Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,647, Stephen Wilmarth, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Wilmarth, Stephen
P 11,647
CONTENTS

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Bristol } ss :
Be it known, that before me, a
Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorised by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Moses Wilmarth a resident of Attleboro in the county of Bristol in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, states that he is † son of Stephen Wilmarth of Attleborough in the county of Bristol and State of Mass ts who was a revolutionary ‡ Soldier and that he believes the United States are still indebted, under existing laws, for the pension that was due under the application heretofore made, and that he is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made as aforesaid, and constitutes and appoints William G. Warren  Edward Shaw of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In Witness Whereof, said Moses Wilmarth has on this thirtieth day of September 185 4 , hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Witness;
John Daggett
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this
Moses Wilmarth [L. 30 th day of September 185 4
John Daggett J. P.
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words "widow of," and the name of her husband; if both dead, insert the words, "son or daughter of," and the name of the former unsuccessful applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.
NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it occurs.

State of Massachusetts Bristol County ss
On this tenth day of March AD 1846 personally appeared before Oliver Prescott Esquire Judge of the probate of wills and for said County of Bristol Stephen Wilmarth of Milborough in said County aged Eightythree years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of the 7th June 1832. That he en- -tered as a soldier of the Revolutionary in the year 1777 as a minute man under Capt. Erath Robinson and soon after marched with others who were also minute men under said Erath Robinson to Providence in the State of Rhode Island and served there under him the said Robinson one and a half months he was then dismissed and returned home to Milborough. That a short time after when Littleton was burnt by the enemy he was called out again with others in his neighbourhood under Capt. Moses Wilmarth they marched from Milborough to the State of Rhode Island they crossed Bristol ferry onto Rhode Island from thence they crossed Howlands Ferry to So. Tiverton and were stationed there three months in the year 1777 or 1778 he is not certain which. That he served in Capt. Samuel Patinsens company in Col. Wadsworths at Rhode Island in the Summer of 1778 22 days. That he served in Capt. Jacob Haskell's company in Col. Samuel Peirces Regt. at Rhode Island from May 23 rd 1779 one month and six days. That he served in Capt. Moses Wilmarths company in Col. Isaac Deane's Regt. from the 31 July 1780 Ten days. That he served under Capt. Moses Wilmarth at Fall River in 1778 five months and a half. That he has always thought and he now believes that he served in the Revolutionary war a little over a year in the whole but from laps of time, old age, and consequent loss of memory he is unable to state more particularly than as above - and for above named Services he claims a pension Stephen his Wilmarth
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned. Before me Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

Q When and in what year were you born?
A In Middleborough in the County of Bristol State Massachusetts in 1783
Q Have you any record of your age and if so where is it on the
A Town Record where I live -
Q Where were you living when called into the Service
A In Middleborough
Where have you been lived since the revolutionary war
A I lived in the Middleborough until 1828. Then I removed to the State of Maine and resided there until 1839 or 40. Since that time I have lived in my native town Middleborough. How were you called in to the Service
A I was some times drafted and at other times I enlisted.
Q State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served
A Capt. Thomas Robinson Capt. Moses Wilmerth Capt. Saml.
Robinson Capt. John Deyett Capt. Isaac Dean Capt. Saml. Fisher Capt. Perkins
A my memory is so impaired by age I cannot recollect particulars more than as above
The reasons why he has not sooner made application for a pension are as follows viz that he left his native Town some few years before the act of Congress passed of June 7th 1832 and resided in the State of Maine he was poor and uninformed as to the mode of making application or procuring the necessary evidence and had no one to assist him until he returned to his native town and State and knew of no one who was with him in the Service that is was living until a short time since He was informed that John Pike is living who now resides in the State of Massachusetts he was a native of Middleborough and was with him in all or nearly all the Service above stated any friends here have assisted me to send and procure his
affidavit which is herunto annexed. he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present one and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any State
Stephens Wilsworth Co. A
Witness Present
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before me Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

We Jonathan Crane a Surgeon residing in the Town of Attleborough and Noah Clapham residing in the same. Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Wilmarth who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that which he believes him to be eightythree years old that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he when he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Jonathan Crane, Noah Clapham.
Sworn to by the above named Crane and Clapham on this Eleventh day of March. 1846 Before me Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate
And the said Court does hereby declare his 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 Certify, that it appears to them that Jonathan Crane and Noah Clapham who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the Town of Attleborough in said County of Bristol, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate
I further Certify that Stephen Wilmarth the above Applicant for a Pension cannot by reason of age and bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Norfolk County ss. I Amos D. Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County do hereby certify that Deacon Prescott whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificates was at the date thereof still in Judge of said Court of Probate —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty third day of May eighteen hundred & forty six A. Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
January 5. 1846.
2 25 22 1 18 5 3
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Stephen Wilmarth, is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Moses Wilmarth's company, in Col John Daggett's regt, in Rhode Island service, as a private, from January 1, 1778. 2 months & 25 days — Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Samuel Robinson's company, in Col Wade's regt, for service at Rhode Island, as a private of Attleborough Co, from June 21, 1778. 23 days — Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Jacob Haskins's company, in Lt Col Saml Prince's regt, for service at Rhode Island, as a private, from May 28 1779. 1 month & 6 days — Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Moses Wilmarth's company, in Col Isaac Sears's regt, for service at Rhode Island, as a private from the 31 st July 1780. 10 days — Said roll was sworn to at Attleborough Ct. March 16, 1781. — Not upon rolls of Capt Enoch Robinson or any officer of the name of Richardson. The above

