Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22995, Abel Easterbrooks, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.H.
Easterbrooks, Abel
Ruth
NUMBER
W.22995
CONTENTS
Page 2

9.675
Vermont IW
Ruth Easterbrooks, dec'd
widow of Abel,
N.H.
who was a Priv. & Corporal
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 21 Dollars 22
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March. 1843.
And end September 9th 1843
Certificate of Pension issued
the 15th day of Dec'r. 1836
and sent to
F.C. Robbins
Ludlow, Vt.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, (and
June 17, 1844 crossed out)]
Recorded in Book H
Vol. 1 Page 136
Page 3

Abel Easterbrooks of Fitzwilliam and Ruth
Wilkington of Stow were married January 18th 1781
Copy of the Record
Attest Joel Walcott Town Clerk of Stow
Page 4

No. 15,399
Ruth Eastbrook
widow of Abel
[illegible]
July 7, 1838
Page 5

State of Vermont
District of Windsor}
On this 19th day of February A.D. 1856
personally appeared before the Probate
Court within and for the District
of Windsor and State of Vermont, being a court
of record, Frederick C. Robbins administrator of the
Estate of Ruth Easterbrooks, late of Ludlow in said 
District of Windsor, deceased being first duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made
by the act of Congress approved July 7th 1838.
That he is the Administrator of the Estate of Ruth
Easterbrooks, late of Ludlow in said District, deceased
but formerly of Fitzwilliam in the State of New
Hampshire, and that the said Abel Easterbrooks,
was the husband of the said Ruth Easterbrooks,
and that the said Abel died at Ludlow in said
District on the 2nd day of May A.D. 1834, and
that the said Ruth, widow of the said Abel, 
as aforesaid, who died at said Ludlow on the 9th
day of September A.D. 1843, and that the said Abel
Easterbrooks, first entered the service of the
United States as a soldier of the Revolutionary
War sometime in the year 1775 and was in
the Company commanded by Captain Jonathan
Whitcomb in Col. James Reed's Regiment from the
State of New Hampshire; and also in the Company
commanded by Captain Abijah Smith in Col.
Enoch Hall's Regiment of Militia for New York
and also in the Company commanded by
Captain John Melben from the state of New Hampshire.
as will more fully appear by the Muster Roll,
of said Companies and military files and documents
Page 6

in the war Department, and by the accompanying proof
hereunto annexed.
That on the 18th day of January 1781 the said
Ruth was married to the said Abel Easterbrooks
and that the said Ruth lived with the said
Abel as his lawful wife until the aforesaid
2nd day of May A.D. 1824 when the said
Abel died, and the said Ruth remained the widow of the said
Abel until the aforesaid 9th day of September 1843
when she died.
The said Frederick C. Robbins, Administrator
as aforesaid, makes the foregoing declaration, for the benefit
of the surviving children of the said Ruth Easterbrooks
to wit, Enos Easterbrooks, Caroline Ross, Sarah
Withington, Thersa Withington, and Viny Easterbrooks they
being the only surviving children of the said
Ruth Easterbrooks, and for the purpose of obtaining
for said surviving children, any amount of pension
which may be due to the estate of said Ruth 
or to which the said Ruth might have been
entitled during her life time.
The said Frederick C. Robbins, Administrator
as aforesaid further declares and says that the 
said Ruth never drew a pension in her lifetime
on account of the military service of her said
husband, nor did she ever make an application there
for during her lifetime.
Frederick C. Robbins, Administrator
Sworn to and subscribed the thirteenth day 
of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty
six.
Before me, 
Salmon F. Dutton, Judge of said Probate Court.
Page 7

State of Vermont
District of Windsor ss.}
I, Salmon G. Dutton, Judge of the Probate 
Court for the District of Windsor aforesaid, do hereby
certify that at a session of said Court held at
Ludlow, within and for said District on the 11th day of April A.D. 1854
Frederick C. Robbins of said Ludlow was appointed by said Court,
Administrator of the Estate if Ruth Easterbrooks, deceased. and that he is now
acting, and has full power and authority to act in that capacity.
I further certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to 
me that the said Ruth Easterbrooks was, at the time  of her death, the
widow of Abel Easterbrooks, deceased, that the said Abel died at
said Ludlow on the second day of May 1824 - That the said  Ruth
lived the widow of said Abel until she died on the 9th day of September
1843 at Ludlow aforesaid that she left at the time of her death
the following named children, who are now living - to wit, Enos Easterbrooks,
Caroline Ross, Sarah Withington, Thersa Withington, and Viny Easterbrooks,
that from the widow before this Court I believe the said
Abel Easterbrooks named in the foregoing Declaration of 
Frederick C. Robbins Adm'r. as aforesaid, was the identical 
person who served in the Revolutionary war as therein set
forth.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court at said
Cavendish, in said District, this twenty sixth day 
of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty six.
Salmon F. Dutton, Judge
Page 8

