Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,968, Beriah Wheeler, Conn. Conn. Sea Service
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                              NUMBER
Conn                  Wheeler, Beriah       W. 25,968
Conn. Sea Service             Eunice

CONTENTS
Page 2

Vermont    1879[illegible number]
=======================
Beriah Wheeler 
of Windham in the State of Vermont
who was a Pri & Sgt: in the Company Commanded
by Captain ______ of the Reg't commanded
by Col Arnold in the Con 
line for 10 mo  9 ds     Priv
             13 "    21 "      Sgt
==========================
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 102 Dollars 83 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of October
1833 and sent to
P White      Putney
===================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833.          $257.07
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 34  __51.41__
                                                              $308.48

                                     {Revolutionary Claim }
                                     {Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by W. L. Williams   Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 98
Page 3

1  That on the 19th day of June 1776 he enlisted as a mariner on board the Row Galley Crane
under Capt Jehiel Tinker, Lieut David Brooks & Ensign Shubael Brainerd, and served from
that time till the first of January following. For some time he served in Long Island Sound but was
ordered to New York and there was sent up North River in persuit of the British fleet
that had gone up the river. One mounted [1 illegible] 44 one and 24. and four smaller ones
we came in contact with them and after a severe engagement with them of
two hours and a half, and finding our selves unable to take them we retreated
back to New York and were lying there when our troops retreated from Long
Island; we fired upon the British & drove them back; upon which we passed
up the river.
2    That about the first  part of April 1777 he was called into the militia service and served
two months in Capt Brainerds Company and Col Sages Regiment at Seabrook[Saybrook].
3    That about the first of June 1777 he enlisted in Captain Nathan Palmers company, John
Chipman Lieut, that he was Stationed in the fort at Seabrook [Saybrook] in the summer but
in the autumn he was called to join the Regiment commanded by Col Ely command
that lay at or near Arnold, that he marched  though New London and East Greenwich
to Providence Rhode Island then to Sakonnet and there remained about three weeks
then were ordered back to Connecticut to Norwich and there joined the Continental
troops in Col Webbs Regiment that he with others went on board vessels to go over
to Long Island to take a British fort but the weather proving rough
the Vessels scattered. In the morning the Fox frigate took the vessel that Col Webb & Col Ely 
were in (as I understand) and made them prisoner and Drove the vessel in which their appearance was
in ashore and he remained  there fourteen days.
That the  remainder of his time 
he served out at the fort till the 18th of January 1778.
4     That in July 1778 he enlisted for two months in Capt. Daniel Stewarts company and Leve Cole both of Chatham--
Major Cone of East Haddam was Commandant--  this period of service he marched to New London and served the full term of two  months.
5    That in the month of March 1779 he enlisted a mariner on board a whale boat which
he thinks was called the Union under Capt Joshua Griffin of Chatham and went to Point Judith and
took a sloop from Dominico of about 70 tons loaded with cob [cod] bound to Rhode Island and brought her into port and went out again and took a Brigg of 200 tons having on board 4640
Bushels of salt and forty boxes of Oranges and Leamons. also went again and took a schooner
of about seventy tons loaded with Rum and Sugar & fruit bound from Jamaica to Rhode Island
and brought her into port.
There he enlisted in a Whale Boat called the Black snake. Capt Haskell crossed back of
Long Island met the enemy who wounded two of our men and filled our boat with
shot holes. That he thinks he served at these several times in the whale boat six months. 
6    That in the year 1780 he served six weeks in the militia at New Haven in Capt Rileys company--  Col Arnold commander he thinks.
That in the year 1781 the 10th day of January he enlisted in Capt [Carsons] company of Watertown & Lieut Saml Aikens of Chatham
& Ensign [1 illegible] Cone of Haddam, in the first Regiment of State Troops of Connecticut under Major Edward 
Shipman & brigadier General Waterbury-- we lay at the time on the west side the Connecticut through the summer--  
In September we joined the continental army at White Plains - That we went in the
night from White Planes to Frogs Point and fought the enemy. That he got slightly wounded and
he served out faithfully the period of his enlistment which were thirteen months & twenty one
days as his warrant & discharge herewith transmitted will prove.
8     That in the month of June 1782 he enlisted quarter Gunner on board the ship Juno Capt Oliver Norris
and sailed from East Haddam & cruised in the ocean and served about one month
Page 4

