Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,586, Elijah Blake, Continental N.H.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
N. H.
Blake, Elijah
Sarah
NUMBER
W. 15586
CONTENTS
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4221
Vermont, Montpelier
Sarah Blake
widow of Elijah Blake
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private.
Inscribed in the Roll at the rate of [Illegible] Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Mch 1849 and sent to Moses Wallace
West [llegible], Vt
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act of February 2, 1848
Page 40 
Vol. 3
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3396
Elijah Blake
Declaration
Chelsea
Vt.
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Elijah Blake No 10
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State of Vermont,
Orange County   ss.
At Chelsea in the said County on this 21st day 
of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the  [everything else id illegible]

(Writing on side of paper very faded and illegible)
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State of Vermont,
Orange County ss.
At Chelsea in said County on this 21st day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Court, before the Hon. Titus Hutchinson, David Cobb, & Thomas Jones Justice of the County Court of said Orange County, now setting, being a Court of Record Elijah Blake a resident of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 77 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to  obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, that he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1775 with the Continental troops and served in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Stark in the New Hampshire Line under the following named Officers. That at the time of his enlistment he resided in Kingstown or Kingston in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire, that on the last of March or the first of April 1775, he enlisted afsd for eight months at Mystick in the State of Massachusetts while on a visit to his brothers at that place, in the Company commanded by Capt Samuel Richards, Lieut Little & Ensign Carr, in Col Starks Regiment under Gen. Sullivan, and that he was mustered and entered the service immediately on his enlistment that he was at the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April 1775 and was actively engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill on the 17 of June 1775. That he was within a few feet of Maj McClary who fell in the last mentioned battle. That after the above mentioned battles he was employed in Mystick or between there & Roxbury with building fortifications & on guard and fatigue duty untill the expiration of his term of Eight months which he thinks was the last of November or the first of December 1775 and that at the expiration of his sd term of Eight months or a few days before its expiration he again enlisted as a waiter to Lieut Blake in the service of the United States while on duty at Mystick on near there, in the Company commanded by sd Capt Samuel Richard, Lieuts Frye & Timothy Blake & Ensign Jesse Carle in the Regiment commanded by Col. Stark in the Continental service. That his last time of enlistment was for one year and commenced immediately on the expiration of his first term. That he continued at Roxbury and in the vicinity of Boston making fortifications, on guard & on fatigue till near the close of the winter. That Col. Reeds Regiment were also stationed with them at Boston. That after continuing there till March or April 1776, they marched through Mass. & Connecticut to the State of New York and crossed North River he thinks at Kings Ferry. That the two Regiments above mentioned went to New York. He does not recollect the precise time of the year when they marched to New York but thinks it was in March or April that they were stationed near the city of New York as a guard. That he continued there about five months as near as he can recollect. That at the expiration of sd five months, which was in August or September as he thinks he & his Regiment & he thinks one other Regiment proceeded of the North River that Gen. Sullivan according to his best recollection had the command of the Northern Army at that time that he was sick with the camp disease about one month before his time expired at [illegible - crossed out] White Plains according to his smaller [illegible] and in consequence of his sickness he cannot recollect distinctly what transpired near the close of his term. That while he was sick, and about a week before his term of  enlistment expired, he received a line from Lieut Blake that he was discharged and need not again join the army. That this was all the discharge be received and this he has lost.
Also that he volunteered in the service of the United States in the New Hampshire Militia in the
year 1777 at Kingston afsd for the term of three months. That he volunteered as afsd some time in the summer of 1777 he cannot recollect whether it was August or September of that year  but it is his impression that it was about the first of Sept. that he entered the company commanded by Capt. Collins & Lieut Tresse, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Welch and proceeded immediately to Charleston New Hampshire & from there through the wilderness, now Vermont, to North River at a place called Cambridge as he thinks & from there to Fort George on the East side of North River at which place he & his Regiment took three hundred and fifty Indians, that Gen Gates had the command of the enemy in that vicinity. That he was at Schuylers Hill sd called when when Gen Burgoyne surrendered and was on Centry
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those guarding him and his army and was on guard when Burgoyne [illegible - page cut off] ordered to Boston & that he accompanied him to Boston as one of the guard. That they went through Pittsfield & Northampton & Worcester to Boston Massachusetts, and that he remained at Boston till his term of three months expired, which was late in the fall, but he cannot recollect the day nor the month. That he was verbally discharged at Boston for three month service. That he has no documentary evidence of any of the above services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to any of the above terms of his service except what he has already furnished to wit the depositions of Joel Emery & Benjamin George. That he was a private eleven months and a waiter to his Brother Timothy Blake one year.
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 the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid,
[signature Elijah Blake

