Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16163, Samuel Williams, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE

Mass

Williams, Samuel
               Mercy

NUMBER
W. 16163
Page 2

190
Concord N. Hampshire

Mercy Williams
of Grafton in the State of N. Hamp.
who was a in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the 
widow of Samuel Williams dec late a Sergeant in the Revolution
Mass

Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N. H. at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Novr. 1836 and sent D. C. Churchill Syme N. H.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $660.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '37  $60.00
                                                    $720.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4 1836.}

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book   Vol. 1  Page 33
Page 3

13.436

New Hampshire

Samuel Williams
of Grafton in the state of Massachusetts who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bradford of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 3 years --

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 12th of May 1819.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th of June 1819 and Sent to E. Evans Esqr.
Enfield - N. Hampshire

Arrears to 4th of Septr. 1819 3m. 20/31 & 4/30..  30:22

Amt payd. 4th Septr. Next ...... $30:22

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}

Continued notification sent Octr 10th 1820 to Elijah [illegible]
Canaan 
N. H.
Page 4

Rehoboth, Town Clerks office, September 26th, 1836
I hereby Certify that it appears from the Records in this town That Samuel Williams of Taunton and Mercy Case of Rehoboth were Joined in Marriage on the Twenty fifth day of January A. D. 1770, duly examined by on Cyrus M. Wheaton Town Clerk.

Bristol SS In Rehoboth September 26th 1836
Personally appeared before me the above named Cyrus M. Wheaton, Known to me as Town Clerk, of Rehoboth and Made oath that the above Certificate is Correct
before me

Joseph Nichols Justice of the Peace
Page 5

I Willard Sayles of [illegible] depose and Say that I am well acquainted with Samuel Williams late of Grafton deceased and that from my first 
[rest is too faint and illegible to accurately transcribe]

Willard Sayles

Grafton SS October the 13th AD 1836
Then the above named Willard Sayles made Solemn oath that the above deposition by him Subscribed is true Before me Alexander Williams Jus. Peace
Page 6

Willard Sayles
Deposition
The within named Willard Sayles is a Credible witness
Alexander Williams Just. Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton SS

I Nathan B Felton, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton, hereby certify that Alexander Williams whose is subscribed to the within and foregoing certificates is and was on the thirteenth day of October last pas an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that his name so subscribed is his genuine signature, being in his own proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this third day of November A. D. 1836
N. B. Felton Clerk
[seal affixed to page]
Page 7

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County SS.

on this twenty first day of October A. D. 1836 personally appeared before me David C Churchill one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton Mercy Williams a resident of the Town of Grafton in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged eighty eight 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836 - That she is the widow of Samuel Williams (late of Grafton in the county and State aforesaid Deceased) who was a private and Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution she further states that her said husband enlisted in the month of April 1775 into a company commanded by Capt. John King for a term of six months they then living in Gainham in the State of Massachusetts she has heard him say that he was stationed at Dorchester until he was taken sick and was brought home sick and remained at home until he recovered his health & then returned to Dorchester and continued with this army until his term of service expired which was in the month of October in the same year --
She further states that the said Samuel Williams
Page 8

enlisted again in the Spring of the year 1776 for a term of six months into the company commanded by Captain Reding and was stationed as she has heard him say at Nantucket during the term of six months -
She further states that the said Samuel Williams enlisted again in the Spring of the year 1777 (the month she has not recollect) and Joined a company commanded by Capt. James Cooper of Col. Bradford's Regiment for a term of three years in the regular army she thinks she heard him say he was stationed at West Point she received letters from him of that place (West Point) she has heard him say that he was at the taking of Burgoyne, he was absent from home about two years he then came home on a furlow of six weeks as near as she can remember and in the month of June 1779 he returned to the Army and remained with it until the expiration of the term of three years and returned home to said Gainham in the month of March 1780 having served his country in the Revolutionary War the full term of four years the first term of his enlistment he served as a private and the last term of three years he served as orderly Sergeant as she understood him - she further states that she knows of no documentary evidence but relies on the evidence furnished by her said late husband Samuel Williams who was a Revolutionary Pensioner which evidence she supposes is contained in the papers presented to the war department in support of his claim to a pension - she knows of no person living by whom she can prove his service --
Page 9

she further states that said Samuel Williams at the times of his several enlistments resided with his family in Rainham Massachusetts for some time after and in February 1787 he relocated with his family to Grafton in the county of Grafton and state of N. H. whence he resided until the date of his death--
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Williams on the 25th day of January in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Williams died on the 7th day of July 1824 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed

Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year above
written before
D. C. Churchill one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas

Mercy  her  X  mark  Williams

I hereby certify that the said Mercy Williams is a credible person and that her statement above is in my opinion entitled to full credit -- I also certify that the said Mercy Williams by reason of bodily infirmity cannot attend the Court

D. C. Churchill J. C. C. P.
Page 10

Mercy Williams
wid of 
N. 554
3. sec.

$120 per ann, from
4 March 1 M

Sergt. Col Bradford's Mass line


D. C. Churchill
Lyme N. H.
Page 11

I Anna Martin of Grafton in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged 84 years depose and say that I have always been acquainted with Mrs Mercy Williams the widow of Samuel Williams late of E. Grafton in the County and State aforesaid Deceased.  can since I can remember she and myself both lived in the Town of Rehoboth in the State of Massachusetts when we were young.  I well recollect the time when said Samuel Williams and his wife Mercy Williams lived in Rainham Massachusetts.  I further say that I was present at the wedding when the said Samuel Williams was married to said Mercy, her name before marriage was Mercy Case said marriage was solemnised by Elder Nathan Pierce of said Rehoboth on the twenty fifty day of January A. D. 1770 --
I further say that I have lived within about three miles of the said Mercy Williams about forty nine years past and that said Samuel Williams her late husband died on the 7th day of July 1824, and that the said Mercy Williams has remained a widow ever since that period

Anna  her  X  mark  Martin

State of New Hampshire Grafton County SS.  Grafton Oct 21 1836  Personally appeared the above named Anna Martin and made Solemn oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is true before me

D. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas
Page 12

I hereby certify that the within named Anna Martin is a credible witness
D. C. Churchill J. C. C Pleas --


State of New Hampshire
Grafton SS.

I Nathan B. Felton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County hereby certify that David C. Churchill whose name is subscribed to the certificate within written, and to the foregoing, and also to the two certificates written under the foregoing declaration of Mercy Williams included in this package upon another chart, is and was on the twenty first day of October last past a Judge of said Court of Common Pleas, and that his name so subscribed is his genuine signature being in his own proper hand writing -- 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this third day of November Anno Domini 1836
Nathan B. Felton Clerk
[seal affixed to page]
Page 13

Samuel Williams
13.436

Septr. 1819


Con --



10. Oct. 1820
Elijah Blardell
Canaan, N. H.
Page 14

State of New Hampshire
Grafton SS.  At the Court of Common Pleas being a court of record by law established holden at Plymouth within and for said county of Grafton on the second Tuesday of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty
Present

The Honorable
Roger Vose Esqr. Chief Justice
Ezra Bartlett Esqr. Justice
Danl. Blaisdell Esqr. Justice

Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Williams aged seventy three years resident in Grafton in said county of Grafton who being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows viz a Sergeant in Capt James Coopers Company & Colo. Gamaliel Bradfords regiment in the Massachusetts line that his Original declaration is dated May 12th 1819 That he has received a pension and his pension certificate is numbered 13.436 --
And I do solemnly affirm that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 And that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed I further declare I am by occupation a farmer my wifes name is Mercy and is aged seventy two years & has been sick four years I have no home of my own but live with my son Alexander aged thirty five who has a family but who
Page 15

is under no Obligation to support me & have no children living with me and none that are under Obligation to support me I have not been able to do a days work for twelve years And much need a continuance of my countrys bounty  Samuel Williams

Schedule containing the whole estate and income of Samuel Williams his necessary Clothing & bedding excepted by him subscribed exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas next to be holden at Plymouth in the county of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire Sept 2d 1820  And annexed to his Oath has
1 Horse the value of ............................10..00
1 Cow valued at.......................................10..00
1 Sheep & two lambs..............................6..00
1 desk at.......................................................3..00
1 Case of draws at.....................................1..00
1 Chest............................................................0.50
2 Tables...........................................................0..50
2 pewter platters & five pewter plates..0..50
3 three pewter basons one table & three tea spoons                                                   2 75
1 large Iron kettle & one Small kettle   1..20
1 Tea Kettle one frying pan----------------60
1/2 pew in the south meeting house.......2..00
1 Old bible & one looms apparatus..........3..00
And a number of small articles but a little value
no income                                                    50
                                                                  41.55
Saml. Williams

We the subscribers being appointed by Samuel Williams to appraise his real & personally estate by him exhibited to us to appraise & after particular examining said property we have appraised the whole of said property as above set down in the schedule according to the best of our abilities 
Grafton Septr. 2, 1820
John Kimball
Merrill W Hoyt

State of New Hampshire
Grafton September 2, 1820

Personally appearing John Kimball & Merrill W Hoyt & made solemn Oath that they have faithfully & impartially appraised the personal property of Saml. Williams by him exhibited to them according to the best of their abilities set down in the within Schedule before me
Nathan Solmson Jus Peace
Page 16

Affirmed to & declared before the Justices of said court on this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty --
Geo Woodward Clerk --

State of New Hampshire

Grafton SS

I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath & schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of said court.  I further certify that it is the Opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in said schedule is forty one dollars fifty five cents --

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court on this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty
Geo. Woodward Clerk
[seal affixed to page]
Page 17

