Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22824, Rowell Colby, Continental N.H.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
N(ew). H(ampshire).

Ⓧ
Colby, Rowell
Lydia

NUMBER
W. 22824


CONTENTS
Page 2

(left side of record) 

Reported
Jan(uar)y 19/(18)19
(sideways on left side)
date of death (illegible) 

(right side of record)
3157
New Hampshire C(o)n(tinental)
Lydia Colby
widow of Rowell Colby 
who served in the Revolutionary war
, as a private
----------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
47 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
----------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 19
day of Jan(uar)y 1849 and sent to 
Converse Goodhue
Hon(orable) J. H. Johnson  Enfield
H(ouse) of R(epresentatives)   N(ew) H(ampshire)
-----------------------------
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page  63 Vol(ume).1
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 July 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows

State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss
On this 25th day of August 1838 personally appeared before me David C Churchill one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the s(ai)d County of Grafton Lydia Colby a resident of Enfield in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire
aged 76 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 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"  That she is the widow of Rowell
Colby who was a private in the war of the Revolution and served as near as she can recollect as follows.   in the summer of the year 1777 her said husband with others Joined a company commanded by Ebenezer Webster and marched to V(ermon)t.  was in the Battle of Bennington in August 1777  was absent this tour at least two months -- he was under
General Stark.   she has heard him tell of taking an Indian whilst on this Tour   she now has a powder born in her possession which he said he took from the same Indian    She also has a copper tea kettle which he took from
Page 4

from a Hession on the same Tour

She further states that in the year 1776 her said Husband entered the service of the United States and went to New York   she does not remember the names of the officers under whom he enlisted nor the particular date of his enlistment but she has often heard him tell of being where General Wash ington was     she respectfully refers to the testimony herewith presented and rolls and records of the war Department to support her claim    she has often heard him say and she fully believes that he was out on this tour at least---thirteen months.    She resided in Salisbury N(ew). H(ampshire). at the time he enlisted. 

She has no documentary evidence-- She further declares that she was married to the
said Rowell Colby on the ninth day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty that her husband the aforesaid Rowell  Colby died on the 27th day of January A.D. 1832     She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen
hundred ninety four viz at the time above stated
(signed) Lydia  Colby (by her mark) 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written  before me
(signed D. C. Churchill J(ustice of the) C(ourt) of C(ommon) Pleas

I hereby certify that the said applicant can not
[lined out-- for due]  from bodily infirmity attend court
(signed D. C. Churchill J(ustice of the) C(ourt) of C(ommon) Pleas
Page 5

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County Ss.

I Nathan B Felton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State afore
said do hereby certify that David C Churchill is
(lined out--a Judge) an acting Judge of said Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 24th day of November 1834 & will expire on the first day of July 1861 and that his two signatures above written are genuine 

Given under my hand and the seal of
said County this thirty first day of July 1839
(signed) N. B. Felton Clerk

(seal affixed)
Page 6

Rowel Colbey of Enfield and Lydia Pettengill
of Salisbury Joined in marriage November ninth A(nno).D(ominie). Seventeen hundred and Eighty -

I Thomas Merrill do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in full legible figures as follows----
Rowel Colby of Enfield and Lydia Petteng(missing) of Salisbury Joined in Marriage Nov(ember) 9. A(nno)D(ominie) 1780
(signed) Thomas Merrill

I Thomas Merrill above named depose and
say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the
Town of Enfield in the County of Grafton and
the State of Newhampshire and that the above
is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Enfield with the exceptions above named as
certified by me
(signed) Thomas Merrill Clerk of the Town of Enfield

State of Newhampshire
Grafton ss. January 28. 1839
⎬
Then the said Thomas Merrill made solemn
oath to the truth of the above as by him subscribed
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of the Peace
Page 7

I Thomas J. Colby of Enfield Grafton County N(ew). Hampshire aged (33) thirty three years Depose and say that Rowel Colby late of Enfield in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire Died on the 27th day of January A(nno).D(ominie). 1832    I was present at the time he Died and attended his funeral    I further say that the said Rowel Colby left
a widow Lydia Colby who is now living and the said Lydia Colby has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Rowel Colby    I further say that said Rowel Colby was my father  and the said Lydia Colby is my Mother
(signed) Tho(mas). J. Colby

