Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7399, for Joseph Morrill, New Hampshire
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(3—1776)

Morrill, Joseph

SERVICE
N.H.

NUMBER
R7399

CONTENTS
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W 37565

Declaration of
Joseph Morrill AW
NH

Act 7 June 1832
19 Oct '47

A.
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State of New Hampshire
County of Belknap, ss: }

On this nineteenth day of October — A.D. 1847, personally appeared Joseph Morrill of Gilmanton in said County, in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting in and for said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1833.

That he is the son of Jospeh Morrill late of Gilmanton in said County, deceased, who died at said Gilmanton on the second day of May, A.D. 1846, aged 94 years, leaving no widow. That the said Joseph Morrill left only four children known to be living, viz: Billy Morrill, Hannah Morrill, David Morrill and Joseph Morrill, who makes this declaration, and who is Executor of the last will and testament of the said Jospeh Morrill, deceased.

He further declares that his Father, the said Jospeh Morrill, deceased, has frequently told him that he was out at two different times as a private in the continental army of the United States - that he enlisted the first time about the first of February, 1871 for the term of six months from said town of Gilmanton, and served for a term of some over four months at West Point, and got leave of absence for the remainder of his term of enlistment in consequence of ill health; - that he returned home to Gilmanton, and soon after ward to the town of Chichester to work - that while in Chichester during the same year the town of Gilmanton was again called upon to furnish more men, and. that he again enlisted for six months, went to West Point,  and served as a private in the Continental army another term from three to four months. - That his father, the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, removed into said Gilmanton in the Year 1775, as he believes and has been informed, and continued to reside in said Gilmanton from the time of his last service in the Continental army, as aforesaid to the time of his death. That the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, was married to Martha Beam the seventeenth day of August, 1784 and that the said Mary Beam, then wife the deceased died on the 20th day of December, 1845 and that the above named children of the said Joeseph Morrill, deceased were [contintued]
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[continued] of said marriage, and that the said Joseph Morrill was never again married.

He further declares that the reason that the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, did not apply for a pension in his life time, was in consequense of his ignorance of the provisions of the Act of Congress, being under the misapprehension that the benefit of the Act did not extend to him for the reason that he did not serve in the Continental line for the term of six months at one service - that he has frequently learned the said deceased give the above reason, and that he very believes that that was the true and only reason for his having never applied for a pension in his life time.

He further declares that he relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, an account of the revolutionary services of his said father, and declares that the means of his said fat her the said Joseph Morrill deceased, is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State.

Joseph Morrill

Sworn to and subscribed the day again aforesaid

Warren Lovell, Judge of Probate



CW2

I Daniel Lancaster, a Clergyman residing in the town of Gilmanton in the county of Belknap and State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Joseph Morrill, late of said Gilmanton, deceased, and that I believe at the time of his decease he was 94 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a revolutionary soldier, and that I concur in that opinion. That I compiled with much care and a great amount of labor in listing of said town of Gilmanton from its first settlement to the year 1845 - that it appears that the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, was the only person residing in said Gilmanton in the line of the revolutionary war by that name; and that the said Joseph Morrill was in the Continental army from said town at same time during the war, but the period of his service was not defined by any documents at my home, when I compiled said history: - That the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, was reputed to be a man of truth and veracity.

I further certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Morrill, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he is [continued]
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[continued] the son of the said Joseph Morrill deceased; that he is about fifty years of age, and that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a man of truth and veracity, and that I concur in that opinion.

I further certify that I find the name of the said Joseph Morrill, deceased on the Town Records of said Gilmanton among the soldiers compensated by said town for their serving in the Revolutionary War.

Daniel Lancaster



And the sd Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named Joseph Morrill, deceased, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as the applicant states. - And the Court further certifies that Daniel Lancaster, who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in Gilmanton in the said County of Belknap and his statement is entitled to credit. -

Warren Lovell, Judge of Probate



I Jeremiah Elkins, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Belknap in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of t he application of Jospeh Morrill of Gilmanton in said County, son and heir at law of Joseph Morrill, late of said Gilmanton, deceased, for a pension.

