Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15685, Abel Twitchell, Mass. N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. N.H.
Twitchell, Abel Twitchell
S. 15685
Carded
CONTENTS
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5917.
New Hampshire
Abel Gwichell
of Dublin in the State of N H who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the N H by Col. Wheelock in the N H line for 6 mo. & Mass.
Ans
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Feb 1833 and sent to F. Hubbard St. of Resp
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $30 — Emigrant allowance ending 4 March 10 —
$40 —
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H C / B Blair Clerk Book D Vol. 1 st Page 188.

Declaration of Abel Twitchell 10.4.93 Dublin Cheshire 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. }
On this ninth 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 Twitchell a resident of Dublin in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty one yrs last June 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. In the year 1775 went from said Dublin N.H. on the alarm from Lexington, to Cambridge, with others. Remained at Cambridge about three weeks, ready to move, but was not enrolled in any Company -
2. In the year 1776 - went from Sherburne Mass. to The last of May or first of June which place he removed from said Dublin in 1775. for the term of six months, in Captain Staples Cham- berlains Co., 1 st Lieut. McFarland, 2 d Lieut. John Whitney Ensign, Sawin - Col. of the Regt. Col. Phelock of Med- field Mass. went to Sheruborough - from there to Mount Independence - stationed there on Ti- side, near the Bomb proof - near the French lines, so- called - remained there guarding and fatigue building defences - worked on a fort near what was called the narrows - help make a bridge from Ti over to fort Independence - in 1780 as near as I recollect, went in a force to take Sullivan's point - Genl or Col Rogers had the command - troops were taken from Mount Hope - & Mt Independence and from Ti - to go on the expedition - The British had left - went to Crown point - they had retired from there down the lake - remained there till late at Ti - until the last of Nov r a few days before our time was out and was ordered to help our Ensign Sawin home - who was sick - I got home the first of December - no other proof of the said services except what is sent herewith - I was born in Sherburne Mass in 1751 and I lived at Sherburne when called into service for three weeks and have since am not certain for the time I was drafted - I recollect no regular officers except Gen. were in that vicinity - never received any written discharge both of said Dublin, line near me, and I believe can trace my service in the Revolution -
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 Twitchell
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Aaron Matson Judge of Probate

We, Noah Handy and Elias Hemmenway both of Dublin aforesaid do —
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Twitchell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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.
Noah Handy Elias Hemmenway
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 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 Noah Handy and Elias Hemmenway who have signed the proceedings, constitute an President in the Town of Dublin aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter the application of Abel Twitchell for a pension.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of August A.D. 1832 —
Asa Parker { Register of the Court of Probate
is age, but there is one in Sherburne — and now lives in Dublin in N.H. — within 1/2 Gates and Brice Nett — think the Jersey Blue's Noah Handy and Elias Hemmenway as to my character for veracity and as to
L

10494
Abel Leitchell
to Mwah
6 Months
Hon. H. Hubbard
AR
$20--
Mell Edwards
Keene
N. H.

BRIEF in the case of  Abel Twitchell  of  Dublin  in the State of  New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Eighty one years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775. X 3 weeks but was not enrolled in any company.   drafted - 1776 May & June 6 Capt Staples, Col Wheelock.   + held himself himself as ready to serve  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sherburne, Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? two persons certify to traditional evidence a clergyman's plain certificate. Bela Lyman wood, living witness, proves enlistment. Moses Rider a living witness also proves the enlistment.  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.
D. Kimb Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. F. 15685
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Axel Switcheil a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 3 mos. Pvt. in Lexington Alarm from Dedham from Dedham N.H.   May or June 1775 6 mos. Staples Chamberlain Whitlock Mass.        
Battles engaged in, None Residence of soldier at enlistment, Sherborn Middlesex Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 9 1832. The ch. was ab. Residence at date of application, Dedham Middlesex Co. Mass. Age at date of application, born June 1757 at Sherborn Mass.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

P 15685 INVALID.
File No. 15685
Abel Twitchell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 382
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan'y 14 - 1901 -
Hist. Co.
J. P. Mitchell, Somerville
Mass
1917 June 12 Hist. to Harry T. Bean Letter in W. 21340 Elif House.

own copy
Somerville, Mass.
Jan. 7, 1901.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
RECEIVED JAN 11 1901 N. DIV.
Dear Sir:—
As I am desirous of becoming a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, will you kindly send me a certificate of service from the Bureau of Pensions.
My ancestors were — Abel Fritchell of Dublin N. H., and Peter Fritchell (Capt.) of the same town.
Very respectfully,
Julian P. Fritchell, 120 Prospect St., Somerville, Mass.

