Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21075, John Erwin, N H
Page 1

SERVICE
NH
Erwin, John
Sarah
NUMBER
W. 21075
CONTENTS
Page 2

[verso]
New Hampshire
Sarah Erwin widow of John Erwin NH 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 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th of May 1850 and sent to John Bedel Bath N.H. 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 70 Vol. 1

[recto]
Reported
Page 3

11645
Declaration of Sarah Erwin 11645
Sarah Erwin widow of John
R'd April 25 1845
NH
act 7 July 1838
m.88
July 8 [illegible]
h. d. 27 March 1813
Page 4

Declaration
I Sarah Erwin in order to obtain the benefit of the acts
of Congress passed, for the purpose of making provision for certain
widows of Revolutionary Soldiers. July 7, 1838, March 3. 1843 & June
17, 1844
State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
On this 17th day of April Anno Domini 1845
personally appearing before the Judge of the Court of Probate for said
County of Grafton being a court of record Sarah Erwin a resident
of Piermont in said County & State aged 81 years the 19th day of Nov.
last who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled
"an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"" March 3
1843 entitled an "act granting a pension to certain widows of
Revolutionary Soldiers." June 17, 1844 entitled "an act to
continue the pensions of certain widows"" That she is the
widow of John Erwin late of Piermont in said County and
State deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War
of the United States and according to her best recollection
and belief, and as she has understood her late husband to say
he was one of the six month soldiers who went from the town of
Chester to West Point in the State of New York as a continental
soldier & was enlisted into a company commanded by a Mr. Ebenezer Frye as
Captain which belonged to Col. [unknown] Reg. that he served in
Page 5

said Fryes company under a Major William Scott (the Col
being absent) at West Point about six months and was
discharged about one year before she was married to him
that she has an indistinct recollection of hearing him tell
stories about the "Cow, Boys" on the banks of the River while he was in
the service. That she has no documentary evidence of her
said husbands time of service but trusts that as he was
connected with the continental army the records in your department
will fully substantine her claim for a pension. She further states
that she was married to her late husband on the 5 day of
December 1782 at Chester N.H. by one Ezekias Colby a minister
of the Gospel in Pembrook. that they lived in Chester aforesaid
about one year after they were marred and moved to Piermont
N.H. where she and her husband lived until his decease and she
ever since. That her said husband died on the 27th day
of March 1813 at said Piermont, that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage
took place previous to the first day of January 1794 Viz. at
the time and place above stated. that her maiden name
was Sarah Russ, that she is now the widow of the said
John Erwin she not having intermarried with any
other person since the death of her said husband the
said John Erwin-
Sarah Erwin
Subscribed and sworn to the da[cut off]
Page 6

and year first above (within) mentioned by the said Sarah Erwin at her son John Erwin's house in Piermont N.H. she having been unable to leave the house since the first of last winter by reason of bodily infirmity
Before me /s/Walter Blair Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Grafton in said State of New Hampshire
The words "was" on the sixth line of the opposite page & the & "will" in the 9th line same page were interlined before signing
/s/Walter Blair Judge
State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss. I Samuel Swasey Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County do hereby certify that Walter Blair is the Judge of the Probate Court within & for said County duly commissioned - that his commission was dated July 2d A.D. 1841. and will expire October 1st A.D. 1866. and that his above two signatures are genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed hereto the Seal of said Court & Probate on this 18th day of April A.D. 1845. 
/s/Samuel Swasey Reg'r
Page 7

The following persons were married by Rev Zacheus Colby John Arwin (Erwin) & Sarah Russ both of Chester married December fourth seventeen hundred and eighty two 
Recorded March 29th 1788
Thos Adams Parish Clerk
Attest /s/George W. Doe Town Clerk of Pembroke
I George W. Doe do hereby certify that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Pembroke in the County of Merrimack and State of Newhampshire and the foregoing is a true extract from the records of said town excepting in the original record the date is expressed in fair and legible figures thus "John Arwin (Erwin) & Sarah Russ Both of Chester married December' 1782"
Attest /s/George W. Doe Town Clerk 
Merrimack ss July 30th 1845
Sworn to before me
/s/Aaron Whittemore Justice of the Peace
Page 8

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County SS.
I Stephen C. Badger Clerk of the Superior court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Aaron Whittemore is a Justice of the Peace throughout the State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the sixth day of June 1844 and will expire on the sixth day of June 1849, and that his signature within written, is genuine
[court seal affixed] Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this first day of August Anno Domini  1845.
/s/S. C. Badger Clerk

Certificate of Marriage 
John Arwin (Erwin) & Sarah Russ 
Dec. 4, 1782. 
Widow Sarah Erwin's Papers
J. Bedel Bath
Page 9

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County SS.
I Stephen C. Badger Clerk of the Superior court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Aaron Whittemore is a Justice of the Peace throughout the State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the sixth day of June 1844 and will expire on the sixth day of June 1849, and that his signature within written, is genuine
[court seal affixed] Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this first day of August Anno Domini 1845.
/s/S. C. Badger Clerk

Certificate of Marriage
John Arwin (Erwin) & Sarah Russ
Dec. 4, 1782.
Widow Sarah Erwin's Papers
J. Bedel Bath
Page 10

Widow Sarah Erwins
Papers
Page 11

Chester June 30, 1845
Mr. Bedel
Dear Sir
I have examined the Town Books
but have not found any record of marriage
of which you wrote about-
Respectively yours &c
William Greenough Town Clerk
Page 12

No 11645
Sarah Erwin NH
Let to John Bedel June 3 '45
  "  "  Same Sept 13 '45
  "  "  same June 12 '46
  "  "    "  May 28 '49
  "  "  Hon. H. Hibbard, Feb. 19/50
act 7 July 1838
Page 13

WIDOW, &c.
File No.
21075
Sarah Erwin
Widow of
John Erwin
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 219
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 14

8821
C
New Hampshire
Sarah Erwin
widow of John Erwin
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscriibed on the Roll at the rate
of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued
the 7th
day of May 1850
and sent to John Bedel,
Bath
N. H.
(Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2
Page 15.
by
J. P. Chase CR
Page 15

10906   C.
New Hampshire
-
Sarah Erwin
Widow of John Erwin
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 27 March 1813
of Grafton Co. in the State of N.H.
who was a private in the Company
commanded by Captain Frye of the
Regt commanded by Col. Scammel in
themline for 2 years
-
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of
May 1850 and Sent to
John Bedel Bath N.H.
Total amount,
$
Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by J P Chase Clerk
Book D Vol 1
Page 29
Page 16