I, Salmon F. Dutton, Judge of the Probate Court for the 
District of Windsor and State of Vermont do hereby certify that
the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matt. of the application of Frederick C. Robbins
Administrator of the Estate of Ruth Easterbrooks, late of Ludlow
in said District, deceased, for arrears of pension due 
her at the time of her decease.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of
office at Cavendish in said District,
this twenty-sixth day of March, A.D. 1856.
Salmon F. Dutton, Judge
Page 9

No. 15.399.
Ruth Easterbrook
widow of Abel
Vermont,
Let. F.C. Robbins
April 22 / 56
Clark H. Chapman May 26 / 56
F.C. Robbins Sep 20 1856
July 7, 1838
Page 10

Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 22,995
Ruth Easterbrook
wid. of
Abel Easterbrooks
Corpl. Rev war
Act: march 3d 1843
Index:- Vol. A, Page 207
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

Ruth Easterbrooks
Widow of Abel
Vermont
AD July 7 1838 & '43
5 mos. priv. $16.16
1 mo. Corp. 4.56
$21.22
per annum from
4 March 1836 to 9 Sep
1843 when she died
except 2 years,
Pay to Frederick C. Robbins
[illegible] Enos Easterbrooks,
Caroline Ross, Sarah 
Withington & Thersa
Withington, Viny Easterbrooks
on act. of these or any others &c.
[illegible]
Frederick C. Robbins Esq.
Ludlow Ver't.
Page 12

11,839
Vermont Mont.
Ruth Easterbrooks, dec'd
widow of Abel Easterbrooks
who died on the  [blank]
of [blank] in the State of [blank]
who was a private & Corporal in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by in the Revolution
line for [blank]
Inscribed on the rolls of Montpelier
at the rate of 21 Dollars 22 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of
Dec. 1836 and sent to
F.C. Robbins Ludlow Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by G.T. Getty Clerk,
Book H Vol. 1 Page 113
Page 13

State of New Hampshire
Secretary of State's office
I do hereby certify that from an
examination of the Books and Documents
relating to Military Services in the war
of the Revolution which remain in this office
it appears that the name of Abel Easterbrooks
is borne upon a "Pay Roll of Capt. Jonathan
Whitcomb's Company in Col. James Reed's Regiment
to the 1 August 1775, 5th Com'y." as a
private in said company - Time of Entry
Apl. 23; Time in service, 3 months 16 days.
Army Rolls Vol. 8 Page 15.
Same Vol. Page 35 is a receipt on which is
borne the name of Abel Easterbrooks, of which
the following is a true copy:-
"We the subscribers
belonging to Capt. Whitcomb's Company in Col.
Reed's Regt. do hereby acknowledge that we
have rec'd. of Timo. Walker Jr. four dollars each
man in full for the regimental coat which was
promised us by the Colony of New Hampshire."
And upon a list of Capt. Whitcomb's company
is borne the name of Abel Easterbrooks
upon the back of which is the following:-
Page 14

"Winter Hill [illegible] of Sep'r. 1775.
Rec'd of Timothy Walker Jr. thirty six
pound twelve shills. in full for sixty one 
men in Cap. Whitcomb's company for blankets
in said company agreeable to the within
list at 12/ each by me.  Deducting one
pound four shilling for two men enlisted
into the [illegible] viz: Abraham Griffin and
Ebenezer Parsons, and [illegible] the remainder is 35-8-0.
Elijah Clayes Lieut."