State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss
Enfield January 31st 1839 Then Thomas J. Colby personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true before me, and I further certify that said Thomas J. Colby is a credible witness
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County Set.
I Nathan B Felton Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Convers Goodhue is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 20th day of December 1836 & will expire on the 20th day December 1841 and that his three signatures above written (& inscribed under my seal of Office) are genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said
County this 31st day of July 1839
(signed N(athan). B.  Felton Clerk

(seal affixed)
Page 8

I Rowel Colby of Enfield Grafton County State of New Hampshire aged (42) forty two years depose and say that Rowel Colby late of Enfield in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, died on the 27 day of January
A(nno).D(ominie). 1832   I was present at his funeral    I further say the said Rowel Colby left a widow Lydia Colby who is now living and the said Lydia Colby has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Rowel Colby,    I further say that said Rowel Colby was my father and the said Lydia Colby is my Mother
(signed) Rowel Colby

State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss
Enfield February 2(n)d 1839 Then Rowel Colby personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true before me. I further certify that said Rowel Colby is a credible witness
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of the Peace
Page 9

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 two certificates on
three pages of this packet, was on the 25th day of August last past, & has ever since been a Judge of said Court, & that his name so subscribed is in each case aforesaid his genuine signature.   I also certify that Converse Goodhue, whose name is subscribed to three certificates on three pages of this packet, was on (lined out --the 23) the 28th day of January last past, & has ever since been an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, that his
so subscribed is in such case aforesaid, his genuine signature

In testimony of all which I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court the 28th day February A(nno)D(ominie). 1839
(signed) Nathan B. Felton Clerk 

(written sideways on record)
4884
---------
Lydia Colby 
wid(ow) of Rowel 
N(ew) H(ampshire)

Act July 7 (18)'38
Mar(ried) 1780  s
died 1832

Allow(ed) 14 mo(nths)
11 days for 
$47.33 per an(num)
N(ew)  H(ampshire) line  Capt(ain) 
Sherman


D C Churchill
Lyme 
N(ew) H(ampshire)
(illegible)hill
(illegible)y -- NH

(record may have a seal attached)
Page 10

Rev(olutionary). & 1812
Wars Section
AWF: MLB

September 24, 1930

Effie L. Esten
137 Seaver Street
Stoughton, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 22824, that Rowel or Rowell Colby, while residing in Salisbury, New Hampshire, enlisted in 1776 and served one year as a private in Captain Sherman's company, Colonel Loammi Baldwin's Massachusetts regiment.  He enlisted in July, 1777 and served two months in Captain Ebenezer Webster's New Hampshire company and was in the battle of Bennington.

The soldier married November 9, 1780, Lydia Pettingill, the daughter of David Pettingill, of Salisbury, New Hampshire.

The soldier died January 27, 1832, in Enfield, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

The widow Lydia was allowed pension on her application executed August 25, 1838, at which time she was living in Enfield, New Hampshire and was aged seventy-six years. 

They had sons, Rowel and Thomas J., aged respectively, forty-two and thirty-three years, in 1839.   They were both at that time residing in Enfield, New Hampshire.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 11

(left side of record) 

Rev(olutionar)y
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
22824
-
Lydia Colby
Widow of
Rowell Colby
Priv(ate) Rev(olutionary) War

Act Feb(ruary) 2nd 1848
Index: Vol(ume). A, Page 451

[Arrangement of 1870.]


(written on right side of record)
1923  June 20 Hist(ory) to
Mrs. E. L. Esten   AW

1930 Sept(ember) " (History) "(to) 
to Effie L. Esten    awy

1938 Dec(ember)  3  " (History) "(to) 
George McK. Roberts  See his 
letter in David Choate S.45531 & list of 
New Hampshire by line in (illegible) Files 
under "B"   awy
Page 12

(this record appears identical to record 11)
(left side of record)

Rev(olutionar)y
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
22824
-
Lydia Colby
Widow of
Rowell Colby
Priv(ate) Rev(olutionary) War

Act Feb(ruary) 2nd 1848
Index: Vol(ume). A, Page 451

[Arrangement of 1870.]