Declaration of
Sarah Erwin Last of
Feby 2d 1848-
Page 17

Declaration under law Feby 2d 1848
State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton [unknown] On this 11th day of March AD. 1850
personally appeared before me John Bedel a Justice of
the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to
administer oaths Sarah Erwin a resident of Piermont in said
County of Grafton aged 86 years the 19th day of November 1849
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress of February 2d 1848 granting pensions
to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War
That she is the identical Sarah Erwin who, as Widow of John
Erwin a solder of the Revolution, made a declaration for
the benefit of acts of July 7, 1838, March 3, 1843 & June 7, 1844 on
the 17th day of April 1845 before Judge of Probate for the said
County of Grafton Hon. Walter Blair, - That she still remains
the Widow of said John Erwin not having intermarried
since his decease on the 27th day of March 1813, That her
said Declaration is now on file in the Pension Office
as she supposes-
Sarah Erwin
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written before me -
John Bedel
Jus Peace
I also certify that the Declarant the above named Sarah
Erwin is personally known to me and to my personal knowledge
she is the identical person she represents herself to be in the above
declaration by her subscribed
John Bedel
Jus Peace
Page 18

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County S.
J D Sleeper
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas within and for said County hereby
certify that John Bedel is a Justice
of the Peace within and for said County
duly Commissioned
and qualified, that his commission
is dated December 28th A.D. 1848 and will expire December
28th A.D. 1853. I further certify that the
within signatures
purporting to be the said John
Bedel's are his genuine Signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this Eleventh day of March A.D. 1850
J D Sleeper
Clerk
Page 19

I Abner Hogg of New Boston in the County
of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty
six depose and say that I am a Representative from
said Town of New Boston in the Legislature of said State of
New Hampshire and that I sometime in the spring of 1777
in March or April enlisted into a company commanded
by Capt Daniel Livermore to serve three years and was marched
to Ticonderoga sometime in April the same year, and
and that I did serve in the Continental Army of the United States
three years in Col. Scammels Regt according to my
enlistment, and that I now draw a pension of $120 a year
and I further state that I was personally acquainted with nearly
every man that composed said Livermores Co. that was raised
in the spring of 1777 and among them with one John Erwin
from Chester in said State who joined said Co. about the time
I did and marched to Ticonderoga with us, and I recollect
of seeing said Erwin doing duty as a private soldier frequently
up to the 5th day of July 1777 at which time we retreated
from said Ticonderoga, after which time I have no recollection
of seeing him in the service and do not know whether
he remained in the service after that time or not but always
supposed that he was discharged on account of his not being
an able bodied man. I never was acquainted with any
other John Erwin
Abner Hogg his mark
Attest John Felt
Jeremiah Pomeroy
Page 20

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County
June 21. A.D. 1845. Then
personally appearing the within named Abner Hogg
and made oath to the truth of the within
affidavit -
Before me
C. Peaslee Jus. Peace
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack
I Stephen C. Badger Clerk of the
Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State afore
said do hereby certify that Charles H. Peaslee is a Justice
of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and
qualified; that his commission was dated on the 14th day of
June
1842, and will expire on the 14th day of June
1847, and that and that his signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said
Court this twenty first day of June
AD 1845-
S. C. Badger Clerk
Page 21

[handwritten letter]
House of R. Feb. 4, 1850

Dear Sir
With this is a communication from Mr. Bedel of N.H. which I am desirous to forward to you  and to ask your attention to it - which I accordingly do. 
In regard to Mr. Abner Hogg of New Boston N.H. referred to in Mr. Bedel's letter to me. I would say that I knew him as a member of the N.H. Legislature from said Town, during the time of two sessions. I knew him quite well personally and by reputation. He was an aged man, having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was always reputed to be, and I have no doubt was, and is, (if now living) a man of strict probity and unquestionable character and was in all respects a most worthy and respectable old man. 
I am Sir with much respect Your obt serv't
/s/Harry Hibbard
(over)

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions}
Page 22

[handwritten letter]
I also forward some papers sent on by Mr. Dodd for you respecting the claim of the children of Guy Carlton to which allow me to ask your attention.
/s/H. H.
Page 23

An Account of Money paid by the Town of
Londonderry
to Soldiers in the Continental
Service, hired by said town
1777
Aps
1779 Mar. 23
29
John Ervine inlisted 1777
Town Bounty
for depreciation 1778-- 21.0.0
ditto --- 26.10
30.0.0
47.0.10 77.0.10
Error Excepted in behalf of the
Selectmen of Londonding
John Moor
State of New Hampshire
Secretary of States
Office,
I do hereby certify, that the
foregoing are true extracts 
from the original account.
now in this office.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the
State, this 14th day of March, A.D. 1846.
Thomas P. Treadwell
Secretary of State
Page 24

An Account of Money paid by the Town of Londonderry to Soldier in the Continental Service hired by said Town - 
[4 untitled columns]
1778 Feb'y|Ebenezer McIlvaine inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|£30..0..0|
1778 oct'o|Timothy Harrington inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 April 4|for depreciation 1778|47 - - |[blank]|
1780 Feb'ry 5|for ditto 1779|224..5..0|301..5..0|
1777 Apl.|Peter Jenkins inlisted Apl 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Mar.|for depreciation 1778|47..-.-|[blank]|
1777 Apl.|Joseph Mack inlisted Apl. 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1777 Apl.|Samuel Walton inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1777 Apl.|Nathaniel Plummer inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1778 ['Apl' crossed out] Mar. 5|William Dickey inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Mar.|for depreciation he died about Aug't 1778||23..10..- |[blank]|
1777 Apl.|Bishop Castor inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1777 Apl.|John Obrian inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1777 Apl.|George McMurphy Inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Mar|for depreciation 1778|47..0..0|
Nov'r|ditto for 1779|[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|4 1/2 Bushels Corn @ 24..18..0|[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|2 Bushel Rye @ 6.18} |[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|1/2 Bushel Peas}17..5..0|[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|122 1/2 lb Beef @ 6/ 36..15..- |[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|£78..18..- |[blank]|[blank]|
1780 Feb 2|3 Bushels Corn @ £7.,10.. 22..10 - - |101..8..1/2|178..8..0|
1777 Apl.|David Plummer Town Bounty inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|Abel Walton inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl. James Campbell inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|[blank]|
1777 Apl.|John McMurphey inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|Joseph McPhurland inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1778 Oct'o|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]
1778 Feb'y|ditto for 1779 paid his wife|114..15..- |191..15..0|
1777 Apl.|Sam'l Eyers inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|[blank]|
1779 Mar.|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |
Nov 3|ditto 1779 2/2 Bush'ls Rye 17..5..|[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|3 1/2 Bush'ls Corn @ £5.8.- 18..18..- |[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|1/2 Bushel Pear 3..9..- |[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|122 1/2 lb. Beef @ 6/ 36..15- } |[blank]|[blank]|
1780 Feb'y 2|4 Bushel Corn £30..- - }66..15.- |106..7.. - |183..7..0|

[4 untitled columns]
1777 Apl.|Robert Hodget inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1777 Apl.|Solomon Tod inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1778 Nov.|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]|
1780 Feb'ry|do for 1889|207..5..- |284..5..0|
1777 Apl.|Frederick Roche inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|Charles Bryan inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|James Nesmith inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|[blank]|
1778 Dec'r|for Depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]|
1778 Feb'ry|ditto for 1779|93..5.- |160..5..0|
1777 Apl.|William Johnson inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1777 Apl.|John Ervine inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Mar. 23|for depreciation 1778 21..0..0|[blank]|[blank]|
  "  29|ditto 26..0..20|47..0..10|77..0..10|
1777 April|Jeremiah Fairfield inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Nov. 10|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]|
1780 Feb'ry|ditto 1779|155..16..- |[blank]|
1777 Apl.|John Ayers inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|John Martin inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|John Morgin inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Mar. 3|Robert Boyes inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Mar. 3|Thomas Holmes inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1777 Apl.|David George inlisted depreciation for 1778|[blank]|47..-..- |
1780 Feb'ry 3|depreciation for 1779|[blank|213..4..- |
1778 Jan'y|Martin Montgomery inlist'd 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Dec'r|Zaccheus Dustin inlist'd 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Mar. ['& Apl' crossed out] Valentine Sarjeant inlisted 1777 Town Bounty paid John Read|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Feb'ry|Robert Craig inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..-..- |
1778 Feb'ry|John Head inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..-..- |[blank]|
[blank]|for depreciation 9 receipts|46..19..4|[blank]|
[blank]|ditto for the year 1779 2 receipts|17..3..- |[blank]|
1777 Apl.|David Dickey inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|[blank]|30..0..0|
1778 Feb'ry 25|James Boies inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
Nov|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]|
1780 Feb'ry|ditto 1779|159..-..- |[blank]|
1777 Apl.|Timothy Hutchinson Bounty|30..-..- |[blank]|
Page 25

[4 untitled columns]
[blank]|Brought over|£|[blank]|
1778 Nov. 12|John Allen inlisted 1777 Town Bounty no ['Recept' crossed out]|30..-..-|[blank]|
1780 Feb'y|for depreciation 1778|47..-..-|
[blank]|ditto 1779|102..12..-|[blank]|
1778 Aug't|Alexander McMasters list'd 1777 Town Bounty|30.0..0|[blank]|
1779 Feb'y|for depreciation 1778|47..-..- |[blank]|
[blank]|ditto 1779.3 Rect'd|66..-..- |[blank]|
1778 Mar. 26.|Abel Whiting inlisted 1778 Town Bounty}|[blank]|60..0..0|
Apl. 21|Ambrose Vicker 1778.3 years}|[blank]|90..-..- |
Apl. 21|John Grear 1778.3 years}|[blank]|90..-..- |
Apl. 21|Glaude Colombon 1778.3 years}|[blank]|90..-..- |
Apl. 21|Joseph Coste 1778.3 years}|[blank]|90..-..- |
May 1 Jean Holts 1778.3 years}hired by Col'o S. Folsom|90..-..- |
1778 May 7|Jonathan Ferrin for nine months Town Bounty|[blank]|60..- - |
1778 Apl.|Francis Mitchell for nine months Town Bounty|[blank]|60..- - |
1778 Apl.|Hugh Jameson for nine months Town Bounty|[blank]|60..- - |
1778 May 19|Jonathan George 1777 Town Bounty paid Faury George & Rect.|[blank]|30..- -  |
1778 May 19|Michael George Town Bounty paid Faury George & Rec't|[blank]|30..0..0|
1780 Feb'ry 18.|William Hogg Inlisted 1777 for 3 years paid by receipt|[blank]|
1779 July 26|Thomas Rankin 1779 for one year Town Bounty|[blank]|90.. - - |
1779 July 26|Edward Colby 1779 for one year Town Bounty|[blank]|90.. - - |
1779 July 14|Richard Gallespey 1779 for 1 year Town Bounty|[blank]90.. - - |
1779 July 29|James Campbell 1779 for 1 year Town Bounty|[blank]|90.. - - |
July 5|John King 1779 during the War Town Bounty|[blank]|150.. - - |
June 29|David Richards 1779 during the War Town Bounty|[blank]|150.. - - |
June 29|Henry Weld 1779 during the War|[blank]|150.. - - |
June 29|Peter Harkin: 1779 during the War Town Bounty|[blank]|150.. - - |
June 29|Robert Barber 1779 during Town Bounty\[blank]|150.. - - |
1779 Sep'r|Brought Over|£|[blank]|
[blank]|John White 1779 inlisted during War Town Bounty|[blank]|150.. - - |
Errors Excepted in behalf of the Selectmen of Londonderry /s/John Moon
Londonderry cont.
Page 26

Office of Secy. State,
Oct. 25, 1848
Dear Sir
The enclosed certificate contains
all the service, and extracts from all
the papers in this Office upon which I find
the name of John Erwin. There can be no
doubt, I think, that Erwin served in Livermore
Compy or he would not have been paid a
State County & Mustered by the Mr Master in
March 1777
The petition of Capt. Daniels Co.
shows that John Erwin was a member of
that Compy in Sept. 1777. and the Londonderry
account establishes the fact of his enlistment
in 1777, and of his being allowed for Depreciation
 in 1778. This, it seems to me, is strong
presumptive proof that he was in the service
in 1778, or he would not have been allowed
for Depreciation in that year. The Rolls
of Capt. Daniels Compy if in existance, are
probably at Washington. They were given up
to the Commissioner for the four Eastern
States in 1788, and have never been returned
to this Office
The service in in 1781 shows that Erwin
belonged to Chester and went for Pembroke-- and
the Pembroke account and also the pay roll  shows that two person
Page 27

by the name of Phelps served for the town of Pembroke
In haste yours
Thos. P. Treadwell
To Lt. John Bedell
Page 28

Bath N.H. October 27
1848 -
Sir In the case of Sarah Erwin of Piermont N.H. Widow of John
Erwin late of said Piermont, deceased, I herewith forward the
certificate of our Secy. of State, hoping that it may remove some
of the objections raised in your letters to me, in her case, of Sept. 13.
1845 and June 12, 1846 copies of which are by my request, attached
to his certificate together with my letter to him of the 23. [illegible]
From the tenor of those letters of Sept. 13. 1845 and June 12 1846 I had
considered further efforts in her case as hopeless, unless additional
and more definite record evidence could be introduced, removing the objections
raised in those letters, for in your letter June 12 1846 you say, "It appears
from the papers filed in this case, that claimants husband enlisted from
the Town of Pembroke. Very satisfactory evidence, therefore, will be
required to identify her as the widow of John Erwin of Londonderry
before she can be allowed a pension for any services that may be found
credited to his name." I could hardly conceive that such an
objection would have been raised by your Department unless well
founded upon proof, and knowing that Mrs Erwin claimed for the
Services of John Erwin who went from Chester and not from
Pembroke as asserted by you, I considered this objection fatal
to the service in 1781, and your remarks in the same letter as to
the "shape" of the Secy's certificate, therein referred to, seemed to me equally
as fatal to any previous service of her husband. Indeed I could
but consider the claim as totally rejected, supposing I had exhausted
all sources of any record evidence in our State Department but it
would seem upon reference to the present certificate (and I
Page 29

know not whether it differs in material respects from the former one
introduces in this case) that the objection as far as the Town of
Pembroke is concerned, is, and was at that time, totally unfounded
and must have arisen from some oversight either of our Secy
of State, or of your Department, for I cannot entertain the deed that
it was intentionally intended to mislead the claimant in this case
or to put her to unnecessary expense. How I was induced to make
any further exertions in this case you will perceive by a perusal
of my letter to our Secy of State attached to his certificate, and I
can but express my surprise at the corroboration that claimants
statement has met with in this particular, trusting that this certificate affords sufficient explanation of this apparent want
of consistency -

Relative to the shape of the Secy of State's former certificate referred to in your letter of June 12, 1846, my recollection
is not clear, but if memory serves me aright no evidence was then
introduced as to service in Capt. Eliphalet Daniel's Co. in 1777
and 1778 as is plainly shown by copy of Petition certified in this
instance. It would seem at least that his former certificate did
not, according to your letter, specify the Company or Reg. in which the
service was rendered for which a town County was paid in April
1777 and depreciation for 1778 in March 1779.  Does not this
certificate plainly show that John Erwin was a member of
Capt. Eliphalet Daniel Compy. Sept. 23, 1777 and continued to remain
in service in 1778, clearly explaining the reason that his name has
not been found on the Rolls of Capt. Sivermore in Scammel's
Regt?
I herewith forward the Secy of States letter to me showing that the
Rolls of Capt. Daniel Compy. were given up in 1788
Page 30

to one of the Commissioners for auditing and settling the claims of
the respective States against the United States, and the U.S. against
the respective States, under ordinances of May 7, 1787 and similar
ordinances of a subsequent date and that they have never been returned
to our State Department. Let me call your particular attention
this letter. If these Rolls remain in your Department at Washington
I would ask that he searched for evidence of claimants husbands
service in said Daniel's Company; and if no such rolls are
to be found, what better evidence of service of her husband
from March or April 1777 to some time 1778 can possibly be
expected, if the original Rolls are destroyed, than is furnished
by the present certificate. I think the evidence in this
Petition is clear as to fact of service, at the time it was made
and of enlistment previous to that time in the absence of the Rolls
And the amount of Depreciation paid in 1779 equally as clear
as to continued service in 1778-
I am, Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Serv.
John Bedel
Hon J.L. Edwards
Comr.
of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 31

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 32

Bath, New Hamp.
June 4th 1849 -
Sir
Your communication of the 28th [illegible] in the case of
Sarah Erwin, Widow of John Erwin, has been recd. by me,
and in order to correct some of the too palpable errors or
misconceptions of the evidence in this case, I take the earliest
opportunity to point them out, and most respectfully to
remonstrate against the decision contained in your letter.
In the first place you say that it would appear from
the Secy's certificate that there were several Soldiers from our State
engaged in the Revolutionary War bearing the name of John Erwin
One of whom was paid bounty and depreciation money by the Town of
Londonderry - One belonged to Chester and contributed by the Town of
Pembroke and one from Concord. The service performed
by John Erwin belonging to Chester for Pembroke in 1781. 4 mo. 25 days
you allow - the matter of identity is settled thus far although
claimants husband was hired by the Town of Pembroke. Not
the slightest evidence has been introduced of the service of any
one of the name of John Erwin of Concord, and I am at a
loss to account for this statement in your letter, unless it has
arisen from a total misconception of that part of the Secy's certificate extracted from Page 83 Vol. 4 of the Army Rolls returned from the War
Office Jany. 1841 this appears to be a statement of the number of
soldiers that the Town of Pembroke, in the settlement of her claim
against the State of the United States for military services in the Revolution, claimed to have furnished for the continental service, being
16 in all at different times. now
the simple explanation of the
Page 33

insertions of Town's names against some of the soldiers names is that
their services were claimed by other Towns than Pembroke these [illegible]
Simpson's service was claimed by Nottingham, but the claim was decided
in favor of Pembroke and Nottingham erased - John Cook's service was
claimed by Dover, but it was decided in favor of Pembroke and Dover
erased- Thos Shaw's service was claimed by Pembroke, Allentown, Portsmouth and Greenland but the claim was decided in the favor of Allenstown and the name of Thos Shaw erased under the head of Pembroke
and Portmouth & Greenland erased - John Minot's service was claimed
by Concord and the claim decided in its favor, and crossed
out under the head of Pembroke, so that out of the first seven that
Pembroke claimed to have furnished she was allowed but previous to
the 6 months [unknown] in 1781, and those 4 included in the brocket appear
to be the same men that are named in the extract from the Pay Roll of
the six months service in 1781 in the Secy's certificate just preceding
and their names there occur in the same order. Does not this explanation sufficiently identify the John Erwin of Chester, John Erwin of Pembroke
and John Erwin, as you allege, of Concord, with the claimants husband?
This must, as it appears to me, carry conviction beyond cavil that there they are one
and the same person -
Before treating of the service contributed by Londonderry, I wish
to set matters in their proper light relative to that part of your letter where
you say "No claim for the service of John Erwin in 1782 has been set up
in this case." This to be sure is most unquestionably correct, for to my knowledge no pretence has ever been set up by claimant that her husband ever performed any service in 1782, and why this should be, to all appearance, thrown
is as objectionable matter to her claim, is matter of surprize to me, and
I can but consider this another error arising from the same extract
from Page 83 Vol. 4, where Pembroke claimed for the service of 5 men, Viz:
Page 34

Ezk. Flanders Jus, Mustered by Cap. E. Frye Aug. 10. 1782, Enoch Swett,
Orphin French & Robert Cochran, Mustered Aug 14. 1782 & Moses Rowell
Mustered Sep. 4, 1782. This muster of 1782 by Cap. E. Frye most obviously
has no reference whatever to any of the soldiers named in that extract
other than the 5 last above named-
Evidence that John Erwin of Chester was mustered in Cap
Livermore's Co. Scammel's Regt and paid a State Bounty in March 1777 has
been introduced, but no evidence upon record of service in that Co. being found
the affidavit of Abner Hogg was introduced declaring that said John Erwin
of Chester did serve to his knoweldge at Ticonderoga with him as late as
the 5 of July 1777, after which he had no recollection of seeing him
but you have taken it upon yourself most unqualifiedly to say that
Mr Hogg's recollection of his serving to sometime in July 1777 is an error; that
he was in the same company with Mr Hogg would appear to be in error
and still it has been made to appear that he was in service as stated
by Mr Hogg: for by the "Account of money paid of the Town of Londonderry
to Soldiers in the Continental Service, hired by said Town, it appears that he
enlisted in 1777, was paid a Town Bounty in April 1777, and depreciation
for 1778 on the 23d & 29th of March 1779. This you say clearly shows that the
John Erwin proved to have belonged to Capt. Eliphalet Daniel Co. in 1777 & 1778
belonged to the Town of Londonderry . This I have always considered
as clearly showing that the John Erwin that was paid a Town Bounty
by Londonderry did not belong to that Town, for the very heading of the
account states that he was hired by said Town, and not raised out
of or contributed from the inhabitants of Londonderry. If I am in an
error about this, allow me to call your particular attention to the heading
of this account, for its very language shows that Londonderry in making up
her quota of continental Troops in 1777 was under the necessity of hiring
soldiers not inhabitants of her own Town, and paying them a bounty in order
Page 35

to induce them to enlist into the continental service. And this was a matter of every day occurrence in those times that tried men souls. This practice of hiring soldiers out of Town is even exemplified in this very case, by the Town of Pembroke hiring John Erwin of Chester in 1781, and this taken in connection with the facts that there was a John Erwin of Chester, that Mr Hogg states that he was in service in 1777 as late as July, that he is proved to have been enlisted and mustered in March 1777 and is found serving in Capt. Eliphalet Daniels company in Sept. 1777, that Chester is an adjoining Town to Londonderry, it appears to me is very satisfactory evidence of the identity required to be established in this case. And therefore I cannot admit that "upon this point the proof now furnished is altogether defective." It after an examination of the errors pointed out, more proof of identity shall be required, you will please advise me for I can but consider the question of the identity of claimants husband with the John Erwin hired by Londonderry as the only material issue in this case.

I am Very Respectfully, Your Ob't Serv't - 
/s/John Bedel
[margin note: no action was had on this case after the reception of this letter.]
Page 36

to induce them to enlist into the continental service. And this was a matter of every day occurrence in those times that tried men souls. This practice of hiring soldiers out of Town is even exemplified in this very case, by the Town of Pembroke hiring John Erwin of Chester in 1781, and this taken in connection with the facts that there was a John Erwin of Chester, that Mr Hogg states that he was in service in 1777 as late as July, that he is proved to have been enlisted and mustered in March 1777 and is found serving in Capt. Eliphalet Daniels company in Sept. 1777, that Chester is an adjoining Town to Londonderry, it appears to me is very satisfactory evidence of the identity required to be established in this case. And therefore I cannot admit that "upon this point the proof now furnished is altogether defective." It after an examination of the errors pointed out, more proof of identity shall be required, you will please advise me for I can but consider the question of the identity of claimants husband with the John Erwin hired by Londonderry as the only material issue in this case.

I am Very Respectfully, Your Ob't Serv't -
/s/John Bedel
[margin note: no action was had on this case after the reception of this letter.]
Page 37

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary of States Office,
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary
of the State aforesaid, do hereby
certify, that, from an examination
of the Books & Document, relating
to Military services in the War
of the Revolution, which remain
in this Office, it appears that the name of John Ervin is borne
upon a Muster Roll of Captain Daniel Livermores Company in
Col. Alexander Scammels Regt. raised by the State of New Hampshire
for the Continental service. Mustered & paid by Wm White Must. Mast.
March 1777. said Ewin was paid for State Bounty 20 pounds. and that
upon a paper headed "Six months levies to reinforce New
Hampshire line at West Point in 1781," is borne the name of
John Erwin, Time in service 4 months & 25 days. That upon
any alphabet, under the head of Pembroke, is borne the name of
John Erwin [unknown]. And that upon a "Pay Roll for the
Six months men raised by the State of New Hampshire to serve
in the continental Army in the year 1781 at West Point," is
borne the name of John Erwin, Town they went for Pembroke. Place of abode, Chester.
Time in service 4 mo. 25 days. I further certify, That upon
a "Muster Roll of the Soldiers raised by the State of New
Hampshire to fill up the Continental army in the year
1781.- mustered by Moses Nichols Muster Master" is borne
the name of John Erwin, Town they went for, Pembroke
time when mustered, July 27th. time engaged for, to the last of Decm.
Page 38

The evidence of the aforenamed service's is all contained
in the records returned to this office from the War
Office Jany. 1841
I further certify, That from a book
in this office headed "Memorandum of Orders drawn
on the Treasurer", under the head of "Six months men
in 1781. Vote passed 27 Feby. 1781, it appears, that an
order was drawn in favor of John Erwin for 9.13.4 pounds
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, this 20th
day of June, A.D. 1845.
Thomas P. Treadwell

Secretary of State
Page 39

[handwritten letter]
March 18, 1846, Bath N.H. 

Sir
Herewith I enclose an additional certificate of our Secy of State in the case of Sarah Erwin 
It will appear from the evidence already introduced that John Erwin her husband belonged to Chester N.H. and was hired by Pembroke N.H. in 1781, that he was mustered in 1777 March also appears - From the accompanying certificate it appears that he enlisted in 1777 that he received a town bounty in April 1777 and that in March 23d 1779 he received £21..0..0 and March 29 - the same year he rec'd £26..0..10 as depreciation for 1778. this appears to me to show conclusively that Erwin received pay for service performed in 1777 or 1778 - how this is, is respectfully submitted - 
From accompanying copy of the paper from which the extracts are made conclusively shows that this John Erwin was the same that was mustered into Capt Livermore Co. for the names that I have marked ロ are to be found on Livermore's muster Roll - From this copy it also appears that £47.0.0 was the common amount of depreciation for 1778 and as I suppose the amount of depreciation for one years pay - 
There is one thing that may appear to small consequence but not altogether insignificant - it appears that at one time March 23, 1779 he rec'd 21.0.0. and at another March 29 he rec'd 26.0. To now it would appear that this account was not jumped at but was made from minutes
Page 40

[handwritten letter]
I am informed by the Secy. of State that he understands this to indicate service how this is I know not.
I remain Very Respectfully Your Obed. Ser't 
/s/John Bedel 

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City D.C. }
Page 41

Sarah Erwin widow of John
New Hampshire Grafton Co. 
admitted
Pr. 2 yrs $80 per ann con 4 March 1836 to 1841 - from 43 to 48 - from '48
Cap'n Frye Col. Scammel (Scammell) N.H. 
h. d. 27 March 1813
John Bedel Bath N.H. 
['Hon. H. Hibbard' crossed out]
Page 42

[handwritten letter]
Bath N.H. 
May 9th 1850

Col. Hibbard
On the 22d April, among other cases I forwarded you a request to call on the Com'r of Pensions for the certificates in the case of Sarah Erwin widow of John Erwin for a Pension under law July  7, 1838 &c and Feby 2d, 1848 to which I have rec'd no reply - This case has been before the Dept. ever since April 1845, was allowed Feby 19, 1850, but the issuing of her certificates suspended until a declaration under act Feby 2d 1848 was adduced - this was obtained and forwarded to Com'r of Pensions Mar. 11, 1850 - I know of no reason for this apparently unnecessary delay - If the certificates have not been forwarded you before you receive this, for God's sake do me the favor to see Mr. Edwards personally and get them or let me know the necessity of such merely executory matters remaining unaltered to - Can I be gratified in this matter or not? I hope my request may not
Page 43

[handwritten letter]
be deemed unreasonable - 
Yours Truly
/s/John Bedel

Hon. Henry Hibbard
House Reps.
Washington D.C.}
Page 44

Londonderry, Rockingham Co. 455.25
Pembroke, Merrimack Co 481.7
Chester Rockingham 455.23
Page 45

[handwritten letter]
Bath N.H. 
March 12, 1850

Sir
Agreeably to instructions in your letter to Hon. H. Hibbard of the 19th Feby 1850 in the case of Sarah Erwin, which is enclosed, I now herewith forward you the requisite Declaration under act, Feb 2d 1848 - 
I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Sert.
/s/John Bedel

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D.C.}
Page 46

[handwritten letter]
Bath N.H. County of Grafton April 21, 1845.

Sir
Enclosed I send you the Declaration of Sarah Erwin, I can but believe from the apparent correctness of her statement that her husband served as set forth, but whether his service was sufficient to entitle her to a pension I am unable to conclude.
The object of this declaration is to ascertain whether her statement is substantiated by your records in part or wholly if any you have of her husband's service, and if so whether that service entitles his widow to a pension before she is to any farther expense to furnish proof in corroboration by her statement. Would it be ['agre' crossed out] in accordance with the regulation of your department to advise me immediately upon ascertaining how the facts may be, so that I may furnish whatever necessary proof may be required as soon as possible - 
I am Very Respectfully Your Humb. Obt. Svt.
/s/John Bedel 

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City D.C. }
Page 47

Hon J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 48

[handwritten letter]
Bath N.H. Aug. 2, 1845

Sir
Enclosed herewith I direct to you in the of Widow of Sarah Erwin the certificate of the Secy. of State of the service of John Erwin found in his office; together with the affidavit of Abner Hogg in support of his first term of service in 1777 under Colonel Scammel (Scammell) & Capt. Livermore, as to the length of that term of service, as the Secy. informs me that the time of John Erwin's discharge from said Co. cannot be found; from Hogg's affidavit it would appear that Erwin remained as late at least as the 5th day of July 1777 whether he remained longer or not I am as yet unable to ascertain - 
It does not appear under what Captain or Colonel he served in 1781, but that he was one of the six months' Levies to recruit the Continental Army & served according to his engagement 4 mo. & 25 day until discharged, and as I understand his Widow is entitled to six months pension for this term of service, as other persons in this vicinity who served the same year in the same service but 3 mo & 22 days, now draw for six months as I am told - Showing conclusively to my mind that that description of troops are pensioned for six months - In the same case, I forward the letter of the Town Clerk of Chester and the Certificate of marriage of the Town Clerk of Pembroke. 
In the case of Ruth Smith I forward you the Certificate of the Superior Court of New Hampshire
Page 49

[handwritten letter]
In the case of Anna Eastman I forward the Certificate of marriage of the Town Clerk of Pembroke. Also a letter containing papers relative to Moody Bedel services - 
All which are respectfully submitted - 
I am, Very Respectfully Your Obt. Sert.
/s/John Bedel 

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.}
Page 50

J. L. Edwards letter Feby 19, 1850
Sarah Erwin's Claim
Page 51

[handwritten letter]
Pension Office
February 19, 1850

Sir:
Agreeably to your request a reexamination of the claim of Sarah Erwin, widow of John Erwin, under Act 7th July, 1838, has been made and the claim allowed. 
Before certificates of Pension can be issued. she should make a declaration, und act 2d February, 1848. 
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant, 
/s/J. L. Edwards

Hon. H. Hibbard H. Rep's}
Page 52

[handwritten letter]
(Copy)"Bath New Hamp.
June 4th 1849

Sir - 
Your communication of the 28th ult'o in the case of Sarah Erwin, Widow of John Erwin, has been rec'd by me, and in order to correct some of two palpable errors or misconceptions of the evidence in this case, I take the earliest opportunity to point them out, and most respectfully to remonstrate against the decision contained in your letter - 
In the first place you say that it would appear the Secy's certificate that there were several soldiers from our State engaged in the Revolutionary War bearing the name of John Erwin - One of whom were paid Bounty and depreciation money by the Town of Londonderry - One belonged to Chester and contributed by the Town of Pembroke, and one from Concord - 
The service performed by John Erwin belonging to Chester for Pembroke in 1781, 4 months and 25 days you allow - the matter of identity is settled this far, although claimant's husband was hired by the Town of Pembroke - Not the slightest evidence has been introduced of the service of any one of the name of John Erwin of Concord; and I am at a loss to account for this statement in your letter, unless it has arisen from a total misconception if that part of the Secy's certificate extracted from Page 83 Vol 4 of the Army Rolls returned from the War Office Jany 1841 - this appears to be a statement of the number of soldiers that the Town of Pembroke in the settlement of her claim against the State or United States for military services in the Revolution, claimed to have furnished for the continental service being 16 in all at different times - now the simple explanation of the insertions of Towns names against some of the soldiers names, is that their services were claimed by other towns than Pembroke - thus Wm Simpson's service was claimed by Nottingham, but the claim was, decided in favor of Pembroke and Nottingham erased - John Cook's service was claimed by Dover but it was decided in favor of Pembroke and Dover erased.
Page 53

[handwritten letter]
Thomas Shaw's service was claimed by Pembroke, Allenstown, Portsmouth and Greenland, but the claim was decided in favor of Allenstown and the name of Thos. Shaw erased under the head of Pembroke and Portsmouth & Greenland erased - John Minot's service was claimed by Concord and the claim decided in its favor and John Minot crossed out under the head of Pembroke, so that out of the first 7 that Pembroke claimed to have furnished she was allowed but 5 previous to the 6 mo. Levies in 1781, ['in the' crossed out] and those 4 included in the bracket appear to be the same men that are named in the extract from the Pay Roll of the six month levies in 1781, in the Secy's Certificate just preceding, and their names there occur in the same order & Does not this explanation sufficiently identify the John Erwin of Chester, John Erwin of Pembroke & John Erwin as you allege, of Concord with the claimant's husband? This, as it appears to me, must carry convictions, beyond civil that they are one and the same person - Before treating the service contributed by Londonderry I wish to set matters in their proper light relative to that part of your  letter where you say "No claim for the service of John Erwin in 1782 has been set up in this case" This to be sure is most unquestionably correct, for to my knowledge no pretence has been set up by claimant, that her husband ever performed any service in 1782, and why this should be, to all appearance, thrown in as objectionable matter to her claim is matter of surprize to me, and I cannot but consider this another error arising from the same extract, from Page 83 Vol. 4 where Pembroke claimed for the service of 5 men viz: Ezek. Flanders Jr mustered by Capt. E. Frye Aug. 10, 1782, Enoch Swett Orphin French & Robert Cochran mustered Aug. 14, 17812 & Moses Rowell mustered Sept. 4, 1782 - This muster of 1782 by Cap. E. Frye most obviously has no reference whatever to any of the soldiers named in that extract other than the 5 last abovenamed -
Page 54

[handwritten letter]
Evidence that John Erwin of Chester was mustered in Capt. Livermore's Co. Scammel's (Scammell) Regt. and paid a State bounty in March 1777 has been introduced, but no evidence upon record of service in that Co. being found the affidavit of Abner Hogg was introduced declaring that said John Erwin of Chester did serve to his knowledge at Ticonderoga with him as late as the 5th of July 1777, after which he had no recollection of seeing him, but you have taken it upon yourself most are qualifiedly to say that Mr. Hogg's recollections of his service to some time in July 1777 is an error, that he was in the same company with Mr. Hogg would appear to be an error, and still it has been made to appear that he was in service as stated by Mr. Hogg; for by the "account of money paid by the Town of Londonderry to soldiers in the Continental service hired by said Town" it appears that he enlisted in 1777, was paid a Town Bounty in April 1777 and depreciation for 1778 on the 23d & 29th of March 1779 - This you say clearly shows that the John Erwin proved to have belonged to Capt. Eliphalet Daniels Co. in 1777 & 1778 belonged to the Town of Londonderry. 
This I have always considered as clearly showing that the John Erwin that was paid a Town Bounty of Londonderry did not belong to that Town for the very heading of the account states that he was hired by said Town, and not raised out of, or contributed from the inhabitants of Londonderry - If I am in an error about this, allow me to call your particular attention to the heading of his account, for its very language shows that Londonderry in making up her quota of continental troops in 1777 was under the necessity of hiring soldiers not inhabitants of her own Town, and paying a bounty in order to induce them to enlist into the continental service - And this was a matter of every day occurrance in those times that tried men's souls - This practice of hiring soldiers out of Town is even exemplified in this very case by the Town of Pembroke hiring John Erwin of Chester in 1781, and this taken in connection with the facts that there was "John Erwin of Chester, that Mr. Hogg states that he was in service in 1777 as late as July, that he is proved to have been enlisted and mustered in March 1777, and is found serving in Capt. Eliphalet Daniels' Company in Sept. 1777, that Chester is an adjoining town of Londonderry, it appears to me is very
Page 55

[handwritten letter]
satisfactory evidence of the identity required to be established in this case - And therefore I cannot admit that "Upon this point the proof now furnished is altogether defective" - 
If after an examination of the errors pointed out more proof identity shall be required you will please advise me, for I can but consider the question of the identity of claimant's husband with the John Erwin hired by Londonderry as the only material issue in this case - 
I am Very respectfully Your Obt. Sert.
/s/John Bedel 

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D.C.}"
Page 56

State of New Hampshire, 
Office of Secretary of State
[state 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 John Erwin is borne upon a "Muster Roll of Captain Daniel Livermore Company in Col'o Alexander Scammels (Scammell) Regt. raised by the State of New Hampshire for the Continental Service - 
 - Muster'd & paid by Wm. White Must'r Mast'r March 1777" - Paid a "State Bounty" £20. On said Muster Roll is the following "Pursuant to Orders I have mustered and paid the Men in this Roll the several sums set against each mans name and they were all able Bodied effective men 
/s/William White Mus't Mast.
Copy Ex'd ex'o  /s/P. Boyer jr" 
And I further certify, That the name of John Ervin (Erwin) is borne upon a petition, now in this office, of which the following is a true copy
"State of New-Hampshire
Rockingham ss} To the hon'ble The Council & House of Representatives for said State now sitting at Portsmouth
The Petition of us the Soldiers belonging to the Company commanded by Capt. Eliphalet Daniel (Daniels), stationed at Fort Sullivan within the state aforesaid, humbly sheweth. That your petitioners enlisted in said Company (at a time when every necessary of LIfe was to be procured with ease, and at a moderate price) for the inconsiderable Wages of Forty one shillings p. month, and a small bounty* That since almost all the articles of life has risen to an amazing pitch - some to treble their former price - others to tenfold - & still higher. 
*Two dollars for blanket-money.
Page 57

add that the money is become of little Estimation, and for many of its most valuable purposes utterly useless. For these reasons, and many others, which will readily occur to your Honors - we humbly beg you would take our case into your imediate consideration and order such an Augmentation to our pay, as to your honor's wisdom & bounty shall seem adequate to our services to the expences of living; & and as a compensation for the extreme low, and insufficient pay he have hitherto rec'd as well as to encourage us to continue chearfully and of choice in this important service. And we will each as in duty bound, ever pray - 
Portsmouth Sept'r 23d, 1777 - "
Said Petition is signed by forty eight persons. 
And the name of John Ervine is borne upon "An Account of Money paid by the Town of Londonderry to Soldiers in the Continental Service, hired by said Town." And I do further certify, That the following is a true extract from said account - 
[4 untitled columns]
"1777 April|John Ervine inlisted 1777 Town Bounty|30..0..0|[blank]|
1779 Mar. 23|for depreciation 1778 - 21..0..0|[blank]|[blank]|
  "  29| - ditto - 26..10|47..0..10|77..0..10"|
[end of columns]
Said account is signed by John Moon" in behalf of the Selectmen of Londonderry"
And I further certify, That the name of John Ervin is borne upon a "Pay Roll for the six months men rais'd by the State of New-Hampshire to serve in Continental Army in the year 1781 - at West Point", and that the following is a true extract from said Pay Roll
[column headings: "Names|Place of Abode|Time when Mustered|Time when Discharged|Time in Service|Amo of wages at 40/|p|mo|Rec'd on order on the Treasurer|]
Sam'l Phelps|Pembroke|Pembroke|1781 July 27|Dec. 21|4.25|9.|13.|4|per order Rich'd Bartlett|
John Ervin|Chester|Pembroke| " 27| " 21|4.25|9.|13.|4|per order Rich'd Bartlett|
Joshua Phelps| " |Pembroke| " 27| " 11|4.15|9.|0.| - |per order Rich'd Bartlett|
Peter Whittemore| " |Pembroke| " 27| " 12|4.16|9.|1.|4|per order Rich'd Bartlett"|
[end of columns]
(over)
Page 58

And I further certify, That the following is a true extract from page 83, vol. 4. of the Army Rolls returned to this office from the War Office January 1841.
viz.
Pembroke
1. Wm. Simpson|['Nottingham' crossed out] in the Forage Department
2. Thos. Harvey
3. John Cook|['Dover' crossed out]
4. ['Thos Shaw' crossed out]|Allenstown ['Portsmouth Greenland' crossed out]
5. Jacob Doyne
6. ['John Mount' crossed out] Concord
7. John Lander |5
8 Sam'l Phelps s|6 mo.}
9. John Erwin s|6 mo.}
10. Joshua Phelps s|6 mo.}
11. Peter Whittemore s|6 mo.} 4
Muster'd by Cap. E. Frye'
1782 Aug 10. Ez'h Flanders Jun
  14 Enoch Swett
  14 Orphin French
  14 Robt Cochran
Sep. 4 Moses Rowel
[illegible] 41 - "
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, this 25th day of October, 1848. 
/s/Thomas P. Treadwell
Secretary of State
Page 59

[handwritten letter]
Extract from letter in case of Moody Bedel dec'd and Sarah Erwin as far as relates to Sarah Erwin's case - (J. Bedel Oct. 23d 1848)
"Pension Office,
September 13th 1845. 

Sir
The proof of the date of the marriage in the case of Sarah Erwin and of four months twenty five  days service in the Levies of 1782. is satisfactory; but the Muster rolls of Cap't Livermore, Col. Scammel (Scammell), commencing in November 1776, when the Reg't was Commissioned, do not credit her husband with a single days service. It appears that he was mustered in and paid £20 Bounty in March 1777, by the Muster Master; but neither the full records of the pay of every Officer & soldier in that company and Reg't at Concord, and of their service in this office afford any evidence of any service under that enlistment - Mr. Hogg's recollection of his serving to some time in July, is an error; as the June muster roll at Ticonderoga which not only gave the day of enlistment, &c of each officer and soldier of Livermore's Company for January, February, March and April & May who was then present; but also the sick, absent, deserted and dead, does not show that her husband then was or had been those months a member of that Company in service. No service can be allowed in Scammel's (Scammell) Reg't in 1777 which is not on the pay rolls at Concord or the Muster rolls of this Office - 
I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Sert.
(signed) J. L. Edwards

John Bedel, Esq
Bath New Hampshire" 
Over
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[handwritten letter]
Copy
"Pension Office
June 12, 1846. 

Sir
The certificate of the Secretary of the State of New-Hampshire exhibiting an account of money paid by the town of Londonderry to John Ervine for Bounty and depreciation, in the case of Sarah Erwin, should state the amount of service credited to that name on the Army ledger in his office, and also the company and regiment in which the service was rendered. In its present shape this certificate ['appears' crossed out] affords no evidence whatever of the service of Mrs. Erwin's husband, or that that service was rendered in Scammels' (Scammell) Regiment. 
It appears from the papers filed in this case that claimant's husband enlisted from the town of Pembroke. Very satisfactory evidence, therefore, will be required & identify her as the widow of John Ervine (Erwin) of Londonderry before she can be allowed a pension for any service that may be found credited to his name - 
The papers presented do not remove any of the objections heretofore pointed out - 
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant. 
(signed) J. L. Edwards

John Bedel Esq
Bath, New Hampshire"
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[handwritten letter]
Bath New Hamp.
Oct. 23d 1848

Sir
I trust you will pardon me for again troubling you in the case of Sarah Erwin of Piermont, for had I not the most unbounded confidence in the justice of her claim from her own statement I should be both to put myself to the expense and you to the trouble of again investigating your Revolutionary Documents. At her request I recently saw her and informed her of the result of her application as far as I had had any thing to do with it, and showed her the Commissioners letters (copies of which are enclosed for your guidance in a farther search) and asked her if she knew why John Erwin "enlisted from the town of Pembroke" she unhesitatingly replied that he did not enlist from the town of Pembroke, and did not live in the town of Pembroke but lived in Old Chester, and that in 1781 each town had to raise so many men out of their own town or hire them from some other town, and that her husband John Erwin and two men by the name of Phelps, a Jeremiah Abbott and a Mr. Hains all of Chester were hired by the s'd Pembroke to go for that town, and one reason that she gave for remembering this fact so distinctly, is, that she at that time was engaged to be married to said John Erwin and did not wish to have him go, but that he with the others did go and served his time most out, but for some reason he was discharged before his time was out - 
Please examine as to this matter of the Pembroke question and see if you find anything to corroborate or sustain her statement as to said Erwin's not being a resident of that town, but that he went for or enlisted for it instead of belonging to it
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[handwritten letter]
How it was as to his enlistment in 1777 she has no personal knowledge as she was then, as appears by record, but 13 years of age Nov. 19, 1776, and knew little or nothing of John Erwin or his services prior to his six months enlistment in 1781, but she thinks she has heard her husband state that he had enlisted or served a short time previous to that enlistment some where and that his parents and relatives were opposed to his going, but whether such were the fact or not she has no means of telling, nor whether it was in Scammel's (Scammell) Reg't or not. - 
Now what I desire is that you give everything in your Office that can possibly throw any light upon this case, or furnish any evidence of service of John Erwin from March 1777 to the time he  ['enlisted' crossed out] was discharged in 1781 in Scammel's (Scammell) Reg't or any other Reg't or company during that time, for it is not contended that he served either before or after these periods, for as appears from record he was born Sept. 18, 1858 [margin note: 7] and therefore could have been but 18 years of age in March 1777 just barely old enough to enlist, and if you find anything either explanatory of the question raised about Pembroke, or furnishing any evidence as to the service of John Erwin send me a certificate of it or a certified copy of the roll it is be a muster or pay roll so that they may have the who that can possibly be furnished, and also please attach this letter and the copies of the commissioners letters to your certificate so that the whole may be together - 
I do not expect any pay for my trouble in this case if you find nothing, but, as the old Lady is very poor, she has expressed some anxiety about her claim, and during my absence in Mexico has worried some considerable about it not fully understanding the reasons of her failure to success, and I now wish to convince her that I have done everything for her that I possible could, or all that could reasonably be expected of me under the circumstances,
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[handwritten letter]
and as I have already paid you for two certificates in this case you must be as reasonable in your bill as the labor of the case will admit - 
Enclosed I send you one dollar - 
I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Sert.
/s/John Bedel

Hon. Thos. P. Treadwell
Secy. of State 
Concord, N.H.}
Page 64

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAM-51 12-5-41 Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
NAME Erwin, John GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7098 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 1, 1790 To James McLaughlin, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.