Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23.609, Samuel Bickford, Continental (N.H.)
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Continental (N.H.)
CONTENTS
Pickford, Samuel
Abigail

NUMBER
W. 23.609
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11.052
New Hampshire
Samuel Bickford
of Epsom
in the state of N. Hampshire
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Stark
of the N Hamp. line, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of May 1819
and sent to Hon. D L Morrill
Goffstown, N Hampshire

Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819 10 mo  85.56
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep: 1819. 48 -
$133.56
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
not entitled

of


Pensioner: Abigail Bickford
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Saml Bickford
Page 4

I Samuel Bickford of Epsom in the County of Rockingham and the State of New Hampshire testify and declare that in the last of December 1775 I enlisted as a private soldier for the term
of one year in the revolutionary war against Great Britain in a company commanded by Captain Amos Morrill, in a Regiment under the
command of Colonel John Stark in the New Hampshire line and
Continental establishment that I faithfully served in said company
and Regiment the full time of one year the term I enlisted for
and was then regularly discharged, which discharge is not now to
be found, and I further declare that from my advanced age I am
not able to procure a living by manual labour, and have no other was
of obtaining a support and from my reduced circumstances
of
and need of assistance from my Country for support.
his
Witness
and McClary
Samuel L Bickford
mark
April 14th 1818
State of New Hampshire April 14th A.D. 1818
Rockingham ss
Then Samuel Bickford
who subscribed the above personally appearing
made solemn oath that the foregoing declaration
by him subscribed is just & true
one of the Judges
Before me
John Harvey
to
of the County on
of Common Pleas
for the County of
Rockingham
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I John Harvey of Northwood in the County of Rockingham and State of New-Hampshire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham aforesaid; do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Samuel Bickford did serve in the revolutionary war as stated by him in the preceding declaration
May 25th 1818 /s/John Harvey
[court seal affixed] By order of the Judge
/s/P. Chadwick Clerk
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I Mich'l McClary of Epsom County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire. Esquire, certify and declare that being a commissioned officer in the same Company and Regiment in which the said Sam'l Bickford has stated in ['the' crossed out] his affidavit that he served in, I am well knowing that he served the fall time that he has declared in said affidavit, and that he is now poor and stands in need of assistance from his Country for support.
April 14th 1818 /s/Mich'l McClary
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss} April 14th A.D. 1818 Then Michael McClary Esqr personally appearing and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true. 
Before me /s/John Harvey} one of the Judges of the County Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham -
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Samuel Bickford
11052
Not Entl'd
25 May '17
Sep. 1817
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STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
ROCKINGHMAN....SS. 
ON this twenty seventh day of June, 1820, personally appeared in open court, ['of Rockingham a' crossed out] before me Hall Burgin a Judge, ['Esqrs. Justices' crossed out] of the Court of Common Pleas ['for' crossed out] in the said County of Rockingham, being a Court of Record for the said County of Rockingham, having the power of find and imprisonment, Samuel Bickford aged Sixty one years, resident in Epsom, in said county, who being first duly sworn  according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: viz That in the last part of December 1775 or the first part of ['December' crossed out] January 1776 he enlisted as a private Soldier for one  year in the company commanded by Capt. Amos Morrill in the Reg't commanded by Col. John Stark in Newhampshire line & faithfully served in said company & Reg't one year & was regularly discharged at Newtown. The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the 14 day of April AD 1818 The number of his pension certificate is 11.052. I have received a pension
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the/8th day of March , 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. My occupation is farming but cannot work & am not of sufficient ability to pursue it for a livelyhood 
in family residing with me a wife only who is almost seventy years of age & very feeble
Their capacity to contribute to their support [blank]
Sworn to and declared at this town on the Seventh day of June AD 1820 before 
/s/Mr. Hall Burgin Judge of said court
I, Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereof annexed, are truely copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is three hundred thirty dollars and --- cents. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this fourth day of July, 1820. 
/s/P. Chadwick {Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham
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SCHEDULE
CONTAINING the whole estate and income of Samuel Bickford (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted,) by him subscribed, exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham, on the fourth day of July 1820, and annexed to his oath, viz. 
Real Slate Value at - $200
2 Oxen - 50.
2 Cows - 30.
8 Sheep - 12.
1 Heifer one year old - 5.
Farming Utensils - 12.
One old Horse beast - 15.
1 Swine - 6.
/s/X his Mark Samuel Bickford
NB One half of the above stock I purchased with the money I received from the United States last year 
/s/X his Mark Samuel Bickford
Witness /s/Hall Burgin
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State of New Hampshire.
Merrimack ss.  On this twenty eighth day of August AD. 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the County of Merrimack Abigail Bickford a resident of Epsom in the said County of Merrimack, aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7" 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" 
That she is the widow of Samuel Bickford of Epsom, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution - that the said Samuel served more than two years in said Army, that he was a pensioner under the Act of March 18th 1818 - as appears by his pension certificate No. 11.052 - bearing date May 25th 1819, that the proof of his services is in the War Department, to which she refers. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel at Epsom, by the Rev'd Moses Parsons of Newbury, in the month of May, seventeen hundred and eighty - the day of the month she cannot now remember, but she well recollects, that it was several days before the dark day (which was the 19th day of May 1780) that her husband the aforesaid Samuel died on the 21 day of April 1831 - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated and that she has never since been married - That she cannot find any record of her marriage - and that she knows of but one person now living who was present at her marriage, and that she is so compleatly superan(n)uated as to have lost all powers of memory and reccollection - and is now an Inhabitant of the town of
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Seabrook in this State
/s/Abigail Bickford
Witness /s/Moses P. Gray
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year ['above' crossed out] before written. 
Before me /s/Horace Chase Judge of Probate
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I hereby certify that I do not find the ['th marriage' crossed out] marriage of Samuel Bickford & Abigail Cook both of Epsom in the State of Newhampshire in the record of the Marriages in my Office 
Newbury Aug't 2, 1838. /s/Ezra Hale Town Clerk 
I Ezra Hale of Newbury above named, on oath and declare that I hold the Office of Clerk of the Town of Newbury in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - and that I have carefully examined the records of said Town, now in my possession, and do not find on said books any record of the marriage of Samuel Bickford and Abigail Cook of Epsom as I have stated in the above Certificate.
/s/Ezra Hale
Sworn and subscribed this second day of August AD 1738. 
before me /s/W. Waart Justice of the peace
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922
Irasburgh Vt. April 27. '43
J. Cooper
Declaration of Abigail Bickford for a pension. 
C174. Rec May 8/43
Pension Office
$73:33 per ann

Hon. John C. Spencer 
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.

Irasburgh Vt.
April 28th}
Vt Mar 3d 1843 ab: Bickford Free
Pension
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} at Albany in the county of Orleans on this fifteenth day of April A.D. 1843 Then Abigail Bickford of Albany aforesaid personally appeared before me and made subscribed and sworn to the following declarations That She is the Widow of Samuel Bickford late of Epsom in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire who was a Revolutionary Soldier and drew a pension under the act of Congress passed in 1818 and that Said Samuel Bickford died April 21, 1831 - and that she resided in Epsom aforesaid from the decease of the Said Samuel Bickford up to and until June 1842 and in the month of June A.D. 1842. 
She removed from Said Epsom to Albany aforesaid where she now resides that She is eighty seven years old last August and that the record was inscribed on the pension Roll and she received a certificate thereof dated December fourth 1838 entitling her to a pension of forty ['Dollars plus [illegible] and' crossed out] thirty seven cents per year under the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 which sum was regularly paid to her - untill the expiration of five years from the fourth of March 1836 and that said Certificate was by her surrendered to the pension Agency in Newhampshire upon receipt of the last payment on said certificate which was received in March 1841 - and that she is now a widdow and has so remained from the decease of the said Samuel Bickford
/s/Abigail Bickford
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State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} Albany April fifteenth A.D. 1843
Then Abigail Bickford of Albany aforesaid personally appeared before me and subscribed the foregoing declaration and made solemn oath that the Same contains the truth and nothing but the truth
/s/Rufus B. Hovey Justice of the Peace
I Samuel Bickford of Albany in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont of the age of forty eight years depose and say that Abigail Bickford who signed and has sworn to the foregoing declaration in my presents is my Mother and that she lives in my family and has ever since the decease of my father Sam' Bickford late of Epsom in Merrimack County of Newhampshire and I further say that she is the Identical Abigail Bickford who drew a pension while she resided in Epsom as she has stated in said declaration and that she has never been married since the decease of my father late of Epsom aforesaid
/s/Samuel Bickford
State of Vermont
Orleans County ss} Albany 15 April 1843
Personally appeared before me Samuel Bickford above named and made Solemn oath the the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth 
/s/Rufus B. Hovey Just. of Peace
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I Aaron Critchett of Albany in above county and State of Vermont of the age of thirty three years depose and say that I have been acquainted with Abigail Bickford who subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration in my presents and I know her to be the identical Abigail Bickford who drew a pension while she resided in Epsom as she has stated in her declaration - I have know her and been intimately acquainted with her for twenty five years last past - 
/s/Aaron Critchet(t)
/s/Abigail C. Bickford
State of Vermont
Orleans County} Albany April 15 1843
Personally apeared Before me Aaron Critchet(t) and Abigail C. Bickford the above named persons and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth
/s/Rufus B. Hovey Justice of Peace

Irasburgh 27. April 1843
Hon'l John C. Spencer above I sent vouchers for Wid Bickford if there are any rules established about the mode of Procedure in these cases plese send me a copy - please communicate the result of this application to me 
Yours &c /s/J. Cooper
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State of Vermont
Orleans County Clerk Office Irasburgh April 26-1843
I Henry M. Bates Clerk of Orleans County Court do hereby certify that Rufus B. Hovey of Albany is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orleans - duly qualified - and that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 26th day of April AD 1840
/s/H. M. Bates
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[verso]
Reported

[recto]
1128
Vermont, Burlington
Abigail Bickford N.H. 
widow of Samuel Bickford who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of July 1843 and sent to J. Cooper
Irasburgh, Vermont 
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 25.
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Rev WIDOW, &c. [initials: own]
File No. 23609
Abigail Bickford wid of Samuel Bickford
Pri Rev War
Act: March 3d 43
Index: - Vol. A, Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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New Hampshire 1299
Abigail Bickford widow of Samuel Bickford, dec. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 21 April 1831 of Merrimack Co in the State of N. Hamp who was a private in the com. commanded by Captain Sanborn of the regt commanded by Col. Evans in the N.H. line for 22 months. 
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Octr. 1839, & sent to ['and' crossed out] M. P. Gray, Esqr Epsom, N. Hampshire
______
Arrears to the 4 of Septr 1839 $256.66
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40 36.66
$293.33
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk
Book A. Vol. 1. Page 35.
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[verso]
New Hampshire 1299
Abigail Bickford of Epsom widow of Samuel Bickford, dec'd who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar 1818, and who died on the 21. April 1831 of Merrimack Co in the State of New Hamp. who was a private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded by Col. Stark in the N. Hamp line for one year
Increase to $67.76 per ann
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord, N.H. at the rate of 40 Dollars ['[blank] Cents' crossed out] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of June 1838 and Sent to Horace Chace, (Chase) Hopkinton, N.H. 
______
Arrears to the 4th of Septr '38  $100.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '39 20.00
$120.00
M. P. Gray 
Epsom N.H. 
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk, 
Book A. Vol. 1. Page 34. 

[recto]
Let. to M. P. Gray
20 June 1839
3.18 Sanborn
6.22 Marston
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[verso]
1299
New Hampshire
Abigail Bickford widow of Samuel Bickford dec'd who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 21 April 1831 of Merrimack Co in the State of N.H. who was a private in the com. commanded by Captain Sanborn of the regt commanded by Col. Evans in the N.H. line for ['20 mo 10 ds.' crossed out] 22 months
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of ['67' crossed out] 73 Dollars ['76' crossed out] 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 
Inc'd from $40. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the ['29' crossed out] 16th day of ['Aug't' crossed out] October 1839. & sent to ['and' crossed out] M. P. Gray, Epsom, N.H. 
______
Arrears to the 4th of March 1839  $203.28
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 33.88
$237.16
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1, Page 35

[recto]
Let. Moses P. Gray, Sept. 25. '39
Page 23

Issue a new certificate for $73:33 per ann. and send to M. P. Gray Esq'r Epsom, N.H. 
1299
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Five years' Pension. 
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Abigail Bickford of N. Hampshire widow of Samuel Bickford, deceased who was a private in the Revolution and died on the 21st day of April 1831, is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Sixty seven dollars and seventy six cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death. Issued in lieu of one for $40. 
[seal affixed] Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
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[addressed envelope]
Epsom N.H. 
September 16. 1834. Free
[margin notes: Bickford Sept 23 Rec at N.H. Abigail Bickford]
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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[handwritten letter]
[margin note: 73.33+110=74:43]
Epsom Sep. 16. 1839. 

Sir
I rec'd about 10 days since from the Dep't a new certificate for the Widow Abigail Bickford for $67.76 a year.
I am sorry to trouble the Dept. any more on her account, but I conceive that a mistake must have been made in computing the time of service of her husband for which she is entitled to draw; in your Letter of the 20" June last you say "I find by the N.H. rolls that Mr. Samuel Bickford performed the services nearly as stated in your letter of the 12th Feb'y but to wit: 3 months & 8 days under Cap't Sanborn and 6 months 22 days under Cap't Marston" I accordingly forwarded a supplemental declaration for those services, making in the two terms 10 months service the am't of Pension for which would be $33.33 - instead of $27.76, which is the amount added to the first certificate she had & which was returned according to your direction 
It seems to be a small sum to trouble the Dep't about, but to a poor widow it is important - Mrs. Bickford has made use of the certificate & drawn to the 4th of this month, I trust that will be no bar to having the mistake rectified (if there is one) Will you have the goodness to have this affair examined and let me know, what is the result and the determination of the Department upon it -
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[handwritten letter]
Mr. Bickford's services will stand as follows - 
in 1776 - under Capt. Morrill 12 mo.
in 77 under Capt. Sanborn 3 " 8 days
in 78 under Capt. Marston 6 "  22 " 
22 mos. in the whole - 
I am respectfully your h'ble Serv't
/s/Moses P. Gray

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
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State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss - On this twenty fifth day of June A.D. 1839 - personally appeared before this Court of Probate for the County of Merrimack, Abigail Bickford, a resident of Epsom in said County, and widow of Samuel Bickford late of said Epsom deceased - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, supplemental to her declaration made on the twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1838 - in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" - That according to her best knowledge & belief the said Samuel Bickford in the summer of 1777 - enlisted in the Company commanded by Capt. Sanborn of Deerfield in the Regiment commanded by Col'l Evans of Dover in which he served three months and eight days and was then discharged; That in the spring of 1778 He enlisted in the  Company commanded by Cap'n Marston of Deerfield in the Regiment commanded by Col'l Peabody of Amherst, went to Rhode Island under General Sullivan, and was discharged after
Page 29

serving six months and twenty two days for the evidence of which she refers to the N.H. rolls, now in the Pension Office of the War Department - 
/s/Abigail Bickford
Her words "according to her best knowledge and belief" were interlined before signed
Witness /s/Moses P. Gray
/s/Horace Chase
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
Before me /s/Horace Chase Judge of Probate
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State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss.
[court seal affixed] I James Clark Register of the Court of Probate for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify That Horace Chase is an acting Justice of the court of Probate in and for the county of Merrimack duly commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the eighth day of January, 1833 and will expire on the fourteenth day of December 1858 
And that his signature to the foregoing instrument is genuine. 
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 7th day of August 1839
/s/James Clark Register of the court of Probate
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Samuel Bickford of Epsom enlisted in the Army of the Revolution the last of December 1775 or first of Jan'y 1776 in the Company commanded by Cap't Amos Morrill in the Regiment commanded by Col'l John Stark in the line of the State of New Hampshire continental establishment served one year and was discharged after the battle of Trenton in which he was engaged - 
He again enlisted in the summer of 1777 in the Company commanded by Cap't Benj'n Sanborn of Deerfield in the Regiment commanded by Col'l Evans of Dover went to Sarratoga was present at the capture of Burgoyne, and was afterward discharged - 
He again enlisted in the spring of 1778 in the company commanded by Cap't Marston of Deerfield in the Regiment commanded by Col'l Peabody of Amherst was at Rhode Island under Gen'l Sullivan and was discharged after eight months service at a place called Narragansett in Mass. or Rh. Island - 
on roll Vol. 1. N.H. Militia. Sanborn 3 8 
  "  "    "  3  "  Marston 6 22
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
COUNTY OF ESSEX, SS. PROBATE OFFICE. 
[court seal affixed] I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate of said county, hereby certify, that William Waart esquire, before whom the affidavit hereto annexed of Ezra Hale purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county, duly qualified to administer oaths, and that his name, subscribed to the certificate thereon, is his genuine signature, to me well known. 
['supported by the records in said office.' crossed out] Given under my hand and seal of office, this third day of August, A.D. 1838. 
/s/Nath'l Lord jr.
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Payment to be made at Concord by J. Hill Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Concord, N.H. Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year ['thereafter' crossed out]. First payment to be made 31st December, 1838
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1, Page 34, by D. McCurdy Clerk.
Page 34

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Five years Pension. 
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Abigail Bickford of Merrimack Co. N.H. widow of Samuel Bickford dec'd a private, who was a pensioner under the act of 1818, and died on the 21st day of April 1831, is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of forty dollars ['and [blank] cents' crossed out] per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death. 
[seal affixed] Given at the War Office of the United States, this fourth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight 
/s/J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War. 
Examined and Countersigned.} 
/s/J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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1299
Page 36

1678
Act. 7 July '38
Abigail Bickford
wid of Samuel 
N. Hamp.
married 1780
died 1831
allow $40 per ann
in add'n
3 mo 8 da Cap Sanborn
6.22. Marston
10. 00 on roll. 
12/22
Horace Chace (Chase) Esq.
Hopkinton N.H.
Page 37

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County - 
I H. B. Chase Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Merrimack hereby certify and declare, that Horace Chase Esqr. is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, that his signature to the Declaration hereunto annexed is his genuine signature - I also certify that Philip Carrigain and Thomas D. Merrill, Esquires, before whom the affidavits hereto annexed of Moses P. Gray, Samuel Cate, B. L. Locke and Josiah Sanborn purport to have been taken, are Justices of the Peace for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and that their names, subscribed to the certificates thereon, are their genuine signatures. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. 
/s/H. B. Chase.} Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Merrimack.
Page 38

I Josiah Sanborn of Epsom aged seventy five years, depose and say that I have been acquainted with Samuel Bickford of said Epsom and Abigail, his Widow, for sixty years or more. I well recollect their publishment for Marriage, and according to my best recollection that was in the year 1780. I did not witness their Marriage but have no doubt, but they were legally married, I know that they lived together as man and wife until the time of his decease, and both sustained respectable Character in the Town and wherever they were known - I know that the same Samuel Bickford was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and has heretofore been on the pension Roll
/s/Josiah Sanborn
Merrimack ss - August 25 1838
Then Josiah Sanborn personally appearing made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true, before me - 
/s/Thomas D. Merrill Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Josiah Sanborn is a gentleman of respectability and veracity - 
/s/Thomas D. Merrill Jus Peace
Page 39

I Benjamin L. Locke of Epsom on oath declare that I hold the office Clerk of the Town of Epsom in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire and that I have carefully examined the records of said Town now in my possession - and do not find on said Books any record of the Marriage of Samuel Bickford and Abigail Cook of said Epsom - I also further declare that there are no records of any marriage on said Books from the time when the Rev. John Tuck was Dismissed in 1774 untill the Rev. Ebenezer Haseltine was ordained in 1784 excepting one marriage By the Rev. William Parsons of Gilmanton in 1778; 
/s/B. L. Locke
Merrimack ss August 27 1838. Personally appearing Benj'n L. Locke made solemn oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me. 
/s/Thomas D. Merrill Jus Peace
Page 40

I Samuel Cate of Epsom Aged 54 years and upwards testify and say that I have been well acquainted and have lived a near neighbor to Samuel Bickford late of Epsom and Abigail his wife, ever since I was a child - that they have always been reputed as man and wife and lived together as such till his decease in April 1831 - that they have always sustained fair and irreproachable morral characters, and I have no doubt but that they were lawfully married - And that the said Abigail has ever since remained his widow 
/s/Samuel Cate 
Merrimack ss. August 28th 1838. Personally appearing Samuel Cate, made solemn Oath that the above affidavit subscribed by him is true
before me - /s/Philip Carrigain Just. Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Samuel Cate is a person of truth and veracity and a perfectly credible witness - 
/s/Philip Carrigain Just Peace & Quorum
Page 41

I Moses Parsons Gray of Epsom aged fifty nine years testify and say, that I have frequently heard my Father, James Gray and My Mother Susannah Gray, both of whom are now dead, say that they were present at the marriage of Samuel Bickford and Abigail Cook, both of Epsom, that they were married in the month of May seventeen hundred and eighty, by my Grandfather the Rev'd Moses Parsons of Newbury - that the marraige took place at said Epsom, and that at that time I was an Infant - I further say that I well knew the said Samuel Bickford that I was present at his funeral and saw the Corpse, and that he died on the 21st day of April 1831 - and that Abigail Bickford, who makes application for a pension is his widow
/s/Moses P. Gray
Merrimack ss. August 28th 1838 - Personally appearing Moses P. Gray, made solemn oath that the above affidavit subscribed by him is true - 
before me /s/Philip Carrigain Just Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Moses P. Gray is a person of truth and veracity and a perfectly credible witness - 
/s/Philip Carrigain Just. Peace
Page 42

[addressed envelope]
[margin notes: Aug 19 Rec at NH. 6 22 Marston]
Epsom N.H. 
Aug. 12, 39

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 43

[handwritten letter]
Epsom Aug't 12: 1839

Sir
In conformity with the directions in your Letter of June 20th I herewith enclose the supplemental declaration of the Widow Abigail Bickford, and also the certificate which she first received - of which no use has been made - 
I am respectfully Your Ob't Serv't
/s/Moses P. Gray
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington Citizen
A vacancy in the Office of Register of Probate in the cause why the declaration was not sooner completed & forwarded -
Page 44

[addressed envelope]
[margin note: Oct. 16. '39]
Epsom N.H. 
Oct. 10, 1839 free
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 45

[handwritten letter]
Epsom October 9. 1839 - 

Sir
I herewith return for correction the pension certificate of widow Abigail Bickford, agreably to your direction in your letter of Sept. 25. 1839 - 
service allowed 22 mo. pension $73.33 - 
very respectfully Your Ob't Serv't
/s/Moses P. Gray

J. L. Edwards Esqr.