Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 10,672, Winthrop Fifield, N.H. Navy
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N. H. Navy
Fifield, Winthrop
NUMBER
S10.672
carded
CONTENTS
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21.592
New Hampshire
Winthrop Fifield

of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire 
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Webster of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Bedel on the New Hampshire
line for 7 mo. 22 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire
at the rate of 25 Dollars 75 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Sept. 1833 and Sent to G. W. Nesmith & (illegible)

Arrears to the 4th Sept. (year illegible) $64.37
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 
(year illegible)                                        $12.87                                   
[Total Due]                                              $77.24

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 1. Page 85
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No. 25664

Winthrop Fifield Merrimack County
New Hampshire

Private 7 mos. 22 dys

23.29
2.46
------
25.75 [per annum]

51.50
12.87
------
64.37 [in arrears]

Geo. W. Nesmith Franklin N. Hampshire
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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 tabular 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 Winthrop Fifield, Merrimack County New Hampshire

Period when the service was rendered: Enlisted Sept. 1779
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 Months
Rank of the claimant: private
Names and rank of Field officers under whom he served: Cap. Webster. Cap. Cyrus
Age at present and place of abode when entered service: 71 years. Salisbury New Hampshire
Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary evidence and three witnesses, not certified credible - papers not properly attached -

Period when the service was rendered: Enlisted  Jan'y 1780
Duration of the claimant's service: about 2 Months
Rank of the claimant: private
Names and rank of Field officers under whom he served: Cap. Webster, Cap. Kimball, Col. Bedel

Period when the service was rendered: Enlisted July 1780
Duration of the claimant's service: 3 Months 22 dys per Rolls
Rank of the claimant: private
Names and rank of Field officers under whom he served: Cap. Webster, Col. Nichols, Cap. Whitaker

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, mucicians 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}ss
     County of                             }

On this (blank) day of (blank) personally appeared (a) before (blank) of (blank) aged (c) (blank) 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) (blank), with (blank) and served in the (blank) (e) regiment of the (blank) line, under the following named officers: (blank)

   [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) on on that of the Agency in the State of (blank)
   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 (blank) of the Court of (blank) do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of (blank) for a pension.
   In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this (blank) day of (blank) &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 (blank)
  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 (blank) and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with (blank), who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be (blank) 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 days 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 (blank) and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the (blank) and is a credible person, that that their statement is entitled to credit.
  I, (blank) Clerk of the Court of (blank) do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of (blank) for a pension.
      In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this (blank)day of (blank) &c.

  Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if 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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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, of 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 his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-For (blank) Year (blank)months, and (blank) days, I served as a (blank). For (blank) months and (blank) days, I served as a (blank); 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he 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 affix 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 paper.

      MODE OF AUTHENTICATING PAPERS.

  In ever 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 [i] 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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Winthrop Fifield
25659
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The State of New Hampshire
County of Merrimack

On the twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before Hon. Horace Chase Judge of Probate of Wills & in and for said County of Merrimack, Capt. Winthrop Fifield now a resident of Franklin in the County of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire aged seventy one years last November, 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 AD. 1832--That I was born in Kingston New Hampshire November 16, 1761 as appears by a record kept in my Bible. That in the month of September AD. 1779 I was enlisted by Capt. Ebenezer Webster of Salisbury New Hampshire being at that time a resident in said Salisbury into the Militia of the New Hampshire Line. That I was directed to proceed to Portsmouth New Hampshire I went in company with John Rowe, Nathan Tucker, Benjamin P. Ingalls and others. On our way I received a wound on my head occasioned by the stumbling of the horse, which caried myself and a part of our equipment -- I applied to Doctor MacGarrigain an eminent Physician, who observed if the fracture had been one inch lower, it would have terminated my life; he dressed the wound and after paying him his fee we proceeded to Portsmouth. On our arrival we were joined to Capt Benj Cyrus' company in (blank) Regiment, a detachment was called for from the Regiment to join the Continental service at Fort Sullivan -- Myself John Rowe and others volunteered & proceeded to the Fort, which was then under the command
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ment was called for from the Regiment to join the Continental Service at Fort Sullivan - Myself John Rowe and others volunteered & proceeded to the Fort, which was then under the command of Edward Dain or Dame, her I tarried untill my time expired, was honourably though verbally discharged, and myself & John Rowe, Ingalls and others returned home in November having served two months - In the month of January 1780 I was again enlisted by Capt. Ebenezer Webster into the Militia of the New Hampshire Line

Stephen Bohannon, William Morey, Peter Whittemore, William P. Ingalls and others enlisted into the same Company, I was still a resident in Salisbury when I enlisted - we were directed by Capt. Webster the enlisting officer to proceed to Haverhill New Hampshire we passed through Plymouth on our way, and were joined by several others - On our arrival at Haverhill we were joined to Capt. Peter Kimballs company of Militia of the New Hampshire Line, we there drew a weeks provision of Col. Bedel, our company then marched across the Connecticut River to Newbury Vermont, from there through the woods, on snow shoes to a Block House at a place called I think Cabot not a great distance from the Head waters of the River La Moille [Lamoille] which empties into Lake Champlain - On our march then scouting parties were sent out to discover Indians, who were expected in that quarter, several were seen but none killed or taken, our Lieutenant's name was Burbank - we made a stand at the block house, and parties went out in search for Indians, we had a scanty portion of flour, a trifle of salt, and no other provisions except
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but none killed or taken, our Lieutenant's name was Burbank - we made a stand at the block house, and parties went out in search for Indians, we had a scanty portion of flour, a trifle of salt, and no other provisions except what was killed in the forrest, here we tarried six or eight weeks as near as I can recollect, we then returned to Haverhill N. H. where we were all verbally discharged, the company being disbanded myself and those, who went with me (except Whittemore) returned home in the month of April in the same year 1780.
In the month of July 1780 being still a resident in Salisbury N. H. I again enlisted under Capt Ebenezer Webster of Salisbury into the Militia of the New Hampshire Line for three or four months. Sherborn Fifield, Jonathan Fifield, Benjamin P. Ingalls, Benjamin Eastman, Stephen Bohonnon and others enlisted at the same time. Pursuant to orders, we marched through Concord, thence to Amherst New Hampshire, there we passed Muster drew provisions Our Sergeants were appointed - Elias Abbott was our first Sergeant, I don't recollect the others Our Lieutenants name was Winthrop Carter  - We proceeded to Worcester Mass. there drew provisions, thence we marched to Springfield, and again drew provisions thence to a place called Great Barrington there drew provision from thence we marched to a place called Claverack, about sixteen or eighteen miles from Albany - we tarried there eight or ten days sleeping in the Barns, from there we marched down the North River to Fishkill, drew provision there and were joined to Col Nicholls Regiment of the N. H. Line - We tarried there in barracks one or two weeks - The Regiment then marched to West point this was the hottest day I think, that I ever experienced I tarried at West point several weeks, when the Regiment was called on to go down to General Arnolds quarters, we marched accordingly - while there
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two weeks - The Regiment then marched to West point this was the hottest day I think that I ever experienced I tarried at West point several weeks, when the Regiment was called on to go down to General Arnolds quarters. we marched accordingly - while there I was frequently on guard. Stephen Bohannon and myself were on guard at the time Arnold made his escape, this I think was in September - After his desertion, the Regiment was called together, and put under Arms I had no sleep for nearly thirty six hours - Rumor said, that the British were coming up the River, a detachment of volunteers was called for to join a Continental company at the North Redoubt - Myself, Bohannon & some others were among the volunteers, and we marched under the command of Capt Whitaker, leaving our Capt Webster behind: we joined a Continental company at the fort, and there staid some time, how long I cannot recollect, I was frequently on guard, and on patrol parties down the river to Peekskill - Some time after this, myself and others told our Capt Whitaker that our time had nearly expired, that we wanted some money & provisions (having none except what we begged of the Continentals) also our discharges - Capt Whitaker went over to West point for the purpose of obtaining these things for us, but I never saw him afterward - we then told our Lieutenant (his name I do not recollect) that our time had expired that we lived on the mercy of the Continentals and were desirous of returning home - The commanding officer, who was a Continental said he had no power to discharge us, nor had he any wish, that we should tarry any longer, on which declaration, myself, Steph. Bohannon, Kias Varnum, Sargant Moore and others set off for home without (several words missing or illegible) And in a manner I (illegible), we had hard fare untill [until] we got into the State of Connecticut where the inhabitants were more hospitable - On our way we overtook our former Captain Webster on foot, and we all proceeded together, living upon the hospitality of the inhabitants and arrived home some time in the month of November 1780
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(first part of document folded over/occluding writing)
...Steph. Bohannon, (illegible) Varnum, Sargant Moore, and others set off for home without money, provisions with ragged clothes, and in a manner I (illegible), we had hard fare untill [until]  we got into the State of Connecticut, where the Inhabitants were more hospitable - On our way we overtook our former Captain Webster on foot, and we all proceeded together, living upon the hospitality of the inhabitants, and arrived home some time in the month of November 1780 - I have no other testimony to sustain my declaration except the testimony of John Rowe, Elias Abbot [Abbott] and Peter Whittemore, nor do I know of any other testimony
The said applicant hereby relinquishes every claim 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 whatsoever -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [signed] Winthrop Fifield

