Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15962, for Asa Redington, New Hampshire
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(3-1776) [form no.)
Service N.H. Redington, Asa
Number S.15962
carded
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[left page]18. 122
Maine
----
Asa Redington
of Kennebec in the State of Maine
who was a Pri & Corpl in the Company commanded
by Captain Fry of the Regt
by Col Scannel in the N ma
line for 15 mo pr.
9 mo Corp   ⎬

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 83 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
--------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of July
1833 and Sent to
R C Vose Present
---------------
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $166.00
Sem-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept, 41.50
=====
$207.5
=====
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W L.  Williams Cler.
Book E Vol. 4 Page 48
[end left page]
[right page]
Let to Hon Geo Evans,
June 8 1838
[end right page]
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Asa Redington 1040
Corporal  3 years
Fry's Co.   Scammel's Regt
New Hampshire troops

Applicant infirm certified by
Judge in Open Court Sept. [?] 1833

Served 1 year as Corporal
2 years as private
{total] 3 years

Admd
9 mo. Corpl
15 mo. pri
[total 24]

On Rolls for 78 & 79.
50
33


R. C. Vose
Augusta
Maine
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Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, KENNEBEC COUNTY } ss

On this nineteenth day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the  Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Asa Redington a resident of Waterville in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged seventy 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 or 1781 with Captain Isaac Fry and served in  Col. Scammel's regiment of the New Hampshire line or troops under the following named officers; viz, Isaac Frye, Captain, Scammel being Col. and Henry Dearborn Lieut Col.,  that he enlisted as a private for three years and served in that Company nearly or quite three years  until discharged, that during that space of time he was in the different Atlantic  States between N. Hampshire and Virginia, fought in the battle of Kingsbridge  & afterwards in Yorktown at the capture of Conwallis being then in Scammell's regiment of Lt. Infantry.  During the time aforesaid, I was appointed a corporal of said Company, and  accordingly served as corporal in said Company and was honorably discharged  from said office on the twentieth  day of December 1783 at West Point, which discharge  was signed by Genl  H. Jackson 
wers:
That he was born in Boxford Massachusetts 1760 where he supposes his age is recorded -- his home during his revolutionary services his home was in Wilton,  N. Hampshire. That he was discharged at West Point in  the State of New York on the twentieth day of December 1783 as appears by the certificate of discharge which is hereunto annexed.

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on  the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
[signed] Asa Redington
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That he was born in Boxford Massachusetts 1760 where he supposes his age is recorded -- his home during his revolutionary services his home was in Wilton,  N. Hampshire. That he was discharged at West Point in  the State of New York on the twentieth day of December 1783 as appears by the certificate of discharge which is hereunto annexed.

He 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.
[signed] Asa  Redington

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before
[signed] Nathan Weston Just S. J. C.

And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
[signed] Nathan Weston

State of Maine
April 4, 1833. It has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the above named applicant by reason of age & infirmity canno without prejudice to his health appear in Open Court to renew his declaration & again to make oath to the same.
[signed] Nathan Weston Just S.J.C
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State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss. - I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Ada Redington for a pension.
In testimony whereof hereunto set my hand  and the seal of the Court this 14th day of July A. D. 1832.
[signed] J.A. Chandler
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Waterville Me  June 19 } Paid 12

R. C. Vose Esq
Augusta
(Maine)
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Waterville June 18, 1833.
R. C. Vose Esq.
Dr Sir,
I enclose you a brief narative of my services in the War of the Revolution, which (I think) in addition to the papers in your possession, ought to satisfy any reasonable person that I am entitled to the Pension under the act of June 1832. This sketch you can show to the pension office with such remarks as you may think proper. Should you think it necessary for any persons to certify as to my character for truth & veracity, perhaps some Gentlemen with whom I am acquainted might do me that favor.  Perhaps M Sprague, R. Williams, or some other Gentlemen in your vicinity.   Should you be in Washington & mention the thing to president Chapin of C. College, I have no doubt he would oblige me in this respect.   Should you think it best to do any thing more to strengthen the evidence in the case, you will please advise me on the subject.
In the mean time
remain yours
Respectfully
[signed] Asa Redington
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In. ab. May 14
Asa Redington
[illegible]

[illegible]
1 paper
June 5

Hon Geo Evans
[illegible]

[written sideways]
J. L. Edwards  Esq
Commr of Pensions
Pension Office
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Ho. Rep. May 14.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm &

Sir
Will you have the goodness to furnish me with the evidence wanted in the enclosed letter & also cause it to be returned to me?
The law referred to is granted by the State of Maine, & the evidence is necessary to be used there.
Your obt sevt
[signed] Geo. Evans
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P
15962
INVALID.
File No. 15,962
Asa Redington
Corpl. Rev War
Act:  June 7th '32
Index:  Vol. 1, Page 313
[in brackets]  Arrangement of 1870.
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June 8

J. L. Edwards
Comm. Pen.
Pension Office
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Ho. Rep.  June 8, 1838

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm &

Sir
Some weeks ago I wrote you  requesting certain evidence in behalf of Asa Redington, a pensioner in Maine - to enable him to avail himself of a resolve of the State of Maine granting land to soldiers of the Revolution.
I have not yet rec'd a reply.
Will you have the goodness to cause me to be furnished with the evidence  wanted?
Your obt Sert
[signed] Geo. Evans
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[By?] the Honorable Michael Jackson Esq
[illegible]
Commanding the Garrison of West Point and its [Dependencies?]

This may certify that the bearer Corp. Asa Redington of Capt. Issac Frye's Company of New Hampshire Line being enlisted for three years only and having faithfully served his time is hereby Honorably discharged from the Army of the United States of America

Given under my hand in [Garrison of West Point?] this 20th Decem. 1783
[signed] M. Jackson B. Genl

Registered in the Books of the Regt
[signed] J Adams Adj
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I Asa  Redington of Waterville County of Kennebec, & State of Maine hereby testify and declare that I was appointed a Corporal in Captain Isaac Frye's Company, New Hampshire line and served in that capacity, in the war of the Revolution (according to my best recollection, not having any document whereby to ascertain the exact time) one year prior to my discharge from the Army of the United States of America, dated at West Point December 20th 1783.-
[signed] Asa Redington

Kennebec ss. April 5th 1833. Then the above named Asa Redington personally appeared & made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true, before me
[signed] Alpheas Lyon } Justice of the Peace

Alpheus Lyon Esq is a Justice of the peace
[signed] Nathan Weston
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Waterville June 16. 1833

R. C. Vose Esq.
Pension Agent ⎬ Dr Sir
Having received information from you that the evidence offered in my case at the Pension Office at Washington has as yet been deemed insufficient for the obtaining of my Pension, under the act of June 1832 & that further requirements are made in the[case?]   1st that I must state the time of my enlistment, and that I must state the day on which I was promoted to the rank of a Corporal. To those requisitions I would cheerfully answer were it in my power-- They are occurrences that took place more than 50 year ago & would have been long since deemed unimportant circumstances, and are effaced from my memory.  In can only have some general impressions of transactions of that period-- During the Revolutionary War I enlisted three several times, but could not now fix on a day for either, and had I been asked the question three years after the war was over I do not believe I could have answered with certainty those questions.  In regard to the appointment of Corporal I had no written paper. The fact was announced by an order read on the [parade?].   I had believed that my discharge contained all the facts necessary to the case, with only the additional evidence, that I was the identical person therein mentioned, and such was your opinion, and also that of Judge Weston-- I therefore did not deem it necessary to make any other declaration of other services performed than those mentioned in my discharge thinking it would save some trouble to the department, in the examination of papers etc.  But as it seems to be doubted whether I served my Country a sufficient length of time, to entitle me to a Pension, it perhaps now becomes proper that I should make further disclosures in relation to my services in the war of the Revolution according to my best recollection-- (viz)
In the month of June 1778 I enlisted as a private soldier at Wilton, N. Hampshire (being then in the 17th year of my age) into a Regiment commanded by Col Peabody of Amherst NH. for 6 months and was attached to a Company commanded by a Capt. Dearborn of Epping - marched to Providence, where I was stationed for some time, and was quartered in the College building.  In the month of August, marched to Howlands Ferry & crossed over to R. Island with the Army under Genl Sullivan, and from thence to the investment of Newport, where I first became acquainted with the power and effect of Cannon Balls, which were flying about us for a number of days, after which I left the Island with the Army, recrossed the same ferry, and soon after passed over to the Narraganset shore, opposite to Newport, where the Regt guarded the court until some time in December, when we marched to Providence, was there dismissed & I returned home to Wilton
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I again enlisted a second time in the month of July 1779, for one year and with a number of recruits marched from Amherst, NH, and joined the Continental troops at Fishkill, near the Hudson River .  The New Hampshire troops to which we were to be attached, were then about on an expedition into the County under Gen Sullivan - after their return, I joined them at Danbury, where we halted for the winter, was then in (I think) 3rd Regt commanded by Major Livermore, and was attached to a Company commanded by Lieut Hawkins.  In the spring following, 1780, I was detached into a regiment, composed of N.England troops, under the command of Col Mellon, and attached to a Company under the command of Capt. Cushing.  This party formed a kind of light Corps, constantly traversing the lines, in scouting parties, beating up the out posts of the enemy & frequently coming in contact with their small parties, one of which I assisted in Capturing on a dark & rainy night, surprising them in their quarters, consisting of upwards of 20 men under the command of a Capt. Ogden.  During several months my duty was hard, almost constantly on the move; the party changing ground every night to prevent a surprise - with the prisoners thus captured I was one of the party who guarded them to a place called (I think) Robinson's farm not far from West point-- they were then paraded in front of a large house occupied by Gen. How[e] and delivered over to him.  Not long after this I went to West Point, where I remained until my year had expired, I then received a written discharge (which has not been preserved) and again returned home to Wilton.  
After this and in the month of February (I think) 1781 I again enlisted for three years under Capt Isaac Frye of Wilson who was then on a visit from the Army to his family - several others of the same place then enlisted with me for the same term of time.  Among them was Uriah Ballard who (I am told) is now living in the town of Fryeburg [illegible].    His discharge bore even date with mine.  It is said he has obtained a  pension for many years past.  From Wilton I soon went to Amherst, where a number more recruits had collected.   From thence marched and joined (I think) the 3rd N.H. Regt commanded by Col Scammell at a place near the Hudson, called N Hampshire Village, also there joined Capt I. Frye's Company in which I remained until discharged, excepting when detached into other Corps.  In a few weeks after I joined the Army, I was detached into a Regt of light infantry, consisting of between 4 and 500 men, selected from the N. England troops, commanded by said Col. Scammell - was put under the strictest discipline, and fared hard during that compaign.  Was in a sharp action about the first of July near Kings Bridge, under the command of Gen Lincoln,, where fell a number of brave men.  Was for some time after this encamped with the main Army on the Banks of the Hudson nearly opposite to Dobb's Ferry, till some time in the month of August, marched up the Hudson
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crossed it at King's Ferry, marched through N. Jersey, crossed the Delaware at Trenton, passed through Philadelphia and Wilmington to Elk River in Maryland.  The Company to which I then was attached was under the command of Capt Chase of N Hampshire, aided by Lieut Sherbune of R. Island, and was embarked in and old Sloop (partly laden with with Hh'ds [hogsheads?] of tobacco) from James River in Virginia; while on the passage was interrupted by a storm and compelled to make a harbour, were then disembarked, and had another old hulk provided in which we proceeded to the mouth of James River, passing through the French fleet under De Grass, which there lie at Anchor - thence sailed up the River, and landed on the North Bank some 6 to 8 miles from Yorktown-- remained here several days dragging heavy Cannon from the landing up a steep bank of the River  - thence marched to the investment of Yorktown-- about this time our Col Scammel received a mortal wound, & soon after died - he was succeeded in the command by Lieut. Cole Huntington of Connecticut.  Here I continued during the siege employed in severe and dangerous duty, until the army under Lord Cornwallis capitulated, & I had the pleasure of seeing them march out, prisoners of war,  & ground their arms.
In Nov following the remnants of the Regt.  embarked at Yorktown, on board a French Frigate of 32 guns which proceeded up the Bay to convey the troops to the Northward, but the wind being adverse the ship made slow progress, provisions growing scarce & the small pox breaking out among the men, orders were given that all those not having had that disorder should be put on shore.  Accordingly I with about 70 others were landed on the Virginia shore, and took up our march for the North, under the command of an officer, whose name I have forgotten. At  length arrived at Annapolis, & passed on through Baltimore and arrived at [illegible] Philadelphia about the middle of December. By this time almost all the party had been taken sick on the road & many of them died with the S.Pox.   At this place, I was also taken sick & with that disorder,  & with two other of my fellow travelers, Turner and Lord, went to Hospital, where they shortly after died (both fine young men).  After I had some what recruited [recovered?], I started with several other skeletons in the month of February, trudging on foot through the mud, several hundred miles, and joined my original regt. at Saratoga, then under the command of Col. H. Dearborn.   During this journey had not a farthing of spending money, and excepting some provisions drawn from the public stores on the rout [route] had to depend on the charity of the inhabitants!   I remained at Saratoga encamping on the ground where Burgoyne surrendered, occasionally scouting about the Lakes Champlain & George, until November, when Regt was ordered to Albany, thence sailing down the River, landed near New Windsor; and into an
over
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extensive piece of woodland, & there built huts for the winter. About the first of December following, in 1782, as near as I can recollect, I was appointed a corporal, and acted in that capacity until discharged at West Point - Sometime in the summer following, I was detached into a company commanded by Capt. Howe, and marched through a part of New Jersey to Princetown, quarding Genl Washington's Baggage to that place, where he took up his quarters.
Here I remained on his guard (I think) till some time in November, when the Genl quitted the place and sent his Baggage to his seat, at Mount Vernon, some of the Company guarding it to the spot. I then returned to West Point where I received the discharge now with you-- thus ended my Revolutionary services of nearly 4 years in the Continental Army, and 6 months in the militia-- during a great part of this service I paid hard both for food & clothing and should not (I think) much deviate from the truth in saying, that I received  but little more than half in quantity and quality allowed by Congress.
Of this diminution I did not much complain, believing the embarrassments of the County rendered it impossible to do justice to the events of the Army. As to wages I had only 2 month, pay in hard money-- At the close of the war I had some final settlement certificates which I think were for several hundred Dollars, of little value - those I kept 5 or  6 years, in hopes they would rise - but I finally sold them for about a fifth part of the nominal value, in order, as it were, to prevent my family from starving
Thus Sir I have briefly related my services in the war of the Revolution, so far as I can recollect- The truth of the narative, I believe, would not be much doubted by my neighbours, and by many other gentlemen with whom I have been conversant, the last 20 or 30 years of my life - which from present appearances, will close, without realising the gratuity allowed me by my Country-- you can inherit this to the Pension officer, adding such remarks on the occasion, as you may think proper
In the mean time
remain yr mst Obt Sevt
[signed]  Asa Redington