Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,398, Josiah Whitcomb, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Whitcomb Josiah Rebecca
W. 18398
CONTENTS

Notification sent the 24 th June 1820 to the Postmaster at Bath
N.H.
m. 85 3229.a 1834
New Hampshire
Josiah Whitecomb,
private, 4
Massachusetts line 3 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire, at the rate of — 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st of Oct. 1818 and sent to Ezra Bartlett Esq. Grafton N. Hampshire
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 4 mo. 26/30. 38.93 Semi-ann. all'ee ending 4 th Mar 1819. 48.00
$86.93
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 19th March, 1818. }
1000
Concord
Concord, Rockingham Co.

Josiah Whitcomb
18 for Ezra Bartlett Esq. Grafton County N.H.
adm o
RECEIVED - WALKER'S BOOKS

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Grafton - ss.)
ON this ninth day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County personally appears Josiah Whitcomb aged about 67 years, resident in Concord in the said State, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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:" That he the said Josiah Whitcomb enlisted in the year 1781 in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain John H. Smith of the 6 th Massachusetts Regiment , was afterwards transferred to the second Regiment commanded by Col Sprout ; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the 19 th day of December 1783 , when he was discharged from service in West-Point State of New York ; that he was in the battles of
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Ezra Bartlett
I, Ezra Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Josiah Whitcomb did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
April 9 th 1818.
Ezra Bartlett

Copy Josiah Whitcomb
Continue 3229
10 Octo. 1818.

District of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
At the Superior Court of Judicature of the State of New Hampshire held at Hanover within & for said county of Grafton being a Court of record by the laws of said State on this 30 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1820 personally appeared in open Court Josiah Whitcomb aged 59 years resident in Concord in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law clothed his oath declar, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows viz a private soldier in Capt John H. Smith's company & Colonel Smith's 8 th regiment Massachusetts line, when I joined the army afterwards transferred into Col. Sprout's 2 d regiment Massachusetts line - That his original declaration was made & dated the 9 th day of April 1818; that he has received a pension, the certificate of which is numbered 8229 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March A.D. 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner dispose 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 & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 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 or property to any amount excepting my bedding & clothing exclusive of my pension not twenty cents worth of anything except an old table, a few old chairs, two or three dishes & a few cups & saucers & three or four knives & forks & a broken tea kettle all not worth two dollars - And I further declar, that I am by occupation a tanner & generally in good health. My children are aged & named as follows viz Cummings Whitcomb aged 25 years. Louis Whitcomb aged fifteen years - Eliza Whitcomb aged 10 years, who are at present unable to support themselves - My wife is aged fifty four years quite infirm. I live on land owned by others & am liable to be turned off any day. I work abroad for others & Cummings Whitcomb furnishes with tools & furniture as

suited from day to day. He is under no obligation to support me & has a rising family of his own which keeps him embarrassed & renders him unable to assist me. My daughters are healthy. My wife is sickly. I have had to bind out two other children to get them supported, one named Abner, aged 18 years, other Joseph aged 13 years. They can bound till 21 years old. My poverty carried me to do it & I must bind others out if my pension is withdrawn —
Josiah Whitcomb
Sworn to & declared before the Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature for the State of New Hampshire in open court on this 30 th day of May 1820
Attest S. P. Webster Clerk
I Stephen P. Webster Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the county of Grafton do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the statement thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the property of the said Josiah Whitcomb is not worth two dollars. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court on this 31 st day of May Anno Domini 1820 —
S. P. Webster Clerk

Date of death not on A. B.
4168.
Vermont Montpelier
Rebecca Whitecomb widow of Josiah
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Feb. 1849 and sent to
Mrs. C. C. Calhoun Lyndon Vt
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2. 1848, Page 103 Vol. 3.