We John Hopkins residing in Tunbridge in said County of Orange afsd and Amos Dwinnels residing in Tunbridge in sd County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Blake who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. & that there is no clergyman residing in the  vicinity of the sd Blake who can be presumed to be acquainted with his services afsd.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] John Hopkins
[signature] Amos Dwinnels
[signature] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk

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 certify that it appears to them that James Hopkins who has 
signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in Tunbridge in said County, and that
Amos Dwinnels who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk
County

I H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of the Court of Orange County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elijah Blake for a pension.  In Testimony where I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 24 day of August A. D. 1832.
[signature] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk
Vermont
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Elijah Blake
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I Benjamin George of Strafford in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged Seventy eight years depose & say that I have been well acquainted with Elijah Blake of Chelsea in said Orange County for more than fifty eight years past. The said Blake formerly resided in the said town of Strafford. I first became acquainted with
said Blake at Winter Hill in the State of Massachusetts in the latter part of the year 1775 or the forepart of the year 1776 at which place & time the said Blake entered into the service of the United States for the term of one year in the Company commanded by Capt Samuel Richards, Timothy Blake Lieutenant, Col. Starks Regiment according to the best of my recollection. Then said Blake enlisted at the same time I did & served in the same company. The said Elijah Blake had previously been in the army; for I distinctly recollect he declined enlisting as a private in the army & stated he did not like to serve as a private. I then understood & ever since have believed the said Elijah Blake entered the army the second time by the request of Lieut Timothy Blake, his Brother, who promised the said Elijah that he should be a waiter to him the said Timothy as this deponent has always understood & believed. On the 18th day of March 1776 we were ordered to New York where this deponent & the said Elijah went. After remaining about one month in the City of New York we were ordered to go to Canada where this deponent went, but the said Elijah remained
at New York, where the army returned from Canada. How long after this deponent does not recollect he was informed that the said Elijah Blake had been or was sick. Sometime after the army returned from Canada Lieut Timothy Blake  was removed from the Company & served in to Capt Woodburys Company as this deponent was informed. The said Timothy Blake died many years ago - and further this deponent saith not.
[signature] Benj George

Subscribed & Sworn to this 9th day of January 1834. Before me [signature] Daniel Cobb Counsillor & Justice Peace ex officio
I Certify That the above named Benjamin George is a creditable person & to me well known.
[signature] Daniel Cobb Councillor & Justice Peace ex officio
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We the undersigned Inhabitants of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Elijah Blake of Chelsea in the County afsd that he formerly resided this town on many years and that we believe him to be 78 years of age as he has stated in his Declaration. We have heard the said Blake talk of his Revolutionary Service many years since and have no doubt but that he served in the war of the Revolution according to his statement and we believe that no person acquainted with the said Blake has any doubt but
that he rendered the service stated in his
declaration. We consider him a man of strict honesty and integrity, and his word and testimony entitled to full credit.
[signature] J. H. Harris
[signature] Daniel Cobb
[signature] Stephen Morrill
[signature] Frederick Smith
[signature] Albigame Pierce
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I Thomas Minard of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged fifty four years depose testify and say that I am personally acquainted with Elijah Blake of Chelsea afsd an applicant for a pension. That in March 1802, I began to live in the family of the said Blake as a boarder and continued to live with him for nine years and that while so living with him I heard him frequently relate over his three campaigns as he has stated there in his declaration which I have read & heard him state frequently state all the particulars about his 18 months service and his years service and also about his tours of these months in New York when Burgoyne surrendered and his being present when Burgoyne surrendered. I heard him relate the adventures in these campaigns many times. I think that no person acquainted with the said Blake can have any doubt but that he served as he has stated. He is a man of strict truth and integrity and and his testimony entitled to credit. I have been intimately acquainted with the said Blake and have full confidence in him as an honest upriht  [upright] man. I believe him to be of the age he represents, and he is quite infirmed
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and feeble and his memory is greatly impaired
and further say not.
[signature] Thomas Minard