Windham County Vt
Beriah Wheeler Dec'r
for a Pension
Augt 6th 1832
No 5197

[slanted]
Wait for bf

His services on
board the Row Galley
Whale boats
& ship Juno
Admitted

Pleaes to make return to P White
[2 illegible]
Page 5

County of Windham  ss
District of Westminister

Att in Probate Court known at Townshend in and for said District on the 8th day
of August AD 1832 [2 illegible] Court of Probate I having [1 illegible] I having [1 illegible] a [1 illegible] I [1 illegible].
    [3 illegible]
               [signed] Peter R Taft   Judge

On this 8th day of August AD 1832 Personally appeared in open Court, At Townshend in said District.

Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District now sittiing Beriah Wheeler a resident of Jamaica
in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged Seventy two years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declarations, in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He first inlisted on the 19th day of June 1776 on board of Row Galley Crane commanded by Capt.
Jahiel Tinker, as a [1 covered by a blob]

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.
     To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
1.  In the town of Chatham in the year 1760
2.  That he has no record of his age unless the [1 illegible] is recorded in
the Clerks office at Chatham
3.  I lived at Chatham [1 illegible] when called into service. [1 illegible] the Revolutionary
War he served in [1 illegible] Chatham till 1784 then moved to Westminister
Vermont and lived there till about 1816. I then moved to Jamaica
[2 illegible] where he now lives.
4.  This question is discussed in the body of the declaration.
5.  That he has [2 illegible] this question as far as he can recollect.
Page 6

6.  That he [2 illegible] any other discharge then that heresaith in the
matter

7.  Daniel Benson & Nathanel Cheney Esq

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
            [signed] Beriah Wheeler
                         Before Peter R Taft   Judge

We Nathaniel Cheney [crossed out: a clergyman] residing in the town of Jamaica in said District and Daniel Benson 
of Windham in Bennington County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Beriah Wheeler who has subscribed and 
sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.           [signed] Daniel Benson
                          [signed]Nath'l Cheney
                    Before Peter R Taft Judge [signed]

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 certifies, that it appears to them, that Nathaniel Cheney who has signed the preceding certificate, is a 
resident in the said town of Jamaica and that Daniel Benson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Marshall
in the county of Bennington, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit with this that the [5 illegible] and
is not acquainted with the matter of this certificate.
     I Asa Keyes  a Clerk & Register of the Probate Court within and for
the District of Westminister aforesaid, do certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of Beriah Wheeler for a pension.
     In testimony whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventh day of August A.D. 1832.
              [signed] Asa Keyes 2'd
Page 7

              4430
New Hampshire, Connect.
=================
Eunice Wheeler
Widow of Beriah Wheeler
Con
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a priv & Sergeant
================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 102. Dollars 83.
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued
11th day of August 1854
and sent to
J D. Keeper
Haverhill
N. H.
==================
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 23 Vol. A
                  (32)
Page 8

Eunice Wheeler
Declaration for
benefit of the act of
February 3, 1853
Page 9

State of New Hampshire,}
County of Grafton ss.  }
                    On this sixteenth day of
April Anno Domini 1853, personally appeared before
me, Charles R. Morrison, a Circuit Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas for said State of New Hampshire, Widow
Eunice Wheeler a resident of Reimont [Fremont] in the County
of Grafton aforesaid, aged seventy eight 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 the act of Congress
passed February third Anno Domini 1853,- that she
is the widow of Beriah Wheeler late of Jamaica
in Windham County, Vermont, who was a Revolutionary
Pensioner at the Vermont agency at the rate of
one hundred two dollars and Eighty three cents
per annum.-
    She further declares that she was married to the
said Beriah Wheeler on the nineteenth day of
January Anno Domini 1815, and that her said
husband, the aforesaid Beriah Wheeler died
on the Sixteenth day of December Anno Domini 1836
as will appear by evidence on file in Pension Office at Washington
that she was married to him at the time above
stated. She further swears that she was a widow 
at the passage of the act and is still a widow.
That about three years ago she supposes Chester Benson 
forwarded some papers to Washington in regard
to a pension for her but their nature cannot
distinctly remember & knows not that they were even sent.                                her
 [signed Jonas D. Sleeper      Eunice  X  Wheeler
                                                       mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above
written, And I hereby certify that I believe that the said
Eunice Wheeler, on account of bodily infirmity is unable
to appear in open Court,

[signed]C R Morrison   {Circuit Justice of the
                                    {Court of Common Pleas
                                    {for the State of New Hampshire
Page 10

 State of New Hampshire}
  Grafton         County ss}
 [seal]                 I J D Sleeper
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas within & for said County
of Grafton a Court of Record
hereby certify that C. R. Morrison 
within named before whom the
within declaration of Eunice Wheeler
purports to have been taken was
at the time of taking and certifying
the same an Circuit Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for said
State of New Hampshire duly commissioned
& qualified, and are the
original proceedings in relation to
the application of Eunice Wheeler
as made before said Justice
       I further certify that the
within signature purporting to be
the said C R Morrisons is genuine.
       In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed the
seal of said Court this sixteenth
day of April Anno Domini 1853.
          [signed] J. D. Sleeper, Clerk
Page 11

State of Vermont, Bennington County ss.
Town Clerks Office, Winhall March 27th 1854

"Be it Remembered that at Winhall on the nineteenth 
day of January Eighteen hundred fifteen
Deacon Beriah Wheeler of Winhall in the County
of Bennington and Eunice Burbank of Bosquine
State of New Hampshire were duly joined
in marriage by me.
Asa Bebee Justice of Peace."
                          
           [signed] C B Williams Town Clerk

I further certify that the above is a true
copy of the record with the Exception of the
date which is Expressed on the record in fair
legible words and figures as follows
"the 19th day of January 1815"
And I the said C. B. Williams above named
depose and say that I hold the office of Town
Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid & that 
the above is a true extract from the records of
said town of Winhall with the exception above
named as certified by me 
              [signed] C B Williams
                       Town Clerk of said Winhall
                        State of Vermont

Bennington County ss. March 27th 1854
Subscribed & sworn to before me.
                  [signed]  S. C. Barrett
                                 Justice of the Peace
Page 12

State of Vermont}
Bennington County ss } 
        I, Henry Kellogg, County Clerk of 
 said Bennington County & Clerk of the
County Court of said County being a Court of record and
having a Seal, hereby certify that S. C. Barrett by whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken and certified was at the date
thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for said County
of Bennington, duly commissioned and authorized by the laws
of the State to administer oaths, and I believe his signature
to the foregoing to be genuine. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said County Court at Bennington in said County
                this 18th day of April A.D. 1854.
             [signed] Henry Kellogg C'o. Clerk
Page 13

I, Zachariah W. Wheeler of Jamaica in the
County of Windham and State of Vermont
aged sixty years, depose and say that I am the
Son of Beriah Wheeler late of
of said Jamaica
deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner at
the time of his death upon the Roll of the
Vermont agency at the rate of $102.83 per
annum, that the said Beriah Wheeler died at said
Jamaica on the 16th day of December A.D. 1836
leaving a widow Eunice Wheeler who still
remains his widow and now resides in Piermont
New Hampshire. 
                      [signed] Z.W. Wheeler

State of Vermont }        
Bennington County ss }
           Winhall May the 1 1854
 Personally appeared the above
named Z. W. Wheeler and made oath that the above
affidavit by him subscribed is true Before me
and I further certify that the said Z. W. Wheeler
is well known to me and that he is a Respectable
person and a credible witness
           [signed] Seth Taylor 2'd Justice of the
                                                    Peace
Page 14

State of Vermont}
Bennington County ss}

I, J. Henry Kellogg County
Clerk of said Bennington
 County, and Clerk of the
County Court in said County being a Court of
record and having a Seal, hereby certify that
Seth Taylor by whom the foregoing affidavit
was taken, and who has signed the foregoing
certificate as justice of the peace was at the
date of said certificate a Justice of the peace
within and for said County of Bennington
duly commissioned and authorized by law
to administer oaths & that I believe his signature
to the foregoing to be genuine and
the same is in proper form - In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said County Court
at Bennington in said County this 3'd
day of May A.D. 1854
          [signed] Henry Kellogg    C'o Clerk
Page 15

