Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16476, Nathan Witham, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Witham, Nathan Rhoda
W:16476
CONTENTS

12.676 Maine R m 81 d 78m
Nathan Witham of Elliott dist: in the state of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Phinney of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 1 year on roll 11/2/20
Inscribed on the Roll of the dist. of Maine at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818-
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd of July 1819 and sent to Benj t Greene, Esq r South Berwick, Me.
Arrears to 4th of March 1818 - 11 3/4 09. 03
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1819. 40. 00
$137:03
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
York County

Notification sent October 10, 1820 to Daniel Sewall, Kennebec Maine
May 11 th 1833. Wrote to Daniel Gale Esq. of Gilmanton New Hampshire See letter - also wrote to the pension Agent same day -

Nathan Witham his Book Bought at Haverhill Mass June 1784
He was born in the town of Haverhill on the 10th of December in the year 1752. He was married on the 20th of January 1781 to Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Witham) Dole of Haverhill. He lived in Haverhill in the year 1794. In the year 1795 he came to my brother's house at Millery Lane
B
D. Bundy
W

Witham, Nathan Mass. 1697

1762 April 19th at 8 o'clock in the afternoon Henry born July 25 1782 in Salisbury
1784 July 5th at 2 o'clock in morning Rhoda born in Salisbury
1787 March 2nd at 1 o'clock in morning Polly born in Farmhill
1790 February 8th at 5 o'clock in morning Abigail born in Salisbury
1792 March 11th at 2 o'clock in morning Maria born in Salisbury
1794 March 17th at 1 o'clock in the morning Sarah born in Salisbury
1797 January 21st at 1 o'clock in the morning Abby born in Hampton Falls

[Faint, illegible handwriting on a heavily stained and textured piece of paper.]
William, Nathan Brooks, Martha

Henry Witham at 6 o'clock in the afternoon 17th of April 1782 in Salisbury John Salter at 3 o'clock morning Klara born 9th of July 1784 Henry Dyd July 23 1784 was married in Salisbury 8/10 John Witham born March 2nd 1817 in Hauxhull in the county of York at 6 o'clock morning Abigail ... 1790 ... 1792 ... 17th of March at 2 o'clock born Lydia Witham

Witham, Nathan, W16476 Mass

I Nathan Bagley of lawfull age testify and say that I have in my possession the remains of a family Bible that belonged to (my father in Law) Nathan Witham in which is a record of his marriage to Rhoda Osgood the 20th day of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty one I further testify and say that I have been personally acquainted with Rhoda Witham for the last thirty years and more and know her to be the widow of Nathan Witham (who was a pensioner & who died at my house in Gilford) and has not been married since his decease & I further testify that said widow Rhoda Witham died in Meredith the 21 st day of July
Nathan Bagley
1838 Meredith Oct 16th 1838
New Hampshire Shafford (SS)
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above written — Before me James Goodwin Jus Peace
I hereby certify that the above deponent did produce the remains of an old Bible in which is the Record of the marriage of Nathan Witham as above written — and that I am personally acquainted with said Nathan Bagley and that he is a person of credibility &c.
James Goodwin Jus Peace

W. H. Bagley 2/10
State of New Hampshire Shofford County ss -
I Francis Cagnuell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that James Gordon is a Magistrate as above and that the within signatures purporting to be his are in my belief genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court this 16th day of October 1838 -
F. Cagnuell. Clerk

State of New Hampshire Shafford county ss - Court of Common Pleas.
August Term 1839.
I Francis Cogswell, Clerk of said Court hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to the Court to prove, that Widow Rhoda Witham, who was the wife of Nathan Witham, died on the twenty first day of July A.D. 1838 and that at the time of her death she had five children, and only five, living to wit. Rhoda Bagley now living in Meredith in said County. Polly Morse of Sedgwick Me. Abigail Morgan of Hallowell Me. Nancy Preble of Boothbay Me, and Lydia Witham of Sanford, Maine -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed my name this eighth day of August A.D. 1839.
F. Cogswell, Clerk.

2780 Rhoda Witham die d Wid of Nathan actg July 1838 N 76
on Kati - Wild's co Phinnys rest from 15 Jan'y 76 to end of the year -
adm'd 11 1/2 mo pri
$38. 33 1/4
no deduction
Jas Gordon Warebridge N.H.

Wid Rhoda Witham
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Declaration
State of New Hampshire Strafford (ss)
on this six tenth day of October 1838 Personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas now in session at Lyford in the County aforesaid Richard Clement who being first duly sworn doth on his 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 he is Administrator on the Estate of Rhoda Witham who died at Meredith on the 21 st day of July 1838 aged 78 years who was the Widow of Nathan Witham who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and obtained a certificate as a pensioner under the Act of Congress of March 18th 1818 and drew his money at Portland Maine He further declares that the said Rhoda Witham was married to Nathan Witham on the 20 th day of September in the year seventeen hun- dred and eighty one that her husband the aforesaid Nathan Witham died on the 6th day of November 1824 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 1794 (Old) at the time above written -
Richard Clement
Subscribed and sworn to in open court on the day and year above written - Abel Hogs well Clerk -

State of New Hampshire
Stratford County ss -
I Francis Cogswell clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County hereby certify that the foregoing is the original proceeding in the matter of the application of Richard Clement as Administrator of Rhoda Witham for a Pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court this sixteenth day of October 1888
Albert Cogswell Clerk

Nathan Witham
Private
Col Philemyo Mapt th Regt
1776. 17 th Jan
1 st April 1810.
That the above be attested.
That the deposition of the witness within be denied to be taken to the said officer duty taken and read therefor.
10 th May 1819
See 25 No 1.
Admitted.