is all the evidence of service of any one of the names shown by the Militia Records in this office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Parsons, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Hon; Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Subscriber respectfully requests you to furnish such evidence of his services in the war of the Revolution as may be found in said office He states that he served in said war at different times and places in the State of Rhode Island its vicinity under various officers from the County of Bristol Mass, mostly from Attleborough he believes he served three months under Capt. Moses Wilderth & was his waite and later he thinks was under Capt. Enoch Robinson at another time under Capt. Richardson he says he is confident that he was in the service a little over twelve months in the whole that has alwa- ys been his impression but from loss of time old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot now recall particulars further than then as above says he was on Rhode Island at the time of the battle in 1778 says he is now eighty three years old he wishes you to search all the rolls returned by the officers from Attleborough and the neighbor- ing towns with my hand Stephen his Wilderth In the presence of me Nathl. Bliss Justice of the peace Attleborough Decr. 24. 1845

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; March 6. 1846.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that there is no roll of Capt. Emelch Robinson's Company for the year 1777.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Moses Wilmarth of Attleborough in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty two years being first duly sworn according to law depose and say that Stephen Wilmarth of said Attleborough is my Father that I have from my childhood often heard him converse about his Services in the war of the Revolution that entered the service before he was fifteen years old and served a little over one whole year in the year 1777 that first served under Capt. Enoch Robinson at Providence in the State of Rhode Island five weeks in 1777. ————— Moses Wilmarth Attleborough March 9th 1846
State of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss March 9th 1846 Then personally appeared Moses Wilmarth and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true before me
Noah Bliss Justice of the Peace
State of Massachusetts
Bristol ss March 9th 1846 This may certify that I am well acquainted with Moses Wilmarth Subscribed to the above deposition and that his character for truth and veracity is good
Noah Bliss Justice of the Peace

Town Clerk's certificate of the age of William

I hereby certify that I find on the Town records the birth Stephen Willmarth son of John & Phoebe Willmarth. he was born August 3 rd 1762 Atleborough March 10 th 1846
George Bacon Town Clerk of Atleborough

I Bela Peck of Middleborough in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged 59 years Depose and say that I have Been acquainted with Stephen Wilcox of said Middleborough for many years have often heard him converse about his Services The revolutionary war have have often in years past heard him say that he commenced his services in the year 1777 and before he was fifteen years old I well recollect at one time asking him what they wanted such goods he replied that boys 15 years old were smarter then then they are now at 25 have often heard him say he was in the Service all the over a year in the whole
State of Massachusetts
Bela Peck
Bristol County S s March 10 th 1826 Then the above named Bela Peck personally appears and subscribed and swore to the truth of the above declaration before me and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above said deponent and his character for truth and veracity is good
Before me
Isaac Duflin Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I, James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Abiah Blafin Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twentieth day of May, in the year Eighteen hundred & forty six.
J. Sprout

I, Daniel Wilmarth of Newport in the county of Sullivan and state of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say, That Stephen Wilmarth of Attleborough in the county of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts is my oldest brother and the oldest child of my parents family, and that while the enemy were in Rhode Island my brother Stephen Wilmarth went to Rhode Island with a number of other young men in what was called, at that time, Sullivan's expedition. I was born in the year 1768 How long my brother Stephen was gone at this time I do not recollect - according to my best recollection he was gone in Sullivan's expedition pretty much all the summer season.
- Daniel Wilmarth
State of New Hampshire }
Sullivan ss. 31 st January 1846) Then the above named Daniel Wilmarth personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me Edward Wyman justice of the Peace.
State of New Hampshire }
Sullivan ss 31 st January 1846) I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Daniel Wilmarth and that his character for truth and veracity is good.
Edward Wyman justice of the Peace.
State of New Hampshire Sullivan County ss.
I V. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the said State aforesaid do hereby certify that Edward Wyman is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his Commission was dated on the 23 rd day of December 1845, and will expire on the 23 rd day of December 1850 and that his signatures herewith are genuine -
Given under my hand and the seal of said County the 2 nd day of February A D 1846 J. M. Gilmore Clerk.

I, John Pike of Newport in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, of lawful age before me say. That I am, and have been from my youth well acquainted with Stephen Willmuth of Attleborough in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that he enlisted with me as a minute man at the time of the Revolutionary war, in the year 1777 under Capt. Enock Robinson, and went with me to Providence in the State of Rhode Island and remained at Providence one month and a half. under said Robinson The said Willmuth and myself then returned to Attleborough our native place. When the British burnt Littleton We were called upon again, being minute men, by Capt. Moses Willmuth, and the said Stephen Willmuth and myself crossed Bristol ferry to Rhode Island and from thence across Howland's ferry to Tiverton and we were stationed here three months and a half in the year 1777. We were then dismissed for a while because provisions were short - we were not discharged. In 1778 said Stephen Willmuth and myself were at Fall River 5 1/2 months under Capt. Moses Willmuth. In 1779 & in 1780 the said Stephen Willmuth and myself went to Rhode Island under Capt. Samuel Fisher and remained there some more than two months. At Providence we were under General Gates.
At Tiverton, Fall River and Rhode Island we were under General Sullivan.
The said Stephen Willmuth and myself stood as minute men completely armed and equipped according to law until the close of the Revolutionary War. John Pike I was born in the year 1761.
(State of New Hampshire) Sullivan SS 2 nd February 1846) Then the above named John Pike personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me Edward Wymen Justice of the Peace.
(State of New Hampshire) Sullivan SS. 2 nd February 1846) This may certify that I am acquainted with the above named John Pike and that his character for truth and veracity is good.
Edward Wymen Justice of the Peace.

State of Northumberland Sullivan County Pa
I, J. M. Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Justice of the County of State aforesaid do hereby certify that Estlin Wyman is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commis- sioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 23 rd day of December 1845 and will expire on the 23 rd day of December 1850 and that his signature hereto is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said County the 2 nd day of February A D 1846 J. M. Gilmore Clerk
37.283

No 37. 283
Stephen Wilmarth
Map.
7 June 1832

11,647 P. O. Stephen Wilmuth
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

J. L. Edwards Esq. Court of Peñins Washington D.C.

Taunton Mass. June 4. 1846
Sir,
Herewith is the application of Stephen Wilmarth for a pension —
Any communication you may be pleased to make relative thereto, may be made to me — Very Respectfully Yours &c.
Agassiz
J. L. Edwards Esq. Coun l of Pennian Washington D.C.

Oct 3 26
Paid 10
Hon. Stephen  Edwards Comt Pensions War Department
W.P.S. Stephen
Washington City D.C.

Atleborough Sept: 28-1846
Hon: L. G. Edwards
Sir I take the liberty to inform you that your communication to A. Basset of the 5 th inst on the subject of Mr Stephen Wildworth's application for a pension has been presented to me wherein several objections are offered against his request being granted I assisted him in the application and have been acquainted with the circumstances in the case. he and his friends have requested me to write to you for the purpose of explaining and obviating these objections. Your first objection is that no reason is offered for delaying his application until this late day. I wish Sir to call your particular attention to what is stated in his declaration. It is there stated or was meant to be that Stephen Wildworth removed from Atleborough in Massachusetts about the time that the act of gangrene of the 7 th June 1832 passed and took his residence in the State of Maine. He knew but little if any thing about the law or the mode of making application there he had no particular friends that knew any more about it than himself of course nothing was done about it until he recently returned to his native town and state. His old friends then assisted him in trying to find evidence of his services as from traditional report they had no doubt but that he was in the service of the Revolutionary war about one year in the whole that was what he always stated when in conversation on the subject. when he was in full possession of his mind and memory and long before the act was passed and when there could be no inducement whatever to overstate the facts. And I believe no one ever doubted the truth of his statements. I have been acquainted with him always lived in the same parish with him except the few years he resided in Maine I know he was reported to be an un

of truth and I believe he always sustained that character You acknowledge that five months and three days are proved by certificates from our Secretary - You further State that the 17 1/2 months & the 5 1/2 months should be sustained by record proof You also state that it is believed that all the militia services rendered after the year 1776 can be established by documentary testimony Now I can state with the utmost confidence that that so far as Atliborough and I could add that so far as the county of Bristol is concerned that there is a very large proportion of the services cannot be proved by record evidence it is a subject of notoriety that a large proportion of our officers made but few returns and some of them none at one Capt. in particular I now have in my mind, Capt. Joseph May who was out in service a number of campaigns none of his returns can be found except one recd which lately been accidentally found among a bundle of old papers In regard to the month & half under Capt. Cnoch Robinson testified to by John Pike it seems to me that service is well sustained It is certified by the Magistrate that he sustained a good character for truth when he now resides and I can certify that he sustained a good character before he left I was then well acquainted with him.
It may be that Mr. Pike may have been mistaken as to the length of the term of service under Capt. Wilmarth as the certificate gives a shorter time which it may be the same term I should think that if you put him on for the month and a half in addition to the record proof he and his friends would be satisfied and I feel confident the Government will not be wronged as I have without the service a much longer time In regard that service being before he was fifteen years old I would say that there was nothing singular or strange in that there were a number

Instances here of our Yankee boys turning out as young as that and some of them enlisted into the centurionat service for three years before they were 15 years old and passed muster. Darius Briggs for one whose widow is now on the pension list on account of his services I would just state I have no interest whatever in the case and would not have troubled you with this long letter but for the reason that there is a cacle of anxiety among friends witnesses as well as himself the community fully believe that he is justly entitled to a pension and I fully concurs in that opinion
Please excuse the freedom I have taken and believe me
Yours Respectfully your most Obedient and humble
servt
Noah D. Bliss