Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39434, Peter Derry, Mass.
Page 1

(8-17760

Service
Mass.

Derry, Peter

Number
S. 39434
Page 2

[right side of page]
4,125

Vermont Rolls

Peter Derry
Bailey's Regt. 4
Private.
Massachusetts Line
the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 11th of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th of November 1818.
and Sent to Phinehas White Esq. Judge
Putney, Windham, Vt

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 4 mos 25/30 - 38.66
Semi-anl all'ce ending 4 March 1819 - 48.
[total] $86.66 [double underlined]

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

18 mos. 1778 - '79 - '80 -

Brookline Continued

[left side of page, very faint]
Date of death
not on OB

[written vertically at left]
notification sent October 26, 1820 to
James Elliot, Brattleboro, Vermont
Page 3

To Phinehas White Esq, Chief Judge of Windham County Court in the State of Vermont -

I Peter Derry of Brookline in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, claiming the benefit of an act of Congress passed on the 18th day of March in the present year of our Lord was entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War. - Do in provisions of this said Act, here solemnly affirm, make the following declaration to wit, that I the said Peter Derry served in the War of the Revolution on the continental establishment as follows - enlisted and entered the service in June 1778 for nine months in the Regiment under Col. Bailey in his company of Capt. Darby and was discharged in February next following before my time of inlistment expired in the Massachusetts Line. And afterwards in August 1779 I inlisted for the term of nine months - in the Regiment of the Massachusetts Line of Col. Jackson in the Company called the Lieut. Colonel's- commanded by Lieut. Howard (if I rightly remember) and regularly served out my term and was discharged on the 15th day of May 1780 - honorably by Col. Jackson - after his discharge I set off to get some back pay many years ago and never have seen it since - so that it is not in my power to [illegible] it - And I further on oath, declare that I am now old - in feeble health - and have but very little property - so that by reason of my reduced circumstances I am in need of the charity of my country for support - In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand this 11th day of April Anno Domini 1818.

Peter Derry

Affirmed
Page 4

State of Vermont}
Windham County SS}

Be it remembered that on this 11th day of April in the year of our Lord 1818 Peter Derry, the foregoing applicant, personally appearing, he made solemn affirmation to the truth of the preceding Declaration by himself subscribed, under the pains and penalties of perjury in due form of law before me Phinehas White Chief Judge of Windham County Court

And I do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Peter Derry did serve in the Revolutionary War as is stated in the preceding Declaration, against the common enemy - And I now transmit the foregoing and testimony had and taken before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my official signature and have caused the Seal of Windham County Court to be annexed.
Phinehas White,
Chief Judge
of Windham
County Court

[seal affixed left]

Windham County SS - Oct. 26th 1818 I hereby certify that I know Peter Derry, the foregoing applicant, to be a very poor feeble old man - has a sickly [illegible] family - in years past, has been in part dependent on the charity of neighbors or friends for support - sustains the character of a very honest man - 
P. White Chief Judge
of W. C. Ct. -
Page 5

No. 73

Peter Derry -
Application for Pension.
Windham County - Vert.
[Copy.]

4125
March 1819

C
Page 6

State of Vermont.
County of Windham SS.

At the County Court, begun and held at New-Fane, within and for the County of Windham, on the second Monday of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty. . . Present - Hon. Phinehas White, Esq. Chief Judge.
Hon. John Roberts, ]
Hon. Gilbert Denison, Esqrs. } Assistant Judges.

On this 20th day of June, A.D. 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the said county, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a civil jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having, in certain cases, the power of fine and imprisonment, Peter Derry aged 65 years, resident in Brookline in said county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:  two campaigns of nine months each in the Massachusetts line - Capt. Darby one L - Col. - Bailey one L and Col. - Jackson the other -

That he has received a pension under the act of the Congress of the United States of the 18th March 1818, that the number of his pension certificate is 4.125 and the date of his original declaration is April 11. 1818.

And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 Services of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. And that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, [illegible] I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. Peter Derry

Schedule of real and personal estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted.
One Ringbone Mare worth $20 - 3 sheep & 4 lambs 6 -1 Cow 15 - pole cutter 2.50 Have old Furniture considered to be worth 25 - $68.50
Peter Derry. 

