Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16778, Abel Walker, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Walker, Abel Hannah
Nr. 16778
CONTENTS

h116 New Hampshire
Abel Walker Langdon in the State of N.H. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Hackett of the Regt commanded by Col Wood in the Mass. Militia line for 6 mos. from 1775.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feb 1833 and N.Y. No. 11. Ebenezer
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 30 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1833 10 00 $ 40 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Henry H. Glazier, Clerk Book 20. Vol. 1 Page 194

1694 Concord Mass. Hannah Walker widow of Abel Walker
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 16th April 1833 of Sullivan Co. in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Haskell of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wood in the M.S. line for Concord
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord, N.H. at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Jan. 1839 and sent Hon. H. Hubbard Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $57.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Feb 1839, N.H.
$66.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by H.H. Addison Clerk Book A Vol. 1 Page 59

Extract from the Town records of Shirley
"Marriage intended between Mr. Abel Walker and Miss Hannah Page both of Shirley" "February the first one thousand seven hundred and eighty three "Obadiah Sackett T. Clerk."
I hereby certify, that the above is a true copy from the records of the Town of Shirley excepting the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as fol- lows, "February ye 1: 1783"
Thomas Whitney Town Clerk of Shirley
I, Thomas Whitney, above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Shirley in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
And I further depose and say, that I have searched the records of said town to find the marriage of said Abel Walker & Hannah Page, and the same is not to be found therein; and that said records are imperfect & defective, as to marriages, consummated about that time. Thomas Whitney Town Clerk of Shirley

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex. Be it known, That on this third day of September in the year 1838, before me Caleb But- ler, a Notary Public within and for said County of Middlesex, duly appointed and sworn, and dwelling in Groton in said County, personally came Thomas Whitney afore named, and made oath, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true; and I do certify, that said Whitney is a credible person, worthy of full credit & belief.
Witness my hand & notarial seal, the day & year above written —
Caleb Butler Not. Pub.

Abel Walker
No 9892
Parole 6 months
$20- Did not make his Declaration in the County in which he resides Notwithstanding not culpable to his creditable.
No 6 1832
J. H. Edwards
Stearns
N. H.
Hon. H. Hubbard
H.R.

BRIEF in the case of  Abel Walker of Singapore in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 3/4 Years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days     Nov In 17 55 1 15 Private Capt. Huskell Col. Woods   Apr 58 (1) " 3 11 " Capt. Woods Col. Wood   Aug 58 (2) " 1 15 " Capt. Bulling Col. McIntosh   6 3  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? nine stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Shirley Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
(1) 3m. 4d. 1d 24h 56 (2) 1 17 " 3 19 # 12th 1m 12d
Dea Woodson Examining Clerk.

1842 Hannah Walker. Declaration 1958
Wid of Abel
M th
Ad July 1838
Mar d 1753
dec d 1733
Allan $20 pr am s
Mr H. Hubbard
U S S

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, - passed July 7, 1838.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } S.S. County of Sullivan,
On this Nineteenth day of September 1838, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, Hannah Walker a resident of Langdon in the County of Sullivan and State of N. H. aged Eighty one 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 7, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows;" That she is the widow of Abel Walker who was a
private in the Army of the Revolution, and was a pensioner on the New Hampshire Agency under the Act of Congress of July 7, 1832. at the rate of about Twenty Five Dollars per annum, the precise sum she does not recollect. She has heard him say, that he enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Gilson. He went under said Gilson to Charlestown Mass early in the war. - and also did service at Rhode Island, guarding the prisoners taken with General Burgoyne
She further declares that she was married to the said Abel Walker on the Twenty fifth day of February A. D. 1783 that her husband the aforesaid Abel Walker died on the seventeenth day of April A. D. 1833 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, A. D. 1794, viz. at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed, the 19th day of  Hannah Walker  marks John L. Pierce Judge of Probate, I. J. J. Gilchrist Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Declaration and proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Hannah Walker for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Nineteenth day of September A. D. 1838
John James Gilchrist Reg'r

