Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16503, Niles Beckwith, Continental N. H.

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SERVICE
Continental
N. H.
Beckwith, Niles
Jemima
NUMBER
W.16503
CONTENTS
[blank]

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13.860  4
Died Feby 20 1821
New Hampshire
Niles Beckwith of Lempster in the state of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sargeant of the Massachusetts 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 23 of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of July 1818 and sent to Levi Chamberlain Esqr
Keene New Hampshire
Arrears to 4th Mar. 1819 83.43
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819 48.00
10 mo 8/30 4/31 [total] $131.43
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Continued

Notification sent September 8 1820 to Uzzel Hurd Lempster, N. Hampshire

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New Hampshire 1805
Concord
He died Feby 20, 1821
Jemima Beckwith widow of Niles Beckwith who was a private in the Massachusetts line Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 65 Dollars 63 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of September, 1843 and sent to Alvah Smith Lempster N. Hampshire
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 14
Repd 6 Sept 43
1886, Augt 19 Paul Beckwith present history

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I Niles Beckwith of Lempster 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 five in the
month of May I enlisted as a private soldier in the Continental Army in United States of America at Mystick in the province of Massachusetts under Capt Jeremiah Stiles in a Regiment commanded by Col Starks of New Hampshire where I served about three months, after which I was taken into Col Sargents Regment of said New Hampshire where I served my time out, which was eight months. Then enlisted again before & I returned home for one year in to a Company commanded by Capt. William Scott of Peterborough in New Hampshire in Col Sargents Regiment and marched to Castle Hill and below Boston where we remained untill Independance was declared and then marched to New York after which I was taken into a Regiment of Rangers command by Col Knowlton and Continued in said Regiment untill I was taken at Fort Washington by the British and was put aboard of the prison ship where I remained nine or ten weeks & think after which, I was deemed on parole and my time of enlistment being out, was under holed for which reason I had no discharge. Also I further say upon oath that I am poor and stand in need of support from my Country.
[signature] X his mark Niles Beckwith

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State of New Hampshire
Cheshire 
April 23d 1818 then before Elisha Huntley a Justice of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County of Cheshire personally appeared Niles Beckwith before named and made Solemn Oath that the forgoing 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 Niles Beckwith 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.

Niles Beckwith private
Sargeants Massts Regt 1775

To the Honble John C Calhoun
Secretary of war
Proof of service wanted
[signature] Elisha Huntley} one of the justices 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 who is duly commissioned a Judge of said Court and that no particular impression is used as a seal by said Court.
In witness whereof I have hereto subscribed and
affixed a seal in form as used by said Court this
26th day of May A.D. 1818
[signature] Levi Chamberlain

This may certify that the within named Niles Beckwith is poor and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Honbl John C. Calhoun
Secretary War
[illegible] December 28th 1818
Elisha Huntley one of the 
Justices of the Court of Common Pleas

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Niles Beckwith
13,860
Grantd
Septr 1819

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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHESHIRE COUNTY SS.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
On this 18th 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, Niles Beckwith aged
67 years, resident in the town of Unity in said county, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: that he enlisted into Capt.  Jeremiah Stiles Compy & Col Starks Regt in the spring of the year of 1775 for eight months. I was in Bunker hill fight after which fight he was transferred into Col. Sergeants Regt & after the 8 months expired he enlisted into Capt Scotts Compy, Col. Sargeants Regt for one year and served into Col Sargeants Regt until some time in August, when he was transferred into Col. Knowltons ranging Regt where he continued to serve until he was made a prisoner at fort Washington. The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension the 23 day of April 1818. The number of my pension certificate is 13,860. 
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 I further say that I am a laboring husbandman. That I have for a number of years been wholly unable to do any labor, and I never expect to be able to do any more labor in future. That I have living with me and under my care a wife & two children. My wife aged 58, not more than one half able to support herself. Torrin aged 20 years, not more than seven eighths able to support himself. Nelson aged 13 years a non compos, ever has been unable to do any thing for his support, and the probability is that he will remain so. That I am owing as near as I can ascertain about two hundred dollars & have nothing due to me.
[signature] X his mark Niles Beckwith

Sworn to and declared at Newport in said County, on the 18th day of July 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 eighty nine dollars and thirty seven cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 24th day of July A. D. 1820.
[signature] S. Hale

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SCHEDULE,
Of the whole estate (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) and income of Niles Beckwith of Unity in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of May 1st, 1820.
One horse 1.50
1 pr of young cattle 40.-
6 sheep 6.67
1 cow & calf 18.-
2 swine 8.-
1 sleigh & harness 5.-
1 loom and apparatus 1.34
2 tables .40
1 plough & chain & farming utensils 2.-
hollow ware 2.50
spinning wheels &c 1.67
crockery ware 1.-
casks tubes & pails .50
chain .67
[total] 89.37
[signature] X his mark Niles Beckwith

We the subscribers testify and say, that we have viewed the property in the above Schedule, shewn to us by [blank] above named, as his property; and are of the opinion that the sums set against the respective items are their true value.

Cheshire ss. [blank] 182 
Personally appeared, [blank] above named, and made oath to the truth of the above statement, by them subscribed. Before me, [blank] Justice of the Peace.
I certify, that [blank] above named, are disinterested and credible witnesses. [blank] Justice of the Peace

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State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss.
Lempster yo 6 Day of December 1778
These may certify that Niles Beckwith and Jemima Wedge both of Lempster were Lawfully
married Together. 
by me [signature] Thos Putnam Justice Peace

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Beckwith Jemima
Declaration
Wid for Niles
N. H.
Act July 7 1838
Married 1778
decd 1821
Allow 19 1/2 mos private
$65.63 per ann
Vol 1G p 37 Mass rolls.

Hon H. Hubbard U S 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, Jemima Beckwith a resident of Lempster in the County of Sullivan and State of N. H. aged 77 
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 Niles Beckwith 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. She knows of no person now living who was present at her marriage but she appends hereto a certificate of her marriage delivered to her by Thomas Putnam Esquire, the Magistrate who performed that ceremony on the day of her marriage.

She further declares that she was married to the said Niles Beckwith on the Sixth day of December A.D. 1778 that her husband the aforesaid Niles Beckwith died on the twentieth day of February
A. D. 1821, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, A. D. 1794, viz. at the time above stated. [signature] Jemima Beckwith
Sworn to and subscribed, the day 
witness before [signature] L Putnam Judge of Prob.
[signature] J. J. Gilchrist Register of the Court of Probate
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Declaration and proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 29th day of September AD 1838.
[signature] John James Gilchrist Reg Prob
BECKWITH, NILES

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Revolutionary War Records Section
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
192
---
W. 16503
In reply to your request of
for the history of Niles Beckwith 
a soldier of the Revolutionary War,
the following is taken from the S. and W. [survivors and widows]
claim for pension.
[Table of four column, headed:]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. || LENGTH OF
SERVICE. || RANK. || OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. || STATE.
May 1775 || 8 months || Captain Jeremiah Stiles, Colonel Stark, Sergeant ||New Hampshire
January 1, 1776 || 1 year ( he was taken prisoner at Fort Washington and was held on prison ship for ten weeks when he was paroled) || Captain William Scott || Colonels Sergeant, Hatton, Knowlton ||
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Mystic [illegible] of Massachusetts.
Date of application for pension, May 26, 1818
Residence at date of application, Lempster Cheshire county- New Hampshire
Age at date of application, 65 years.
Remarks: He married December 6, 1778 Jemima Wedge
in Enmity Sullivan County New Hampshire February 20, 1821 and she was allowed pension on an application executed September 19, 1838 while residing in Lempster Sullivan County New Hampshire age 77 years. In 1820 2 children are referred to-Lorrin age 20 and Nelson age 13 years.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

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Rev
Widow, &c.
File No. 16503
Jemima Beckwith wid of Niles Beckwith Pri Rev War
Act: March 3d /43
Index: -Vol. A, Page 52
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1923 Jan 8 hist to Miss Alma M. Beckwith - Ew.

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1787
Concord N. Hamp.
Jemima Beckwith widow of Niles Beckwith dec'd who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 20th February 1821 of Sullivan Co in the State of N. H. who was a Private in the compy. commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded by Col Sargeant in the MS line for 19 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N. H. at the rate of 65 Dollars 63 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Feby 1839 and sent Hon H. Hubbard Senate U. Stats
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $163.97
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 39 32.81
[total] $196.78
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book 4 Vol 1st Page 34

1775 May Jeremiah Stiles 6d 8 mos
Vol 16 p 37 Anto
May 15. 
12
7
19 1/2 mos

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I David Harris of Sixty seven years of age do testify and say that Niles Beckwith and myself enlisted into the Continental service as private soldiers in Capt Jeremiah Stiles Company and Col Starks Regiment in the eight months campaign in 1775 which enlistment expired on the last day of
December that same year just before the expiration of the above enlistment. Niles Beckwith engaged for to serve another year in the Revolutionary War in Capt William Scott's Company and Col. Sergeants Regiment and as I served in the same Regiment although not in the same Company. I frequently saw Niles Beckwith doing duty in said Regiment and was knowing that he continued in said Company and Regiment untill he was made a prisoner in Fort Washington. I further state that I am wholly disinterested in the above business.
[signature] David Harris

State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss.
May 28th AD 1819
Then personally appeared David Harris and made Solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth I further State that in my opinion the above named David Harris is a man of truth and a good witness. Before me
[signature] Uzzel Hurd Justice of the Peace

Cheshire ss. June 14 1819
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Uzzel Hurd is a Justice of the Peace in said county, and that the foregoing is his signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature.
[signature] S Hale

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I Ebenezer Hurd of Sixty three years of age do testify and say that I enlisted as a private Soldier some time in December in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and seventy five in Capt William Scott's Company and Col Sergeants Regiment by signing Enlisting Orders presented to me by Niles Beckwith who had enlisted in the above said Company and Regiment as a Sergeant and was then on the recruiting service.
The terms of the Enlisting orders was to serve one year, the time of service to commence on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Seventy Six. Accordingly Niles Beckwith and myself together joined said Company and Regiment at Cambridge in Massachusetts on the said first day of January 1776 and the said Niles Beckwith continued in the service untill he was made a prisoner in fort Washington. I further state that I am a disinterested person.
[signature] Ebenezer Hurd

State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
Croydon April 28th AD 1819 
Then personally appeared before me Ebenezer Hurd signer of the above Affidavit and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was just and true. And I further state that the above named Ebenezer Hurd in my opinion is a person of truth and veracity and
a disinterested person.
[signature] Uzzel Hurd Justice Peace

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Cheshire ss. April 30, 1819
I Salma Hale Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Uriel Hand is a Justice of the Peace in said county, & that the foregoing is his
signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
[signature] S. Hale

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2110
June 23 43
N. H.
Mar 3d 1843
Jemima Smith
$65.63 per ann
Alvah Smith
Lempster N. H.

Beckwith

Lempster  N. H.
June 20
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

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Lempster N H. June 17, 1843
Hon J. L. Edwards
Dr Sir. 
Herewith I forward you the declaration of Jemima Beckwith in order to obtain the benefit of the Law of the 3 of March 1843. As I have certified I know she was a pensioner under the former act. That her husband was also a pensioner, and I think drawed full pay as a soldier. He was out during the whole or nearly the whole of the Revolution and why she should draw but about sixty five Dollars, I am unable to perceive. I think the law of 1838 gave the same to the widow that the husband received. She did not receive on the five year pension but about two thirds as much as her husband, she says this is the fact and from my own recollection I think she is right in her statement. I call your attention to this fact with the fullest confidence that if there has been an error, you will see it corrected in future and in Justice. I see not why it should not benefit for the past as I presume it would have been in the time of it. If your attention had been called to it, and the error exists, as I believe it does she states the sum in her declaration from recollection as her old certificate is not in her possession. Mr Hubbard thinks it has been returned to your office. If the declaration is defective please inform in what respect, and what further evidence if any may be necessary.
Respecfully your Obt Servt
[signature] Alvah Smith

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DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Sullivan ss.
On this twelfth day of May 1843 Personally appeared before Alvah Smith a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Jemima Beckwith, a resident of Lempster in the County of Sullivan and State aforesaid, aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d day of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Niles Beckwith who was a Private Soldier during the Revolution in the army.
That she was a pensioner under the act of the 7th July, 1838, which she received at the rate of about sixty five dollars sixty cents per annum, and near as I can recollect.
She further declares that she is still a widow,
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me.
[signature] Jemima Beckwith
[signature] Alvah Smith Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the applicant Jemima Beckwith. That she is the widow of Niles Beckwith who was a pensioner. That she was a pensioner under the act of the 7th of July 1838 and that she is still a widow.
[signature] Alvah Smith Justice of the Peace

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State of New Hampshire
Sullivan County ss.
I, T. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Alvah Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 17th day of January 1842 and will expire on the 16th day of January 1848 and that his signatures herewith are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 9th day of June 1843.
[signature] T. M. Gilmore Clerk

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I Joseph G Silsby of Acworth in the County of Sullivan & State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in said town of Acworth, and that there is no record of the marriage of Niles Beckwith on the records of said town.
[signature] Joseph G. Silsby Town Clerk
Sept 28th 1838

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss.
Sept 28th 1838
Personally appeared the above named Joseph G Silsby and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true. Before me
[signature] Ithiel Silsby Jus Peace
I hereby certify to the above Joseph G. Silsby is a person of truth & veracity and a creditable witness.
[signature] Alvah Smith Justice of the Peace

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This may certify that I am well acquainted with Ithiel Silsby and that he is a Justice of the peace for the County of Sullivan and that the within official certificate signed by him is his own handwriting.
Henry Hubbard U S S

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4217
Hon H Hubbard
Senate N.S.

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I Warren Beckwith of Lempster in the County of Sullivan & State of New Hampshire of lawful age do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Niles Beckwith a Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner under the law of 1818. But said Niles Beckwith resided in Lempster aforesaid after he left the service of the United States until a very short time previous to his death when he removed to Unity in said County where he died on the 20th of February AD 1821. That Jemima Beckwith is the widow of said Niles Beckwith, and has never been married to any other person since she now resides in Lempster aforesaid.
[signature] Warren Beckwith
State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss. Sept 28th 1838. 
Personally appeared Warren Beckwith & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. Before me
[signature] Alvah Smith Justice of the Peace
Sept 28, 1838
I hereby certify that the above named Warren Beckwith is a person of truth and veracity and a creditable witness.
[signature] Alvah Smith Justice of the Peace
Sept 28. 1838

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This may certify that I am well acquainted with Alvah Smith Esq. that he is a justice of the peace for the City of Sullivan N.H. and that the within official certificate is in his own hand writing.
[signature] Henry Hubbard N. H.

Page 27

Rev Sec

Atlantic, Iowa.
Dec. 7, 1922
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
I am a descendant of Niles Beckwith, Revolutionary soldier and pensioner of Connecticut and New Hampshire, serving from the latter state, and from Massachusetts.
My line is Niles Beckwith, (1783-1821); Warren Beckwith 1779-1830); Silas Beckwith (1816-1890); Albro N. Beckwith (1850-1916); Alma Beckwith.
Will you kindly send proof of service, and full name of wife, and such other data of interest as may be given in his and his widow's (Jemima Beckwith's) pension applications, to Mrs. Robert
Ferris, Laddonia, Missouri?
Mrs. Ferris is preparing D.A.R. paper for me.
I will certainly appreciate your kindness.
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Alma M. Beckwith

[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE O DEC 11 1922