Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,234, Elijah French, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE    
Mass. 

French, Elijah
Susannah

NUMBER
W.24.234

B.L. Wt. 711_150_Ensign.
Issued Dec. 12, 1792 to 
Daniel King, assignee 
No papers.
Page 2

Windsor Vermont 519
Susannah French
of Orange Co. in the State of Vermont 
who was a [blank] in the [blank] commanded 
by Captain [illegible possibly Fish] of the [blank] commanded 
by [blank] in the [blank]
[line for crossed out] widow of Elijah French
decd. late an Ensign in the 
Revolution.
==================
Inscribed on the Roll of Windsor Vt
at the rate of 240 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
==================
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Feby
1837 and sent to Hon. M  
Everett Ho. of Rep. [House of Representatives]
==================
Arrears to the 4 of Sept 1836 $1320.00 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar '37, 120.00 
======
$1440.00 [total]

Act-4 July 1836 3 Sect}
[right] {Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. W. Addison Clerk, [signature and title]
Book A Vol. 1 Page 37-
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By His Excellency Edward Everett
Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in
and over said Commonwealth.

To all whom it may concern:

Know Ye, That Seth Mann Esq is 
a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and 
commissioned, and that to his
Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit 
are and ought to be given in and out of Court; 
that the within Attestation is in due form, and by the proper Officer.

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public 
Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, 
this ninth day of December A.D. 1836, and in the 
sixty first year of the Independence of the United 
States of America

By His Excellency the Governor.
John P. Bigelow [signature]
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[illegible Seal attached at upper left]
Edward Everett [signature below Seal]
Page 4

I Micah White of Randolph formerly of Braintree in the county 
of Norfolk Massachusetts aged eighty-two years testify & say 
that I was well acquainted with Elijah French Jr. of the same 
town & neighborhood in the time of the Revolutionary War, 
and that in the year 1780 the said French married my Sister 
Susannah White. 
The Said French had been in the Service previous to his marriage 
to the Said Susannah, and continued in the Service till the close 
of the War, and held a commission the latter part of the time and 
as this deponent believes for about two or three years
This deponent further testifies that Susannah French the wife 
of  the Said Elijah French resided in the same family with this 
deponent after his marriage till the said French returned from 
the Army and after his discharge for some time, This deponent 
further testifies that the eldest child of the said French, was 
born during the time the Said French was in the Army.
Randolph Mass.  Dec'r. 9th 1836 Micah White [signature]

Norfolk ss. Personally appeared the day and year above written 
Micah White Esq a person to me well known as a credible person 
and took and subscribed the foregoing affidavit
Before me Seth Mann Justice Peace [signature and title]

I Seth Mann of Randolph Mass, aged fifty six years, hereby Certify that I was acquainted with the above named Elijah French from a child until his death. The Sd. [Said] French & my father residing near
 neighbors both in Randolph Mass & Braintree Vt. I was the more 
familiar in said French's family he having a son near my own age who 
was a schoolmate with me
Seth Mann Justice of the Peace [signature and title]
Page 5

Edward Everett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By His Excellency Edward Everett
Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in
and over said Commonwealth.

To all whom it may concern:

Know Ye, That Jonathan Wild [?] Esq is a 
Justice of the Peace for the
County of Norfolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and 
commissioned, and that to his Acts and Attestations, 
as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given 
in and out of Court; that the within Attestation is in 
due form,and by the proper Officer.