Rebecca Mitcomb declaration

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Grafton.
On this Sixth day of Sept. A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate of Hillsboro' in Grafton County in open Court Rebecca Whitcomb a resident of Silbourn in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, aged seventy 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," that she is the widow of Jeriah Whitcomb who was a Private in the army of the revolution, and served as follows viz three years from 1780 to the close of the war - He was often told me in what company or Regiment he served - He lived in Sturminster Mars before he enlisted for the war - After the war was over he moved up to Lebanon he was discharged at West Point I believe Decr 19 - 1782 I have often seen it; When he applied for a Pension in 1818 he sent it off & I suppose it is at the war office she refers to that it is the rolls of the documents in the war department for proof of his services he was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 1818 after his death she found that she was his widow & since his arms of Pensions he was on the New Hampshire registry.
She has no record of her marriage now it was in an old Bible of his for many years but is wrong out from cover to cover - Jonathan Black's Bible manual her marriage off to Rebecca Whitcomb on the ninth day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five that her husband, the aforesaid Jeriah Whitcomb died on the ninth day of January A.D. 1834 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service - but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated and that she has not since been married to any other person but is now his widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year as above written, before Rebecca X Whitcomb Edward Webber
Me Edward Webber Judge of Probate
I, Hosiah Dow , Register of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Rebecca Whitcomb for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Sixth day of September A.D. 1838  Hosiah Dow

James Hutchinson Town Clerk of Lisbon in the County of Franklin State of New Hampshire before me & say that I have been Town Clerk of said Town since March 14 1838. That I have examined all the records of said Town in my office I find no record of the marriage of Josiah Whitehead & Rebecca his wife - I do find the Record of their Childrens births as said
Books as follows. "Daniel Whitehead born August 21 1786" "Rebecca Whitehead born January 12 th 1789" "Betty Whitehead born October 6 1790" "Cummings Whitehead born February 13 1795" "Dorothy Whitehead born October 20 1797"
They had some other Children whose births I do not find recorded - above are their eldest and Daniel I know well they are two of our most enterprising citizens having families of their own in our part middle life - on the death of said Josiah Whitehead who was recognized as his lawful widow & had in his property the unusual reputation was legally married to him - There is but one marriage recorded in said town before January 1. 1794 that is Thomas Spoon -er & wife from January 1794 the records of marriages are full & regular up to 1820 I have no doubt this took place before both because it is not there from the ages of his children - I also find him in the early tax bills of said Town - but all the early records of said Town are very deficient both as to taxes & records of meetings & marriages & births I believe is the result of all I find on all the records of said Town
James Hutchinson } Town Clerk of Lisbon

Grafton J. August 19 th 1839 I warrant by Send Hutchins as just Sturges as within Upon me True Guadalupe Justice Peace
Sarah Whitman Esq. Rebecca Whitman
State of New Hampshire Grafton County set. I Nathan B. Felton clerk of the courts of Common Pleas, of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that I'm Goodall is an acting justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 11 th day of June 1836, and will expire on the 11 th day of June 1841, and that his signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 19 th day of August 1839 N.B. Felton clerk

Reuben Sherman Affidavit in Mr. White's cause

Reuben Sherman deposed being that in 1784 I think Jeremiah Whitecomb moved up into this country from Scituate Massachusetts as I understood Jeremiah lived a neighbor to us the next year his parent widow Mrs. Reuben Whitecomb came up her maiden name was Chapman Chapman I was knowing to his country her other being published I learned the number following which was fifty three years ago they lived in Sandwich District until he died four years ago last January she has remained his widow unmarried - They raised a family of nine children after his death she drew his amount of pension as being a Pensioner Reuben Sherman sworn

Grafton 7/3 Sept 6 1838 Swans and Subscribed as within before me A. S. do un- tify that said affiant is a credible Witness. The Goodall justice of Peace

Rebecca Whitcomb Wid of Josiah NH
Ad July 7 1838
Maria 1785 s died 1834
Allen $80 per ann, 2 of private Mess Line
Goodall Woods Bath NH

Jethro Aldrich aged sixty since your departure that I have been organ- ized with Josiah Whitcomb & Rebecca Whitcomb his late wife from his widow for fifty odd years was since they come up to Sisham N.H. - He came the season before she died & they were not married then - He courted her until some time in the fall of 1785 when they were published & became one & she moved onto his farm Stood there for another ten years afterwards about a mile from the other until he died in January 1834 since that time she has lived with a child of hers in Sisham afterwards has remained his widow They had a large family of children were respectable people - I lived in their family before I married our reason it was in some hundred Trinity there they had several children then Jethro Aldrich