(written on right side of record)
1923 June 20 Hist(ory) to
Mrs. E. L. Esten AW

1930 Sept(ember) " (History) "(to)
to Effie L. Esten awy

1938 Dec(ember) 3 " (History) "(to)
George McK. Roberts See his
letter in David Choate S.45531 & list of
New Hampshire by line in (illegible) Files
under "B" awy
Page 13

I Jonathan C. Pettengill of Enfield Grafton County New Hampshire aged Seventy two years depose and say that Rowel Colby late of Enfield County & State aforesaid now deceased lived with my Father in Salisbury
N(ew). H(ampshire). he came to live with my Father when he was young, he lived with him until he was twenty one years of age excepting what time he was out in the Revolutionary War, he enlisted into the servis(ce) and was gone from home I should think about one year and at another time not so long,   I reckalect (recollect)  perfectly well his being
gone twice but I cannot tell how long as I was
young at that time, said Colby moved from
Salisbury N(ew). H(ampshire). to Enfield where he lived until he died.   I further say that I have lived in said Enfield thirty years past--Said  Colby lived within one & half mile from me until his death, and where his widow now lives, I further say that said Rowel Colby was considered a we(a)lthy farmer which I considered was the only reason why
he did not apply for a pension under the act
of March 18th 1818
Enfield July 29th 1839
(signed)  Jon C Pettingill

State of New Hampshire
Grafton Ss. July 29 1839 Personally appeared the above named Jonathan C. Pettengill and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
before me (signed) Converse Goodhue Jus(tice). of the Peace

I hereby certify that Jonathan C. Pettengill is a Credible witness
(signed) Convers Goodhue Jus(tice) of the Peace
Page 14

I Peter Whittier of Enfield in the County of
Grafton and State of New Hampshire do testify
and say that I was well acquainted with Rowel Colby of Enfield aforesaid from and since the year A(nno)D(ominie) 1812. until his decease or about twenty one years, and lived within about one quarter of a mile from him, (lined out--and have) and have frequently he(a)rd of him previously as his original parentage and mine were in one neighbourhood at a distance from this
I further testify that he was always according to
to my knowledge taken, reputed and acknowledged to be a worthy fair, honest and upright man
A man of truth and verasity and by his and his
wives now the widow Lydia Colby hard Labour and good economy they have accumulated a good Estate.   I further testify that since the Pention(pensions) of A(nno)D(ominie). 1818 I have frequently he(a)rd him complain and find fault that an act should be passed granting pentions(pensions) to those who had served a much less time than he had and were very unfaithful while in the service, and that he who had undergone so much in the war and then received for his pay that which was of no value to him should be debarred from getting a pention(pension) on no other ground
than that he had labored hard and carried
some property since (and as I had been employed in getting subjects on the Pention(pension) list he was very familiar with me on the subject.   I gave him as my oppinion that according to the act of 1818 he having so much property that he could not get a pention(pension)  and so it has rested, at that
time sufficient proof might have been obtained about his services many of whom are now dead as he informed me he was in the army about the year in which I was born viz 1777. and if I recollect right one term about thirteen months and at another only two or three months and whether that was all or not I do not recollect   he has frequently told who his officers were and who he served under at one time and who at an other, but I do not recollect them all I think he said at one time he served in Col(onel). Baldwins Regiment and at one time he enlisted under a Capt(ain) Webster and others he told of that I cannot recollect
Enfield July 29th 1839
(signed)  Peter Whittier
Page 15

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss. July 29 1839 Personally appeared the (lined out-- above named) within named Peter Whittier and made oath that the (lined out--above) within affidavit by him subscribed is true
before me (signed)  Converse Goodhue Jus(tice) of the Peace 

I hereby certify that the within named Peter Whittier is a respectable person and is a credible Witness
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of (the) Peace
-
Page 16

Rep    206
New Hampshire Concord
Lydia Colby
widow of Rowell Colbey
who was a private
in the New Hampshire line for
14 Months
---------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
47 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
---------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the
3rd day of June 1843
and sent to
D.C. Churchill
Lyme
N(ew). H(ampshire).
----------------------------
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol(ume) 1   Page 15
Page 17

3983
New Hampshire
----------------
Lydia Colby
widow of Rowell & Colby, dec(ease)d
who was a pensioner under the Act of--------
and who died on the------1832-------
of Grafton in the State of N(ew). H(ampshire).
who was a private in the com(pany) commanded by Captain Sherman of the reg(imen)t commanded by Gen(era)l Stark in the N(ew). H(ampshire).  line for 14 months
----------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N(ew). H(ampshire) at the rate of 47 Dollars 33 Cents
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
----------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of August 1839  & sent to D. C. Churchill
Lyme N(ew). H(ampshire)
----------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Mar(ch) 1839  $141.99
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 23.66
                                          (total)         $165.65
----------------------
   Act July 7,
⎨  1838.         ⎬       