I Warren Wheeler of Jamaica in the County of Windham
State of Vermont aged 69 years depose & say
that I am the son of Beriah Wheeler late of said
Jamaica deceased, who was a Revolutionary
Pensioner at the time of his death upon the
Rolls of the Vermont Agency at the rate of $102.83
per annum; that the said Beriah Wheeler died
at said Jamaica on the 16th day of December
A.D. 1836, leaving a widow Eunice Wheeler
who still remains his widow and now
resides in Piermont N.H. I suppose who
lived with me some 14 years.
                                 [signed] Warren Wheeler
State of Vermont }
Bennington County} ss
 Winhall May the 1- 1854
        Personally appeared the above
named Warren Wheeler and made oath that 
the above affidavit by him subscribed is
true Before me. And I further
certify that the said Warren Wheeler is
well known to me, and that he is a
respectable person and a credible witness
                        [signed] Seth Taylor 2'd
                                  Justice of the Peace,
Page 16

State of Vermont}
Bennington County ss}
          I, J. Henry Kellogg County Clerk
of said County of Bennington
and Clerk of the County Court being a Court of
record and having a Seal hereby certify that
Seth Taylor, by whom the foregoing affidavit of
Warren Wheeler was taken and certified
was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace within
and for said County of Bennington, duly commissioned
and authorized by law to administer oaths &c. that
his signature to the foregoing certificate, I believe to be
genuine and the same is in proper form - In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of Bennington
County Court at Bennington in said
County this 3d day of May A.D. 1854.
               [signed] Henry Kellogg Co. Clerk
Page 17

May 20 1854.
---------------------
Eunice Wheeler
Wid. of-
Beriah
Grafton Co.
N. H.

Act      53
    $__102.83__ 
         100 per An       
Com. Frby 3d 1853

Revy

J.D. Sleeper
Haverhill.
NH

[printed vertically}
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office. Official Business
Page 18

[envelope]
H. Hibbard
Com Pensions
Washington D.C.

[vertically}
Boynton
Aug 7/54
Page 19

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
-------------
File No. 25986
Eunice Wheeler
Wid of
Beriah Wheeler
Sergt   Rev War

Act Feb 3'd  53
Index: Vol. W Page 325

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20


No 4706 
Eunice Wheeler
Wid: of
Beriah
Set to Hon. H. Hibbard May 23d /54
   "   "    "     "         "       July 26    "
Act /53
Page 21


[envelope]
[2 illegible]

Hon L.P. Waldo
Com'r Pensions
Washington
D. C.

[vertically, left to right]
18790
Eunice Wheeler
wid
73 in ah

Grafton Co.
N.H.

Boyton

J. D. Sleeper
Haverhill,
N.H.
Page 22

Pension Office
August 7" 1854.
Sir,
Please certify the time
to which the within named
pensioner was paid, or the
date of his death.
Very Respectfull
L. P. Waldo [signed]
Commissioner

[in pencil to the left]
$102,83
[2 illegible] 36         

Francis Burt Esqr [signed]
Third Auditor Lead
Page 23

Beriah Wheeler act 1832  $102.83 per ann
paid to 4 March 1836

Sam S. Rind [signed]
Acty  3rd Aud'or
Page 24

H Hibbard
[1 illegible]

The Com'r Pensions
Washington
D C

[vertical]
Eunice Wheeler

Cole
Page 25

Rec Ev:  16" Dec 36,
"Boytoh"
Page 26

Free
[stamp] 
HAVERHILL
    AUG 
      2
    N C 

To the Commissioner of Pensions
                             Washington City
                                              D.C.
[vertical left side]
Eunice Wheeler
    S
Boynton
Page 27

