Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14153, Nathaniel Wheeler, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Wheeler, Nathaniel N. 14153. Anna
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 2332
Ref. see letter.
Anna Wheeler widow of Nathaniel Wheeler Magg who died on the 11 th December 1803 of Suffolk Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Sergt. of Artillery, in the by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Mass. line for 2 years,
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 188 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831. Reduced from $376
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of April 1844 and sent to Hon. Wm. Parker, Gov. of Reps.
Arrears to the 14th of Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D Brown Clerk. Book C. Vol. 1, Page 66

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress, of the 4 th July, 1836.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County, ss.
On this Eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty eight, personally appeared before the Hon. Peter O Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court in the City of Boston, Mrs. Ann Wheeler, a resident of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty four 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836.
That she is the Widow of Nathaniel Wheeler deceased, who was attached to the Revolutionary Army in the capacity of Master-Smith - He entered the Service in the year seventeen hundred & seventy five & went to Cambridge, where he was employed till sometime in June 1776, when he returned to Boston. In the month of September following he went with the Army to West Point & other places in New York & remained there till February 1777, at which time he returned to Boston and was stationed at the Laboratory in said Boston till the year 1782. - During this period he was employed as Foreman of the Smiths; - The Laboratory then being under the charge of Col. Burbeck.

A She further declared that she was married to the said Nathaniel Wheeler on the nineteenth day of March in the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight; that her husband, the aforesaid Nathaniel Wheeler, died on the tenth day of December A.D. eighteen hundred & three; and that she had remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day & year above written, before me her Ann her X Wheeler mark Witness to the signature of Ann Wheeler Peter O. Thacher
Subscribed and sworn to, on the day and year first before written, on 10 th August 1838, before me: and I certify that Mrs. Ann Wheeler, the foregoing applicant, by reason of bodily infirmity, is unable to attend personally in Court.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, hereby certify that Peter O. Thacher Esquire is Judge of said Municipal Court, & that the signatures on this paper purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court hereto set this Sixteenth day of August A.D. eighteen hundred & thirty eight
Thomas W. Phillips Clerk

B
I Sarah Preston, of Boston, County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, of lawful age, do hereby testify and say that my maiden name was Sarah Clark, that I am the sister of Mrs. Ann Wheeler whose maiden name was Ann Clark, that I have continued my acquaintance with, & personal knowledge of, said Ann my Sister from early childhood, that I was present at the wedding of said Ann my Sister, to Nathaniel Wheeler which took place on the nineteenth of March seventeen hundred & seventy eight by Rev. Ebenezer Wight, ordained Minister of the "South End Meeting House" in said Boston, that I was then in my nineteenth year. —
And I do further testify and say, that the said Nathaniel Wheeler was at that time in the Revolutionary State Service, that he died on or about the 10. th December 1803, and that the said Ann Wheeler has remained his widow ever since.
Witness to signature of Sarah Preston - Peter D. Thacher commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. } Suffolk County }  her X Preston mark
Be it known that on this eleventh day of August A.D. 1838, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Mrs. Sarah Preston the above named Deponent, & made oath that the above Affidavit subscribed by her is true. —
And I further certify that the said Sarah Preston is personally known to me to be a credible witness & entitled to belief.
Peter D. Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston & Justice of the Peace throughout the Commonwealth. —

C
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
City of Boston, August 4. 1838.
I the subscriber do hereby certify, that it appears by the Registry of the publications of the intentions of marriage, in the town (now city) of Boston, there is the following record of intention of marriage, viz:
Nathaniel Wheeler - Ann Clarke - Boston, fourteenth - January, one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight.
That it is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record, in fair legible figures, as follows -
Nathaniel Wheeler } Boston 14. Jan y 1778. Ann Clarke. . . . . }
Samuel F. M c Cleary, City Clerk.
I Samuel F. M c Cleary above named, depose & say, that I hold the office of City Clerk of the City of Boston, in the County of Suffolk State aforesaid. I that the above is a true extract from the records of intentions of marriage entered & published, in said Boston, with the exception above named, as certified by me. And I further testify and say, that I have made diligent search, and do not find any record of the marriage of the above named persons, nor do I find any returns of marriages made by the Rev. Ebenezer Wight, who it is said married the above named.
Samuel F. M c Cleary.

Suffolk, p. Boston, August 4. 1838. The within named Samuel T. McCleary, personally appeared & made oath to the within certificate and declaration by him subscribed.
Before me, Nathan Gurney Sub. Pacer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Aug. 4. 1838.
I hereby certify that the above Nathan Gurney is a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk. Witness my hand & the Seal of the State.
John P. Bigelow Seal of the County

To all whom it may concern, I hereby certify that, as Minister of the religious society worshipping in the Church in Hollis Street, formerly called "The South-End Meeting House," I am depositary of the Records of that Church, and that in these records there is no entry of the marriages that were solemnized by either of the two first Pastors of the Church, Mather Byles and Ebenezer Wight; the record of Marriages beginning with the ministry of Samuel West in 1789.
I certify, moreover, that I have known Mrs. Sarah Preston many years, and know her to be a woman of unquestionable veracity.
Attest
J. Pierpont Minister of Hollis Street Church
Boston, Mass. 15 th Aug. t 1838.

To whom it may concern, We the subscribers having resided many years in the neighborhood of Mrs. Sarah Preston, hereby certify that she is a lady of great respectability and unquestionable veracity, enjoying the confidence of all who know her.
Waltham Greene, P. M. of Boston.
James L. Gilley U. S. Marshal
Boston, Ms. August 16, 1838.

3725 Anna Wheeler Map Wid of Nathl. da Married 1778 Died 1803 Ad 4 July 1836 Allan or Lev of Arlipus, $188 per ann — 2 years
M c Clack Esq Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 9 th 1838.
* hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that in a "Laboratory Account as rendered to a Committee of the General Court March 10 th 1778" the name of Nathaniel Wheeler is found as follows Vis t -    1777-  Aug t 6.  To Cash paid Nath l Wheeler & Compy of Blacksmiths 1 month's wages  £ 27. 10. 11.     Sept m 9.  To Cash p d Nath l Wheeler and his company of Blacksmiths for the month of August  £ 22. . . .     Oct r 2 d  To Cash p d Nath l Wheeler and Compy of Blacksmiths 1 month's pay for Septem r  £ 22. . . .     Novem r 12.  To Cash p d Nath l Wheeler & Blacksmith's Company  £ 23. . . .     Decem r 3.  To Cash paid Nath l Wheeler & his company of Blacksmiths 1 mo. pay.  23. 12. .    1778.  Jan y 3.  To Cash p d Nath l Wheeler & his company of Blacksmiths 1 mo. pay for December  23. . . .     Feb y 6.  To Cash p d Nath l Wheeler & his company of Blacksmiths  23. . . .  

The name of Nathaniel Wheeler is borne in sundry "Returns for Smiths and Armourers at the Laboratory commencing November 21 st 1778" for Ration due to Blacksmiths and Armourers at work in the Laboratory - from Nov. 21. 1778 - to Sept 25 th 1779 - and from October 2. 1779 to Feb y . 3. 1781 - (the said Nath l Wheeler is called a Master Smith) The whole time of service on this certificate appears to be Thirty three months and five days -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above mentioned.
John P. Bigelow
Seiz of the 2 nd Jan y 1808

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
No. 14153
Dora Wheeler Widow of Nathaniel Wheeler Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4 th 36
ex:—Vol. M , Page 331
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To what time was Anna Wheeler, (widow of Nathaniel Wheeler) of Massachusetts, act 4 July 1836, last paid?
J. L. Edwards 21 Oct. 1840
p 2 t. 4 March 1840 - 3 rd gr not 
SH

Massachusetts - 2332
Anna Wheeler,
widow of Nathaniel Wheeler,
who died on the 1 st Oct 1803
Suffolk in the State of Mass - who was a Sgt of Artillery in the Conty commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Bunker in the Mass line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 376 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Sept 28, and sent to and John Black, Boston, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept $ 2,820.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 188.00
$3,008.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by R. Burrows Clerk, Book 4 - Vol. 2 Page 62 -

suspi d . see letter L.P. Ag t Oct. 21. 1840 do. to John Clark Feb. 3. 1841 - do. to same Aug. 9. 1841 - do. to Hon. W. Parmenter H.R. Month 14. 1841 -

