Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16579, Offen French, N.H.
Page 1

SERVICE
NUMBER
W. 16579
French, Offen
or
Orphin
Susanna
CONTENTS
Page 2

[Printed form and handwritten entries]
16.037
New Hampshire
Offen French
of Bradford in the State of N. Hampshire
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Cilley of the N. Hampshire line, for the term of One year & 3 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15 of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 of July 1819 and sent to Joshua Darling Esq
Amherst New Hampshire

Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819           85.29
Semi-anl, all'ce ending Sep/1819  48.00
[illegible] 164                             $133.29
3031

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

Was Continued [in pencil]

[In pencil on right- vertical]
Sent to Joshua Darling Esq.
31 July 1820 Hennike
New Hampshire
Page 3

[Printed form and handwritten entries]
1988
New Hampshire Concord
---
Susanna French
widow of Offen French
who was a Private
in the N. H line
N. H. for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
15th day of Sept 1843
and sent to
Wm West
Concord
N. H.

Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 16

[in pencil on right]
Rept Sept 15
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows.
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss. On this twenty third day of August A.D. 1838 personally appeared before me Horace Chase Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Merrimack
Susanna French a resident of Bradford in the County of Merrimack aged seventy two 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 7th 1838 entitled An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows: That she is the widow of Offen French, who
was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, who was a pensioner unter the Law of the United States of the 18th March 1818 his certificate was numbered 14037 and was returned by Ebert [Ebenz.?] Cressy Administrator to obtain arrears of Pension due up to the time of 
his death, reference being had to the declaration of the said
Offen French and the confirmatory papers now on file in the Pension office "his name was by some people spelt Orphin"
She further declairs that she was married to the said Offer French on the twenty second day of December in the year seventeen hundred ninety by the Rev William Kelley then Minister of Warner in said County
that her husband the aforesaid Offen French
died on the 5th day of May 1827, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous
to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated, and that she
Page 5

has never been married since and that she still remains his widow.
Witness Horace Chase
Susanna French [her signature]
Samuel Jones
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me
Horace Chase Judge of Probate
I certify that by reason of age and bodily infirmity the aforesaid declaration was taken in Bradford the town of her residence
Horace Chase Judge of Probate
Page 6

(1071
Susanna French
Widow of
Offen
N. H.
Act 7 July 38

Married in 1790
Died in 1827
aom [amount?]
12 mo [per?]
40 $

No deduction 

Saml Jones
Bradford
N. H.
Page 7

I Clark Sargent of Warren in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire depose and say that in the list of marriages solemnised by Reverend William Kelley as recorded on the town Clerks Book in Warner is the following record to wit. Orphin French of Bradford and Susanna Prissey of Warner.
And I certify that the above is a true Copy of
the record, with the exception of the date
which is expressed on the record with fair
legible figures " December twenty second one thousand seven hundred and ninety. Dec, 22nd 1790
I Clark Sargent above named depose and say
that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Warner County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of
said town with the exceptions above named as
certified by me
Warner August 20 1838
Clark Sargent Town Clerk of Warner
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack August 20th 1838
Sworn and subscribed before me
Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace
Page 8

I Daniel Miller of Bradford in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire depose and say that Offen French of Bradford a Revolutionary Pensioner died on the fifth day of May 1827 I was at the house soon after he died, helped lay him out, and made a coffin and assisted at the burial on the 27th
I further testify that the said Offen French left a
Widow, by the name of Susanna French, she is still living, and has not been married since the death of her husband and has lived in this town ever since
Daniel Miller [his signature]

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack Bradford August 20th 1838
Sworn and subscribed before me and I certify
that the deponent is a credible witness whose testimony is good in any Court of Law
Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace

I Joshua Jewett of Bradford in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire depose and say, that Office French of Bradford a Revolutionary Pensioner, died on the fifth day of May 1827, I was at his house soon after he died, and set up with the corps one night and was at the funeral, I further testify that the said Office French lived within forty rods of my house when he died, and that he left a widow by the name of Susanna French, who has lived in town ever since the death of her husband and has never since been married and is now living a widow,
Joshua Jewett [his signature]

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss. Bradford August 20th 1838
Sworn and subscribed this day before me, and I certify that the deponent is a credible person whose testimony is good in any Court of Law
Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace
Page 9

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County
The subscriber Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Merrimack hereby certifies and attests that Horace Chase Esquire is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of
Merrimack, that full faith and credit may and
ought to be given to his acts as such and that his signature to the declaration hereunto annexed is his genuine signature. And I do hereby further certify that Samuel Jones Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Merrimack and that his signature to the affidavits hereto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty fourth day of August in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight,
H.B. Chase
Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Merrimack
[Seal and ribbon in lower left corner]
Page 10