Grafton Sept 6, 1838 Sevens to all Subscribed as within before me and I do certify that said affidavit is a credible the true
Ira Goodell Justice of Peace
State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss. I Nathan B. Felton, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton, hereby certify that Ira Goodell, whose name is subscri- bed to the above & one other certificate written on pages of this packet was on the sixth day of Sep- tember current, & still is, an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, & that his name so sub- scribed is, in each case aforesaid, his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 27th day of September AD 1838 N.B. Felton Clerk
Jethro Aldrich affidavit 2130 in your right corner

June 29, 1938.
Miss Coral R. Ash 3149 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D. C.
BA-J/ILL Josiah Whitcomb W. 18398
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Josiah Whitcomb (1735-1834), who settled in Lisbon, New Hampshire, and received a pension.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 18398, based upon service of Josiah Whitcomb in the Revolutionary War. He was a pensioner of New Hampshire and died in 1834.
Josiah Whitcomb was a resident of Leominster, Massachusetts, at the time he entered service in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in 1781, served as a private in Captain John K. Smith's company, Colonel Smith's 6 th Massachusetts regiment, was transferred to Colonel Sprout's 2 nd Massachusetts regiment and was discharged December 19, 1783 at West Point, New York, having served three years. (Col. Calvin Smith)
The soldier moved about the year 1784 from Leominster to Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Josiah Whitcomb was allowed pension on his application executed April 9, 1818, at which time he resided in Concord, Grafton County, New Hampshire. His age is shown then as about sixty-seven years; however, in 1820 his age is shown as fifty-nine years. The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents are not given and there is no explanation in regard to the discrepancy in his age. His occupation was that of a tanner.
Josiah Whitcomb died January 9, 1834 in Lisbon, New Hampshire.
The soldier married November 9, 1785 in Grafton County, New Hampshire, Rebecca; it was stated that her maiden name was Chaffin.

Rebecca Whitcomb, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed September 6, 1838, at which time she was seventy years of age; the date and place of her birth and the names of her parents are not shown. She resided then in Lisbon, Grafton County, New Hampshire. In September 1848, she had moved to Lyndon, Caledonia County, Vermont.
It was stated that Josiah Whitcomb and his wife, Rebecca, had nine children, their names and ages given as follows:
   Daniel Whitcomb  born  August  21, 1786.    Rebecca  "  January  12, 1789    Betty  "  October  6, 1791.    Cummings  "  February  13, 1795.    Dorothy  "  October  20, 1797.    Autus or Auters  aged  eighteen years in 1820.    Louis  "  fifteen  " " "    Asaph  "  thirteen  " " "    Eliza  "  ten  " in 1820.   
In 1820, the son, Cummings Whitcomb had his own family to support, their names not given. In 1838, both Cummings Whitcomb and his brother, Daniel Whitcomb, resided in Lisbon, New Hampshire. In 1848, Cummings Whitcomb was present when the above noted widow, Rebecca Whitcomb, requested that her pension might be transferred from New Hampshire to Vermont.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following:
Rebecca Whitcomb, widow of Josiah Whitcomb Certificate #4168 Issued March 12, 1849 Rate $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1848 Act of February 2, 1848 Vermont Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

✓ Rebecca Whitecomb widow of Josiah act 1838 at H. Let to Goodall & Woods 5 Apr 1839. Clerk, town of Lisbon, N.H. 14. Aug. '39

# Josiah Whitcomb N o 1818, when paid Deed of Jan 1834      d 1834 ASB p t . that paid 1/4

4077 New Hampshire
Rebecca Whitcomb widow of Josiah Whitcomb dec d
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 18 th day of September in the State of N.H. who was a private in the Com y commanded by Captain Smith of the reg t commanded by Col l Spaul in the Mass s line for Nyack .
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 16 Dollars 62 1/2 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Sept r 1839, Issued by Goodall Woods, Bath, Maine.
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar 1839 $241.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 st Sep r 39 40.00
$281.00 { Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Curay , Clerk Book A. Vol. 1, Page 59.

1833.
New Hampshire - En
Rebecca Whitcomb widow of Josiah Whitcomb who was a Private in the Mass line for 2 years
Rep Sep 6
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept, 1843 and sent to D. C. Churchill Lyme N. H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 22.

Josiah Whitcomb soldier in D Massachusetts Regiment being enlisted for three years - is hereby honorably discharged the service -
Given at West Point this 19 day of Decemr 1883
MTAS 1881 B: Genl
Registered in the books of the Regiment
H. Rupper adjut

3149 - 16th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
June 15th, 1938
Veteran's Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
WHITCOMB, Josiah (1735-1834) Revolutionary War Pensioner
In an effort to establish eligibility for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, I should like to have information from your files regarding the records of the above soldier.
My data discloses that he was born in Leominster, Massachusetts; married Rebecca Cummings (?); enlisted from Jaffery, June 30th, 1780; regiment not stated except the name of Major Scott appears; discharged January 6, 1781; and was an early settler in Lisbon, New Hampshire.
I shall greatly appreciate your sending me whatever information your records show, especially his children's names.
Very truly yours,
Coral R. Ash
(Miss) Coral R. Ash
a.

1928. June 29 - Hist. to Miss Coral R. Ash J.R.R.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18398
Rebecca Whitcomb widow of Josiah Whitcomb Prv Rev War
Act: Feb 20 48
Index:—Vol. Am , Page 332
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lyon N.H. Jan. 17. 1843
Dear Sir
At the request of the Widows Rebecca Whittcomb Abby Harris and Sarah Knight I herewith transmit their several Declarations for a Pension under the act of March 3 d . 1843. for your examination and decision
I have the to be very Respectfully your obedt. Servt. D. C. Churchill
Wm: James L. Edwards less missionary of Pensions Washington D. C.

Rebecca Whitcomb
Declaration for
a pension
aa
1833 H/d

State of Vermont, ) Caledonia County, ) On this 14 th day of September 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, Rebecca Whitcomb, a resident of Lyndon in the County of Caledonia aforesaid aged eighty 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 act of Congress entitled "An Act making further provision for surviving widows of soldiers of the Revolution" passed February 2. 1848 That she is the widow of Josiah Whitcomb, who was a private in the War of the Revolution and that she drew a pension under the Act of Congress of the 17 th June 1844 as his widow at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum on the Roll of the New Hampshire Agency at Concord, that she has taken up her permanent residence at said Lyndon and prays to have her future pension made payable at Montpelier in the State of Vermont For proof she refers to those now on file in the pension office - She further declares that she is still a widow.
Witness Cummings Whitcomb - Rebecca his Whitcomb mark George C. Calhoun
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
Before me George C. Calhoun Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above-named affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
George C. Calhoun
Justice of the Peace

STATE OF VERMONT, } I, Sam d P. Sturtevant , Clerk of the County Court of the Coun- Caledonia County, ss. } ty of Caledonia in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
George W. Calhoun Esq. of Lyndon
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 30 th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signatures to the Annexed Certificates are genuine,
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 16 th day of September A. D. 1848.
Sam d P. Sturtevant Clerk.

and Rebecca Whitecomb 2122
$80 per ann
D. C. Churchill Lyne N. H.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3 d March, 1843 granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who received Pensions under the Act of July 7. 1838
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton { ss
On this fourteenth day of June 1843 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the State of New Hampshire  said county of Grafton . Rebecca Whitecomb a resident of Lisbon in the county of Grafton and State aforesaid aged 76 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 Pension made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 d day of March, 1843 granting Pensions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War That she is the widow of Josiah Whitecomb who was a Private during the Revolution That she was a Pensioner under the act of July, 1838 which she received at the rate of eighty dollars per annum
She further declares that she is still a widow
Rebecca her Whitecomb
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year first  above mentioned before me - I further certify that the above statement is true and duly known to me Silas H. Hovey Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County set. I Nathan B. Follen clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Lebbeus Hastings is an acting justice of the Peace in for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty fourth day of June 1839 and will expire on the 24 th day of June A D . 1844, and that his signature above (neither) written is genuine -
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this sixteenth day of June A D 1843 N B Follen clerk