Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14154, Aaron Wheeler, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Wheeler, Aaron Rachel
No. 14154
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 2194
Rachel Wheeler
Widow of Aaron Wheeler, deceased, who died on the 20 th of November 1790 of Worcester Co. in the State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jones of the ... commanded in the Massachusetts line for 16 months: private
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of July, 1838, and sent to Ira Barton, Esqr. Worcester, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838, $373.31 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep t ... 26.66
$ 399.97
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by G. H. Rhodes Clerk, Vol. 2, Page 62.
Death not on A, B

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
Probate Office February 8. 1838.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify, that Ira Benton is Judge of the said Court of Probate, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures to the papers hereto annexed are his own genuine signatures.
I also certify, that Rufus Putnam and Samuel Daman are Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that their several signatures to the papers hereto annexed are their own genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court the day and year above written.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the three Sections of the Act of Congress of the fourth of July, 1836
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County
On this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, Rachel Whelen a widow of Boston in said County of Boston aged seventy nine years, personally appeared before me her Warden Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, and the said Rachel Whelen being first duly sworn according to law, did 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. A. D. 1836. That she is the widow of Aaron Whelen, who was a private Soldier in the Army of the Revolution. He belonged to the corps of Holden in this County. My father moved from Framingham to Holden in January 1775. since

I recollect that in the April after, the middle men were called out to go to Lisayea. They passed right by my father's, and Crann Crabb afterwards my husband's. was with them and this was the first time I ever saw him. He was going in the service at this time eight months, and he always said he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was in the company of Capt. John Jones of Princeton but I cannot state the Regiment.
Afterwards, and before we were married he enlisted and went into the Service a- gain to the westward, for nine months, but I do not know who his officers were, and it is impossible for me to state the partic- ulars of this Service, and I have not yet been able to find any evidence of it.
We were married on the twentyfirst day of December in the year 1780. Soon after our marriage he enlisted again & started for five months, but he did not go any further than Springfield and was not gone more than four or five weeks.
In the Spring of the year 1782 my

Husband entitled from that time again for three years once he served, to the end of the war in December 1783. I cannot state, of my own recollection, who the Officers were but I am informed that his Col. was Abraham Foster. I settled my husband's bills, and found amongst his papers the annexed order which is in his hand- writing, and from which it appears that my husband belonged to the 8th Massachusetts Regiment. For the more full evidence of his services I must refer to the proofs annexed, and to the rolls in the war department. I annex my letter of Administration on my husband's Es- tate, but I do not possess any other papers throwing light on my case.
The said Rachel Walker further deposes that the said marriage to the said Anna Wheeler December 21. 1780 by Doctor John Trull of Rut- land a justice of the peace, but Vindictive the name of it cannot be found; - That her husband the

opinion Aaron Clarke died on the twentieth day of December in the year 1798, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as well nearly as far as appears to the law of this country. Rachel Clarke Died on the same day as year above written before
In Witness whereof the Court of Probate for said County of herewith
And therefore the Court doth order it as their opinion that the said Aaron Clarke was a soldier of the United States in regard to the said Rachel Clarke; that in both names deceased and that the next of kin is as his widow as the both also are both deceased
In Witness whereof the Court of Probate

I Ephraim Drury of Wadsworth in the County of Her- keln since Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty four years, my day soon be depar- and say that my wife was Betsey Wheeler a daughter of Aaron Wheeler since Rachel Wheeler his wife, of Wadsworth. They have two other children who are deceased. The name of the marriage of my father and mother Wheeler cannot be found, but they were respected people and no one doubts the being here lawfully married as Mother Wheeler is her daughter. States. Father Wheeler died before I was born, and his widow Rachel Wheeler has lived with me and since I married which was about thirty years since.  Ephraim Drury
Commonwealth of Massachusetts I hereby certify that the foregoing is true and that the information given by Ephraim Drury who is known to me as a man of truth and much better than the old description is true  Isaac Nathan Judge of the Court of Probate for said County

I Samuel Fink of Rutland in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, aged 72 years, do testify and depose, that I was an Officer in the Revolutionary Army in 1782 — that I was well acquainted with Aaron Wheeler then of Holden in said County, now deceased, as well before as since that period — that I saw him, the said Wheeler, at Verplank's Point in the State of New York, performing the duties of a Soldier in Col. Micah Jackson's Regiment in the Month of September in the year 1782 — Sam. Fink
State of Massachusetts } ss — Worcester County }
I the Subscriber a magistrate of said County, do hereby certify that the said Deponent subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me this twenty fifth day of January 1835 — and I further certify that the said Deponent is a credible witness — Attest Rufus Putnam Justice of the peace