The affidavit of Nathan William of Jamaica in the County of Windham
and State of Vermont, aged sixty years, who testifies and says, that in the time
of the Revolutionary War he lived in the town of Chatham in the State of Connecticut
and was there well acquainted with [1 illegible] Beriah Wheeler now of Jamaica
aprised and well recollect that in 1777 the said Beriah Wheeler, returning
home twice from the army, as he then was informed, and in the spring & the next
in the first part of the Winter following if he rightly recollects, and also [1 illegible] 
of then hearing his the deponents father telling about his being out with the said
Beriah Wheeler in the army - his father's name was Abraham Williams
who has been deceased for more than thirty years. 
                              [signed] Nathan Williams

State of Vermont}
Windham County ss}    August 6th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to
Before me Phineas White Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that the above named Nathan Williams, is reputed a
man of truth & verasity-
             [signed] Phineas White Justice of Peace -
Page 28

State of Vermont}
WindhamCounty & }
District of Westminister  ss}

I, Asa Keyes as Clerk & Register of the
Probate Court in and for the district of Westminster
certify that Phinehas White who certified the
oath within named to Nathan William within
named, was on the 6th day of August 1832
Justice of the peace in and for said County
of Windham duly commissioned & qualified &
the signature within purporting to be his is
his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set
my hand & affixed the seal of said
Probate Court this first day of June 1833
                      [signed]  Asa Keyes 2d
Page 29

Beriah Wheeler
W. 25.968
Conn & Conn. Sea Service
Page 30

Stanford March [3 illegible] this
may certify that Sgt Beriah
Wheeler has served thirteen months
In my company and thirty one
days and now is Honably Discharged.
      [signed] Nathan Eddwards  Capt.
Page 31

Edward Shipman Esq'r Major Command:  of the first Battalion
raised by the State of Connecticut

To Beriah Wheeler   Greeting
I, Reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism Valour Conduct and
fidelity do by the Powers Vested in me Constitute and Appoint you to be a Sergeant in the
Regiment under my Command you are therefore Carefully and Diligently to Discharge the
Duty of a Sergeant by
doing and Preforming all manner of things There unto belonging and
I do Strictly Charge and Require all under your Command to be Obedient to your Orders as a
Sergant and you are to Observe and follow such orders and Directions from time to time as you
Shall receive from me Or any other your Superior
Officer according to the Rules and Discipline
of War And this is Your Sufficient Warrant.
Appointed September 22nd Day 1781.

Given under my Hand this 31st of October AD 1781. And In the Sixth year of
the Independance of the United States of
America.
                    [signed] Edward Shipman
Page 32

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 33

Haverhill NH, Augt 1st 1854

Dear Sir
       I send enclosed affidavits
to be filed in the case of Eunice
Wheeler for the benefit of the act of Feb.
3rd 1853, having been informed by Hon H.
Hibbard her claim was suspended for
want of evidence of her identity only.
     I trust the evidence enclosed will
prove satisfactory on that point, and
that her certificate will be forwarded
to me at your earliest convenience,
     Mrs Wheeler is poor & sick and
feelings of humanity compel me to ask
immediate attention to her claim.
                     With great respect
                      I am your Ob't Ser't
                      J. D. Sleeper [signed]
                          Haverhill
                              N. H.

Hon L. P. Waldo [signed]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 34

[1 illegible]
92 5th. av.
Page 35

Haverhill Aug't 2'd 1854

Friend Hibbard
               I have this day sent to
the Commissioner of Pension the additional
evidence to prove the identity of the
applicant Mrs Eunice Wheeler which I
think will be interely [entirely] satisfactory
     If you can hasten the decision of
said Case by calling the attention of
the Commissioner to the same you will
confer a great favor upon me personally
and will also do a good deed to a very
poor and very sick widow of a Revolutionary Soldier-
     I am satisfied that the old lady
will not live many weeks, and
that unless her case is passed upon
very soon, the pension will never
benefit her.-- Hoping to see you here soon
in good health & spirits    I am as ever
                               Yours   J. D. Sleeper [signed]
Page 36

House of R. May 20. 1854

Dear Sir
With this I have the honor to
forward the application of Eunice
Wheeler for a pension and other papers.
Please attend to them as early as
may be convenient & inform
me of the result.
                            Very respy yrs
                  [signed] H. Hibbard

The Court of Pensions
Page 37

Brief in the case of Eunice Wheeler, Wid of Beriah
Grafton County and State of New Hampshire.
act 3d Feby:1853

Claim, ("original")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of
7th June 1832.

