Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15553, for Robert Littlefield, Massachusetts

Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Littlefield, Robert
Batchelder, Betsey
(Former widow.)

NUMBER
W. 15553
B. L. Wt. 61262-160-55 

CONTENTS
[blank]

Page 2

12452
New Hampshire
Robert Littlefield of Barrington in the state of N. Hampshire who was a private in the regiment commanded by Captain Vose in 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 24 day of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of
July 1813 and sent to Richard Dame Dover New Hampshire

Arrears to the 4th of March 1819 10 4/30. 4/31  $82.80
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Dep 1819 
$48.00
[Total] $130.80

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

War 
Continental
Notice sent to Valentine Smith Esq. 9 June 1821
Durham NH

Page 3

1095
New Hampshire Ports (Portsmouth)
Betsey Batchelder, formerly
widow of Robert Littlefield 
who died on the 13th Novr 1821
of  [blank] in the State of State of  [blank]
who was a private in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank]in the Revolution
line for 6 Mass
Increased from $40.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth
at the rate of 96 Dollars --Cents
per annum, to commence on the 1st day of July 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of
July 1855 and sent to N. Eastman Concord, N. H.

Arrears to the 4th of  [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending  [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836, Section to}


Recorded by G. T. Getty  Clerk,
Book I Vol. 2 Page 336

N. Eastman
Aug 3. 1855

Page 4

173.572

Act March 3 '55
June 20

Batchelder former wid.
Betsey Batchelder for wid.
Robert Littlefield, pri.

Ad: 160 sc [admitted 160 ares]May 5 '57
Boynton

(Revy War

Pen. Cert. 1095, dated 29 June 1837
NH July 36 - 1095
Special
Boynton
G.N. Eastman Esq.
Farmington NH
[text crossed out]
Let: claimant pen 4/86
Let: G. N. Eastman Mch 18/57

E. Butts

61262 Issued
May 7th/57

Page 5

Robert Littlefield
Judge Smith
12452

[illegible]
I. L. E.

Page 6

Strafford SS. STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
On this 29th day of December A.D. 1820 personally appeared before Valentine Smith
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the county of Strafford being a Court of Record, in and for the said county, having the power of fine and imprisonment, Robert Littlefield aged Sixty years, resident in Barrington in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: viz.
That he the said Robert  Littlefield enlisted
in the town of Berwick in the State of Massachusetts in the month of May 1782 in the first Company and first Regiment of the Massachusetts line, and he continued to serve in said corps or in the service of the United States until some time in May 1783, when he was discharged from service in New Windsor hospital after having serving [sic] twelve months
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the 24 day of April 1810
The number of my pension certificate is 14452 I have received a Pension. 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. My occupation has been that of a farmer but not of sufficient ability to pursue & any calling, having been confined to the home in bed for six years last past with the Shaking palsy and Rheumatism and am now perfectly helpless in family residing with me in my wife Betsy Littlefield aged fifty nine years, is firm, one son aged nineteen healthy one son
aged sixteen unhealthy and not able to do much labor

Page 7

in family residing with me is my wife Betsy Littlefield aged fifty nine years, is firm, one son aged nineteen healthy one so aged sixteen unhealthy and not able to do much labor
Their capacity to contribute to their support
Robert Littlefield
X
his mark
Sworn to and declared at Barrington in said County, on the 29th day of Dec A.D. 1820, before Valentine Smith Judge of the said Court

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE..... STRAFFORD SS.
At the Court of Sessions holden at Rochester within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire on the 4th day of Jany 1882 before
DANIEL M. DURELL, Esquire, Chief Justice, and
VALENTINE SMITH & SAMUEL QUARLES Associate Justices of said Court
Daniel Gale 3rd & John Wheeler
The aforesaid schedule and oath and the above declaration subscribed Robert Littlefield having been exhibited and presented to the court, and the same being seen and considered, it is the opinion of the said 
court that the value of the property contained in the schedule is nineteen dollars and thirty five cents. Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises, together with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Attest,

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE....Strafford ss.
I, Andrew Peirce, CLERK of the Court of Sessions within and for the County of Strafford, being a court of record, do certify that the foregoing schedule and oath, and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the court thereon, are true copies from the Records and files of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal said Court, the 4th day of January 1821
A. Peirce, Clerk.

[seal]

Page 8

SCHEDULE.
CONTAINING the whole estate and income of Robert Littlefield (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted,) by him subscribed, exhibited to the Court of Sessions for the county of Stafford in the State of New Hampshire, on the fifth day of January 1821, and annexed to his oath, viz.

One Cow, one old Iron Pots - one small
Kettle, one old tea kettle, five old broken
Kitchen chairs. 2 old broken pine tables
one old Shovel, a small lot of old pewter and
Crockery and a few old empty casks
one old frying pan
And I am owing upon any of thirty dollars
Robert Littlefield
X
his mark

Page 9

1970
Betsey Batchelder
widow of Robt Littlefield
N H

Add for 12 mo $40
per ann, commencing
4 Mar 1831.

Mass Cont. line
Col. Vose

Francis Cogswell Esq
Dover N. H.

Page 10

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July
1836. and the explanatory act passed March 3, 1837

State of New Hampshire
Strafford County ss.
On this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1837 personally appeared before the Hon. Daniel C. Atkinson Judge Probate for said County of Stafford at a Probate Court holden at Dover in said County, said Court being a Court of Record, Betsey Batchelder a resident of Barnstead in the County of Strafford aforesaid and State of New Hampshire, aged seventy five years who first being 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 4, 1836 and said explanatory act passed March 3, 1837
That she is the widow of Robert Littlefield who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and served as she has always understood and believes as follows. He enlisted in the town of Berwick in the State of Maine, then Massachusetts, in May 1782 in the First Regiment of Massachusetts Line and continued in the service of the United States one year or more. She further states that her said husband Robert Littlefield was a Pensioner under the
act of Congress of 1818 and continued a pensioner to the time of his death. She has no documentary evidence of the services of her said Husband but presumes that they, if any exist, will be found together with a more minute description of his services, in the Department, filed with his application for a Pension in 1818-
She further declares that she was married

Page 11

to the said Robert Littlefield on the twenty eighth day of February 1782 by Elder Nathaniel Lord at Berwick aforesaid and that her maiden name was Betsey Snow and that the said Robert Littlefield died she thinks on the 13th November 1821.
She further states that she was married a second time on the eleventh day of February AD 1830 to Benjamin Batchelder and that said Batchelder died on the tenth day of December AD 1833.
She further states that she is now a widow &
has been ever since the death of her said
Husband Benjamin Batchelder
as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith transmitted
Betsy Batchelder
X
her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and
year above written in open Court
Before me
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate

State of New Hampshire
Stafford County ss.
At a Probate Court holden at Dover in said County May Term 1837
I Ira A. Eastman Register of Probate for said
County hereby certify that Hon. Daniel C
Atkinson is Judge of Probate for said County
and that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine. I further certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Betsey Batchelder for a Pension-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this 15th day of May 1837
Ira A. Eastman Register

Page 12

Robert Littlefield
No. 6

Admitted

Page 13

State of Newhampshire [sic]
Strafford ss
On this twenty fourth day of April 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for the County of
Strafford in the first District in the State of
Newhampshire [sic] personally appears Robert
Littlefield of the town of Barrington in the County of Strafford and State of Newhampshire [sic] aged fifty eight years, who being by me first duly affirmed according to Law, doth on his solemn affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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 that he the said Robert Littlefield inlisted [sic] in Berwick in the County of York and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war in May 1782 that he marched from thence to Boston and about the first of June 1782
guarded some prisoners to Westpoint [sic] where he immediately Joined the first company in the first Massachusetts regiment but has forgot the Captains name That he continued in said Service one year and was honourably [sic] discharged at New Windsor about twelve miles above westpoint [sic] in the month of May 1783.
And that he is in reduced circumstances and
stands in need of the assistance of his country
for support and that he has no other evidence
of his service now in his power except the
deposition

Page 14

deposition of Delahah Penny & others herewith forwarded Solemnly affirmed to be true and declared before me the day and year aforesaid

I Richard Dame Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Robert Littlefield did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding [sic] declaration against the common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant
to the direction of the aforementioned act of
Congress - I further certify that said Robert
Littlefield is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed to the same this eighth day of
May 1818
Richd Dame

Danl Waldron Clerk
of the Court of Common Please for the County of Strafford in the first District

Page 15

Application of
Betsey Batchelder
Bounty Land -

Page 16

State of New Hampshire
County of Belknap, ss. 
Be it known that on this twenty fifth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State personally appeared Betsey Batchelder a resident of Barnstead in said county and made oath in due form of law that she is the identical person to whom the pension certificate No. 1095, dated June 29th 1837, was issued as the former widow of Robert Littlefield, by virtue of which she was intitled to receive forty dollars per annum; who was a private in the War of the Revolution, and also, that she is the identical person who as such widow of said Robert Littlefield is entitled to receive ninety six dollars per annum during the time of she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 1st July 1848 and payable semiannually in the fourth of March and fourth day of September deducting former payments at the rate of $40.00 per annum by virtue of a new certificate No. 1095 granted in place of said first named certificate which has been surrendered, given at the Department of the Interior the sixth day of July A.D. 1855, signed R. McClelland Secretary of the Interior examined and countersigned L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions and recorded
in the Pension Office, in Book D. Vol. 2 Page 336 by G. T. Getty, Clerk.
She further states that she was married
to the said Robert Littlefield in Berwick in the

Page 17

State of Maine on the twenty eighth day of February A.D. 1782, by one Nathaniel Lord, a minister of the Gospel, and that her name before her said marriage was Betsey Snow; that her said husband died at Strafford in the State of Newhampshire [sic] in the [blank] day of November A.D. 1821 and that she is now a widow. 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855 and the act of May 14, 1856 in amendment thereof. And the further declares that she has not received or applied for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress excepting an application made by her under the act of March 3d 1855 which has been as she is informed by letter from the Pension Office suspended.
And she further states that she desires her
land warrant which may issue to her sent to George N. Eastman Farmington, N.H.
Betsey Batchelder
X
her mark

Witness
Henry R Wentworth
George F Nutter

We Henry R Wentworth and George F Nutter
residents of Barnstead in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Betsey Batchelder in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and is still a widow.
Henry R. Wentworth
George F Nutter

Page 18

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me in the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and is still a widow, and that I have no interest in this claim nor in its prosecution.
George Nutter
Justice of the Peace.

Page 19

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord,
April 29th 1857.

I hereby certify that at the date of the annexed
Attestation, George Nutter was a Justice
of the Peace for the County of Belknap in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of the State, the date above written.
Lemuel N. Pattee
Secretary of State.

[seal]

Page 20

I hereby certify whom it may concern that Robert Littlefield and Betsey Snow of Berwick were joined in Marriage by Elder Nathaniel Lord February 28th 1782

A true Copy from the Records of Berwick Book third page 114
York " April 1937 Attest Joseph Prime Town Clerk

I hereby certify that Joseph Prime Esquire is Town Clerk in Berwick - that he is a man of truth & veracity & justly entitled to public confidence -
So. Berwick  April 19, 1837-
Chas. E. Norton Jus Peace

Strafford Ss.
Personally appeared the above named Joseph Prime and made oath to the above certificate by him subscribed is just & true
Somersworth N. H
April 19, 1837
B. H. Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Stafford County ss
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that Barnabas H Palmer is a magistrate as above and that I believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 15th May 1837
F Cogswell Clerk

Page 21

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

No. 15553
Betsey Batchelder
widow of
Robert Littlefield
Priv Rev War

Act: July 4th '36
Index:- Vol. A, Page 35

{Arrangement of 1870.}

Page 22

L. P. Waldo Esquire

Page 23

FREE

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commr. of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

Betsey Batchelder for [former widow]
of Robt Littlefield
NH  1836

Cole

[postmark]
CONCORD
N. HAMPSHIRE
JUN 19 [illegible]

Page 24

61262
Ho Audt.

Page 25

FREE
Com of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[postmark]
FARMINGTON
N. H. 
MAR 2

Page 26

Geo. N. Eastman
Farmington
N. H.M

Mch 2nd 57

173572
Mrs. Betsy Batchelder
wid of Robt Littlefield

Ref.d to Boynton
Mch 13/56

Page 27

FREE
Hon. George C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
City
D. C.

Additional evidence in the case of Betsey Batchelder Pet. for Bounty Land suspended June 4th 1856

Betsey Batchelder 

Boynton

[postmark]
Farmington
N. H.
APR 30

Page 28

Betsey Batchelder
old Pension Certificate
to be filed at the Pension office

Page 29

Pen Office June 21 1855
Sir
Please inform me when Betsey Batchelder Act 1836 NH $40 a year, was last paid.
Very Respectfully,
S. Cole
Clerk Pen Off.

R. J. Atkinson Esq
Third Auditor

Triplett

Betsey Batchelder paid to 4 Mar. 1855
[illegible]
Auditor
June 21/55

Page 30

1095
Portsmouth New Hampshire
Betsey Batchelder formerly
widow of Robert Littlefield decd
who died on the 13th November 1821
of Strafford in the State of N. Hampe.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain - ----- of the Regt commanded by Col. Vose in the Mass. line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth N.H.
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of June 1837 and sent Francis Cogswell Dover N. H.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $240.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1837 $20.00

[total]  $260.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3rd [illegible]
3 March 1837


Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol.1 Page25

22
N. Eastman June 23 /55

Page 31

Durham N.H
Jany 16th
Honble. John C. Calhoun
Secretary of the War Department
Washington

Page 32

Durham N.H. January 15, 1821-
The Secretary at War will please to make return
most humble Servt
Valentine Smith

Page 33

State of New Hampshire
Belknap County ss. On this 28th day of June A.D. 1855
personally appeared before me Thomas Cogswell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Belknap, the same being a Court of Record in said State, Betsey Batchelder, a resident of Barnstead in said County of Belknap and State aforesaid aged ninety four years, who first being sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the joint Resolution passed by Congress on the first day of July 1848 that she is the identical person to whom the Pension Certificate No. 1095 was granted "in conformity with the third section of the law of the United States of the 4th July 1836 & the law of March 3d 1837" as "formerly the widow of Robert Littlefield decd" who was a private in the war of the Revolution, at the rate of forty dollars per annum, which said certificate bears date the 29th day of June one thousand, eight hundred and thirty seven and purports to be signed by "S. Cooper acting Secretary of War", and "examined and countersigned by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions"
and she further declares that she is now a widow-
Betsey Batchelder
X
her mark
Witness
Charles Hodgdon
Robt S. Webster

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written, before me and I further certify that on account of her great age and consequent infirmity the said Betsey Batchelder is unable to appear in open Court
Thomas Cogswell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in for said County of Belknap

Page 34

We Robert S. Webster and Charles Hodgdon
residents of Barnstead in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Betsey Batchelder in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statement of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents
herself to be
Robert S. Webster
Charles Hodgdon

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim  
Thomas Cogswell
one of the Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas in &
for said County of Belknap

Page 35

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office Concord,
June 29, 1855

I hereby certify, that at the date of the annexed attestations Thomas Cogswell was a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of
Belknap in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of court, and that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed
the Seal of the State, the date above written

Lemuel N. Pattee
Secretary of State.

Page 36

Farmington N.H. March 2nd 37
Dear Sir
I write now to learn if possible the fate of the application of Mrs Betsey Batchelder for Bounty
Land sent to your office a year ago last June or thereabouts.
No word has been heard from it though I have written several times to the office respecting
it
She is a very aged lady, a pensioner residing
in Barnstead N. H. 
Yours with Respect
Geo. N. Eastman

Page 37

Farmington, N.H. April 30th 1857
Hon. George C. Whiting
Washington

Dear Sir
Enclosed herewith is another application by Mrs Batchelder which with the evidence on file in the pension office with her application for
pension and increase of pension will, I trust, prove sufficient to obtain her land warrant
If however you shall decide that we must prove the death of Littlefield and Batchelder we can and will do so though it will cause some trouble &c.
Am  I right in supposing that in this case you could if you saw fit use the evidence used in making out her claim for a pension ? If I am, then, the delay which would necessarily ensue in obtaining further  affidavits or will be avoided; a conclusion to be hoped for in the case of this extremely aged woman.
With Respect Yours
George N. Eastman

Page 38

Farmington N.H. Aug. 3d 1855

Hon J. Minot,

Dear Sir,

As I see by the papers that you have taken the reigns in your new Department-- the pension office and as I have one case of urgent necessity to which for almost six weeks I can get no attention at that office, I feel not only justified, but consider it a duty to ask your particular attention with delay to it - I will state the case-
Betsey Batchelder, who was pensioned as the
former widow of Robert Littlefield a Revolutionary soldier, and whose pension Certificate, No. 1095 bearing date June 29. 1837 gave her annually $40.00 from March 4. 1831 - applied to me by a friend to ascertain if he could not have more than $40.00 per ann. I took time to investigate it and having satisfied
myself that she was clearly entitled to a full
pension of $96.00 I wrote on the 13th of June last to the Commissioner of Pensions, stating the case and desiring his attention to it and on the 25 June recd from Mr Waldo a letter of which the following is a copy-"Pension Office June 23d 1855
Sir, Robert Littlefield, the former husband of

Page 39

Berry Batchelder of N H. received $96.00 a year
under the act of 1818 & 1820. His widow is entitled to the same amount under the provision of the joint Resolution of July 1st 1848, commencing on the 1st day of July 1848, deducting the amount already received from that date. She must apply for the benefit of said joint Resolution and return her certificate under the act of 1836"
Thus you see here was, by Mr Waldo, a prompt
decision and plain directions to me, what must
be done. Those no time, after receiving the above communication to make the necessary Declaration, which was done before Judge Cogswell whom you well know, the old Lady almost 93 years of age, not being able to appear in open Court the Judge went with me to her house for that purpose, on the 28th June I sent those papers to the Secretary of State at Concord to have his certificate appended, as the case required, with the request, when
done to send them properly directed to the Pension office. Those papers were, as I am assured, then sent from Concord as directed on 29th June - Since which I have heard nothing of them, altho [sic] I have written
to the Department three times-
The old Lady at her great age has nothing to depend upon for a living but the little pittance she has recd as a Pension from the  Government and the charity of her friends and when I reported to her and then the

Page 40

the decision of the Commission that she was
entitled to an increase from $40.00 to $96.00 from July 1848, she said they were much gratified that the subject had been investigated, but their joy will
soon be turned into sorrow, if we are never to hear any more from the Pension office. The
old certificate, as required by Commissioner was returned with the new Declaration and if we cant get either the new one or old one, we shall be worse off than we should have been without trying to obtain justice- 
You by this time must see the necessity of this case according to the decision of the late Commissioner, there is a sum of about $400.00 due to her from the government and she at the age of 95 years suffering for the money, and that government cant spare her one idle clerk one half hour to help her to the enjoyment of her right -  I will say no more now, but I have other cases to which I shall call your attention
at a more proper time

Respectfully yours
N. Eastman

Page 41

Farmington N.H. July 28th 1855
To the Com of Pensions
Sir
It is with severe regret that I find myself under the necessity of writing to the Department again in relation to the Pension Case of Betsey Batchelder
On or about 13th June last wrote to the Department making enquiry about the amount of the Pension and a supposed error in the amt, &. , to which enquiry I rec'd. a reply that the Pensioner was entitled to $96.00 per ann. from July 1st 1848 deducting what she had recd. To which there was added by the Commissioner these words "she must apply for the benefit" of a certain" resolution and return her certificate under the act of 1836"
This letter from the Commissioner was dated
June 23d and immediately on the receipt of it I
put the ball in motion for a new declaration under the resolution mentioned, which was duly taken before Judge Cogswell &c. And on the 28 - of June I sent the new Declaration with the old Pension Certificate to the Pension office through the Secretary's office at Concord N.H. and have reced. Satisfactory evidence that the said papers

Page 42

were without delay sent to the said Pension from Concord. The [they] left Concord probably for Washington on the 29" as they sent from my office the 28 June now more than a month ago-
My anxiety about this matter arises from the
fact that the Pensioner is very aged, in her 95th
year, and from the fear I entertain that this bundle of papers may be mistaken for papers
in an application for Bounty Land and Shuffled away where they will not be found in any reasonable time,
As it took but about ten days for the Commissioner to investigate the case, decide it and inform me thereof, I did not suppose it would take so long even as that to file the new Declaration and old certificate and send a new one for the Pensioner. Instead of which for a whole month I have neither received a Pension Certificate for the old Lady, nor even information that the papers are safe I pray, however, that I may soon-
Respectfully yours
N. Eastman

Page 43

Brief in the case of Betsy Batchelder widow of Robert Littlefield County and State of N H
act July 4 1836, under provision of 1st
[illegible] [Jt ?] Resolution of Jul 1 1848
Claim  for increase
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either state the substance.
Her husband was pensioned at $96 a year under the acts of 1815 & 1870,
She was pensioner under the Act of 1836 at $40 a year for his actual service of one year
the Joint Resolution of Congress of July 1, 1848 gives to widows of Pensioners & [illegible] 
which they same amount that they were entitled to a received. She now claims $56 a year that her husband received, she is entitled, and is therefore allowed $56 a year from July 1 1848, deducting $40 which she has now?
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
N E Eastman Esq
Concord, NH

Page 44

Betsey Batchelder
formerly widow of Robert Littlefield
N H
Increased
July 4 1836
$96 per annum from
1 July 1848. Deducting
former payments at $40
a year

Cert to
Nehemiah Eastman Esq
Concord
NH

Page 45

Farmington N.H. June 13th 1855

Sir

I send herewith a power of attorney together
with the statement of Betsey Batchelder, who is on the Pension Roll as the former widow of Robert Littlefield, a soldier of the war of the Revolution &c. for the purpose of having it reexamined, it being fully believed after a  careful examination of all the acts of Congress in relation to the subject that there was a great mistake in the Commissions (J. L. Edwards) in placing her on the list at $40.00 per ann. We can see no reason why she is not entitled to a full pension of $96.00 under the 3rd Section of
the act of July 4th 1836 - The act of March 3d 1837 has no bearing upon this case only so far as it relates to her second marriage and the decease of her second husband, whereby the war enabled to apply as the widow of Littlefield for the Pension
If she was placed correctly on the list at the time her name was their enrolled at $40.00 per ann. which is by no means admitted, has she not now, as the laws are a right to be placed thereon at an increased sum? Not wishing to trouble you with references to all of the acts of Congress from 1837 to the present time, on this subject, I will merely call your attention to the act of 2d February 1848, by which you will
see

Page 46

see it is provided that the widow (like this), shall be entitled to receive for and during her natural life from the 4th day of March 1848, the annuity or pension, which might have been allowed to her husband &c., if living &c, and by the 2d Section of said act it is provided that certain widows, who were on the List under certain previous, special acts, shall be entitled and shall be admitted to the benefit of this act. My conclusion from the premises, therefore, is that if Robert Littlefield served so that he would now if living draw a pension under the
act of June 7, 1832, then this woman is entitled
to the same pension-
Should you examine the subject, or cause it
to be examined, and thereby come to the conclusion that I think you must. I suppose the old pension Certificate should be returned and a new one granted. I shall wait to hear from you,
Respectfully yours &c
Nehemiah Eastman
P.S
Since writing the above I have seen the old Lady & learn from her and others around her that Robert Littlefield was without doubt placed on the Pension list in 1819 & of course was placed there under the act of 1818 and that the sum he drew annually during his life was $80.00. How he got there at $80.00 is one mistery [sic] in the case as there is no

Page 47

provision in that act for any such sum; he was
entitled under it to $96.00 annually if any thing
He served nine months only and was proved he was entitled to $96.00, but he actually served almost two years if not quite, as his friends all agree among them the widows, whose recollections, at the age of 94 years are astonishingly bright-
Permit me to express my desire that this matter of Pension may not be burried [sic] up to take it chance among the cargoes of land applications, which are pouring into the office-
N. E.

Page 48

Betsey Batchelder
Payment to be made
at Portsmouth N.H.
by Presdt. Commercial Bk.
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of ┃
Portsmouth NH

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A, Vol 1
Page 25 by
D. D. Addison
Clerk

Page 49

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836 & the law of Mach [sic] 3d 1837 Betsey Batchelder of New Hampshire, formerly widow of Robert Littlefield decd who was a Private in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars and --- cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September
Given at the War Office of the United States the 29th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
S. Cooper
Acting Secretary of War.


Examined and
Countersigned.
J L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 50

To J. L. Edwards
Com of Pens

Page 51

Dover N. H.
15 May 1837.

Dr Sir

I am requested to send
the enclosed papers for your
decision. When that is made
please communicate the
result to me-
Resply yours
Francis Cogswell

J L Edwards Esq.

Page 52

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency JOHN BROOKS, Esquire,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over
said Commonwealth.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know ye, That James Leighton Esquire was on the twenty fourth of March last past a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Somerset in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his
Acts and Attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this twenty first day of April A.D. 1819, and in the forty third year of the Independence of the United States of America

By His Excellency the Governor.
Alden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Page 53

Betsey Batchelder
affidavit & Power of Attorney

Page 54

State of New Hampshire
County of Belknap Ss. 
Be it remembered that on this twelfth day of June A.D. 1855, I Betsey Batchelder a resident of Barnstead in said County of Belknap do make known and declare that I am the identical
person who has been placed on the United States Pension List, as formerly the widow of Robert Littlefield who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution as will appear by my Pension Certificate No. 1095 and bearing date March 29th 1837, and signed S Cooper acting Secretary of war, and examined and counter signed by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, by virtue of which certificate I am authorized to receive the sum of forty dollars, annually, commencing on the fourth day of March 1831, as under the acts of Congress of July 4th 1836, and of 3d of March 1837 - that I
have been informed and verily believe that my said husband, Robert Littlefield in his life time as a soldier in the War of the Revolution was placed on the Pension List under the act of Congress passed on the 18th day March 1818, at the rate of eighty dollars, annually, and that
by the existing laws of the United States at this time and for a long time past, I have been and still am entitled as a Pensioner as aforesaid, to draw the same amount of money annually that my said husband Robert Littlefield, as such Pensioner as aforesaid in his lifetime did draw. Wherefore it is understood and believed by me that there are arrearages of Pension now due me for my said husbands services as such Revolutionary soldier as aforesaid
Now therefore the true intent of all this is to appoint, impower, and qualify Nehemiah Eastman of Farmington in the County of Strafford and State afore-

Page 55

said, Counsellor at Law, as my attorney with powers of substitution, to investigate, demand and receive the avails of said claim, and to say and do all things relative thereto as amply as I might do if personally present, hereby certifying everything said or done by my said attorney or his substitute, in virtue hereof-
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year first above named-
Betsey Batchelder
X
her mark
 Attest
Henry R. Wentworth
Ambrose J. Wentworth

Subscribed, sworn to and acknowledged before me the day and year first above indicated.
Asa Garland Jus. Peace-

Page 56

State of New Hampshire
Secretary's Office, Concord,
June 14, 1855
I hereby certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Asa Garland was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Belknap in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his
acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and aught to be given, in and out of Court
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written
John L. Hadley
Secretary of State.

Page 57

Betsey Batchelder
Declaration for bounty
land
173.572

Page 58

State of New Hampshire
County of Belknap ss. 
On this 12th day of June A.D. one thousand, eight hundred and fifty five, personally
appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Betsey Batchelder a resident of Barnstead in the County and State aforesaid aged ninety four years, who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the identical person to whom the original pension Certificate No 1095 was issued as the former widow of Robert Littlefield, who was a private in the war of the Revolution, under which certification she is
entitled to receive annually the sum of forty dollars that said Certificate bears date the 29 day of June A.D. 1837 and authorizes her to draw said pension from the fourth day of March A.D. 1831 and is signed by S. Cooper acting Secretary of War examined and countersigned by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions-
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d 1855- and she wishes the land warrant to which she may be entitled sent for her to N. & G. N. Eastman, Farmington N.H.
Betsey Batchelder
X
her mark

Witness
Henry R. Wentworth
Ambrose G. Wentworth

Page 59

We Henry R. Wentworth and Ambrose J. Wentworth both residents of Barnstead in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was
Signed and acknowledged by said Betsey Batchelder in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Henry R. Wentworth
Ambrose J Wentworth

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
Asa Garland  Jus. Peace

Page 60

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord,
June 14, 1853.
I hereby certify, That of the date of the annexed attestation Asa Garland was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Belknap in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his
acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written
John L. Hadley
Secretary of State.

Page 61

I Polly Penny of Barnstead in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, aged seventy eight years, testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Betty Batchelder who is now a resident of Barnstead in said County, and have ever known her being brought up in the same family, She being a sister of mine
we being daughters of Alexander Snow of Berwick, York County, Maine. That the said Betty Snow now Betty Batchelder was married to Robert Littlefield, (who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of Congress passed March 18. 1818), about fifty five years since to the best of my recollection. That they were married in her father's dwelling house in said Berwick by Elder Nathaniel Lord that I was present at the time and saw them joined in
Marriage. That her husband the aforesaid Robert Littlefield died about fifteen years since at his residence in Strafford, in said County, that I was present at the time of the death of the said Robert Littlefield. That on the Eleventh day of February, 1830 She the aforesaid Betty Littlefield widow of said Robert Littlefield was
married to Benjamin Batchelder that they were married in Barnstead by William Walker Esquire that I was present at the time, and saw them married. That I have understood the said Benjamin Batchelder has since died, and that the said Betty Batchelder is now a widow and has so remained ever since the death of her last husband the aforesaid Benjamin Batchelder.
Polly Penny
X
her mark

May 11. 1837

Strafford ss May 11. 1837 Then the above named Polly Penny made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by her Subscribed by her mark is true
Before me James C. Dame
Justice of the Peace

This certify that the above named Polly Penny Reputation for truth and veracity is good so far as the same has come to my knowledge.
James C. Dame Justice Peace

Page 62

I William Walker of Barnstead, Strafford County, New Hampshire, testify, That on or about the Eleventh day of February A.D. 1830 That the widow Betsy Littlefield was married to Benjamin Batchelder and that I in my capacity
as Justice of the Peace Joined the aforesaid Benjamin Batchelor and Betsy Littlefield in Marriage, I further say the aforesaid Betsy Littlefield now Betsy Batchelder was the widow of Robert Littlefield a Revolutionary pensioner
and that the said Benjamin Batchelder died about three years, since, and that she the said Betsy Batchelder has remained a widow ever since that period
Wm Walker

Strafford ss May 11, 1837 Then the above named William Walker made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit Before me
James C. Dame Justice of the Peace

This certify that I have full faith and confidence to the truth of the above Affidavit
James C. Dame Justice Peace

Page 63

I Obadiah Littlefield of Barnstead, Strafford County New Hampshire aged forty years, and son of Robert Littlefield and Betsy Littlefield, testify and say that the said Robert Littlefield who was a Revolutionary pensioner under the Act of Congress of March 18, 1818 died in the beginning of the month of November, 1821, That she the said Betsy Littlefield on the eleventh day of February 1830 was married to Benjamin Batchelder That in the latter part of the year of 1833 I should think sometime in the month of December of said 1833 he the aforesaid Benjamin Batchelder died and that the said Betsy Batchelder former wife of said Robert Littlefield is now a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of the aforesaid Benjamin Batchelder. I further say that she the said Betsy Batchelder now resides
with me and has resided with me ever since the
first June 1834
Obadiah Littlefield
Strafford ss May 11th 1837 Personally appeared the above named Obadiah Littlefield and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me James C. Dame Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the Reputation of the above named Obadiah Littlefield is fair as it respects truth and veracity.
James C. Dame Justice of the Peace

Page 64

State of New Hampshire
Strafford County ss
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that James C. Dame before whom the annexed affidavits purport to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that
I believe the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of May 1837.
F Cogswell Clerk

Obadiah Littlefield
Affidavit

Page 65

James Leightons
Certificate of
Eliakim Hatch
testimony

Page 66

I Eliakim Hatch of Harmony in the County of
Somerset and State of Massachusetts testify and say that I was a Soldier in the first company and first Regiment in the Massachusetts Line in the war of the revolutionary war. I enlisted in the month of April AD 1782 and continued there till the close of the War. at the time I enlisted I belonged to the town of Wills in the County of York and State of Massachusetts and I knew Robert Littlefield of said Wills before I enlisted and said Littlefield enlisted and as I understood in the Month of May 1782 and some time in the former part of the summer following he joined our company and continued there a while and then was taken sick and was carried to the Hospital where he continued until the next May when he was discharged and he visited me after he was discharged when he was returning home and I know he was in the revolutionary war more than nine months and when I returned home he had removed from the place where he and to [sic] live and I do not know that I ever saw him since 
Eliakim Hatch

State of Massachusetts
Somerset March 24th 1819
Then the above named Eliakim Hatch personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
before me - James Leighton Justice of the peace

I hereby certify that from the acquaintance I have had with the said Hatch and from all the information I have had of his Character and from his manner of testimony to the above I have no doubt he is a man of veracity  nd that his testimony is entitled to full credit
James Leighton

Page 67

I Pelatiah Penny of Barrington in the County of
Strafford and State of New Hampshire testify and say that I was a soldier in the fourth company and fourth regiment in the Massachusetts line in the war of the revolution. I enlisted in the month of February in the year AD 1781 and continued in the army until the close of the war when I was regularly  discharged. At the time I enlisted I belonged to the town of Wells in the County of York and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Robert Littlefield now of said Barrington then lived in said Wells. He and I were brought up together in the same neighborhood he was a playmate of mine and we now live in the same neighborhood. He moved into Barrington
about a year before I did, I know that said Littlefield was a soldier in the army of the revolution on the continental establishment more than nine months & that he served as a soldier in said army more than nine months. He enlisted in May AD 1782 as I have always understood & verily believe I saw him in the summer of 1782 at West point, he was then very sick & I often visited him & was very well acquainted with him until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged when the during war - men were discharged, or a few days before. I am not confident whether he was discharged sometime in May 1783 or whether it was the first of June 1783. He was then discharged in consequence of ill health. I saw him when he left the army and by him sent

Page 68

home to my friends in Wells I was not discharged until December 1783. I know said Littlefield remained in the army as a soldier from the summer of 1782 to Major June 1783. I have since he & I lived in said Barrington often seen his discharge from the army and it was like mine, which has been forwarded to the war office to support my application. I lived in the house with said Littlefield nearly two years & often saw said discharge and although I cannot write yet I could read and the paper was partly printed and partly written.
Pelatiah  Penny
X
his mark
Witness John H. Smith

Pelatiah Pennys Testimony
The State of New Hampshire
Strafford Ss. April 13th 1819 Then the said Pelatiah Penny personally appearing made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me
J H Woodman Jus Peace

I hereby certify, that from information which I have received of the character of the said Penny and from what personal knowledge I have of it. I entertain no doubt that he is a
man of veracity and that his testimony is entitled to full credit.
J H Woodman