Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 26277, for Elisha Thomas, New Hampshire

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Service                            Number
N.H.  Thomas, Elisha     W26277
          Moulton, Sarah
          (Former Widow)

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Maine 4038. 
Sarah Moulton formerly widow of Elisha Thomas who died in 1788. of York Co. in the State of Maine 
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain -------- of the Rgt commanded 
by Col Tash in the N. Hampshire 
line for 17 mo & 10 days 
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine 
at the rate of 57 Dollars 77 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of June 1844 and sent to Hon. I. Fairfield, [illegible] Arrears to the 4th of March 1844 $721.00 Semi=annual allowance ending 4th Sept '44 28.88 
$749.88 
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 
Recorded by Tho Lumpkin 
Book [illegible] Vol [1?]Clerk, Page 12

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March 21st 1795 this day married by Elder Benjm Randall George Bickford of Parsonsfield and Sarah Thomas of New Durham Eben B Berry E Clk taken from old Record Sept 6. 1843 Eben Bickford I was present at the time they was married.

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[Sarah?]  Moulton
6038 
Sally Moulton M 
act 4 July 36- 
m 74 - 88. 
Admd 
17 mo 1000/pri
57.77

Page 5

State of Maine
County of York

"On the third day of July AD 1843 personally appeared before [blank] Sarah Moulton a resident of Parsonsfield in the County of York and State of Maine aged eighty eight 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 acts of Congress passed July 4th 1836 and of July 7th 1838 and the 23 of August 1842 & of several acts and resolutions of Congress amendatory thereto and explanatory thereof and of the acts of Congress of March 3d 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War - That she is the widow of Elisha Thomas who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and served in Colonel Tash's Regiment in the New Hampshire line for a length of time which she does not now recollect in which service he lost a thumb by the bursting of a gun and also other service in the Army in whose Regiment or Company she does not recollect. - That while in the service in Col Tash's Regiment said Thomas came home on furlough once on account of her sickness and returned again to the Army - and she refers to the rolls for teh length of service of said Elisha Thomas.  She further declared she was married to said Elisha Thomas on some day previous to his service in the Army in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six and that her said husband Elisha Thomas died in the year 1788 the month or month she does not recollect - That she was married to him prior to his leaving or entering the service aforesaid and was his wife during the time of his said service in the Revolutionary Army, the precise day or Month or year she cannot recolect & has no record thereof.  She further declared that after the death of said Elisha Thomas She married George Bickford in 1795 who died on the twenty first day of June

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AD 1820 and that she afterwards on the fourteenth day of April 1829 married Samuel Moulton who died on the twenty fifth day of December 1837 and that she has not since been married but is still a widow.  She further declares that she has no records or means of stating the precise date of her first marriage with said Elisha Thomas but that she was nineteen years old when she married him and that she is more than eighty eight years old now and that she lived a widow seven years before her marriage with George Bickford
N.B. eighty eight [underlined] corrected from ninety and 1788 [underlined] corrected from 1794 [underlined] and 1795 [underlined] corrected from 1794 before signing.
Witness: Wm. A. Hayes  Rufus W[illegible]
Sarah X Moulton her mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me Wm. A Hayes Judge of Probate York County Maine

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I Ebenezer Bickford of New Durham
in the County of Stafford and State of New Hampshire of Lawful age depose and say that 
I am now sixty three years of age, and when 
I was a boy about eight or ten years of age my father lived near to the home of Elisha 
Thomas then in said New Durham and I know his wife and children, and said Thomas lived with his said wife and had children and raised them up, and took care of them as other men and their wifes lived and took of their children, and after the death of the said Elisha Thomas, his widow was married to George Bickford by the name of Sarah Thomas and I new the said Sarah Thomas for six or seven years after the death of said Thomas and before her marriage with my uncle George Bickford, and while said Sarah was a widow she did [illegible] by the name of Sarah Thomas. I was present at the marriage of the said George Bickford and the widow Sarah Thomas and they were married by Elder Benjamin Randal of said New Durham.

E[illegible] Bickford

[illegible] State of New Hampshire September 7th A.D. 1843 Then the above married Ebenezer Bickford personally appeared before me and made Solom oath that the above [illegible]
by him signed is just and true
Before me David Steele Justice Peace

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State of New Hampshire 
Strafford County SS. 
I , John H. Smith 
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas 
within for said County, hereby 
certify that David Steele is a justice 
of the Peace in for said County of Stafford, duly commissioned and qualified that his commission is dated December [illegible] 1840 and will expire December 6th A.D. 1845. and that the written signature purporting  to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1843 
John H. Smith, Clerk

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I Noah Wedgwood of Parsonsfield in the County
of York & State of Maine aged eighty four years
last June depose & say that I knew Elisha Thomas
early in the Revolutionary war & who then belonged
to Newmarket in New Hampshire or to some town
in that vicinity I cannot say in which positively-
I knew said Thomas as a soldier in the New Hampshire
the United States
Militia on service in the vicinity of Boston and
he belonged to the same company & meford in the same
mess with me-- he served three
months as nearly as I can recollect the term of
service which I served-- the company was at
first under the command of Joshua Woodman
if I recollect right & he sent away and the
company was the remainder of the time under the
command of Benjamin Folsom at
his name. During the time of this service
the British evacuated Boston & the troops intend
that he immediately after. I then understood
from said Elisha Thomas that he was a married
man & that a Brother of his wife by name & Joseph
Gilman or there also a soldier in the New Hampshire troops-- I heard said Thomas Speak of his
wife at the time. The Tisha Thomas I speak
of, was hung in Dover New Hampshire a few
part after the Revolutionary War. I was not
acquainted with his wife or widow till
after she was married to George Bickford
came to live in this Parsonsfield
After the death of said George Bickford she
married Deacon Samuel Motion of said
Parsonsfield who is now too dead & his
widow only the wife of said Thomas is still
alive. Why I can remember to particularly about
said Thomas is the fact I have [illegible] of his
execution and another remarkable circumstance
happening to the family at the time namely that
his said wife or widow on her return home
to New Durham A. after her last visit to her
husband said Thomas in good immediately
before his execution found her house in
ashes having been burnt in her absence
togeth-

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together with some of her children three
I think but may be but two. She had a
child after the death of her husband said Thomas
of few month, who has always gone by the
name of James Thomas & I have no reason  to
doubt that said Elisha Thomas was married
before the service with me in the Revolutionary
army & that Mrs Sarah or Sally Moutton now
widow of this order was then his wife.
I am a Revolutionary Pensioner
wit Rufus White
Noah his x mark Wedgewood

State of Maine
County of York ss September 12th 1843 then personally
appeared Noah Wedgwood and made oath in due
form of law that the foregoing affidavit by him
signed is true. And I hereby certify that
said Noah Wedgewood is reputed a man of truth
veracity & I have known him personally more than
twenty years last past & that though he has lost
his right he retains the use of his mind &
memory to a very unusual degree for a
man of his years
Before me Rufus White Jus of the Peace

State of Maine,
York County, 
SS.
I, William Trafton, Clerk of all
the Judicial Courts, within and for said county of
York, do hereby certify that Rufus McIntire is an
acting Justice of the Peace within and for said county,
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 25 day of January, 1839, and
will expire on the the 25th day of January 1846, and
that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the
Supreme Judicial Court, this nineteenth
October, 1843.
William Trafton, Clerk

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I John Burrell of Parsonsfield in the County of
York & State of Maine aged seventy six years testify
that I formerly lived in Middleton in the State of
New Hampshire and had some knowledge of
Elisha Thomas who lived in New Durham in the same
State & about five miles from my
residence when he was charged with killing a
man by name of Drown for which he was tried
convicted & executed. I am well acquainted with
said Fille Thomas Widow who now live in this
town has been twice married time the the 
of said Thomas is now a widow. I have been
an ordained minister of the Gospel fifty one 
years & have lived forty four years parson
the wide said Thomas married George Bickford
of Parsonsfield who died many years time attended
his funeral. I married said widow of
Thomas & Bickford to Deacon Samuel Months
Service of Canonsfield April the fourteenth in
the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & twenty nine
said Moulton has since deceased - I attended
officiated at his funeral. By record of his
marriage as above stated his wife was called all
Mrs Sally Bickford to whom I married him. Said
Widow Sally Mortland formerly the widow of said Elisha
Thomas has been a member of my church
forty four years. I can have no doubt of
her being the identical widow of said Thomas
it circumstance that occured at the time of the
death of said Thomas makes it forth in the many
that of the burning of her hand in her absence
to take leave her husband and with it two or
more of her children. I have frequently seen
the site where the hand stood when it was
burned. I had no particular acquaintance
with said Thomas though I had seen him.
third I was twenty or twenty one years old where
he was executed. His said widow has due on
born a few months after the death of her said
Husband Thomas & who has ever bore the name of
Thomas & one or two who crossed the fire, one of
home nearly deceased. I have no reason to

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to doubt that said Sally Moulton was the
lawful recoded wife of said Elisha Thomas
John Buzzell

State of Maine
County of York, October 9th 1843 then personally appeared
appeared John Burrell & made oath in due
form of law that the foregoing affidavit by him signed
is true. and I hereby certify that said John Burrell is
well sworn & me has been for the last twenty five
years to be a man of intelligence & integrity and has
been & still is a respectable clergyman still in the active
& ardent exercise of his professional duties, is the senior
Editor of a religions Newspaper
Sworn before me Rufus W mcIntire, Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
York County SS.
I, William Trafton, Clerk of the Judicial Court within and
for said County of York, do hereby certify that Rufus McIntire
is an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 2d day of January 1839
and will expire on the 25th day of January, 1844, and that 
his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the
Supreme Judicial Court for said State, on the
nineteenth day of October, 1843
William Trafton, Clerk

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June 10, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
Elisha Thomas
W. 26277

Mrs. M. True MacDaniel
16 Nelson Street
Dover, New Hampshire

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of
Elisha Thomas of New Durham, who was pensioned
from July 31, 1786, in New Hampshire for a
wound in his hand. You request to know whether
or not he served in Colonel Tash's or Colonel
Poor's regiment, also, his pension number, as a
marker is to be placed at his grave in Dover,
New Hampshire.
No record has been found to show that the
pension cited by you was paid by the United States.
You might obtain some information in regard to
that pension from the custodian of Revolutionary War
records in Concord, New Hampshire.
The pension record has been found of an Elisha
Thomas of New Durham, New Hampshire, whose widow
received a United States pension. His record follows
as found in the papers on file in the Revolutionary War
claim for pension, W.26277, based upon his military
service in that war.
The date and place of birth and the names of
the parents of Elisha Thomas are not shown.
While a resident of Newmarket or Hampton, New
Hampshire, Elisha Thomas enlisted in 1775, served
at various times, amounting to more than seventeen
months in all, and until January 1778, as private
in the New Hampshire troops under Captains Gilman,
Joshua Woodman, Benjamin Folsom, Gordon, Weare and
Parsons and Colonels Poor, Thomas Tash, Scammell
and Senter. He lost his thumb by the bursting of a
gun. He also served nine months in 1779 or 1780 as
Lieutenant in the New Hampshire troops, no details
of this service given.
Soldier married about 1774, in Newmarket, Rock

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ingham County, New Hampshire, Sarah Gilman of said
Elisha Thomas died in 1788, in Dover, New
Hampshire, his age not shown.
While a resident of New Durham, soldier's widow,
Sarah, married March 21, 1795, George Bickford, of
Parsonsfield, Maine. He died June 21, 1820, Sarah
Bickford married April 14, 1829, Samuel Moulton of
Parsonsfield, Maine. He died December 25, 1837.
Sarah Moulton was allowed pension, on account
of the Revolutionary War services of her former
husband, Elisha Thomas, on her application executed
July 3, 1843, at which time she was aged eighty-eight
years and a resident of Parsonsfield, York County, Maine,
Two or three children of Elisha and Sarah, were
burned to death in 1788, when their house in New
Durham, New Hampshire, was burned; one or two of their
children escaped the fire, one of whom died about 1843,
no names of these children were given. Their son, James
Thomas, was born a few months after soldier's death.
Said Sarah had a brother, Joseph Gilman, his age
not given.
In 1843 Ebenezer Bickford, sixty-three years old,
was living in New Durham, New Hampshire. He was a
nephew of the above named George Bickford. There are
no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date
of widow's death, you should apply to The Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division,
Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "Sarah
Moulton, former widow of Elisha Thomas, Certificate No. 4038
, issued June 15, 1844, rate $57.77 per annum, conmenced
March 4, 1831, Act of July 4, 1836, Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
See N.H. State Papers by Hammond
pages 32943321

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1939 June 10 [illegible] to Mrs. Mac[illegible]
MacDaniel. A.D.Y.


WIDOW, & c. 
File No. 26,277 
Sarah Moulton formerly wid of 
Elisha Thomas 
Pri Rev War --- 
Act July 4th 1836 
Index: Vol. M, Page 66 
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 16

J.L. Edwards of 
Court of Pensions 
Washington, D. Col

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Parsonsfield, Me. Oct 23. 1843
J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir
I enclose herewith the application of Sarah or
Sally Moutton the widow of Elisha Thomas for
a Pension on account of the services of Thomas in
the Revolutionary war in New Hampshire continental militia service
under the act of July 4th 1836 entitling her to pension
as her husband they would have been under the
act of June 7, 1832 the Cut & Resolves since
running the obstacles on account of her having
husband in 1836.
In 1775 the pay Roll of Gilmans Co Poor's Regt there that he was paid for services in that from May 27th
to August two month, ten days & it does not appear be
was then discharged
In 1776 first part of the year the depositions of Mark
Wedgeson & Eleaser Bennett then he served three
months at Winter Hill near Boston in Benj
Folson 6 & was there in service in and when
the Until evacuated Boston this the 20th of that month
I have applied to the Suntary of N. Hampshire but can
get no information from the records for or
against this claims of service
On the 20th of September of this year the Minster Roll of
Gordons Co & Col. To this Regt when he was there hastened
in that a reinforce the army in N. York, Barnett
To

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Bennett depontion has his service in that Regiment
till discharged at the close of the year. Three months
ten days I consider proved in this tour
(3. 10) In 1777 the Roll of Wears C Scammels Regt then he
was mustered Apr 9th into service. It does not
appear for how long he enlisted or served at this time
but probably three months as it appears by the Roll
of Parton C Ster's Regt he reenlisted into that
July 7 at the expiration of that time. He served in
Parson six months to Jan 6, 1778
the service definitely proved is fourteen months & about
twenty days to this is to be added the service under
Weare more or less-- say three months. If the service
in 1775 - Poor's Regt extended beyond the time for
which the Roll shews the payment that is also
to be added
I have stated the claim as I understand it
proved-- I trust it is sufficiently proved
as to the Marriage as any sent ancient
transaction can be in ordinary cases & that
it took place even before any of the service
the identity of the applicant + her husband
I hope it sufficiently made certain. He
manner of the death of Thomas & of his wishing
peculiar tries & misfortunes has made an
impress notinity not easily forgotten & hardly
consceptible of enor aiding their acquainted
Yours respectfully
Rufus White

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I Eleazer Bennett of Durham, in the County of Strafford
and State of New Hampshire, aged ninety three years,
and upwards, depose and say; that I was a private
in the Revolution about ten months, about six months
of which time I served under Captain Windborn Adams
in the latter part of 1775, as a substitute for Touworthy
D. Durgin, and under Captain Alpheus Chesley in
the first part of 1776, and was present when the British
evacuated Boston about the 20th of March, 1776, and the
remainder of the time I served under Col Tash at Peekskill Ny. from September 1776; that I was familliarly
acquainted with Elisha Thomas then of New Market
New Hampshire, and late of New Durham, deceased; that
I distinctly recollect, that Benjamin Folsom, of New Market
commanded a company at Winter Hill in the early part of
1776 and think that said Thomas was one of his men, but can
not state positively. I further depose and say that said
Thomas was a private in Col Thomas Tash Regiment
aforesaid at Peekskill and Served in said Regiment
in let it was disbanded at the close of the year
I further depose and say that said Thomas Wife was
German of Said New Market
I further depose and say that the said Thomas was
charged with the murder of Captain Peter Drown [illegible]
condemned and executed at Dover N Hampshire
Eleazer Bennett

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State of New Hampshire
Durham, September 29, 1843. Personally appeared
before the Subscriber a Notary Public within and
for said State, the within named Ebenezer Bennet and
made oath that the Deposition by him subscribed is
true; and I hereby certify that the said Elias Bennett is a respectable, inteligent witness
David Murray Notary Public

State of New Hampshire
Strafford County ss,
I, John H. Smith, Clerk
of the Superior Court of Judicature
in and for said County hereby certify
that David Murray is a Notary Public
within and for said State of New Hampshire
duly commissioned and qualified that his
commission is dated June 24th A.D. 1839,
and will expire June 23d AD 1844, and
the foregoing signature, purporting to be
his, is genuine-
In testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court this
eleventh day of October A.D. 1843.
John H. Smith, Clerk

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I Gilman Johnson of Newmarket, County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, depose and
say that I hold the office of town Clerk of said
Newmarket, and have held the same during the years 1838, 1839. 1842 and 1843; that I have in my
possession the original records of said town; that I
have of and said records from year 1776 to the
present time; that said records afford no proof
of the marriage of Elisha Thomas to Sarah Gilman,
Nor does the register of births and burials give
any evidence of the birth of a child of the said
Elisha and Sarah
I further depose and say that from the best
information I can obtain no record made
prior to 1823 are to be found in said town
I further depose and say, the records are full
as raise a presumption to an alledged marriage
in said town not found there on
Gilman Johnson
Town Clerk

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham,
September 8, 1843. Subscribed
and sworn,
before me
David Murray, Notary Public

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State of New Hampshire
Strafford County, SS.
I John H. Smith
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
for said County of Stafford, hereby
certify that David Murray is a
Notary Public for the State of
New Hampshire, duly commissioned
and qualified, that his commission
is dated June 24th 1839 and will expire
June 23 1844, and that the within
signature purporting to be his is
genuine
In testimony whereof I
have hereto set my
hand and affixed the
seal of said Court this
eighth day of September
A.D. 1843,
John H. Smith, Clerk

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State of New hampshire. 
Office of Secretary of State. 
I, Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Calvin Ainsworth is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Merrimack duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 22 day of May 1843 and will expire on the 22d day of May 1848 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.

Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 25th day of January 1844 
Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State.

Page 24

I Thomas R. Sweatt of Pitfield in the County
of Merrimack & State of New Hampshire being
eighty two years of age depose & say that in
the year 1779 or 1780 I was at West Point in
the Revolutionary service as a private
During the term of my service as aforesaid
I knew a Mr Elisha Thomas who was in the
service I think in the same Regiment with
me for the space of Nine months and during
said time the said Thomas acted as Lieutenant
of one of the Companies in the same Regiment
I further depose & say that said Thomas was
reputed to be from Hampton in New Hampshire
Since my discharge from the service aforesaid
about the year 1786 I saw said Elisha Thomas
in the Town of New Durham N.H. where he
then resided
I also depose & say that I am now receiving
a pension for services in the Revolution war
[illegible]

State of New Hampshire
Merimack ss. January 25th 1844.
.
[illegible] personally came before me the above named Thomas R.
Witt & subscribed & made oath that the affidavit above
 Subscribed is true
Calin Answorth Justice of Peace

Page 25

May 4. '44 
Me 
Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Hon. . Franfield 
Senate N.[?]

Page 26

5666
100
5777

May 3 1844
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions

Sir Hon R. M.cIntire wishes me to inquire when a decision may be expected in the cases were [illegible] before per of Sarah or Sally Moulten widow of Elisha Thomas - Hannah Proctor and Widow of John Fifield & Mrs Day widow of Nat'l [illegible] The parties are all very anxious to have their cases determined - 
I would also inquire for widow Mason of Biddeford Maine, widow of Beau Mason, wether the rolls in your [illegible] furnish any evidence of the service of said [illegible] and for what length of time - she knows little or nothing about it [illegible] - the has a why of his which is as follows

over -

Page 27

Camp [illegible]: 16th August 1780 
Benjamin Mason of my Company is
discharged he having round the time be engaged [illegible] Nathan Lord Captain - - --- An early answer will oblige 
Your Obt Sert. 
John Fairfield

Page 28

Saco Me. June 24 /44

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Sir [illegible] as I can or the [illegible] of leaving Washington
I received
from
a certificate of pensions in favor of Wid. Sarah Martin
widow of Elisha Thomas
[illegible]
by when I was entrusted with her
application
I know not what to do
with the certificate. will ever
[illegible]
on the files indicate
at
the
agent [illegible] by her
home
or when
in her present place
of residence & oblige

Your obt svt
John Fairfield

Page 29

Feb, 24 1844

Mr 
[illegible] 
Elisha Thomas

Parsonsfield, [illegible]
Feb. 20
Free

J.S. Edwards [illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions
War Dept
Washington, D. Col.

Page 30

.
Parrsonfield, Me. Feb. 20th 1844
L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Sir
I enclose further
evidence of the service of Elisha Thomas in the
Revolutionary army in the [illegible]
which proves nine months [illegible] service
in addition to that proved in the documents
accompanying the claim of Sarah or Sally
Moulton the widow of Either Thomas which
service was rendered after that period
heretofore
Probably the rolls of the line
be in the Department at Washington
was in the Continental service wither
then in the State service
Yours respectfully
Rufus W Intire

Page 31

From the Treasurer of
MARGERY SULLIVAN CHAPTER D. A. R.
DOVER NEW HAMPSHIRE
16 Nelson St.

Dear Sirs
The Quarter Master Gen. is going to
send a stone for the unmarked grave, here
in Dover, of Sergt Elisha Thomas aRev war soldier but asks
me the number of his pension. He was
pensioned for being wounded in the hand, and
his pension commenced July 31, 1786, I believe
the N.H. Rev. Rolls claim
was his service in Col Tash, regiment
in Col. Poors Regiment, when he was
pensioned? He served in both, during the
war, also at one time in Gen. Starks Brigade
What was the number of his regiment, official
title, and the number of his pension place?
---
This information is necessary for us to fill
into the papers sent us by the Quartermaster
Gen. Thanking you for the information
desired, Respectfully
Mrs. M. True Mr Daniel
Treas of Margery Sullivan Chapter D.A.R.
16 Nelson St.
Dover N. Hamp

Page 32

[This is a stamp that says:]

RECEIVED 
April 14, 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
29

[this is a circular stamp numbered 1-12 around a clock-like dial. The arrow is pointing at 2 for the time received).