I further certify that the said Joseph Morriell, who has submitted the foregoing application at a Court of Probate duly holden at Gilford in said County on the 19th day of May, A.D. 1846 was duly appointed Executor of the last will & testament of the said Joseph Morrill, deceased: that he [illegible] bonds for the faithful performance of his trust, and that said appointment has never been revoked, but remains in full force, as by the records of said County appears.

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Gilford in said County this nineteenth day of October, A.D. 1847

Jeremiah Elkins, Register
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Certificate of
Secretary of State.


Aug. '47

B.

2
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

[seal affixed]

I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the war of the Revolution, which remain in this office, it appears that the name of Joseph Morrill is borne upon the [blank] Roll of Capt. [blank] Company, as a [blank] in said Company, with an allowance

"Six months levies to reinforce New Hampshire line at West Point in 1781," with an allowance for four months & one days service. And upon a "Pay Roll for the Six Months Men raised by the State of New Hampshire to serve in Continental Army in the year 1781 - at West Point" is borne the name of Joseph Morrill, "Town they went for," Gilmanton; "Place of abode," Chichester; with an allowance for Three months & twenty one days service, commencing August 22d, and ending Decm. 12th 1781

This certificate refers to the service line of service in both entries the one is taken from te Roll of enlistment the other from the Pay Roll.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, this 26th day of August 1847

Thomas P. Treadwell
Secretary of State.
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Gilmanton

1 Ezekl Gilman
2 Thos. Currier
3 [stricken]
4 [stricken]
5 London Daily
6 Neheh Leanit r 1781 Feby 17th } [ent pa 27]
7 James Hern } [ent pa 27]
8 Henry Danforth r 1781 Apl 5th } ent pa 27
9 Geo. Montgomery r for the War 1781 Feby 10 } [ent pa 27]
10 Elisha Hutchinson } [ent pa 27]
11 Jonathan Taylor recruit 6 mo.
12 Ammi Choat recruit 6 mo.
13 John Cotton r 6 mo.
14 Joseph Morrill r 6 mo.
15 Benja Libbey r 6 mo.
16 [blank]

1782 Wm Hamllet July 21
Timothy Head Augt 15
James Head — 15
Robinson Smith 22
Ent pa 27

Attest copy from the original

Attest
Thos. P. Treadwell
Scy. of State
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Affidavit of Thomas A. Swell
Dec '47
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The State of New Hampshire

I Nathaniel B Baker Clerk of the court of Common Pleas hereby certify that Thomas Berry Jr, within signed, is duly commissioned as a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Merrimack and said state, that his commission as such is dated Dec 15, A.D. 1843 and will expire Dec 15 AD 1848, and that his signature within to the best of my belief is true & genuine —

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand &. the seal of said Court this 20th day of October AD 1847

N.B. Baker, Clerk
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I Thomas A Swett of lawful age depose and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Morrill formerly of Chichester that he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War at West point in New York that he was in the service in that place as  a 6 months man. This same Joseph Morrill has since lived in Gilmanton and Chichester and that he was there at two different times and that he went as a Gilmanton oman about the year 1781

Thomas R Swett



Merrimack, ss. Oct. 9th 1847

Then the above named Thomas A. Swett Personall appearing made solemn Oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true. Before me

Thos. Berry Jr, Justice of the Peace



I hereby certify that the above named Tho. R. Swett is a man of truth and verasity 

Thos. Berry Jr Jus. Peace
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I Jonathan Conner of Gilmanton in the County of Belknap, Depose and say that I was in the Revolutionary service at West Poinot in the year 1781 under Capt Livermore and was well acquainted with Joseph Morrill we both enlisted at one time and went in company together to West Point we there served three months or more under Capt Livermore we then both of us were discharged we then returned home to Gilmanton in company together in a short time he went to Chichester to work he worked there a short time we were then again called upon to go into the service for Gilmanton he again went into the service and served three months or more then he returned back to Gilmanton to his fathers he was at that time a single man he made it his home to his fathers when he was not to work any where else he then settled in Gilmanton and there resided till his death which took place May 1846

Jonathan Conner
x
his mark



Gilmanton Sept 23, 1848

Then the above named Jonathan Conner personally appeared and made oath to the above affidavit before me

Richard Griffin Justice of the peace

The above named Jonathan Conner is a man of truth and veriacity

Richard Griffin Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire

Belknap, ss. 