And I do also swear that my occupation is that of a laborer on Land - I have nine children, four of whom live with me - I owe about one hundred & fifty dollars - my daughter Rachel Derry aged 42 years is much of the time out of health - Nancy 45 years of age is also at times unable to work & makes her home with me - my son Benjn works out and makes his living mainly he is 22 years of age - these children at times are unable to provide for themselves, we are a family very poor & needy - my wife is 67 years of age - Peter Derry

Sworn to and Declared in open court on the 20th day of June, A.D. 1820, Before Phinehas White Judge.

I James Elliot, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the files and records of the said Court: And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is sixty eight dollars and fifty cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this seventeeth day of July 1820.
James Elliot.
Clerk of the Court for the County of Windham.
Page 7

November 25, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. A.G. Zaelke
Faulkton
South Dakota

BA-J/EEL
John Derry - W.14604
Peter Derry - S.39434

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of your great great grandfather whose surname was Derry to enable you to qualify for membership in the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

There are only two claims for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of soldiers with the surname Derry, those of John and Peter. Those two records are furnished you herein, hoping that they may aid you in your research.

John Derry
W.14604

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 14604, based upon the military service in that war of John Derry. It was stated that the name was sometimes spelled Dary and Darry.

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of John Derry are not shown.

While a resident of Norton, Massachusetts, John Derry enlisted about May 1, 1775, served as a private in Captain Silas Cobb's Company, Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts Regiment, marched to Boston and was stationed at Roxbury, length of service eight months he enlisted about July 1, 1776, served in Captain Isaac Hodges' Company, Colonel Ebenezer Francis' Massachusetts Regiment, was stationed at Dorchester and was discharged about December 1, 1776: in 1777, he served three months in General Spenser's Rhode Island Expedition; and in 1778, he served two months in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition and was in the battle on Rhode Island; no names of officers were given for the last two tours.
Page 8

John Derry died May 31, 1824, at Attleborough, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

The soldier married December 10, 1778, Rebekah or Rebecca Blandin or Blanding. Both were then of Norton, Massachusetts and their marriage was recorded on the town record of that place. The date and place of birth of Rebecca and the names of her parents are not stated.

Pension was allowed Rebecca, widow of John Derry, on an application executed January 4, 1839, at which time she was aged seventy-seven years and resided in Attleborough, Massachusetts.

She died February 5, 1839, place not shown.

There is no reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Rebecca, widow of John Derrby (W.14604), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Rebecca Derry, widow of John Derry, Certificate No. 4670, issued November 30, 1839, rate $20.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1836, Act of July 7, 1838, Massachusetts Agency.

. . . . . .

Peter Derry
S 39434

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Peter Derry are not shown.

While residing in Attleborough, Massachusetts, Peter Derry enlisted in June, 1776, and served nine months in Captain Darby's Company, Colonel Bradley's Massachusetts Regiment; he enlisted in August, 1779, served under Lieutenant Howard in what was called the Lieutenant Colonel's company, Colonel Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged May 15, 1790. [written in right margin] Identified 1" serv. Could not find a St Howard who served in Col Bailey's Regt

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 11, 1818, while living in Brookline, Windham County, Vermont.
Page 9

In 1820, Peter Derry gave his age as sixty-five years and that of his wife as sixty-seven years and states that they had nine children. He gave no further data in regard to his wife and the names of three children only, are shown:  Nancy, Rachel and Benjamin, who, in 1820, were aged respectively, forty-five, forty-two and twenty-two years.

In 1818, Captains Samuel and John Blanding lived in Brookline, Vermont and made affidavit in support of soldier's claim for pension and Captain John Blanding stated that said Peter and family lived in the same house with him (Captain John Blanding) in Attleborough, Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War.

[written in margin at left] I used this because the wife of John Derry was Rebeca Blanding. Thought it might aid her]

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Peter Derry (S.39434), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Peter Derry, Certificate No. 4125, issued November 4, 1818, rate $8 per month, commenced April 11, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, Vermont Agency.

. . . . . .

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 10

I. 39434
Peter Derry
Apl. 11. 1818 Brookline,
Windham Co. Vt. 63

Enl. June 78
Capt Darby
Col Bailey
Cmt Sst Mass line
dis Feby 79  9 mos.

Aug 79
Lt. Col's co - (Brooks) (Lt. Howard)
Col. Jackson
Mass Line

9 m.