Record evidence of Marriage
Soldier died in 1836

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

J. D. Sleeper, Esqr [signed]
Haverhill
N. H.
Name and residence of Agent

"[1 illegible]"
Examining Clerk
Page 38

5197
Beriah Wheeler

Admit
   13 mo's 21st Serg't
 __10_ "      9  "    Priv
    24
                            34.33
                        ___18.50 ___
                      ___102.83___
    
                             205.66
                         ____51.41___
                             257.07
   P. White Esq'r
          Putney Vt
Page 39

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Bariah Wheeler which require
further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
Page 40

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
     If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
    Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?  No

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No See Quer 16

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?


EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
     **Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. H. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of one who, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned
below, and in the following grades; For ____ 
year _____months, 
and_____days, I served as a ________; 
and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 41

3

     It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
the pesnsioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. 
It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
     In a case where the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the 
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths 
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI Mode of authenticating papers.
     In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
     [pointing finger] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 42

Eunice Wheeler
Act of 3" Feb 1853


Josiah Burbank
Abigail Burbank
Affidavits
Page 43

     I Abigail Burbank wife of Josiah
Burbank of Bath New Hampshire aged
Sixty three years, depose and say that Eunice
Wheeler who has lived with Joseph C Burbank
at Piermont NH Since September 1851 is
my Husbands Sister, and I know that she is
The identical Widow of Beriah Wheeler deceased
late of Jamaica Vermont - The said Beriah &
the said Eunice visited me at Landaff N H
twice prior to his death. After the death of
said Beriah which occured as I was informed
at the time, in the year 1836, the said Eunice
visited me and I have ever since known her as
Eunice Wheeler Widow of Beriah Wheeler of
Jamacia Vt. who was a Revolutionary Pensioner
I have several times visited her since she has
made her home with the said Joseph C Burbank
                          Abigail Burbank [signed]    
 Witness Geo. Cutting [signed]     

State of Newhampshire
Graften ss}      Bath August 1st 1854
     Then personally appeared before me
Abigail Burbank Known to me to be a credible
witness, signed the above affidavit, and made
Oath that the same is true.
Before me Geo. Cutting Justice of the Peace
Page 44

I Josiah Burbank of Bath New Hampshire 
aged seventy years depose
and say that Eunice Wheeler who
has lived with Joseph C Burbank
at Piermont since September 1851
is my sister, and I know that
she is the identical widow of
Beriah Wheeler deceased late of
Jamaica Vermont - The said
Beriah & the said Eunice visited
me at Landaff prior to his
death and once I visited them
at said Jamaica - After the
death of said Beriah which occured
as I was informed at the
time in the year 1836 the said
Eunice visited me and I have
ever since known her as
Eunice Wheeler Widow of Beriah 
Wheeler of Jamaica Vt. who
was a Revolutionary Pensioner
I have several times visited
her since she has made
Page 45

her home with the said Joseph
C. Burbank.          Josiah Burbank [signed]
               Witness Geo. Cutting [signed]

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss.      August 1st 1854
Then personally appeared
before me Josiah Burbank
known to me to be a credible
witness, signed the above
affidavit and made oath
that the same is true.
Before me
        [signed] Geo. Cutting Justice of the Peace
Page 46

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss Court of Common
Pleas Clerks Office August 1st AD. 1854
I, J. D. Sleeper Clerk of the
said Court hereby certify that Geo
Cutting before whom the foregoing and
annexed affidavits purport to have
been taken was at the times of
taking and certifying the same a
Justice of the Peace in & for said County
of Grafton duly commissioned and
qualified.- I further certify that the
signatures to the certificate to the said
affidavits purporting to be the said
Geo. Cuttings are in my belief
genuine.
     In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court the day and
year last above written