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
At Chelsea in sd County on this 25th day of Jany 1834, personally appeared Thomas Minard a  person well known to me and a credible witness and made solemn oath that the above Deposition contains the truth and nothing but the truth.
before me [signature] John W Smith Justice Peace
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State of Vermont 
Orange County ss.
At Chelsea in sd County on the 25 day of Jany 1834. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, Elijah Blake of Chelsea in sd County an applicant for a pension who being duly sworn,  depose and saith that by reason of Old age and consequential loss of memory  he cannot swear more positively than he has done as to the precise length of his service nor the officers under whom he served but according to his best 
recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. For 8 months I served as a private in Col Starks Regiment in 1775, and have one year I served as a waiter to Lieut Timothy Blake his Brother in Starks Regiment in 1775 & 1776 - land for three months I served as a private in the Regiment of Col Welch in 1777 - and for said services I claim a pension. He further testifies and says that owing to the long period which has elapsed, and his loss of memory he may have misstated some of his officers, but he is positive as to the length of each term of service and that he has not misstated
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the length of the terms of his service. He also testifies and says that he was a [illegible] to apply under the act of 1818 and that he refused because he was able to support himself without being beholden to any one and that he is now destitute of property and dependent entirely on his children for support. His health is now feeble, and he cannot make any additional proof except what he has herewith transmitted. He also testifies and says that no minister of the gospel is intimately acquainted with him as a revolutionary soldier and that John Hopkins & Amos Dwinnels are two Elderly man of Respectability and both well acquainted with him.
[signature] Elijah Blake
State of Vermont 
Orange County ss.
At Chelsea Jany 25th 1834
Then personally appeared Elijah Blake a person well known to me, and a good credible witness and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth. before me 
[signature] John W Smith Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Orange County Clerks Office Friday 14th 1834 I H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Court hereby certify that Daniel Cobb and John W Smith before whence the [illegible] [illegible] were taken, was at that time and now are Justice of the peace within and for the County of Orange duly authorized to administer Oaths & that the signature thereto purporting to be that of the said Daniel Cobb and John W Smith are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my 
and affixed the County Seal the day and
year above written.
[signature] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clark
Page 16

FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.

Strafford November the 9 1784 Elijah Blake married to Sarah Preston only child
Sarah was married to Tomas Minard May the 13 182
Elijah B Minard was married to Sarah Bagley February [illegible] in the year 1831
Amos Minard was married to Abigal Morse January the 4 in the y 1836
Hazen A S Minard was married to Sopjoa Bagley May the 8 1836
Augusta Minard was married to Edson Green March the 5 1837
Sally B Minard was married to Aaron Bullard October the [?] 1837
Lydia Minard was married to Elias Remington November 15 1837
Josiah G. Minard was married to Cy Cialann
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FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.

Elijah Blake born in the year of our Lord 1755
October the 9 in the State of New Hampshire in county of Rockingham in Kingston.
Sarah Preston born in the year of our Lord: 1766 July the 3rd in the State of New Hampshire, in Webster town.
Sarah Blake was born our only child September  the 28 day of 1785.