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public
Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this
eighth day of December A.D. 1836,
and in the sixty first year of the Independence of
the United States of America

By His Excellency the Governor.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[illegible Seal attached upper left]
Edward Everett [signature below the Seal]
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Braintree Decr 8th 1836

I Asa French do on Oath declare that I am Clerk of the 
Town of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that I have the 
custody of the records of Said Town and that it appears 
by the said Records that the Intention of Marriage 
between Elijah French Junior and Susanna White 
both of the Town of Braintree were recorded in the 
Book of Records March 2d 1780
Asa French Town Clerk [signature and title]

Norfolk ss. Braintree Decr 8th 1836
Then personally appeared Asa French the
Subscriber to the above certificate and made
solemn Oath to the truth of the same and
I certify the Said French is Town Clerk of
Said Braintree and a creditable person
Before me
-
Jon Wilden
Justice Peace [underlined]
Page 7

[left page on edge]
Susannah French, widow
of Elijah French Lt.
Tuppers regt. Mass.
corpl 20 Feb'y  '77 3 years 
Sergt. 1 - Nov '77 xxxx - 1 Jan'y 80 xxxx
[end left page]

[right page]
58
Susannah French
Vt

Original Case
------------------
Admd 
2 yrs Ensign
------------------
240$
------------------
No deduction

Hon H Everett [signature]
Ho. Rep's [House of Representatives]
[end right page]
Page 8

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of 
the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.

State of Vermont Orange County } ss

On this 18th day of August AD 1836 at Braintree 
in Said County personally appeared before the 
Hon. JK Parish assistant Judge of the County Court within & for 
the County aforesaid Susannah French a resident of Braintree 
aforesaid aged eighty five years who being 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.

That she is the widow of Elijah French who was an officer in the 
Revolutionary War and a Lieutenant from the Spring of 1781 in 
Col. Tupper's Regiment of the Massa. [Massachusetts] line till the close of the war.

She further States that She was married to the Said Elijah French 
March 1780 in Randolph Massachusetts by the Rev. Moses Taft, 
Mr. French being at home on a furlough and that her husband the 
Said Elijah French died at Braintree aforesaid March 7th 1798 and that she has remained a widow ever Since as will more full appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

[right] Her
[right] Susannah  X  French
[right] Mark [X being her mark in lieu of signature]

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before
J.K. Parish Assistant Judge of Or. County Court [signature and title]

I certify that the above named declarant Susannah French widow of Elijah French deceased is a person of credibility but from bodily infirmity cannot attend court
J.K. Parish Ast. Judge of Or. County Court

Windsor Pt 23 Augt 1836 I certify that Jacob K Parish is a Judge of Orange County Court a Court of Braintree [sp] and whose [sp] has several signatures on this [?]
are genuine & [?] the office of [?] of State of Vermont is accurate [sp]
[right] Horace Everett [signature]
Page 9

I Isaac Thayer of Randolph in the County of Orange & State 
of Vermont formerly of Randolph Massachusetts aged 72 
years testify and Say that I was well acquainted with one 
Elijah French formerly of the same Randolph Mass. during 
the War of the Revolution and was knowing to his being in 
the Service of the United States as an Ensign before 1781 
and that on the 17th of March 1781 this deponent enlisted 
& joined Col. Tupper's Regt in Capt. Dean's company and 
the Said Elijah French was a Lieutenant in the Said Regt & 
Company & this deponent Served as his waiter, and this 
deponent Served till the end of these years and Lt. Elijah 
French remained in Service for some months after this 
deponent was discharged.
I further testify that I was acquainted with Susannah French 
the widow of Elijah French aforesaid before her marriage to 
the Said French as well as Since their marriage. And I further 
testify that they were married previous to 1781 and that She 
has ever since remained a widow Since the death of her 
husband who died before the year 1800 -
Isaac Thayer [signature]

State of Vermont Orange County } ss 
At Braintree in Said County on this 18th day of August 1836 
Personally appeared Isaac Thayer to me well known as a 
credible person and Subscribed and made oath to the 
foregoing affidavit
Before JK Parish Asst Judge County Court [signature and title]
Page 10

[typed document]
[right]April 5, 1935
[right] Elijah French, W.24234
[right] BA-J/MCS 
[right] am [?]

Mrs. T. W. Larkin
16 Trigon Park
LeRoy, New York

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to  your request for information relative to 
Elijah French who served in the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the 
pension claim, W. 24234, based upon the military service of Elijah 
French.