I John Goolde of Eliot in the County of York - Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Sixty four years, testify and declare that I was a soldier in the Continental service in the year 1776 1776 in Capt Elias Willes Company and Col Peleg Warren's Shimmey's Regt. Massachusetts Line - and that I well remember the above named Nathan Witham, who served in said Company and Regiment against the common Enemy for the term of one year as he has testified testified
John Goolde
York ss. 11 th July 1818 Then the above named John Goolde a credible and disinterested witness personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed.
Before me
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Caleb Emery Just. Peace York ss. to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting. Whereas Caleb Emery Esq. is a justice of the peace for the first Eastern Circuit, do hereby certify that Caleb Emery Esq. is a justice of the peace for the said County of York duly authorized & empowered to take & administer oaths - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal - By G. Greene
That he was accounted a good soldier and that he was honorable in all his dealings

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, ss. } ON this first day of April A. D. 1818, before me the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth, personally appears Nathan Witham aged sixty-five years resident in said county of York, 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 Nathan Witham in the month of January A.D. 1776 enlisted as a private soldier in the Continental Army for the term of twelve months under Capt. Silas Wildes in the Regiment commanded by Col. Edwin Pheasey, that he continued to do his duty in said Company and Regiment until the expiration of the above mentioned term of twelve months had fully expired, when he was honorably discharged — And in proof of the foregoing declaration made by the said Nathan Witham, John Good and Elijah Witham two credible disinterested witnesses personally appear, & being first duly sworn according to law, they upon their oaths do say, that the above named Nathan Witham did serve in the revolutionary war in the Company and Regiment aforesaid the full term of one year as he has stated, that they both served in the same Regt. with him, & know that he was accounted a good soldier, and that he was honorably discharged after the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted. And the said Nathan Witham in addition to his own oath, produces by the certificate of the Selectmen & assessors of the poor of the Town of Eliot,
That he is reduced in his circumstances and needs 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 above said.
Benj: Greene
I, BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathan Witham did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as he has stated in his declaration aforesaid—and that he is reduced in his circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for his support.—And I do 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 before mentioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
fourteenth day of September Anno Domini, 1818.
Benj: Greene

Nathan Witham
Sanford
12/6/19 Campen on
July 19. Sep 1819

STATE OF MAINE.
ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at York within and for the County of York on the first Tuesday being the fourth day of July , and by adjournment at Alfred from day to day, on the eighteenth day of July , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable Benjamin Greene, chief Justice Judge of said Court.
ON this eighteenth day of July , in the year 1820, personally appeared in open Court -
the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said County  county - Nathan Witham - aged sixty seven years, resident in Sanford in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Silas Wild in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Edmund Phinney in the line of the State of Massachusetts , on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration made on the first day of April - A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 12.676 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th 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 other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
Nathan Witham
Sworn to and declared, on the 18 th day of July , A. D. 1820. }
BEFORE Benj a Greene, chief Justice
Att d  Daniel Sewall, Clerk
One of the Judges of the said Court,
SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz:
Real estate - none whatever.
Personal estate - 1 saw - 2 small files - 2 small chisels - 3 small gimblets - 1 large file - & 1 small hammer - also 1 chest, 2 plane irons - 1 jack knife - 1 Shaker bible -
Nathan Witham

SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Nathan Witham — who, by occupation am a farmer which I am unable to pursue by reason of the loss of my left leg, which was amputated five years ago, the first day of last March
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     No family;  Have heretofore received assistance from the public as a pauper .  Nathan Witham   
STATE OF MAINE.
I, York ss. Daniel Sewall — Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county of York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is four dollars and forty two cents. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty seventh day of July , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Daniel Sewall , { Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York

I Rhoda Bagley of Meredith of Langport Testify & say that I am the Daughter of Nathan Witham & Rhoda Witham, deceased born in Salisbury as I was informed by my parents with whom I lived at Salisbury until I was upwards of ten years old when I went to live in a family in the neighborhood my father & Mother live in near Hampton Falls Salisbury until the latter part of the year 1797 when my father went to Hiltary Main to work at his trade (ship carpenter) & soon after joined the fam- -ily of Shakers in Sanford, Me & came repeatedly for my Mother his children to go with  with that society of people & they utterly refused & so not recollect of seeing my father from that time until my marriage with Nathan Bagley when he met us on a visit & treated me affectionately as daughter & gave me valuable presents which I still retain after my marriage my Mother lived in our family most of the time until 1825 when my father came also to live with us in Gilford, in November of that year & soon after died
Rhoda Bagley
New Hampshire Strafford Sept 4th 1839
Subscribed & sworn to Before me James Gordon Jus. Peace I hereby certify that Rhoda Bagley above named is a competent Witness James Gordon Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire Strafford Co.
Probate office, Gilmanstown, this eighteenth day of October Anno Domini 1838.
To all whom it may concern this certifies, That Richard Clement of Meredith in said county, was, by the Judge of Probate within and for said county, on the ninth day of October A. D. 1838 duly ap- pointed administrator on the Estate of Rhoda Witham late of said Meredith deceased, and that said administration has never been re- voked but still remains in full force.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed the Seal of the Court of Probate of said county the day and year first above written
Ira A. Eastman Registrar of Probate