Lydia Minard was born in the year of our Lord 183- February 16 in Strafford.
Sally B. Minard born Sept 16th
Elijah B Minard born Nov 13th
Amos Minard born Nov 30th
Augusta B Minard born March 8
Thomas H. A.J. Minard born Nov 29th
Selden H. Minard born Dec 13
Josiah G Minard born May 18
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204
Sarah Blake
Vermont
Act 7 July 38
M. 85. d 39
John W Smith
Chelsea  VT
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State of Vermont
District of Randolph ss.
On this 31st day of October AD 1843, personally appeared before the Hon. Probate Court for the District of Randolph afsd being a Court of Record Hon John Colby presiding. Widow Sarah Blake a resident of Chelsea in said Orange County & District of Randolph aged 77 years. who being duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by act of Congress passed July 7 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay pensions to certain Widows. That she is the Widow of Elijah Blake deceased who as a private in the army of the Revolution in the New Hampshire troops. That he was out in the service several different times, but in her advanced age she has no means of stating his terms or length of service but refers to the proof
herewith enclosed & to sd Elijah Blakes declaration at the war department. She further declares that she was married to the said Elijah Blake on the 4th day of November in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty four. And that her husband the said Elijah Blake died on the 17th
day of November 1839. 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.
[signature] X her mark Sarah Blake
Witness [signature] J. W. Smith
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year
above written before 
[signature] D. F. Weymouth Register
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State of Vermont
Orange County
Probate District of Randolph ss.
I D. F. Weymouth Register of the Probate Court in and for said District of Randolph hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Sarah Blake of Chelsea in said District widow of Elijah Blake late of said Chelsea deceased was duly subscribed and sworn to in open Court at a session of said Court held at said Chelsea the day and year specified in said declaration and I further certify that the said Sarah Blake is known to me and is a person of truth and veracity.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at said Chelsea this 31st day of Oct A.D. 1843. [signature] D. F. Weymouth Register
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I Stephen Morrill of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 61 years depose testify and say that I am Town Clerk of said town of Strafford and by virtue of sd office keeper of the Records of sd Town of marriages births & deaths & Land Records &c and have held that office since 1812. & that I have made
thorough examination of sd Records, and find no record of the marriage of Elijah Blake to Sarah Preston, Now Sarah Blake. The early record of marriages births and deaths in sd Town are very imperfect and some of them are mutilated. All which were legible were transcribed by me and in a vote of sd Town and an Act of the Legislature of Vermont about the year 1822. And the old mutilated books & papers from which this transcript was made are now in my office. I have been long acquainted with Elijah Blake now deceased and his widow Sarah Blake and know that they lived together as husband & wife, and had but one child Sally Minard, who removed
several years since from this town to Chelsea with her husband and the said Blake & wife, where I heard the sd Blake died several years since.
[signature] Stephen Morrill
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 day of November 1843. before me [signature] John W. Smith, Justice Peace
I also certify that the above named Stephen Morrill is a person well known to me as a credible witness [signature] John W. Smith Justice Peace
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I Elijah B. Minard of Topsham in the County of Orange and State of Vermont and 37 years depose testify and say that I am well acquainted with Elijah Blake & Sarah Blake. They are my grand parents. The said Elijah Blake died at Chelsea on the 17th day of November 1839 and the said Sarah his widow is still living and has not married. I well recollect the time of his death.
[signature] Elijah B Minard

Sworn to and subscribed this 31 day of October 1843. before me J. W. Smith Justice of the Peace

I also certify that the said Elijah B. Minard is a person well known to me as a credible witness.
[signature] John W. Smith Justice Peace
Page 23

I Joseph Preston of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 69 years depose testify and say that I am well acquainted with Elijah Blake & his wife Sarah Blake. The said Elijah Blake died at Chelsea in the fall of 1839 and the said Sarah Blake remaining his widow and is still living. She is my sister, and I well recollect her marriage to Elijah Blake tho I was young. They were married at Strafford some time in the fall of 1784 according to my best recollection, by a Justice of the Peace by the name of Tucker who died many years since, and they have always lived together since as husband and wife until the death of the said Elijah Blake,  and have only one Child Sally Minard now a widow.
[signature] X his mark Joseph Preston
Witness [signed] J W Smith
[signature] S. Preston

Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of November AD 1843.
before me [signed] John W Smith Justice Peace
I certify that the above named Joseph Preston is a person well known to me as a credible witness.
[signature] John W. Smith Justice Peace
Page 24

I Jethro Bachelder of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 79 years depose testify and say that I removed to Strafford Vermont in the year 1785 and herein lived there ever since and was well acquainted with Elijah Blake & his wife Sarah Blake, and according to my best recollection they were married the year previous to my removal to Strafford as I then understood & they always lived together as husband and wife until sd Elijah Blakes disease a few years since the said Elijah Blake was very infirm and his mind much impaired for may years before his death.
[signed] X his mark Jethro Bachelder
Witness [signature] J. W. Smith
[signature] A. C. Bachelder