To the Honorable Joshua Darling one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the first District in the County of Hillsborough New Hampshire -
I Offen French of Bradford in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire testify and say that I enlisted into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war on
the Continental establishment in the month of August 1782  for the term of three years and served during said term till after the close of the war and some time in the fall of the year 1783 in a Capt. Frye's Company commanded by Lieut Cilley in the First New Hampshire Regiment, at which [illegible] consequence of my sickness I received a furlough to return home [illegible] and was during my absence notified by the commanding Officer at West Point by letter that my services would no more be wanted and that my furlough should be a sufficient discharge and by that I received my pay. 
I further testify that in consequence of my reduced circumstance in life I need the assistance of my country for support
April 18. 1818-  Offen [X his mark] French
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough April 15 1818.
Then personally appeared the above named Offen French
and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him Subscribed is just and true before me

Joshua Darling
One of the Associate Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas
for the first District in
Hillsborough County
New Hampshire
Page 11

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough
I Joshua Darling Judge of the Court
as aforesaid hereby certify that it
appears to my satisfaction that the said Offen French served in the Revolutionary Army in the Continental establishment against the common enemy more than nine month at one period of continuous service; and I further certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said applicant is in reduced in circumstances in life and stands in need of assistance from his Country for support.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 15th day of April A.D. 1818
Joshua Darling
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough
I Moses Eastman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the first District Hillsborough County New Hampshire do certify that the Hon Joshua Darling is Judge of said Court, that the above is his signature, and that the seal affixed is the seal said county
Moses Eastman Clerk

[vertical writing on left edge]
Offen French No. 7
Affidavit on application for Pension
Page 12

Offen French
14037 Continued
C 13 July 49
Page 13

[printed form with handwritten information]
To the Justice of Court of Common Pleas, now sitting a Hopkinton within and for the County
of Hillsborough and State of New-Hampshire.
1820, July 11th
Offin [Offen] French aged Fifty Eight, resident in Bradford in said County, comes into Court, and, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed on the 1st day of May 1820, 
brings with him, and in his proper person, exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole estate, and income, (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted) as follows:
Real Estate none

Personal Estate
6 old chairs             1.50
one pine table           .75
one fire shovel           .83
Two chains                 2.00
One Handsaw            1.00
One Broad axe           1.00
one Hoe                       .34
one pr old Cart Wheels - 12.00
Knives & Forks              .75
One Adz                        .83
Two Augers                   .83
                                $21.83

He owes
Eben Geesey [Creesey?]  50.
Abel Connor                    10.
Josiah Rowe                       4.
                                      $64.00
Attest Enoch Bailey
Office [his X mark] French

And the said Offin [Offen] French 
in pursuance as aforesaid, produceth to said Court the following oath by him duly taken and subscribed, viz
I  Offin [Offen] French do solemnly swear
that I was a resident of the United States on the 18th of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any
manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has
any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Attest Enoch Bailey
Offin [Offen]  [his X mark]French
Page 14

[printed form with handwritten entries]
And the said Offin [Offen] French doth here in Court further declare on oath, that
he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows, viz.
He enlisted in Augt about the tenth 1782 und Capt Isaac Frye for the term of three years and was transfered into Capt. Potters company under the command of Col. Scott, commandant of the first New Hampshire Regiment
he received a furlow [furlough] in consequence of sickness untill called for for further duty at West point in the fall of 1783 making about thirteen months

That the date of his original declaration in order to obtain a pension is 15th of April 1818 and the number of his pension certificate is 14.037
That his occupation is Farmer can do about half a mans labour, That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz.
His wife aged years fifty three Phebe aged sixteen Sukey aged fourteen James aged twelve Juda aged Ten and Aaron aged nine years and he the said Offin [Offen] French is unable to support himself and family without the assistance of his country.

Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said Schedule and at the same together with a copy of the premises be duly certified to the Secretary of War. 
Sworn and declared before the Hon. Joshua Darling of K. Smith Justice of Court the Eleventh day of July 1820.
Attest Enoch Bailey 
Offin [his X mark] French
M. Eastman Clerk
Hillsborough Court of Common Pleas
July 11 1820
The aforesaid Schedule and oath, and the above declaration subscribed by sworn by the said Offin [Offen] French having been by him exhibited in person and present to the Court
and same being seen and considered:
It is the opinion of said Court, that the value of the property, contained in said Schedule is 21.83 and that the said Offin [Offen] French is indebted as above
Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified, to the Secretary of War.
Attest,
M. Eastman Clerk.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hillsborough ss.} I M. Eastman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the said County of Hillsborough being a Court of record, do certify, That the foregoing Schedule and oath and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the Court
thereon, are truly copied from the records and files of said Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the
11th day of July 1820
M Eastman Clerk
Page 15

