Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9,203, Samuel Emerson, Continental (N.H.) Mass.

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Service
Continental (N.H.)
Mass.

Emerson, Samuel
Sargent, Mary
(former widow)

Number R9203

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V2087
Mary Sargeants Declaration
formerly widow of 
Saml. Emerson
N.H.

9203

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3d section of the act of 4th 
July 1836 and of the 1st section of the act of 3d March, 1837/

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan Ss.

On this 25th day of April 1837 personally appeared before 
the Hon. Eleazar Jackson an Associate Justice of the Court 
of Common Pleas for the County of Sullivan, Mary Sargeant 
a resident of Plainfield in the County of Sullivan and 
state of New Hampshire aged 88 years, who, being first 
duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the 
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the 
provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, 
and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3, 
1837.  That she was married to Samuel Emerson, who, according 
to her best knowledge and belief served in the War of the 
Revolution as follows: In the fall of the year 1775 being then 
a resident of Chester N.H. he went to Winter Hill near Boston and there engaged as a substitute for someone whose name she cannot now recollect and there served as a private for the 
space of two months but in what company she cannot state 
and although she has no documentary or other evidence 
of said service she feels confident it was performed and 
at the time above named; for during her husbands absence 
she gave birth to a child who afterwards became a man and had 
a family.  After the expiration of the two months her husband 
returned home and informed her that he had enlisted 
for a year in Captain Place Company of Col. Read's Regiment 
and soon afterward went into the service at or in the vicinity 
of Ticonderoga N.Y. and there served as a private till 
the month of October 1776.  When she heard of his sickness 
and engaged a man to go to him who accordingly went and 
found him at Springfield in the State of Vermont and there 
staid with him till he died, which took place in the 
latter part of October 1776.  So that she never again saw 
her said husband the said Samuel Emerson for he was buried

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at said Springfield.  She afterward received his Pocket Book 
and some few papers left therein but nothing relative to his services nor has she any documentary evidence whatever of 
said services.
She further declares, that she was married to the 
said Samuel Emerson at Hampstead N.H. on the 5th day of 
December 1770: that her husband, the aforesaid Samuel Emerson, 
died in the latter part of October 1776: that she was 
afterwards married to Charles Sargeant, who died on the 29th 
day of March 1810: and that she was a widow on the 4th July, 
1836 and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear 
by reference to the proof hereto annexed or which may accompany this declaration.

Mary Sargeant her mark X

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written 
before me
Eleasar Jackson 
Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

I certify that in my belief the above named Mary Sargeant 
is a person of creddibility and that on account of bodily 
infirmity is unable to attend Court

Eleasar Jackson 
Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

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State of New Hampshire

Sullivan Ss.
I, T.W. Gilmore Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas do hereby certify that the Hon. Eleaser 
Jackson is an Associate Justice of said Court and that 
his signatures herewith are genuine.

Given under my hand & Seal of the County this 
fifteenth day of May A.D. 1837
T.W. Gilmore Clerk

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John Emerson Administration 
of Mary Sargeant decd 
Declaration Act 4th July 1836

John Bryant Agent
Meriden N.H

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Declaration of John Emerson as son of the late Samuel & Mary Emerson 
and administrator upon the Estate of his later mother Mary Sargeant formerly the widow of Samuel Emerson who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and which is meant[?] as a renewal of the declaration of the said Mary Sargent made 
in her life [illegible] for the service of her first husband Samuel Emerson under 
the Acts of the 4th of July 1836 and 3d of March 1837 and pending on the 10th day of 
March 1838 the day of her death.

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan SS. }
On this 24th day of October 1846 before Elias F. Smith a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Sullivan personally appeared John Emerson son and Administrator 
of the late Mrs. Mary Sargeant being a resident of Plainfield in said 
County of Sullivan aged upwards of 73 years who being first duly sworn according 
to law doth on his oath make the following declaration as son and Administrator 
of the late Mrs. Mary Sargeant and in her rights and is meant as a renewal 
of the claim she had to a pension for the service of Samuel Emerson under 
the Acts of the 4th July 1836 & 3d of March 1837 and was pending at the time of 
her death.  That he is one of the two surviving children of Mary Emerson widow 
of Samuel Emerson, otherwise Mary Sargeant widow of Charles Sargeant.  That his mother in her life time, to wit on or about the 25th of April 1837 made a declaration 
before the Hon. Eleazar Jackson in order to obtain the benefits of the said Acts, and 
claiming for the service of her first husband the said Samuel Emerson setting forth 
the time and manner of his entering the service as perfectly as she could, and also the time and manner of his death from which his own supposition always was
that he rendered service to the [illegible] of fourteen Months.  And this declarant from 
his youth upwards having oft times heard repeated, the account of his fathers engaging in service in 1775 and 1776 and of his death on his way home from the

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Army in the fall of 1776 has ever been of the opinion till of late that up to the 
time of his death he had served to the amount of fourteen months in all and that from proofs lately obtained from Chester the town from which he went into service
and which will accompany this declaration, he is still of the most confident belief 
that his father did go and render actual service, but for a less period of time, say not exceeding one year, nor less than ten months.  That the proofs to which he above refers
are contained in the deposition of Benjamin P. Chase lately given by him before 
Henry F. Chase Esq. and the deposition of William Greenough Esq. town Clerk of said 
Chester.  That by the latter it is shown that the said town of Chester on the 2d day of December 
1777 voted to accept the report of a Committee who reported an increase of 
monthly pay to certain classes of their soldiers so as to make their pay up equal 
to the pay of their three years men to wit "Those that went to Cambridge and to 
New York after leaving Cambridge £-10s-0 per month" That to this class his confident belief is that his father the said Samuel Emerson must have belonged and that he became entitled to an increase of ten shillings monthly pay.  That the evidence of which is that at a subsequent meeting the town voted.

"That, the widow Mary Emerson be allowed and paid by the town for her 
husband, who died on his way coming home out of the Wars as the other soldiers were allowed and paid by the town"

That by the deposition of said William Greenough it also further appears that in 
the account of the Selectmen of said Chester for the year 1778 there is a charge for 
"Paid widow Mary Emerson her husband's back service 5£-8s-0d" 
That he finds that the sum of £5-s8-0 which was paid by the town to 
his mother would be an allowance  at the rate of ten shillings per month 
on ten months and twenty four days which he is led to believe was the 
precise time of actual service rendered by his father the said Samuel 
Emerson up to the time of his death which he has always been told 
was in the month of October 1776 & that he therefore in the right of his mother 
he said Mary Sargeant deceased claims and prays an allowance for ten

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months and twenty four days service of the said Samuel Emerson 
as a private soldier.  He further declares that at the time of death of his 
father the said Samuel Emerson his mother the said Mary Emerson as he believes 
was left extremely poor with three young children to take care of by the names]
of Lydia Emerson, John Emerson (the declarant) and Moses Emerson & that his present 
belief is for it was always so understood by him that on account of her husband 
having died in the service of the Country or rather on his way to his home 
from the service that the town of Chester from which he went and to which 
he belonged rendered his mother some aid relieved her by making 
provisions for her eldest child the said Lydia Emerson who was placed in 
the family of Hon. Wells Chase of said town and there brought up till at the 
age of eighteen years.  He further states that he continued himself to reside 
in said Chester for the most part till at the age of twenty one years and that 
during said time he never knew or heard of any other Samuel & Mary 
Emerson than his father and mother the persons above named.  He further 
and lastly states in reference to his fathers service and death, that it is 
not known to him that there is a single surviving individual who was 
in service with his father or that was with him at the time of his death 
and that he consequently relies upon the admission of the town that 
he did service a time sufficient to entitle his mother to his increased 
wages to the Amount of £5-8-0. which sum it appears was paid her 
by the Selectmen of said town of Chester in the year 1778.

[signature] John Emerson

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan SS }

Sworn and subscribed to this 24th day of October 1846
Before me Elias F. Smith Justice of the Peace

I further certify that John Emerson the declarant is a credible witness
Elias F. Smith Justice of the Peace

June 20, 1844

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Town Clerks Office Hampstead N.H. May 2, 1837
I A. B. Marshall Town Clerk of Hampstead, do hereby
certify that on searching the record of Marriages of said
Hampstead I find the following "Married by the Rev.
Henry True December 5th 1770 Mr Samuel Emerson to
Miss Mary Philbrick" I further certify that the above is a
true copy of record
Attest. A. B. Marshall Town Clerk of Hampstead

Rockingham J. May 7 1837
Then the above named A. B. Marshall made solemn oath to the
truth of the above certificate by him subscribed
Before me
Lorenzo Bachelder Justice of the peace
New Hampshire
Secretary of States Office May 2 1837
the above named Lorenzo
Batchelder is a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Rockingham
duly qualified and his signature genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set the Seal
of the State
Ralph Metcalf Secy of State

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May ye 15th 1775 
articles of agrement betwn Jams 
Akin and Samuel Emerson. Jams Akin 
is to give me the car of his hors for the season and I am to tak good of him as if it 
was anyone and to rid him a little tim
Hers to paster one of the oxen [illegible]
Samuel Emerson
And I am to   
Recompence [illegible] it is all [illegible]

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[illegible] Palmer 
[illegible] for one worshtub 1::02:6
To one hogshed 0::15
To one baril 0::15:0
To one cask 0::15:0
To three pound [illegible] 0::15:0
To one butertub 0::15:0
To one gallon of rum  0::18:0
To one gallon of melasses 0::15:0
To one quart of vingegor [illegible]
To one pot [illegible] [illegible]
To another galon of rum 0::18:0
To half [illegible]
[illegible signature?]
Samuel Emerson
This [illegible]
[illegible] February [illegible] th 177[illegible]
Promise to pay to Samuel Emerson
[illegible] February [illegible] th 177[illegible]
Sam
I promise to pay to Samuel Emerson [illegible]
and or one pound four shillings [illegible]
Three months within [illegible]
being for value [illegible]

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I john Emerson of Plainfield in the County of 
Sullivan and the State of New Hampshire depose and say 
that I am a son of Samuel Emerson a soldier of the 
Revolution, deceased and for the benefit of whose 
services my mother, Mary Sargent lately deceased 
made a declaration before the Hon. Eleazor Jackson 
in the month of April 1837 - That her claim as I 
understand has not yet been favorably settled 
for the lack of proof of said Samuel Emerson's services.  
My mother the said Mary Sargent previous to her death 
made or caused to be made the most diligent search 
for such proof but did not succeed in finding 
any positive evidence or any one who served with 
the said Samuel Emerson.  Yet I do most confidently 
believe that he did serve the country 14 
months as declared by her commencing some time 
in the year 1775 that is 2 months at Winter Hill as a 
substitute for some one and one year afterwards in 
Captain Place's Company.  And the reason why I so 
believe is, that my mother she said Mary Sargent previous 
to her death informed me that although she was not sure 
that her first husband enlisted under Capt Place, still 
she believed he served under him for he wrote to her 
previous to his death that he belonged to Captain Place 
Company, that she might know where to look for his effects
wages &c after he should be dead - which she did accordingly 
And another reason why I believe that his services commenced 
in 1775 is that I have examined an old book 
that he left in the possession of my mother and find 
that the last writing and date thereon is May 15, 
1775 as appears by the original page or part of a page 
hereunto attached.  I have also frequently seen 
in the hands of my mother the Pocket Book which 
she stated that he carried into the service with him 
and which she afterwards obtained with other effects.  
I further depose and say that I am now in the 67th 
year of my age and that I have heard my mothers

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declarations as above stated from as long ago as I can
remember till near the time of her death which took
place on the 10th day of March 1838 then in the 90th
year of her age -
John Emerson

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan SS
Sworn and subscribed to this 16th day of April 1840
Before me John Bryant Justice of the Peace
I do hereby further certify that the deponent is a credible witness
John Bryant Justice Peace

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan County SS
I TW Gilmore Clerk of the
Superior Court of [illegible]
of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that
John Bryant is an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his
Commission was dated on the 4th day of September 1837 and
will expire on the 3d day of September 1842.
and that his signatures above written are genuine
Given under my hand and seal of said County
this 21st day of April AD 1840
T.W. Gilmore Clerk

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(illegible)

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V Mary Sargent 
Let J Bryant July 4 1897
"  Hon H Hubbard June 6 38
" " " May 14 40
" J Bryant Nov 3, 1840
" HH Sylvester Jany 2, [illegible]
J Bryant May 30 1846

Act July 4 1836

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[stamp] Rejected
9203
Mary Sargeant

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Benja. Fitz [illegible] Clerk of Chester 
Depo. to be used as support of the 
pending claim of Mary Sargeant 
NH Act 4, July 1836

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I Benjamin Fitz Jr[?] of Chester in the county of 
Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Town Clerk of 
said town of Chester depose and say, that upon application 
to me as town clerk for evidence in support of the 
pending claim of Mary Sargeant to a Pension under 
the act of the 4th of July 1836 for the services of her first 
husband Samuel Emerson formerly of this town 
who is said to have enlisted and servd in the early part 
of the War of the Revolution and died on his way 
home in the latter part of the year 1776.  I have made 
search and find on the Book of Records of said town 
in my possession what I regard as satisfactory evidence 
of the fact.  It is contained in the doings of the inhabitants 
of said town in referance to their solders wages and pay, 
I find by the record that a meeting holden on the 2d 
day of December 1777 it was voted. 
"That the report of the Committee that was chosen to 
allow the soldiers an equality per month up to the three 
years men for their service done in the present 
War be excepted as they have given it in." 
Then follows the record of what purports to be the Report 
allowed to which is as follows
"Whereas we the subscribers being chosen a committee for the 
town of Chester to allow the solders an equality per month 
up to the three years men for their services don in the present 
War since the commencement thereof for the town of Chester 
and have agreed to allow them in the following manner. 
Viz. re Those that went to Cambridge in the year 1775 8 months 0.6.0 per month.  
"Those that went to Cambridge of the Militane 0.6.0 per month.  
"Those that went to Portsmouth, 0.6.0 per month

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Those that went to Cambridge and to New York after 
leaving Cambridge 0.10.0 per month
Those that went to Cambridge and York and 
those to Canada twelve months after leaving Cambridge 0.15.0 per month
Those that went to Ticontroge 5 months 0.10.0 per month
Those that went from Portsmouth to Tye after leaving 
Portsmouth 0.10.0 per month
Those that went to York with Lieut Samuel 
Haseltine and Liet Ezekiel Worthen 0.6.00 per month
Chester November 19, 1777 
Saml. Robie
Jacob Chase
William White
Nathan Fitts} Committee
That at subsequent meeting holden according to notice on
 the 26th day of March 1778 it was voted
"That the Widow Mary Emerson be allowed and paid 
by the town for her husband who died on his way 
coming home out of the Wars as the other soldiers 
were allowed and paid by the town"
I further depose and say that on the Settlement Books 
of accounts deposited in this Office I find that in 
conformity to the foregoing report and vote the Widow 
Mary Emerson was paid an arrearage of L 5.8.0 
which was charged in the settlement accounts for 
the year 1778.  I further depose and say that the foregoing is 
all I have been able to find in this office in relation to the 
servises of said Samuel Emerson.   
Benjamin Fitz Jr(?)
State of New Hampshire. 
Rockingham as sworn and subscribed to on the 23 day 
of September 1844.  Before me, Isaac Tompkins Justice of the Peace. 
I further certified that the deposition is a creditable witness
Isaac Tompkins Justice of the Peace.

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[seal]
State of New Hampshire.  
Office of Secretary of State. 
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Tompkins 
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of 
Rockingham duly commissioned and qualified, that 
his Commission was dated of the 26th day of June 
1841 and will expire on the 26th day of June 
1846 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.  
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 
24th day of September 1844.  
Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State.

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State of New Hampshire 
Office of Secretary of State.   
[seal] 
I, George G. Fogg, Secretary of State aforesaid do hereby certify that Elias F. Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Sullivan duly commissioned, qualified and authorized to administer oaths, take acknowledgement of deeds and other legal instruments.  His commission was dated on the 20th of June 1844 and will expire on the 20th of June 1849 and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.  
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State this 28th 
day of October 1846

George G. Fogg SECREATRY OF STATE

Page 23

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan SS
At a Court of Probate holden at
Claremont within and for said County on the
21st day of January AD 1846 before the Hon John
L. Putnam Judge of said Court, it was in
evidence that Mary Sargeant formerly the
widow of Samuel Emerson died on the
10th day of March 1838 That she had at the
time of her death a pending claim to a
pension for the services of her first husband
Samuel Emerson under the act of the 4th July
1836 and that she left two children and two
only by the names of John Emerson and
Lydia Boyd
The testimony to the above points was satisfactory
to the Court.
In testimony of which I hereunto set my
hand and affix the seal of said
Court this 21st day of January AD 1846
Ralph Metcalf Register
[seal]

Page 24

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan SS
At a Court of Probate holden at Newport in
said County of Sullivan on the 19th day of August AD 1846
before the Honorable John L. Putnam Judge of said
Court it was in evidence that Mary Sargeant of
Plainfield in said County formerly the widow of Samuel
Emerson died on the 10th day of March 1838 and that she was
at the time of her death a New Hampshire claimant
for a pension for the service of her first husband Samuel
Emerson, and that she left two children by the names
of John Emerson and Lydia Boyd
The testimony to the above points was satisfactory to the
Court
I further certify that her son the said John Emerson
of Plainfield in said County of Sullivan has been
duly appointed administrator of the estate of said Mary
Sargeant and that he is now acting in that capacity
In
testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and the seal of said
Court this nineteenth day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred and forty six.
Ralph Metcalf
Register of Probate

Page 25

B. Pike Chase Depo. in relation
to the services of Samuel Emerson

John Bryant Agent
Meriden NH

Page 26

I Benjamin P. Chase of Auburn formerly a
part of Chester in the County of Rockingham and state 
of New Hampshire now in the 85th year of my age
depose and say that I am a son of Wells Chase late
of said Chester or that part of said town which is now
Auburn ever since the year 1771 and that I was acquainted 
with the late Mrs Mary Sargent whose first
husband was Samuel Emerson a resident of said Chester, 
and who was reputed to have been a soldier in the
early part of the the war of the Revolution. In relation
to which my belief is from what was made known to me
at the time and what I have since learned, that the
said Samuel Emerson removed into said Chester from
the nayboring town of Atkinson just previous to the time
of the commencement of the war of the Revolution in
which he engaged at Charlestown or Cambridge near
Boston in the Autumn of 1775, and that after serving
there for the space of two months or thereabouts he engaged
in the years service of 1776 and served at New 
York and on the north river his time out or nearly so,
and that he died on his way home. I further depose
and say that my recollection and belief is that 
the said town of Chester subsequently agreed to make up
to the men who went into service for said town previous
to the year 1778, their wages so as to make them equal to
the monthly pay of the three years men and that an allowance 
was accordingly made to Mary Emerson the
widow of the said Samuel Emerson

Page 27

I further depose and say that after the death of the
said Samuel Emerson who left the said Mary Emerson
as his widow in low circumstances as to property with
three small children that the town felt themselves
under obligation to aid the said widow and
children, and that they did so aid them, and that
they placed one of said children by the name of Lydia 
Emerson in the family of my farther Wells Chase
where she was brought up in the same family with
me. I further state that my present recollection is that 
the said town of Chester allowed my farther the said
Wells Chase a compensation for engaging to take said
child who was then as now think from four
to six years of age. I do further and lastly depose and
say that from my early acquaintance with the family of
the said Samuel Emerson and what followed immediately
after his death that I am most decidedly of the
opinion that he rendered actual service up to the
time of his death for the space of twelve months
or upwards and that further in reference to the
subject I say not
[signature] B. Pike Chase
Sworn and subscribed to this 12th day of October
1846 Before me Henry F. Chase Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above deponent is a credible witness
Henry F. Chase Justice of the Peace

Page 28

[Letterhead] STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, GEORGE G. FOGG, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby 
certify, that
[Handwritten] Henry F. Chase
is an acting Justice of 
the Peace, in and for the County of
[Handwritten] Rockingham
duly commissioned, qualified, and authorized to administer oaths, take 
acknowledgement of deeds, and other legal instruments. His commission 
was dated on the
[Handwritten] twenty-first
day of
[Handwritten] December 1842
and will expire on the
[Handwritten] twenty-first
day of
[Handwritten] December 1847
and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the State, this
[Handwritten] Sixteenth
day of
[Handwritten] October A.D. 1846
[Signature] George G. Fogg
SECRETARY OF STATE.
[seal]

Page 29

William Greenough
Town Clerk of Chester Depo
In the case of Mary Sargeant
deceased__ Mrs. Emerson's
Administrator

John Bryant Agent
Meriden
N. H.

Page 30

[Letterhead] STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, GEORGE G. FOGG, Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that
[Handwritten] John W. Noyes
is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of
[Handwritten] Rockingham
duly commissioned, qualified, and authorized to administer oaths, take acknowledgement of deeds, and other legal instruments. His commission was dated on the
[Handwritten] thirtieth
day of 
[Handwritten] June 1846
and will expire on the
[Handwritten] thirtieth
day of
[Handwritten] June 1857.
and his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the State, this
[Handwritten] Sixtienth
day of
[Handwritten] October
1846.
[Signature] Geroge G. Fogg
SECRETARY OF STATE.

Page 31

Town Clerks Office Chester Oct 12. 1846
I William Greenough Town Clerk of Chester
in the County of Rockingham and State of
New Hampshire depose and say that the
affidavit of Benjamin P. Chase made on the
12th day of October 1846 before Henry F. Chase a
Justice of the Peace within and for the County
of Rockingham, in relation to the Revolutionary
services of Samuel Emerson the first husband of
the late Widow Mary Sargent, his death and
so forth has this day been shown me and that
upon application for record evidence or proofs
of the correctness of the several statements therein
made I have searched the Book of records
of said town which was commenced previous
to the War of the Revolution and find that
there is evidence that the town by the acceptance
of the report of a Committee did agree to make
further allowance to certain classes of their soldiers
so as to make up their pay or wages equal
to the pay of the three years men, that at a
meeting holden on the second day of December
1777 it was voted
"That the report of the Committee 
that was chosen to allow the soldiers an Equality 
per month up to the three years men for their
services done in the present War be excepted,
as they have given it in"

Page 32

Then follows the record of what purports to
be the report allowed which is as follows,
"Whereas we the subscribers being chosen a 
committee for the town of Chester to allow the
soldiers an equality pr month up to the three
years men for their services done in the present
War since the commencement thereof for the
town of Chester and have agreed to allow them
in the following manner.
[pounds] S d per month
"Those that went to Cambridge in the year 1775. 8 months 0.6.0 per month"
"Those that went to Cambridge of the  [illegible] 0.6.0  per month"
"Those that went to Portsmouth 0.6.0 per month"
"Those that went to Cambridge and to New York
"after leaving Cambridge 0.10.0 per month"
"Those that went to Cambridge and York
and thus to Canada twelve months after leaving Cambridge 0.15.0 per month"
"Those that went to Ticontroge 5 months 0.10.0 per month"
"Those that went from Portsmouth to
[illegible] after leaving Portsmouth 0.10.0 per month"
"Those that went to York with Lieut. Samuel
Haselton and Lieut Ezekiel Worthen 0.6.0 per month"
Chester November 19, 1777 
Saml Robie
Jacob Chase
William White
Nathan Fitts } Committee"
-
That at a subsequent meeting holden according to
notice on the 26th day of March 1778 it was voted
That the widow Mary Emerson be allowed and

Page 33

paid by the town for her husband who died on
his way coming home out of the Wars as the other 
soldiers were allowed and paid by the town"
I further depose and say that I find
in this office the doings of the Selectmen of said
Chester during the several years of the war contained
in a Book kept for the purpose, that under
the caption
"The town debt for the year 1777"
there are sundry items of charge one of which is
as follows
"Paid to the Committee to allow the soldiers back
service --------3 pounds, 0 S 0 d"
and another charge is

"Paid Wells Chase for taking Lydia Emerson 7-10-0"
"The town of Chester debt for the year 1778"
That the two first items of charge in said book under
a caption of which the above is a copy are as follows
"Paid Simon Merrill back service in the War 10 pounds 1 s. 0 d."
"Paid widow Mary Emerson her husbands back service 5-8-0"
I further depose and say that I find nothing
further in relation to the services pay and death
of the said Samuel Emerson
William Greenough
Sworn and subscribed to this 12th day of Oct
1846, before me John W. Noyes Justice Peace
I further certify that William Greenough the deponent is a
credable witness
John W. Noyes Justice Peace

Page 34

Meriden N H June 6. 1837
Sir
At the request of the Widow Mary Sargeant  I herewith send
her Declaration for a Pension on account of the services of her first
husband Samuel Emerson This is a case wherein I feel more than
a common interest for the reason that the applicant is an excellent
old Lady, and is an object, both of charity and pity, being
entirely blind and destitute of property as necessary to be
enrolled on the Pension list,  though not chargeable to this
town-- I am aware however, that the Law makes no allowance
for pecuniary circumstances. It appears by her
Declaration that Samuel Emerson for whose services she
claims, first served two months as a substitute at Winter
hill near Boston Massachusetts, and afterwards
enlisted for one year in Captain Place Company of
Col Read Regt, which of the Col Reads she does not
know nor whether Capt Place was of N.H. or Mass
Emerson died in service before the expiration of his
time, and she cannot state precisely how long
he served, nor has she any proof in support of her
Declaration other than that of her marriage, which is
herewith sent-- Possibly the Rolls may furnish some
thing in reference to it, or that there was such a company
either in N. Hampshire on Mass.  And also
may furnish the names of some of the surviving
members thereof of whom she might possibly obtain
proof of her former husbands services. Hope the case
will meet with an early and careful investigation
The result may be communicated to
Your Obt Serv
John Bryant

J. L. Edwards Esq

Page 35

Meriden N H Aug. 7. 1837
Sir
Since the return under date of July 14 1837 under care
of the widow Mary Sargeant a claimant on account of her
first husband Samuel Emersons services under the
act of the 4th of July 1836 and 3d of March 1837 I have
called upon her but she is not able to give the Christian
name of the Captain under whom he enlisted
and went into the service. She still feels confident it
was Captain Place and still think of Col Reads Regt
Says after having served 2 months at Winter Hill as 
a substitute during which time her son Moses was
born, he came home and informed her he had listed
for a year in Captain Places Company and that
he returned and commenced his years service
at said Winter Hill near Boston & from thence soon
after went by the way of New York & Ticonderoga
from which circumstance she thinks it most likely
he was in Reads Regt of the Massachusetts line
As she has no proof of said Emersons services I hope
the rolls will show enough to satisfy the Department
that she is justly entitled to at least one
years service performed by said Emerson
J L Edwards
Respectfully yr
John Bryant

JL Edwards Esq

Page 36

Sir
War Department
Pension Office
June 6, 1838
Sir,
I have examined the claim of
Mrs. Mary Sargeant widow of Samuel Emerson
decd. transmitted to this Office by John Bryant,
and have placed it upon our files.
The declarant, alleges that her said husband,
among other services, rendered one years
Service under Capt Place in 1775 & 1776. A
roll of his company is found dated November
1775, but it does not bear Mr Emersons
name. Proof of this service will be required
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully,
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J.L. Edwards

Hon. H. Hubbard
Senate U. States

Page 37

War Department
Pension Office
June 18, 1838
Sir
Mr Bryants letter is herewith returned.
His request that the Department would furnish him
with a list of the survivors of Capt Places company can
not be complied with. The only roll of his company in
this office is the one dated November 1775, and as it does
not bear the name of Samuel Emerson, the former husband
of Mary Sargeant, no testimony can be received to
do away or discredit facts that are established by record
evidence. If he entered Capt Places company 
it must have been early in 1776, and as we have 
not any roll except the one above named, it is
impossible to say who composed the company, or who 
may yet be living.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J L. Edwards

Hon. H. Hubbard
Senate U. States

Page 38

Meriden N H Oct 28. 1840
Sir
At the request of Mr John Emerson who is interested in
the pending claim of his mother the late Mrs Mary Sargeant
under the Act of the 4th July 1836. I write to say that by references
to a letter from the Department to the Hon H Hubbard dated June
18th 1838 it appears that there is in the office a roll of Capt
Place Company dated November 1775. And as it is understood
that Capt Place Company was of Col Reads Regt
permit me to inquire which of the Reads Regiments, whether
N. Hampshire or Massachusetts said Company belonged,
as it may aid him in making further search for proof
of Samuel Emersons service
Respectfully yours
John Bryant

J L Edwards Esq

Page 39

Washington Feb 24. 1846
Sir
I herein enclose the proof of the death of Mrs
Mary Sargeant who at the time of her death had
in the Pension Office a pending claim to a pension
under the act of the 4th July 1836 which claim
I have to request may be taken up and settled
and that the result may be communicated to
me at Meriden N.H
Respectfully Yr Obt Serv
John Bryant
Mrs Sargeant was a N.H. claim

Hon J. L Edwards
Com Pensions