I Elizabeth Wheeler of Holden of eighty years of age. do testify and say That I am well acquainted with the Widow Rachel Wheeler now of Worcester and formerly of Holden. and have been for sixty years past. That I was present at the marriage with my Brother Aaron Wheeler before the close of the Revolutionary War. They were married at Rutland by John Prinsby Esq. in a cold winter evening. at his house. That my Brother told me that he enlisted into the service of the American army after he was married & that I wanted some shirts made which I assisted in making, and after that he went into the service. he came home several times while in the service. and remained in the service until the close of the war. They lived together about ten years and she the Widow Rachel Wheeler now, has never been married since and was at the close of the Revolutionary war the lawful wife my Brother Aaron Wheeler.
Witness my hand at Holden February 5 th 1838.
Witness
Elizabeth W Wheeler, his mark.
Melent Hubbard
Worcester S. S. Feb 5. 1838. Then personally appeared before me Samuel Dimes Esq. a justice of the peace within and for the County of Worcester and made oath to the facts stated in the above deposition and further certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent and that she is a woman of truth and entitled to full belief. Samuel Dimes Justice of the peace.

I Samuel Sipe of Holten Seventy years of age Do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Aaron Wheeler formerly of Holten before and after after he entered the Revolutionary Army and also with Rachel Grant before his the S. Aaron Wheeler marriage with her and that I know that he married to was and lived with her in my neighborhood some considerable time before he left the service of that until his death which was sever- al years after he left the army which I firm- ly believe was at the close of the war — Holten Feb 5. 1838. — Samuel Sipe
Worcester S.S. Feb. 5 th 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Sam. Sipe and made oath to the facts stated in the above deposition — — Sam Daman Justice of the Peace.
Holten Feb 7. 1838. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above de- ponent (Samuel Sipe) and that he is a man of mass of truth and entitled to full belief — — I Sam Daman Justice of Peace.

Jonathan Hagg of Holden Eighty years of Age and a revolutionary Pensioner do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Aaron Wheeler formerly of said Holden and a soldier of the Revolutionary Army that the said Wheeler enlisted into the eight months service in the year 1775 and served in Capt John Jones Com- pany of Infantry at Cambridge and in its vicinity that I frequently saw him there and was on duty with him and have no doubt he served out the term of eight months — That the said Wheeler again enlisted into the Revolutionary Army in year 1781 or 1782 and was one of the men furnished by the Town of Holden who were required to be sent enlisted into the Army for the second three years men or the last service of three years. I pre- sume he stayed in the Army and served with the Army until it was disbanded at the close of the war as I have no recollection of seeing him in town until the war ended and after that I often saw him until his death which was several years after the close of the war. During the whole of that time he lived in my neighbor- hood with his wife Rachel Wheeler now the Wid Rachel Wheeler of Worcester. I was often at his house and laboured for him after he left the Army.
Holden Feb 8 th 1838. Jonathan Hagg
Worcester S.S. Feb 8. 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Jonathan Hagg and made oath to the truth of facts stated in the above affidavit and I further certify that I have been long ac- quainted with the said Hagg and that he is a man of truth and veracity and is entitled to full credit and belief —
Before me Samuel Dorman Justice of Peace

V 3300 — ar Rachel Wheeler widow of Aaron Mass.
vol 15. p 48. in 75. 8mo fri
May Allan 16m
adm 16 mo. fri $53.33. no deduction
Isa Barton Esq Worcester Mass.

Rachel Wheeler
Hn. L Lincoln NR

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Mr. Benton is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his names subscribed to the papers hereto annexed , are his own genuine signatures. I further certify, that Charles Chaffin, and Samuel Darnall are Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that their several signatures to the papers hereto annexed are their own genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

S. Paul Davis of Holden in the County of Worcester and Com- =monwealth of Massachusetts.
being of lawful age, depose & say That I hold the office of Town Clerk in the said Town of Holden.
I have examined the Town Records & find no intentions of Marriage, Recd on the Town Records. Previous to March 9 th A.D. 1782.
The intentions of Marriage, of Hon. Wheeler & Rachel Grants (now Rachel Wheeler) is not on the Town Records.
Paul Davis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester, ss
Holden June 8 th 1838. Then Paul Davis of Holden, the Subscriber to the above deposition, appeared and made solemn Oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contained the whole truth.
Before me Charles Chaffin J. of Peace.
The above testimony was taken at the request of Widow, Rachel Wheeler to be used at the Pension Office in establishing her Claims; on account of the services of her Husband, Aaron Wheeler during the War of the Revolution in the Army of the United States.
Charles Chaffin J. of Peace.

I Rufus Putnam of Rutland in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts depose & say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town County of State aforesaid and as such Officer I have the custody of the records of said Town - That I have carefully examined said Records, and do hereby certify that there is no record of the Marriage of Aaron Wheeler & Rachel Grant, now Rachel Wheeler, upon the said Records of said Town -
Rufus Putnam
Witnesseth. May 2. 1836 The foregoing affirm Rufus Putnam who as been to me as a man of truth and made oath that the above deposition is true -
Before me
Dea. Nathan D. Putnam for said County

Nachur Khuh -
11210 585 10625
(17)

I Ruth Hisky of Holden now eighty four years of age do testify and say that I was well acquainted with the late Aaron Wheeler of Holden who was a revolution- ary soldier and that I am now and was long before the death of the Aaron well acquainted with his widow now the Widow Rachel Wheeler of Worcester that they lived together as man and wife before he went into army the last time and that it was universally understood in the town Holden that they were lawfully married and that I never heard it doubted at that time neither have I heard any one since doubt it. They lived in the imme- diate neighborhood where I did and have ever since. That I was often at their house while he was in the army and before he went and I also mourned Mrs Wheeler when she had a child. That she said Aaron & Rachel had a child born while he was in the army and that he gave direction before going into the army to call the child Lizzy if it was a female child and further the deponent saith not. Holden June 8 th 1838.
Witness Samuel Daman Ruth her Hisky mark
Worcester S.S. Holden June 8. 1838. Then personally appeared before me Samuel Daman a magistrate within and for the County of Worcester the above named Ruth Hisky and made oath to the truth to the facts stated in the above affidavit by her subscribed (turn over)

and I further certify That from personal acquaintance of forty years standing That the lady Ruth Fife is a woman of truth and veracity and that she is entitled full belief and is a creditable witness
Samuel Darrow Justice of the Peace

Y s Ephraim Drury of Hamster in the County of Leicester I humbly acquaint the Hon.able, being first duly sworn, do depose and say, that since the filing of the declaration of Rachel Wheeler in the Common Pleas, I have made diligent search for the most evidence of the marriage of the said Rachel and Aaron Wheeler, but I can find none. The foregoing deposition of Rachel Wheeler is taken as a com- plimentary evidence of that fact. I also transmitted to the Common Pleas a letter received from John Pritchard of Bristol (Penn.) who is a son of the magistrate there who declared marriage her.
I further testify that I have made very diligent en- quiry as to the service into which Mr. Wheeler went in 1782, but I can get no further evidence as to the Prattstown Regiment in which he served, and a further examination of the rolls is so- licitous under a full confidence that the same will shortly be fully substantiated.
In examining the old papers of my father Wheeler I found the annexed receipt of William Phillips for his services. The body of the receipt is in the handwriting of deacon Elisha Hollands, who was at the time, one of the Selectmen of the town of Holden. The receipt is attested by the mark (S.A.).
Eph m Drury
Witnesses June 8. 1838 Then personally appeared Ephraim Drury who is known to me as a man of truth, and made oath that the above

Deposition by him substance is true.
Refer me to a Boston paper of Dec 18 th & 19 th Century
Noted Apr 29 th 1852 then Recd. of Alpha Hubbard the sum of Sixteen Shillings towards my hire as a continental soldier for three years — Recd by me.
(B.A.)
Found mutilated. Feb. 25, 1911

FREE
Mr. Charles Shaffin P.M. Holden
Nov 5

Mr Chaffin Bristol May 11 th 1838
Sir,
Your letter came to hand 2 days since am happy to give you Mr Wheeler all the information on the subject therein contained - what Mr Wheeler has stated - respecting her marriage - etc is I think strictly truth - I can not say that I saw the marriage ceremony, but that they was married by My Father I have no doubt & respecting my Father's words I can give you no information, Mr Aaron Wheeler lived with My Father as a hired man previous to his marriage & I think not long after he had been a soldier in the continental War, Mr Wheeler's statement respecting lands & her husband's sickness is all truth - so Sir, if there is a door open for Mrs Wheeler to receive a petition, I think she deserves it, & all those who love to do good, & are kind to the poor, will lend her assistance
Yours Affectionately John Brinsley

December 20, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Aaron Wheeler, W. 14154
Christine M. Wheeler 251 Bryant Street Buffalo, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of November 25, 1935, requesting information relative to Rachel Wheeler, living in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1840, and the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 14154, based upon the military service of Aaron Wheeler.
While living in Holden, Massachusetts, Aaron Wheeler was among the minutemen who marched to Lexington at the time of the alarm in April, 1775, and soon afterward he enlisted and served eight months as private in Captain John Jones' Massachusetts company and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was married in December, 1780, and it was stated that he served a term of nine months before his marriage and one of four or five weeks soon after marriage but the names of officers were not given. He enlisted in the spring of 1782 in Colonel Michael Jackson's Eighth Massachusetts Regiment and served until December, 1783.
He married December 21, 1780, at Rutland, Massachusetts, Rachel Grant. It was stated that her father (name not given) moved from Framingham to Holden, Massachusetts, in January, 1775.
Aaron Wheeler died November 20, 1790, in Holden, Massachusetts.
His widow, Rachel, was allowed pension on her application executed February 7, 1838, at which time she was seventy-nine years of age and was living in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

