Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 45013, for Joel Miles, Massachusetts
Page 1

[File folder]


SERVICE                                             NUMBER

Mass                 Miles, Joel               S 45013
Page 2

13. 353
New Hampshire
Joel Miles
of Cheshire Co in the State of N. Hamp
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Marshall of the Massachusetts
line, for the term of 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hamp
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22d of April 1818
Certficate of Pension issued the 7th of July 1819 and sent to Nahum Parker Esq
Fitz William
W.H.
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819  $83.43
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819 $48
10 mo 9/30 4/31  $131.43
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
not entitled
decision confirmed by [illegible]
23d Feby 1821-
Informed
Nov. 6. 1821
that he could not
be re-instated

No. See letter
to Nahum Parker
9 Novr 1822
notification
sent July 17. 1820 to
illegible]
New Hampshire
Joel Miles
Page 3

I Levi Graves of Westminster in the County of
Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say, that in the War of the Revolution on or about
the latter part of May Anno Domini 1778 I left said [illegible] in company with Joel Miles now of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and we arrived at West Point on the seventh day of June in the same year, and on said seventh day of June aforesaid I enlisted and said [illegible]
& we were engaged in the land service of the
United States on the Continental establishment, and we served accordingly from that time to the seventh day of March Anno Domini 1779. as privates against the Common Enemy without any interruption, or absence that we belonged Capt Warner's Company in Colo Marshalls Regiment and Gen. Patterson's Brigade in the Massachusetts line and that we left the service on the said seventh day of March,
[the next bit is an overlapping paper]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
WORCESTER, SS.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts
holden within and for said County of Worcester certify, that Alexander Dustin, Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit has been 
made, is a Justice of the Peace within and
for said County, duly qualified for
the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name
subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County
seal, this twelfth day of May, A. D. 1819.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk

Application of Joel Miles
Page 4

I Levi Graves of Westminster in the County of
Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say, that in the War of the Revolution on or about
the latter part of May Anno Domini 1778 I left said [illegible] in company with Joel Miles now of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and we arrived at West Point on the seventh day of June in the same year, and on said seventh day of June aforesaid I enlisted and said [illegible]
& we were engaged in the land service of the
United States on the Continental establishment, and we served accordingly from that time to the seventh day of March Anno Domini 1779. as privates against the Common Enemy without any interruption, or absence that we belonged Capt Warner's Company in Colo Marshalls Regiment and Gen. Patterson's Brigade in the Massachusetts line and that we left the service on the said seventh day of March, which time we were discharged and returned together to Westminster aforesaid; and during said to said Miles was constantly in
the same mess with me and I know that he
continued in the said service in said Company
during said term - Levi Graves
Worcester SS August 10th 1818. Personally appeared Levi Graves above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me.
Alexr Dustin Jus of the Peace
Page 5

Worcester SS Augt 10, 1818. I hereby certify that
within named Levi Graves is a man whom [illegible] for truth is undoubted
Austin Justice of the Peace
Page 6

I John Joslin of Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged sixty years testify and say, that, in the War of the revolution in March 1777 I enlisted in the Company commanded by Captain William Warner of the Regiment of Infantry in the
and land service of the United State on the Continental establishment Commanded by Col. Thomas Marshal in the Massachusetts line that I did the duty of a Sargeant in said Company; and that about the first of June in the year A.D. 1778 Joel Miles now resident in Fitzwilliam
in said County enlisted into said Company & Regiment for the term of nine months and served as a private in said Company and Regiment as a good and faithful
Solden from about the first of June 1778 without any intermission or absence until about the first of March 1779 when his nine months service was ended at which time he was honourably discharged from said
service and I further testify that I am not interested in what I have testified to and further saith not.
John Joslin
State of Newhampshire
Cheshire ss. May 3d 1819 ⎬ Personally appeared John Joslin above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit which he signed in my presence
Before me, Nahum Parker, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
State of N.H. 
Cheshire ss, May 24th 1819
I hereby certify that John Joslin who has this
day subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a man of good name & fair reputation and and well known to me, and entitled to full faith and credit as a witness in and out of Court, and I believe him in no way interested in what he has testified to in said affidavit
Nahum Parker, Judge of
Court Common Pleas

I Salma Hale Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Cheshire, hereby certify, that the Hon. Nahum Parker, whose proper hand is above subscribed, is one of the Justices of said Court, duly commissioned, and that no particular impression is used as a seal by said Court.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed a seal in usual
form as used by said Court, this 24th day of May, A. D. 1819
S. Hale
Page 7

I Joel Miles named in the declaration to which
this is annexed in addition to my former declaration testify and declare that I served as stated in said declaration in the Company commanded by Captain Warner and the Regiment commanded by Col Marshal
State of Newhampshire
Cheshire ss
Be it rembered that on this 24th day of April A.D. 1819 Personally appeared before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Cheshire aforesaid
the above named Joel Miles and made oath to
the foregoing additional declaration and subscribed the same in my presence
Nahum Parker
I Nahum Parker, Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above named Joel Miles is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support
April 24th 1819 Nahum Parker
Page 8

Joel Miles
Declaration
[illegible]
Massachusetts Line
1778 - 9 months
[crossed out]
The applicant must
State the name of his 
colonel. Wanting the
judge's certificate of the [illegible] 
of the applicants services must be provided. [end of crossed out text]
Adm/ for 9 mo. service
in Marshalls mass. regt.
Page 9

I Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire & State of Newhampshire, Testify and declare that I served in the war of the revolution on the Continental establishment that I entered said service as a private in
the third Company in the tenth Regiment in the Massachusetts line about the last of May Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight for the term of nine months and served in said Company and Regiment until the end of said term of nine months and about the last of Febuary Anno Domini
one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine I was discharged but my discharge is lost and that from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for support
Joel Miles
State of Newhampshire
Cheshire SS
Be it [illegible] that on this twenty second day of April A.D. 1888 pursuant to a law of the United States entitled an act to provide for
certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war made and passed the 18th of March 1818 personally appears before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Cheshire aforesaid the above named Joel Miles and after examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth he maketh Oath to the declaration aforesaid and subscribed the same in my presence and on examination duly made before the said Judge it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is
true
Nahum Barker
I Salma Hale Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Cheshire hereby certify that the Hon Nahum Parker whose proper hand is above subscribed is one of the Justices
of said Court duly commissioned and that no particular impression is used as a seal by said Court
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed a Seal in form as used by said Court this 26th day of June A.D. 1818
S. Hale
Page 10

I John Joslin of Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire in State of Newhampshire of lawful age testify and say that that I served in the war of the Revolution on the continental establishment for the term of three years from
the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven until the year seventeen hundred and eighty in the third Company of the tenth Regiment in the Massachusetts line. I did the duty of a sar't in said Company and that in may or June seventeen hundred & seventy eight
the within named Joel Miles joined said Company and Regiment as a recrute for nine months and and served said term in said Company and Regiment when he was discharged and further saith not
John Joslin
Stat of Newhampshire
Cheshire April 22, 1818 Then the above
named John Joslin made oath to the truth
of the foregoing affidavit before me
Nahum Parker, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the said count
Joel Miles
Declaration
private
Page 11

Joel Miles
for re-consideration
Page 12

'---
STATE OF NEWHAMPSHIRE.
CHESHIRE COUNTY SS.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
On this 26th day of Sept 1820 personally appeared in open court - 
being a court of record for said county, proceeding according to the course
of the common law, having a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping a
record of its proceedings, Joel Miles
aged sixty three years, resident in Fitzwilliam
in said county, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: in order to obtain the provision of the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the first of May 1820
that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows viz he enlisted towards the last of May or fist of June 1778 for the term of nine
months in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Capt Warren in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Marshall in
the line of the State of Massachusetts Infantry on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in said corps until the said
term of nine months [crossed out]expired was fully completed when he was discharged
from the said service in West point in the State of New York
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the twenty second
day of April 1818 The number of my pension certificate is 13,553 And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818: and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled ""An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war,” passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor
has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me;
nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and
by me subscribed, and that on the first Tuesday of July 1820 exhibited in open Court being said Court of Common Pleas
a schedule of my property and made a declaration in persuance of the act of Congress of the first of May 1820 that I received a letter from the War Department No 13.553 pension
office dated 17th July 1820 signed J L Edwards informing me there my name was directed to be stricken from the pension list -  that in said schedule exhibited in July last certain
real estate was put down and appraised as my property and debts put down to be deducted therefrom which I was told was the correct way
[illegible]
Page 13

Whereas I then owned nothing but the right to redeem said estate which was mortgaged, that as soon as it was
known my name was stricken from the pension
list my creditors called on me and I was under the necessity of selling my right of redemption in said real estate which I could sell for $70 only and discharged so much that I owed and my property is now reduced to the schedule annexed by the aforesaid reason. That my family consists of three persons viz myself whose history and present state of body
and ability to labor are as followeth, when in the service as above stated after the army returned to Winter quarters at West Point I worked many days in the wet and cold taking up the chain that had been put across the Hudson River by which means I took
cold which settled into my right by so that it was by spells lame ever after, but not so as to hinder my labor untill I wrenched my ankle about 28 years ago when an abscess formed in my ankle by which I was confined for two years when it healed up leaving my right foot turned out so that when I set it down it is at about at right angles with my other foot and the ankle stiff that then an abscess formed in my right arm which left the elbow stiff
that an abscess forms in my ankle once
in about three years when I must have it opened and am wholly confined for above three months when heals up and I can walk with a staff until another abscess collects, that my confinement my disability to
labor and my expense to Physicians and Surgeons have been such that although I have received much from charity within the 27 years last past yet I was
Page 14

much from charity within the 27 years last past yet I was obliged first to mortgage one half of the small farm which I owned at the time. I first was confined which I could never redeem, then I was compelled to mortgage the other half which is the land mentioned in my former schedule and now that also is gone. And that my health is poor besides my lameness so that I am unable to do much labor, unable to labor enough at my occupation which is farming to support myself and must depend on public or private charity. My wife Mary Miles aged 59 years by reason of the great fatigue she has had in (illegible) with and attending her husband in his sickness wh is so worn down that she cannot do more than one half so much labor as she could in prime of life although she may be said to enjoy as good health as most women of her age, And Louise Miles aged 17 years she went to Boston and was hired out. Last year she was taken sick which subjected me to considerable expense. She recovered so far that I had her brot home and she can now do about half as much work as before she was sick altho now she can support herself in the way we live. And the reason that I was not more particular in my declaration and inventory exhibited to Court in July last above alluded to was that I was told there I should be continued on the list and that it was unnecessary-and from what others send and my having lived so much on charity and knowing my own indigent circumstances I was (illegible) into it having no written writing to refer to I stated in my declaration in July last that I enlisted in 1779 wherever on further reflection I believe that to be an error that 1778 was the year in which I enlisted.
Joel Miles
Page 15

SCHEDULE
Of the whole estate (necessary clothing and being excepted) and income of Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire and State of Newhampshire, Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of May 1st 1820. and March 18, 1818.

one cow $13.00
Two old plows  3.00
one old Cart  2.50
one single sleigh  3.00
old harness  1.00
two old cyder barrels  0.67
One pitchfork  0.12
two old spinning wheels  0.75
one cheese press  0.50
carried up $25.54

brought up $25.54
1 draugh chain  1.00
old horse trow  0.60
crocery ware  0.75
brown earthern  0.36
one pail 0.06
iron ware 2.00
shovel & tongs  0.42
three chairs  0.36
one table 0.44
one chest 0/10
Total $31.63

Joel Miles

Joel Miles
For re-consideration
Page 16

Sworn to and declared at Charlestown in said County, on the 26th day of September 1820 before Elisha Huntley, Judge of said Court.
I, Salma Hale, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Cheshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty one dollars and sixty three cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 23d day of October, A. D. 1820
S. Hale
Page 17

November 21, 1934

BA-J/MCS
Joel Miles, S. 45013

Mrs. Margaret Leonard
Henning Hotel
Casper, Wyoming

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Joel Miles who served in the Revolutionary War.
The date which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim S. 45013, based upon the military service of Joel Miles.
At the commencement of the Revolution he lived in Concord, Massachusetts, and was one of the minutemen who were in the battle of Lexington. soon afterward he enlisted and served eight months and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, no further details of this service given. He next served five months and was stationed at Dorchester Heights. He then served three months, went to Rhode Island and was in the battle at Boston Neck. He next served one month at the time of capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted in May or June, 1778 and served nine months as private in Captain Warner's Company in Colonel Marshall's Tenth Massachusetts regiment after which he returned to Westminster, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 22, 1818, at which time he was living in Fitzwilliam, Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
In 1820 he stated that he was sixty three years of age and was living in Fitzwilliam, Massachusetts. In that year he referred to his wife Mary, aged fifty-ine years, his son Noah, aged twenty-two and his daughter, Louisa, aged seventeen. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive  Assistant to the Administrator

(hand written note: Soldier's death not in Agency Book)
Page 18

Joel Miles
13.353

Real estate
Schedule
$134.27
(Sept. 1819)

Not entitled
Page 19

STATE OF NEWHAMPSHIRE
Cheshire County SS
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

On this fourth day of July 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for said county, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping a record of its proceedings, Joel Miles aged sixty three years, resident in Fitzwilliam in said County who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary was as follows: That he was at Lexington fight and at the battle of Bunker hill-that in the year 1779 I enlisted into Capt. Warner's Company, Col. Marshall Regt. & Pattersons Brigade in the Massachusetts line & on the continental establishment for nine months & served my term of enlistment & was then discharged. That my discharge has been (illegible) lost.
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the 22d day of April 1818. the number of my pension certificate is 13353.
and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent so  to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary was," passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. that my family consists of my wife aged as aforesaid by occupation a farmer-that by reason of a lameness in my right leg and arm I am not able to do any thing toward & gaining a subsistence. Mary Miles my wife aged fifty nine years in good health for her age-Noah Miles my son aged 22 years who supports himself & Louisa Miles my daughter aged 17 years able to support herself.
That in addition to the debts due to said Robeson in said schedule mentioned I am indebted to (illegible) in the sumof $265.00 or more and that I have no debts due to me.
Joel Miles
Sworn to and declared at Keene in said County, on the fourth day of July 1820 before R. Vose, Judge of said Court

(seal)
I, Salma Hale, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Cheshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule is $134 dollars and 27 cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this eighth day of July A. D. 1820.
S. Hale
Page 20

SCHEDULE 
Of the whole estate (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) and income of Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire and State of Newhampshire, Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of May 1st 1820.

Real estate-one undivided half of 80 acres of land in said Fitzwilliam worth $245. & subject to an encumbrance of $150.00 to Jonas
 Robeson................$95.00
1 Cow..............7.50
1 old card...........3.00
1 ploughs............2.00
1 pitchfork.............  .17
1 chain & trows  1.00
6 chairs-old..........1.00
4 spinning wheels  1.75
hollow war........2.00
crockery & glass ware...........1.00
table.....................    .75
coopers ware..............l.50
loom & gun.............2.00
Earthen ware............     .50
cheese press...............    .50
sleigh & harness.............4.00
shovel & tongs...............    .50
$134.27

Joel Miles
Page 21

Joel Miles
N. Hampshire
served 9 mos. in 1778 

(left side of page)
1st sched. exhibits-real estate-viz: an undivided 1/2 of 80 acres land valued at $250 ($245 crossed out) subject to an incumbrance of $150 leaving a balance of $95. Personal property viz: 1 cow $17, one old cart $3., 2 ploughs $2., 1 pitchfork 17 cts, 1 chain & trow $1., 6 old chairs $l., 4 spinning wheels $1.75, hollow ware $2., crockery & glassware $1., Table .75 cts, coopers ware $1.50, Loom & gun $2., earthen ware .60 cts, cheese press .50 cts, old sleigh & harness $4., shovel & tongs .50 cts. In all $134.27
Aged 65 yrs-unable to gain a subsistence by reason of lameness in his ankle & elbow which lameness is of long continuance. Wife aged 61 in good health for her age. Son Noah 24 healthy, daughter Louisa 19 healthy.
Restored 1st Apl. 1823
off. 17 July 1829 application for restoration 26th Sept. 1820 & approved by the Secy of War 23 Feby, 1827
Rejected & informed 6 Nov. 1821 that he could not be reinstated. and again by letter to Nahum Parker the 9 Nov. 1822

2d sched. exhibits only personal property viz:
1 cow $13., 2 old ploughs $3.,  1 old cart 2.50, 1 sleigh $3. (over)

(right side of page)
old harness $1., 2 old (illegible/torn)
1 pitchfork . 12 cts, 2 old spinning wheels .75 cts, 1 cheese press .50, 2 large spinning wheels $1., 1 draft chain $1., old horse trows .60 cts. crockery war .75 cts, brown earthen 36 cts, 1 pail 6 cts Iron ware $2. shovel & tongs .42 cts 3 chain .36 cts 1 table 44 cts 1 chest 10 cts Total $31.63.
=The son ( 24 yrs. old) mentioned in 1st sched. is omitted in the 2nd one.
=States since his name was stricken from the roll he has been compelled to sell his equity & redemption in the land exhibited in 1st sched. to pay debts & that now he has no property on such included in this sched.
=The selectmen of Fitzwilliam certify that applicants property is "very, very scanty"-that he has been exempted from poll tax for the last 20 yrs. & that he has lived in a considerable (illegible) on charity for support. This paper signed by the selectmen is dated 22d August 1820.
=Applicant in an affidavit taken before Nahum Parker Esq. the 12 Oct 1822 swears that he was then unable to support himself & that he cannot walk without the aid of crutches except at time with a staff.
=Justice certifies to the credibility &c. of the affiant.
Agent
Nahum Parker Esqr
Fitzwilliam N. H.
Page 22

State of Newhampshire
Cheshire Ss
I Nahum Parker one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do certify that Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam to whose declaration this certificate is annexed lives in the same town with me, and has for about thirty years, for a number of years perhaps twenty he has live partly on charaty altho he owned some property which property was as it appears nearly (illegible) when he receive a pension and it is my opinion that he cannot support himself and family in future without assistance some source either public or private.
Nahum Parker
Page 23

This may certify that I have been acquainted with Mr. Mr. Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam County of Cheshire State of Newhampshire (late a Revolutionary pensioner) for seven years last past, that he has a stiff ankle & a stiff elbow and is in a very poor state of health unable to do but very little if any labour.
Amasa Scott , Sergn

Cheshire Ss Augt. 19th, 1820
Personally appeared Doct. Amasa Scott the above signer and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true before me
Ebenr. Wright Just. Peace
Page 24

This certifies that we the subscribers have been acquainted with Mr. Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire an applicant for a pension under an act of Congress of May the 1st 1820.
That he has been a feeble lame man for many years having one stiff ancle and one stiff elbow and really unable to perform labour; his Poll has been exempted from taxes for twenty years and his other property is very very scanty and has lived in a considerable measure on the charity of the people.
John J. Allen
Robinson Perkins
Joel Hayden
Selectmen of Fitzwilliam
Page 25

This may certify that I Ebenz. Wright of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire & State of Newhampshire have been intimatly acquainted with Mr. Joel Miles of sd. Fitzwilliam (late a revolutionary pensioner) for twenty eight years last past, that by reason of a (illegible) Habit he has one stiff ancle and one stiff elbow, that (illegible) have and do frequently collect which require opening on or near his jointe which make him (illegible) lame--his is in a very poor state of bodily health, he has not been able to perform one sixth part of a mans labour for twenty seven years last past I have been his steady Physician.
Ebenz. Wright M. D. 

Cheshire Ss . Sept. 4th 1820
Personally appeared Ebenz. Wright the above signer and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true.
Before me. R. Perkins, Justice of the peace

This may certify that I consider the above named Ebenezer Wright a creditable witness and disinterested.
R. Perkins Justice peace
Page 26

Joel Miles
for Reconsideration

Recd. 5 Nov. 1821

Sept. 1819
Page 27

Fitzwilliam October 26, 1821
Sir, Joel Miles of this town, was under the act of the 18 of March 1818 place on the pension list of the U. S. Roll of the N. H. agency.
In July 1820 he in conformity to the Act of 1st of May 1820 exhibited a schedule of his property in Court &c. On the 17 of July 1820 notice was sent from the War Office that on account of his property his name was directed to be stricken from the pension list. On his receiving that notice he was oblidged to part with most of his property to pay his debts being then in actual indigent circumstances he in Sept 1820 exhibited a schedule of his property and made a new declaration in open Court, on the 23 of Feby 1821 notice was given from the War office that his name could not be reinstated on the Pension list. The Act of the 18 of March 1818 makes provision for the Citizen who is or hereafter by reason of his reduced circumstances in life shall be &c. If then he came within the provision of the two acts when he made his declaration in Sept. 1820 it appears to me that he is in the same situation as tho he had never been on the pension list (except the necessity of proving his service) I have seen the opinion of the Attorney General but if I understand
Page 28

it, it does not apply to this case, but only to cases where new evidence is obtained respecting his circumstances at the time the first schedule was made. I wish you to refer this case to the Secy. of War and after having his opinion to have the goodness to inform me of the result, if he cannot under the existing acts be placed on the pension list, I wish you to inform me of the reasons so that he may the better now how to lay his case before Congress at the aproaching session. In his case as made out in his declaration in Sept. 1820 there is no exaggeration. I know the man, he is now under the care of a surgeon with his sinofulous ancle and unless he has help from some other source he must have help from the town. Since he was placed on the pension list people have done bestoing charity on him under the (illegible) that government has made provision for him, the cold hand of charity is cold, and the man is in want.
Respectfully yours
Nahum Parker

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 29

free

J. C. Calhoun
Secy. of War
Pension Office, Washington City

Fitzwilliam N H.
Nov. 2, 1822

for reconsideration
Rec'd 7 Nov.1822
Page 30

Fitzwilliam October 12 1822
Sir
Joel Miles whose name was on the 17 July 1820 directed to be stricken rom the Pension list Roll of the Newhampshire agency made application to be restored to the Pension list. We received an answer to their second application in the following words dated Pension Office Nov. 6, 1821. 
I am directed by the Secretary of war to inform you that he has reconsidered your claim to a continuance of the pension under the acts of Congress providing for Revolutionary Officers and Soldiers and although the amount of your property is small, yet as your service was very short and you have already rec'd as a pension a considerable sum, he does not consider you entitled on principals of equity to the provision of the law you name cannot therefore be reinstated on the pension list.
I did not understand by the acts of Congress of 18th of March 1818 and 1st May 1820 that the length of service made any difference provided the claimant served nine months. I therefore told those whose declarations I took, that it was of no use to state more services than would bring them within the law. Miles believes is case is not understood, he has therefore made out a statement of his services, and wishes you to reconsider his case for if his case is to be decided on premisses of equity his other services altho not in the Continental army should be taken into account, it will be found he served his Country in the Revolutionary war more than two years, that he was in the battles; that he was disabled in the service as he states. I have no doubt for in addition to his being a man of undoubted veracity he more than 20 years ago when asking for (illegible) told me the same story but his injury was of such a nature that he could not make sufficient proof to be placed on the Invalid pension list. If there is one of the Revolutionary soldiers
Page 31

within my knowledge who on principles of equity is entitled to a pension it is Joel Miles. I believe his case comes within the law.
I am Very respectfully
Your obt. servant
Nahum Parker

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Page 32

I Joel Miles of Fitzwilliam County of Cheshire State of Newhampshire late a pensioner of the United States do testify and declare that when the Revolutionary war commenced I lived in Concord Mass. and was one of the minute Company followed the enemy that came out to Concord was in the battle at Lexington when the reinforcement came up. I then enlisted for eight months was in the battle of Bunker Hill served out eight months, then enlisted for five months was stationed on Dorchester highth after that term was out I enlisted and went to Rhode Island for three months was in a battle on an Island ^or tung of land^ called Boston neck then enlisted and went to meet Burgoyne was out one month, afterwards enlisted for nine months in the Continental Army and towards the close of said nine months service received an injury in taking up the chain across the North River which has been the cause of my difficulty. I have been more affected by it as I have grown older and am now wholy unable to obtain a living by mannual labor cannot walk with a staff some times an reduced to crutches and am destitute of property, and that the schedule I exhibed in Court under the act of May 1 1820 was made out by a young man who was not aquainted with the (illegible) and I was led into an error and returned property which I ought not to have done which error my second shedule corrected.
Joel Miles (signature)

State of Nehampshire
Cheshire Ss October 12, 1822
Sworn to before Nahum Parker Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named Joel Miles is a person of truth and good character.
Naum Parker Justice of the Peace
Page 33

45013
Revy. INVALID

File No. 45013
Joel Miles
Priv. Rev. War

Act 18th March 1818
Indes: Vol. 3 Page 340

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 34

May 11 1897 History to Miss Kate E. Bradley
Olean, N. Y.

1924 Nov. 21 hist. to Mrs. Margaret Leonard
M.C.S.
Page 35

Postal Card
(stamped: Washington D. C. May 18)
United States of America   (postage stamp image)

Mr. H. Clay E (illegible)
Commission of Pensions
Dept. of the Interior
Washington D. C. 

(Stamped-Pension Office B. May 29 1897)
Page 36

Your most satisfactory letter with facts concerning my revolutionary ancestor Joel Miles received. I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the information. It seemed like a "voice from the past". I spoke in my former letter of a possible fee for such information but you say nothing in reply. So again, please accept my hearty thanks.
Truly Yours, Kate E. Bradley Olean New York.
Page 37

33 Laurens St. Olean N.Y.
Department of Pensions
I am desirous of learning if there is a Revolutionary soldier on the Pension List by name Joel Miles. I am told that he for many years received a pension as a Rev. soldier. I shall be glad to pay the fee if there is one to be paid for a search of the records to ascertain this fact. He lived
Page 38

in several New England States & I do not know from which he enlisted. It would be well to look in this order: Vermont, New Hampshire, Conn, Rhode Is. and Mass.
Hoping to hear favorably
Truly yours
Kate E. Bradley
April 16th '97
Olean N. Y.

(stamped-Old War & Navy Files Apr 22 1897_
(stamped-U. S. Pension Office Apr 20 1897)
Page 39

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.\
O. W. & N. Div.
Revolutionary

L. W. B.
I. 45013

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington D. C.
May 11, 1897

Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning Joel Miles, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on August 10, 1818, at which time he was 61 years of age and residing at Westminster, Mass., and his pension was allowed for nine months actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Warner and Col. Marshall. He enlisted in Cheshire County, Mass.
Very respectfully 
Commissioner

Miss Kate E. Bradley
Olean, N. Y.
Page 40

Henning Hotel
Casper, Wyoming
November 9, 1934

(stamped-Received Nov 13 1934-Mail sub-Div-illegible)

Mr. Winfield Scott, 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
One Joel Miles, born Nov. 29th 1755, died Dec. 25, 1843 (probaby both at Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire) was a pensioner from the Revolutionary War--I should like to have his service record if possible. I shall be very grateful if you will write me concerning it.

Yours very truly,
Margaret Leonard (signature)
(Mrs.) Margaret Leonard