And upon a Muster and Pay Roll of Capt. Abijah
Smith company for New York enlisted and
Col. Enoch Hale's Regiment of Militia & mustered
by him September 21st, 1776 "is borne the name of 
Abel Easterbrooks, with an allowance for 1 mo. pay
to officers & bounty to soldiers" of [pound sign] 6 - Travel [illegible]30
miles a 2d. 1.18.41 Amount [pound sign] 7.18.4

And upon a "Pay Roll of men belonging
to Col. Enoch Hales' Regiment of Militia who
marched to Ticonderoga under the command of
Capt. Isaiah Brown to reinforce the continental
army in that place May 6th 1777 is borne the 
name of Abel Easterbrooks as a corporal at
time of marching May 8, No. of miles
260; No. of days in the service. 42.
Page 15

And upon a "Pay Roll of a Company
commanded by Captain John Mellin which
marched from Fitzwilliam and towns
adjacent to reinforce the Garrison at Ticonderoga
on the alarm in July and June 1777." is borne
the name of Abel Easterbrooks as a private at
Entry, June 28; Discharge July 11; Time in service
14 days.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the State
this 16th day of January 1854.
John L. Hadley
Secretary of State.
Page 16

Brief in the case of Ruth Easterbrooks widow of Abel
County and State of Vermont
Act Jul 7 1838 & 3 March 1843

Claim ("original,")
Admitted Sep 20 '56
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record evidence of service with which her husband is [illegible] by witnesses who have heard him speak of his services and by those who know that he did serve
Record evidence of marriage

Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage her identity as the services widow , his death in 1824, hers in Sep 9 1843, administration upon her estate & husbands shown agreeably to our Regulation

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
Frederick C Robbins Esq
Ludlow Vermont
Page 17

STATE OF VERMONT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
Bennington [illegible] 1856

Ludlow NH April 30, 1856
To the Commissioner of Pensions
At the request of Frederick C Robbins Esq I enclose to you some additional evidence in the matte of his application for pension due Ruth Easterbrooks at her decease, as the evidence of Abel Easterbrooks. As you will perceived by the date of these affidavits they have been executed several months. They have remained in my office for the reason that Mr Robbins did not know just how much, and what evidence you required in a case like his, besides, they  were among the papers shown to the Probate Court. Your letter from Mr Cole and the circular accompanying it gives just the information desired. Mr Robbins thought he sent a certified copy of the record of marriage of Ruth Easterbrooks and Abel Easterbrooks with the declaration and certificate of Sec. of State to you. At any rate he showed me one when these affidavits were sworn to before me. If he did not send it and it is lost another can be obtained Though I think these affidavits show that they were man & wife.
Mr. Robbins though not intimately acquainted with procedure in a case like this, is
Page 18

desirous to save as much of what may be due of the pension for the children of Mrs Easterbrooks - most of whom are poor - some even town paupers - and for this reason does not employ and "Agent for Claims." at Washington to [illegible] this matter up believing that the gentleman who will have this matter in charge - yourself or Mr Cole - will do the business in its time, just as well as though he had an "agent" to whose hands the matter might be intrusted. & who would want ten or twenty percent 
Respectfully
Clark H Chapman
Page 19

Additional Evidence in the matter of the application of Fred. C. Robbins. 
Administrator of the Estate of Ruth Easterbrooks for Pension.

Presented by Fredk C. Robbins
Administrator
Ludlow, Vt
Page 20

I, Charles H Robinson town clerk for the town of Stow in the State of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following words and figures are a true extract from the town records for said town of Stow, to wit,
Abel Easterbrooks of Fitswilliam and Ruth Withington of Stow were married January 18th 1781
Charles H Robinson Town Clerk

State of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss
At Stow on this 25th day of August AD 1856 Then Charles H Robinson, town clerk, for aid town of Stow, and above named, personally appeared and made oath, in due form of law that the foregoing certificate, by him subscribed is true, and correct.
Before me
Charles Tower Justice of the Peace
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss
I, M. Preston officially Assistant Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for said County of Middlesex certify that Charles Tower Esq whose named is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County of Middlesex, duly commissioned and qualified & that I verily believe his signature thereto is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this tenth day of September AD 1856
M. Preston officially Asst Clk
Page 22

I A. N. Townsend town clerk of the town of Fitzwilliam in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, hereby certify that I have examined the town records of said town from the first settlement thereof to the present time, and that during the Revolutionary war there was but one person, named Abel Easterbrooks, within the limits of said town, liable to be called on to perform military duty.
A. N. Townsend Town Clerk

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss
At Fitzwilliam on this twenty second day of August AD 1856, then the above named A. N. Townsend Town Clerk, personally appeared, and made oath in due form of law, that the foregoing certificate, by him subscribed, is true, according to his best knowledge and belief
Befor me
Silas Cummings Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
County of Cheshire
I Leonard Bisco Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said state, for said County do hereby certify that Silas Cummings before whom the foregoing affidavit of A. N. Townsend was made, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly authorized by law to take depositions and administer oaths and that his signature thereto is in my belief genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eighty day of September A.D. 1856
Leonard Bisco Clerk
Page 23

Additional Evidence in the matter of the application of Fredk C. Robbins, Admr of Ruth Easterbrooks for pension due her as the widow of Abel Easterbrooks at the time of her decease
Affidavit of Saml Ross
Page 24

State of Vermont
Windsor County, ss.
I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court, of the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Clark H Chapman was, at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is, a Master in Chancery in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds, and that his signatures herein contained (three in number) are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 3rd day of May A. D. 1856.
Norman Williams Clerk
Page 25

I Benjamin Withington of Ludlow in the County and District of Windsor and State of Vermont of lawful aged depose and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Easterbrooks and Ruth, his wife in the life time of the said Abel Easterbrooks and know that they lived together as man and wife, in all things that belongs to married life and that I verily believe that the said Abel Easterbrooks was the identical person who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and that he performed the services mentioned in the declaration made by Fredrick C Robbins Administrator of the Estate of the said Ruth Easterbrooks, late of said Ludlow deceased, and widow of the said Abel for the benefit of the surviving children of the said Ruth, and that I knew at the time the said Abel died, was present at his funeral, and know that the said Ruth lived, the widow of the said Abel until her decease in 1843. I further say that I have frequently conversed with said Abel Easterbrooks about his service as a Revolutionary soldier and was acquainted with him & his family from my early youth, and it was known by all his neighbors that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and he married for is wife my fathers sister Ruth Withington
Benjamin Withington

State of Vermont,
Windsor County, ss.
At Ludlow in said County, this 23rd day of September A.D. 1855 personally appeared the above named Benjamin Withington and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in due form of law
Before me
Clark H Chapman
Master in Chancery
Page 26

I Enos Estabrook of Ludlow in the County and District of Windsor and State of Vermont of lawfull age, depose testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Easterbrooks when he resided in Fitzwilliam in the State of New Hampshire and that it was well known, at that time, by myself as well as the rest of the inhabitants living neighbor to said Abel Easterbrooks that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that he served as a soldier at a number of different times under Captain Reed and also Captain Whitcomb  and other officers whose names I do not now recollect, and that I know he is the identical person mentioned, in the declaration of the Estate of Ruth Easterbrooks late of said Ludlow deceased, as the husband of the said Ruth Easterbrooks and that he performed the services mentioned in said declaration of Frederick C Robbins, Administrator as aforesaid
Enos Estabook

State of Vermont
Windsor County ss
At Ludlow, in said County this 22d day of September A.D. 1855 personally appeared the above named Enos Estabrook and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in due form of law
Before me
Clark H Chapman
Master in Chancery
Page 27

I Saml. Ross of Ludlow in the County and District
of Windsor in the State of Vermont, of lawfull [sic] age depose
and say that I was well acquainted with Abel Easterbrooks
in his life time and from information and facts
which came to my knowledge I know and verily
believe that the said Abel Easterbrooks mentioned in the
declaration for Pension for the said Ruth Easterbrooks,
made by Frederick C. Robbins Administrator of
the Estate of the said Ruth for the benefit of the
surviving children of the said Ruth is the
identical Abel Easterbrooks who was made a soldier
in the Revolutionary war, and who performed
the services mentioned in said declaration,
I further testify and say that I was knowing to 
the decease of the said Abel Easterbrooks in 
1824 and that I was present at his funeral at the
time he was buried.  I further testify and say
that I was well acquainted with the said Abel
Easterbrooks and Ruth, his wife, in their life
time and know that they lived together as
man and wife until the decease of the
of the said Abel Easterbrooks, and that the said
Ruth remained the widow of the said Abel
Easterbrooks, until she died on the 9th day of September 1843 and that
she has now living as her surviving children Enos Easterbrook, 
Caroline Ross, Sarah Withington - Theresa Withington
& Vinny Easterbrooks and that the said Ruth Easterbrooks never drew
a pension in her life time nor made any
application therefore.
State of Vermont
Windsor County at Ludlow, in said County this
22nd day of September A.D. 1855 personally appeared the
above named Samuel Ross and made oath to the truth of the
foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in due form of law.
Before me, Clark H. Chapman, Master in [illegible}
Page 28

Application of Frank C
Robbins Administrator
of the Estate of Ruth
Easterbrooks for Pensions
Additional Evidence.
Presented by Frank
C. Robbins
Ludlow, Vt.
Page 29

Stowe July 16 1856
Mr Robbins
Dear Sir
Yours of the 14th
is at hand I have examined the records
and find them to be as follows
Abel Easterbrooks of Fitswilliam and Ruth
Withington of Stow were married January 18th 1781
A true copy of records attest Charles H Robinson Town Clerk
of Stow
Page 30

I Joseph Pratt of Fitzwilliam in the County
of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged
eighty seven years (87) depose and say that I was
well acquainted with Abel Easterbrooks late of Ludlow Vt, and his
wife, Ruth Easterbrooks in their lifetime.
When they resided in this town of Fitzwilliam
in the State of New Hampshire
and I was their near neighbor when they lived
in Fitzwilliam and I know and well remember
that said Abel Easterbrooks late of Ludlow Vermont was a soldier in
the Revolutionary war, and that said Easterbrook
went as a soldier to the state of New York in
Col. Hall's Regiment, and I well remember that
said Easterbrooks went into the service as a
soldier in the war of the Revolution.  I was a
small boy at the time of the battle of Bunker
Hill and when my father went off to go to the
battle I did never expect to see him again, but
he got only to Leominster, when they met him and
told him the battle was over - Mr. Abel Easterbrooks
went into the army at that time and was
at the battle of Bunker hill - My father was
drafted to go to New York or Canada but he hired another
man to go in his place - Mr. Abel Easterbrooks
went into the army at the same time.
Joseph Pratt
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss}
hen, on this 11th day of
July A.D. 1856, personally appeared the above named
Joseph Pratt and made oath that the foregoing
affidavit, by him subscribed in due form of
law, is true, and I hereby certify that I am well 
acquainted with the affiant, and that he is a
credible person, and in good standing
Before me Silas Cummings, Justice of the Peace
Page 31

State of New Hampshire
County of Cheshire}
I Leonard Bisco, Clerk of
the [illegible] Judicial Court, of said state, for said
County, do hereby certify that Silas Cummings, Esq.
before whom the [illegible] affidavit was made, was, at
the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for
said County duly authorized by law to take depositions
and administer oaths and that his signature thereto
is in my belief genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this fourteenth day of July A.D. 1856.
Leonard Bisco, Clerk.
Page 32

I Benjamin Withington of Ludlow in the County
of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy five
years (75) depose and say that I was well acquainted
with Abel Easterbrooks and his wife, Ruth Easterbrooks in
their life time, and that I have been acquainted
with said Abel Easterbrooks from my earliest
recollection, and I distinctly remember that as early as
when I was ten years old, of hearing said Easterbrooks
converse about being in the Battle of Bunker Hill
and at many different times in my life since,
have I conversed with said Easterbrooks about his
service in the Revolutionary War and frequently
I have heard him mention the names of Capt
Whitcomb and Col. Reed as being the officers under
whom he served, and also the name of Gen. Putnam
as one of the officers with whom said Abel Easterbrooks
was stationed at Prospect Hill near Boston.  I have
been on to Prospect hill where said Abel Easterbrooks
was stationed and I have conversed with said Abel Easterbrooks
about the particular localities there.  Said Abel Easterbrooks
married my father's sister and the family connection
brough us frequently together, and from the knowledge
that I had at the time said Abel Easterbrooks husband
of sd. Ruth Easterbrooks and father of the claimants, at the
time he resided in Fitzwilliam New Hampshire
and after he removed to Ludlow Vermont I verily
believe that he, the said Abel Easterbrooks was the
identical person who served in the Revolutionary 
war as set forth in Frederick C. Robbins application for
pension, as the administrator of the Estate of Ruth
Easterbrooks, late of said Ludlow, deceased, and 
widow of the said Abel Easterbrooks
Page 33

who died at Ludlow in the State of Vermont
on the 2d day of May A.D. 1824
Benjamin Withington
State of Vermont
Windsor County ss}
Then on this 15th day of
July A.D. 1856 personally
appeared the above named Benjamin Wittington
and made oath to the truth of the foregoing 
affidavit, by him subscribed, in due form of law,
and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted
with the affiant, and that he is a credible person.
Before me, Saml. L. Armington Justice of Peace

STATE OF VERMONT,
WINDSOR COUNTY, SS.}
I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court, of the 
County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
Samuel L Armington was, at the date of the 
paper writing to which this is attached, and still is, a Justice of 
the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified to administer
oaths and take the acknowledgement of deeds, and that his signature
foregoing is genuine.
in Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at
Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 18th day of July A.D. 1856.
Norman Williams, Clerk.