Ebenezer E. Cammings [Cummings] a Clergyman now resident in Concord in said County of Merrimack lately resident in Salisbury in said County and near the residence of said Winthrop Fifield, and Edward Blodgett, Esquire residing in Franklin in said County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Capt. Winthrop Fifield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be over Seventy one 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.
[signed] Ebenezer E. Cummings
[signed] Edward Blodgett (or Blodget)
Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

And the said Judge of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
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(This is mainly a repeat of document/page 12)

The said applicant hereby relinquishes every claim 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 whatsoever -
[signed] Winthrop Fifield
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid.

Ebenezer E. Cummings a Clergyman now resident in Concord in said County of Merrimack lately resident in Salisbury in said County and near the residence of said Winthrop Fifield, and Edward Blodgett Esquire residing in Franklin in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. Winthrop Fifield who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be over Seventy one 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.
[signed] Ebenezer E. Cummings
[signed] Edward Blodgett

Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

And the said Judge of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named
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applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states~ And the Court further certifies that it appears to him that said Ebenezer Cummings, who has signed the preceding certificate- is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Concord in said County, and that Edward Blodgett, Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Franklin in said County of Merrimack, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] Horace Chase Judge of Probate

I Henry B. Chase Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Merrimack, do hereby certify that the foregoing together with the affidavits of John Rowe of Andover and Elias Abbott of Northfield contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Capt. Winthrop Fifield of Franklin N.H. for a Pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of this Court of Probate this 23rd day of April A.D. 1833 - 
[signed] H. B. Chase, Register of Probate for the County of Merrimack.
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10672
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 10672
Winthrop Fifield
Pri. Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:  Vol. A,  Page 125
[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 16

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire. Capt. Winthrop Fifield who being duly sworn, deposeth and sayeth, that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his Service: but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods, mentioned below - and in the grades for the Year 1780, I actually Served more than  two months from some time in January to April - I enlisted as a private sometime at the last of January of said year and was discharged on one of the first days of April. the precise day in each month I cannot remember, but am positive I served more than two months, and was engaged in no other civil service ~~
As to my first and third terms of service, I cannot be any more definite than I have
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been in my original application for a pension. I also testify that in the month of September in the year of our Lord 1781. I was enlisted by & under Capt. John Dixey of Marblehead in the State of Massachusetts as a carpenter on Board the armed ship Queen of France of 20 guns being 9 lb. guns - and sailed from Marblehead thence touched at a port in Portugal thence on the coast of France thence returned to Spain up the River to Bilbao - thence cruised on that coast for a term & returned to America
Served five months - Said vessel was first (illegible) in Baltimore, was taken by the British and was then called Queen Charlotte - was subsequently taken by the French & was then named the Queen of France - Said ship was purchased by Capt. John Dixey our Captain
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at (illegible) whether he was employed by Congress as agent or whether he purchased it in his own private capacity or for individuals I cannot state - [George] Salmon of Marblehead was our 1st Lieutenant, Wm. Poor, or Billy Poor was our 2nd Lieutenant -
I recollect when I enlisted on Board ship. I was obliged to Swear, or take these different oaths- 
I don't know of any surviving Sailor who Served with me during said term of service -
[signed] Winthrop Fifield

Merrimack Ss. State of New Hampshire
Personally appearing Capt. Winthrop Fifield made Solemn oath that the aforesaid supplementary application, or affidavits by him subscribed is just and true -

Before me [signed] Edw'd [Edward] Blodgett
Justice Peace
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I John Rowe of Andover in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire on Oath State - That I was enlisted by Capt. Peter Wyre in Andover, in the Militia in the New Hampshire line in the month of September 1779 for two months, than [then] I marched to Portsmouth New Hampshire in Company with Capt. Winthrop Fifield now of Franklin then of Salisbury, that we were joined to Capt. Cyrus' Company - that myself, the said Winthrop Fifield and others were ordered to join the continental service at Fort Sulivan [Sullivan] - we went, and when there we were under the Command of Edward Dame, we tarried there and did our duty until our times were expired when honorably, both verbally discharged and returned home together in the month of the following November. I further state that the person now present at the signing [of] this affidavit is the identical Winthrop Fifield above named -
[signed] John Rowe

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack Ss.
April 20th, 1833
Personally appearing the above named John Rowe made solemn oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is in all its parts true.
Before me [signed] Edw'd. Blodgett Just. Peace
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July 24 1833. This may certify, that I have been  acquainted with John Rowe the within named
Deponent for many years that he is [in] my belief
a credible person and his statements are
entitled to full confidence & belief -
Edwd [Edward] Blodget    Just Peace
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I, Elias Abbot of Northfield in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, on oath that I enlisted at Concord New Hampshire in the month of July 1780 for three months in the militia in the New Hampshire line in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company.
That I marched to Amherst New Hampshire, there myself and the rest of the Company passed muster.  I was there appointed orderly Sargeant [Sargent].  That we passed, through Worcester (Massachusetts), Springfield
and other places untill we arrived at a place called Cloverie here we drew some provision and tarried.  I think a week or more, our Lieutenant was Winthrop Carter.  That we then marched to West Point in Col Nichols
Regiment.  That I there became acquainted with Winthrop Fifield now of Franklin, that he served as a private in Capt. Webster's company at the same time I was there, how long he was there I cannot recollect.
Elias Abbott
State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire]
Merrimack ss
Apl 5th 1833
of
Personally appearing Elias Abbot
and made solemn oath that the
above affidavit by him subscribed
is in all its parts true
Before me
 Edwd Blodget Jus of Peace
Page 22

July 24. 1833
This may certify that we have been acquainted with Elias Abbot of Northfield the within named
Deponent for many years that he sustains
a good standing in society has been Deacon
in the Congregational Church in that town
for many years, and that in our belief
full confidence is due to his statements made
in this Deposition. 

