
That Josiah Caldwell is a Justice of the Peace, I have her case
with you and when her papers are examined you may send
her certificate to me. I am yours with Respect + Justice
Samuel Jones
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Mar 25 R addon BRA k FORT I. Free . J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D C. 1
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Bradford N.H. March 19, 1839
Hon J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I this evening received the cer-
tificate of Marriage of Molly Adams and
forward the same to you, to be used in her
case as requested, I wrote a few days since
in relation to Mrs. Blodgell papers in which
you say, do not appear to have been used as their is so many
towns by the name of Newbury I did not know
but her papers might have been put into some other
State, as I received by due course of Mail, as I
considered an answer to a line of enquiry put
into the same bundle, This application was
from Ruth Blodgett of Newbury in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, Widow
of Joshua Blodgett was executed by Benja Wadleigh
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County and
dated October 3, 1838, and certified by John Whipple
Dept Secretary ^Oct 5 under seal of State, they were marred in
Litchfield, certified by Joshua March Town Clerk and
Sworn by Obadiah Marland Jus. Peace- and all done
I believe in proper order- if found or not I wish you
would inform me soon, and much oblige yours to
serve-
Samuel Jones
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Levy 50
Stage door 12 1/2
62 1/2
3158
N.H.
Ad 7. July 38
[illegible]
3 mo pri
3 Corpse
21
No dedication
Saml. Jones
Bradford 
N.H.
Page 17

State of New Hampshire
Secretary of the states office
I hereby certify that the within named
Benjamin Wadleigh is a Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for the County of
Merrimack is duly qualified and Samuel
Jones is a Justice of the Peace in and for
the County of Merrimack is duly qualified
and their respective signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have this ninth
day of November Anno Domini 1838
caused the seal of the State to be hereunto
affixed.
Jno. Whipple Depy Secy
Page 18

We Betsey Adams and Polly Sargent of New
London in the County of Merrimack and
State of New Hampshire depose and say that
we were present at the time of the decease
of John Adams late of said New London
that he died on the fifteenth day of March
A.D. 1821 to each of us further depose that
we were brought up in said New London
and have always been well acquainted with
the said John Admins and his wife
Molly Adams that said Molly Adams
still remains his widow and that she has
not been married since the decease of the
said John Adams that each of us now
reside in the house with the said Molly
Adams
Betsy Adams
Polly Sargent
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss
New London November 7th 1838
Sworn and subscribed before me and I
certify that the deponents are credible persons
and are entitled to full credit
Benjamin Wadleigh Justice of the Court
of Common Please
for the County of
Merrimack
Page 19

I Daniel Hale of Bradford in the
County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire 
depose and say that I was well acquainted with John Adams
of Rowley in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, when
a boy. he was a son of John Adams if I mistake not of said Rowley he was
called in the said Town of Rowley John Adams Jun and
in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six in the
fall of the year I served with said John Adams Jr three
months in Captain Insleys Company.  said John Adams jr,
served as 4th Corporal of said Company, we joined Col.
Jonathan Cogswell's Regiment in the town of Fairfield,
Connecticut, and then marched to Rye in the State of New
York. I believe the company was called into service some
time in the month of September, and after our times
were out we were all discharged at a place called Rice Mills
in said State of New York and we arived home I believe in
the month of December 1776 the officers of the Company were
Capt John Insley, Pickard Lieutenant, Nathl Emory 2nd Lieutenant
Nath. Noyes was appointed orderly Sergeant - Saml Huse 2nd Jos Mirrik
3rd Morse 4th I was 1st Corporal. Elijah Homes 2nd Amos Poor
3rd John Adams 4th, he the said John Adams, some time afterwards married
and moved to the town of New London in the said State
of New Hampshire, where he died; I heard of his death
several years ago-- I cannot tell how many, If I mistake
not, this John Adams married a girl by the name of Molly
Brocklebank, they lived in the town of Rowley in a
Parish called New Rowley and I lived when a boy
in the same Parish and after wards lived a number of years
in the town of Newbury near the line of the town of Rowley, in a Parish called Newbury Byfield within
three or 4 miles of the said Adams' and Brocklebanks.  I am
now in my eighty third year, and I am Pensioned for
the same service - referance to my declaration now in
the Pension Office, my certificate is No. 3930, this service
was in the War of the Revolution.
Daniel Hale
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack
Bradford Sept. 5, 1838 Personally appeared Daniel Hale and made oath in due
form of law that the above affidavit by him signed is true and
I certify that the said Daniel Hale is a credible person
and his testimony is entitled to full credit
Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace
and of the Quorum