Attest      J. D. Sleeper Clerk [signed]
Page 47

Eunice Burbank
Affidavit
Act of Feb 3, 1853.
Page 48

I Eunice Wheeler now resident in
Piermont N. H. depose and say
that I am the widow of Beriah
Wheeler who was a revolutionary
Pensioner at the rate of $102.83
per annum of Windham Co Vermont
that my name before I was
married to the said Beriah
Wheeler was Eunice Burbank
and I was married to him the
said Beriah Wheeler January
19th 1815, and now am and
ever since the death of the
said Beriah Wheeler on the
16th Day of December 1836 have
been the identical widow of
the said Beriah Wheeler, and
am the identical Eunice
Wheeler who made a declaration 
before C. R. Morrison
an advocate Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas for the State 
of New Hampshire for the benefit
of the Act of Congress of the
Page 49

3rd of February 1853, which I now
believe to be on file in the Pension
Office at Washington, The said
Beriah Wheeler while he was a
pensioner as aforesaid
resided in Jamacia in Windham County Vermont
and his pension was payable
at the Vermont Agency
I further certify that after the
death of the said Beriah I
continued to reside at said
Jamaica and at Bath N.H. all the month of
September 1851 and Since
that time I have resided
with my  Cousin Joseph C.
Burbank in Piermont N.H.
                                        her
                             Eunice  X  Wheeler
Witnesses                      mark
 Joseph C Burbank [signed]        
 Jonas D. Sleeper [signed]

State of New Hampshire Grafton ss. July 31, 1854
Then personally appeared Eunice Wheeler
before me & known to me personally to be
Page 50

a credible witness, and Signed the foregoing
affidavit and made oath that the
same is true. And I further certify that
before She signed the same the words
therein "per annum of Windham County
Vermont", the words "in Windham County"
the words "and at Bath N.H." and the word
"Cousin" were interlined by me before
she signed said affidavit.-

Attest  Jonas D. Sleeper Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss
Court of Common Pleas Clerks Office
August 1st Anno Domini 1854

I J D Sleeper Clerk of said Court hereby certify
that Jonas D Sleeper before whom the foregoing affidavit
purports to have been taken was at the time of taking
& certifying the same a Justice of the Peace in
& for said County of Grafton duly Commissioned
and qualified & that the above signature
purporting to be his is genuine-
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court the day & year last above written
Attest    J D Sleeper Clerk [signed]
Page 51

Eunice Wheeler
Act of 3d Feb. 1853


Joseph C. Burbank
Affidavit-
Page 52

I Joseph C. Burbank of Premont
N. H. aged sixty seven years
depose and say that I have
known the Widow Eunice Wheeler
from boyhood. Prior to her
marriage to Deacon Beriah
Wheeler her name was Eunice
Burbank, and she is my Cousin.
I became acquanted with the
said Beriah I think in the year
1827 and was then for the first
time introduced to him by the
said Eunice as her husband
and then learned from him and
her that they resided in Jamaica
Vermont. In the year 1837
when I resided in Bath N H
the said Eunice visited me and
then told me of the death of her
husband the said Beriah Wheeler
and she then informed me
that he was a revolutionary
Pensioner, and I think she told
Page 53

me he drew a little over $100.
per annum.
I heard of her marriage to
the said Beriah Wheeler at the
time of her marriage in the
year 1815, and from that
time ever since have known
her as Eunice Wheeler, and
Ever since the year 1837 have
known her as the Widow of said
Beriah Wheeler of Jamaica
Vermont, in Windham County.
I was present when she made
a declaration before C. R.
Morrison an Associate Justice of
the Court of Common Pleas
for the State of New Hampshire 
for the benefit of the
act of the 3rd of February
A.D. 1853 -  She now resides
with me and has resided with
me all the time since September
1851 and she still continues the
Widow of the said Beriah
Page 54

Wheeler of Jamaica Vermont
                   Joseph C Burbank [signed]

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss.  August 1st 1854 Then appeared
Joseph C. Burbank signer of the foregoing
affidavit to me known to be
a credible witness and made oath
that the same is true.
 Before me Nathan B Felton Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Grafton ss
I J. D. Sleeper Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas in & for said County hereby
certify that Nathan B Felton Esq
before whom the above affidavit purports
to have been taken was at the time of
taking and certifying the same a Justice
of the Peace in & for said County duly Commissioned
& qualified and that the above Signature
purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of said Court this 1st day of August A.D. 1854.
                     J. D. Sleeper Clerk [signed]