Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,578, Robert Berkley, N. H.

Page 1

(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
N.H.|Berkley, Robert|W. 15,578|
[blank]|or Barkley, Rhoda|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS

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[verso]
Concord, N.H. 1226
Rhoda Berkley or Barkley widow of Robert Berkley or Barkley who died on the 29 Sep. 1804 of Coos Co. in the State of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Aldrich of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the N. Hampshire line for 2 years N.H. 
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 80 Dollars ['[blank] Cents' crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of July 1837 and sent to J. W.  Weeks Lancaster, N.H. 
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 480.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. "  40.00
$520.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1 Page 25

[recto]
see letter 8 July 1846 to Hon. E. Burke

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Rhoda Barkley's Application for a pension 1837.

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.
State of New Hampshire
Coos ss} On this twenty fifth day of February A.D. 1837 personally appeared, before the Court of Probate in & for said County, it being a court of record, Rhoda Berkley a resident of Lancaster, state & county aforesaid, aged seventy eight years last August, who being 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 Robert Berkley or Barkley late of Lyman in the County of Grafton & State aforesaid, who was a soldier, in what was called Whitcomb's Rangers during the revolutionary war, that the said Whitcomb was Major, & an Aldrich was captain, who lived in Westmoreland in the lower part of New Hampshire, that before the year 1778, her late husband Robert Berkley or Barkley, belonged to & did service in said corps of Whitcomb's Rangers, for the term of three years or more, that he was, previous to the close of the same, honorably discharged by said Whitcomb, on the payment of one hundred dollars, & in consequence of a breach which took place by Amherst during his exposure to the line of his duty, that she has heard her said husband relate, & she verily believes that he was present or very near, when the said Whitcomb killed Gen. Gordon in Canada, during said revolutionary War. that at many times, her late husband was, during the continuance of the war aforesaid, expose to very great hardships & sufferings, & that she has every reason to believe, that he served his country with zeal & fidelity during the period aforesaid. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Robert on the 30th day of April in the year 1778 in the town of Newbury State of Vermont, by Peter Powers then a settle minister in said Newbury, after having been duly published, that her said Husband Robert Berkley died the 29th day of September in the year 1804. having been killed by a fall from a bridge, over the Ammonoosuc River, while aiding in raising the same & that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

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/s/X her mark Rhoda Berkley 
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written, 
Before /s/B. Hunking Judge of Probate 
Attest /s/A. N. Brackett
We hereby certify that we have been acquainted with the subscriber Rhoda Berkley for about two years. She having removed into this town from Littleton in March 1835. that she came into town with a reputation for truth & veracity unsullied, & that it has remained such till now - that her recollection of past events appears distinct, U& she is very cautious of relating any event of which she is not completely certain. 
['B. Hunking' crossed out] /s/John W. Weeks
/s/Adino N. Brackett
Sworn to before me the day aforesaid /s/B. Hunking Judge Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above applicant is widow of said Robert Berkley, & that he was a revolutionary soldier & served as she states. And the Court certifies that it appears to them that John W. Weeks & Adino N. Brackett who have the signed the preceding certificate are residents of said town of Lancaster, that they are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
/s/B. Hunking Judge of Probate.
I Jared W. Williams Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rhoda Berkley for a pension. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony of which I hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of February in the  year of  our Lord 1837. 
/s/Jared W. Williams Reg'r of Probate

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We hereby certify that at the request of William Berkley a respectable neighbor of ours we have examined a Bible, said to be the property of Rhoda Berkley (Mother of the said William and Widow of the late Robert Berkley a revolutionary soldier) now residing with said William, and an applicant for a Pension, in which Bible among other entries in the family record we saw the following, viz.
"Robert Barckeley Married to Rhoda Way April 30, 1778"
Lancaster New Hampshire June 29, 1837 - 
/s/John W. Weeks
/s/C. W. Richardson - Pastor of the church at Lancaster
State of New Hampshire Coos ss
Personally appeared the above John W. Weeks and C. W. Richardson signers of the above Certificate and made solemn oath that the above and foregoing is true 
Before me - /s/B. Hunking {Judge of Probate
And I further state that I am personally acquainted with the above signers and consider them creditable witnesses - 
/s/B. Hunking {Judge of Probate

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3-525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D.C., [blank], 19[blank]
[initials: own] W15578
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military service of Robert Berkley or Barkley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in ['his (or' crossed out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
 ✓ |3 yrs|Pvt.|(Aldrich|Major Whitcomb's Rangers)|NH|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, N
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓  
Date of application for pension, Feb. 25, 1837. Her cl. was al. 
Residence at  date of application, Lancaster Coos co. N.H. 
Age at date of application, b. Aug. 1758 place not stated
Remarks: Sol. mar. at Newbury Vt. Apr. 30, 1778. Rhoda Way Sol. was a resident of Lyman Grafton Co. N.H. He died Sept. 29, 1804. 
Her res. in 1840 is not on record.
They had a family, only names of children stated being Wm & Edw
Respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner. 
O.K. 3-2856

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[verso]
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15578
Rhoda Berkley widow of Robert Berkley
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol. A, Page 52
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
Mar. 28, 1921. Hist to C. H. Walter. aw

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James L. Edwards Esq'r
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

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[handwritten letter]
Lancaster N.H. March 1st 1837.

James L. Edwards Esqr Commiss'r of Pensions.
Sir, the Rev'd Edward Berkley of this town, has requested me to address a line to you relative to his Mother's application for a Pension. The testimony will probably be forwarded herewith, which he wishes you to be good enough to examine at an early day - I have not seen the evidence in support of the declaration, therefore can only say, that the old Lady, her son, & his family sustain very respectable characters - 
Very respectfully, I am Sir, Your Ob't Ser't /s/John W. Weeks

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[addressed envelope]
[margin notes: July 6. Addl p'ff Rhoda Berkley 1593]
[postmark: LITTLETON N.H. JULY 6] Free
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

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[handwritten letter]
Lancaster New Hampshire June 30. 1837 - 

James L. Edwards Esqr - Commissioner of Pensions - 
Sir, I have rec'd your letter of the 5th inst. & handed the same to the Rev'd William Berkley - He has since procured & requester me to forward the inclosed evidence of his Mother's Marriage, which I trust will be satisfactory - He states that no record of Marriages was kept by the town of Newbury for twenty years after his Mother was Married - which was a common occurence in new towns at that period - and that only six persons were present at the marriage, all of whom are dead except Rhoda the present applicant 
I have no doubt of the Marriage at the time alleged, & presume you will not have any after receiving the enclosed certificate - therefore will not trouble you by detailing a long love story, which terminated by Robert's and Rhoda's marriage in an adjacent town, contrary to the wishes of the Way family - This accounts for the small number present - 
With very high respect, I am Sir, Your p'd & Ob't Ser't 
/s/John W. Weeks

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Luningburg March 6th 1837 - 
I Azariah Webb of luninberg (Lunenburg) in the state Vermont who was formaly living in Piermont in the State of Newhampshire who liv'd in that state throw the Revolutionary war and years after the war testify and say that I was well aquainted with Robert Burckley (Berkley) and always found him an honest man, but I Don't Remember so much about his servises in the war as he Did Posably but I recolect of seing him att Ben(n)ington after the Battle I went to Pottet with general lincon (Lincoln) their against him he told me that he belong'd to Capt Aldridge Company of Rangers under the Command of Major Whitcom (Whitcomb) and I new that they was their as I was aquainted with Both Capt and Major they come to me to draw their allowance of Provisions as I served as Comasary (Commissary) while their
I think Provibell (probable) that Robert Burckley (Berkley) served his Country two or three years but how that I was I Dont Pretend to say 
I am old and forgitfull from yours &c
/s/Azariah Webb
for Mr. William Burckley (Berkley) Lancaster Newhampshire
State of Vermont
Essex County ss} at Lunenburg March 13th 1837
Personally appeared before me William Gates Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Azariah Webb above named and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true & that I am acquainted with s'd Azariah Webb & that he is considered a man of truth and veracity
/s/Wm. Gates Justice Peace

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William Burkley (Berkley) Esqr.

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State of Vermont
Essex County ss} I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William Gates whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for s'd County duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature within is genuine
[court seal affixed] In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of s'd Court this 13th day of March 1837
/s/Wm. Gates Clerk

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V1593
Rhoda Berkley - widow of Robert 
N.H.
See NH roll, large Sqr book Vol. 1 p 2 & 9
enl'd Apl 77 disch'd Nov 1780
Adm'd private 2 years
$80 per ann. commencing 4 March 1831
Hon. J. W. Weeks
Lancaster NH

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State of New Hampshire
Grafton SS
On the eighth day of March AD 1837
personally appeared before me Barron
Maulton a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Grafton
and State aforesaid Lydia Sanborn a resident of Lyman State
and County aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to
Law doth on her oath make the following statements that she
is well acquainted and has been for sixty or seventy years with
Rhoda Berkley Widow of Robert Berkley late of Lyman, who died in
state aforsaid the year 1804 she further states that she was knowing to the fact
that the said Robert Kirkley and Rhoda Way were legally published for married in Haverhill in said county and state  in the year 1778 and on the 30th day of April
of the same year he the said Robert & Rhoda went to Newbury
State of Vermont to Peter Powers then a settled minister in said
Newbury to be married accompanied by Charles Wheeler and Mary
Wary sister to the said Rhoda
that there married and the
states that the they the said Robert & Rhoda lived together ever
after till the faith of the said Robert and raised a family
that he the said Rhoda has ever since lived a widow of
the said Robert Berkley She further states that said Charles
Wheeler & Mary Way above refered to have deceased
sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written
Before me
Lydia Sanborn
Baron Matson Justice of Peace
 
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the
Subscriber Lydia Sanborn for thirty or forty years past she having resided in the neighborhood of my
residence for that space of time and that she has sustain
a character and reputation for truth & veracity unsullied
untill the present time & that her recollection of pertinents appears distinct and she is certain of relating any went of which she is not certain.
Jon A Moulton
State of New Hampshire
Grafton St
Personally appeared Jonathan Moulton
and sworn the affidavit by him described is his
Before me  Baron Maulton Justice of Peace

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State of New Hampshire
Coos   ss
I Jared W Williams Clerk of the Court of Robate [Probate] for said County do certify that Barron
Moulton whose name is subscribed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for
said County of Grafton duly Commissioned & qualified & that his signature within is genuine.
In testimony of which my name & seal of said Court is affixed March 17th 1837
Jared W. Williams  Clerk of Probate

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State of New Hampshire
Coos  ss
I Jared W. Williams, Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Barron Moulton whose name is subscribed to the with
in certificate is a Justice of the Peace for
said County of Grafton & duly commissioned & qualified and that his signature within is genuine

In witness whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my name & affixed the
seal of the Court aforesaid this
day of March 1837
Jared W Williams Clerk of Probate

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I William Martin of Lynn in the County of Grafton
State of New Hampshire do depose and say that I
was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and enlisted
during said war and now draw a pension as will be
seen by reference to records at Washington and
during my time of service I became acquainted with
Robert Barkley one of Major Whitcombs men in the
service of the United States the rangers so called under
Whitcomb and Col Holmes were were connected in the
duty of opening a road from the Coos Country so called
to Canada and while in the discharge of this duty I
became acquainted with the said Robert Barkley and
witnessed with him some time and that I knew him from
time to time after the time above mentioned and that he
was in the service of his Country two years and
upwards as will be seen by the records in the War
office now at Washington, if they have not been lost
still further depose and say that I was acquainted,
with said Barkly untill his death in this and that
his wife is still living and remains a widow and
ever has since his decease William Martin
State of New Hampshire Personally appeared
William Martin
Grafton St
and made oath to the
statements in the
above deposition is true
before me Barron Moulton Justice of the Peace
hereby certify that I have been acquainted with
the subscriber William Martin who resides in Lyman
and near me for about thirty years and his reputation
for truth and veracity is good and it ever has been
and his recollection
of part went appears distinct and
count
State of New Hampshire
Elijah Knapp
Grafton St
of
Personally appeared Elijah Knapp
and made oath to the affidavit
by him subscribed is true
before me
Baron Morton Justice of Peace

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Needham,  Mass.,
Mr. J. M. Saltzgaber,
Feb. 22, 1921,
Dear Sir
According to the Census of Pensioners
published in 1841, Rhoda Burkley, a pensioner between 80 & 90 years of age, living with
was Russell Underwood in Lyman, N. H., 
Grafton County; Russell Underwood was
my Grandfather, on mothers side.  He married Irene Burkley, a daughter of Rhoda Binkley.
Now,  I would like a copy of whatever records you have of Rhoda Burkley or her husband a
Revolutionary soldier.

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Any Expense I shall be pleased
to pay
Yours truly
C. H. Walter
Needham, Mass
(Stamp reads: RECORDS DIVISION
FEB 28 1921)