Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26170, for Abraham Meriam, Massachusetts
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Mass   Meriam, Abraham   W. 26170
Kenworthy, Mary   BLWt 3804-160-55
Former widow
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5,055
Vermont   Montpelier
Mary Kenworthy, former widow of Abraham Meriam who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 23d day of March 1855 and sent to R M Young  Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 29  Vol. [illegible]
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31653.
Mar. 3, 1855.
Apr. 2
Mary Kenworthy, widow of
Abraham Meriam, Priv.
Capt. Walkers
Col. Bridges
Mass. Mil
End
Dis
Revolutionary War.
Pensioner
do: 160 acres 15"/55
3804 iss Aug 17/55
John M. Bennett
Springfield.
Vt.
[illegible]
no 5055
Vol M 2 page 1
Page 4

Additional Evidence
in the case of Mrs
Mary Kenworthy
for a Pension
Richard M Young atty
Page 5

State of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex
Town Clerks Office
Bedford Mass. Feb. 15, 1855
I Thomas Stiles Town Clerk of the Town of
Bedford in the State of Massachusetts depose and say, I have in my possession the records of the said Town of Bedford from its incorporation in the year 1729 up to the present time. I have made diligent search of said record, for the name ofAbraham Meriam. I do not find but one
State of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex
Town
Clerks Office
Bedford Mass. Feb. 15, 1855
I Thomas Stiles Town Clerk of the Town of
Bedford in the State of Massachusetts depose and
say. I have in my possession the records of the
said Town of Bedford from its incorporation in
the year 1729 up to the present time. I have made
diligent search of said record, for the name of
Abraham Meriam. I do not find but one man of that name and one infant of that name
On the 29 page of the Book of record of Births is the following "Abraham Meriam son of Abraham Meriam and Hannah his wife was born in Bedford Feb. 14, 1779" which is the only birth of that name to be found on said record.
I also find on record of procedings of Town meetings during the time of the Revolutionary war that large supplies were voted to pay hired soldiers but the names of those soldiers so to be supplied do not appear on the records except in some solitary cases where payment was made on orders &c
Thomas Stiles Town Clerk of Bedford
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss Bedford Feb 16. 1855
Then Personally the within named Thomas Stiles and made oath to the truth of the within declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Phinehas W Chamberlin
Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County
I Seth Ames, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for said County of Middlesex certify that Phinehas W. Chamberlin Esqr is now and was on the sixteenth day of February instant an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex, duly commissioned and qualified and duly authorized by our law to administer oaths and that his signature to the foregoing certificated by him subscribed [is] genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cambridge this twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty
five
Seth Ames
Clerk
Page 8

I, Nathaniel Paige of the town of Bedford in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts depose and say: my Parents have informed me that I was born in this town of Bedford in the month of October after the "Concord Battle" in 1775
I have resided ever since my infancy in the house where I was born & still reside there.
My Father & my Grandfather resided in the same house
My Father and Mother have told me that Abraham Mariam lived with, and worked for my Grandfather many years, and was brought up in the same family with my father & in the same house in which I now live. I have often heard my Parents say that said Abraham enlisted and served a "good deal" in the Revolutionary War. I know said Abraham Meriam from my earliest recollection in my boyhood till he move to Mason N.H. after the close of the War. Said Abraham had a son Abraham younger than I am born some time during the Revolutionary War
I have never known of any other persons residing in Bedford by the name of Abraham Miriam
This said Abraham Merian was often at my fathers and years after while he lived in New Hampshire he came to my fathers house and staid all night
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and took his breakfast in the morning with usual appetite & on leaving bid me a good morning and went a few rods and died suddenly in the road near my house.
Said Meriams first wife was a Miss Bowman his second wifes name was Lawrence
He was generally reputed to have been a soldier
in the revolutionary war. I well know the said
Abraham who died so suddenly to be the same
man who was brought up with my father and who my father told me went into service in the war of the Revolution
Nathaniel Page
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss
Bedford February 16, 1855. Then personally
appeared before me the above named Nathaniel Page and subscribed, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit
And I hereby certify that the said Nathaniel Page is well known to me to be a person of truth and of sound mind and fully competent to testify and whose evidence would be taken in any Court of Justice.
I also certify that I have no interest in any matter that may be supported by the above testimony
Phinehas W Chamberlin
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