Aaron and Rachel Wheeler's daughter, Betsey, married Ephraim Drury about 1808 and in 1838 he was living in Worcester, Massachusetts, aged fifty-four years, and he then stated that two other children of the soldier were dead but he did not give their names.
One Samuel Grant was living in 1784 but it was not shown that he was related to the widow, Rachel.
One Joseph Wheeler was register of wills in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in 1791, his relationship to soldier not shown.
In 1838 the soldier's sister, Elizabeth Wheeler, was living in Holden, Massachusetts, aged eighty years.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

J. S. Edwards Esq.
Comm r of Pensions
Washington City.
///

Worcester Feb. 8. 1838.
Sir,
I send the Papers in the case of Rachel Wheeler, applicant for a Pension.
She wishes my communications upon the subject to be made through me.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
Chas. H. Prouty.
J. S. Edwards, Esq.

Rachel Wheeler widow of Aaron Mass Set. 2nd Sunday June 13 1838

Letter to E. G. Prichard 14 April 1838

November 25, 1935
251 BRYANT STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C. Gentlemen:
In the Index to Probate, Worcester Co., Mass. is recorded, - "Rachel Wheeler 1840 Pension Worcester (town of) case 63526"
If this is, as seems likely, a Revolutionary War Pension, may I trouble you for a copy of your records of this case?
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
Christine M. Wheeler

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
Dec. 20. hist. to Mrs. Wheeler, N.C.
De No. 14154
Rachel Wheeler
Widow of
Daran Wheeler
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 331
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Inat July 3 rd
Mass. Mrs Wheeler
J. Edwards Pugh
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Washington

Worchester June 20. 1828
J. L. Richards Esq.
Dear Sirs
The friends of Mrs. Under the Official referred to in the enclosed papers, are unable at present to furnish any further evidence in her case, and you will please further with some to me a Certificate for the time already given.
Yours Respectfully,
J. Boston

Wheeler, Aaron Mass. W14514

To the pay master of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment or who so ever is authorized for the settlement of said wages Sir please to pay to Samuel Grant all the money that is found due to me for my wife as a Soldier in the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment for the year Eighty two and this order shall be your sufficient voucher for the same from your humble servant Aaron Wheeler
Halden October 4 th 18: 1784

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By the Honourable Joseph Dorr Esquire,
J UDGE of the Probate of Wills, and for granting Letters of Administration on the Estates of Persons deceased, having Goods, Chattels, Rights or Credits in the County of Worcester , within the Commonwealth aforesaid,
To Rachel Wheeler of Holton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, Widow Greeting.
W HEREAS Aaron Wheeler late of Holton aforesaid
deceased, having while he lived, and at the Time of his Decease, Goods, Chattels, Rights or Credits in the County aforesaid, lately died intestate, whereby the Power of committing Administration, and full Disposition of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said Deceased; and also the hearing, examining and allowing the Account of such Administration, doth appertain unto Me: Trusting, therefore, in your Care and Fidelity, I do, by these Presents, commit unto you full Power to administer all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said Deceased, and well and faithfully to dispose of the same according to Law; and also to ask, gather, levy, recover and receive all and whatsoever Credits of the said Deceased, which to him while he lived, and at the time of his Death, did appertain; and to pay all Debts in which the said Deceased stood bound, so far as his Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits can extend, according to the Value thereof: And to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits; and to exhibit the same into the Registry of the Court of Probate for the County aforesaid, at or before the Seventh Day of March , next ensuing: And to render a plain and true Account of your said Administration upon Oath, at or before the Seventh Day of Decr which will be in the Year of our LORD One thousand seven hundred and ninety  One . And I do hereby ordain, constitute and appoint you Administrat rix of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights, and Credits aforesaid.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and the Seal of the said Court of Probate. Dated at Worchester the Seventh Day of Decr in the Year of our LORD One thousand seven hundred and Ninety
By Order of the Honourable Judge,
Joseph Wheeler Reg d
Worcester recorded with the Probate of Wills and County
1 st Joseph Wheeler Reg d

Worcester Feb 7th 1798
The within Name Adr is hereby directed to post your Notifications of last appointment in the towns of Holden, Rutland and Shrewsbury and have an attested testimony of her having so done in the Probate Office, as the Law directs
Joseph Wheeler Esq.
Aaron Wheeler Esq.
Letter 10
Wheeler, Aaron Ms. A. 9. 2. 14