Recorded by  DM McCurdy   Clerk
Book A Vol(ume). 1, Page 37
Page 18

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2(n)d February, 1848, entitled "An Act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Grafton  SS.               ⎬

ON THIS fifth  day of August  1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Lydia Colby resident of Enfield in the County of Grafton
aged Eighty Six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2(n)d February, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War : That she is the Widow of Rowell Colby who was a Revolutionary soldier, That she was pensioner under the acts July 7th 1838 March 3d 1843 and June 17th 1844
at the rate of forty seven dollars and thirty two cents per annum

She further declares that she is still a widow.
(signed)Witness Convers Goodhue
(signed) Malinda A Colly
(signed) Lydia Clay  (by her mark)

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written--- Before
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of the Peace

I FURTHER CERTIFY, That the above Declarant is personally known to me.
(signed) Converse Goodhue Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton COUNTY, SS
I, Jonas D Sleeper Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Converse Goodhue is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twentieth day of June 1844 and will expire on the twentieth day of June day of 1849 and that his signature above written is genuine.

Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this Eleventh day of August 1848.
(signed) John D. Sleeper CLERK.

(footnote) Sold by John F. Brown,
171, Main Street, Concord,  N(ew). H(ampshire).
Page 19

Rowell Colby  D(ied) (18)32
Lydia               M(arried) (17)80

77 (backslash)  2 h s
(check mark) 7h 12 (overwritten--3)
---------
146


(check mark)  J(o)hn Elliot  Concord (nonly?)
Page 20

Jun(e) 1820     1838
               24         40            24
           1796        799           18
                                            42
Page 21

I John Elliott of Concord in the County of Merri
mack and the State of New Hampshire, now a Little resing(?) Eighty two years of age, depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary service in the year 1775 eight months under the command of Captains Hutchins and Sherman and was at the battle of Bunker hill--
I further state that I served duing the year seventeen hundred seventy six under the 
same officer to wit Captain Sherman and also
three months the next year-- during said two
last years I was well acquainted with Rowell
Colby Late of Enfield in the County of Grafton
deceased, that said Colby belonged to the same Regiment that I did-- the name of the Captain under whom he served I do not now recollect, but from the best of my recollection I should think that said Colby was out the same length of time that I was during said two last years, to wit, the whole of the year seventeen hundred & seventy six and three months in seventy seven-- I used frequently to see said Colby and converse with him as we both before entering into the service went from the same section of New Hampshire and
Neighbouring towns - The Regiment that we belonged to was commanded by Col(onel). Loami Baldwin  (signed) John Elliot
Page 22

State of New Hampsher - Merrimack ss
Sept(ember) 5th, 1838 --   Then---------
Personally appeared the foregoing named John Elliott and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed was just & true
Before me (signed) S. C. Badger Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that John Elliot is a person
of truth and veracity  (signed)  S. C. Badger Justice of the Peace


State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss.

I Stephen C Badger Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Merrimack certify that Stephen Badger is a magistrate as above stated and the signatures above written purporting to be his are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixth day of September Anno Domini 1838-
(signed)  S. C. Badger Clerk of said Court


State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County Ss.  I Stephen C. Badger Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Stephen C Badger is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified.    that his commission was dated the eleventh day of June 1836 & will expire on the eleventh day of June 1841. and that his two signatures above written are genuine 

Given under my hand and the seal of the said
County this sixth day of August 1839.
(signed) S. C. Badger  Clerk 

(seal affixed)
Page 23

594
Widow Lydia Colby
Page 24

DECLARATION.
-----------------
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Grafton County ss
On this twenty seventh day of March 1843. Personally appeared before me D C Churchill
a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid Lydia Colby---a resident of Enfield in the County of Grafton and State aforesaid, aged 81 ---years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d day of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.

That she is the widow of Rowel Colby who was a Private during the Revolution in the  Company of Ebenezer Webster Col(onel)s 

That she was a pensioner under the act of 7th July, 1838, which she received at the rate of forty seven dollars thirty two cents per annum,

She further declares that she is still a widow.
(signed) Lydia Colby  (by her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me.  (signed)
D C Churchill  J(ustice of the). C(ourt of) . C(ommon). Pleas

I certify the that the above Declarant is personally known to me
(signed) D C Churchill  J(ustice of the). C(ourt of) . C(ommon). Pleas

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County Set    I Nathan B. Felton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that David C Churchill is an acting Judge of said Court in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualiffied that his commission was dated on the 24th day of November A(nno)D(ominie) 1834,  and will expire on the 16th day of December A(nno)D(ominie) 1860, and that his two signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 13th day of April A(nno)D(ominie) 1843
(signed) N B Felton Clerk

(seal affixed)
Page 25

Lyme N(ew). H(ampshire). August 13th 1839

Dear Sir

I have been furnished with additional testimony relative to the claim of the
widow of Rowel Calley to a pension which
I am requested to forward for your further
Examination and decision-- The rules of May
11. 1839 relative to clerks certificates have
also been complied with agreeable to your
suggestion--
I have the honor to be very
Respectfully yours &c
(signed) D.C. Churchill


Hon(orable) J L Edwards
Com(missione)r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 26

I Jonathan Foster of Tunbridge in Orange
County & State of Vermont of lawfull
age, being duly sworn, do depose testify &
say, that Rowell Colby who died a few years
since in Enfield Grafton Co(unty). N(ew). H(ampshire). was a private in the war of the Revolution that I was well acquainted with him
from his boyhood that we resided together in the same town of Salisbury in the State of New Hampshire that we enlisted together in the same Company under Capt(ain). Ebenezer Webster in the month of June near the last of the month or in the month of July in the year 
Seventeen hundred & Seventy seven

We went from Salisbury to Manchester
in V(ermon)t & there staid about two weeks & then went to Bennington & staid till after
the battle, we were both in the battle at
Bennington V(ermon)t. & John Stark was the
commander in chief of that battle over the American forces,    After the battle we (lined out--went) marched to Stillwater N(ew). Y(ork). to join the Continental army & from there to Bemis heights & were there both discharged
having served our time out it being two months. The s(ai)d Colby married Lydia Pettengill, old Capt(ain). David Pettingill's daughter of Salisbury N(ew). H(ampshire).
And further I say not.
subscribed in presence of
Grestavus Rolfe
Charles M. Lamb ⎬    (signed) Jonathan Foster (by his mark)

State of Vermont, Orange County ss. ⎬ Tunbridge Jan 1st A.D. 1839. Then Jonathan Foster of s(ai)d Tunbridge personally appearing, & after being carefully examined & duly cautioned, made solemn oath, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, contains the truth, and nothing but the truth.

Before me (signed) Charles M. Lamb Justice of the Peace  

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Jonathan Foster the subscriber of the  foregoing deposition & that he is a person of credibility
(signed) Charles M. Lamb Justice of the Peace
Page 27

State of Vermont
Orange County ss⎬
I  John W Smith Clerk of Orange County Court hereby in certify that Charles M Lamb the Magistrate before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of the
Peace within and for the County of Orange aforesaid duly commissioned Authorized and qualified to administer oaths.    That his commission is dated in November 1838, and will expire on the last day of November 1839. and that the fourgoing Signatures purporting
to be his our(are) Genuine

 In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court at Chelsea in said County this
Eleventh day of January AD 1839
(signed) John W Smith Clerk

(seal affixed)
Page 28

I Joseph Merrill of Enfield Grafton County New
Hampshire am now about sixty five years of age that I have lived in said Enfield with my family about forty five years that soon after I moved into said Town I became well acquainted with Rowel Colby and his family of said Town of Enfield and always lived within about two miles & half of him until his death,   I frequently heard him mention about his being out in the Revolutionary war, he was a hard labouring man and was considered a wealthy farmer at the time the act passed in 1818 for the benefit of the Revolutionary
Soldiers, there was a number of persons made
application under that law he was mentioned
with the rest   he said he could not (have) swornas the oath required him to do, that he then was not in needy circumstances which I then considered was the only season he did not make application in his life time
(signed)  Joseph Merrill

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss  July 29th 1839 Personally appeared
Joseph Merrill the above named and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed
is true   before me (signed) Converse Goodhue Jus(tice) of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Joseph Merrill is a respectable person and credible witness  (signed) Converse Goodhue Jus(tice) of the Peace
Page 29

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County set
I, Nathan B Felton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Converse Goodhue is an acting Justice of the Peace,
in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 20th day of December 1836 & will expire on the 20th day of December 1841, and that his six signatures above written (on the sheets included under my seal of office) are genuine

Given under my hand and the seal of said
County this thirty first day of July 1839
(signed) N. B. Felton Clerk

(seal affixed)
Page 30

137 Seaver St(reet)
Stoughton Mass(achusetts)

Aug 29, 1930

"Commissioner of Pensions"

Will you please give me the Revolutionary
war record of Rowell Colby born in N(ew). H(ampshire). Nov(ember) 22 1758, died Jan(uary) 27. 1832    (I) Think he was in Capt Ebenezer Webster Co(mpany). Reg(iment) Col(onel) Stark?  and fought in the battle of
Bennington on the 16 of Aug 1777
Respectfully
(signed) Effie L. Esten

(seal begins)
PENSION OFFICE
U. S. 
SEP(TEMBER) 2 1930
(seal ends)
Page 31

Stoughton Mass(achusetts).
137 Seaver St(reet)

March 21, 1928

Pension Dep(artmen)t  
5 c(en)t stamp enclosed)  EB

Rev(olutionary) W(ar)

Will you please give me the war record of
Rowell Colby who was in the public service
in the town of Salisbury N(ew). H(ampshire).
May 27 - 1776.    Was in the battle at Bennington on the 16th of Aug 1777.   He
Page 32

was born in Newton N(ew). H(ampshire).  Nov (ember) 22, 1758.   I would be very grateful of
you would give me records of his service etc. 

Respectfully
(signed)  Mrs. E. L. Ester

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PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
MAR(CH) 22  1923
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Page 33

REVOLUTINARY WAR Records Section
3 -- 525

W. 22824
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.-------------, 192

In reply to your request of---------------, for the history of Rowel Colby, a a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the Widows claim for pension.

(table begins)
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
1776  (circled note -- See (illegible) p(age). 24. 26" Cont(inental) Reg(iment))

July 1777 (margin note--See N(ew) H(ampshire) Vol(ume)2  P(age 165)

LENGTH OF SERVICE 
1 y(ea)r 

2 mo(nth)s 

RANK 
P(ri)v(a)t(e)

" (ditto)

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN                    COLONEL 
Sherman                 Loammi Baldwin
Ebenezer Webter     N(ew). H(ampshire). 
                                                    Co(mpany) 

State 
Mass(achusetts)
Continental Reg(iment)
(lined out-- N(ew). H(ampshire).)   Reg(iment)   
(table ends)

Battles engaged in, Bennington

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Salisbury  N(ew). H(ampshire)

Date of application for pension, Aug(ust) 25, 1838. Her cl(aim). was al(lowed)

Residence at date of application, Enfield, Grafton Co.  N(ew). H(ampshire)

Age at date of application,  76

Remarks: Sol(dier). mar(ried) Nov(ember) 9, 1780    Lydia Pettingill dau(ghter) of David of
Salisbury N(ew). H(ampshire) 

He (Rowell Colby) died Jan 27, 1832 - at Enfield  N(ew). H(ampshire)
They had sons Rowel a(g)e 42? and Tho(ma)s L. a(g)e 33 in 1839-
Date & place of soldiers birth not stated (illegible) of Enf(ield)  N(ew). H(ampshire)

Respectfully,
Commissioner,

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Page 34

December 5, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rowell Colby-W.22824
BA-J/AWF

Mr. George McK. Roberts
570 Lexington Avenue
New York City

Dear Sir:

The record of Rowell Colby which is furnished
herein was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 22824, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of this soldier
are not shown, nor are the names of his parents given.

While residing in Salisbury, New Hampshire,
Rowell or Rowel Colby enlisted in 1776, served one year as private in Captain Sherman's company, Colonel  Loammi Baldwin's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted in the summer of 1777, served two or three
months in Captain Ebenezer Webster's New Hampshire company (lined out--regiment), and was in the battle of Bennington.

The soldier married November 9, 1780, Lydia
Pettingill, the daughter of "old Captain David Pettingill" of Salisbury, New Hampshire.   Rowell Colby at time of marriage was of Enfield, New Hampshire, and he died there January 27, 1832.

His widow, Lydia Colby, was allowed pension on her application executed August 25, 1838, then aged seventy-six years and living in Enfield, New Hampshire, where she was living in 1848.

Their sons, Rowel (as he signed ) and Thomas J. 

(note on right margin) 

His letter in David Choate S. 45531

List of pensioners sent in by (illegible) under Misc(elleaneous). Files under "R"
Page 35

in 1839, were aged respectively forty two years and thirty-three years, and were both living in Enfield, New Hampshire.

In 1839 Jonathan C. Pettingill was seventy-two
years old and living in Enfield, New Hampshire; and in 1848 Malinda A. Colby was in said Enfield. Their relationship to the family is not stated.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator