Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14678, John Eliot, N.H.
Page 1

(3--1776)
SERVICE N.H. 
Eliot, John
Rachel
NUMBER W. 14678
CONTENTS
Page 2

New-Hampshire-2110.
Rachel Eliot, 
widow of John Eliot deceased, 
NH
who died on the 4th of March, 1827;
of Nillsbury L co in the State of N. Hamp-
who was a private in the cavalry commanded
by Captain Ezra Town of the regt - commanded
by Col. - N.H. Massachusetts- (crossed out)
for 8 mos. private. 

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire (C,)
at the rate of 26. Dollars 66 Cents, per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of
June, 1838 and sent to S. M.
Richardson, Pelham, N.H.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 = $186.62
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept" 13.33

$199.95
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3-
Recoreded by S. A. Elliot Cleark
Book A, Vol. 2, Pge 24.
Page 3

Declaration
of
Rachel Elliot
Page 4

State of New Hampshire ss

On this twelfth day of September, in the year of our
Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared
before me William M. Richardson, Chief Justice of the
Superior Court of Judicature in said State, Rachel Elliot a resident
of Pelham in the County of Hillsborough and State
aforesaid, Widow, aged eighty five 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
act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the Widow
of John Elliott deceased, of said Pelham, who was a Private
Soldier in the Army of the United States, in the Revolutionary 
War from about the 19th day of April 1775
until eight months, or eight and a half. were completed,
(as will more fully appear by the affidavits accompanying 
this declaration). She further declares, that
she was lawfully married to John Elliot
in the fall of 1769, (as will more fully appear by
refference to the certificate of the Town Clerk of Middleton.)
that her husband the said John Elliott died March
4th 827- and that she has remained a
Widow ever since that period (as will more fully appear
by refference to the accompanying proof.) She
further declares that her maiden name was Rachel
Neeting.- -My said Husband enlisted into the
company commanded by Captain Ezra Town of New Ipswich,
New Hampshire, as I have understood
her X Mark
Rachel Eliot
Page 5

Subscribed as above and sworn to the day
and year above written before the undersigned;
And I do certify that the said Rachel Elliot by
reason of her bodily infirmities is sholly unable
to attend court.  And I do further certify that
the said Rachel [sustains?] the character of
a very pious good woman, & that I have
[__tive] confidence in the truth of her declaration.
William M. Richardson
Page 6

I certify that I find recorded in the
Town records of Middleton the Marriage
of John Eliott to Rachel Nuting
December 7th AD 1769
Middleton Sept 15th 1837 Amos Batehelder[?] {Town Clerk of Middleton

Commonwealth of }
Massachusetts }
[Essex' ??] }

Middleton September 15th 1837.
then Personally appeared the above named Amos
Batehelder and made Oath that he is Town Clerk
of said Town of Middleton & that the above
Certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me
Daniel Fuller Jus't of the Peace

[bottom margin of the page:]
W'm C. Gray [wide space]  The mother of Geo. Elliot [Stirhupe ?]
Page 7

Letter from David
Eliot to his father John
Eliot then living in
Mason N. Hampr-
in which he mentions
his brother John as being
in the army with him

T [space] Mr
John [space] Eliot
In [space] Mason
With [space] care

Eliot, John
(N.H.) W-14678
Page 8

June [?] 21 1775
[illegible] think it my Duty to inform you of the
fight that [?] have had with the [troops?]
the [17?] Day of June [?] began to in [??ench?] on bunkers
[illegible] which[?] the enemy perceiving they began to
fire from the [Shipping?] with their great guns from
[illegible] about [day?] until  [?] of the klock then the
troops [???ing] on the hill we were all called to meet
them [then?] we marched up the hill and the [illegible]
like ^[illegible] hail  untill the [illegible] of the afternoon then
we began with small arms and it continued about
one hour and a half then we retreated and are now
on winter and fortifying.
I desire to remember my Dutey to you and my mother
and my love to all my friends not knowing that I
Shall ever See [any ?] of you again.  I desire all of your
Prayers for me that you would keep me in the [home?] of
[??ble].  I desire that you would [ ? ] god with me for his
goodness to me in Preserving my life and [limbs?] when others
fell by my side in the Day of battle [illegible]
be.  I would let you know that John and I am
well at present and have not heared[sic] from you
[illegible] I came [illegible].        David Eliot

[circular inked stamp aT bottom right edge with the words "THE NATIONAL 
ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES"]
Page 9

Rvy[?] [handwritten]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14,678
Rachel Elliot
Widow of
John Elliot
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index:-Vol. A, Page 207
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

V 2754
Susp'd
see let. to T.[?] M. Richardson
Dec. 7, 1837
Page 11

Mrs Abigail Dakin's
Affidavit relative to
John Elliott service in
1775 -
Page 12

I Abigail Dakin of Hudson in the County
of Hillsborough & state of New Hampshire, aged
eighty seven years, on my oath depose and say,
that I was a Sister of John Eliot who died at Pelham
several years since.  I was knowing to my Brother
John Elliots being in the service in the year
1775.  I think he went to the neighborhood of
Boston immediately after the Lexington fights,
and enlisted into the service of the United States.  I have
often heard him say that he was in Bunker
Hill Battle the 17th June.  I have not the least
doubt but my sd. brother John Elliot served in the
Revolutionary war eight months at this time for
I think I have often heard him say that he served eight
months.  I have also heard other people say that 
he was out eight months at this time.
[signed] Abigail Dakin

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County [?] - September 1st. 1837 - Then personally appear
ed the above named Abigail Dakin and made solemn affirmation in
due form of Law that the above affidavit by her subscribed is accor-
ding to the best of her belief true.-
Before me, Sam'l M. Richardson Just. Peace
I hereby certify, that the above named Abigail Dakin is en-
titled to full credit for truth and veracity
Sam'l M. Richardson Just. Peace
Page 13

Affidavit
Jonathan Pearson
Page 14

of Jonathan Pearson of Pelham in the County of Hillsborough and State
of New Hampshire of lawful age, on my oath depose and say, that Mr. John
Elliot and Rachel Elliot his wife, came to reside at my house in Pelham
aforesaid [wide empty space] that he continued to reside with me
until the 4th March A.D. 1827, at which time he the said John Eliot died, and
his Widow the said Rachel Elliot has continued to reside with me to the present
time.  She has not since married, but has continued the Widow of the said
John Elliot to the present time.  I further testify and say that I have repeat-
edly heard Mr. Elliot say, that he was in Bunker Hill battle, and relate many
particular incidents which took place in the engagement.  I have also heard
him say that he served 8 months in the Revolutionary War-  that he com
-menced the service soon after the Lexington fight which was the 19th April
1775 and continued therein till December. [Four and a half lines of writing are
crossed out.]  From all the circumstances which I have been able to gather
from him and others I have not the least doubt but said Mr. Elliot
served eight months or more in Capt Ezra Town's Company in Col.
[blank space] regiment near Boston, commencing soon after the 19th
April 1776 in the war of the revolution; & it is highly probably, that by
refference[sic] to the files in the war office, of the troops from New Hampshire
(as he belonged to Sharon in said State when he enlisted,) that the eight
months service may be fully substantiated.
[signature illegible]

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County [illegible] - On the 12th day of September 1837,
personally appeared the above named Jonathan Pearson and made
oath in due form of law that the above affidavit by him subscribed
is according to the best of his belief true - (And I hereby certify that the
said Jonathan Pearson is entitled to the fullest credit for truth and
veracity.) -   Before me Sam'l M. Richardson, Justice of Peace
Page 15

V 2754
Declaration,
and proof to substan-
tiate the same, of
Rachel Eliot, widow of John
Eliot, for a pension under
the act of 1836 -
Forwarded through the
Post Office, Pelham NH
By Samuel M. Richardson

[illegible]
[illegible]
-----------
$26.66
------------
no deduction
--------------
S. M. Richardson
Pelham
N.H.
Page 16

State of New Hampshire
Secretary's Office Sept. 22. 1837

[a paper seal is affixed at the left margin]

The within named
William M. Richardson
is Chief Justice of the Superior
Court of Judicature in and for the
State of New Hampshire and
the within named Samuel
M. Richardson is a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County of Hillsborough, each duly
qualified and their [respective signatures ?] [illegible]
[the?] testimony whereof [illegible]
[illegible]
Ralph Metcalf [Secy of State ?]
Page 17

Pelham NH Oct 31 [space...............] [free ?]

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[in left margin]
Nov 4
2754 - 
2756

[depending on how you read it, there is a number "3" before the name "James", or
the letter "W" after the numbers 2754 and 2756]
Page 18

Pelham N.H. Oct. 28. 1837
James L. Edwards Esquire
Sir - I have been absent on a journey for
two weeks past, and on my return a printed Circular
was handed me, on the margin of which was written
"A letter, giving the name of the applicant for a Pension
should accompany the papers."  Had I known that this
new arrangment[sic] had been made, I should have
complied with it; but being totally ignorant of it, I
pursued the course which I had heretofore pursued- which
was, to endorce[sic] my name on the back of the declaration
[illegible] the applicant; & stating the name of the Post Office
[th]rough which it was forwarded.

I was employed to act as Attorney to procure a Pension
for Rachel Elliot, widow of John Eliot, a Revolutionary Soldier,
also to procure a pension for Mary Ditson[?], widow of John
Ditson, a Revolutionary Sergeant & Soldier ^the declarations^ both of which,
were forwarded to the Pension Office in September last
through the Post Office in Pelham New Hampshire

Should this not be deemed sufficient, you will have
the goodness to i nform me what further is to be done.
With much respect
I have the honor to be
your obt. Serv't
Samuel M. Richardson
Page 19

Certificate of the
Town Clerk of Middleton
of the marriage of [strikeout]
John Elliot to Rachel
Nutting -
Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[a seal is affixed to the left margin of the document.  Under the 
seal is handwritten the name...]
Edward Everett

By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over
said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Know Ye, That Daniel Fuller Esq.
is a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Essex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission-
ed, 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
fifteenth day of September A. D. 1837,
and in the sixty second Year of the Independence of
the United States of America.