On December 20, 1780, Elijah French, was commissioned ensign in 
Colonel Thomas Marshall's Massachusetts regiment and from the 
spring  of 1781 until the close of the Revolution he served as 
lieutenant and was in Captain Deane's company in Colonel Tupper's Massachusetts regiment.

He married in March ,1780, Susannah White and both were residents 
of Braintree, Massachusetts. the intention of marriage was recorded in Braintree, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1780.

Elijah French died March 7, 1798, at Braintree, Vermont. He was 
referred to as Elijah French, Junior. The date and place of his birth 
and the names of his parents were not given.

His widow, Susannah, was allowed pension on her application 
executed August 18, 1836, at which time she was eighty-five years of 
age and was living in Braintree, Orange County, Vermont.

It was stated that their oldest child was born while Elijah French 
was in the army and reference was made to a son of the soldier 
but no names were given.

In 1836 one Asa French was town clerk in Braintree, Massachusetts, 
relation to soldier not given. In that year, Hannah Nichols, sister of 
the widow, Susannah, was living in Braintree, Vermont, and Micah
White, their brother, was living in Randolph, Massachusetts, aged 
eighty-two
Page 11

years. 
The papers in this claim contain  no further data relative to the soldier's family.

[right] Very truly yours

[right] A. D. HILLER 
[right] Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 12


Commonwealth of Massachusetts } [flourish] To Elijah French Gentleman, Greetings

Reposing especial Trust & Confidence in your Ability, Courage & good Conduct, I Do 
by these Presents Constitute & Appoint you the Said Elijah French to be an Ensign in 
the Regiment of Foot one of the Battalions raised by this Commonwealth to serve in 
the Continental Army, whereof Thomas Marshall Esq is Colonel. -- You are therefore 
carefully & diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign in the Said Regiment in all 
things appertaining thereto, observing such orders & instructions as you shall receive 
from the Colonel of Said Regiment or any other your Superior Officer for which this 
shall be your Sufficient Warrant, till you shall receive a Commission in a manner & 
form pointed out by the Resolves of Congress of March the Eighth & June the 
Twenty Eighth one thousand Seven hundred Seventy Nine.

Dated at Boston this Twentieth of December one thousand seven hundred & Eighty.

By his Excellency's Command }
[right] John Hancock [signature]
John Avery Secy [signature and title

[illegible rubber stamp center bottom]
Page 13

[lower left on edge]
Vt. No.213
Dec 13
addl pff
4 July '36
Vermont probably
[end lower left on edge]

[rubber stamp lower left]
BOSTON 
DEC 
9
MASS
[end rubber stamp]

J. L. Edwards Esq
Coms. of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 14

Decr 9. 1836.

Sir,
Enclosed I forward to the Department the testimony of the 
Town Clerk of Braintree Mass showing the intention of marriage 
between Elijah French & Susannah White was duly recorded & 
in addition is inclosed the affidavit of Micah White Esq who saw 
them married together with other facts supporting the same.
Seth Mason Esqr the magistrate has also made his certificate of 
acquaintance with the family all of which facts it is believed will 
make the case of Mrs. French satisfactory.

[right] Your obdt Servt [Your Obedient Servant]
[right] J.K. Parish [signature]

J. L. Edwards Esq [signature]
Com Pensions [Commisioner of Pensions]
Page 15

Susannah French
Vt [Vermont] [underlined]
Suspd let to Hon H
Everett Sept. 3, 36.
let to J K Parrish
Oct 6 1836
Same Oct 20 "
do - do -  Nov 11 1836
Act. 4 July 1836
Page 16

Randolph Vt
Oct. 29, 1836
[writing on edge]
Vt Nov 5
addl .pff
4 July 1886
[end writing on edge]

Free

J. L. Edwards Esq

Com. Pensions [Commisioner of Pensions]
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 17


