Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1846, Nathan French, Mass
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass  French, Nathan W.1846
Mary  B.L. Wt. 26606-160-55
Page 2

2311
[underlined] Ohio, Pittsburgh Agency
Nathan French
of Geauga in the State of Ohio Who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Layman of the Regt: commanded by Col. Woodbridge in the Mass line fo 1 year from 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 40 - Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834

Arrears to 4thof Sept-1832  
                                                 60-
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 
4 Mar. 33                                  20-
                                                $80-

{Revolutionary Claim Act 
June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book D  Vol. 2  Page 131
Page 3

432
Ohio - Pittsburgh
Mary French-
widow of Nathan French who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private-
Massachusetts Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40- Dollars- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Dec. 1849 and sent to James Hatheway
Chardon
Ohio.-

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 29, 1848, Page 387 Vol 1
July     Book. D.

Henry Robinson Clerk
Page 4

42068 1 Act March 3/55 April D 5 /15 
Mary French wid of Nathan French for 
Capt Col Revolutionary War Applicant Rev Pensioner July 48 452 No:. 160 as May 16/56 Boynton
R .  James Hathaway Chardon Ohio to Cir J. Hathaway Ohio July 4. 153 Ohio Vol. F.:134
Page 5

Nathan French
Ohio No 3867-

from 1776 private
12 months
$40.
Page 6

Brief in the case of Jonathan French-? of Geauga County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 72 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table, headings: Period | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days | Rank. |Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
In 1776 | - | 5 | - | Private Col Woodmans Regiment Capt Joseph Laymans com
1777 | - | 3 | - | " | Major Bannister Capt Fairfield
1780  | - | 4 | - | " Private | Major Farrow

5. In what battles was he engaged? ---
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? West Hampton Massachusetts 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness traditionary 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? mentioned. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above C Little Examining Clerk.
Page 7

STATE OF OHIO OF [blank], ss.
On this 29 day of May, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty - five, personally appeared before me a  Notary Public within an for the county and state aforesaid, Mary French aged 83 years a resident of Leroy in the state of Ohio, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the widow of Nathan French who was a private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] in the regiment of [blank] commanded by Colonel [blank], in the war with Great Britain [crossed out] termed the War of the Revolution 

that her said husband enlisted at [blank], on or about the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. for the term of [blank] and continued in actual service in said war for the term of [blank] and was honorably discharged as [blank], on the  [blank] day of [blank], A.D.

She further states that she was married to the said Nathan French [illegible][illegible] on the 16th day of May A.D. 1799 by one Enoch Hale, a minister, and that her name before said marriage was Mary Thorp; that her husband died at Leroy Ohio on the 11th day of Aug 1847, A.D. and that she is now a widow.

She further declares that she has never heretofore made application for bounty under [crossed out],

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855.
her mark X Mary French

We, A. C French and O. B. Jones, residents of Lake Co, in the State of Ohio upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mary French, in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
A C French
O. B. Jones

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I verify that I know the applicants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be; and that I have no interest in this claim. Witness my hand and seal officially

L Hathaway Notary Public

That she the said Mary French states on addition to her above statements that she made application for a Revolutionary pension under the act July 29 1848 and made proofs of marriage and received a pension certificate dated Dec 17th 1849 for $40 per annum that she has no particular knowledge of service or the officers the said Nathan French served under but for the proofs in support of her marriage she refers to the application and proofs of said Nathan and her proofs now in the Pension office whereupon she was allowed a pension she request her land
Page 8

Warrant to be sent to James Hathaway Chardon Ohio 1 Mary her X mark French
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of March AD 1853 J. H Hathaway Notary Public
Page 9

State of Ohio Lake County} On this day of May A.D. 1849 personally appeared before me Milo Harris an associate judge in and for said county and state Mary French a resident of Leroy in said county and 
State as aforesaid aged 77u years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her said oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the twenty ninth day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.

That she is the widow of Nathan French who was a Revolutionary soldiers and pensioner at the rate of Forty dollars per annum

That she was married to said Nathan French in Westhampton Hampshire county and commonwealth of Massachusetts on the sixteenth day of May in the year of our lord one thousand [crossed out "eight] seven hundred and seventy nine by the Rev Mr. Hale who was a settled minister of that town that they hands of matrimony were published some months previous to our said marriage.

That the said Nathan French died in said Leroy county and State as aforesaid on the thirtieth day August in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.

That her maiden name was Mary Thorp and that she has a record of her marriage made by her said husband in his own handwriting about the time of our said marriage which is herewith attached. She further declares that she has not intermarried but continjues
Page 10

the widow of the said Nathan French deceased. She refers to proofs hereunto attached and prays that a certificate may be granted to her under said act.
her mark X Mary French
in presence of
E. C. Rogers

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned and I certify that the above named declarant Mary French is, from common report a person of truth and [illegible]  and bodily infirmity unable to attend court

Milo Harris, - Associate Judge
Lake County Ohio
Page 11

State of Ohio Lake County SS⎬ Amos C. French a resident of Leroy in said County and State aged 38 years who being first duly sworn according to law do on my said depose and say that I am the sixth Child of Nathan and Mary French, that my said father and Mother formerly lived in Westhampton in the County Hampshire and State of Massachusetts and that I have understood always that my Father and mother were married in the said Westhampton County and State as aforesaid that they moved from said Westhampton to this place in the year 1831 that my father the said Nathan French Died in said LeRoy County of Lake and State of Ohio as aforesaid on the 30th day of August AD 1847. That my father the said Nathan French was a Revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of forty dollars per annum and further this deponent saith not- Amos French Sworn to and subscribed Before me this 10 day of May AD 1849 and I certify from common report that the above deponant is a person of truth and probity Milo Harris F. Associate Judge of Lake County Ohio
Page 12

State of Ohio Lake County SS⎬ I J.H. Hilliard a resident of LeRoy in said County and State of lawful age who being first duly sworn according to law doth on my said oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Nathan French deceased who was a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner at the rate of forty dollars per annum that the said Nathan French died in said Leroy County and State as afore said on the 30th day of August A D 1847 leaving a widow by the name of Mary French whom I am well acquainted with, that the said Mary French has not intermarried but continues the widow of the said Nathan French and further this deponent saith not F H Hilliard Sworn to and Subscribed Before me this 10th day of May A.D. 1849 and I certify, that the above named Deponant is, from common report a person, of truth and probity Milo Harris Associate Judge of Lake County Ohio
Page 13

The State of Ohio,  LAKE COUNTY, SS. 
]
I, CHARLES D. ADAMS, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the county of Lake, and State of Ohio, do by these presents certify and make known, that Hon Milo Harris [crossed out: Esquire,] before whom the annexed and foregoing affidavits of Mary French + Amos C French & F H Hilliard was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name, was at the time of taking the same, and now one of the Associate Judges within and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, agreeably to the Laws of the State of Ohio and to all whose official acts as such, full faith and credit is, and ought to be given throughout the United States, and elsewhere. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Painesville, in said County, this 20th day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. 
C.D. Adams Clerk
Page 14

Anne French born October 29th 1806
Boynton French born March 9th 1808
Nathan French his account Book
Westhampton Janry 23 1794 or to
Nathan French Married to Persis French June [illegible] 1790 had a son still born March 22nd 1790
May [crossed out and illegible]
I Nathan French Married to Marah Throp May 16th 1799 Nathan French was born March 17 1800. 
Persis French born April 12th 1802
Anne Frence born APril 2nd 1809
French the departed this life
Nathan French born Feby 3rd 1760 Persis born October 20th 1763.
Page 15

[Each letter in a box]
A B C D
E F G H 
I J L M
N O P Q
R S T U
V W X Y 
Z K N F
Page 16

3867 
Nathan French 
Pension declaration 12 Filed Augt 10th 1832 

Nathan French for a pension  In testimony whereof I have here set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of August 1832
Edward Paine Clerk
Page 17

The State of Ohio Geauga County ⎬ On the 10th day of August 1832 Personally appeared before the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio in & for said County Nathan French a resident of [crossed out: Clardon] LeRoy in said County of Geauga, aged Seventy two 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. to wit 
That he enlisted in West Hampton in the State of Massachusetts for the term of five months, in May or June 1776 in Captain Joseph Lyman's Company, in Colonel Woodbridges Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, and entered the service early in June, and marched directly to Skenesborough Halted a few days at that place and proceeded by Water to Ticonderoga, but as the small Pox prevailed at that place, the Regiment was not permitted to land, and the troops were compelled to encamp on the East side of the Lake the next day the whole party returned to Skeenesborough after remaining at Skenesborough about two weeks he was again ordered to Ticonderoga and proceeded with the Company down the Lake to that place and was there stationed until discharged about the first of November 1776- He was taken sick previous to the capture of the shipping under Colonel Arnold, was then sick, and remained unfit for active service until
Page 18

discharged- He again enlisted at West Hampton aforesaid for the term of three months in August or September 1779 in Captain Fairfield's Company of militia in a Regiment under the immediate command of Major Bannister, and marched directly to Boston. after remaining there about two weeks he was detached with a part of the Company as a Guard to conduct a party of British prisoners to New London to be exchanged for French Prisoners. The exchange took place at Norwich Landing- He was soon after stationed with the whole Company on Dorchester Heights under Major Bannister where he remained until discharged by that officer in November or Decr following. That That He has no Documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person excepting John Elliott son son of Hambden in this County by whom he can prove any part of his service. That he resided in West Hampton from the commencement of the Revolutionary war and till June 1831 when he removed to the Roy where he now resides- He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any State. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Open Court Nathan French - Edward Paine Jun. Clerk.
Page 19

# Enlisted at West Hampton aforesaid for the term of four months, in July 1780 in Captain Ebenezer Sheldons Company in the Regiment under the immediate command of Major Farrow/Colonel name unknown of the Massachusetts Militia Marched to Claverack in the State of New York & remained there two or three weeks was then marched to West Point. soon after ordered to Fishkill stationed there as a Guard under Major Farrow, until ordered to West Point by Genl Arnold where the Company arrived on the day of his escape, after his maker was discovered remained a short time at West Point and returned to Fishkill there served until discharged by Major Farrow in November 1780
W. Luther Cole & Chester H. Gee of Thompson & LeRoy Samuel Russell & Chandler Alden of Batavia in the County of Geauga aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan French who has signed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age. That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have a been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion- Sworn & Subscribed the 18th day of August 1832 Luther Cole Chester H Gee
Edward Paine Jr Clerk
Page 20

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Luther Cole and Chester H. Gee both of whom are residents of the townships of Thompson & Le Roy, who signed the preceding Certificate are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.- Edward Paine and Clerk
I Edward Paine Jun. Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio in and for the County of Geauga do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan French for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of August 1832 Edward Paine Jr Clerk
Page 21

December 3, 1930.
Belle N. Emery Mercer, Pennsylvania.Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. ILL 
Dear Madam: You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 1846, that Nathan French was born February 3, 1760, place not stated. While a resident of Westhampton, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as private in the Massachusetts troops as follows: from May or June, 1776, five months in Captain Joseph Lyman's Company , Colonel Woodbridge's Regiment; from August or September, 1779, three months in Captain Fairfield's Company under Major Bannister; from July, 1780, four months in Captain Ebenezer Sheldon's Company under Major Farrow. He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while a resident of Le Roy, Geauga County, Ohio, having moved there in 1831 from Westhampton, Massachusetts. Soldier died August 30, 1847 in Le Roy, Lake County Ohio. Nathan French married May 16, 1799 in Westhampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Marsh or Mary Throp or Thorp.
 She was allowed pension on her application executed May 10, 1849, while a resident of Le Roy, Lake County, Ohio, aged seventy seven years; she was still living there in 1855. In 1849, Amos C. French, a resident of Lake County, Ohio, aged thirty-eight years, stated that he was the sixth child of Nathan and Mary French. 1.
Page 22

The following also appear on the family record: Nathan French married to Persis Sheldon June 16, 1790, had a son still born March 22, 1791. Persis French was born October 30, 1765. Persis French died October 4 (?), 1796, in the 31st year of her age. 

