Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5015, Willey Hill, N.H.
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[top left corner, printed] (8-1776)
SERVICE       NUMBER
[handwritten]
N.H.   [centered] Hill, Willey   [indent r] R.  5015
[printed]

CONTENTS
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28.010
4[?] Willey Hill
act 7 June 1832
rejected
N.H.

vol 4 p. 97.
Fifer Two months[?]
Nov. 45_
[in pencil]
[illegible, possibly suspended]
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[in print] DECLARATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS PASSED [crossed out and handwritten above] June [back to print] 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE
COUNTY OF STRAFFORD ss.- 
COURT OF [handwritten] Probate -
[print] ON this [handwritten] 16th [ print] day of [handwritten] September [print] 1832 [2 is crossed out and replaced by a 3], personally appeared before the [handwritten above crossed out "Justices"] Judge [print] of the Court of [handwritten] Probate [print] now in session at [handwritten] Dover [print] within and for said County of Strafford, [handwritten] Willey Hill [print] a resident of [handwritten] Lee [print] in said County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged [handwritten] seventy four [print] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year [handwritten] 1776 [ print] and served as follows: - [handwritten] That he enlisted as a Musician in the Company commanded by Capt Smith Emerson - in one of the New Hampshire Regiments, I believe it was commanded by Col Tash - but am not positive, this was I think in the year 1776 - and [illegible] in said Company as a Fifer for the time of six months, at Great[?] Island in Portsmouth Harbor after the [illegible] of said six months - he again enlisted[?] in a Company commanded by Capt John Lay he thinks in 1777 in one of the New Hampshire Regiments the Col. I do not recollect the name, but served the term of six months as a Fifer at Winter Hill in the State of Masachusetts  - making my whole service the term of twelve months- I was born in Lee- have not any record of my age - at the time of my elistment I [illegible] at Lee N.H I have always resided there since the Revolution I enlisted as a Musician - do not recollect any of the General officers but Gen. Washington [illegible] Sallivan did not receive any written discharge. . Edward B. Nealley, [illegible] Major [illegible] Hill [illegible] indeed[?] [illegible] certify to my good character
[printed] He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or an Annuity, except the present, and he declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. [handwritten] Willey Hill
[printed] Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open Court.
And the said Court Does hereby declare [crossed out and then handwritten over] its [print] opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. [handwritten] Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
[print] I, [handwritten] James Barllett [illegible] [printed crossed out] clerk [regular print] of the court of [handwritten] Probate [print] for said County, do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [handwritten] Willey Hill [print] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this [handwritten] 16th [print] day of [handwritten] September [print] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty [print corssed out] two [handwritten] three
[print] ATTEST [handwritten] James Barlletts [illegible]
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We Edward B. Nealley, Esquire & Major Trueworthy Hill both of Lee in said County of Strafford do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Willey Hill who has subscribed[?] as sworn to the written declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is [illegible] and believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier or Musician of the Revolution that we concur in that opinion, and have no doubt he served the time he states in his declaration
[signatures]
Edward B. Nealley
Trueworthy Hill
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[top of document/first line of writing is cut off; handwritten] Willey Hill
[print]
P.O. ....
Service:.......
Enlisted:  ......, 18
Discharged: ......, 18
Application filed: ....., 18
Alleges: ......
Re-enlisted:.......
Attorney:......
P.O.: ..........
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New Hampshire
Rev.
Ac 7 Jue 1832
Willey Hill.
[crossed out word, possibly "suspended"]
Letter to James Bartlet[?]
Dover
Nov 21. 1833
Set to Wm. B. Parker, July 17, 1838
"      "   "      "       "       June 6, 1839.
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Willey Hill
N.H.
act 1832 rejected
Set to W.B. Parker
7 June 1839
[illegible, possibly rejected or respected?]
Set to J.H. Wiggins
Jan'y 21 /53[?]
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Josiah Durgin Capt Joshua Woodwards Co
28 Leathey
Saw Langmaid & Hill & Jos Leathers in Layne Co
a ? heli: time that near out
 
Josias Durgin on Na 71
Willy Hill say on S gannion
Jn. Langmaid for
Jos Leathers on Nu Bewv Brills
Zebulon Dow ? says he went to March here in 1777. under Cap Drawn 3 mos that do not 
M. Langaucon a part of ?
In ? he says that he used walk part 330 degrees from 1776 - ? heard Uncle car ? Seary w another 1 much like 3 mo
Guch ?  June 7. No 21687
? he ? much Lane A ? in 1777 [illegible] Emma service ? 1776
Saw ? say he ? out ? 75
Mr Em he heard CW 1778 a par GM after 
? Hill united the Langer & ? WH
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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham SS.[?]
I J.B. Hoitt Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for said County who has subscribed the annexed certificates is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified as such, that his signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine - I further certify that its siad Gorham W. Hoitt, Israel Chesley & Charles Allen are the Selectormen of the Town of Lee N.H. as appears by sufficient testimony and that their signatures thereto purporting to be theirs are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of February AD 1838.
J. B. Hoitt Clerk
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I Hannah Emerson of Durham in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I am eighty eight years of age last July. That I am now and have been personally acquainted with Willey Hill of Lee in the County and State aforesaid ever since he was a small boy. He the said Hill was a fifer in a company of Militia in the Revolutionary War commanded by my late husband (Smith Emerson) and marched to the fort near Portsmouth in the year 1775, he enlisted for six months in my Husbands company. they were at Portsmouth aforesaid and there being more officers present than was wanted my Husband came home, and left[?] the said Hill there with the rest of the company. I do not know that Hill continued there the whole time that he enlisted for but I think he did but on his return from Portsmouth he enlisted in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. John Layn of Lee, the town in which I then lived and a neighbor to both the said Layn & Hill. And the said Hill marched in the said Layns company to Bunker Hill about the middle of June A.D. 1775, he also was a fifer in the said Layns Company when he marched as [illegible] - did, I well recollect of the said Layn and [end of page]
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I Hannah Emerson of Durham in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I am eighty eight years of age last July.  That I am now and have been personally acquainted with Willy Hill of Lee in the County & State aforesaid, ever since he was a small boy.  He the said Hill was a fifer in a company of Militia in the Revolutionary War commanded by my late husband (Smith Emerson) and marched to the fort near Portsmouth in the year 1775, he enlisted for six months in my Husband’s company.  They were at Portsmouth aforesaid and there being more officers present than was wanted my Husband came home, and left the said Hill there with the rest of the company.  I do not know that Hill continued there the whole time that he enlisted for but I think he did but on his return from Portsmouth he enlisted in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. John Layne of Lee, the town in which I there lived and a neighbor to both the said Layne & Hill. And the said Hill marched in the said Laynes Company to Bunker Hill about the middle of June A,D, 1775, he also was a fifer in the said Layne’s Company when he marched aforesaid, I will recollect of the said Layne and
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Hill being out for they the said Layn lived within a Mile and the said Hill within two miles of the place where I then resided and was intimately acquainted with both of them
Witness G.W. Hoitt Hannah her mark Emerson
Trueworthy Hill

State of New Hampshire Strafford County Ss. Durham Feb. 12. 1838

The Hannah Emerson personally appearing subscribed and made oath in due form of Law, that the facts stated in the above affidavit are in all points just and true before me G.W. Hoitt Justice of the Peace

I also certify that I have been acquainted with the above named affiant for twenty years and that she is in my opinion a credible and respectable witness
Gorham W. Hoitt Justice of the Peace
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Certificates of Selectmen of Lee
[illegible possibly "Xc"]
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To [next 5 words underlined] whom these presents[?] may come 
We the undersigned do hereby certify that Mr John Langmaid is to the best of our knowledge a man of truth and veracity, he is now being[?] in Lee in the County of Strafford, and State of New Hampshire
January 20. 1838
Israel Chesley
Charles Allen
G.W. Hoitt
Selectmen of Lee
[in lower section of page]
This may certify that to the best of my knowledge [added in line above] Mr John Langmaid is [back to regular line] a man of truth and veracity
January 20, 1838
Israel Chesley Minister of the Gospel
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Certificates of Selectmen of Lee
[illegible]
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[underlined] To Whom it may concern
[not underlined]
This may certify that we the subscribers are personally acquainted with Mr Willey Hill, of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, and do not hesitate to say that he is a man of sober life and conversation, and whose character for truth and veracity, can not be doubted, and is a valuable and worthy citizen.
Jan.y 10. 1838
G.W. Hoitt
Charles Allen
Israel Chesley
Selectmen of Lee
[in second half of page]
This may certify that I the subscriber being acquainted with Willey Hill of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire, do say that he is to the best of my knowledge a man of truth and veracity and of a good moral character
Jan.y 10. 1838
Israel Chesley Minister of the Gospel
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Deposition of Edmund Layn
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I Edmund Layn of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire Depose and say that I shall be Seventy one years of age the sixteenth day of next June which will be in the year of A.D. 1838. That my father John Layn was a Captain of the Militia in the Revolutionary War, and Willey Hill of Lee was a fifer in my fathers Company of Militia and was at the house of my father several times for a drill and then marched for Bunker Hill. said Company was enlisted for six months. I furthermore say that John Langmaid of Lee aforesaid lived with my father as an apprentice at the Blacksmith business[?] and went out in the same company and at the same time with the said Hill to Bunker Hill aforesaid
Edmund Layn
State of Newhampshire
Stafford County Ss. Lee February 27, 1838
Then personally appearing the above named Edmund Layn and subscribed and made oath in due form of Law, that the facts stated in the above affidavit are in all points just and true Before me Gorham W Hoitt Jus. Peace 
I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named affiant for twenty one years and that he is in my opinion a credible witness
Gorham W. Hoitt Justice of the Peace
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Joseph Leathers affidavit
in Willey Hills case
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I John Langmaid of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy three years testify and say that I enlisted in a Company of Militia as a private commanded by Captain John Layn of said Lee for the term of six months, and served in said Company at Winter Hill in Massachusetts during the period of my enlistments, and that I very well remember Willey Hill of the same Lee who was our Fifer belonging to the same Company, and served with me during the term aforesaid, I was there, and have ever since been well acquainted with Willey Hill, having from that time to the present lived in his neighborhood_
Attest Edw. B. Nealley  John his X mark Langmaid
State of New Hampshire
Stafford Ss. Lee July 11. 1832 Then John Langmaid personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true 
Before me Edward B. Nealley Jus: of Peace
Stafford Ss. July 11. 1832 I hereby certify that the above named deposant[?] is a credible person 
Edw. B. Neally Jus: of Peace
Stafford Ss. State of NewHampshire
I James Barllett [illegible] of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Edward B Nealley whose name is signed to the certificates on the [illegible possibly "three"] foregoing [illegible] is a justice of the peace for said County and [illegible] is his proper [illegible]
In [illegible] whereof I have hereto [illegible] the Seal of said Court to the [illegible, possibly "offering"] This 16th day of September AD. 1833
James Barllett [illegible]
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Josiah Durgins affidavit in Willey Hills case
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I Josiah Durgin of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire Seventy six years of age do testify and say that I enlisted in a Company of the New Hampshire Militia commanded by Captain Elijah Denbo of said Lee for the term of six months, and was marched in his Company to Great Island in New Hampshire where I served during the period of my enlistment. And that I very well remember that Willey Hill of said Lee with whom I have been acquainted with, ever since we were boys, served there at the same time as a Musician in Captain Smith Emerson's Company from said Lee. And afterwards I enlisted for Six months in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Joshua Woodman of Lee and served in said Company at Winter Hill in Massachusetts, and I found there on our arrival Captain Layn's company from Lee whose time of service had expired, and in that company I well recollect of seeing Willey Hill and John Langmaid of Lee and Joseph Leathers of Nottingham with whom I was then and ever since been well acquainted, in two or three days after [crossed out and written above] Captain Layns [back to regular line] Company returned home
Josiah Durgin
State of New Hampshire
Strafford Ss. July 11. 1832 Then Josiah Durgin personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true -
Before me Edward B. Nealley, Jus. of Peace
Strafford Ss. July 11. 1832 I hereby certify that the above named deponent is a credible person
Edw. B. Nealley Jus : of Peace
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Joseph Leathers affidavit
in Willey Hills case
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I Joseph Leathers of Nottingham in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy three years do testify and say that I enlisted in a Company of New Hampshire Militia as a private commanded by Captain Benjamin Butler of said Nottingham for the term of six months and served in said company at Great Island, and that I very well recollect Willey Hill of Lee in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid was there a Fifer in Captain Smith Emersons Company from said Lee, I was then[?], and have been ever since well acquainted with Willey Hill. Also I afterwards enlisted as a private in a Company commanded by Capt John Layn of Lee for the term of six months and said Willey Hill belonged to the same Company was our Fifer went with and served with us at Winter Hill in the State of Massachusetts during the period of our enlistment
Joseph Leathers
State of New Hampshire
Strafford Ss. Lee July 11. 1832 Then Joseph Leathers of Nottingham aforesaid personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true --
Before me Edward B. Nealley Jus: of Peace
Strafford Ss. July 11. 1832 I hereby certify that the above named deponent is a credible person -- 
Edw. B. Nealley Jus: Peace
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Portsmouth, N.H. March 1st 1838.
Hon: J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
Your letter dated November 23rd 1833, to James Bartlett Esq, Dover, N.H., reporting the claims to pensions of Willey Hill and Joseph Leathers, has been handed to me for a reply: -- In regard to the latter you observe:- "Unless it shall be shewn from the [underlined] Archives of the "State of New = Hampshire [underline ends], that this company was ordered into actual "service, this claim cannot be allowed."

In regard to the Archives of the State, I beg leave to enclose a letter from Ralph Metcalf, Secretary of State for New Hampshire, dated Aug. 24th 1836, by which it appears that "There are no records of any kind of the Services of the "soldiers of the Revolution, now in this Office. They were all "transmitted to Washington, some years since."

But, in regard to said Leathers, no claim is now made, as I am informed that he obtained a pension, some time since.

In regard to Willey Hill and John Langmaid, I beg leave to send herewith, the affidavit of Mrs Hannah Emerson, a pensioner under the Act of 1836, the Widow of Smith Emerson a Captain in the Militia or State Troops of this State, in the Revolutionary War, stating that said Hill [end of page]
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served as a fifer in her said Husbands company she does not know, how long, but that he enlisted for six months at Portsmouth N. H. or at the Forts in that Harbour. And also that after his return he re enlisted in Capt John Lane's company and went to Bunker Hill with it on or about the Middle of June 1775

Willey Hill states that he believes he did not state to said James Bartlett, who drew his declaration, that he served in 1776 or 1777, as stated in your letter now before me, but if he as stated, it was erroneous, and caused by his age and consequent loss of memory but that his services were performed in 1775.

I also enclose the affidavit of one of the sons of said Captain Lane, showing that Willey Hill and John Langmaid both served in his said father's company six months.

They request that any correspondence necessary to elucidate these services, of these two persons, Hill and Langmaid may be addressed to me, or their Certificates
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be enclosed to me, if pensions are granted them.
Has there been no decision yet in the cases of Betsy the widow of Aaron Wilson transmitted this 1st of December last or of Mary, the Widow of Samuel Neal transmitted on he 30th Dec last?
I am Sire respectfully your Mr. [illegible]
Wm. B. Parker.
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Dover N. H. Sept 7. 1852
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir 
Some twenty years ago Willey Hill of Lee Strafford Co and John Langmaid of the same Lee [illegible] of Nottingham in Rockingham Co made application under the then existing pensions laws for a pension. Their applications were postponed on account of the absence of some returns which were necessary to substantiate their claims. The evidence to sustain their applications was there and accompanied their applications and all their papers are now in file in the pension office It has recently been ascertained that the returns have been found and that the pensions are payable. They were both soldiers of the Revolution. I write to you to ascertain how these applications are now [illegible] by your department and if the pensions are payable to know what the rules of your office required to enable those entitled to the pension to get it. The applicants since there application have both deceased but they left children. Will you be kind enough to answer and oblige
Yours be
John H. Wiggins
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Portsm., N. H. 18th October 1838.
Hon: J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
Enclosed is the affidavit of Zebulon Dow, a pensioner under the Act of 1832, in support of the claim of [underlined] Willey Hill, [end of underlined section] to a pension under the same Act, which I pray may [illegible] given [crossed out] it the weight it merits and filed with Hill's declaration.
I am Sir, respectfully 
Your Obt Sert.
Wm. B. Parker.
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I Zebulon Dow of Epping, N. H. testify and say: -  That I served three months under Capt Dinsmore I believe n the year 1777, at Winter Hill, and was allowed for that service under the Act of 1832, and my pension Certificate is dated 10th Oct 1833, (No 21,687) that part of that time Capt. John Layne commanded this company, in the absence of said Capt Dinsmore, who went home, on leave of absence; - that said Layne belonged to Lee in this County and State - I do not know how long said Layne was called out for, nor who served under him: But that there was such a Captain then in service, I have no doubt whatsoever.
Zebulon Dow
State of New=Hampshire
Rockingham County [illegible]
Portsmouth the 5th day of September 1838.
Then Zebulon Dow, above named, persnally appearing, subscribed and made[?] oath, in due form of law, to the truth of the above affidavit, before me: - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial seal, the day, month, and year last aforewritten.
Wm. B. Parker, Notary = Public.
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[printed] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAN-51  12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME [handwritten] Hill, William [printed] GRADE [handwritten] Private [printed] LINE [handwritten] Maryland
[printed] WARRANT NUMBER [handwritten] 11321 [printed] ACREAGE 100 ISSUED [handwritten] November 4 17991 to William Lane assignee
[printed in italics] *The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is foud 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.