Sworn to and Subscribed this 15th day of
November AD 1843.
before me [signed] John W Smith Justice Peace
I certify that the said Jethro Bachelder above named is a person well known to me as a credible witness.
[signature] John W. Smith Justice Peace

STATE OF VERMONT, 
Orange County ss.
I Perley C Jones Clerk of the County Court of the
County of Orange in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that John W. Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 9th day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two and will expire the thirtieth day of November 1843 and that his signatures hereunto annexed are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 16th day of November
A. D. 1848
[signature] Perley C. Jones Clerk
Page 25

Sally Minard of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 58 years depose testify and say that I am the daughter of Elijah Blake & Sarah Blake, and that the said Elijah & Sarah lived in the family with me more than thirty years previous to the death of the said Elijah Blake my father, who died at my house in Chelsea on the 17th day of November 1839. He was an applicant for a pension under the act of
1832, but but could not succeed in making it my mother the within named Sarah Blake still was [illegible] remains the widow of the said Elijah Blake, & has not married since his decease.
I am the only child of the said Elijah & Sarah Blake and was born in Strafford Vermont according to the family record of the said Elijah Blake hereto attached on the 28th of September AD 1785 at Strafford and that the record hereto annexed is taken from our family bible and is in the hand writing of the said Elijah Blake which bible has been in the sd Elijah & Sarah Blakes possession for a long period of years.
[signature] Sally Minard

Sworn to and subscribed the 31st day of October  1843 before me & [illegible] annexed.
[signed] John W. Smith Justice Peace
I also certify that the said Sally Minard is a person well known to me as a credible witness.
[signature] John W. Smith Justice
Page 26

Rev
Widow, & c.
File No. 15586
Sarah Blake widow of Elijah Blake Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: [blank] Vol. A, Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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17th June No 211
6330
Vermont
Sarah Blake widow of Elijah Blake who was a private in the Massachusetts line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 88
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Nov: 1844 and sent to John W. Smith Chelsea, Vermont
[Act of March 3, 1843. & 17 June 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2d Page 60
Page 28

to Pen: Agent
Refd by letter Nov 5, 44.
32,232
Vermont
Elijah Blake deceased of Orange Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Richards of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Masstts line for 9 mos & 8 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 30 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 & ending 17 November 1839, when he died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of November 1844 and sent to Jno W. Smith Chelsea, Vermont
Arrears to the 4th of [blank] Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
[Total] $269.05
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nell Stewart Clerk, Book E.2 Vol. 3 Page 50
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8833
Vermont
Sarah Blake
widow of Elijah Blake who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 17 Nov. 1839 of Orange Co in the State of Vermt who was a private in the compy: commanded by Captain Richards of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Masstts line for 9 mo & 8 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of  30 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the [4th day of March, 1836 - crossed out] 17th November 1839.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Novr 1844 and sent to Jno. W. Smith, Chelsea, Vt.
Total amount,
$43.10
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Nell Stewart Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 123
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3594
Elijah Blake decd
Vt
Act 7 June 1832
Admd 9 mo 8d private
$30.88 per ann
from 4 March 1831 to 17 November 1839 the day of his death payable to Sarah Blake his widow

John W. Smith
Chelsea Vermont
Page 31

[illegible] 204
Sarah Blake
Vermont
Cet to J. W. Smith July 30, 1844
Act July 7, 1838
Page 32

Elijah Blake
Vermont
Suspended
Set J W Smith
Chelsea Vt
July 12 1834
Act 7 June 32
Same 11 Sept 1834
Same 25 Nov 1835
Same Apl 14 '37
Same Sept 5 1831
Same 22 January 1830

8.8.13
3.33  11
14. 3

30.88
8
247.04
20.58
1.43
269.05

29
29
Page 33

I Benjamin George of Strafford in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of lawful age testify and say that I am well acquainted with Elijah Blake of Chelsea in said Orange County and that sd Blake belonged to the same company that
I belonged to, which was Capt Samuel Richards Company stationed at Winter hill near Boston Massachusetts in the year 1776 and that said Blake served as water [waiter] to Lieut. Timothy Blake then belonging to sd Company. We enlisted at sd Winter Hill for one year, into the continental service, and that said Blake Marched together with sd Company from sd Winter hill on the 18th day of March 1776 to New York. We stayed at New York one month and from thence I went down the Lake to Canada, and I understood that sd Elijah Blake was sick, at New York and choose rather to take care of himself, then to go into the ospitation [hospital] and further the deponent sayeth not.
[signature] Benj George
Sworn and subscribed to at Strafford in sd Orange County on this 20th day of August AD 1832.
Before me [signature] Stephen Morrill Justice Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Benjamin George to be a credible witness.
Attest. [signature] S. Morrill Justice Peace