By His Excellency the Governor.

John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 21

I Joseph Wallace of Milford in the County of
Hillsborough and state of New Hampshire of lawful
age depose and say that I served as a soldier in
the Revolutionary war eight months at winter Hill[?] in
Capt. Crosbys Company in the year of Our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seventy five, and during
the above service I became acquainted with John
Elliot of Mason, was frequently with him.  When I first
became acquainted with the said Elliot, he was
a soldier in Captain Townes[?] Company, he afterwards
enlisted and served in Captain Manns[?] Company, but
the length of time he served in said Manns[?] Company I do
not recollect.
Attest
Nathaniel Bruce
[illegible 2 words] 

Joseph X Wallace
his mark

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough [SS?] March 15-1838 
[illegible] the above named
Joseph Wallace made oath that the above
deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me, Nathaniel Bruce Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County - I hereby certify
that Joseph Wallace the above deponent is a
man of truth & verasity[sic] and in my opinion
is entitled to full credit.

Nathaniel Bruce Justice of the Peace
Page 22

I Joshua[?] Davis of lawful age testify and say that
I was well acquainted with John Elliot [as?] both lived in the
Town of Mason in the County of Hillsborough and State of
New Hampshire at the commencement of the revolutionary war
John Elliot enlisted into the company of Captain Mann of said
Mason early in the spring of the same year that [illegible] Hill
battle was fought and was in that engagement he enlisted
for eight months and I have no doubt that he served longer
than that term because I enlisted the latter part of december
following and he had not returned when I left Mason and
I was frequently at his House [illegible] his Familly[sic] during his
absence he had a wife when he enlisted [how?] many children I do
not recollect  I am now about ninety years old but recollect
distinctly the circumstances as I have stated them

Joshua[?] X Davis
his mark

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County, [?] February 16, 1838 then the above named Joshua
Davis made oath that the above afidavit by him subscribed was
true before me
John Stevens Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County, [illegible] I hereby certify
that Joshua Davis the above named deponent is entitled
to full credit for truth and veracity notwithstanding his
great age

John Stevens Just. Peace
Page 23

[a  seal is affixed to the left side of the top of the page.]

State of New Hampshire
[Secretarys?] Office March 19.1838.
The within named Nathaniel
Bruce and [illegible] Stevens are
Justices of the Peace in
and for [illegible] County of
Hillsborough duly qualified and their
[signatures?] as such genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set the Seal of the State.
Ralph [Metcalf?] Sec'y of State
Page 24

[upper left corner] Pelham NH Mar 22
[upper right corner illegible] 

[written sideways] Mar 27 [illegible] Rachel Elliott[sic]

James L. Edwards Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington - City
District of Columbia

Additional evidence in the
application of Rachel Eliot for a pension
for services rendered by her late husband
John Eliot during the revolutionary war
Forwarded through the P.O. Pelham N.H.
Page 25

Pelham New Hampshire March 20, 1838
James S. Edwards Esq'r
Sir.  I forward enclosed, the Affidavits of Joshua Davis and
Joseph Wallace, duly authenticated, which I wish to be taken as
and made a part of the evidence in support of the claim of
Rachel Eliot, who claims a Pension for services rendered by her
late husband John Eliot during the Revolutionary War; whose
declaration is now on file in your Office, but the  ^original^ evidence
which accompanied said Declaration, was deemed insufficient to
substantiate her claim.  It may be thought that there are
some discripency[sic] in the accompanying affidavits.  Old Mr. Davis
testifies that Eliot entered into Capt. Mann's[?] Company.  But old Mrs.
Eliot explains it in this way - It became sickly in the camp in
the fall, & that Mr Eliot was a good hand to take care of the sick
& at the earnest solicitation of those who were sick (many of whom were
his neighbors and friends) he was transfered[sic] from Capt Town's Com-
pany to that of Capt Mann's[?] to take care of the sick.  Mrs Eliot sa[obscured]
she has repeatedly heard her husband state the above fact, and so [obscured]
her Daughter Mrs. Pearson.  It is believed that the affidavit of Old
Mr. Wallace will fully explain the whole transaction.

On the 19th of January last, I forwarded through the Post Office
in Pelham N.H. additional proof in the Case of Mrs. Ditson[?] the
widow of Sam'l Ditson deceased, but have had no return.  You will
have the goodness to inform me whither the [pacage?] has arrived
& what disposition has been made of it.

I have the honor to be
With great respect
your Obedient Servant
Sam'l M Richardson Agent for
Rachel Elliot.