I Ebenezer S. Lawrence Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Belknap, hereby certify that Richard Griffin is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned, and the within signature purporting to be his is genuine in my belief.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1848.

E. L. Lawrence



Sep '48

D.

4
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G.

7
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This certifies that I have this day made a full & thorough examination of the Records of the Town of Chichester in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, from the year 1727 to the year 1800, and cannot find the name of Joseph Morrill recorded in any thereof. —

Chichester December 25, 1847 —

Hosea C. Knowlton
Town Clerk of Chichester
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H.

8
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"At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of town of Gilmanton held the twelfth day of February 1781.

Voted to raise money sufficient to hire those men that called for the continental Army."

Attest, William Smith Town Clerk
A true copy of record

Attest
Alfred Prescott, Town Clerk
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Certificate of the
Hon. Ira A. Eastman


F

6
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I hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Mr Joseph Morrill late of Gilmanton in the County of Belknap and state of New Hampshire deceased - that he died at the advanced age of ninety or more - that he was a reputable citizen and an industrious worthy man, of good moral character - and I have frequently heard it said that he was a revolutionary soldier.

I further certify that I am well acquainted with his son Joseph Morrill, a resident of said Gilmanton and that his character for truth and veracity is good.

Gilmanton October 20th 1847.

Ira A. Eastman
Circuit Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
for said state of New Hampshire
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Dec '48

E.

5
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W1

I Benjamin Sleeper of Alton in the County of Belknap and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I knew Joseph Morrill of Gilmanton when in the service at West Point he served under Alexander Scammons Col, John Coburn Lieut Col, Henry Dearborn Maj. and Daniel Livermore Captain, in the same regiment and under the same officers with me he came there about the last of February and served about four months, at the expiration of about four months he left us and returned again in Sept and commenced service at that place and served three months more and left again Both services were performed in the year 1781.

Benjamin Stephen
x 
his mark

Attest
Richard Griffin



State of New Hampshire
The County of Belknap } December 6 AD 1848

Then the above mentioned Benjamin Sleeper personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in afore said County and made oath that the above affadavit by him subscribed is in his belief true

Before me
Richard Griffin Justice

I certify that I am personally acquainted with t he above named Benjamin Sleeper and that he is a man of truth and viracity

Richard Griffin Jus Peace
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I Daniel Gilman of Gilmanton in the County of Belknap and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I know Joseph Morrill who died in Gilmanton in May 2: 1896 I know when he first came into Gilmanton which was in the year 1778. in 1781, the town of Gilmanton was Called upon for a number of men for the army - Said Joseph Morrill was among the number - he enlisted for six months service. he went from Gilmanton the last of February, and returned home in July. he told me he served four months and one day at west point under Alexander Scamman Colonel, John Cobourn Lt Col Henry Dearborn major and Daniel Livermore Captain. in a short time after he returned home he went to Chirchester to work, Gilmanton was called upon again to hire more men for the army he was among them. he went from Chichester for Gilmanton August 22 in his second service. he returned back to Gilmanton in December. he told me he served three months at west point the second time t. he whole service was in 1781. Gilmanton and Chichester Joined at that time. he always resided in Gilmanton from that time to his death

Daniel Gilman
X
his mark

Attest Richard Griffin



State of New Hampshire
Belknap County } December 6 AD 1848

Then the above mentioned Daniel Gilman personaly apeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in afore said County and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is in his belief true

Before me 
Richard Griffin Jus Peace

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Daniel Gilman and that he is a man of truth and viracity.
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State of New Hampshire

Belknap County ss: - I Jeremiah Elkins, Register of Probate Court of this County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Richard Griffin is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that his signature to the annexed [illegible] affidavit is believed to be genuine.

Jeremiah Elkins, Register
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Department of the Interior
April 22 1850,

Sir, 

I herewith return the papers in the case of Joseph Morrill, decd, under the Act of June 7 1832, and I have to inform you that your decision of the 19th inst. has been affirmed.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
(signed) J. Ewing
Secretary



J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Com of Pensions
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[blank page]
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Meredith Bridge, N.H. Decr. 8. 1848

Sir,

I send enclosed two affidavits in relation to the revolutionary Services of Joseph Morrill, late of Gilmanton in this state, whose case has been a long time pending in your Office.

In your letter of June 6. last you say that "the Regulations requiring the Company and regimental Officers to be specified and the commencement and duration of each term of service to be clearly set forth, must be complied with, before any satisfactory adjustment of this claim can be made."

The enclosed affidavits give the names of the Company & Regimental Officers under whom said Morrill served. - They also state with great certainty, considering the length of time, which has elapsed, the Commencement & deviation of each term of service. - The evidence before our file in your Office. embracing the documentary proof from the Office of the Secretary of State, very clearly established the latter [illegible]. - 

I hope this case will command itself to an early & satisfactory adjustment.

I am, very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Jeremiah Elkins



{ To the Commissioner of Pensions }
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Meredith Bridge, N.H. January 17. 1848

Sir,

Your letter of the 9th of December last, stating the objections to granting a pension for the Revolutionary services of Joseph Morrill, deceased, was duly received. - I am aware that it is your duty to guard against the allowance of improper claims and to protect the government agains imposition, and instead of complaining, I have always applauded the fidelity with which that duty has been informed. - The business which I have had with your Office in the Pension line has been limited, as I have always refused to press a claim for allowance until I have first become satisfied of its justice, and it has been our good fortune thus far, I believe, in every instance where I have acted in behalf of pensioners to exhibit satisfactory proof. - I hope I shall not fail in the present instance as I am satisfied from my proximity to the place where said Morrill, in his life time, resided, and my knowledge of the common belief of his neighbors and townsmen, that the services for which a pension is now asked, were in good faith rendered, that the claim is honest & just, and should be allowed.

I am aware that the failure of Morrill to present his claim in his life-time may be, in itself and unexplained, a circumstance against its [illegible]; but his son Joseph Morrill, who has filed his declaration in this case, giving a reason for this failure, which carries evidence of its truth upon the face of it; and the character of the deceased, and of his son who makes this declaration, are both proved by the Clergyman of the town of Gilmanton and by Judge Eastman a resident of the same town, who was not long since a member of Congress, and no doubt personally known to you, as being men of truth and veracity.

Judge Eastman also states that it is generally understood and believed thus, that said deceased Joseph Morrill was a Revolutionary Soldier [continued]
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[continued] ad th. Lancaster the Clergyman of the town certifies that he himself had with great labor and diligence compiled a history of the Town of Gilmanton, and that the records of said town show that said Morrill was one of the soldiers contulented by that town to perform service in the army, and that there was no other Joseph Morrill in said Town of Gilmanton. This identifies him beyond all question or chance of contradiction as to the soldier of that name sake performed one tour of service as certified by the Secretary of State for the Town of Gilmanton ion 1781. - Was he the same Joseph Morrill, who performed the other tour of service in said year for said town? The certificate of the Secretary of State shows that Joseph Morrill of Chichester performed the other tour of service, which two services together amount to near eight months. - 

You direct in your letter that "I should be shown by testimony of persons of known high standing, that Morrill's place of abode in 1781, was Chichester, and that he was the only one belonging to that town or Gilmanton." - That he was only one of that name belongtin to Gilmanton is proved. - the affidavit of Swett proving, that said Joseph Morrill, father of Joseph Morrill the Declarant, performed two tours of services for the Town of Gilmanton in the Revolutionary Army in 1781; - that at the time he enlisted for one of those tours, he was temporarily residing in Chichester, and to prove his identity with  the soldier who performed the other tour of service certified by the Secretary of State, I [illegible] you and that there was no other Joseph Morrill residing in Chichester at that time, I send you the Certificates of the Town Clerk of Chichester that he has examined t he records of said town from 1727 to 1800, and cannot find the name of Joseph Morrill recorded. - 

The certificate of the Secretary of State proves that two tours of services were performed for the town of Gilmanton, the [illegible] of Joseph Morrill of Gilmanton, and the other by Joseph Morrill of Chichester, amounting together to over 7 months. - And Mr. Lancasteer & the Declarant prove that said Joseph Morrill, deceased, was the only man by that name in Gilmanton at that time. - Swett proves that said Jospeh Morrill did perform two tours of services in [continued]
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[continued] 1781. - that when he enlisted for one he was temporarily residing in Chichester, and the Town Clerk of Chichester proves that from 1727 to 1800, there is no person by the name of Joseph Morrill recorded as a resident of that town. - His proof is conclusive as to the identity of the said Joseph Morrill and the soldier, who performed both said tours of services - Add to this the testimony of Judge Eastman, that said Morrill was always respected in his town to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and I think that the Commissioner must admit that the evidence is full and satisfactory. - 

As to the "known high standing" of the witnesses, the rules of your office have sufficiently defined it. - "The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity" and "this oath [illegible] be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer." This direction of your office has been fully complied with in the Certificate of Swett. - 

You say in your letter that the names of the Officers under whom the service was performed should be specified. - He states two [illegible] of Virginia, and the Militia of New-Hampshire, you have, (as I understand the instructions from your Office) made [illegible] exceptions to this rule - I have furnished documentary evidence from the Office of the Secretary of State of the services performed & I suppose under your rules, you will acquire in this case noting further but the identity of the person who performed them. - I may be mistaken in my construction of your rules. - In this case I would submit respectfully to your decision, whether a relaxation of the rules, if applicable to this case, should not now be made, on account of the difficulty, if not impossibility, of finding a witness now living, whose recollection can extend back to that time. - Joseph Morrill, at the time of his decease, was the oldest man in Gilmanton, and I find it to be difficult to find any resident of that town at the present day, whose recollection extends back to the time he settled in that town. -

You say you have no knowledge of levies being made in New-Hampshire in 1781, as early as February. - The enclosed extract from the records of the Town of Gilmanton, certified by the Town Clerk, will show to you, that levies were not only made as early as February, 1781, least that on the 12th day of February 1781, money was voted to pay them. -

I have been more prolise, than I intended, but I could not well [continued]
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[continued] digest this evidence, and aid you in applying it, in a more [illegible] compass.

I am, very respectfully your
Obt Servt.
Jeremiah Elkins

Hon. J.D. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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13
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James L. Edwards Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions }

Sir,

The enclosed application is founded upon the construction given to the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832, in relation to the granting to the widows or children of an officer or soldier the ammount due to the deceased, although he might never [illegible] supplied for it. - 

You will find the declaration as to the services of Joseph Morrill, now deceased, supported first by the certified copies of the record relating to the Revolutionary Services of the deceased in the Office of the Secretary of  State of tis Office.

2d. By the affidavit of Thomas R. Swett, who identifies the Joseph Morrill mentioned in the certificate of the Secretary of State, to be the same Jospeh Morrill, who resided about the year 1781, a part of the time in Gilmanton and a part of the time in Chichester, and who was in the revolutionary service as a six month's man for Gilmanton, at two different times. -

3. By the Certificate of the Rev. Daniel Lancaster appended to the Declaration, who compiled a history of the town of Gilmanton from its first settlement to 1845, and who [illegible] the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, was the only person by that name residing in said town in the time of the Revolutionary War, and that the said Joseph Morrill was in the Continental Army at some time during the war, and that the Town records of said Gilmanton contain the name of said Joseph Morrill among the soldiers compensated for. their service by said town [continued]
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[continued] in the Revolutionary War. - 

4th. By the certificate of the Hon. Ira A. Eastman, Circuit Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, & late member of Congress, who resides in the Town Gilmanton, and who certifies that the said Joseph Morrill, deceased, "was a reputable citizen and an industrious worthy man of good moral character," and that he has frequently heard it said that he was a Revolutionary soldier. - He further certifies that he is acquainted with Joseph Morrill, the applicant, and that his character for truth and veracity is good.

The foregoing testimony appearing to be conclusive as to the Revolutionary services of the said Joseph Morrill. - It is difficult to find a revolutionary soldier now living to whom to apply for information in relation to services in those days. I have arranged the testimony in the most intelligible shape I could, and have endeavored to follow the directions of the Office as fas the case would admit

I am, very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt.
Jeremiah Elkins
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Washington January 13, 1854

here will you be
good enough to permit
the information
requested by the [illegible]
letters by
my authority

G W Kittridge
Mr L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington
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12
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Meredith Bridge, NH Septr. 26. 1848.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 

Sir,

Sworn for the proof as to [illegible] and identity being required in the case of Joseph Morrill, late of Gilmanton, deceased, I now forward the enclosed affidavit of Jonathan Conner of Gilmanton, N.H. which must remove any objection to a satisfactory adjustment of this claim. -  It identifies Joseph Morrill of Gilmanton & Joseph Morrill of Chichester as the same man, and the identical man who performed the services for which a pension is now claimed. - The affidavit of Swett & the certificates of the Town Clerk of Chichester, now on file, prove the same fact. - 

His name being on the muster roll and the term of his services there set forth, the regulations of the Office requiring the the company & regimental officers to be specified & his term of service set forth, was a requisition not warranted by those regulating. - He here, however, complied with them by showing the name of the [continued]
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[continued] Captain of the company, specifying the year in which the service was performed, and showing that each term of service was for about the length of time, as specified in the copy of the muster roll from the Office of the Secretary of State. -

These proofs complemented by the statements of Hon. Ira A. Eastman and the Rev. Daniel Lancaster must I think, remove not only all reasonable doubts, but all possibility of doubt as to the fairness & justice of this claim.

I am, very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt
Jeremiah Elkins
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11
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Meredith Bridge, N.H.
June 15. 1848

To J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,

I received a communication from the Pension Office dated June 6. current, signed "T. P. Evans for Com. of Pensions" saying that the certificates of the Town Clerks of Chichester and Gilmanton in the case of Jospeh Morrill, deceased, do not "identify the soldier from the latter Service with Morrill credited for services from the former." - The certificates alone I admit do not but these taken in connection with Swet's certificate do identify him beyond all [illegible] or doubt, and I would respectfully ask your re-consideration of the Town Clerk's & Swett's certificates.

The regulations requiring the Company & Regiment Officers to the specified cannot be complied with  as the records of the State Department do not furnish the names, nor is there a man now living whose recollection upon the [illegible] reaching back to that period; nor can this requisition be necessary, as the duration of each term of service is clearly set forth in the Copy of record furnished from the State Department to a day, -

There are no reasonable doubts  in this case, and the [continued]
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[continued] rules of evidence do not require proof, even in criminal cases, beyond the possibility of doubt.

Swett's certificates that Joseph Morrill of Gilmanton performed two tours of services that year - that the last time he enlisted he was temporarily at work in Chichester. - That certificate of the Town Clerk of Chichester proves that there was no person at that time an inhabitant of Chichester by the name of Joseph Morrill, and the Certificates of the Town Clerk of Gilmanton proves that the Joseph Morrill, whose pension is claimed was the only person by that name in Gilmanton - and this is [illegible] proof on the files of your office furnished in this case, which proves that he was a revolutionary soldier. -

We. then prove that this was but one man by the name of Joseph Morrill in wither Gilmanton or Chichester. - We prove that this man enlisted for two tours of services that year - we prove the length of time that Joseph Morrill served at each time, and we prove that Joseph Morril, whose pension is claimed, is the identical man, who enlisted for said two terms, and that he was in Gilmanton the first time he enlisted and temporarily in Chichester, the last time. -

The proof is perfect and conclusive, and on a careful reexamination of the passing, I think the Commissioner will be satisfied. - If not I must resort to the  to the only attentions left. -

I am, very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt
Jeremiah Elkins
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10
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(Copy.)

Pension Office
May 23. 1849

Sir,

I herewith return the letter of J A Eastman Esq. to you in the case of Joseph Morrill, deceased and have to state that a careful re-examination of the papers in support of the claim has been made to gather with some additional evidence sent to the Office by Jeremiah Elkins, Esq. It is alleged that Morrill served in the New Hampshire. troops in 1781 under two different terms of enlistment of six months each, the first having been from February 1781, and after having served over four months, was discharged, and that his second enlistment commenced in August and terminated in December 1871 [1781]. The certificate of the Secretary of State of New Hampshire and the testimony of the [illegible] are exhibited in support of the claim. There were no troops raised in New Hampshire in 1781 to serve but for one term of six months, being the Service for that term to serve at West Point. The Certificate of the Secretary of State refers to that one term alone and not to two terms of service as is supposed by the party claiming. That service com- [continued]
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[continued] [com]menced 22 August and terminated 12th December 1781, being for three months and twenty one days, Morrill was allowed for ten days for traveling to and from the place of rendezvous and discharged, making the whole time for which he was allowed pay, four months and one day. Six months service is required to be entitled to the benefit of the Act 7th June, 1832. Less than six months service having been performed t he claim is consequently rejected. The records in this Office of the New Hampshire levies for 1781 confirm the above decision.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt:
(Signed) J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions.



Honl. C. H. Peaslee,
Concordia,
New Hampshire
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Jany 8 / 57

Jereh Elkins
as to Joseph Merrill
Rev Priv

Mr Alleren

Ret hiller

9

Hon CH Peaslee
HR
Page 45

Meredith Bridge, Dec. 17. 1849

Dear Sir,

By the last accounts from Washington there does not appear to be much prospect of [illegible] your time being taken up on Committee until after the Christmas holidays, I will [illegible] take the liberty of calling your attention to the case of Joseph Morrill, a revolutionary soldier, in relation to which Judge Eastman had some conversation with you. - Morrill is now deceased and did not apply for a pension in his life time - the reason for his not doing so is set forth in the petition of his son for a pension, who was the Executor on his estate. - The copy of record from the State Department shows that Joseph Morrill served two terms amounting together to seven months or more. - He served one term for Gilmanton & one for Chichester. - All the objection which was at first raised at the Pension Office to granting a pension was that the Joseph Morrill who served for Gilmanton and the Joseph Morrill, who served for Chichester, was not sufficiently identified as one and. the same man. - I then sent an evidence establishing the identity beyond all possibility of doubt. - [continued]
Page 46

[continued] This objection being removed the Commissioner changed his ground & undertook to say that the record from the State Department did not prove clearly two tours of services. - This objection is [illegible] & unfounded. - I will not trouble you with any further history of the case, as the papers are all on file, and you will find in one of my letters to the Commissioner the evidence pretty clearly stated & summed up. - 

If Edwards continues [illegible] about it, the [illegible] way will probably be to take our appeal to the Secretary of War. - The pension ought to be granted & if it is, Morrill will pay you generously for your trouble. -

I sincerely thank you for the Patent Office Report of 1848.

Yours Truly
Jeremiah Elkins



Hon. Chs. H. Peaslee
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 47

No. 34565 Rejected

Joseph Morrill
NH

Set to Jeremiah Elking
Dec. 9th '47
Set to same June 6 '48
Set to same July 6 '48

Hon C H Peaslee Jany 15, 49.

Act 7 June 1832



Letter to Hon. C.H. Peaslee May 23 1849.
Let. to same Jan. 18, 1850

Decision of 19th [illegible] 
obtained by Sec. War see his ltr.
of [illegible]
16

Hon G.W. Kitteridge Jany 17
Page 48

7399
Page 49

7,399

Joseph Morrill
REJECTED

P.O. [blank]
Service: [blank]

Enlisted: [blank], 18__.
Discharged: [blank], 18__.

Application filed: [blank], 18__.

Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]

Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]

 [blank] Recognized.  [blank] Cont[illegible]
 [blank] Cert. of Dis.  Searched for [blank], 18__.