[printed form and  very faint handwritten entries]
Rev WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 16579
Susana French 
Wid of 
Offen French 
Priv Rev War
---
Act: Mrch 3rd / 43 [1843]
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 16

[printed form and faint handwritten entries]
New Hampshire 1080
Susanna French
widow of Offen French, des 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18' Dec '18
and who died on the 5 May 1827
of Merrimack in the State of N. H.
who was a Pri in the County command
by Captain [illegible] of the Regt commanded
by Cilley in the N. H.
line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Nov. '38 and [stand and on?]
Bedford N H
Arrears to the 4th of Sept  $100.00
Semi-annual allowance ending $20.00
$120.00 [total]
Act July 7,1838.
Recorded by R. [Burdine?], Clerk
Book A Vol.1 Page 40
Page 17

2235
Susannah French - 1843
$40 per ann [annum]
W. West
Concord N.H.
Page 18

[Printed form and handwritten entries]
State of New Hampshire
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Josiah Stevens Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that William West is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Merrimack duly Commissioned and
qualified; that his Commission was dated on the Eighteenth day of June 1840 and will expire on the Eighteenth day of June 1845 and that his signature to the annexed instrument
is genuine.
day of June
Given under my hand and the seal of said State this second
1843.
Josiah Stevens [signature]
Secretary of State.
Page 19

[printed form and handwritten entries]
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.
Merrimack ss
On this Twenty Seventh day of March 1843. Personally appeared before
William West a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Susannah French a resident of Bradford in the
County of Merrimack and State aforesaid, aged 76 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 Offin [Offen] French, who was a private during the Revolution in the New Hampshire Continental line

That she was a pensioner under the act of 7th July, 1838, which she received at the rate of Forty -dollars per annum,
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me

Susannah X French
her Mark
[?]French [handwritten in left margin]

Wm West Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me, That she is a credible Witness whose statements are entitled to full credit
Wm West, Jus. Peace
Page 20

I David Howe declare upon oath
that sometime in August 1782 the forepart of it While I was stationed at Saratoga, Offen
French, Joined the Company to which I
belonged commanded by Capt Elect Frye in
the first New Hampshire Regiment then
Commanded by Col Henry Dearborn and
know that said Office French continued thus in said Company while I was dismissed the Service June 7 1783 and left said French in said Company & Regmt. I am confident that the same Offen French aforesaid is now living
before me - 
June 17, 1819 David Howe

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough SS
June 17, 1819
Then personally appeared the above named David Howe a credible and disinterested witness and made solemn oath, that the
foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true Before me.
Joshua Darling
One of the Associate Justices of the Court of
Common Pleas for the First District Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
and Justice of the Peace of 
the Quorum
Page 21

I Stephen Colby testify upon oath
and declare that I was well acquainted with
Offen French, in the month of
August 1782. at Saratoga Said French
Served in the first New Hampshire
Regiment in Capt Frye's Company
and knew him to serve until some
time in the fall. I think the last of
Nov. 1783 - in the Revolutionary War
on the Continental establishment in
the New Hampshire Line - I was
acquainted with said Offen French before
the war & have [[ever?] since known him
June 17, 1819.  Stephen Colby [his signature]

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough SS
June 17. 1819. Then personally appeared
the above named Stephen Colby a credible and disinterested witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just the before me

Joshua Darling
Associate Judge of the Count of
Common  Pleas for the District of Hillsborough County New Hampshire & Justice of the Peace of the Quorum in said County
Page 22

[on left]
Deposition of Daniel Miller & Benjamin Murrey  in the case of of Offen French

[on right]
Offen French
Private
Col Cilleys Regiment
New Hampshire Line
1782 - 1 year
Aug 82 to Nov. 83
Admitted
Page 23

We the subscribed inhabitants of Bradford in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire testify and say that we are well acquainted with Offen French of
Bradford & consider him to be a poor man
and of reduced circumstances in life so as to need assistance from his Country for support
Daniel Miller
Benjamin Murrey
April 151818
Sworn to before me
Joshua Darling Justice Peace
Page 24

Hon. John S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions-
Washington D.C.
Page 25


Concord NH. June 23 1843
Sir

I herewith transmit to the Department
the Declaration of Susannah French, widow
of Offen French for a pension, under the act of
Congress of the 3d March 1843
When examined please to return the
result to me, at Concord NH office. 

I am very
Respectfully your 
Obt. Servt.
Wm. West atty. for Claimant

Hon. J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions