Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,013, Smith Emerson, N.H.

Page 1

(3-1776)

Service: N.H.

Emerson, Smith
                 Hannah

Number: W. 16.013

Contents:

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845
Portsmouth N Hamp. 
Hannah Emerson widow of Smith Emerson dec.
who died on the 23 July 1814 of Rockingham in the State of N.H. who was a Captain in the Company commanded by himself of the Reg. commanded by Col. Tash in the N.H. line for 6 months.
N.H.
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1837 and sent A.E. Demeritt Lee N. Hamp.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $720.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 60.00
-----
$780.00
-----
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Sectional the 3d
Recorded by W.H. Addison Clerk
Book A Vol. 1 Page 27
Duplicate certificate issued 5th April 1838 and sent to Hon. S. Christman--Ho of Rep

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State of Newhampshire Rockingham County Ss
On this thirteenth day of January AD 1837 personally appearsest before me Bradbury Bartlett one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Rockingham
Hannah Emerson late a resident in Durham in the  County of Strafford in said State. Now residing at Newmarket in the said County of Rockingham, aged about eighty four 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 4th 1836 that she is the Widow of Smith Emerson, late of Lee in the County Strafford and State aforesaid deceased, who was a Captain in the Newhampshire Militia that in the fall of the year 1775 the said deceased went with his Company to the Fort at Portsmouth and Continued in Service two months and in the year 1776 he again went in 
to the Service and Marched from Lee the first of September with his company in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Thomas Tash in the Revolutionary Army and Continued in Service untile February 1777, when he returned and in the fall of 1777 he was with his Company at the taking of Burgains Army but how long said Decd she further declared that she was married to the decd Smith Emerson on the 29 day of December AD 1765 by the Rev Samuel Huckings Minister of the Gospel in said Lee, and that her husband the aforesaid Smith Emerson died on the 23 day of July-1814 and that she has remained a Widow ever since that Period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
Hannah Emerson
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Bradbury Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Rockingham--
Rockingham County Ss--January 13th 1837--
I certify that I am acquainted with Hannah Emerson who subscribed the above declaration that she sustains a good Character and her making this before me is an Act of age and bodily Infirmity being unable to attend Court.
Bradbury Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Rockingham

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State of New Hampshire
Rockingham SS
I J.P. Hoitt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Rockingham do hereby certify that the Hon. Bradbury Bartlett before whom the within declaration was made, and who has subscribed the same certificate in a Judge of said Court of Common Pleas as such xxxxx [crossed out word] that full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts as such, and that his signature hereto purporting to be his is, in my belief genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this Seventeenth day of January A.D. 1837.
J.P. Hoitt Clerk C.C.P.
Rockg. County

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Rev
WIDOW, &c
File No. 16013
Hannah Emerson
Wid(ow) of
Smith Emerson
Capt(ain) Rev(olutionary) War
Act July 4th '/36
136
Index: Vol. A Page 217
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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I Eleazer Bennett of Durham in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty six years, depose and say that I was well acquainted with Capt(ain) Smith Emerson late of Lee in said County deceased that said Smith Emerson was a Captain of Newhampshire Militia and that he marched his company from
Lee the first of September 1776 and was attached to Col(o)n(el) Thomas Farber Regiment and that he served as a Captain in said Regiment from the first of September, 1776 to the last of December following.
during which time I was a private soldier in said Emersons Company and was discharged in the State of New York at a place Called Packs? Kill at the last of December 1776
at which time I left Captain Emerson in Command of his Company.  I rec(eived) 
pay from the pay master for four month
service when I was attached to Captain Emersons Company in the Revolutionary service and I further state that I lived near 
said Capt(ain) Emerson and well remember when he was said to be married about ten years before said service to Hannah Hampton that he lived with her as husband and wife 
for many years and had by her five Children which were brought up in his family and at his decease His property was divided between his said Children and wife and I have always Lived near and been well acquainted with his Widow who is a reputable person and sustains a good Character 
(signed) Eleazer Bennett

Rockingham County ss January 13. 1837.  Sworn to and Subscribed before me 
(signed) Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace

I certify that Eleazer Bennet who subscribed the above sustains a oood Character and is entitled to full belief  (signed) Bradbury Bartlett Jus Peace

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J. Willey Hill of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy Seven years depose and say that I was well acquainted with Smith Emerson late of said Lee deceased, that in the fall of the year after the Battle at Bunker Hill I served as a musician at Portsmouth Harbour in a company  commanded by said Smith Emerson as Captain for about two months when I was discharged and left said Emerson in the service we were 
?layed a part of the time in building fort Sullivan and Fort Washington. and I further state that said Smith Emerson lived with 
Hannah Emerson as husband and wife, before the Revolutionary  War and continued to live as husband and wife until his death.  That they
had two or three children before the War, and four or five after the War, that he died about twenty years since, and since his death his property has been divided among his Children
and Widow

I have always been acquainted with his Widow Hannah Emerson Who is now applying for a Pension that she sustains a good moral character and is entitled to belief

(signed) Wiley Hill
Rockingham County ss January 13 1837, Sworn to and subscribed before me (signed) Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace
I further state that I am well acquainted with Wiley Hill who subscribed the above that he is a man of good Character and entitled to full belief  (signed)  Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace

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I John Randall of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged about seventy seven years depose and say that I was well acquainted with the late Smith Emerson of Lee in said County, deceased that before the
American Revolution I knew him to live as husband and Wife with, Hannah Emerson who now remains his Widow that they lived together many years and had a number of children which were brought up in his family
and at his decease I attended his funeral which was about twenty two years since, his property was divided between his Widow and the Children and his Widow who is making
application for a pension has not since his decease been married but remains his Widow and Sustains a good Character

(signed) John Randal

Rockingham County ss January 13 1836
Sworn to and subscribed before me
(signed) Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace

I Certify that I am acquainted with John Randall who subscribed the above that he sustains a good Character and is entitled to full belief 

(signed)  Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace-

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I Dan Woodman of Exeter in the County of Rockingham and State of New hampshire, aged Eighty seven years testify and say that I was acquainted with Captain Smith Emerson late of Lee in the County of Strafford in said State deceased that I lived near said Emerson before and after the Revolutionary War that I was a soldier in Col(onel) Reeds Regiment in the year 1777 and that said Emerson joined the army with his Company attached to Col(onel) Evans Regiment of the New Hampshire Militia at New York about one month before the surrender of Gen Burgoins(sic) army and continued in command
of his Company for six months, when he left the army
(signed) Dan Woodman (by his mark) 

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County  ss⎬ January 17th 1837 Then Dan Woodman who subscribed the above personally appeared and made Solemn Oath that the same was just and true before me
(signed) Bradbury Bartlett Jus. Peace
I certify that Dan Woodman who subscribed the above is a person that sustains a good Character and entitled to belief
(signed) Brad Bartlett Jus. Peace

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We the undersigned Selectmen of Durham
hereby certify that Eleazer Bennett a pensioner
now residing in Durham sustains a good
character for truth and veracity.
Durham Jan(uar)y 13th 1837
(signed) Samuel Burnham}
(signed)Stephen Demeritt} 
(signed) Benj(ami)n Kelly} Selectmen of Durham

Durham N.H. January 14 1837. This may certify that the above named Samuel Burnham, Stephen DeMeritt & Benjamin Kelly are
Selectmen of the said town of Durham - I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Eleazer Bennett- that he sus
tains a creditable reputation for truth and veracity
(signed) Attest, Valentine Smith Town Clerk

We the undersigned Selectmen of the Town of Lee being well acquainted with Willey Hill and John Randal of said Town hereby certify that said Willey Hill and John Randall now residing in Lee sustain a good character for truth and veracity
Lee Jan. 14. 1837-
-
(signed) Trueworthy Hill}
(signed) Joseph Tuttle} 
(signed) Edward B Nealley }  Selectmen of Lee

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Lee N. H. January 14 1837 This may Certify that the within named Trueworthy Hill, Joseph Tuttle and Edward B. Nealley are Selectmen of the Town of Lee for the year aforesaid- I further certify that I am well acquainted with Wiley Hill and John Randall now residing in said town of Lee, and that they both sustain a creditable reputation for
truth and veracity 
(signed) 
Thomas M. Thompson Town Clerk of Lee

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Hannah Emerson 
wid(ow) of Smith
NH 
Hannah Emerson

Allow Capt(ain) 6 mo $120 per annum 
from 4 March 1838 

A. E Dominick Esq. 
Sec(retary) 
Lee NH

(sideways on page) 
Copy of Deed
Emerson to Robinson
Rockingham Records
Recorded Sib. 128 Fol. 315.

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1104
(seal affixed)

Rolls -
New York
Sept 76
adv(?)d wages & bounty
order 16 Sept
Lee NH roll Vol 4 & 97
Capt Nov 1775

Know all men by these presents that we Smith Emerson Hannah Emerson of Lee the wife of 
said Emerson in the County of Strafford and (remainder missing on image)

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Know all men by these presents that we Smith Emerson & Hannah Emerson of Lee the wife of said Emerson in the County of Stafford &
State of New Hampshire Gentleman for & in consideration of the sum of Five Shillings lawful money to us in hand before the delivery hereof well & truly paid by Simeon Robinson of Canterbury in the County of Rockingham & State of Newhampshire yeoman the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained sold & by these presents do give grant bargain sell assign forever A certain tract or parcel of land in Canterbury aforesaid containing forty acres more or less it being a Forty acre lot in the first division laid out to the orinal right of Robert Thompson & numbered one hundred & thirty eight the boundaries shall fully appear of said Lot by the records of the proprietors in said Canterbury, To have & to hold the s(ai)d granted premises with all the privileges & appurtenances to the same belonging to the said Simeon Robinson his heirs & assigns to his only proper use & benefit & behoof forever, hereby engaging to Warrant & defend the said granted premises against all claims or demands of any person or persons claiming by from or under us.-

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this the twenty sixth day of June & seventeen hundred & Eighty

Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of us ⎬ Smith Emerson (seal)
Andrew Demerit, Mary Demerit ⎬ Hannah Emerson (seal)

Strafford ss 10th March 1791, Personally appearing the said Smith Emerson & acknowledged the above written Instrument to be his voluntary act & Deed before me.

(signed), Jona(than) Steele J. Peace

Received & Recorded 10th March 1791 Sam(ue)l Brooks R(ecor)d(e)r

A Copy of Record compared,
Francis D. Randall R(ecor)d(e)r

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John Larymaid 
6 mo.
Capt(ain) Lane -

Willey Hill

Capt(ain) Smith Emerson Portsmouth 6 mo.
(ditto) Lane  Winter Hill  6 mo.

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I Andrew E. Demeritt of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire Grandson of Hannah Emerson Widow of Smith Emerson late of Lee deceased, that I have acted as Agent for said Hannah Emerson for
the Purpose of Procuring a pension for her on account of the services of her late Husband Smith Emerson inthe Revolutionary War that I have made search for the record of her marriage but can find no record of her marriage in the Town of Lee and find no documentary evidence of said Smith Emerson services in the Revolutionary Army that his books and papers can not be found and are supposed to be lost or destroyed.  I have searched the records of the County of Rockingham and find on record a deed
of Real Estate sold by said Smith Emerson and his wife the said Hannah Emerson a Copy of which is hereunto annexed

(signed)  Andrew E. Demeritt

State of Newhampshire
Rockingham County ss. January 17, 1837. Then Andrew E Demeritt made solemn oath that the above Affidavit by him signed was true
Before me (signed) Bradbury Bartlett Ju(stice of the) Pe(ace)

I certify that Andrew E Demeritt who subscribed the above Sustains a good Character for truth and veracity
Bradbury Bartlett, Jus(tice of the) Peace

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I
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss  I. J.B. Hortt Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas within and for the County aforesaid do hereby that the Hon Bradbury Bartlett who has subscribed the within and the four annexed certificate is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified as such, and that the signatures purporting to be his to the within and annexed papers is in my belief genuine-

Witness my official signature
and the Seal of our Court of Common
Pleas hereunto affixed the Seventeenth day
of January A.D. 1837
(signed) J. B. Hoitt Clerk
C.C. Pleas Rock(in)g(ham)
County

(seal affixed)

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I Hannah Emerson of Durham in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire of Lawful age depose and say that I am widow of Capt(ain) Smith Emerson late of Lee in said County deceased, who was a captain of the
Militia in the Revolutionary War, that in consequences of his services in said war  I am entitled to a pension, and did obtain a pension certificate and have made two draws, one for back arrearages and the other in September 
last, I made my Grandson my agent for drawing said pension, he had my certificate in his possession and in February last his House was burnt and my certificate was burnt in it together with most all the contents and furniture my draw due in March the 4th of this present month I have not received and cannot until I have procured another certificate as I have been informed by a letter from Isaac Waldron Esqr Pension Agent in N. Hampshire

Witness (signed) G W Hoitt

 (signed) Hannah Emerson (by her mark)

March 24th 1838

Sworn and subscribed to before me
G.W. Hoitt
Justice of the Peace

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I Andrew E. Demerit of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire of lawful age depose and say that I am a Grandson of Hannah Emerson of Durham in said County of Strafford who is the widow of Smith Emerson
late of Lee deceased, that the said Hannah is entitled to a Pension and had a certificate for the same, I acted as her agent in procuring said pension, and also for drawing the same, that on the 19th day of February last past the Certificate of the said Hannah being in my possession was consumed by fire together with my dwelling house and almost all the furniture &c (two Beds & bedding excepted) all my papers were lost of any value

(signed) A. E. Demeritt

Lee March 26, 1838
Stafford ss. Sworn and subscribed to before me (signed) G. W. W. Hoitt Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I live within less than half of a mile of the affiant and in sight of the spot where his house formerly stood, that said House was burnt at the time as above stated-
(signed) G. W. W. Hoitt

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Lee NH                     Free
March 27
Hon. Samuel Cushman
M. C. (Member of Congress)

Washington City
D.C.

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See  March 24, 1838
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Probate
Dear Sir,
You will learn from the affidavits here enclosed that Mrs. Hannah Emerson has been so unfortunate as to loose her pension certificate by fire. I have written to Isaac Waldron Esq. pension agent for information on the subject he has directed me to take the affidavit above referred to and send them to you and obtain another certificate, which I wish you would send to me as soon as possible. Mr. Cushman will present this and the affidavit and will if you please enclose the certificate and forward to me immediately. 
Yours very Respectfully,
G.W. Hoitt

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Washington D.C
31st March 1838
Sir 
I have the honor herewith,
of transmitting to you for
consideration, a letter from
Gorham W Hoitt Esqr. to your
self which came enclosed to
me, together with two affidavits to
prove the loss of Hannah
Emerson's Pension Certificate.
I am well acquainted with
? Hoit an can assure you
that his statements are
entitled to full credit 

With
Great respect,
Your obedient Servant
(signed)  Samuel Cushman

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.