Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 23178, Nathan Hale, Continental N.H.
Page 1

(3--1776)

Service
Continental N. H

Hale, Nathan
Abigail

Number
W23178

CONTENTS
Page 2

Let [letter] to Eliphalet Hale, July 6, 1837. do [letter] to Harry Hale July 8. 1837

998

Windsor Vermont
Abigail Hale wife of Nathan Hale decd. [deceased]
N.H. [New Hampshire]

who died on the 23d.  September 1780 of Orange Co [County] in the State of Vermont who was a Col [colonel] in the Company commanded by Captain - of the Rgt [regiment] commanded by himself in the N.H. line for 2 yrs [years]

Inscribed on the Roll of Windsor at the rate of 600 Dollars -00- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th, day of June 1837 and Sent Col. D. Present  A.A. Buck

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 | $3.600.00
Semi-anl.[annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. [September] 1837 | $300.00
  | $3,900.00

{
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d.
}

[obscured but probably] Recorded By D.D. Addison Clerk.
[obscured but probably] Book A. Vol 1. Page 38
Page 3

State of Vermont
District of Randolph ss
}

On this 29th day of April AD. 1837, personally appeared before the Honorable Probate Court at Chelsea in said District being a Court of Record._  Hon. John W. Smith presiding, Abigail Hale, a resident of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged ninety two years, 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 4th 1836. and the Act explanatory of said Act passed March 3d. 1837..

That on the 28th day of January AD. 1766, at Rindge in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, she was married to Nathan Hale, by the Revd.[reverend] Seth Dean, who at the time was a minister of the Gospel_  That one the 19th day of April 1775, and for some time previous the said Nathan Hale was Captain of the Company of Militia in Rindge aforesaid; but from what authority he held his commission she is unable to say._  that same time in the night succeeding the 19th of April 1775 a messenger arrived at the place of her residence; with information that the British troops had marched from Boston and commenced hostilities; and requesting her Husband to march immediately with his company for the scene of action._ that during the same night messengers were dispatched to various parts of the town requiring the militia to collect at the house of their Captain, at sunrise the 20th day of April aforesaid _ that soon after sunrise on said 20th day of April a great part of the company having assembled, they with their commander marched immediately for the scene of warfare.  That soon after joining the American army at Winter hill, he was appointed Major of the Third Regiment of Foot, commanded by James Reed, and his commission was signed by Matthew Thornton, President of Congress, and dated June 6th 1775.  On the first of July of the same year he was appointed Major of the same Regiment by commission signed by John Hancock, President of Congress._  On the first of January 1776 he was appointed Major of the 2d Regiment commanded by James Reed._ on the 8th of November 1776 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Battallion [battalion] [crossed out: of] of troops raised in the State of New Hampshire, whereof Enoch Poor was Colonel.  And on the 2d day of April 1777 he was appointed Colonel of the same Battallion._  At the time he entered the service he resided in Rindge in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire._  On the 7th day of July 1777, on the retreat of the American Army from Ticonderoga he was made a Prisoner by the British and remained a prisoner until the day of his death, although he was at home with
Page 4

his family on his parole of honor from one to two years during the term of his imprisonment._ She farther declares and says that her Husband, the said Nathan Hale died on the 23d. day of September 1780, and that at the time of his death, he was a Prisoner on Long Island near the City of New York, and that he continued in the service from his first entering it as aforesaid, until the day of his death.  She farther declares and says, that in the year 1796, or 1797, she was married, at Rindge aforesaid to Samuel Parker, from whom she obtained a bill of divorce in the year 1803, according to the best of her reccollection [recollection], and that said Parker died, as she has been informed, some two or three years afterwards._  She farther declares and says that she has never since been married and that she was a Widow on the 4th day of July 1836 and still remains a Widow as willfully appear by the proof hereto annexed; and that since the time of her divorce from her said second Husband, she has gone by the name of her first Husband.

Abigail Hale [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me, John M. Smith, Judge of Probate

I certify that the above declarant Abigail Hale is a person to me well known as a credible witness-
John. W. Smith, Judge of Probate [signature]

State of Vermont
District of Randolph Js.
}

I J.K. Parish Clerk of the Probate Court within and for the district aforesaid hereby certify that the Hon. John W. Smith in Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified. his official duties commenced on  the 1.st. day of December AD 1836 and ends on the last day of November AD 1837.  I further certify that his official signature annexed to the above declaration and also to the affidavits of the Messrs. Hale is in his own proper hand writing-

Given under my hand and seal of office at Chelsea in the said district this 29th day of April AD 1837.

J.K Parish Cleark of the P. Court

[embossed, illegible star seal attached]
Page 5

I Nathan Hale of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged sixty five years, depose and say that I am the son of Nathan Hale deceased, and Abigail Hale the person who has made her declaration on this sheet for a Pension

_That she has resided in my family, and in that of my Brother, Harry Hale, ever since August 1826. and that she has remained a widow ever since her divorce from Samuel Parker which was in the year 1802 or 1803, according to my best reccollection [recollection] and that she has ever since been known by the name of "widow Hale"._ and that she still resides in my family.  I have always understood from common report that her last husband, Samuel Parker died within a few years after the said Abigail obtained her bill of divorce_  I farther testify and say that I have a distinct reccollection of my father Nathan Hale being at home, with his family, and of sustaining the relation of Husband to my mother.

Nathan Hale.

State of Vermont
Orange County Ss
}

City Chelsea in County in sd. [said] County on the 29th day of April 1837. personally appeared Nathan Hale above named a person well known to me as a credible witness and was sworn to and subscribed the aforegoing affidavits [before me?] John W. Smith Judge of Probate

I Harry Hale of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged fifty seven years, depose and say that I am the youngest child of Col. Natha Hale deceased, and Abigail Hale, the person who has made her declaration on this sheet for the purpose of obtaining a pension._  That I have registered with, or near her, or had frequent correspondence with her, even since my earlies reccollection [recollection]. at no time having resided more than one hundred miles from her; that since August 1826. she has resided in my family, or in the family of my brother Nathan Hale, not fifty rods distant from me._  That during the whole time since my reccollection she has been called "the widow Hale," except a few years while she was the wife of Samuel Parker, from whom she obtained a bill of divorce (I think) in the year 1803. and I have no knowledge or belief of her ever having had another Husband.

I have also understood from common report, that her last Husband, said Samuel Parker, died within a few years, (not exceeding ten) after said Abigail Hale received her bill of divorce from him.

Harry Hale.

State of Vermont
Orange County Js
}

At Chelsea in sd. [said] County on this 29th" day of April AD 1837 Then personally appeared the above named Harry Hale a person to me well known as a credible witness, and was sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavits before me - John W. Smith. Judge of Probate
Page 6

1877

I Charlotte Lowe at Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts (now in Boston on a visit to my son) do on oath testify and say, that I am the daughter of Co. Nathan Hale deceased and Abigail Hale mentioned in the foregoing declaration; that I was born at Rindge (N.H) on the 30.th" day of December 1766._  I have a perfect recollection (being then nearly 13 years of age) of my Father being at home in Rindge on parole during his imprisonment a great part of the years 1778 & 1779 and that he lived with my mother, the said Abigail, during that time as her lawful husband bearing all the relations of man and wife._

I am well acquainted with her hand writing and believe the signature to the annexed declaration to be genuine and am satisfied that the statements therein made are true._

[signature] Charlotte Lowe

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County,_
}

City of Boston, S.S. 3rd" May 1837.

Be it known that before me Charles Hood a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared the above named Charlotte Lowe and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed is true.  I also certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence that the above named Deponant[deponent] is a respectable person and entitled to full credit and belief._

[signature] Charles Hood
Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts
Suffolk County
}
SST

I George C. Wilde Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the County, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Charles Hood Esqr. [Esquire] is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the tenth day of March 1834., and will expire on the tenth day of March 1841., and that his signature above written, is genuine

Given under my hand and the seal of said Count this third day of May 1837.

Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.
Page 7

O. W. & N. Division. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C., 

M.E.C.
July 3, 1895.

Sir:

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Nathan Hale --- 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.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED| STATE.
  |  |  |  CAPTAIN. | COLONEL |

See Supplemental statement.

Battles engaged in, | None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, | Rindge, N.H.
Date of application for pension, | by widow, April 29, 1837.
Residence at date of application, | of widow, Chelsea, Vt.
Age at date of application, | of widow, ninety-two years.

Remarks:

Mr. Charles H. Cutler,
Box 687, 
Chicago, Ill.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 8

(Nathan Hale)

Supplemental statement.

His widow states in her application for pension, that on the 19th day of April, 1775, and for some time previous, he was a Captain of Militia in Rindge, N.H.; that soon after joining the American army he was appointed Major of the 3d Regiment of Foot commanded by James Reed; on the 1st of July of the same year he was appointed Major of the same regiment; on the 1st of January, 1776, he was appointed Major of the 2nd regiment; on the 8th of Nov., 1776, he was appointed Lt. Col. of the 2nd Battalion of troops raised in the State of New Hampshire, whereof Enoch Poor was colonel; on the 2nd of April, 1777, he was appointed Colonel of the same battalion; on the 7th of July, 1777, he was made prisoner and remained a prisoner until the day of his death, which occurred Sept. 23, 1780.  The widow's pension was allowed for 2 years actual service of her husband as a Colonel in the New Hampshire troops.
Page 9

Rev Widow, &c.

File No. 23178
Abigail Hale
wid of 
Nathaniel Hale
Col. Rev war

Act: July 4th 1836.

Index:--Vol. A, Page 316

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

F.W. DEVOE & C.T.RAYNOLDS CO.

MANUFACTURERS OF 
Paints, Varnishes, Brushes & Artists' Materials

176 Randolph Street.
Chicago, June 19, 1895.

DIRECTORS:
F.W. DEVOE.
J. SEAVER PAGE.
E.L. MOLINEUX.
E.H. RAYNOLDS.
G.A. MEYER.
C.C. BARRETT.
G.W. BETTS.
I.W. DRUMMOND.

NEW YORK SALESROOMS AND OFFICES
COR. FULTON & WILLIAMS STS

CC. BARRETT, MANAGER.

Hon. Wm. Lochrin,
Pension Commissioner,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

To enable me to establish my elegibility [eligibility] for membership in the "Sons of the Revolution", will you please send me at your early convenience, copy of pension granted to my ancestor, Col. Nathan Hale of New Hampshire, or his widow, Abagail [Abigail] G. ?

My family record shows that Col. Hale died September 23rd, 1780, while a prisoner of war, at New Utrecht, Long Island.

I shall also be pleased to receive copy of any record of Col. Hale's Military Service that may come under your observation.  Any expense tending this examination, I will gratefully pay on receipt of advice.

Thanking you in advance, I remain, 
Very respectfully,

[signature] Charles H. Cutler
P Office Bost 687
Chicago Ill

[handwritten marks] N AMN H
Page 11

Abigail Hale,
Vt. [IOU.??]

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C._

[postmark stamp with circle border] BOSTON [illegible in center]

July 5.

admd. [admitted] 998 &

request of Harry Hale Chelsea
Page 12

Boston 30 June 1837

J.L. Edwards Esqr [esquire]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington,

Sir,

My Brother writes me from Chelsea that he has recd. information from the agent for paying Pension in Vermont, that Mrs. Abigail Hale's Pension has been allowed and that he has recd. direction to pay her $3600- but that no certificate has been received at Chelsea.  If no certificate has been already forwarded, will you be so good as to forward it to my mother in Chelsea, Vermont-

I remain, very respectfully,
Your most ob. [obedient] serv [servant]

Eliphalet Hale
Page 13

[post mark stamp in circle] CHELSEA. JULY 4 1837. VT.

[stamp] FREE

July 8th

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
(D.C.)
Page 14

Chelsea, Vermt. [Vermont] July 4th 1837

Mr. J.L. Edwards,

Sir,

I leave from Judge Emmon, the agent for paying Pensions in the Eastern section of this state, that my mother, the widow (Abigail) of the late Col. Nathan Hale, who now resides in my family, has been placed on the Pensions roll of the Vermont agency, and that he has directions for paying her Pension._

The object of this is, to inform you that no pension certificate has been received by my mother in this town, nor by my Brother in Boston, who forwarded the papers to Washington to substantiate her claim to a pension; and it inform you that it is my mother's desire, and the desire of all her children, that her certificate may be forwarded to her, at this town as soon as your convenience will permit.

I am, [illegible] Very Respectfully,
Your Obt [obedient] Servt [Servant] 
Harry Hale
Page 15

WILLIAM BREESE
FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING
PRACTICAL EMBALMER
HARRY B. SMITH, ASSISTANT

SOUTH BROAD AND FRONT STREETS

[logo with text] UNION LABEL [illegible] NORWICH

NORWICH, N.Y., APR 18 1904

Com. [commissioner] of Pensions

Dear Sir

Please give me certified information of the military record of following soldiers of the Revolution:

Lieut [Lieutenant] James Boosey Wethersfield, Conn.

Daniel Pratt of Capt [Captain] Hale's Co. Boston from Jan. to March 1776, and Private also in Capt Jones Co drafted Aug. 24" (discharged Oct 30, 1777) He was assigned to Gen'l [General] Paris brigade (Arnold Div.) and fought in Battles at Saratoga Sept 19 & Oct 9, 1777 (a Lieut.) Died Dec 2. 1795 Aged 86 years.

Colonial Records.

Joseph Pratt, born in Hartford, Conn.

[handwritten marks] awn sel

[Stamp with rectangle border] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY APR 22 1904 FILES.
Page 16

WILLIAM BREESE
FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING
PRACTICAL EMBALMER
HARRY B. SMITH, ASSISTANT

SOUTH BROAD AND FRONT STREETS

[logo with text] UNION LABEL [illegible] [NORWICH?]

NORWICH, N.Y.,

(2)

1671.  At the General Assembly in 1700 he was present as Deputy from Milford.  The title of Sergeant was given him in the records of the town April 9, 1723

I also desire the Record of Capt [Captain] Hale in whose Co. [Company] the above mentioned Daniel Pratt served.

Also
Ebenezer Hale and Joseph Hale, soldiers in the Revolution.

My wife has to procure certificates of this information, the above being gathered from Public Libraries.

Yours &c [etc.]
William Breese

[stamp with border] USPB OLD WAR & NAVY APR 22 1904 FILES
Page 17

James L. Edwards Esqr [esquire]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[postmark stamp in circle] BOSTON Mass. May [number illegible]

1877 May 8
Mass
4 July '36 [1836]
3d Sec.

comm [obscured] of the N.H. [New Hampshire] line

Cl DAA Book present
Page 18

Abigail Hale widow of Col. N. Hale

Adm $600 per ann [annum],

comm [commencing] 4th March 1837
of the N.H. [New Hampshire] line

Cl. DAA Book Present


[cut off text] Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 19

Boston 3 May 1837

James L. Edwards Esqr [esquire]
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washinton,

Sir,

Enclosed you will find the Declaration of my mother, Mrs. Abigail Hale, made for the purpose of obtaining a pension as the Widow of Colonel Nathan Hale, under the Acts of Congress of 4 July 1836 and 3 March 1837.  Annexed to the Declaration are the Affidavits of my two Brothers and my sister, which I presume will be sufficient to identify our mother as the Widow of Col. Hale as well as to establish the fact of their marriage.

I also enclose an account between the United States and Col. Hale, made up in New York 1 July 1786 by Joseph Howell Jr AssCommiss [Associate Commissioner]._  This account I hope will be sufficient to prove the service of my Father and also the rank he held in the Army.  By this account there appears to have been a balance of $1001.75 then due the Estate of Col. Hale.  Whether this balance has ever been paid I am unable to say but  my Brother writes to me from Vermont that our mother
Page 20

informs him that the Hon. Jeremiah Smith, when he was a member of Congress from the State of New Hampshire obtained for her about 900 or 1000 Dollars, but she does not remember on what account the money was paid_ whether for the balance of the Ration account or on account of her husband's monthly pay.

I believe Mr. Smith was in Congress not long after the Constitution went into operation.  If it is in your province and would not give you too much trouble I should esteem it a great favour if you would see whether there is anything still due the Estate of my Father.  It is my mothers wish to be placed on the Pension Roll of Massachusetts_

I am, Sir, with great respect,
Your most obedservt [obedient servant]
Eliphalet Hale
Page 21

M Service from '75 [1775] Apr

Capt.[captain]
Apr. [April] May. July. '75
Lieut Cl.  [Lieutenant Colonel] Nov. 76. [1776]

Made prisoner 7 July 77 [1777]

paroled 6. Dec[December] 77

remd. [remained] on parol [parole] to 13 June 79 [1779], then returned to the lines of the [??] & died at prison 23rd Sept. [September] 1780

[illegible] Cl Red'd [received] NH Rolls
Page 22

Copy

Colonel Nathan Hale's Account of Pay & Rations while prisoner_
Page 23

Hale late of the New Hampshire Line deced. [deceased] & late a prisonner...C

1778 Feby. [February] 23d. | By Cash received of Jon. Trumbull on account of his Pay. 500 dollars reduced to Specie at [illegible] equal | 125
 | By Cash & Supplies received of Jno. Beatty Esq. CG. Pris | 150
 | By Ditto...recd of A. Skinner Esq. Do | 124