[right] Randolph Vt. October 29th, 1836,
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions,

Sir, Since receiving your letter of the 20th instant I have shown your 
communications to the Hon. Mr. Prentiss S.U. from this State in 
relation to the applications of the four widows, Mrs. French, Bass, 
Nichols, and Randall for pensions & informed him the facts of my 
search for the record evidence of each of their marriages also of 
the papers I had obtained 
At his suggestion I have made my own affidavit of my knowledge 
of the facts in the several cases which he thinks connected with the 
other proof & the declarations of the females themselves will be 
satisfactory to the Department

He also informed me that in his opinion the same proof which has 
been and is now forwarded to the Department in these cases would 
be rec.d [received] as satisfactory in any Court of law to establish a fact. 

Should the division be favorable it will save quite a heavy expense as it 
will be necessary to make a journey of more than 200 miles besides the 
travel from each of the three towns to obtain a Clerks official signature
 in as many Counties

I have obtained the certificate of the magistrate to the credibility of the 
witness Micah White and which I now forward with the former certificates 
& my affidavit.

If however the Department from all the proof before it should still require 
more evidence upon the matter of the certificates the course pointed out 
in your letter of the 20th will be pursued.

[right] Your obt. Servt.
[right] J.K. Parish [signature]
Page 18

Randolph Vt
Feb. 10. 1837

[lower left on edge]
18 Feb
J K Parish
add in care Mrs French
Dr Crump 
[end lower left on edge]

[right] Free

J.L. Edwards Comm. of 
Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 19

[right] Randolph Vt. February 10th 1837
J.L. Edwards Esq Comm. of Pensions

Sir, I herewith forward a commission to Elijah French 
just now come to hand and which I have no doubt will 
convince the Department of his service as an Ensign for 
several of the last years of the War of the Revolution & 
with the proof Heretoforeforwarded will be sufficient to 
establish the claim of the Widow Susannah French to a 
Pension under the act of July 4th 1836.

[right] Your Obdt Servt [Your Obedient Servant]
[right] J.K. Parish [signature]
Page 20

March 26 1935
MRS TW LARKIN 16 TRIGON PK LeROY N.Y.

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
[stamp] Received Mar 27 1935 [illegible]
Gentlemen:

Have you in your records the application for pension for service 
in the Revolutionary War by Elijah French of Braintree Vt.?

He was born probably in Braintree Mass about 1755 and went 
to Braintree Vt. in 1786-7. He had married Susannah White dau.  [daughter]
Micah and Susannah (Eager) White.

Elijah and Susannah (White) French had
1. Abel French b. Jan 27 1782 d. 1807
2. Gamaliel French b. Mar 14 1785 d. 1807
3. Sally French b. Sept. 18 1787 d. 1807
4. Ebenezer W French b. Oct 10 1790 d. 1857 unmarr
5. Elijah Jr. French b Aug 27 1794 m Sally Flint
Page 21

dau. Phineas and Hannah Flint
of Braintree Vt.
The foregoing is from Hist. of Braintree
Vt. by H. Royce Bass, 1983.
If you have pension record of Elijah
French may I have a copy for an
application paper for D.A.R. membership 
on this service to verify family
history of a late period.
Thanking you in advance for
this favor.
Very truly yours
(Mrs) Celia G. Larkin
Registrar- Te-car-na-wun-na Chapter
Le Roy N.Y.
Page 22

P.S. Mass. Soldiers and Sailors has record 
of Elijah French and Elijah Jr.
is this Elijah Jr who was b. 1755 and 
m. Susanna White.
C. G. L.
Page 23

Revy WIDOW, &c.
-----------
File No. 24234
Susannah French
Wid of
Elijah French
Ensign Rev War
------------
Act: July 4th 1836.
Index: --Vol. A, Page 255
Arrangement of 1870. [square bracket each end]

[right page]
1935, Apr. 1 hist to Mrs.
T. W. Larkin M.C.S.
[end right page]