State of Vermont Orange County Clerks Office August 24th 1832, I H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Court hereby Certify that Stephen Merrill before whom the above officiant was taken was at that time a Justice of the peace for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & hear above written.
[signature] H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk
Page 34

I Joel Emery of Tunbridge in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged 79 years depose testify & say that I am personally acquainted with Elijah Blake of Chelsea in the County of Orange & State of Vermont. That in the year 1775, I resided in Goffstown New
Hampshire & entered the service of the United States in April of that year for the term of eight months in the Company commanded commanded by Capt Richards in the Regiment commanded by Col. Stark and were stationed on winter hill, so called, in Charleston Massachusetts. The said Elijah Blake was in the same company with me during the whole of sd Eight months service & in the same [illegible] with me. We were both at the battle of Bunker hill on the 17th of June 1775. I believe the sd Blake to be seventy seven years of age.
[signed] Joel Emery
Witness [signature] J. W. Smith

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
At Chelsea in sd County on the 17th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared Joel Emery personally known to me and a credible witness and made solemn oath that the forgoing Deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
before me [signed] John W. Smith Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Orange County Clerks office August 22 AD 1832.
I H. E. G. McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Court hereby certify that John W. Smith before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken is a Justice of the peace duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written.
[signed] H. E. G.  McLaughlin Clerk
Page 35

I Benjamin George of Strafford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States aged 82 years testify and say that Elijah Blake of Chelsea Vermont was in Starks Regiment with me 8 months in 1775. And that in 1776 he was in Starks Regiment and in the same company with me in the years service in the Expedition to Canada. I was well acquainted with him at that time and have been ever since. He lived a near neighbor to me while he lived in Strafford. As near as I can recollect the last of April on first of May 1776 while we were on North River and about four months after we joined the Company the said Blake was taken quite sick & was wholly unable to do duty and had his chance as I the understood from him and others at the time, to go to the hospital or to take care of himself and he chose the latter and staid behind and the company proceeded on to Canada and he did not again join the company to my knowledge. I saw him soon after my return and understood from him that he had a long fit of sickness which disabled him from again joining the company. But I always understood from him and others and verily believe that he received his years pay for that term and that he left the company with the knowledge and permission of his Officers. Of this I have no doubt. 
Soon after the passage of the pension act of 1818, I had conversation with the sd Blake in relation to applying for a pension. He then had a small property enough to support him. He informed me he never should apply for a pension so long as he was able to support himself. He is now poor & wholly destitute of property. He is a shaker by profession and an upright honest and conscientious man.
[signature] Benj George
Witness [signature] John W. Smith

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
Strafford in sd County Aug 12 1837. T
Then personally appeared Benjamin George above named a person well known to me as a credible witness and was sworn to the truth of the foregoing affidavit .
before me [signature] John W Smith, Justice Peace
Page 36

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
Chelsea Augt. 14, 1837
I Jason Steele Notary Public within and for the County of Orange hereby certify that John W. Smith before whom the foregoing deposition is
taken is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified to administer oaths, and in the commission of said office, and that his signature is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto affix my hand & seal the day & year last above written.
[signature] Jason Steele Notary Public
Page 37

Hon J L Edwards
Commiss Pensions
Page 38

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the Declaration and evidence of Sarah Blake of this town, whose husband Elijah Blake was an unsuccessful applicant for a pension under the act of 1832. And the great difficulty in his case was that his mind was so impaired when the act of 1832 passed that it was impossible for him to detail his service. I applied to the Secy of State of N. H. soon after the passage of the Act of 1832 for proof of his service and he could find none as he informed me, and it is not till within a few weeks that I have been enabled to obtain this Evidence
of service on a second application. I hope the evidence will be deemed sufficient and that you will forward me a certificate for her soon both under the five years act and one years act. I have never had a case in which my sympathies have been more enlisted, both in consequence of the extreme poverty of the Applicants, and their strict honesty & integrity as I humbly believe. And if there is any legal cause by which I could obtain for this old Lady the amount of pension from 1832- to 1836. I feel it my duty to do it.
Resp Sir Your Obt Servant
[signnature] John W. Smith