Balance due the Estate of Colonel Hale, [illegible]
Certificate No.  on Interest from the1st October 1780. issued this Day | 1001.75
 |  | 1400.75

 | Doll.rs | 1400.75

Co.d & [Jettler?]
New York July 1st: 1786

Copy
Joseph Howell Junr. AsCommis [Junior Associate Commissioner]
A Acct
Page 24

D[??] United States in Account with Col: Nathan

The Specie Value of 431.OE dols. [dollars]
For this Sum being [crossed out: so much] charged him by the State of New Hampshire on settlement of his Account of depreciation for nominal pay from the 7th: July 1777 to the 1st: Jany.[January] 1778 | 215.45

For ditto. being the Specie Value of 900 dols.OE charged as aforesaid for nominae pay for the year 1778 | 150

For the ditto being the Specie Value of 900 dols.OE. charged as aforesaid for ditto. for the year 1779 | 45

For Six Rations p [per] day from the 7th July / the day of Captivity, to the 6th of december 1777, (the day of his parole) 153 days equals 910 Rats. [rations] at 15/90 ea | 153

For Six ditto. p d. from teh 7th of Decem. 1777 to the 13 June 1779. while on Parole 554 days equals 3324 Rations at 10/90 ea | 369.30

For Six ditto. p do from June 14th 1779 (the time of being called into the Lines of the Enemy) to the 23 Sept. 1780 the day of his Death (as p affidavit herewith of David Poor) 468 days equals 2808 Rations at 15/90 ea | 468

Dols. | 1400.7
Page 25

[circular postmark stamp] CHELSEA VT. JUNE 4. 1837.

[stamp] PAID

[checkmark]

25

Hon. D. Azra A. Buck
Washington City
District Columbia

Abigail Hale
recd 8 May
Page 26

[for clarity, I have used only two quote marks to show the beginning and end of the quoted texts in the letter]

Chelsea June 2nd 1837.

Hon. D.A.A. Buck.

Dear Sir, I wish to employ you as my attorney to do a little business for me at Washington, and will pay you for the same when you come to Vermont this summer.

The business is as follows, to wit

My mother was the widow of a soldier of the revolution, and we [suppose?] that by the law of July 4, 1836 she was entitled to a Pension;- But in the year 1796, she married another man (my father died in the year 1780.)-- by the decision of the war department; the second marriage destroyed her claim for a Pension._  On the 25th of April last, Judge [Prescott?] of Montpelier wrote me that "an act was passed at the last session of congress, declaring that the benefits of the 3d. section of the act of July 4, 1836, shall not be withheld from any widow, in consequence of her having married after the decease of the husband, for whose services she may claim to be allowed a pension; if she was a widow at the time the act was passed."_  My mother immediately made a declaration of her case, which, with testimony was forwarded to my Brother in Boston, where other testimony was taken, and the whole forwarded from Boston to Washington._  Since that time, I have by the news papers, that the Secretary has decided "that a widow who married again, is not, under the act of Marc 3d, 1837 entitled to a pension, on account of her
Page 27

former husbands death; but his legitimate children who were under 21 years of age at the time of his death; though they may be now-past that age, are entitled to a pension to be paid them, from the date of his death, until they arrived at the age of 21 years:._  My object is to procure you to ascertain whether the above decision is to be taken literally as it reads, and if so, whether each child is entitled to the same pension, to which the father would be entitled if living; or whether the Pension of the father, would be divided amongst all the legitimate children; and if so, whether when one child has arrived at the age of 21 years; the full pension will be divided amongst the rest of the children &c [etc]

I wish farther to be informed, what measures it will be necessary for us to take, if we are entitled to a pension, in order to obtain it.

Your speedy attention to this will greatly oblige me, and the rest of my family, and an early answer is solicited.

As you are acquainted with my mother and know her by the name of Abigail Hale, it may be proper for me to say here; that after living with her second husband less than two years, they parted and subsequently she obtained a bill of divorce from him, and has ever since gone by the name of Hale.

I was at your house last week, and your family were in health,_ I met your mother at a neighbor's last evening;_ she informed me the family were in health.

Respectfully yours H. Harry Hale