Samuel Williams
Sergt
Mass line
Colo. Bradfords Regmt
14 March 1777 - 3 yrs


Correct by Rolls


Admd
Page 18

State of New Hampshire

Grafton SS

on this 12 day of May 1819 before me the Subscriber a Judge of the Court for the probate of Wills &c for said county personally appears Samuel Williams of Grafton in said state aged seventy three years who being by me duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war:  that he the said Samuel Williams Enlisted into the continental army as a Sergeant in Capt Coopers Company & Col Bradfords Regiment in the Massachusetts Line in March 1777 for the term of three years that he continued to serve in the same corps as in the United States untill the month of March A. D. 1780 when he was Honorably discharged at West Point in the State of New York that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of assistance from his Country for his support & that he has no other evidence now in his favor of his said service Sworn to & declared before me the day & year afore said
Edward Evans Judge of Probate

I Edward Evans Judge of the Court for the probate of wills &c for said County of Grafton as above said do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that Samuel Williams did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the presenting declaration against the Common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings taken  & had before me to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the declarations of the before mentioned act of Congress
In testimony where of I have here unto Set my hand & have affixed my seal of office the day & date above written
E Evans Judge of probate
[seal affixed to page]

I further certify that it appears in evidence to may satisfaction that the above named Samuel Williams is in reduced circumstances & is in need of assistance from his Country for support

E Evans Judge of probate
Page 19

July 14, 1938.

Evelyn W. Hennessey
76 Main Street
Brunswick, Maine.

BA-J/ILL
Samuel Williams
W. 16163

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Samuel Williams, of Georgetown or Harpswell, Maine; you state that there were a father and son with the name, also, that one had a wife named Mercy or Mary, and they had a son, Jonathan.

A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of a Samuel Williams identical with your description.  The record has been found of a Samuel Williams whose wife was Mercy; the data which follow are found in the papers on file in that claim, W. 16163.

Samuel Williams resided as early as 1770, in Taunton, Massachusetts, and in 1775, resided in Raynham, in that state.

He enlisted in April 1775, served as private in Captain John King's Massachusetts company, was stationed at Dorchester, was taken home to Raynham on account of sickness, after recovering returned to service there and continued until sometime after October, having completed his enlistment of six months; he enlisted in the spring of 1776, and served six months as private in Captain Redding's Massachusetts company, stationed at Nantucket.  He enlisted March 14, 1777, served as sergeant in Captain James Cooper's company, Colonel Gamaliel Bradford's Massachusetts regiment, was at the taking of General Burgoyne and continued until March 1780, when he was discharged at West Point.

The soldier returned to Raynham, Massachusetts, and moved in February 1787, to Grafton, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

Samuel Williams was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 20

May 12, 1819, at which time he resided in Grafton, New Hampshire.  He gave his age then as seventy-three years, but did not state the date and place of his birth, nor the names of his parents.  In 1820, he stated that he was living with his son, Alexander, then thirty-five years of age, who had a family, and that he had no children living with him then.  There are no further data regarding the soldier's children.

Samuel Williams died July 7, 1824 in Grafton, New Hampshire.

He married January 25, 1770, in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Mercy Case, of said Rehoboth; they lived after that in Raynham, Massachusetts.  The names of Mercy's parents are not shown.

Mercy Williams, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed October 21, 1836, at which time she resided in Grafton, New Hampshire.  She was aged then eighty-eight years; the date and place of her birth are not shown.  She had continued to reside there ever since his death.  She referred to her family but did not state any names.
In 1836, when Mercy Williams made application for her pension, Anna Martin, a widow, aged eighty-four years, resided in Grafton, New Hampshire.  She stated then that she lived in the town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, when she and said Mercy were young, that she was present at the marriage of Samuel Williams and said Mercy, and that she had lived within three miles of Mercy Williams for forty-nine years.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following:

Mercy Williams, widow of Samuel Williams,
Certificate #190
Issued November 19, 1836
Rate $120 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of July 4, 1836
New Hampshire Agency.

Very truly yours,


A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

2.
Page 21

Veterans Administration

Washington D. C.

Please send any information you may have in regard to Samuel Williams [in pencil:  one has been fd.] of Georgetown or Harpswell Maine.  I found a record of his enlistment Capt James Curtis CO muster roll aug 1 1775 enlisted Juen 10 1775 for 2mo. ; also Capt Curtis CO, Col James Cargill reg. anlisted Aug 9 1775 service 5mo. 5 days in defence of seacoast.  There were two Samuel Williams father & son  I do not know if both were in the army, as I do not know their ages but the fathers wife was Mercy or Mary.  This Samuel had a son Jonathan who was a sea Capt. but I think he enlisted for the defence of Nachias.

Respectfully,
Evelyn W Hennessey
76 Maine St
Brunswick
Maine


[stamped twice on page:] RECEIVED JUN 20 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV.
Vets. Adm. READER Ns. 16
Page 22

1938 - July 14 = Hist. to Evelyn W. Hennessey = ILL


Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16163
Mercy Williams
Wid of 
Samuel Williams
Sergt Rev War

Act June 7th /36

Index:  Vol. M, Page 342

[Arrangement of 1870.]