Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18600, Allen Bidwell, Continental (Conn.)
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(3-1776) SERVICE Continental (Conn.) Bidwell, Allen Anna NUMBER W. 18600 CONTENTS
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Let to Hon H. Hubbard, Mar 8 1837
Notification sent to John H. Sumner Esq Claremont N. H. July 21, 1820
11.518 R New Hampshire Allen Bidwell, 4 of Cheshire Co. in the state of N. Hamps’e who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wyllys, of the Connecticut line, for the term of one year.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of June, 1819, and sent to Elisha Huntley, judge, Kiene, Cheshire Co. N. Hamp
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. [$] 84.50 Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 [$] 48.00 [equals] $132.50
10 mo. 13/30 4/31
Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. Continued
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State of New Hampshire Cheshire Ss April 18th 1818
Then before Elisha Huntley, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Cheshire, personally appeared, Allen Bidwell, before named, and made Solemn oath that the foregoing declaration by him Subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth, and it having been made to appear to my satisfaction,
that the said Allen Bidwell did serve in the revolutionary war, against the Common enemy in manner as by him is stated, in said declaration. I hereby certify and transmit the testimony in his case being his Oath.
To the Hon’ble John C Calhoun Secretary of War
Elisha Huntley, one of the Justice of the Court of Common pleas for said County
Cheshire Ss I, Levi Chamberlain, Assistant Clerk  of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, hereby certify, that the above is the signature of the Hon Elisha Huntley, a Judge of said said County, duly commissioned, and that no particular impression is used as a seal by said Court.
In witness whereof I have hereto subscribed & affixed a seal in form as used by said County, this 26th day of May AD 1818 Levi Chamberlain
To the Honorable Secretary of War, This may Certify that I have inquired into the Surcomstanes [Circumstances] of the within named Allen Bidwell, and find him to be poor, and Standing in need of the assistance of his accounting for support Marton December 23rd 1818 Elisha Huntley one of the Justices of the Court of Common pleas for said County
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I, Allen Bidwell of Langdon in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, Husbandman do make the following declaration upon Oath
That in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Seventy seven, in the month of February I enlisted as a private Soldier in the Continental army in the United States of America, at Glassonbury in the State of Connecticut, under Capt Samuel Wright, and was atached [attached] to a Regiment commanded by Col Samuel Welles [Willis] for one year, and marched for Boston, and from that to New York Sitty [City], where we stayed untill [until] we were drove out by the Enemy,
when we marched over Kingsbridge and was discharged at Stanford from the [illegible] a weak [week] before my time was out, I being Sick, I never had any Ritten [Written] Discharge because I was sick, and the Docter [Doctor] Gave me leve [leave] to go home about a weak [week] before my time was out, I belonged to the Conetteticut [Connecticut] line. Also I further say under Oath that I am poor and stand in need of assistance from my Countary [Country] for Support Allen Bidwell
Admd. Keene, N. H.
Allen Bidwell privt. Willis Connt Regt 1776 Proof of service required
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Allen Bidwell 11.518 Sept. 1819 Continue
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, CHESHIRE COUNTY, SS. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
ON this eleventh 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 a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping a record of its proceedings, Allen Bidwell, aged sixty years, resident in Langdon in said county, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
He enlisted into Capt Samuel Wrights Comp’y & Col. Willis Regt in the Connecticut line of the continental establishment in Jany 1776 for the term of one year, was stationed at Boston, New York and other places, he was aboard of the Roe galley in North River in the battle at Westpoint, was wounded in his right hand and leg, was also in a battle at Long Island, New York & White plains, that he faithfully served his time and was Hon discharged.
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the 18th day of April 1818. The number of my pension certificate is 11,518.
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.
I am a farmer by profession, I have tolerable health for my age, but not able to perform much labour owing to my lameness occasioned by the wounds which I received in the service above stated. I have a wife aged sixty years, middling health for age, can labour but little.
My children are as follows: Joseph Bidwell, aged 38, has not a capacity to do business; Fanny, eighteen years old, able to support herself; Numa, 16 years old, able to support herself; Polly, 13 years of age, a feeble child is not able to support herself; Paul Bigford, 12 years old, has as good health as other children
[signed] Allen Bidwell
Sworn to and declared at Charlestown in said County, on the eleventh day of July 1820 before R Vose 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 four dollars and thirty cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 14th day of July A. D. 1820 L Hale
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SCHEDULE, Of the whole estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, and income of Allen Bidwell of Langdon in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of May 1st, 1820.
One pot $1.00 | 1 pair Andirons 1.00 | 1 Tea kettle .50 | 1 high pan .40 | 1 Spider .42 | Crockery for family use 1.00 | One tin pan .30 | 1 wire sieve .40 | 1 Kitchen table .30 | 1 pail .36 | 1 fall leaf table 1.25 | 5 broken chais .40 | 1 Crane & five hooks 1.30 | 1 Lauthorn .25 | 1 broken bake pan .25 | 1 pr shovel & tongs 1.50 | 1 hog & 1 plow 75 8.75 2.50 | 2 draft chains .50 | 1 pr of trace chains .50 | 1 hoe scythe & snath 1.25 | 1 rake & pitchfork .40 | 1 chest .25 - 4 cyder barrels 2.50 2.75 | 1 set of Looms 5.00 | 1 old axe .25, beatle & wedges 1.00 1. 25 | 1 Shingle fro .75 case knives & forks .47 1.22 | [equals $] 34.30 Allen Bidwell
We the Subscibers testify and say, that we have viewed the property contained in the above Schedule, shewn to us by __ above named, as his property; and are of opinion that the sums set against the respective items are their true value.
Cheshire ss. 182 Personally appeared, __ above named, and made oath to the truth of the above statement, by them subscribed. Before me, __ Justice of the Peace.
I certify, that __ above named, are disinterested and credible witnesses. __ Justice of the Peace.
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Declaration
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---
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838
State of New Hampshire
Sullivan County
SS. ⎬
On this Eleventh day of June one thoused
eight hundred and fifty three personally
appeared before me Samuel Egerton a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Grove Bidwell a resident of Langdon in said County
aged fifty one 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed July the seventh eighteen hundred and thirty eight, granting Pensions to certain Widows whose husbands served in the war of the Revolution. That his father Allen Bidwell was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served according to his but recollection from what he formally heard him say about his services some over three years in all
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That he well rembers hearing him frequently
speak of his services, and of the different time and places where he was stationed when he was out and the different battles which he was in, but that he cannot remember at this time many of particulars; but thinks he was at Bunkerhill Battle and will remember hearing him say he helped to fill Hogsheads of sand on Dorchester heights which he believes was in 1776. That he well remembers hearing
him say that he was present when General-
Putnam Rode down the stone steps, and that he was present at the time the British burnt New London; That his father said Allen Bidwell always told him he was a resident of the town Lime in the State of Connecticut at the time
he went into the service; that he was a
pensioner under the act of 1818. That he
died in the town of Langdon in said County
the second day of August 1822. That he
the his mother Anna Bidwell was a Pensioner under the act of July 7th 1838. for the sum of forty dollars per annum; that she died in said
Langdon July 10th 1840 - that he trusts and
believes that his Father said Allen Bidwell
rendered service sufficient to entitle his Mother the said Anna Bidwell to a full Pension
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under said act of 1838. He further says that his Mother, Anna Bidwell, left at her decease five children; three Sons and two Daughters, who now survive viz, himself Grove Bidwell, Joseph Bidwell, Erastus Bidwell, Fanny Cragin, and Numa Aplin, the the three sons are residents of said Langdon, and the two daughters are residents of Marlow in said State.
That he, the said Grove Bidwell, makes this declaration in his own behalf, and in behalf of his before named Brothers and Sisters, in order that they may obtain the balance between the sum allowed their Mother under said act of 1838, and the amount which she was entitled to, had she been allowed full pay; and for the proof of their said claim, he respectfully refers to the evidence filed with his Fathers declaration, by which he obtained his pension under said act of 1818, and the evidence filed with his Mothers declaration, by which she obtained her pension under said act of 1838.
[signed] Grove Bidwell
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year before written Before me Samuel Egerton Justice of the Peace
I hereby further certify that said Grove Bidwell is considered a person of truth and veracity Samuel Egerton
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I, Ira French, of Alstead in the County of Cheshire & State of Newhampshire, aged fifty six years, depose & say
that I formerly resided in the Town of Langdon in the County of Sullivan in said State, that I was acquainted with the before named Allen Bidwell & his wife Anna Bidwell, both late of said Langdon, decd [deceased]. I well remember the death of both of them, but do not recolect [recollect] the exact time of their death. I think the said Allen died about thirty years ago, I was present at the Funeral of the said Anna Bidwell, but cannot state from recolection [recollection] the exact time, but have referred to her Tomb Stone, and find that she died July 10th 1840.
The said Anna left at her decease only five Children who now survive, viz, Grove Bidwell, Joseph Bidwell, Erastus Bidwell, Fanny Cragin, and Numa Aplin. I further say that I always understood that the said Allen Bidwell was a pensioner, & that his widow the said Anna Bidwell obtained a pension some years previous to her death.
[signed] Ira French
State of Newhampshire Sullivan County ss Langdon June 13 1853 Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above written Before me Samuel Egerton Justice of the Peace I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent, and he is a person of truth and veracity Samuel Egerton
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1618 Concord, N. Hampshire Anna Bidwell widow of Allen Bidwell Conn who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818 and who died on the 2 August 1823 of Sullivan Co. in the State of N. Hampshire
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain __  of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wyllis in the Conn. line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 40 Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Jan. 1839 and sent to Hon H. Hubbard Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep ‘38 [$] 100.00. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. ‘39 20.00 [equals] $120.00
Act July 7, 1838. Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A Vol. 21. Page 34
Jacob Wales, Aug 30 / 53
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1618 Anna Bidwell Declaration 3768 Act 7 July 1831 Married 1781 died 1823 Allow $40 per anm Hon. H. Hubbard Senate U.S.
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DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838. STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, County of Sullivan, SS.
On this Nineteenth day of September, 1838, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, Anna Bidwell, a resident of Langdon in the County of Sullivan, and State of N. H., aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;"
That she is the widow of Allen Bidwell, who  was a private in the army of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States on the New Hampshire Agency, under the Act of 18 March 1818, at the rate of eight Dollars per month.
He belonged to Captain Wrights Company in Colonel Willis's regiment, and served therein one year. He was also in the service in 1781, at New London Connt. at the time it was burnt, and afterwards was stationed in the guard boats under the command of Captain Amos Judson.
She further declares that she was married to the said Allen Bidwell on or about the twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1781, that her husband the aforesaid Allen Bidwell died on the second day of August A. D. 1823, that he was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, A. D. 1791, viz. at the time above stated.
[signed] Anna her-X-mark Bidwell
Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year above written John L Putnam Judge of Probate
I, J J Gilchrist, Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Declaration and proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Anna Bidwell for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 31st day of Decr A D 1838 J J Gilchrist Reg Prob
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Revy WIDOW, &c. File No. 18600 Anna Bidwell, Widow of Allen Bidwell Pri. Rev. War
Act: July 7th 1838 Index:—Vol. A, Page 64 Arrangement of 1870.
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Hon L P Waldo Comr of Pensions Washington D C
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Paper Mill Village N. H. June 21 1853 Hon. L P Waldo Comr of Pensions
Sir, Enclosed is the Declaration of Grove Bidwell, made in his own behalf, and in behalf of his Brother & Sisters, under the act of 1838, in order to obtain an increase of their Mothers Pension, from March 4th 1836 to the time she died. They believe he was entitled to a full pension. It is probable that their Father, Allen Bidwell, Set forth all his services at the time he obtained his pension, under the act of 1818, and on referring to his declaration, you will find how much service he set forth, and if you have no proof of only one year, which was all was allowed the widow, you will inform me, and state what he did say about his service, as I may then be able to show it, from the old Rolls in Connecticut. I trust you will act on
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this as soon as possible & make return to me, at Paper Mill Village N H. Truly Yours Jacob Wales
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I Henry Hubbard a member of the Senate of the United States for the State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Allen Bidwell, then living Charlestown, the town where I reside.
He was a pensioner under the act of March 1818. I also knew his family, his wife and children. I was the administrator of Mr Bidwells estate, I think he has been dead eight or ten years, perhaps longer. My own age is a little over fifty two. Mr Allen Bidwell, oldest son Joseph was a number
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of years older than myself. I think also his oldest daughter was older than I am, and his son Erastus can not be far from my age. The family when I first knew them lived near the village in which I live, and afterward they moved to the south part of the town. I knew both Allen Bidwell and his wife, and the children, heard of her pass, They always lived together as husband and wife, and she was reputed to be his wife, and I have no doubts of that fact, they were living together at the time of his death
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and she was recognized as his widow at in the settlement of his estate. She has lived since the her husbands death the principle part of the time with her oldest son Joseph. It is more than thirty years I think since I first knew the family.
Henry Hubbard
District of Columbia Washington Ss March Jany the 11th 1839 Then Henry Hubbard personally appeared and made oath that the aforegoing affidavit by him signed was just and true Before me S. Burche Jus Peace
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Free J L Hubbard J L Edwards Esq Pension Office Washington D C
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[illegible] Church March 4. 1837
Mr Hubbard would be obliged to Mr Edwards to permit him as soon as he can a copy of the declaration of Allen Bidwell who is now deceased. He was in the New Hampshire Agency when living. Mr Hubbard would wish to be informed whether Mr Edwards will make any new regulations in consequence of the explanatory
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of Congress approved yesterday with reference to the pension act of July 4. 1836
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State of New Hampshire Sullivan County ss
I, T. W. Gilmore, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel Egerton is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated May 17. 1851 and will expire on the 17th day of May 1856, and that the signatures of the said herewith, purporting to be the signatures of the said Justice, are in my belief genuine.
I also certify that evidence has been filed in this Office showing that the widow Anna Bidwell, late of Langdon in said County, deceased, died the tenth day of July 1840, that she left only five children who now survive, vis, Grove Bidwell, Joseph Bidwell, Erastus Bidwell, Fanny Cragin and Numa Aplin. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court the 11th day of June AD 1853 T. W. Gilmore Clerk
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I, Erastus Bidwell, depose and say that I am Son of Anna Bidwell and Allen Bidwell, that said Allen died on the 2d day of August AD 1823, and my mother Anna Bidwell aforesaid has remained a widow ever since that period. I am 46 years of age, and have always understood and been informed that my parents were married before New London was burned by the British in 1781 [signed] Erastus Bidwell
31 Decr 1838 Sworn before me and I certify that said Bidwell is a credible witness J J Gilchrist J Peace
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The deposition of George Goodrich & Joseph Scott both of Glastonbury, County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, testify & say that they are acquainted with Allen Bidwell, that they served with him in Capt Samuel Wrights Company in Col Samuel Wyllys’ Regiment in the Continental Establishment in the year one thousand seven hundred seventy six,
that they lived with him in the same mess that he served in sd [said] Wright Company, Nine months & more, that he was in the Battle on Long Island, & on board the spits fire Ro galley up the North River, & fought the Brittish Frigates, the Phoenix & the Rose, that he received a wound in his right hand in the Battle, that he was a good & faithfull Soldier, & was Honourable discharged
[signed] George Goodrich, Joseph Scott
Hartford County Ss Glastonbury State of Connecticutt May 6th 1819
Personally appeared George Goodrich & Joseph Scott before the subscribing authority, & made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above subscribed deposition, that the subscribed authority is personally acquainted with the sd [said] Goodrich & Scott, that their characters are fair & respectable, that the subscribing authority is acquainted with above described Allen Bidwell, that he was born in the Town of Glastonbury, County of Hartford & State of Connecticutt, that he inlisted in sd Wrights Company in the seventeeth year of his age, & is now in his sixtieth year of his age. Elisha Hale Just. Peace
State of Connecticut Ss Hartford County May 6. 1819. I, Thomas Chester, Clerk of the County Court of said County, certify that Elisha Hale Esq is a Justice of the Peace of said County, & I believe that the above signature of his name is his signature. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court. Thomas Chester Clerk