Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17754, Jabez Elwell, Mass.
Page 1

Service   Number
Mass. Elwell, Jabez W. 17754 Thankful
Page 2

Vermont 3087.
Thankful Elwell , - 
widow of Jabez Elwell, decd. -
Mass        3
who died on the 17 April 1817, -
of Bennington in the State of Vermont 
who was a priv. & corpl. in the company commanded by Captain Warren - of the regt. commanded by Col. Helen in Mass. 
line for 9 m. 10 ds corpl.  
           10 m. 7 ds priv

Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington 
at the rate of 68 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 
Incd. from $42.44 =

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of June 1840, & sent to Hon. H. Hall 
House of Reps.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840             $615.00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '40 34.16 
                                                               ________
Deduct former payments-}                    $649.16

{Revolutionay Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 3 d}

Recorded by D. McCurdy, Clerk, 
Book 6. Vol. 1. Page 40.
Page 3

State of Vermont, Bennington County ss. }

On this 15th day, of November AD 1836 personally appeared before the Hon the court of Probate in  & for the district of Bennington in said county of Bennington Thankful Elwell of Shaftsbury in said county of Bennington, aged eighty five years, who having 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 act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836; That she is the widow of Jabez Elwell who was a private in the army of the revolution & serviced as follows, to wit. That herself & him had before the commencement of the revolutionary war resided at Hardwick in the state  of Massachusetts, & that immediately on the news of the battle of Lexington reaching Hardwick, her husband, who had been for several months a minuteman, marched with the company of minute men from that town for the vicinity of Boston, where her husband remained in the service of his country during the term of nine months,  & returned home the latter part of the month of January thereafter--  The declarant
Page 4

...is unable to state with certainty the names of the officers under whom her husband served, but thinks the name of the Captain of the Company of minute men  was Jon.a Warner, & that her husband enlisted at Roxbury in some other company or Regiments &  that he served during the continuation of this services in the vicinity of  Boston ---

The declarant further says that in the spring 1776, the month May as she thinks her husband volunteered at said Hardwick and went as a soldier to New York, was in the battle on Long Island and returned home in October thereafter having served five months  -
She thinks the name of his Captain in this service was Tim.o Page, but is unable to give the names of any other officers.  

The declarant further says that in April or May 1777 her husband enlisted  at Hardwick aforesaid in the Continental army for the term of three years, that he was at the taking of Burgoyne, and in one or more of the battles at or near Stillwater, that he was one of the guard to the prisoners when they were marched to Massachusetts, & that he served out the full term of his enlistment-   She thinks the name of her husbands Captain was Warner, & that he was
Page 5

enlisted by Sergeant John Cobb, but is unable to give the names of any other officers under which he served.   The declarant further says that soon after her husband left home on his first term of service she went to reside with her father in said Hardwick where she remained about five years until her husbands return from his service last aforesaid, and that the next year therafter she removed to West Hampton with her husband & that in 1781 or 1782 for six years she cannot recollect her husband took the place of a person who had been drafted, and went into the service for three months & returned at the end of nine weeks, the soldiers having been all discharged before the expiration of their term -  She is unable to give the names of his officers during this term of service -The declarant believes her husband had written discharges for some or all of this term of service aforesaid, but they have long since been lost or destroyed. 

She further declares that she was married to the said Jabez Elwell on the 26th day of December AD 1769 & that her husband the aforesaid Jabez Elwell died on the 17th day of April AD 1813; & that she has remained a widow since that passed, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Thankfull Elwell her X mark 
Sworn to & subscribed, on this
Page 6

day & year before witness before Aaron Robinson Judge of Probate.  I, William Haswell, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thankful Elwell for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 15th day of November, A.D. 1836.  William Haswell
Page 7

Thankful Elwell
X755. 3. Sce.
Ref
M at

Rolls - Alden Regt. 
enlisted 17 march 77. for 3 years - Corporal June '77 deserted 24 dec. '77

'77 Secy Mass -
m. 69-d.13 
Corp.l June 77 - discharge 10 march 79
aomo 9 mo 10 Corp.l
-
2.14 pri
__________
$41.21
42.44
no deduction - 
Hon H Hall
HR
Hon H. Hall
Page 8

Hon. Hiland Hall
Member of Congress
Bennington, VT.




[upside down]
Certificate of Marriage
Page 9

I hereby certify that in the Records of
the Town of Hardwick in the County of
Worcester & Commonweath of Massachusetts,
in Book first, page 16th is the following Record,
to wit,
"Jabez Elwell and Thankfull Clark were
married Dec. 26th 1769."
A true Copy
Attest. Joseph Stone, Clerk of
Said Town of Hardwick

Worcester S. Nov. 8th 1836. Personally
appeared Joseph Stone, above named, and made
oath that the above Certificate by him subscribed
is true;- Before me,
Gardner Ruggles Justice
of the Peace,
Page 10

Hardwick Nov. 9th 1836
Dear Sir
Your favor of Nov. 1st, requesting
evidence of the marriage of Jabez Elwell, came to
hand last evening. I have found the brief record
on the first page of this sheet, and with the hope that
my oath would authenticate the certificate more
strongly than my simple attestation, It is my purpose
to go before a Justice of the peace and swear to it.
Should any thing further be required to enable
a "poor & aged woman" to receive the bounty of the
government, I will cheerfully render any actions
in my power.
with sentiments of respect
Your Obedt Servant,
Jos. Stone
Hon. H. Hall
Page 11

Power of Attorney
Thankful Elwell
Vermont
Act 4 July 1836
Admitted

Filed June 25/55.
H.E. Robinson
Atty &s
Page 12

Know all men by these presents that I
Jabez Elwell, son of Jabez & Thankful Elwell,
do hereby constitute & appoint H. E. Robinson
of Washington my true & lawful attorney for
me & in my name to examine the papers filed
in the pension office in the case of my said
Mother Thankful Elwell who was a pensioner
of the United States under the Act of 4th of July
1836. & is now dead. That my mother did not
draw as much pension as in my belief she
was entitled to according to the service rendered
by my Father the said Jabez Elwell. - and it is
now my desire to obtain the allowance
of the balance due her - & now payable to
her children - I request that H E Robinson
may be allowed to examine said papers, and
I empower him to prosecute our claim for
the said inarears (in arrears) of pension-

Witness my hand & seal this
15th day of June 1855.
Jabez Elwell

In presence of}
Thos. S Robinson}
S.A. Robinson}
Page 13


September 13, 1928.

Mrs. A. G. Beekmann,
55 New South Street,
Northampton, Massachusetts.

Madam;
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, W. 17784, it appears that Jabez Elwell,
while residing at Old Hadley, Massachusetts was a minute
man under Jonathan Warner, and immediately on hearing of
the battle of Lexington went to Boston and enlisted and
served nine months with the Massachusetts Troops, no officers
stated.
He enlisted in May 1776 and served five months as a
private in Captain Timothy Page's Massachusetts Company and
was in the battle of Long Island.
He enlisted in April or May 1777 and served three years
in Captain Warren's Massachusetts Company, was in the battle of Stillwater and taking of Burgoyne.
After this he moved to West Hampton and served in 1781
or 1782 for nine weeks, no officers stated.
He married December 26, 1769 at Hardwick, Massachusetts,
Thankful Clark. He died April 17, 1818 at Shaftsbury, Bennington County, Vermont.
Page 14

She was allowed pension on her application executed
November 15, 1836, at which time she was living at
Shaftsbury, Vermont, aged eighty-five years. She stated
that she lived, while her husband was in the service, at
her father's house in Hardwick, Massachusetts, her father's
name not given.
Three children are referred to, no names given other
than Jabez, who was alive on June 15, 1855 and stated
that his mother was then dead.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY
Page 15

I Sarah Blair, aged eighty years
testify and say that Jabez Elwell, formerly
Hardwick in the County of Worcester, State of
Massachusetts, and late of Shaftsbury, Vermont,
was married to my sister, Thankfull Clark, several
years before the commencement of the Revolutionary
War. Her family lived about one fourth of a mile
from my home at the time he was in the army, and
were my nearest neighbours. I recollect that
said Elwell was in the first eight months service after
the Battle at Lexington. He came home from that
tour of duty I believe in January, and after a few
weeks enlisted into the army and went west, I
believe, into the State of New York. The next winter
he came home, it was when snow was on the ground,
and immediately after was taken down with the
small Pox. His wife and three children had the same
disease from him by inoculation. They all
eventually recovered. In the latter part of that winter
or early in the next spring, said Elwell returned
to the army in company with a Mr. John Cobb who
held some office in the army, and who had been
wounded in his arm. I am confident that said
Elwell was in the army through the season next after
he had the small Pox, and I have no doubt but that
he served out the time for which he enlisted.
Page 16

No thought or idea ever entered my mind that
said Elwell was a Deserter till I heard a short
time since of an entry to that effect in the War Office
at Washington.
And further this deponent saith not.
Sarah Blair
Hardwick Mass
Dec 8th 1837

Worcester County,   
State of Massachusetts⎬  SS December 8th 1837

I certify that on the day and year above
written, Sarah Blair above named personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above
affidavit, by her subscribtion I also certify that
said Sarah Blair is a competent and credible
Witness, sustaining both her physical and mental
faculties to a remarkable degree.
Joseph Stone Justice of the Peace
Page 17

7
4
5-10
3-11
______
19.21

vt.
Thankful Elwell
widow of Jabez
rejected
his Hon. Hiland Hall
Oct. 7th 1836 - do to same 14 Feb. 1838. same June 3, 1839, - same Dec. 27th '39
4 July 1836
Page 18

Oct. 18. '39
H. Hall
Col J. L. Edwards
Court of Pension
Washington
Page 19

Please read thro!

Bennington Vt. Oct. 10, 1839

Sir,
I enclosed a letter from the Secy. of State, of Mass, in reference to the service of Jabez Elwell, whose widow Thankful Elwell is applying for a pension-

It appears from the pension office
rolls, that Elwell entered the service
Capt Warren's Co, Col Alden's Regt. March
17. 1777 as a private - & was appointed
Corporal 1 June 1777- From a certificate of Secy. of Mass that Elwell served as corporal from 1 June 1777 to March 10 '78 -
- See your letter to me of June 27. 1839 -

His service forward is therefore
From 17 March to June 1. "77 as private 2 mo 14 d -
"(From) 1 Kime '77 to 10 March '78 as Corpl. 9 mo. 10 d -

If you do not find other service proved by the enclosed or from the rolls in the pension office, please forward me a certificate for the above -

An early decision to (illegible) to the agent is requested, as it will be a great convenience to the widow to draw her pension while our Legislature is
Page 20

in session, that some of our members - It will continue in session just two or three weeks --
 very respectfully
Your Obt servant 
Hiland Hall


Col J. L. Edwards
Page 21

Ho of Rep.s Feby 19, 1838
Dear Sir, 
I have good reason to believe 
I do believe that there is a mistake in regard to the entry of desertion on the rolls against the name of Jabez Elwell the claim of whose widow (Thankful Elwell) has been rejected because of that entry. – I understand that no parol evidence is admitted to contradict or explain that entry – I do not therefore send the accompanying papers as evidence to be filed, but to add weight to the request I now make that a thorough examination of the returns &c of the Regt & company to which Elwell belonged, may be made to ascertain whether the entry of desertion was not commonly made, or retained on the roll –
The desertion is stated to have
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taken place in Dec 1777. His explanation which is given by Mrs. Elwell, I confirm by those who were at the time her neighbors, is, that he left the army Dec ’77 on a furlough, that while at home he had the small pox which detained him beyond the term of his furlough & until March following

Now I have an understanding conviction, that if the muster-rolls of the Company to which he belonged, of any date after March 1778, during the term for which he enlisted, could be found, his name would appear on there, & that the entry of desertion which was perhaps properly made at first was continued by mistake after he returned to the army - 

If any muster rolls of the description above named are within
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the records of the Department, I hope they will be examined for the purpose of testing the accuracy of the entry - 

If the muster rolls are not with the Dept, please inform me where they can or ought to be found 

very respectfully
Yr. obt. Sevt
H Hall


C. J L Edwards
PS. Please return with your answer the papers now enclosed -
Page 24

Hon
H Hall
vt

FREE

Col Jos. L Edwards
Comr. Pensions
Washington


[sideways]
June 3
Thankful Elwell 
Vt.

14
1
1
Page 25

Bennington Vt, May 28, 1829

Sir,
Will you have the goodness to inform me the Regiment & Company to which Jabez Elwell (for whose services Thankful Elwell claims a pension under the act of 1838) belonged, & the date for the entry of his having deserted. I wish to ascertain whether evidence of his continuance in service after the date of that entry cannot be found among the documents & papers at Boston.
 
Very respectfully yours
Hiland Hall

P.S. Elwell was a soldier for three years in the Contl. Army. 

JL Edwards Esq -
Page 26

Bennington Four Sept.1939

Sir,

I herewithin send you this affidavit of Jacob Blair, together with a letter from the town clerk of Hartwick, Mass, & also a certificate from the Secy of the Comonth (Commonwealth) of Mass additional testimony in the case of Mrs. Thankful Elwell for a Pension.

The (obstacle) in the way of Mrs. Elwells claim, is in an entry on a roll of Col Alden's Regt. and the Pension office. that Jabez Elwell (the deceased husband) deserted in Dec. 1777 - This first was denied by Mrs. Elwell & the probable cause of its entry explained in her 2d. affidavit made and filed in the P. office.  But as there was early parol proof in and of her statement it was deemed insufficient to supersede the sorce (source) of the above seamed entry - 

Mrs. Elwell says her husband did come home on a furlough in Dec 1779, & in consequence of having the
Page 27

small pox, was unable to return to the army as soon as he had intended - Having stayed this time given him by his furlough, the entry of desertion was made, & from mistake or negligence not afterwards erased.  His explanation of the probable state of the facts is strengthened by the affidavit of Mrs. Blair, Letter of Dr Hasen enclosed.

But the certificate of the Secy. of the Court of Mass - that Mr Elwell service as corporal from June1. 1777 to 10 March 1778 - & that he was "discharged 10th March 1778" seems to settle the question that the entry of desertion of Dec 1777 is in some way erroneous
If this evidence is satisfactory as I presume it will bear you will please inform me & let this case not for further list any
Page 28

in regard to other services - 
I am Sir very respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
H. Hall

Col JL Edwards
Page 29

Jabez Elwell 

Service 1775. Lived in old Hadly - -
Page 30

War Department,
Pension Office, 
Jun 27, 1839

Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts in the case of Mrs Thankful Elwell, widow of Jabez Elwell, desc.d is sufficient to counteract the entry of desertion on the Regimental roll. The first term of 8 months in ’75, is alleged to have been rendered under Capt. Jonathan Warner, of Hardwick. This is a mistake, as Warner was a Colonel of Militia at that time, Capt. Billings, and Capt. Hazletine, commanded the Hardwick men, but the name of the claimants late husband is not borne on the rolls of either. As to the second term of 5 months in ’76, under Capt. Timothy Paige, the rolls furnish no evidence that Capt. Paige was in service in that year. The alleged service in ’81, or ’82, as a substitute, is too [illegible] set forth to be regarded as an item in his claim.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully, 
yr.mo.ob.s
JL Edward



Hon Hiland Hale, 
Bennington, Vt.
Page 31

Mass. Secy. of State
Certificate
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office June 18th 1839.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Jabez Elwell of Hardwick served as a Corporal in the S Company of Col. Brooks' Regiment from June 1st 1777 to march 10th 1778 - Nine months and ten days at 44/per month: and he was "discharged 10 March 1778" - 
[squiggle]
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
John C. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 33

Hardwick NY
Dec 13

Free

Hon. Hiland Hall,
Member of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Page 34

Hardwick Dec 12th 1837
Dear Sir,
Your favor of Aug 22, requesting evidence of the service of Jabez Elwell, on behalf of his Widow, was duly received. It came to hand when my services as a Physician were in so much greater demand than usual, that I could not immediately comply with your request. I however caused enquiries to be made of the person to whom you referred me, and soon learned that no direct & positive testimony could be obtained except from Mrs. Blair, whose affidavit I enclose. Before I could see her, she went some distance to visit some of her relatives & has but recently returned. Mr John Gorham served with Mr Elwell in the Campaign of 77 I know of his coming home on a furlough, & of his rejoining the army. He had no doubt however that Mr. E. served out the term of his enlistment, and was astonished to learn that an entry was made against his name as a Deserter. He said Mr. E. was not a man to desert, and if he had ever deserted, the knowledge of it, he thought, must have reached him. 
Mr Davis Elwell was but eleven years old in ’77 and his recollection of events at that period is not very distinct. He believes there can be no doubt
Page 35

But his Brother served his time out. 
“Mrs. Rhoda Hathaway” was at that time sixteen. She well recollects that Mr. E. came home on a furlough that he was immediately taken down with the Small Pox, that his Wife and Children had the disease from him, that the family were sick most of the winter, but she could not testify to his rejoining the army. Her vehement exclamation, “it is impossible he was a deserter for folks were always going & coming from the army & we should have heard of it. And there would have been concealment & fear of an arrest, which was never the case.”  was better calculated to satisfy the mind of a person acquainted with her honesty & simplicity, that the wary offices of the War Dept. at Washington. 
Mrs. Blair from the first have stated what she testifies to in her affidavit; - her recollection appears clean & distinct, and her character for integrity and uprightness is above suspicion, I have met with few persons in my life, whose intellectual faculties remained so unimpaired at 80 years of age, as Mrs. Blair. 
If I can render you or Mrs Elwell any further service, it will give me pleasure to do so, and if the statements of any of the persons to whom you referred me would be of use in the form of an affidavit I will take such on one if you request it. The friends of Mrs E. would be pleased to learn the fate of her application. 
your obedient Servant
Joseph Stone 
Hon H. Hall.  -
Page 36

I Green Blackmer of Bennington in the county of Bennington State of Vermont aged [obscured] -five can testify & say that I was acquainted with Jabez Elwell from about the time he came to Shaftsbury, which was something like thirty five years ago until the time of his death, which took place in the spring of 1814 – I saw his corpse and attended his funeral. I have also since been acquainted with Thankful Elwell his widow, who has never since been remarried, but remains his widow. 
I further testify & say that Jabez Elwell was generally reported to have been a soldier of the revolution & to have served a long period, & I have no measure of doubt that such were the facts. – 
Green Blackmer

State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} Bennington Nov. 21st 1836 -
Sworn & subscribed before me
Henry Robinson Justice of Peace

I certify that Genl. Green Blackmer who subscribed the foregoing affidavit is a credible witness.

Henry Robinson Justice of Peace
Page 37

I certify that  Henry Robinson whose signature appears within is an acting Justice of Peace of the County of Bennington, duly authorized to administer oaths.
H Hall, M, C.
Page 38

Green Blackmer's Affidavits
Page 39

Commonwealth of Mss.
Sec. Office
Oct 10 1839

Hon Hiland Hall,
Sir, 
The rolls remaining in this office have been  again thoroughly examined and we can find nothing in reference to Jabez Ellwell other than what is contained in the certificate sent to you, explaining that we find the name of Jabez Ellwell of “Hadley” in a cotre roll of Kellog; company to Ward’s Regiment. 
This roll appears to have referred to the “eight month service” although it is not dated & does not specify the Length of service in any [illegible] borne upon it. If however you should think that a copy of the roll would be of any service to you, it shall be furnished. Or a certificate concerning it. You
Page 40

are probably aware that none of the rolls and other evidence of the services of the Massachusetts troop, are in the possession of the Pension office at Worthington. 
There is reason however to believe that many rolls were lost or destroyed in the Revolution or before our efforts were made to collect or arrange them
Very Respectfully
Your ob’t servant
John P. Bigelow 
Sect of the Com’ NY
[Secretary of the Commonwealth of New York]
Page 41

Mrs Elwell Widow of Jabez Elwell +75 . Capt. Jonathan Warner. (81) (77)
76 Spring. Tim.y Page     Vol 22 -64-73-X
77 may 3 years Continental. Warren... Alden
X vol.14/a.38. Hardwick Mass
15. 39-   -   -
Page 42

(illegible)
(illegible)

Issue new certificate
for 6833 per ann

Hon H. Hall
HR
Page 43

In the case of Thankful Elwell widows
Jabez Elwell, I think Col Edwards will
find on examination that the entry
"deserted" was explained by the widow
to have been made in consequence of
her husband's being detained at home
after the expiration of his furlough by
sickness from the small pox &
that on the previous allowance the
entry was decided as blotted out
by proof from the Mass accords that
Elwell was paid for his service for
several months before as well as
after the date of the entry of desertions
very respectfully yrs
H. Hall
Pension Office June 13. 1844
Page 44

Jabez Elwell
Page 45


Pension Office.
June 6. 1840

Sir
I have received the supplemental statement
of Mrs: Thankful Elwell, widow of Jabez Elwell,
decd and find as she has therein set forth, that
her late husband served from Hadley, Mass; ┃
in 1775 7 mos and 23 days.
It will be recollected, that Mr. Elwell deserted in 1777, and that the widow was allowed only for a service subsequent to his desertion. Upon the same principle the service in 1775, must be disallowed.
A desertion in all cases cuts off all claim for services prior to its taking place.
I return therefore Mrs Elwell's pension
certificate
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Hon. H. Hall
House of Representatives.-
Page 46

inf                        below the desired
sion                       [] for pen_

  Jabe Eswell W.F. 17754

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
.
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Apr 1775 9 mos
RANK.
Minute man under Jonathan Warner No officers Stated Mass

May 1776 5 mos Pri Timothy Page 
Apr or May 1777 3 years   Warrin
1781 or 1782 9 Weeks no officers stated
at [] Hampton
none after being - left leave she went to reside with her father Col. Hurd.
Aug 76    Oct 77
Battles engaged in, Long Island Taking of Burgoyne and battle near Stillwater
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Old Hadley Mass
Date of application for pension, Nov. 15, 1886. []
Residence at date of application, Shaftsbury, Bennington Co Vt
Age at date of application She was 85 yrs 
Remarks: Solider married at Hardwick Mass Dec 26 1769 Thankfull Clark and died April 17 1813 at Shaftsburg three children are referred to, no names stated other than John
on Jabez who was alive in 1855 his mother having died prior to June 18, 1855
Very respectfully,

I have not used the service in Mass. reports as it cannot be proven it belongs to Soldier
Commissioner.
Page 47

55 New South St
Northamploy, Mass
Nov. 4, 1937
Pension Commissioner
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
In your Revolutionary War Records have you any record of pension for one Jabes Elwell, serving from Hadley, Mass. on Lexington Alawn, 8 months enlisted again from Hardwick June
1777-3 yrs  time, discharged Mar. 1, 1778.
again served 3 mo. 1781 under a Capt. Strong of Northampton
I am looking this up to use for D.A.R. data and will appreciate any assistance I can get from your
department
Very truly yours
Evin M. Becksmann

(Mrs. A.G.)
Page 48

2& Postage Stamped & add'd env recvd [] Rev war

1236 Howard Ave.
Pottsville PA

May 21, 1922

Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Will you kindly give me all the information you have concerning a John Elwell who fought in the Revolution and is buried in South Shaftsbury, Vermont
Where was he born?
Whom did he marry?
Have you the names of his children?
Yours truly
D. M. Goodall
Page 49

74 Main St
Greenfield Mass

Aug 5, 1911

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington  DC

Dear Sir:

Kindley send me the record of service of my great grandfather, Jabez Elwell who was born in 1748 - 1813 and who
Page 50

served for Massachusetts
He was in the battle of Long Island and the taking of Burgoyne  He lived in Shaftsburg VT when he applied for pension.

Yours truly,
Mrs. F.L. Lyons
Page 51

RECORD DIVISION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by A W July 15:"

Soldier Jabez Elwell

Additional Service  Rev

REMARKS
No Act or ny claim
except W.17754 this one
Page 52

{Stamp RECORD DIVISION JUL 14 1911}  

Bennington VA
July 12,  1911

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: -
I would like the records of service of Gov Jonah Galucha of Shaftsburg, VA who served as captain from 1777 to 1780 and was in the
Page 53

may have served
in the Battle of Bennington.
Kindly send me also the record of Ebenezer Chase (or Chace) who was a sea captain for twenty years and is said to have had his vessel robbed in 1812, although I believe his service was for the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington.
I would like also the record of Jabez Elwell [W17754] of Shaftsburg who served in the Revolution, also the record of Obed Eddy of Woodford Vt (possible Bennington Battle)
I would like also the record of service of Charles Barney who was I think captain in the Revolutionary War and
Page 54

These are great - great - granfathers [grandfathers] of mine and if you could tell me to whom their pensions were paid, you would be doing me a great favor

Yours truly.
(Miss) Eunice E Lyons

{STAMP PENSION OFFICE US JUL 14 1911}
{STAMP JUL 18 1911}
Page 55

Rev WIDOW, &c
No. 17754

Thankful Elwell
widow of Jabez Elwell
Corp Rev War
Act July 4th 36
Index Vol A page 218

[]11 July 19 Hist to
[] E Lyons VLM
[] Aug 10 Hist to [] L. Lyons VLM
[] July 1 Hist to D M [] mm[]
[] Sept 13 Hist to
[] A.G. Beckmann
Page 56

Payment to be made at Montpelier Vt. by A Clark Esqr Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Vermont

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol 2 d
Page 36 by D.D. Addison Clerk
Page 57

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Thankful Elwell widow of Jabez
Elwell decd who was a Private and Corporal in the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty Two dollars and Forty four cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and
payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September 
Given at the War Office of the United States
this 19th day of  October one thousand eight
hundred and thirty nine
JR Poinsetl
Secretary of War

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Examined and Coutersigned
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3. 2/3

$33 Cor
  1.22
33.33
    .77
______
68.32


Letter to H. Hall.
June 6. 1840.


Vermont 3087

Thankful Elwell
widow of Jabez Elwell decd.
who died on the 17th April 1817
of Bennington Co in the of State of Vt.
who was a Pri & Corp Comp in the compy.
commanded by Captain Warren of the Regt. commanded by Col Alden in the MS. line for 
2 mos & 14 days Private
9 " (mos) & 10 " (days) Corporal
7 " (mos) 23 " (days) pri

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 42 dollars 44 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Octb. 1839 and sent Hon H. Hall Bennington Vt

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839            $360.74
Semiannual allowance ending 4 Mar '40. 21.22
                                                              _________
                                                               $381.96
Hon H. Hall
HR 

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d}

Recorded by D.D. Addison, Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 2d.  Page 36

(Written across the page:)
Increase to $68.33
Page 59

Joel Stratton
affidavits

Hon  H Hall
HR
Page 60

I Joel Stratton of Bennington in the
County of Bennington & State of Vermont
aged 78 years testify & say that I was
born in Hardwick in the State of Massachusetts & resided there until the month of May immediately after the battle of Lexington I was well acquainted with Jabez Elwell now deceased, & also with Thankful Clark, who is now present & who resides in Shaftsbury in the State of
Vermont about two miles from my present residence. They are both before their marriage near neighbors to my fathers in Hardwick, & I well recollect of seeing them go together with
their friends towards the residence of the Clergyman, Mr. White, to be married & saw them returning, & I have no doubt they were there married.

The time was about five or six years before the commencement of the war.  The said parties lived together as man & wife from that period & had two or three children before I left Hardwick.  About the year 1780 I removed to Bennington & some years afterwards the same Jabez Elwell & wife came to reside in Shaftsbury, about one mile
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from my then residence, when the said
Elwell lived until he died, which was
in the spring of year 1813. I have been acquainted with his widow Thankful Elwell ever since, & she has not been married, but yet remains his widows

I further testify & say that the said Jabez Elwell was a minute man before & at the commencement of the revolutionary war, to my own knowledge, & according to my best knowledge & belief marched with the company from Hardwick immediately after the battle of Lexington I further testify & say that from the time of my removing from Hardwick as before stated to my removal to Benington I resided in Williamstown in the State of Massachusetts, & that during the revolutionary war I often heard of the said Jabez Elwell being in the service of the United States, & that he has ever been reputed to have been a soldier of the revolution, & I verily believe him to have served as a soldier a considerable portion of the time during the continuance of the war

Joel Stratton
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss Bennington November 15th 1836
Personally Appeared Joel Stratton & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me
Saml. H. Blackmer  Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Joel Stratton who was sworn to the forgoing affidavit is to me well known, & that his testimony is entitled to full credit.
Saml. H. Blackmer Justice of  Peace

I certify that Saml H. Blackmer whose certificates appear above is  an actiing justice of the Peace for the County of Bennington duly authorized to administer oaths, & that Joel Stratton who signed the foregoing affidavit is a man of [undautited?] veracity
H Hall , M.C.
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Thankful Elwell
addl Declaration
Page 64

Thankful Elwell of Shaftsbury in the county of Bennington State of Vermont makes the following, additional statement to her former declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pensions of the at of the 4th of July 1836.  The said Thankful Elwell says that she has been informed there is an entry on the roll of the Regiment to which her husband belonged in the three years service that he deserted ffrom the army. She says she is confident & knows that such was not the fact, but that on the contrary that he served out his full service of his enlistment.  She well recollects that in December 1777 he came home on a furlough, & that before the expiration of the time of his furlough he was taken with the small pox, which he had the natural way, & in consequence thereof he remained at home until the Month of March following, when he returned to the army in company with our John Cobb who was either a Sargeant or a commissioned officer & who had been previously wounded in  battle, & who died of his wounds a short time after his again reaching the army as she was informed & [--ing]
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believes that her husband was absent during the term of his aforesaid three year enlistment, that she heard from him in the army several times during the said three years, that she never heard from him, or ever heard it suggested by any other person that he had deserted.  She further says that she does not know of any person now living that can testify to the aforesaid facts, but that they are true.
X Thankful Elwell  her mark
Witness Hiland Hall
Daniel Huling
Page 66

I certify that Daniel Huling whose official signature before appears subscribed the (illegible) (illegible) (illegible)(illegible) (illegible),
& that he is an acting justice of the peace of Bennington County Massachusetts Aug. 22.1837
Hiland Hall. M.C.
Page 67

Thankful Elwell of Shaftsbury in the county of Bennington, & State of Vermont, aged 87 years & over, makes the following additional declaration in order to obtain an increase of her pension under the act of July 4. 1836, to wit, that on reflection she recollects that at the time of the battle of Lexington her husband & herself lived in Old Hadley & not in Hardwick, they having lived there from the April of the previous year & that she continued to live there till some after said battle when she returned to Hardwick to her fathers - that her husband had been a minute man for some months before the battle of Lexington, training once a fortnight - that on the news of said battle he marched with others to the neighborhood of Boston, where he enlisted for 9 months & stayed his time out, he was at home on a furlough for a few days at the end of about six weeks from his first leaving - She cannot guess the names of his officers - She knows that her husband served five months lacking about 8 days in the year 1776 near New York, she thought under Captain Page last, she may be mistaken in the name of the officer - She lived during this service with her father in Hardwick - In relation to the service performed towards the close of the war she states as follows, viz, that during the last year of the war as she thinks, she with her husband lived in West Hampton that during the summer her husband went into the service of the United States as a substitute for Azariah Lyman, went to the Hudson river believes near Albany, & was engaged a portion of the time making (barracks?) as she understood - & served till late in the fall for the time of three
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months - & further saith not -
              her
Thankful X Elwell
              mark

Sworn & subscribed this 28th of October AD 1829
Danil Huling Justice of Peace

I certify that Daniel Huling whose official signature appears above was at the date of his certificate an acting justice of peace, duly authorized to administer oaths
H. Hall, M,C,


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