1820 living with him
wife - 67
ch. Rachel 42 - Nancy 45
Benj. 22
Page 11

[upper left] O.Vt.&M. [upper right] R

59 Oxford St.
Somerville, Mass

I would like to learn as much as can be ascertained from Pension Records about (1) Peter Derry [underlined] of Norton, Mass. whose name is found in the Census of Pensioners for 1820 - page p. 303. He was then a resident of Vermont. In 1835 List, page 514, he again appears, "aged 79" (in 1818 or 1835?) resident in Windham Co. Vt.

(2) Daniel Devol of Tiverton, R.I. & Jonathan Devol of same. (Name spelled also Davol, Duval & variations) The latter "Lb." Jona, drew a Pension - resident in Ohio - see 1820 List p. 636.

Very truly,
E. F. Elliot,
June 1, 1905.

To the Pension Bureau}
Dept. Rev. Claims}

[written vertically left side] See Jonathan Devol.
Page 12

[left side]
39434
Revy Invalid.

File No. S9,434
Peter Derry
Pri Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: --Vol. [illegible], Page 125

(Arrangement of 1870.)

[right side]
June 22, 1905 Hist. to
E. F. Elliot, Somerville Mass.

1936 Nov 25/Hist to
Mrs. A. G. Zaelke -
Letter in care of John
Derry - C.14604. ES
Page 13

Phinehas White, Esqr
judge,
Putney, Windham Co.
Vermont.

Peter Derry,
Massachusetts line
Revolutionary Claim.

Not found on the Mass.
rolls. Admitted

See [illegible] 
the case of Ephraim
Holden.
Bailey

Peter Derry's Appl
Page 14

I Jabez Briggs of Savoy, in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in the years 1779, & 1780. and was well acquainted with Peter Derry, now of Brookline in the County of Windham and State of Vermont - who was then a soldier in the Regt under Col. Jackson, Col. Brooks Company, commanded by Lieut Howard in Gen Lernands Brigade in the Massachusetts Line - and was knowing that the said Peter Derry passed muster at Springfield with myself, on, or about the 10th of August in the year 1779 - and joined the Army at West Point about the 24th of the same month, and served nine Months at West Point on the Continental Establishment, and was Honourably Discharged at West Point at the close of the said service - and further the Deponent saith not.

Jabez Briggs

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire SS on this 24th day of September AD 1818 personally appeared Jabez Briggs and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed.
Before me Snellem Babbit Justice of the Peace

4 Berkshire SS I hereby certify that Jabez Briggs the above named Deponent is a disinterested credible person.
Attest. Snellem Babbit Justice of the Peace
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire SS on this 24th day of September AD. 1818 personally appeared Jabez Briggs and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
Before me Snellem Babbit Justice of the Peace

4 Berkshire SS I hereby certify that Jabez Briggs the above named Deponent is a disinterested credible person.
Attest Snellem Babbit Justice of the Peace

Berkshire SS: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I Joseph Woodbridge Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Berkshire do certify and attest that Snellem Babbit is a Justice of the peace within & for the same County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of said Commonwealth & that the above is his signature -

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said County this thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Jas. Woodbridge Clk
Page 16

5
The affidavit of Capt Lamuel Blanding of Brookline in the County of Windham and State of Vermont - who testifies and says that Peter Derry before named, engaged and went into the Revolutionary Army in the summer of 1779 - as he understood for nine months, and that said Derry returned home again the next spring [illegible] Lamuel Blanding

State of Vermont}
Windham County SS} April 11th  1818 the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to -
Before me
Phins. White} Chief Judge of Windham County Court

The affidivit of Capt. John Blanding of Brookline in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, also testifies and says that - in the summer of 1779 he was knowing to Peter Derry, the foregoing applicant inlisting and going into the Revolutionary Army for nine months (the said Derry family then living in the same house in Attleborough Massachusetts with said deponent) and that the said Derry was gone from home till about the middle of May 1780 - when he returned home - And also that he remembers that said Derry went into the army at another time for how long he does not remember -
And further he saith not -
John Blanding

Windham County M.}
April 27th 1818}

Then the above affidavit of John Blandin was subscribed and sworn to - Before me

Phins. White } Chief Judge of W. C. Ct.