George W. Nesmith
Edwd Blodget Just Peace
Page 23

I, Peter Whittemore of Salisbury in the County of Merrimack and late of Newhampshire 
[New Hampshire] on Oath state that I was enlisted in the Militia in the Newhampshire
[New Hampshire ] line for two or three months
in the Town of Pembroke New Hampshire in the month of January 1780.  That, as directed
we traveled to Haverhill New Hampshire and I was joined to Capt. Peter Kimballs Company in the New Hampshire line.  That I there became acquainted with Winthrop Fifield now of
Franklin New Hampshire- that we there drew provisions and traveled on from there to a Block House in the State of Vermont that
we tarried there some weeks and returned to Haverhill where the company was disbanded. That Winthrop Fifield continued in the Company the whole of the month untill [until] 
we were disbanded. I tarried at Newbury - Fifield and others set out for home which was in the following April 1780
[signed] Peter Whittemore
●
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack Ss.
Apl 24th 1833
Personally appearing Peter Whittemore
made solemn Oath that the above
affidaved [affidavit] by him subscribed is in all its parts true
Before me Edwd Blodget Just  of Peace
Page 24

July 24. 1833. This may certify that the subscribes are well acquainted with Peter Whittemore of 
Salisbury.  That he is a farmer intelligent & honest, and has ever maintained a good character for truth and we recommend him as entitled to full credit & belief.
 Salisbury
that he is a farmer intelligent & honest, and has
ever maintained that a good character for
truth and we recommend him as entitled
Geo. W. Nesmith
Edwd Blodget Just of Peace
Page 25

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss. April 23. 1833
I hereby certify that Edward Blodget
, who has subsribed [subscribed] the three annexed affidavits, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, and that his acts as such are entitled to full credit
H.B. Chase
Register of Probate for
the County of Merrimack
Page 26

Franklin Aug. 7, 1833.

Mr. Edwards, I return to your department the papers of Capt. Winthrop Fifield of this town - His case is made as certain as he can now make it - He is aged and somewhat infirmed, but much of the uncertainty about his statements arrives from an over scrupulous regard he has of making his statements very safe on the side of truth -
His first term of service he hesitates not in saying was 2 months -
His second term was nearer three months than two - but the old man cannot remember any better than he has stated in his supplementary affidavits -
-The third term it appears your rolls has made certain -
-I have procured another certificate to show that Esq. Edward Blodgett [or Blodget]
Page 27

is a Justice of the Peace-

Also Esq. Blodgett & myself have certified to the credibility of two of the witnesses and Esq. Blodgett to the third, being unacquainted with him myself -
-I know of nothing else we can do unless you find he is entitled to obtain something for his naval services -

I have no history in my profession at this time which gives any account of the Ship he sailed in

If it were a private armed vessel you can not give any thing I support-
-He sailed also a three month cruise in the Ship Cicero from Salem, Mass.
-He thinks this was a privateer - 
Therefore I made no mention of it -
Page 28

One year ago this month I sent to the War Department the papers of Caleb Brown of this town. I sent the same enclosed with other papers  of James Pike and Simeon Rawlings that were acted upon the 29th of January last if I rightly recollect the day -
Dr, Harper mentioned to me the other day, that he saw the papers there last winter -He told me in a letter received in February last, that I should have a return from the Department in a few days-
If the papers are lost we can still make out his case by living witnesses to at least 15 Months -
The old man is blaming me & being poor - I blame no one, but would be glad to hear the wrath-
 Very respectfully - [signed] George W. Nesmith
Page 29

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW  HAMPSHIRE.

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS.

GREETING,

KNOW YE, THAT Edward Blodgett Esqr. of Franklin, is a Justice of the Peace in and for our County of Merrimack

in the said STATE, duly Constituted and Sworn, and that to his ACTS and ATTESTATIONS, as such, full FAITH and CREDIT are and ought to be given, in and out of COURT, within and out of the STATE.

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND, at CONCORD, this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three and in the fifty-seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.

BY THE GOVERNOR. 
[signed] Samuel Dinsmoor

[signed] Joseph Robinson Deputy Secretary of State.