State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss. J. J. M c Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature do hereby certify that Samson Garfield Jr is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that the within signature purporting to be his is in my belief genuine —
Given under my Hand and Seal of the Court this 21 st day of September A.D. 1838. J. J. M c Gilmore Clerk

I Bathsheba Eyerton of Langdon in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, do testify and say that I am acquainted with Hannah Walker of said Langdon. She is now the Widow of Abel Walker late of said Langdon deceased, who died April the Sixteenth one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. I also say that said Hannah Walker was married to said Abel Walker in the town of Shirley in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by the Rev. Phinehas Whitney then a resident Minister of the Gospel in said town of Shirley. I also say that I was present at the time said marriage took place which was on the twenty fifth day of February one thousand seven hundred and eighty three at which time I resided in said town of Shirley.
Bathsheba Eyerton
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss. on the 17 th day of September 1838 personally appearing Bathsheba Eyerton subscribed, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit is in her belief true
Before me
Samuel Garfield Justice of the Peace
I certify that Bathsheba Eyerton who signed the above affidavit is to my knowledge a person of truth and veracity
Samuel Garfield Justice of the Peace

9892
Declaration of Abel Walker of Sangdon Sullivan Co. N.H.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, County of Cheshire, ss.
On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open
Court. Before the Hon Aaron Matson Judge of Probate for said County of Cheshire -
now sitting. Abel Walker a resident of Sandown in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire aged Twenty three years last July who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st - In 1775 - in April November volunteered for six weeks in Capt Haskell's Company - in (he thinks) Col Woods Regiment - went to Cambridge Mass - stationed at fort No 2 - was on fatigue and guard duty - remained there the six weeks and dismissed there. - 2 o In 1778 - in April enlisted for three months - went to Cambridge to guard Burgoyne's men - was in Captain Isaac Woods Company - thinks in Col Reed's Regt. - on Prospect hill - remained there three months - and dismissed there. - 3 o In 1778 - in August. volunteered for six weeks - in Captain Mellen's Company. in Col McIntosh or McIntire's Regt - went to Rhode Island - to Newport - went onto the Island under Genl Sullivan - crossed Howland's ferry - retreated from the Island after the battle I went to Providence - from there to Warwick, neck & there dismissed at the end of the six weeks. - all the services in Massachusetts militia
Was born at Shirley Mass - in the year 1759 - has no record of his age except in his bible, but supposed there is one at Shirley - When called into the service was living at Shirley Mass - has lived since the war in Sandown N.H. and now lives there - was a volunteer every time he served - recollects no officers nor Regiments except those above stated - never received any written discharge - Rev. Jeremiah Hight and Jeremiah Howard both of Holmes , but living within one mile of me, can I believe testify as to my character for veracity, and belief as to my services as a soldier of the revolution.

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County, ss. Personally appeared before me Elijah Bingham, a Justice of the peace within and for said County, Abel Walker, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he did not make the within is the identical Abel Walker who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration, that he did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, for the following reasons: till within 3 or 4 years the town of Langdon, where he lives, was always a part of the County of Cheshire where said declaration was made; he lives within half a mile of the line of Cheshire County and of the town of Alstead, where he now deposeth; and within 17 miles of Keene the shire town of said Cheshire County; he has always been in the habit of transacting business in Cheshire County; and the Witnesses within named Jeremiah Hight and Jeremiah Howard living in said Alstead and within one mile of me were giving their attendance at the Court when and where the within declaration was made; and it was much more convenient for him to make said declaration in said County of Cheshire, than it would have been in the county of Sullivan. — He further saith, that he has no documentary evidence of any of the services within mentioned, and he knows of no person living who can testify to any of said services. —
Sworn and Subscribed this seventh day of December 1832. Before me
Abel Walker
Elijah Bingham Justice Peace
Cheshire ss. Dec. 8. 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Elijah Bingham is a res- ident of the State in and for said county, and that I believe the foregoing official signature is his. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Abel Walker
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Jeremiah Higbee a Clergyman and Jeremiah Howard both of Atstead aforesaid etc
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Abel Walker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Jeremiah Higbee Jeremiah Howard
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jeremiah Higbee who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Atstead and that Jeremiah Howard who has also signed the same is a resident in Atstead aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Abel Walker for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832 —
Asa Parker { Register of said Court of Probate