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16476 Rhoda Witham Wid of Nathan Witham Rev Rev War
Act July 7 th 188
Index: Vol. 11 , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N. Hampshire L. 27
Rhoda Witham, widow of Nathan Witham
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Mar ch 18 th , and who died on the 6 th November 1824. of Strafford in the State of N. Hampshire who was a P vt in the Mass  Regt commanded by Captain  of the Regt   commanded by Philemon  - in the    line for 11    widow died 21 st July 1828 -
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.  21 st July 1828 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Sep r . '39, as sent by James Gordon and Warebridge, N. H.
Arrears to the 4 th of 21 st July '38 - $ 90.89
Semi-annual allowance ending  - -
Car. up d in favor of } $ 90.89 Rich d Blumenth Asst. { Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R Burdin Book A Vol. 1 - Page 64

Deo Baba William Deo Widow Nathan. N. Y. 183 Set to James Gordon 27 Apr 1839

2780 Rhoda Witham N. 76.
Act 7 July, 1838
Let. to Jas. Gordon April 27-1839 June 15, 1839. to do Aug. 26, 1839

I William M Ladd of lawfull age testify and say that I keep a record of death in this village (Merri- bridge) and have on my Records the funeral of Widow Rhoda Witham on the 23 d day of July 1838 Merri-bridge Oct 16 th 1838
W. M. Ladd
New Hampshire (Strafford ss)
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above named
Before me James Gordon Justice
I here by certify that the above named William M Ladd is a competent Witness
James Gordon Justice

State of New Hampshire Stafford County ss. I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said County hereby certify that Francis Gordon is a Magistrate as within and that the within signatures purporting to be his are in my belief genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 16th day of October 1838 - Francis Cogswell, Clerk.
Francis Cogswell

Elijah Williams Deft to Nathan Williams Service
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored printed text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored printed text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

I Elijah Whitham of Rochester in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire of lawful age do hereby say, that I am acquainted with Nathan Whitham of Elliot in the County of York & Commonwealth of Massachusetts and know that he entered the service of the American Revolution in January A.D. 1776 & continued in said service until January 1777 in the Com- pany commanded by Capt. Silas Wildes —
Dover July 21 st 1818
Elijah Whitham
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss. personally appeared before me the above named Elijah Whitham & made solemn oath, that the above statement by him signed is true before me this 21 st day of July A.D. 1818 —
Charles Woodman Not. Public

Aug 14th 1843 Aug 8th 3
5
W.H. 1000 Baker Rhodes W. Tharn
James L Edwards Court of Sessions Washington City D.C.

1839
Warrenton N.H. Aug 8
Dear Sir
in answer to the Com d from the D pt of June 15 th respecting the claim of Mrs Rhoda Witham of Meredith widow of Nathan Witham I have to say that I am now able to comply with the request of the D pt (the Com t being now in session in our vicinity) I sincerely hope that a return may be had to this Office before the 4 th of Sept r for the very feeble state of my health makes it very difficult for me to answer the questions of the appraisers
I am with respect your obed t Serv t
James Gordon
Hon d J L Edwards Com d of Pensions

Gilmanton N.H. Oct. 22.
free
2780 Oct 27. M ch 7 July 1838
L. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Witham
11. 9. 2 1834

To J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir I send the enclosed papers to support the claims of the children of William Rhoda Witham to pension that after his to said Rhoda under the acts of July 7 th 1838 up to his death you will have the goodness to send me an answer directed
Oct 16 th 1838
James Garrison Post Master New Bridge V.H.

Rhoda Witham
St. Gordon Meares Bridge NH

State of New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State
June 5- 1839
I hereby certify that James Gordon is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Shofford duly commissioned and qualified. His commission is dated June 11- 1836 and will expire on the 11 th day of June 1841- and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine-
In testimony of the foregoing I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State.
James Merrill Sec'y of State

I Nathan Bagby & I Rhoda Bagby of Lawful age testify & say that we have now in our possession the family Record of Nathan Witham (in his own hand writing) they are taken from a Bible that belonged to our father the said Nathan Witham & have been in our possession for more than fifteen years the Record is on the two outside leaves of said Bible & are pasted upon the covers the same that are herein enclosed
Nathan Bagby
Rhoda Bagby
New Hampshire Stafford (ss) May 29 th 1839
Then personally appeared the above Nathan Bagby & Rhoda Bagby and made oath that the above declaration by them subscribed is true
James Gordon Justice
I hereby certify that the above deponents are credible witnesses
James Gordon Justice