Chelsea Vermont
Nov. 16, 1843
Page 39

Department of War
Pension Office
July 12 1841
Sir
I have again examined the papers of Elijah Blake and have placed them on file.
The applicant alleges, among other services, to have performed one full year in a Regiment commanded by Co Stark, commencing Dec 1775.
There is no evidence in this Office that Col Stark
ever commanded a Regiment of years men. It is evident therefore, that the claimant and the witnesses in this case labour under some mistake in relation to the length of the service. Further explanations are required.
I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
[signature] Henry H. Sylvester
in behalf of the Commr of Pensions

J. W. Smith Esq
Chelsea
Page 40

State of Vermont
Orange County
Dist of Randolph ss.
At a Probate Court holden at Chelsea in & for said District on the 13th day of August AD 1844 being a Court of Record, Satisfactory Evidence
was produced & heard before said Court that Elijah Blake late of sd Chelsea an Applicant for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832 died at Chelsea afsd on the 17th day of November 1839
having a widow, Sarah Blake, and that she is still living and remains a widow and is an applicant
for a pension under the Acts of July 7. 1838 and March 3d 1843.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of sd Court this 13th day of August AD 1844.
[signature] Levi B. Vilas, Judge
Page 41

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commiss Pensions
Washington City D. C.
Page 42

Chelsea Vt Aug 14 1844
Hon J L Edwards
Dear Sir I received yours of July 30th and in reply to it have to say that I have it not now in my power to determine which was the Declaration of Elijah Blake and as the widows recollection on the subject is way indistinct. I think it best for her to take a pension certificate for the 8 mo under Capt Richards in 1775 & one mo & 8 days under Capt Collins in 1777.
I send you herewith the proof of the Death of Elijah Blake & hope you will forward the certificate for the 5 years & 1 year soon and oblige.
Your Obedient Servant
[signature] John W. Smith
Page 43

Vt. Sept 10
Chelsea Vt Sep 1.
free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
City of Washington D. C.
Page 44

Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir yours of July 12. was duly received and in reply I can only say that if Mr Blake the applicant is mistaken as to his Col. he can not be convinced that it is different from which he has stated in his declaration. He is very infirm and confined to his house. I called on him a fear days since. His mental faculties are greatly impaired by age but he is positive as to the truth of what he has stated relative to his 8 months service, which he says continued 9 months, before he entered on his one years service as waiter to Lieut Tim Blake, and that he performed both of sd terms of service as started in his Declaration also his 3 months service at the taking of Burgoyne. His recollection at this time is very indistinct whether these services were in the N. H. State troops, all of them or whether the years service was in the continental troops. His witnesses Mr George and Mr Emery who were out with him, and who are now both on the pension list, whose depositions
you have on file, embrace all the testimony he
can promise, and he is now so advanced in age
and feeble body & mind, that he is disposed
to rest his case where it now stands. He says
he is not sorry that he served his country even if
he should fail of being believed in his statement of it. If I have made application for any honest
upright worthy old Soldier, I believe Elijah Blake
is such a man. Mr George Deposition proves that
he was out with Mr Blake in the service.
am very respect Your Obt Servt
[signature] John W. Smith
Chelsea Vt.. Sept 3. 1834
Page 45

