Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17925, Robert Demeritt, N.H.

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[this is a Pension file reference card]
(8-1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
N.H.  Demeritt, Robert S.17925

  carded
=====================
CONTENTS

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10628
New Hampshire
Robert De Meritt
of Strafford in the state of NH
who was a private  in the Company commanded by Captain---
of the Regt commanded by Col Evans in the NH line for 8 months 26 days
=======
Inscribed on the Roll of NH
a the rate of 29 Dollars 55 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
=======
Certificate of Pension issue the 16th day of April 1833 and sent Nehemiah Eastman, Farmington NH
=======
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833
Semi-anl.  allowance ending 4th Sep "  [1833]

$59.10
14.77
=====
$73.87

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act Juen 7, 1832       }
Recorded by  J H Mc Blair,, Clerk,
Book [R or S?] Vol. 1.  Page 80

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Robert Demeritt
13127

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DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State of New-Hampshire, } SS.   At a Court of Probate holden [held?} at Rochester in said County
County of Strafford          } 

On this fifteenth day of Sept, 1832 personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate
in open court,  Robert Demeritt  a resident of Strafford in the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged 72- years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration,  in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832,  That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year
1777 with Capt G. Tuttle  and served in the Militia regiment of the N. Hampshire line, under the following named officers:
That is to say he enlisted for three months and served that time- that he has no description [?] of the other officers of his company, that is said [????y] even attached to Col Stephen Evans regiment of the New Hampshire troops- that they were marched thru the south-westerly part of New-Hampshire -  passed into Vermont went by Bennington and at Saratoga in New-York joined the Army there under command of General Gates - and after the expiration of said three months his engagement being out, he returned home - that in the year 1778 he again enlisted for the term of six months and served that time at Rhode Island- that the Capt of his company was Peter Brown- that said company was  attached to Col Stephen Peabody regiment of the New Hampshire  [illegible] - which regiment was attached to the Army commanded by Gen Sullivan in that we were in the battle which took place there in 1778- that when his said time was out he returned home. 
That in the year 1782 he engaged to serve two months at and in the neighborhood of Portsmouth, NH -  That he did serve one month under Capt John Salter of the NH Militia and hired Michael Felker as his substitute for one month and left the service- that he never had any written discharge at any time- That according to his best information he was born in Madbury, April 6, 1760 - That he has no record of his age- That the resided in said Madbury when he went into the Army as aforesaid  and some time after his return - That he had for more than forty years as said when he resided in said Strafford - and that all of said given including [illegible] time amounts to eleven months

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to  a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares 
that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Robert Demeritt

And the said Court do hereby declare it's opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, 
and served as he states.
Daniel I Atkinson Judge of Probate

I, James Bartlett [illegible] for the  Court of Probate do hereby certify that [the following tow words are strictly guesswork] the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the manner of the application of Robert Demeritt  for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court, 
this 15th day of September A.,D, 1832
[seal affixed bottom left]
 James Bartlett [illegible]

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Robert De Meritt
N. Hampshire
P[illegible] 8 Nov 26  [illegible] 

$29.55
13127

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BRIEF in the case of Robert De Meritt
Co of Strafford in the state of NH
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   open Court

2.  If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he?  72

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[following is a table, with 4 columns]

Period.  Duration of Service.   Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NH Line of Militia
in 1777 enlisted, 3 months, private, Cap Tuttle Col Evans
1778 enlisted, 4 months 26 days, private, Cap Drown Col Peabody
1779 enlisted, 11 months, private,  Cap Satter
[end of table]

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Rhode Isl.

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Madbury, NH

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary , five living witnesses

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned

George Taylor, Examining Clerk

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[illegible writing on the top left]
HEADQUARTER U.S. MARINE CORPS
PAYMASTER'S OFFICE.
WASHINGTON
April 2, 1902

The Commision of of Pensions

Dear Sir,

I will thank you to inform me if consistent with the regulations of your office, whether there is now borne on  the pension rolls of the War of the [underlined]Revolution[/underlined] the name "DeMeritt"
This information is desired to complete the family history of that name.

Respectfully
J.H. DeMeritt
MD
[stamped illegible 
April 7 1902
files]

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[page left]
17925
INVALID
-----
File No. 17,925
Robert D. De Meritt
Pri  Rev War
-----
Act:  Jun 7th 32
Index:  Vol. /, Page 95
"[Arrangement of 1870]'

[page right]
May 8 1902
Dr. J.H. De Meritt n.

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I, Richard Furbur of Farmington  in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire of the age of seventy nine years or there abouts [thereabout] depose and say that I was appointed to serve as adjutant by Colonel Stephen Evans of Dover in said county in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven to serve for the term of three months and marched through Peterborough, Keen [Keene] and Chesterfield and crossed the green mountains into Bennington and from thence to Stillwater or Saratoga so cold and joined the army Commanded by General Gates and I further say I was well acquainted with Captain George Tuttle of Lee in said county and I further say that I was acquainted with Robert Demeritt, a private under the command of Capt Tuttle and he and myself at the expiration of three months we was dismissed from  the army and returned to our homes.

The above mentioned Captain George Tuttle of Lee in said county belonged to the same Army with my self under the command of General Gates
Strafford  Aug't 15th 1832
Stat of New Hampshire
County of Strafford
Richard Furber
the fifteenth day of August 1832

Then the above named Richard Furber personally  appeared and made solemn oath the the above written affidavit  by him subscribed is just + true
Before me
Job Otis Justice Peace

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Richard
Furber
affidavitt [affidavit]

I hereby certify that the within named Richard Furber is a man of truth and Veracity
August 15th 1832  Job Otis Justice Peace

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I, Ebenezer Hall of the town of Strafford and Country of Strafford and State of New Hampshire of the age of seventy five years do depose  and say that I enlisted in Captain Daniel Duffie's
Company and marched to Saratoga and joined the army under the Command of General Gates and was at the surrender of General Burgoyne.  I enlisted for three months and I further state that I saw Robert Demeritt there at the same time  he belonged to Captain George Tuttle's Company and Continued with me the whole time this was in the year one thousand Seven hundred and seventy seven
Strafford August 11th 1832
his mark [hand drawn X] Ebenezer Hall

attest Job Otis
James Demeritt
State New Hampshire 
County Strafford SS
The 11th day of August AD 1832
Then the above named Ebenezer Hall personally appeared and made Solemn Oath that he above written affidavitt [affidavit]  is just and true before me 
Job Otis Justice Peace


I hereby certify that the deposant Ebenezer Hall  is a man of truth and veracity and may be depended upon
August 11th 1832  Job Otis Justice Peace

[illegible, looks like initials]

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H. Demeritt
Affadavitt [Affidavit]

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I Anthony Nutter of the  Town of Barnstead in the county of Strafford and State of New Hampshire being sixty eight years of age do depose and say that I enlisted in the Militia Company under the command of Capt [illegible] Slater of Portsmouth in said state for six months and in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty two  in July and then in I marched to Fort Washington  in said state of New Hampshire and I remained my time out and I further say  that I was acquainted with Robert Demeritt and known him to be a militia soldier in the same company with me one month and there the said Robert Demeritt hired Michel Felker one month used as a substitute for said Demeritt
Barnstead August 11th 1832 Anthony Nutter

State of New Hampshire 
County of Strafford
The eleventh day August One thousand  Eight Hundred and thirty two

There the above named Anthony Nutter personally affirmed and made solemn affirmation that the above affidavitt [affidavit] by him subscribed is just and true
Before Me
Job Otis Justice Peace

I hereby Certify that the above named Anthony Nutter is a man of truth and veracity as far as my knowledge extends
Job Otis Justice Peace
August 11th 1832

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Anthony Nutter
Affidavitt [Affidavit]

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I Jediah Leighton of the town of Strafford in the County of Strafford and the State of New Hampshire of the age of Seventy Six years do depese and say  the I Enlisted under Capt Peter Drown in a Militia Company for six months and marched from Barrington to Rhode Island  and there I joined the Army commanded by General Sullivan under Colonel Stephen Pebody and was in a Battle in August One thousand seven hundred and seventy eight in the state of Rhode Island,  I still remained under the command of Colonel Pebody till my time expired and I further say that Robert Demeritt of Strafford Enlisted in the same Company with me and Marched on with me and continued with me in the same Company and the same camp the whole time
Jediah Leighton
August 11th 1832

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford
The eleventh  day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty two
then the above named Jedediah Leighton personally appeared and made solemn oath the above written affidavitt [affidavit] is just and true.



I hereby certify that the above named Jedediah Leighton is a man of truth and varacity [veracity]

August 11th 1832
Job Otis Justice Peace

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Jediah Leighton
Affidavitt [Affidavit]

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I Ebenezer Hall of Strafford and County of Strafford State of New Hampshire of the age of seventy six  years do depose and say that I enlisted under Captain Peter Drown in a Militia Company for six months and I marched from Barrington to Rhode Island and there I joined the Army Commanded by General Suliven [Sullivan?] under Colonel Stephen Pebody and I was in Battle in August one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight in the state of Rhode Island  I still remained under the Commanded [command] of Colonel Pebody Till my time expired and I further say that Private Demeritt of Strafford enlisted in the Same Company with me and marched on with me and Continued with me in the same Company and the same mess the whole time
Strafford August 11th 1832  his mark [hand drawn X] Ebenezer Hall 
Attest Job Otis
James Demeritt


State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford
The 11th day of August 1832 then the above named Ebenezer Hall personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above written affidavit by him subscribed is just and true
Before Me
Job Otis  Justice Peace

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State of New Hampshire
Strafford SS

I James Bartlett Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Job Otis whose name is subscribed to the certificates upon the five preceding depositions is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford 
In [illegible] hereof I have hereto caused the official seal to be afffixed this 15th day of September A.D. 1832
James Bartlett Register

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Eben Hall
Affadavit [affidavit]


M Barranett [?? unsure]

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[page 1 of  3, form including items 3, 2, 1]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red in, will apply to the claim of 
Robert DeMeritt
which require further proof of explanation.

I.  Does the  declaration show where the applicant resides?  YY

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  YY

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  YY

V.  * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served,  in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what  amount of pension he is entitled?  YY

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  YY

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  YY

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  ??

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  YY

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?   And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  YY

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[page 2 of  3, form including items 3, 2, 1]
2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and other respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence , and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?

XIV.  †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his military service?  YY
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified the credibility of the witness or witnesses? YY
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  YY

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  YY

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  YY
CA 2nd
-----

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

* QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c.  A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;  For ______ years ________ months, and _________ days, I served as a _________  For ______ years ________ months, and _________ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a pension.

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[page 3 of  3, form including items 3, 2, 1]
3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service,  The use of the phrase <i>about three or four months ,<i> is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &amp;c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service,  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shown  under what officers  the applicant  served ; the duration of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed ;  that the applicant serve with an embodied corps celled into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison;  and for the time during which  the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

†QUERE XIV.  <i>Proof of Service</i>
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

‡QUERE XVI, <i> Mode of authenticating papers.</i>
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate  must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[hand pointing symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character ans signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.</i></i>