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 Twitchell 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? Yes 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? C 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, a cert. only, of character for truth / 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? XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? my If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? my Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? my 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? my XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? my XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answered
 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† 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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 ends 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Mr. Abel Fivitchell for more than twelve years and I believe him to be a man of truth, & that his statements are worthy of entire confidence.
Dublin N. H. Aug. 6. 1832.
Levi W. Leonard, Minister of the first Congregational Society in Dublin

Depo n for Glau T. Twitchell

I Bela Greenwood of Nelson in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire being seventy two years old depose & say that in the year 1776 I lived in the Town of Sherborn in the County of Middlesex State of Massachusetts That I then knew Abell Tutchell now of Dublin in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire that in said year 1776 there were from twelve to twenty soldiers enlisted or drafted from said Town of Sherborn for the term of six months to serve in the army of the revolution That amongst the number was the said Abell Tutchell and a Brother of my own that during the term they served I frequently saw both & wrote home by the said Tutchell and others that one of the Lieutenants in the Company said Tutchell served in was my Uncle John Whitney the ensign was Thomas Luning that I well recollect the return of the soldiers at the expiration of their term of service. That I have frequently heard my Brother mention the service of the said Tutchell Bela Greenwood
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. Nelson July 22. 1832
Then the above named Bela Greenwood personally appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Henry Melville Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above deponent is a disinter- ested and credible witness
Henry Melville Justice of Peace
Cheshire. Aug 15. 1832
I Salma Hale Clerk of the Judicial Court in said County certify that Henry Mel- ville is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County - and I believe that the fore- going official signatures are in his own hand writing. - In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the official seal of our Superior Court of Judicature S. Hale Clerk

2 Moses Riders Deposition for Abel Twitchell

I Moses Rider of Dublin in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire being seventy five years of age do hereby say that in A.D. 1776 I lived in the Town of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I that I then knew Abel Swiftell then of said Sher- burne and now of Dublin aforesaid. I that in said year 1776 from twelve to twenty soldiers enlisted or were drafted from said Sherburne for the term of six months to serve in the army of the Revolution. That among this number was the said Abel Swiftell. I that he went from the Town of Sherburne with other soldiers and officers to Liconderoga and served in the army the term of six months. I further depose & say that one of the Lieutenants in the company was John Whitney. The Ensign was Thomas Loring. and the name of the Captain of the Compa- ny in which said Abel Swiftell served was Staples Chamberlain. I further say that I well recollect the return of the said Abel Swiftell from Liconderoga to Sherburne aforesaid and have frequently heard the services of the said Swiftell spoken of by those who served with him.
Moses Rider
State of New Hampshire
I hereby certify that Moses Rider the deponent herein named is a disinterested and credible interested and credible witness.
Joseph Appleton Justice of the Peace

I Moses Rider of Dublin in the County of Cheshire State of New Hampshire being seventy five years of age depose and say that in A.D. 1776 I lived in the Town of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I that I then knew Abel Swiftell. then of said Sher- burne. and now of Dublin aforesaid. I that in said year 1776. from twelve to twenty soldiers enlisted or were drafted from said Sherburne for the term of six months. to serve in the army of the Revolution. that among this number was the said Abel Swiftell. I that he went from the Town of Sherburne with other soldiers and officers to Siconderoget and served in the army the term of six months. I further depose & say that one of the Lieutenants in the Company was John Whitney. the Ensign was Thomas Lapham. and the sergeant of the Captain of the Compa- ny in which said Abel Swiftell served was Staples Chamberlain. I further say that I well recollect the return of the said Abel Swiftell from Siconderoget to Sherburne aforsaid and have frequently heard the services of the said Swiftell spoken of by those who served with him.
Moses Rider
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County } On the sixth day of August A.D. 1832. personally came Moses Rider who named and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true before me Josiah L. Appleton Justice of the Peace

Cheshire J. Aug 15. 1832
I Salme Hale, Clerk of the Inferior Courts in s d County certify that Joseph Appleton is a Justice of the Peace in & for said county — and I believe that the foregoing official signatures are in his own hand writing. — In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature S. Hale, Clerk

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss
To whom it may concern.
This certifies that I the subscriber have been acquainted with Abel Switchell of Dublin, a Revolutionary Soldier for the last twenty five years and that his character for truth and veracity is perfectly good.
Dublin August 6 th 1832.
Joseph Appleton Justice of the Peace
Clarksburg. Aug. 15. 1832
I Salma Hale, clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Joseph Appleton is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and I believe that the foregoing official signature is in his own hand writing. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk