Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3980, Seth Getchell, Continental (Mass.)

Page 1

SERVICE
Continental (Mass.) Getchell, Seth 
Sarah

NUMBER
R. 3980

CONTENTS

Page 2

6647
Maine 4
Seth Getchell,
Private,
Col Patterson
Massachusetts line 1 year
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
scribed on the Roll of the District of Maine
the rate of -8- Dollars per month, to commence
9th of April 1818
tificate of Pension issued the 6 of Feb 9. 1819
dep
R. C. Vose
rears to 4th of Sep 1818. 4 mo 26/30  - 38.93
mi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819. 48.00
$86.93
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
Waterville Continued on Rob
under law may 1820.
Note ┃
fication sent to R.C. Vose
13 July 1820
Augusta

Page 3

(Copy)

State of Maine.
231
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
On this thirtieth day of May, 1820,
personally appeared before Nathan Weston Junior Chief Justice of
the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset,
being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common
law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and
having the power of fine and imprisonment, Seth Getchell aged
fifty six years, resident in Waterville in the County of Kennebec
within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he
served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain
Lawyer
and Regiment commanded by Colonel Patterson; afterwards Gen. Patterson
of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for
the period of eleven months 
that his original declaration was made before Judge Wilde on the 
ninth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine
Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6647. And I, the said Seth Getchell
do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States,
on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not,
since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one
thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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. ┃
Witness
A. Nichols
his
Seth x Getchell
mark

The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding
excepted, viz:
The right to the possession, but not the propert(Copy)

State of Maine.
231
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
On this thirtieth day of May, 1820,
personally appeared before Nathan Weston Junior Chief Justice of
the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset,
being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common
law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and
having the power of fine and imprisonment, Seth Getchell aged
fifty six years, resident in Waterville in the County of Kennebec
within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he
served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain
Lawyer
and Regiment commanded by Colonel Patterson; afterwards Gen. Patterson
of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for
the period of eleven months 
that his original declaration was made before Judge Wilde on the 
ninth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine
Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6647. And I, the said Seth Getchell
do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States,
on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not,
since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one
thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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. ┃
Witness
A. Nichols
his
Seth x Getchell
mark

The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding
excepted, viz:
The right to the possession, but not the property of seventeen acres
of land in Waterville, about six acres under improvement, with an old barn
thereon, both of the value of twenty five dollars One cow of the value
of fifteen dollars. One calf of the value of three dollars. Old household furniture
besides necessary, bedding not exceeding two dollars in value. One axe
of the value of two dollars. I have no debts due to me that can be collected
and I owe as much as fifty dollars. The income derived from the above
property, deducting the interest I pay does not exceed ten dollars a year.
My occupation is that of a farmer; but from age and infirmity, and
having lost the use of one my legs am able to labor very little.
My family at home consists of myself and my wife Sarah, aged sixty
six years, sick and under the hands of a physician.
Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing and bedding, I have
no estate or income whatever.
Witness A. Nicholsy of seventeen acres
of land in Waterville, about six acres under improvement, with an old barn
thereon, both of the value of twenty five dollars One cow of the value
of fifteen dollars. One calf of the value of three dollars. Old household furniture
besides necessary, bedding not exceeding two dollars in value. One axe
of the value of two dollars. I have no debts due to me that can be collected
and I owe as much as fifty dollars. The income derived from the above
property, deducting the interest I pay does not exceed ten dollars a year.
My occupation is that of a farmer; but from age and infirmity, and
having lost the use of one my legs am able to labor very little.
My family at home consists of myself and my wife Sarah, aged sixty
six years, sick and under the hands of a physician.
Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing and bedding, I have
no estate or income whatever.
Witness A. Nichols

Page 4

Subscribed sworn to and declared both the oath and
the schedule on the thirtieth day of May 1820
Before me Nathan Weston Junior
C.J.C.C.C. Pleas

A true Copy
Attest John Davis Clen

[Upside down]
Seth Getchell
Waterville

Continue
6647
6 July 1819

R. C. Vose. Augusta
Maine.

Page 5

[Left side]
No 56
Sarah Getchell
MO
Act 17th June 44
m S Severance
AR
Geo Winaton
Augusta
Maine.

[Right side]
No 56
Sarah Getchell
Wed of Seth

Act June 17. '44


3980

Page 6

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June 17, 1844 entitled "An Act to 
continue the Pensions of certain widows
State of Maine
Kennebec County S.S. On this Eleventh day of January
AD 1845 personally appeared before the subscriber sole
Judge of the District Court of Maine for the middle
district, Sarah Getchell a resident of Waterville in the
County of Kennebec and State of Maine aged ninety
years, who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made
by the act of Congress passed June 17, 1844 entitled "An act
to continue the pension of certain widows" That she
is the widow of Seth Getchell who was a pensioner
of the United States under the Act of March 18. 1818
that his pension was payable at the Maine agency
for paying pension, where it was paid to him up to
the 4th of March 1844. from which time to the 20th
day of July 1844 it was received by her as his widow ┃
she refers to a declaration made by her late
husband and the said Seth Getchell of his service in the
war of the Revolution in support of her claim. She
further declare that she was married to the said
Seth Getchell on the unremembered day of November
in the year Seventeen hundred and that her husband
the aforesaid Seth Getchell, died in the town of Pittsfield
County of Somerset and State of Maine on the twentieth
day of July 1844 since which time she has remained
unmarried that her maiden name was Sarah Grant
and that she was married to the said Seth Getchell in
the town of Berwick, in the North Parish by the Revd
Matthew Merriam.

Attest, Asa Redington

her
Sarah x Getchell
mark.

Page 7

State of Maine
Kennebec C. January 11. 1845.
Before me the subscriber, sole Judge of the District Court
of the State of Maine, for the Middle District, the same being
a Court of Record, personally appeared the within named Sarah
Getchell and subscribed the foregoing declaration and
made oath to the truth of the same.
Asa Redington


Mrs. Sarah Getchell who has this day before me, made oath
to the foregoing declaration, resides about eighteen miles from
the place of holding the County Courts. She is quite feeble in
body, but of good memory. She is quite too infirm to leave her
room. Of course, her declaration could not be made in open Court.
Of my own personal acquaintance with Mrs. Getchell & her
late husband I have made a certificate on oath which is
to accompany this paper. 

Asa Redington, Judge Dis Court 

State of Maine.
County of Kennebec ss

I the subscriber Clerk of the Jud. Courts
held within & for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify
that the Hon. Asa Redington is sole Judge of
the District Court of Maine for the Middle District.
I further certify that Erasties Bartlett & Samuel
Appleton Esqrs are Justices of the Peace within &
for said County of Kennebec - and that the signatures
hereto affixed purporting to be the signatures
of the said Redington, Bartlett & Appleton 
respectively are genuine.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
hand and affix the seal of said Court
this seventeenth day of January in
the year of our Lord 1845.
Wm. M. Stratton

Page 8

Ages of Seth Getchell, & Sarah his wife & their family
(Viz
Seth Getchell -- born in Wells -- November 29. 1753
Sarah Getchell -- born in Berwick -- March 31. 1754
Ephraim Getchell -- born in Sanford -- March 17. 1780
Olive Getchell -- born in Sanford -- April 14. 1782
James Grant Getchell -- born in Berwick -- Augt. 24. 1784
Abel Getchell -- born in Sanford -- March 22. 1787
Stephen Getchell -- born in Sanford -- March 28. 1789
Marian Getchell -- born in Sanford -- October 14. 1791
Calvin Lumber Getchell -- born in Winslow, now Waterville, -- Feby. 2. 1794
Susan Getchell -- born in Winslow, now Waterville, -- March 15. 1796
John Getchell -- born in Winslow, now Waterville, -- April 6. 1798

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy
from the original record in the Town of Waterville

Waterville Oct. 15, 1844

A. Perkins, Town Clerk

Page 9

State of Maine
Kennebec County S.S. On this sixteenth
day of January 1845
personally appeared before me a Justice within and for the said
County of Kennebec Augustine Perkins, known to me to be the
Clerk of the town of Waterville, County of Kennebec and State of
Maine and made oath to the truth of the within certificate
by him subscribed
Samuel Appleton
Justice of the Peace

Page 10

For thirty five years I have had acquaintance with Mr Seth
Getchell and his wife Sarah. He died last year, and was
a pensioner of the United States. This said widow has not
since been married. She has always been considered of good
character for truth. I have entire confidence in her statements.
They lived together as husband and wife from my earliest acquaintance up to the time of his death last year.

They were always supposed to have been lawfully married. To
this day I have never heard it doubted. They raised up a
large family of children, of whom I think seven are yet alive.
I regret that none of them are able to help their aged mother
now in much want. I am not at all related to a connected with
the family.
Asa Redington
January 11. 1845

Hennebec ss. Jany 11. 1845. The above named Asa Redington made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate, by
hear subscribed.
Before me,
Erastus Bartlett,
Justice of the
Peace

Page 11

Declaration widow
In the case of
Seth Getchel


House of Representatives
Jany 22. 1819.
I certify that John James & Salathiel
Penny within named, are in my opinion
Credible witnesses
Joshua Gage

Page 12

Seth Getchell, Waterville
Kennebec Co. /. Col. Patterson's
Mass. Reg.
January 1776 to Jany
1777 - 1 Year
April 9. 1818
-
Patterson Rep.
was on the Continen
tal establishment
Admitted

Page 13

I Seth Getchell of Waterville in the County of
Kennebec & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being
a native citizen of the United States, do on oath
testify & declare, that I served as a private in the
about
War of the revolution for the term of eleven months
and that by reduced circumstances I now had
the amstance of my country for support. I enlisted
at Cambridge in this State on or about the 15th
of February A.D. 1776 into a company commanded
by Captain Sawyer, which company was attach
to the Regiment commanded by Col. Patterson
of the Manachusetts line
soon after I marched with said company to New York
& from thence to Caunder; after remaining
1
R
about 6 weeks at Montreal we retreated under the
general command of General Arnold to
contaroga, where Genl Gates took the command
of us & marched in to the Southward on
our arrival at the Town of Bethel in the
was
State of Pensylvania, I was taken sick & left at
the Hospital with brothers about the middle
of December of the same year; & that I remained
much indisposed
there until my term expired which was on the
first day of January A.D. 1777. after which I had a
pass from the attending Physician of the Hospital
according to orders given to him by the Major
of the Regiment & returned home - I never
received any certificate of discharge - but
I received my pay for eleven months
as above stated
Seth Gettell

Page 14

Service 
Continental (Mass.). Getchell, Seth Sarah 
Number
R.3980
Contents

Page 15

To the Honorable the Secretary of the
Department of War, of the United States.
I the Subscribed being one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify to your Honor
that Seth Getchell a citizen of the United States now resident in Waterville in the District of Maine and Commonwealth aforesaid on the ninth day
of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
eighteen made application to me to receive his declaration
under oath, and such other evidence as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same & the proceedings to be had there
on to your Honor that he might be placed on the pension List
of the United States agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled
"an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and
naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed
March 18th 1818 - which declaration and the other evidence produced by the said applicant is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor that after a careful
examination of the said applicant & a full consideration of the
evidence in the case it appears to me that the said applicant
did serve as a private soldier on the continental establishment against the common enemy in the war of the Revolution for the term of more than nine months as stated in his declaration aforesaid, and 
 that from reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
land, and caused the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court
to be hereunto affixed this Sixth day of June in the year of
our Lord eighteen hundred & eighteen
P.S. Wilde
Jus. Sup. Jud. Court
for sd Courth

Page 16


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebic, p.
The subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within
the said County of Kennebic, hereby certifies, that the Honorath
Samuel S. Wilde Esqr, before whom the foregoing proceeding were had, is one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, of this Commonwealth,
and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed, unto this
certificate, bearing his signature, the seal of said Supreme, Judicial Court
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand : dated
at Augusta, in said County of Kennebic, this tenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred & eighteen.
John Davis

Page 17

I [Salathid] [illegible] Penny of Waterville in the County of Kennebec of lawful age do depose
& say that I well know the before mentioned Seth Getchel, and that I was present at Cambridge
when he enlisted into Captain Sawyer's company and that in August 
A.D. 1776 when I marched
to Ticontarage I met the said Getchell there doing service in the same company, and that
we both remained there until November following when said Getchell's company marched
for the Southward. I saw him soon
after his return, which was sometime after the middle of Jany A. D. 1777
[Salathid] [illegible] Penny
Kennebec Ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
On this 9th day of April A.D. 1818 the
above named Salathiel Penny after having been carefully examined made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed
before me
S. J. Wilde
Jas. Sup. Jud Court
for sd Common

Page 18

Continental (Mass.)  Getchell, Seth   R. 3980
                                                Sarah

Page 19

Mch. 28/95
1915 May 18 Hist to 
M. I. Getchell Afton Mum's
M El,
1915 May/28 Hist. to Mrs. J.W.
Stewart
1917 Feby 28 Hist. to Edith O. Cross


Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1893. [crossed out]

3980
P.O.
Sarah Getchell
Service: widow of Seth

Enlisted:____, 18  .
Discharged: [stamp] REJECTED , 18  .

Application filed: ____, 18  .
Aleges: ____
Re-enlisted: ____

Attorney: ____
P.O.____

____ Recognized.   ____ Contract.
____ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for____, 18  .

Page 20

No 56
Sarah Getchell
wid. of Seth

Suspended
Lidy to Hon. R. Issuance
Son
Feby 1, 1845

Act 17th June '44

Page 21

Dear Mr. Getchell:
I wish you would write
Hon William Lochren, Commissioner of
Pensions Washington D.C. for a statement
of the service of your grand father in the
Revolution as they appear in his application
for a pension, and send me the reply
It will make the record much more
complete. The Pension office furnish
such statements without charge to the
decendents of pensioners.
Simply give the name, Seth Getchell, and
his residence, Kennebec Co. Maine and
say you are his grandson and that you
desire such a statement
Truly yours
W. H. Ipernt
Registrar

Page 22

Hon S. Severance
Feby 1. 1845

Page 23

21

Pensions Offices
Fine.
Feby 1st 45
I have the honor to state
that the papers in the case of Sarah
Getchell widow of Seth Getchell
claiming a pension under the Act
of 17th June '44 have been examin
ed and filed. I enclose a blank
form under the Joint resolution
of the 23d instant which entitles
the claimant to a pension under the
act of July 7th 38, that
on showing that she was alive at
the time where the resolution was
passed to wit, Jany 23d 1845. The
case awaits the return of the proof
above named.
Amale L. Severance
of
George W Maston Esq [crossed out]
Augusta [crossed out]
M [crossed out]

Page 24

231
State of Maine.
John Davis [handwritten] Clerk, for the County
of Kennebec [handwritten] of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for
the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Kennebec
and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and
the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the
said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open Court; and I
do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total
amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule,
including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is Forty seven [handwritten] 
dollars and [crossed out] cents; [crossed out] and deducting therefrom
the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property
in the opinion of said Court, is nothing [handwritten] dollars[crossed out] cents [crossed out]

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affix the seal of said
Court, on this twentieth [handwritten] day of June [handwritten] 1820.

John Davis [handwritten] Clerk of said Court for the County of
of Kennebec [handwritten]

Page 25

Waterville May 30 1820-
This is to certify that after an acquaintance of
more than twenty years
with Mr. Seth Getchell of this town a pensioner under the act of Congress
of March 1818, we fully believe him to be a poor man, and by reason
of his reduced circumstances in need of the assistance of his county for his
support. He has been an infirm man for many
years by reason
of his lameness and there is no probability
of his ever being restored.
Ebon Bacon
Asa Redington
Moses Dalton

Page 26

[sideways text illegible]
Augusta [stamp]
FREE [stamp]
Hon Luther Severence
House of Representatives
City of Washington D.C.

Page 27

Augusta, Jany 16. 1845.
Dear Sir:
I enclose a declaration and other papers for
the portion of having a claim of Mrs Sarah Getchell (widow
of Sett Gethell) to a pension allowed, she is aged, being ninety
years old and quite destitute, and deserves that her claim
may be admitted without delay. Will you have the goodness
to present the paper to the Commissioner
of Pensions, and
request him to have them examined and if satisfactory to
allow her claim.
very respectfully
ye
Geo W. Morton


Hon. Luther Severance
Washington City
D.C.

Page 28

Waterville Maine
Feb. 14, 1917.
Bureau of Pensions
Please send me the Pension
record of Seth Getchell
Revolutionary soldier.

Thanking you,
I remain,
Miss. Edith O. Cross

#5 Pleasant St.

Stamp:
Pension Office
Feb
16
1917
U.S.

Page 29

Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Will you please send me
the pension record of Seth
Getchell. This is the record
that I have. He was born
in Berwick in 1753, Bernick
was then in Massachusetts
he presurly [illegible] enlisted from
there, He received a pension
of $96 dollars a year, as a
private, in Massachusetts
line in the Revolutionary War

Page 30

This was paid in Kennebec Co Maine
Name print on Pension roll 
Feb 9 - 1819 pension commenced April 9-1818
This record may be found
Senate Document Pension 
Roll - 1 Session 23 Congress
Vol 12
1833 - 34
Page 35 Kennebec County
Pension Roll - State House Augusta Me.
Mrs J.W. Stewart
17 School St
Waterville Me

Page 31

[stamp in black ink, circle around the words and letters]
U.S. Pension Office
Feb 27 1895

Page 32

OFFICE OF
J. C. Higgins & Co.,
Dealers in 
Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Etc.
Afton, Minn. Feb 19 1895
Hon Wm Lochren
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I inclose [enclose] a letter which will explain itself better than I can explain by writing. Mr Grant has written me ounce [once] before inquiring whether my Grandfather
Seth Getchell received a pension and I answered him I did not know. In the manner which he writes I infer that he has ascertained that he had made an application, by answering you will greatly oblige
Yours Respt
W S Getchell
Grandson of Seth Getchell

Page 33

O. W. & N. Division
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
F.S. Bureau of Pensions, M.E.C.
Washington, D. C., March 28, 1895.

Sir:- In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of ---Seth Getchell --- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[table of service information]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered  Captain.  Colonel | State

Feb. 1776 | 11 mos. | Pvt. | Sawyer | Patterson | Mass.

Battles engaged in, None Mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Probably, Wells or Berwick, Me.
Date of application for pension, April 9, 1818.
Residence at date of application, Waterville, Maine.
Age at date of application, Sixty-four years.
Remarks: He married Sarah Grant in November, 1779, and died July 20, 1844.
Very Respectfully,
W. S. Getchell, Esq.,
Commissioner.
Afton, Minn. 
[smaller printed font at bottom of page]
1904blm

Page 34

[hand written initials V.L.M. in upper left corner]
V.L.M.
Rev. War Section.
February 28, 1917.

Miss Edith O. Cross, 5 Pleasant Street, Waterville Maine.

Madam: In addition to the military history of Seth Gethell, [illegible] File No. 3,980 you are furnished the following data as to his children:
Ephraim born in Sanford March 17, 1780.
Olive " in Sanford April 14,1782.
James Grant " in Berwick August 24, 1784.
Abel " in Sanford March 22, 1787.
Stephen " in Sanford March 28, 1789.
Mariam " in Sanford October 14, 1791.
Calvin Lumber " in Winslow February 2, 1794.
Susan " in Winslow March 15, 1796.
John " in Winslow April 6, 1798.

Very respectfully,
G W Saltzgaber
Commissioner.