I Castalio Hosmer of Bedford in the State of Massachusetts depose and say I resided in this town of Bedford from the time I was four years old in the year 1790 till the year 1823. And now reside here. While here in my boyhood I became acquainted with a boy a few years older than myself by the name of Abraham Meriam Jr. He lived with and worked for my Uncle near my fathers house. In this way I became acquainted with the lads father Abraham Merriam who had formerly resided here but then resided at Mason N.H. Some years after this time the elder Abraham Merian came here on some business and died suddenly in a fit in the street. This Abraham Meriam was reputed to have been a soldier of the war of the Revolution
I have never known or heard of any other persons residing in this town of Bedford by the name of Abraham Meriam. This Abraham Meriam Senior I knew very well & recollect that he was not a tall man but low in stature & of light completion
I also state that I well know Nathaniel Page who has testified now in this matter. His memory is good and he is of sound mind and a respectable resident of this town of Bedford.
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My father John Hosmer was a revolutionary soldier and received a revolutionary pension in this town and died at New Ipswich N.H. I recollect of hearing my father and Abraham Meriam aforesaid talking of the revolutionary war & relating stories and and dates concerning said war by which I believe said Abraham was in that war a soldier
Castalio Hosmer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Bedford Feb 16. 1855. Then personally appeared the above named Castalio Hosmer he being a credible witness, fully competent to testify and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him
subscribed Before me
Phinehas W Chamberlin
Justice of the Peace
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31,655
BOUNTY LAND
Act of March 3, 1855

Mrs. Mary Kenworthy
Widow of Abraham Meriam
War of the Revolution

Reply to 
John M. Bennett
Springfield, Vermont
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Printed at the Patriot Office
Montpelier, vt.

March 3, 1855
Declaration for Bounty lane,
WIDOW

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Widow of a deceased Officer or Soldier
State of Vermont
County of Windsor ss.
On this twenty sixth day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Kenworthy aged seventy six years, a resident of Royalton in the State of Vermont who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Abraham Meriam who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Walker in the regimen of .............commanded by Col. Bridges and other services in the war with of the Revolution declared by...........on ..........that her husband........at........on or about the .........day of........A. D. for the term of .............and continued in actual service in said war for the term of more than two years and was honorably discharged at.........on the .........day of ........A. D.
She states that she has a claim now pending at the Pension Office for Pension under the act of Feb. 2nd 1838, in which application her husband's service and her marriage to him and his death is fully shown in evidence filed by Richard M. Young Esq. of Washington City to which evidence she respectfully refers for evidence to support this claim. (Certificate may be made payable at the Montpelier Vermont Agency)
She further states that she was married to the said Abraham Meriam in Mason N. H. on the 19 day of January A. D. 1804 by one Ebenezer Hill a Minister and that her name before said marriage was Mary Lawrence; that her husband died at Bedford Mass. on the 18th of January A. D. 1806 and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and states that she has never received bounty land from the United States and that she has never before applied for any.
Mary Kenworthy

We, James B. Kenworthy and George A. Bingham, residents of Royalton in the State of Vermont upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mrs. Mary Kenworthy in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that she is now a widow.
James B. Kenworthy
George A. Bingham

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
Roholphus K. Dewey Justice of Peace

State of Vermont
Windsor County, SS
I Norman Williams Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, which is a Court of Record, hereby certify that Rodolphus K. Dewey Esq. is an acting Justice of Peace within and for said County, duly qualified by the laws of this State to administer Oaths for general purpose; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and believe his signature in the foregoing to be genuine.
(Seal) In Testimony Whereof, I hereby set my hand and affix the seal of said County Court, at Woodstock, in said County this 29 day of March A. D. 1855
Norman Williams, Clerk

Note by Attorney
Since the date of the above declaration
Pension certificate 5055 is received in favor of the Applicant for $80. per Annum, payable at Montpelier Vermont.
John M. Bennett Atty.  Springfield, Vermont
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Mary Kenworthy
Declaration and affidavits in her favor

Richard m. Young Atty.
Page 15

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the 2nd section of the act of 3rd February 1853
State of Vermont
County of Windsor SS
On the seventh day of February A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appears before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford within & for the County & State aforesaid Mary Kenworthy a resident of Royalton in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged seventy four 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 on the 3rd February1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is widow of Abraham Merriam who was a private in the Revolutionary War from the town of Bedford, in the State of Massachusetts; that she cannot particularly describe her said husbands services from  information from him, as he died in the year 1806 two years after her marriage to him, but that she recollects distinctly that he informed her that he served some three years in the Revolutionary War (and lived in Bedford then) and was a part of the time in the Continental line and she verily believes that he rendered much service in several companies in Massachusetts and that he served some time at the Hudson River then called North River in the State of New York. She cannot state the time he entered the service nor the time he left service but believes he left service before the close of the war. She states that he resided in Bedford in the state of Massachusetts at the time he entered the Revolutionary service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Abraham Merriam on the nineteenth day of January eighteen hundred and four at Mason, New Hampshire by Rev. Ebenezer Hill; that her said husband Abraham Meriam died at Bedford in the State of Massachusetts on the eighteenth day of January eighteen hundred and six (1806). That she was not married to him prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated (January 19th 1804).
she further declares that she is now a widow.
Mary Kenworthy
Attest
Mary Jane Kenworthy
John Porter

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Probate Court and I
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State of Vermont
Secretary of the States Office
Montpelier March 8th 1854

I certify that John Porter Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his own proper handwriting to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof a Judge of Probate within and for the District of Hartford in the County of Windsor, duly elected and qualified and that to his official acts and attestations as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of this office, this the 8th day of March A. D. 1854
Daniel B. Thompson
Secretary of State
per George R. Thompson
Deputy
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State of Vermont
county o Windsor SS
At Royalton in the county aforesaid on this fourth day of May eighteen hundred fifty four personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths; William Bingham and Pamla Bingham two respectable and creditable persons residing in said town of Royalton and severally made oath in due for of law. that they have well known Mrs. Mary Kenworthy for the term of more than thirty years last past; that they knew Mr. Kenworthy her husband in his lifetime that he died at his residence not thirty rods from their dwelling upwards of seven years since; that said Mary Kenworthy has ever since remained a widow; that she was a widow on the seventh day of February last when she is believed to have made her declaration before the Court for a Pension; and that she is still living in said Royalton a widow. And they further state on their oath that said Mary Kenworthy is reputed to have been the widow of Abraham Meriam and to have removed from the town of Mason in the state of New Hampshire; that more than thirty years ago when Mr. and now Mrs. Kenworthy came to Royalton they had a lad with them whose name was John Merriam and was always reputed to be the son of said Mary Kenworthy by her former husband Abraham Merriam. That they have knowledge of her receiving and understand that she annually received a few dollars rent from the town of Mason in New Hampshire it being rent from her dower in the estate of Abraham Merriam.
The they have knowledge of the facts they have stated from having lived near neighbor to
the said Mary Kenworthy for at least thirty five years. They also state that they have no interest in the matter about which they testify.
Wm. Bingham
Pamela Bingham

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written. And I certify that I have well known the foregoing deponents William Bingham & Pamela his wife for the last forty years. They are each of them credible witnesses and have resided many years withing a four of a mile of Mary Kenworthy and are in a situation to know the facts they testify. I also certify that I have no interest in the application of said Mary Kenworthy for her pension.
Amos Robinson Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Windson County ss
I Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Amos Robinson was, at the ate of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is a Justice of the Peace,  in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds and that his signature to the jurat & certificate on the paper attached is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 13 day of May A. D. 1854
Norman Williams, Clerk
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A further declaration of Mrs. Mary Kenworthy

State of Vermont
County of Windsor SS
On this seventh day of February A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford with & for the county & state aforesaid Mary Kenworthy a resident of Royalton in the County of Windsor and State aforesaid aged seventy four years & upwards who being  duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following additional & further declaration designed to be used if required in proving her claim for pension for the Revolutionary service of Abraham Meriam, her former husband deceased.
The she resided in the town of Mason in the State of New Hampshire at the time of the death of her husband Abraham Meriam; that he went from Mason N. H. the day but one before his death to attend some business at Bedford in Mass. where he had formerly resided; that his business there to was make payment of money as certain obligations for which his farm at Mason was mortgaged to a Mr. Page of said Bedford and that while at said Bedford he died suddenly in a fit & droped down dead in the road at Bedford.
She further states that she has not read nor heard now, nor been informed of the description given of her husband in the description list as furnished in the certificate of services of Abraham Merriam by the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, and now states from recollection that her said husband was of light complexion, that he was not a large man, that he was very near her own height (which is a little less that five feet and six inches) that he died at the age of about forty eight years at Bedford, Mass.  on the eighteenth of January 1806. that she afterwrds assisted in administering on her said husbands estate in Mason and that she still receives her rent annually from her dower in said estate. That she believes records of the settlement of said estate may be found in the probate Office in the District to which the town of Mason belongs.
Mary Kenworthy
Attest
Mary Jane Kenworthy
John Porter
Sword to and subscribed before the Probate Court on the day and year first above written.
John Porter, Judge
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WIDOW &c.

File No. 26,170
Mary Kenworthy
formerly Widow of 
Abraham Meriam
Priv. Rev. War
Act: Feb 2, 1853
Index: Vol. A, Page 388

[Arrangement of 1870]
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No. 31,655
ACT  OF MARCH 3, 1855

Received April 2, 1855

Mary Kenworthy Wid. of Abraham Meriam
Capt. Walkers.
Col. Bridges
Revolutionary War
Mass. Mil.

Warrant No. 3806-160-55

John M. Bennett
Springfield, Vt
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No. 4813
Mary Kenworthy
For: Wid. of Abraham Merriam

set. to Rich. M. Young 28/?/54
 set. to Rich. M. Young 7/Sept/54
set to Rich. M. Young 6/Feby/55

Act /53
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3804

160 acres
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Act/53 Vt.

(illegible)
Page 25

Washington City March 17. 1855
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,
Enclosed I send you additional evidence of the identity of Abrahm Merriam, on account of whose services in the Revolutionary war Mrs. Mary Kenworthy applies for a pension as his widow under act of February 3, 1853. Will you please have her application re-examined in connexion with the enclosed evidence and inform me of the result.
Very respectfully yr
Richard M. Young atty for
Mary Kenworthy of Vermont
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Additional evidence in support of the claim of Mary Kenworthy for a pension

Richard M. Young atty.
Page 27

I Lucy Wilson of Mason in the county of Hillsboro and State of Newhampshire aged seventysix years do testify and say that I was born in Bedford Massachusetts and lived there untill I was between forty and fifty years of age and was well acquainted with Abraham Meriam who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was a man of light complexion and of low stature. I should think about five feet and a half in height. I never knew any other person who lived in said Beford by the name of Abraham Meriam. I have no interest in the claim that may be supported by the testimony above written.
Lucy Wilson
I certify that the above named Lucy Wilson is a credible person whose testimony would be received in any court of Justice.
Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace

State of Newhampshire
Hillsboro SS. Mason July 26 1854
the personally appeared Lucy Wilson and made oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is in her belief true.
Before Me, Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace
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the State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County Ss.

I Perley Dodge Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Willis Johnson whose genuine signatures appear above is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated on the 18th day of June A.D. 1853 and will expire in five years from that date; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the foresaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record.
(seal w/ ribbon)
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Washington City June 23 1854
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commr. of Pensions,

Sir, Enclosed I send you the application of Mary Kenworthy of the State of Vermont for a revolutionary Pension under act of Congress of February 3, 1853 as widow of Abraham Merriam dec'd. for services rendered during the revolutionary war.
You will please send the pension certificate to my care when ready for delivery.
Very respectfully yr
Richard M. Young, Atty.
for Mary Kenworthy of Vermont
Page 30

Additional evidence in case of Mary Kenworthy
of Vermont for Rev. pension
act of 1853

Boynton

Richard M. Young, atty
Page 31

I John T. Wright of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, being now seventy seven years of age; depose and say I am a native of Bedford Mass. I resided in said Bedford from my earliest resolutions untill I was twenty one years of age. While in my childhood at the age of six or eight years I became acquainted with and well know Abraham Merriam, then a resident of that town. The said named Abraham Meriam was, as nearly as I can recollect some eighteen or twenty years older than I was. He was a short thick set man of light complexion, He subsequently moved from Bedford to Mason in New hampshire. After I was twenty one years of age I moved to Temple adjoining Mason, and while I was in said Temple I frequently saw the said Abraham Meriam and often passed in is neighborhood and frequently saw him and knew him to be the same Abrahm Meriam with whom I was acquainted in said Bedford while I resided there, and do not know of any other Abrahm Meriam ever residing in Bedford but this same Abraham above mentioned. This I write as having no interest or claim for which it is intended.
John T. Wright
Springfield, Nov. 27 1854

State of Vermont
Windson County ss. On the 28th day of November A.D. 1854 before me a master in Chancery duly authorised by law to administer oaths personally appeared John T. Wright known to me to be a person entitled to credit and belief and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed and I also certify that I have no interest in the claim on account of which the foregoing affidavit is made.
John Ward Master in Chancery
Page 32

State of Vermont
Windson County SS
I Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that John Ward was at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is, a Master in Chancery in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deed and that his signature foregoing is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Woodstock in said County of Windsor, this 2d day of December A. D. 1854.
Norman Williams, Clerk
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I Ezra Merriam of mason in the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire aged sixty five years on oath declare and say that I was well acquainted with Abraham Merriam who formerly lived in Mass. He was my uncle. He died at Bedford or Massachusetts to which place ha had gone to pay some money due for his loan. He was brought to Mason and lived there. He lived in Bedford before he came to Mason to live. He was reputed to be a soldier in the war of the Revolution. My father Ezra Merriam was a soldier in the revolution. I have heard my said uncle and my father speek each of he having served as a soldier in the Revolution. II have no doubt that my said uncle was a soldier in the revolution and that he died in Bedford at the time he so said. His widow after was married Thomas Kenworthy and removed to Royalton in Vermont where I suppose she now resides. I have no interest in her claim for a pension.
Ezra Merriam

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough April 29th 1854
Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Hillsborough Ezra Merriam above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed. I also certify that I am personally well acquainted with the
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said Ezra Merriam the affiant. And that full credit is due to his testimony on oath. I further certify that I have no interest inthe claim of the said Mrs. Kenworthy to a pension.
Willis Johnson, Justice of the Peace
Page 35

I Abigail Hill of Mason in the State of New Hampshire, aged eighty two years, on oath declare and say that I was born in Bedford in the State of Massachusetts and lived there until about the year 1800.
I was personally acquainted with Abraham Merriam who lived in Mason. He formerly lived in Bedford and died at Bedford, to which place he had gone, as it was said to pay some money to Mr David Page. The said Page was an uncle of mine and was in the habit of loaning money. The said Abraham Meriam, after his death was brought to Mason & was burned there. His widow afterwards married with Thomas Kenworthy I have no interest in her claim
for a pension
 [signed] Nabby Hill

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsbough April 28, 1834. Then personally appeared Abigail Hill above named, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within a for the said County of Hillsborough and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subsen??. I also certify that I am personally acquainted with
the said Mrs Hill and that full confidence should be placed in her statement on oath. I have no intent in Mr Kenworthy's claim for
a pension
{signed] Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace
Page 36

I John B. Hill of Bangor in the State of Maine, counsellor at law on oath declare and say that my father the Rev. Ebenezer Hill now residing in Mason in the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire was pastor(written over) of the Congregational Church in Mason aforesaid from the year 1790 to the present time. That he is now from extreme old age totally unable to transact any (illegible) or to make an affidavit or to testify or a witness. that I have now before his book of record of marriages by him celebrated which record I knew to be in his hand writing in which I find a record and entry of the marriage of Abraham Merriam and Mary Lawrence of which I certify the following is a copy except the date which is written out plainly in words & figures as follows "1804 January 19"
"eighteen hundred four January nineteenth Mr. Abraham Merriam and Miss Mary Lawrence both of Mason were joined in marriage"
I also testify that I was personally acquainted with the said Abraham Merriam and his said wife Mary Merriam having lived in the same neighborhood, until the time of his death. In the record kept by my father of deaths in his parish I find also recorded the death of the said Abraham Merriam. The record is in words and figures as follows "1806 Jan. 18. Abraham Merriam died at Bedford
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age 48 appoplex. (I remember I remember that-crossed out)
 I remember the circumstances of the death of the said Abraham Merriam. He went to Bedford in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as it was said to pay some money due for his farm. And fell dead in the street. His body was brought to Mason for Burial and I have distinct recollection of seeing the funeral procession pass the house where I lived. I also state that I was well acquainted with Thomas Kenworthy who was the second husband of the said Mary Merriam widow of the said Abraham Merriam. They lived after they were married in Mason and subsequently removed to Vermont, but to what town I do not recollect. I find also in my fathers said record of Marriage a record of the marriage of the said Kenworthy & the said Mrs. Merriam. It is plainly and legally written the date being in figures as follows "1815 June 25'
"eighteen hundred fifteen June twenty fifth. Mr. Thomas Kenworthy and Mrs. Mary Merriam were joined in marriage"
I remember the circumstance of this marriage and was well acquainted with both parties and know that the Mary Merriam mentioned in the record as married to Thomas Kenworthy was the same person who was the widow of the said Abraham Merriam where marriage is above set forth. I also state that I know the dower lands of the said Mrs. Merriam in the estate of her husband Abraham Merriam and I am also acquainted with Willis Johnson residing in Mason and know that he has for many years
Page 38

past rented the same and as I have been informed by him paid her an annual rent for the same. I further testify that I have no interest in the claim of the said Mrs. Merriam now Kenworthy in any pension for the for the services of he said husband Mr. Merriam or in any other matter pertaining to the same. 
J. B. Hill

state of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough Ss. April 28, 1854
the personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Hillsborough aforesaid .John B. Hill above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. I also certify that I am personally acquainted with the said affiant and that full competence thereto be placed in his statements on oath. I have no interest in Mrs. Kenworthy's claim for a pension.
Willis Johnson Justice of the Peace

I certify that sundry words were (illegible) in the first line of the second page of this affidavit before the same was signed, also the word "pastor" was written over before signing.
Willis Johnson Justice of the peace.
Page 39

STATE oof NEW-Hampshire--County of Hillsborough SS.
I Perley Dodge Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify that Willis Johnson whose genuine signatures appear above, is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission is dated on the eighteenth day of June A. D. 1853, and will expire five years from that date; that all of his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid Court of Common Peas is a Court of Record.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Amherst this 3d day of May A. D. 1854
Perley Dodge Clerk
Page 40

Washington City August 22, 1854
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, In compliance with your letter of June 28 1854 further evidence of the identity of Abraham Merriam is now enclosed to you which I hope will be satisfactory.
This evidence is to support the claim of Mary Kenworthy with of Abraham Merriam for a revolutionary pension.
Very Respectfully yr.
Richard M. Young
atty for Mary Kenworthy of Vermont
Page 41

Town Clerk of Bedford Mass Certifies that the Abrm. Meriam (faded) reports from 1729 to (faded) for above born in 1779
Nathl. page of (faded) born in 75 knew Abm. Meriam well he was always rept. (illegible) a soldier to (faded) of the name of Abrm. Meriam resides in Bedford during the war (faded-unable to recover text)
Page 42

Cert. of Com. Mass service from town of Bedford Mass. 28 mos in different (faded)
Lucy widow (faded unable to recover text)
Page 43

Windsor Co Vt.
Wm. Bingham & Pamela Bingham testify that (faded) of Abrm. Meriam the brother of
(faded)
John B. Hill he was of his (faded) clergy.  Abrm Meriam & Mary Lawrence married 1804 Jany. 19. Said Meriam died (faded) 1806 Jany. 18 aged 48. Said wid. then mar. Thos. Kenworthy 1815 June 25 (faded)
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Brief in the case of Mary Kenworthy formerly widow of Abraham Meriam Windsor County and State of Vt.
Act 3 Feby. 1853

Claim, ("original")
proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance
Husband served two years & four month at various places dur8ing the revolutionary war. He was a soldier from the town of Bedford mass. of "low stature" His service record is clearly established by the officials of (faded) matches all (faded) from town of said Bedford.  The service (faded) is further stated (faded) certificate of it. 
(faded) by the Certified copy of the Church record thereof. Two affidavits (faded) taken there of. Soldier died Jany 18th 1806
as per the Chruch record. thereof & the affidavits of five credible witnesses. (Faded) established by the affidavits of several credible affiants.
S. Burton Examining Clerk

Rich: M. Young Esqr.
Present
Name and residence of Agent
Page 45

Certificate of Revolutionary services
of A. Meriam for Mary Kenworthy
Page 46

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston:
December 20, 1853
(state seal)
I hereby Certify, that from an examination of the Books and Document relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department it appears that the name of Abraham Merriam is borne on a roll of Capt. john Coore's Company on alarm of April 19, 1775. 4 days from Bedford. also on roll of Capt. Benjamin Walker's Comp. Col. Ebenezer Bridges Regt. Apr. 8 mos. service, name borne on Coat roll dated at Cambridge Nov. 30 1775 from Bedford.
Also on pay roll of Capt. George Minots Com. Col. Ballards Regt. Northern Department service from Aug. 16 to Nov. 30, 1777 3 mos. 14 days as private.
Also on pay roll of  Capt. Asa Lawrence Lieut. John Flints Com, Col Sherman Paris Regt. raised to fortify the (illegible) at North Pine New York from June 16, 1778 7 mos. 13 days as private. "Also on description list of men raised for nine mos. age 22, 5.4 high complex. light from Bedford". "Springfield July 19 1779". "Raised of Iashu Ely Commissioner for the State of Massachusetts
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Bay. the (illegible) in the written list raised to serve in the Continental Army for nine mos. agreeable to a (illegible) of the General Court of said (illegible)  passed June 9th 1779" Signed James Cooper  Capt. Abraham Merriam from Bedford was on of the said men on the said written list.
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, contain 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.
E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Application for Certificate of Revolutionary Services made by the widow of the party who rendered the service.
State of Vermont, County of Windsor
Town of Royalton
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office of the service of Abraham Meriam in the war of the Revolution. He was a native of the town of Bedford (or Lexington) in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts. He enlisted from the town of Bedford in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts some time after the commencement of the Revolutionary war and continued in the said War in the service of the United States almost all the time of three years. I cannot remember the name of one officer under whom Abraham Meriam told me he served but I verily believe that he was the only Soldier from said town of Bedford by the name of Abraham Meriam and that he served nearly or quite three years towards the close of said war and that he served a part of that time in the Continental line or with the Continental soldiers. And I heard him say in his lifetime that he took care of his officer's bagage and matters of that kind entered to his care, And many matters relating to that war were narrated by him to me which from loss pf memory I cannot now state. I am now upwards of seventy three years of age.
The Hon. Secretary is respectfully requested to certify whether the service (if may be found) was rendered by the Abrham Meriam from of said Bedford as I now confidently from the statements of said Abraham Meriam my memory being strengthened by other circumstances that my said Husband Abraham Meriam resided in said Bedford during the time of the Revolutionary War.
Mary Kenworthey
Witness my hand this 25th day of November
A. D. 1853
Signed by said Mary Kenworthy in my presence
John M. Bennett Justice of the Peace