Merchants Bank, Boston, 24 th Oct r 1840.
Sir,
Your letter of the 21 st inst. suspending the pension of Mrs. Anna Wheeler per act 4 th July 1836. is rec d . In reply to your inquiry I have to state that she had been paid up to the 2 nd September last.
I am, very resp t . Yr. ob t Serv t .
Franklin Haxon Pension Ag t .
J. H. Edwards Esq r . Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.
3

Payment to be made at - Boston - by F. H. Green, Esq., Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of Massachusetts
I issue a certificate for $188 per ann. in lieu of this. I send it to the
Hon. Wm. Parmenter H. Rep.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 2 - Page 62. by
R. Burdine Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Anna  Wheeler of Massachusetts widow of Nathaniel Wheeler , deceased, who was a Sergeant of Artillery during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive three hundred & seventy six dollars and  cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Seventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
Examined and Countersigned. }

Washington March 12. 1849
Sir
In the early part of December I sent or wrote about the case the papers of Anna Wheeler of Massachusetts. Will you inform me if the Department has decided in that case?
Respectfully
J. P. Kennedy Secy
Mr. Sumner
James L. Edwards Esq.

Washington April 15. 1844
Sir
I enclose you a communication from Mr John Black to Mr. the 8 Prosecutors of Boston in relation to the case of Mrs Anna Wheeler and pre- sume that her certificate will take effect from the time it was stopped, as I understood from you - The old certificate is enclosed -
Respectfully
for Richard D. Webb
for Prosecutors
W. L. Edwards Esq
Common Pleas

Aug. 9. 1841
Conn
To the
Am. Wheeler
Hon ble James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. Washington City

Boston August 6 th 1841
Hon ble James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Sir, I had the honor of receiving, in due course, Your esteemed favor of the 3 rd February last in answer to mine of the 30 th January.
At the earnest solicitation of Mrs Ann Wheder I am induced to trouble You once more in relation to her suspended Pension. She desires that you would take her case into consideration, and, if possible, remove the injunction. She feels warranted in making this request by the fact that the error that occurred was by no fault of hers, and led her into ex- penditures, much greater than if the grant made her had been more limited. also, that from her great advanced age and the gradual decline of her Health and Strength, the future payments, will, Comparatively, be very few.
If however, You should not feel justified in continuing the payment of her actual Pension, I would respectfully ask, if a petition to Congress would not be a proper course for her to adopt, and one that would receive Your Sanction.
I am, Sir, with Sentiments of the Highest Consideration,
Your Ob st Serv t
John Clark
28 State Street

Washington Decr 2. 1843
Sir
A gentleman in Boston writes to me as follows -
"I herewith present the grounds of a claim to a continuance of a pension of Mrs Anna Wheeler of Boston -"
She was pensioned under the Law of July 4 1836 as the widow of Nathaniel Wheeler who was a Sergeant of Artificers in the Revolutionary War at the rate of $376 per annum which amount she received from March 1831 to Septm 1840. Her Pension was suspended in October 1840 in consequence of having been allowed to her at a higher rate than the law authorized. The commissioners of Pensions stated that it should have been $188 per annum instead of $376 -
Several letters passed between Mr Edwards & John Black Edge Priest of the Equitable Insurance Office in this city on the subject in the year 1841 Mr E stated in his letters that the Pension could not be resumed until the overpay had been refunded -
It appears to me that this ground conflicts with decisions which have been made in similar

(if such there have been) is not a fine printicle to the continuance of the Pension in this case  1. There is an acknowledgement on the part of the Department that $188 per annum is due  2. There is no suspicion of fraud -  3. The mistake is that of the Department. 
The case therefore seems to come under the rule established in the decision of the Secy of War in the Richard Vernon case made March 13. 1857 in House Doc in 183 25 Congress 2 d session page 109 -
I would refer also to decisions of the Attorney General 27th June 27th July 1856 same document -
The proceeding is the ground upon which the claim is made by the parties who have written to me -
Respectfully
J. S. Burdell Esq Commissioner of Pensions
J. P. Phelps Secy War Department

Feb 3, 1841 Comr
Ames W. Haskell Postmaster
J
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Mail 3

Boston January 30 th 1841
Hon ble James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Sir,
I had the Honor of addressing you on the 16 th of August and 10 th September 1838 in relation to a Claim for a Pension for Mrs Ann Wheeler a worthy and aged Aunt of mine, the Widow of a Revolutionary Soldier who served as Artificer in the Army, with such testimonials as the case seemed to demand, which application you was pleased favorably to notice by forwarding her a Certificate of Pension payable Semi annually

which has been punctually paid to her and from which she has derived great comfort and happiness; She was, before, penniless and dependent.
To day, for the first time, I had notice from Franklin Haven Esquire, Pension Agent in this City that the said Pension would be suspended, by virtue of Your instructions under date of the 21 st October last, untill further order, which instructions he politely handed to me. Of the enquiry it is not deemed impertinent. I would respectfully ask, an

explanation, in brief, of the cause of that suspension.
With the highest consideration
I am, Sir, most
respectfully
Your Ob d Serv t .
John Clark
Please address me "23 State Street"

To W. E. Parmenter Esquire
Present

Boston April 12. 1844
W. C. Parmenter Esquire
Dear Sir
I am happy to hear that you have presented the Case of Mrs Ann Wheeler to the Hon ble the Secretary of War if he has time to look into the merits of this Case, I have great Confidence in his admitting at once the propriety of her claim; more especially when he is made acquainted with some particulars of her present Situation.
She has now arrived at the great age of Ninety Years, is quite infirm and cannot, according to the course of nature, continue much longer with us. her present income is only sufficient to find her in comfortable Clothing, leaving her dependent upon her friends for her support, this would not have been the case, and her Situation would have been altogether different, had not the unfortunate error, occurred on the part of Government: their very handsome yearly allowance led her (upon a supposition that she had the pledge of the government for its continuance) into expenditure that would not otherwise have been made. What she now asks, is the renewal of her Pension, provided by Law from the time it was stopped. relying fully upon the liberal views of the Hon ble the

the Secretary of War, to whom this matter is now referred
I Remain, Respectfully
Your Friend & B. S. L.
John Clark
Nephew to Mrs Ann Wheeler

James L. Edwards Esq n Commissioner of Pensions.
City of Washington
mail 3/3
It is how long, this is - same -

4 Boston August 16. 1838
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Sir
I take the liberty to address You in behalf of Mrs. Ann Wheeler, Widow of Nathaniel Wheeler an Artificer in the Revolutionary Army as will appear by the enclosed Documents.
By recent acts of Congress she appears to be a Subject for a Pension for the Service of her Husband, which she stands much in need of, being now dependent upon her not for her maintenance. Her Husband as You will perceive, remained in the Service of his country five years after he was married, You can, if You please determine which of the late acts her claim will come under, although she has set forth in her declaration, as claiming under the Act of 4 July 1836, yet I am of Opinion, that she comes more properly under the Act of 4 June 1832. I have not been able to find a record of her marriage, but I have produced a living Witness to that Ceremony, whose Credibility is well established, and a Copy of the Publication or intention to marry, from the Town Records,

Some of the Gentlemen who have certified to the credibility of the Witnesses are probably well known to you. Nathaniel Green Esq is Post Master of this City and James Sibley Esq is the U. S. Marshall of this City also. Mr. Pierpont is a highly respectable Divine.
The following are the Documents
Enclosed
Document
A.
a Declaration of the Widow
B.
Proof of Marriage, with the Judges Certificate of Credibility of Witnesses.
C
Certificate from Record of intention to Marry
D.
Certificate of Rev Mr Pierpont that no Record of any Marriage, by the Rev Doct Wright, who married her, can be found. with Certificate of Credibility of Witnesses also.
E.
Certificate of Credibility of Witnesses
F.
Proof of Service rendered.
Mrs Wheeler is now 84 years old, very infirm & destitute a little assistance from Government would make the balance of her days, (which must now be few) Comparatively happy.
Very Respectfully,
John Clark
President of the Protection Insurance Office N o 23 State Street