Nathan French born March 17, 1800.
Parsis " " April 12, 1802.
Anna " " October 29, 1804 or 1805
Boynton " " March 9, 1908(?)
Anna " " April 2, 1809
Anna  " died January 12, 1805
Sybel Warren died April 16, 1801 
Very truly yours, E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.
Page 23

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of ? Jonathan French which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? yes 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes 
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? Yes 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate: yes 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 24

2.
XI Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
 ing it? No 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain no 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? one living witness 
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
EXPLANATORY NOTES. QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: Foryear months and - days, I served as a For months days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 25

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served; and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must is under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 26

J. Cole Mary
Page 27

John Elliott Affidavit Nathan French Case
Page 28

The State of Ohio Geauga County SS
I John Elliott of Hambden in said County being duly sworn do on my said Oath depose & say that in May or June in the year 1776 I enlisted at Northampton in the State of Massachusetts in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Joseph Lyman and Marched with said Company to Skeenesborough & Cotton two or three weeks duly proceeded to Ticonderoga and was stationed there untill the expiration of the term of enlistment which was five months. And further that I have for many years been well acquainted with Nathan French now of Le Roy in said county that the said French enlisted & served as a private in said Company under Captain Lyman during the whole of said five months, that was with said French nearly the the whole of said term of service that he was sick again in Ticonderoga, and that I took the charge of him in his sickness until he was removed to the hospital - Hambden August 17th 1832 John Glick 
Geauga County ss I do hereby certify that on the 17th day of August 1832, John Elliott personally appeared and subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me and I do further certify that I in personally acquainted with the said John Elliott and believe that he is a credible witness, and that his statement entitled to full credit Hamblen August 17th 1832. James Hathaway Justice Peace
Page 29

the State of Ohio GeaugaCounty SS⎬

I Edward Paine Jun. Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, in & for said County of Geauga do hereby certify that James Hathaway Esquire, before whom the above Oath appears to have been taken was a Justice of the peace in and for said County and that full faith is due to his officiant acts, as such, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and believe the above signature purporting to be his, is true and genuine, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 18th day of August 1832 Edward Paine Jun. Clerk
Page 30

No 582 Mary French widow of Nathan 
Act 29 July 1848 
Married 1799 
His died 1847 
Admd onetrf $40 per annum, 
Cong 11 March 1848, (
Pittsburgh hall) James Hathaway Chardon Ohio
Page 31

Chardon Geauga Co. Ohio, November 8th 1849 
Sir, I herewith transmit to your office the Pension application of Mrs Mary French widow of Nathan French a Revolutionary War per or together with proof of identity & the family record of marriage. Very Respectfully your Most Obt. Servant, James Hathaway 
HonJ.L. Edwards Com of Pensions Washington City
Page 32

December 20, 1930 
Belle N. Emery Mercer Pennsylvania Account bureau Rev. & 1812 Wars Section NCS 
Dear Madam: Your letter of November 15, 1930, addressed to the General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C., has been referred to this for reply. You are advised that on December 3, 1930, you were furnished the full history of Nathan French, W. 1846, as shown by the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. Very truly yours, E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
Letter of inquiry returned  to Belle N. Emery
Page 33

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON 
RECORDS DIVISION IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE R - LA November 19, 1930. 
Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Sirs: Attached hereto is letter from Belle N. Emery, Mercer, Pennsylvania, dated November 15, 1930, relative to the Revolutionary War record of Nathan French, which is referred for your consideration and reply direct to the writer thereof. For the Comptroller General of the United States. Respectfully, W. W. Richardson Chief, Records Division.
Page 34

REGISTER OF WILLS OF MERCER COUNTY CLERK OF COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS AND EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE ORPHANS' COURT 
J.A. McLAUGHRY, PRESENT JUDGE
BELLE N. EMERY CLERK 
EDWARD N. EMERY DEPUTY 
[postmart REVOLUTIONALRY WAR BUREAU OF PENSION NOV 17 1930]
MERCER, PA. Nov. 15th, 1930 192___
Nathan French Rev. Soldier Born Feb. 1760 Mass. Died Aug. 30th, 1847 Leroy Tp., Lake Co. O. Drew a pension from the government. listed among those in new Connecticut Chapter D.A.R. Painsville, O 
Gentlemen; I am anxious to secure any information possible about the above soldier. I believe he served with Capt. Ezra Eaton's Company of blacksmiths or under Col Thaddeus Kosciusko or Jeduthan Baldwin engineers. We think he might have been among the Conn. soldiers but a letter from the Dept. of Connecticut said they failed to find his Sincerely, Belle N. Emery
Page 35

1830. Dec. 3. Hist to Belle N. Emery ILL 
930 Dec to Belle N. Emery ado his from Dec 3, 1930 NCS

WIDOW, &c. File No. 
Mary French Widow Nathan French, Pri Rev. War - Act July 29, 1848 Index: -- Vol. A Page 252 [Arrangement of 1870.]