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington D. C.
Page 46

Chelsea Vt. Feby 14, 1834
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir I herewith return to you the original papers and additional testimony in the case of Elijah Blake of this town. Mr Stake is so infirm and feeble in health that he is unable to make any further exertion to procure testimony and he knows of none which he can procure. He has made every exertion in his power. Tho his case may not prove his claim beyond a doubt, still I know that any person acquainted with Mr Blake as a man of honesty integrity and purity, would not believe that he would intentionally misstate any thing or claim any service which he had not actually performed. I know him well and also know the part that he was strongly urged by his friends to apply for a pension under the Law of 1818, and absolutely declined, because he said he could & would support himself without being beholden to his Country. He is now destitute, and dependent on a daughter for subsistence. 
She cases of John Carrier, James Tyler and Daniel Perkins. I should be glad to hear from as soon as convenient, their papers are at the Department. I have still two cases in which the applicants papers are in my office waiting for additional testimony. to wit. Samuel Moore and Reuben Whitcomb.
Very Resp. Your Obt Sert
[signature] John W. Smith
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington, D. C.
Page 47

11 Fish
J W Smith
Case Elijah Blake
Sylvester

Chelsea Vt. Feb. 5
free
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commiss. of Pensions
City of Washington D. C.

J. W. Smith
Elijah Blake
Vt [illegible]
Page 48

Hon J L Edwards
Commiss. of Pensions
Dear Sir
I am induced again to write you in the Case of Elijah Blake, of this town an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832. Mr Blake  undoubtedly erred in the Statement in his first declaration as to the commencement of his time of Service. But I hope sir the part that he has the testimony of Mr George a very credible man who is himself a pensioner and who served in the army with Mr Blake together with Mr Blakes other testimony and the commutation which he made in the Supplement to his declaration will be satisfactory to the department that Mr Blake served as he declared, and if any doubt exists as to his service for the whole period for which he declares, he will be satisfied to be allowed a pension upon [illegible] his service which it would seem to me is clearly proved. He is very infirm & feeble in health and too near the end of his earthly career to make any further Exertion or furnish any further evidence. Col. D. A. A. Burk of the Indian Department is well acquainted with the applicant to whom I refer you. Have the goodness, sir, to write in relation to this case.
Resp. Yours
[signature] John W. Smith
Chelsea Feby 4. 1837
Page 49

1204
Sarah Blake
Widow of Elijah
Vt
Act 7 July 1838
Admd 9 mo 8 d private
from 17 Nov 1839 to 4th
March 1841 $30.88 p. ann
Adm Act 3 March 1843
and 17 June 1844
$30.88 per ann
John W Smith
Chelsea
Vt
Page 50

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM,
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7 June 1832 Elijah Blake, deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War, was entitled to a pension at the rate of Thirty dollars and eighty eight cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1831, and ending on the 17th day of November, 1839, the day of his death, which will be paid to Sarah Blake, his widow upon the production of the proper voucher.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 2d day of November one thousand eight
hundred and forty-four.
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 51

S. R.
aa
69
Page 52

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of
Congress of 2nd February 1848 entitled "An act making further provisions for surviving widows & soldiers of of the Revolution."
State of Vermont
Orange County ss. 
On the 1st day of September 1848 personally appeared before the subscribed Moses Wallace a Justice of Peace within & for the County of Orange aforesaid, Sarah Blake a resident of Topsham in the County of Orange aforesaid aged 82 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 2nd day of February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Elijah Blake who was a private in the New Hampshire Continental line of United States troops in the Revolutionary war, who made formal application to the War Department at the City of Washington for a pension, and that during the pendency & previous to a final decision of his case, the said Elijah Blake died. The declaration of the said Elijah Blake, and other evidence in relation to his claim, are now remaining in the pension office at the City of Washington. She further declares that
soon after the decease of her said husband, Elijah Blake, she made application to the war department for a
Page 53

pension, founding her claim thereto on the services done and performed by the said Elijah Blake, and that her request was granted, and that she received [a received - crossed out] a pension of 30 dollars & 88 cents per annum under the act of 17th June 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.
[signed] X her mark Sarah Blake
Att. [signature] A. .J. Wallace
[signed] Moses Wallace
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written. 
before [signature] Moses Wallace Justice of Peace.
Page 54

Apl 75 Capt Richards - of Mass 8 mo secy 8 - 
76 Capt Richards as waiter to Lt Blake Col Starke 12 - 
77 Capt Colllins - N. H. 3 - Secy 1.9
Page 55

Apl 75 Capt Richards - of Mass 8 mo secy 8 - 
76 Capt Richards as waiter to Lt Blake Col Starke 12 - 
77 Capt Colllins - N. H. 3 - Secy 1.9