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
F. S. H. E. C.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., January 27, 1896.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Abel Walker --- No. 16778 a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. Nov. 1775 1 mo. 12 dys. Pvt. Haskell Woods Mass. Apr. 1778 3 mos. 4 dys. Pvt. Isaac Wood Reed Mass. Aug. 1778 1 mo. 17 dys. Pvt. Nutting McIntosh Mass.
Battles engaged in, None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Shirley, Mass.
Date of application for pension. August 16, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Langdon, N. H.
Age at date of application, Born, Shirley, Mass., in 1759.
Remarks: He married Hannah Page, Feb. 25, 1783, and died Apr. 16, 1833. Both he and his widow were pensioners. No record has been found of Samuel Garfield, of Spencer, Mass., as a pensioner. Very respectfully,
Mr. E. I. Garfield, 17 Federal St., Boston, Mass.
Commissioner.

1896 (Ms. History Jan. 21) to Mrs. J. Garfield, Boston Mass.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16778
Hannah Walker
Widow of Abel Walker
Rev. Brn. War
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. M, Page 310
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abel Walker M ch 8 th 1893
L. M. Edwards Memo N. H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abel Walker which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ? no III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so ? no IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served ? Yes V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled ? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832 ? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion ? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal ? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
‡ QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Fort Wayne Electric Corporation.
Com. of Pensions Continued, Page 2nd, Date Dec. 13-95
removed to Spencer, Mass. about 1748, and lived there the balance of his days. He died June 22nd, 1792. I have proof that he was a soldier in the colonial wars of 1745; also 1757-58. My father, who is now dead, always insisted that Samuel Garfield served at some period during the revolution. I have an aunt and uncle who also assert the same thing. My grandfather who was a small boy at the time of the revolution stated to me when living that his father (Samuel) went to Boston on the Lexington alarm. You will know if there is any record in the office at Washington showing his service. I have a sword which has been handed down to me from him, but I have failed to learn from any of the family as to how he came by it. As near as I can learn the sword was made in London about 1725.
Any information you can give me will be gratefully received.
Yours very truly,
E. Garfield

Abel Walker, Nat - I.
Samuel Garfield - 16385 - 9(?)
Not used
FORT WAYNE ELECTRIC CORPORATION.
MANUFACTURERS OF THE "WOOD" SYSTEMS OF
ARC LIGHTING, ALTERNATING AND DIRECT CURRENT INCANDESCENT LIGHTING. POWER GENERATORS, MOTORS, TRANSFORMERS, INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES.
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17 FEDERAL ST. BOSTON, MASS. Dec. 13-95
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
Abel Walker Nat 16778
As a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution I have been referred by a circular to you for some proof in regard to the service rendered by two of my ancestors. I have proof in regard to one, Samuel Walker of Shirley, Mass., who was a pensioner. He was my great grandfather. I am informed by my mother, now living, that Abel (son of Samuel) was also a soldier of the revolution, and that he drew a pension until his death, and that his wife drew a pension as long as she lived. Abel Walker was born in Shirley, Mass., July 11th, 1759 and lived there until about 1798. He then moved to Langdon, New Hampshire, and died there April 16th, 1833. His wife was Hannah Page, who was born in Shirley, Mass., March 24th, 1757 and was married to Abel Walker (my grandfather) February 22nd, 1783, and died in Langdon, N. H. in 1841. Abel Walker must have been a soldier of the revolution else how came he by a pension. Samuel Garfield was my great grandfather and was born in Weston, Mass., April 11th, 1720. He