Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23811, John Chase, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass                   
 Chase, John    
             Mercy

NUMBER
W. 23811

CONTENTS
Page 2

9.296
Maine
Mercy Chase decd
Mass
widow of John Chase
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 33 Dollars 33 
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
ending 20. Oct. 1847

Certificate of Pension issued
the 9th day of Dec 1852
and sent to
J. J. Coombs
Present

[Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844,]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 - Page 10.
Page 3

Revolutionary claim
Declaration for the benefit of the Acts of
Congress passed July 7th AD. 1838, March 3, 1843.
and June 17th, 1844.-
On this 12 day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty,
personally appeared before the Hon, Ashur Ware
Judge of the United States for the district of
Maine, William Chase a resident of Raymond
in the County of Cumberland in said Maine
District, aged 59 years who first being duly sworn
doth on his oath make following Declaration
for himself, and in behalf of Mary Robinson,
Sally or Sarah Chase, James Chase, Thomas
Chase, and Daniel Chase, all children, and the
only surviving children of Mercy Chase widow
of John Chase late of Windham deceased in order
to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress
passed on the 7th of July 1838, March 3 1843, &
June 17th 1844.
That said John Chase deceased was a soldier
in the war of the Revolution, in Capt Moses
Newell's company 4 days as a private in (date). 
Marched from Newburyport, In Capt Ezra Luntz
Company 8 months, as a private from Newburyport
in Col Moses Littles Regt.- And on the Coat
(over)
Page 4

Roll for service in 1776, --Also in Capt
Joseph Ilsley's company as a private from Newburyport
in 1776, 2 months, --making about
one year & 8 months service, as will appear from
the Secretarys certificate of Massachusetts, & the
proof of identification, And that he the said
William Chase, Mary Robinson, Sally Chase
James Chase, Thomas Chase, & Daniel Chase
are children & the only surviving children of
the aforesaid Mercy Chase, widow of said John
Chase deceased late of said Windham, --He
also declares that his father John Chase was
Married (as I have good reason to believe) to his
Mother Mercy, now before her marriage on
the first day of January seventeen hundred and
ninety - That his said father died about
the last of October 1829, that his mother the said
Mercy Chase survived his said father John
Chase and did not intermarry after his death
but died a widow on the 20th day of October
1847.- Also, that my said father John Chase was a
resident of Newburyport in the time of the Revolution.
William Chase

Witness
Ashur Ware
Signed & sworn to before me the undersigned
this 12th of Nov. 18(illegible)
Ashur Ware Dist. Judge of the U.S. Courts
Dist. of Maine
Page 5

I Meshach Purinton of Windham in the County
of Cumberland and State of Maine, aged eighty one
years, on oath depose testify and say, that I have
been a resident of Windham for the last sixty six
years, and that I was well acquainted with one Mr.
John Chase, and his wife, who was Mercy Snow
before her marriage to said John Chase, that I do
know that said John Chase was reputed to have
been a Revolutionary soldier from Newburyport
Mass, that he was long ago reputed to be such,
that my acquaintance continued with each of
them untill their death, that he died about 1829
leaving Mercy Chase his widow who lived & died
a widow in the year eighteen hundred and forty
seven, that they always lived together as husband and 
wife, and that I do know the aforesaid John
Chase was the man who always lived with said
Mercy Chase aforesaid (and raised a family of
Children. Sally Chase, Daniel Chase, Thomas
Chase, William Chase, Mary Robinson & James Chase)
who died on the town farm in this town, further
that I should testify that according to my best judgement
that said John Chase, would if living be about
one hundred years old, that his widow Mercy Chase
would be if living, about ninety five or six years old.
Meshach Purinton
Witness  Feby 11th 1852
Otis Purinton
Page 6

State of Maine Cumberland ss Feb 11h 1852

Personally appeared Meshach Purington the within named affiant and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him signed before me and I hereby certify that he is a witness of great respectability ad veracity

Jacob Herrick Just. peace.
Page 7

No 14.283

Mercy Chase Decd.

Maine

Act 7th July 1838

Letter to Dickens & Coombs
March 19th 1851.
Let to same June 8/52
Page 8

11,412.
Maine

Mercy Chase decd
widow of John
who dies on the ___
of ____ in the State of _____
who was a Private in the _____ commanded
by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded
by _____ in the 
line for Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Portland
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of
Dec 1852 and Sent to
J.J. Coombs
Present

Arrears to the 4th of _____
Semi-annual allowance ending _____

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by R. McRae Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 1 - Page 23
Page 9

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 23811
Mercy Chase
Wid. of 
John Chase
Priv Rev. War

Act: Mrh. 3rd, 1843
June 17th 1844

Indes: - Vol. ____. Page ____

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

Dickins & Coombs
Page 11

United States of America
Maine District ss.
District Court February 13.1852.

Be it known that on this thirteenth day of February A.D. 1852. it has been satisfactorily proved in Open Court being a Court of Record, that John Chase formerly of Newburyport in Massachusetts who died in Windham in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine in 1829. was reputed to have been in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution as a soldier; that he was married to Mary Snow of Gorham with whom he lived as his wife to the time of this death and by whom he had a family of children.  That his wife survived him and she died in 1847. That if said Chase were now living he would be about 100 years of age and his wife about ninety five.  Chase was a poor man and his wife died a town pauper.  The reason why Chase did not apply for a pension was that he was poor and the doubts entertained whether he could substantiate his claim on account of the lapse of time. and his children have now united in making the application and contributing to the expense of the same.  The Town officers after widow Chase became a pauper were requested to apply for the pension but declined to do it on account of the expense and the difficulty of obtaining
Page 12

proofs.  The above facts have been satisfactorily proved by the depositions of eight credible witnesses.

In testimony of which I have hereto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed my name this thirteenth day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty two.

Wm P. Prebles Clerk
U.S. District Court Maine
Page 13

STATE OF MAINE.

CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Judicial Courts,
PORTAND, March 25th A.D. 1852}

I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS,
In and for said County of Cumberland, certify that
Ai Waterhouse

Is an Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for _____ the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that his COMMISSION is dated January 20th - A.D. 1852 and will expire January 20th A.D. 1859 -

and that the following SIGNATURES purporting to be his are - Genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.

C.C. Harmon, CLERK.
Page 14

I Joseph Pilsbery of Scarboro in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged 98 years on oath Depose testify and say, that I was born and brought up in Newburyport Massachusetts, that I served in the war of the Revolution, and am a pensioner of the United States, and that I was well acquainted with John Chase of said town that he lived about one mile from where I did, and was in the Revolutionary service.

That he was older than myself.  I well remember him, I was very intimate with him in his early life and up to the time of his coming to the eastern country which was North Yarmouth this state, soon after his Revolutionary service, he Married in Windham or Gorham which towns join and in this county.  He married a girl by name of Mercy Snow and they raised a family, and were in indigent circumstances, always, & his wife died on the poor farm of Windham a few years since,

Joseph Pilsbery

Witness
Enoch Pillsberry

State of Maine
County of Cumberland s.s  Scarboro
March 24th ,1852.  then personally appeared the above named Joseph Pillsbery known
Page 15

to me as a credible witness and a smart man of his age, and made oath in due force of law that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is true.
before me,
Ai Waterhouse Justice of the Peace & Quorum

I further certify that said Joseph Pillsbery is a smart man and able to travel & visit his neighbors a mile distant, and that his memory appears to be good.
Ai Waterhouse
Page 16

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Judicial Courts,
PORTLAND, March 13th
A. D. 1852
I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS.
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
---
Jacob Herrick Esq
is an Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto
annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the COMMISSION of the said Herrick
is dated July 21st A. D. 1848 and will expire July 21st A.D. 1855

and that the following SIGNATUREs purporting to be his are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.

C. C. Harmon, CLERK.
Page 17

I Amos Hawkes of Windham in the County
of Cumberland and State of Maine aged eighty
nine years, on oath depose testify and say, that
I was brought up in said Windham, and have lived here from the first of my rememberence, to this
time, that I was well acquainted with John Chase
who was reputed to have been a Revolutionary
soldier from Newburyport Mass, and would
be if living about one hundred years old or
more, as near as I can state, that it was said that he married Mercy Snow of Gorham in said County
and I have no doubt of the fact, I was always
well acquainted with them before, and since their
marriage, to the time of their death, that their
oldest child was born in 1790, also that they
lived as married people, and raised a family,
I should state that she would be about 95 years old if living that I do know that the aforesaid
John Chase, was the husband of Mercy Chase who he left a widow, & that she died a widow on the poor farm of this town in 1847.
[signature] Amos Hawkes
Witness Feb 11th ,1852
Samuel Hawkes
State of Maine Cumberland Ss Feb. 11th 1852
Subscribed and sworn before me,
Jacob Herrick Jus. Peace.
Page 18

I hereby certify that the within named Amos Hawke is a person of respectability and veracity.
Jacob Herrick Just. Peace
Page 19

I Obadiah Gould of Windham in the County
of Cumberland in the State of Maine, aged seventy five years, on oath Testify and say, that I was well acquainted with John Chase late of Windham deceased, who was reputed to have been a Revolutionary soldier
Also, that he was the husband of Mercy Chase
late of Windham aforesaid, who died a town charge in eighteen hundred and forty seven, also, that I was acquainted with him fifty four years ago,
that he was a very poor man and worked by the
day to support his family, that they always lived
as man and wife, and had a family, that Mr. Chase
died about 1829, and that his wife continued a widow
and died a widow in 1847-
Obadiah Gould
State of Maine Cumberland Ss January 28th 1852
Subscribed and sworn the day of the year first above stated before me and I hereby certify that the
above named affiant Obadiah Gould is personally
known to me as a witness of respectability and
veracity.
Jacob Herrick Just. peace.
Page 20

I Ichabod Hanson of Windham in the County
of Cumberland and State of Maine, aged eighty seven
years, on oath Depose testify and say, that I was
born and brought up in said Windham, that I was
well acquainted with John Chase who was reputed
to have been a Revolutionary soldier, from the town of
Newburyport, That if now living, would be about
one hundred years old, also, that I was acquain-ted with his wife Mercy Chase, that it was said that they were married about 1789. and I have no doubt of the
fact, that they always lived as man and wife very peace-able, and raised a family. They were poor, that my ac-quaintance continued with them from about 1785 to
their death, that the aforesaid John Chase was the
husband of Mercy Chase who was a town charge
at the time of her death on the poor farm in this
town, that I should note that she would be if
living about ninety five or six years old, also that the oldest child of theirs was born about 1790, as near as
I can state, that said Mary wife, died a widow
Feby 11th ,1852
Attest Joshua Hanson Ichabod Hanson
State of Maine Cumberland ss. Feb. 11th 1852 subscribed
and sworn before me and I hereby certify that
said Hanson is a witness of respectability and
veracity.
Jacob Herrick Just. Peace.
Page 21

We James Hawkes & Rebeca Hawkes, husband & wife, of Windham in the County of Cumberland
and State of Maine, aged 79 & 76 years, on oath depose testify and say, that we was well acquain-ted with John Chase of said town, who was reputed
to be a soldier of the Revolution from Newburyport, Mass, that he first came to North Yarmouth
in said County, from thence to this town, and married
Mercy Snow of Gorham a town adjoining this said
Windham about seventeen hundred and eighty nine or ninty, that we were well acquainted with them from
the birth of their child Sally Chase which was in
1790 to our certain knowledge, for we were near
neighbors, and was always well acquainted from
early life untill their death, that they raised a
family of children, and that they lived as man
and wife untill their death. John Chase died in
1829. that Mercy Chase his widow died a widow
on the town farm in said Windham, they would
be about one hundred years old, & he would be if living about 95 years old.
Witness Feby 11th, 1852.
James Hawkes
James Hawkes
Rebecca Hawkes    X  her mark
Page 22

State of Maine Cumberland  Ss Feb 11th 1852
Personally appeared James Hawkes and
Rebecca Hawkes the within named affiants
known to me as witnesses of veracity
and made oath to the truth of the affidavit
by them signed before me,

Jacob Herrick Just. peace.
Page 23

I, Sarah Mayberry of Windham in the County o Cumberland and stat of Maine, aged seventy years, on oath Depose testify and say, that I have always lived in said Windham, from my birth until this time, that I was well acquainted with Mr. John Chase and his wife Mercy Chase and their children, that Mr. John Chase was reputed to have been a Revolutionay soldier, and Mr Chase was a poor man and worked by the day for a living, that if he was now living I should say that he would be about one hundred years old that his wife would be if living about ninety five years old, that Mrs. Chase the widow of said John Chase was not an intelligent woman, that Mr. John Chase who was long ago reputed to be a soldier of the Revolution, was reputed to be the husband of Mercy Chase who died on the town farm in eighteen hundred and forty seven, that they lived together happy as man and wife and raised a family, since my remembrances that from my childhood, I so know that Mr. John Chase who was a soldier of the Revolution from Newburyport was the husband of Mercy Chase who died on the town farm in Windham who had Sally, Chase Thomas, Daniel, James & William Chase their children to my certain knowledge first lived as a near neighbor, until his death in 1847.
Sally Mayberry
Witness S.H. Staples
Feby 11t 1852.
Page 24

State of Maine Cumberland Ss Feb 11th 1852 Personally appeared Sarah Mayberry within named and made oath to the truth of the written affidavit by her signed before me,
Jacob Herrick Just. Peace.
I hereby certify that said affiant Sarah Mayberry is a witness of respectability and veracity.
Jacob Herrick Just. Peace.
Page 25

I John Nason of Durham in the County of Cumberland, and State of Maine, Aged Fifty nine years, on oath depose, testify, and say that I was born and brought up in the town of Windham in said county, and that I was well acquainted with one John Chase (who was reputed to have been a Revolutionary soldier) from the fact that I lived in the immediate vicinity of him previous to my removing to said Durham, where I have resided during the last Thirty years.

And further that I was well acquainted with said John Chase's wife and family, from the fact that I visited a sick son of his (John Chase Jr) from time to time,                      John Nason

Attest Benjn W Nason

State of Maine}
Cumberland ss Nov. 17-1851 Personally appeared John Nason above named and made oath that the above instrument by him signed is true
before me Joseph Lufkin} Justice of the Peace
Page 26

Cumberland ss Nov 16th - 1857

This certifies that the within named John Noren is a neighbor of mine and has been for thirty years and I am satisfied from my acquaintance with him that his word may be relied on
Joseph Lufkin} Jus Peace
Page 27

I William Chase (son of Mercy & John Chase late of Windham deceased) of Windham in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine, on oath Depose testify and say, that the reason why my said mother did not apply for her pension, as she informed me, that the Select men or overseers of the poor told her that Revolutionary claims were attended with a great expence  (expense), and was very uncertain at this late day and therefore they, as agents for the town, or as town officers, were not willing to wrisk (risk) the expence (expense) of the investigation of the expence (expense0 attending it, and further, that it was a task, which probably would require a long trial, and quite likely the requisite proof could be obtained, & therefore the town would would blame their officers for such hasardous (hazardous) expenditures or trial,___ , I also named it to one of our Select men which is now dead, at the time and he gave the same reason above stated, I did not meddle any more about it, at that time, - I afterwards felt able to run the wrisk (risk) of establishing said claim, for my self, & my sisters and brothers who have agreed to pay equal proportion of the expence (expense) of the investigation of said claim and therefore have done so by my agents, - And further, that the reason why this claim was not strongly signed by me, before, that , I knew that my mother was well provided for, & that I should get none of the pension, provide it was allowed, & what is every boddy's (everybody's) business is no ones business, & that on the above account the pension claim was not presented. - 
Willaim Chase
Feby 11th, 1852
Page 28

State of Maine Cumberland ss Feb. 11th -1852
Personally appeared William Chase within named and made oath to the truth of the written affidavit by him signed before me and i hereby certify that said affiant is a witness of respectability and veracity.
Jacob Herrick Just. Peace
Page 29

I John Hussey of Windham in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged eighty three on oath Depose testify and say, that I have been a resident of said town for the last sixty years and was well acquainted with Mr John Chase, who was reputed to have been a Revolutionary Soldier & resident of Newburyport during his service, that afterward, he came to North Yarmouth & Windham in said County.  that he married Mercy Snow of Gorham, that they lived as husband and wife untill (until) his death in 1829, that his widow continued a widow and died on the town farm a widow in 1847.  that the reason that the reason why her claim was not presented by the town was that the select men, and the officing of the town would not wrisk (risk) the expence (expense) in the case knowing the uncertainty of the business.     John Hussey
Witness,
Daniel Hussey

I Daniel Hussey son of John Hussey aforesaid of said town and County have no doubt that the above affidavit being true, that the fact of that the town not prosecuting said claim I know to be true.   Daniel Hussey
Feby 11th.1852
Page 30

State of Maine Cumberland ss Feb.11h 1852
Personally appeared John Hussey within named known to me as a witness of veracity and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him signed before me
Jacob Herrick J.P.
Page 31

Dickins & Coombs
Page 32

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office Judicial Courts,}
PORTLANC, November 14th A.D. 185/}

I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS,
in and for said County of Cumberland, certify that
John W. Gookin

As an Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for ____ the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that h is Duly QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that his COMMISSION is dated May 8th A.D. 1849 and will expire May 8th A.D. 1856

and that the following SIGNATURE, purporting to be his his GENUINE.

IN TESTIMONTY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.

C.C. Harmon CLERK.
Page 33

I Robert Maxfield of North Yarmouth in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine aged ninety one years do testify & say on oath that I was born in Salisbury in the commonwealth of Massachusetts near Newbury Port - that I was a soldier in the revolutionary army and am now a pensioner of the United States, that I moved into the Town of North Yarmouth about two years after the close of the Revolutionary war, that I became acquainted with John Chase the next summer after I came to North Yarmouth, that said Chase was reputed to be a revolutionary soldier & I have no doubt of the fact that he was - he was some older than I was - that said Chase afterwards moved to the Town of Windham, that he was in indigent circumstances when I was acquainted with him & worked by the day for a living - never knew any other John Chase at that time
         his
Rober X Maxfield
        mark
Dated at North Yarmouth}
this 13th day of November 1851}
State of Maine}
Cumberland ss} November 13th 1851 Personally appeared the above named Robert Maxfield and made oath that the above deposition by him signed is true - and I certify that his is a credible witness, that he retains his faculties well for a man of his age & was careful in his statements
John W. Gookin Justice of the Peace
Page 34

Washington, Feb. 16th 1852

Sir:

Enclosed we have the honor to present additional evidence in support of the claim of Mercy Chase, decd. late of Maine, claiming a Revolutionary pension, as the widow of John Chase decd.

We hope it will be found sufficient to (illegible due to crease in page) objections to the allowance of the claim.

Very respectfully
Your obt Servts
Dickins & Coombs

J.E. Heath Esq
Court of Pensions
Page 35

Brief in the case of Mercy Chase widow of John
County and State of Maine
act July 7 1838

Claim, ("original,") (or "for increase." crossed out)

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Proof of service Record & Parol traditionary - 
Proof of Marriage, Documentary & Parol 

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

Name and residence of Agent
J.J. Coombs
Present

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 36

Mercy Chase Decd.
widow of John
Me

admd.
July 7 1838
10 mos per $33.33 1/3
per annum from
4 March 1836 to 
20 Oct. 1867
when she dies
except two years

payable to Mary Robinson,
Jas Chase, Wm. Chase,
Thos. Chase, Danl. Chase &
Sarah Chase. 
only surviving children.

Cert to 
J.J. Coombs
Present
Page 37

United States of America
Maine District ss.
District Clerks office

I hereby certify that the Honorable Ashur Ware before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the United States in and for Maine District and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said District Court this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

Wm. P. Preble Jr Clerk
U.S. Dist Court
Maine
Page 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston:

10th September 1850.

I 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 Department, it appears that the name of John Chase is borne on a roll of Capt. Moses Nowell's Co. marched from Newburyport April 19. 1775. as a private, 4 days. - 

On rolls of 8 mos. Service in 1775. in Capt. Ezra Lunt's Co. Col. Moses Littles Regt. as a private of Newburyport; - on a receipt for a coat Feb. 26. 1776. - 

On a payroll of Capt. Joseph Ilsley's Co. from Newburyport as a private from Sept. 30. 1776. 2 months.
Page 39

Application of James Chase son of John & Mercy Chase deceased, late of Windham, Me, for Revolutionary service, - 

To the Secretary of Commonwealth of Mass, Boston,

This applicant, James Chase, respectfully requests said Secretary to furnish from the Books, Rolls, & other documents in his (care or) Office which relate to millitary (military) Service in the War of the Revolution, all the evidence of his said father John Chase service in said war, from Newburyport Mass. in Capt. Moses Nowells Company & in Capt Ezra Lunt's Company the first of the war. - 

This applicant states, that his said father came to North Yarmouth this state, after his Revolutionary service, from said N. Yarmouth he went to Windham, & married Mercy Snow of Gorham this state, that he came from Mass, or, rather Newburyport, in the time of the Revolution. - 

This applicant requests that the Secretary set fourth (forth) in his Certificate the time, & length of service, with the grade of the same in which he served as a resident of said Newburyport, Mass. - Also to make thorough search from the commencement to the close of the war of the Revolution, because he cannot state correctly all the whole facts relative to his service from the fact that I left my said father when a youth, & went away to live, 

Please give said Certificate to my agent & Attorney in this case, at No. Pownal Ave. Viz Ai Waterhouse.
                                    James Chase

State of Maine             
Cumberland ss. Aug 26th 1850. Signed before me:
Ai Waterhouse Just. of the Peace
Page 40

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contains all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.

W.B. Calhoun
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston:

April 2. 1850.

I 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 Department, it appears that the name of Gersham Manchester is borne on a pay roll of men from Col. Pike's Regt commanded by Capt. Wm. Harris for defence (defense) of Falmouth: as a private, from Sept 27 .1779. 26 1/2 days.  The names of Abraham Cleaves, John Winship & Wm. Mayberry are also on the roll.  Robt Bailey, Lt of do. - 

No other Service of Gersham Manchester appears on the military records, in this office. - 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

W.B. Calhoun Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 42

Application of Gersham 
Manchester of Windham Me,
To the Secretary of the Commonwealth 
of Mass Boston,
Mr. Manchester this applicant
states, that he served in the 
war of the revolution, as a 
Private, and drafted by Capt Mayberry for the expedition at Penobscot, he states that Abraham Cleaves John Winship William Mayberry. was my messmates at the Penobscot expedition.

And that he served one other tour by enlistment under Capt Bailey, Lieut. John Eveleth, one other tour in said war,

This applicant respectfully requests the secretary of Mass to furnish from the receipt Rolls, Books and other documents relating to millitary (military) service in the war of the Revolution, all the evidence of his service in said war, as a resident of Windham, and for the purpose of this application he requests the certificate of service to be granted to Natam Manchester Windham Maine
Gersham Manchester

State of Maine
Cumberland ss Windham March 20th/50.
Signed before me
Ai Waterhouse
Justice of the peace
& Quorum,
Page 43

Revolutionary 
Claim
of
the children of Mercy
Chase, widow of John
Chase, both late of 
Windham deceased state
of Maine. - 

Ai Waterhouse
legal Attorney
North Pownal
Maine. - 

Dickins & Coombs
Page 44

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Judicial Courts,}
PORTLAND, October 29th A.D. 1850}

I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Ai Waterhouse and George W. Hunnewell are

Acting Justices of the Peace,
within and for the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that they are DULY QUALIFIES TO ACT as such; that the COMMISSION of the said Waterhouse is dated February 13. A.D. 1845 and will expire February 13. A.D. 1852. that the commission of said Hunnewell is dated February 8.1844. and will expire February 8. 1857 - 

and that the following SIGNATURES purporting to be theirs are GENUINE.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.

Chas. C Harmon, CLERK.
Page 45

I Thomas Chase of North Yarmouth in the County of Cumberland & state of Maine aged seventy eight years on oath depose testify and say, that I was informed, that I was born in Amesbury Mass near to Newburyport, that I was well acquainted with my uncle John Chase of said Newburyport from my childhood to the time of his death, that he was reputed to have been a a soldier of the Revolution, that I have heard him at diferent (different) times, relate his service, as a private soldier in said war, that he went into the service from said Newburyport, as a resident of that Town, that he performed service under Capt's Newall, Ilsley, & Lunt, in the first half of the Revolution, also that he used to ware (wear) a uniform Coat, either under Lunt or Ilsley, I cannot recollect which, but his last service was under Captain Ilsley, after which he came to North Yarmouth, & worked on a farm, from No Yarmouth he went to Windham this state & married a girl by the name of Mercy Snow of Gorham, which joins said Windham, I further testify, that always after their marriage they lived as man and wife & their children which are now living are Mary Robinson, James Chase, William Chase, Thomas Chase, Daniel Chase & Sarah Chase, are all the surviving children of said John & Mercy Chase deceased, that said John Chase the Revolutionary soldier left a widow - Mercy Chase aforesaid who did not not intermarry after her husband John Chase's death & that said John Chase's wife Mercy Chase died a
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Page 46

widow, but I do not know the exact date of her
death, but she died a Town charge to Windham aforesaid,
Thomas Chase

State of Maine
Cumberland County SS North Yarmouth
August 29th A.D. 1850. Then personally appeared
the above named Thomas Chase a man well
known to me as a man of truth and veracity and made oath in due form of law that the foregoing affidavit is true before me
Ai Waterhouse Justice
of the Peace &
Quorum
I also hereby certify that the above named
Thomas Chase is a man of high respectability,
& that he is a very Honorable Gentleman, & has in his middle age been a man of business & that I have seen a Commission which was
granted to him which authorised him to act
as Col of a Regiment in the Military line,
Ai Waterhouse
Page 47

I Gersham Manchester of Windham in the County
Cumberland & State of Maine aged 90 years & more, on
oath depose testify & say, that I am a soldier of the Revolution, & that I was well acquainted with Mr. John
Chase of this town deceased, that I was acquainted with him & his wife before marriage, (& their children,) & that
said John Chase was always reputed to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, also that he has often stated
that he was a native of Newburyport, & went into the
service as a resident of said Newburyport, that he
used to tell of Revolutionary services, under Captains Newell, Lunt, & Ilsley, that he used to say that he
were a uniform Coat, in his service, that he performed his last service under Ilsley which was
about three months I think, He also stated
that he came from his native town in the time, (or the last of the war) of the Revolution, that he came to North
Yarmouth & hired out to work on a farm, that from there he came to Windham, where I now live, &
where I was born & brought up, that eversince, to his death I was well acquainted with him, that I do know that said Chase & his wife lived as man & wife from their
marriage to the time of his death, that she was Mercy Snow before her marriage to said John Chase, that she survived her said husband, & did not inter-marry after his death but remained a widow & died
a widow, that I do know also that their surviving
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children are Mary Robinson, James Chase, William Chase, Thomas Chase, Daniel Chase, & Sarah Chase, which are the children of the said John & Mercy Chase deceased & the only surviving children aforesaid,
I further testify, that said chase & his widow died on
the Town farm of said Windham.
I further depose testify & say that I was at
the wedding of said John Chase & his wife when they were married, that they were married by Rev. Peter T. Smith of said Windham, that they were joined in
marriage on the first day of January Seventeen
hundred & ninety just 8 months before their first child
sally or Sarah Chase's birth
[signature] Gersham Manchester
State of Maine
Cumberland S.S. August 28th A.D. 1850
Then personally appeared the above named
Gersham Manchester and made oath in due
form of law that the foregoing affidavit by
him subscribed is true before me
George W Hunnawill Justice of the Peace

I also certify that the said Manchester is a credible
witness within or out of Court Geo. W. Hunnewell Just
Peace
Page 49



Windham Town Clerks Office Oct. 17,1850
This certifies that I have in my
Care the Books of Records of said Town,
and that in one of said books. Record
of births I find the following entry.
Sally Chase, daughter of John Chase
and Mercy Chase, his wife, born
Aug. 1, 1790. A true copy. S. A. Eveleth
I hereby certify that it does not appear
from the book aforesaid, when said
record was made, but it is recorded
according to the statute of Maine:
that said record is made in fair
legible figures, and when written
out will read thus, August first
one thousand seven hundred and
ninety.
S. A. Eveleth.
State of Maine, Windham Oct 17, 1850
Cumberland SS.
Then personally appeared
the above named S.A. Eveleth and made
oath, in due form of law, that the above
of record is true. Before me
Oct 17th 1850
Ai Waterhouse Justice of the
Peace & Quorum.
Page 50

I, S. A. Eveleth of Windham in
the County of Cumberland and State of
Maine, on oath depose, testify and
say, that I have examined the Record
of Marriages of said Town and
cannot find any record of Marriage
of John Chase and Mercy Snow.
I hereby certify that the Records
of the said Windham are left to my
care.
S. A. Eveleth.
State of Maine,
Cumberland SS. Windham Oct. 17, 1850
Then personally appeared the
above named S. A. Eveleth and made
oath to the truth of the foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed
before me.
Ai Waterhouse Justice
of the Peace & Quorum
Page 51

I Stephen Webb Jr. hereby certify that there is on the Town Treasurers Record an order drawn in favor of
Rowland Rand dated Nov Seventh 1829, it being for
making a coffin for John Chase
2 00
Windham 10th mo 16th 1850 - Stephen Webb Jr. - Town Treasure
State of Maine
County of Cumberland S.S. October 16th A.D. 1850
Then personally appeared and Affirmed the above named Stephen Webb Jr. The foregoing by him subscribed is true, before me
At Waterhouse Justice
of the Peace
Page 52

I Stephen Webb Jr of the Town of Windham in the
County of Cumberland & State of Maine of lawful age hereby affirm that I am Treasurer of said Windham legally chosen,
& that in one of the Books of orders
which belong to said Town I find that an order was granted
to Rowland Rand dated November the seventh 1829 it
being for a Coffin for John Chase for which was allowed
two dollars,
Stephen Webb Jr. Town Treas
I also affirm that I was well acquainted with said
John Chase & his widow Mercy Chase who survived her said husband, & did not intermarry, and died a widow, & further that they always lived as man & wife whilst I knew them & had
children, I also do not dout the date of said Chase's
death,-
Stephen Webb Jr
Windham 10th mo 16th 1850
State of Maine
County of Cumberland SS Oct 16th 1850
Then personally appeared the above named
Stephen Webb Jr a man known as a respectable
and credible witness and made oath of affirmation
that the above instrument by him subscribed
is true Before me
Ai Waterhouse Justice
of the Peace