Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,024, Caleb Witham, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Witham, Caleb Lucretia.
W. 26.024
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

6711. Maine
Caleb Witham Private. 3 yrs
Mass ts Lin
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of
Maine
at the rate of
8
Dollars per month, to commence on
the 17 of
April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of Jan y 1819 and sent to Rev d Bailey Esq r
Wiscasset, Lincoln
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818.  4 mo 18 da  36.80 Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 March 1819  48.
Continued $ 84.00
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Woolwich, Lincoln
Maine.

Adoption sent July 6 th 1820 to Nathaniel Coffin Esq.
Wiscasset Maine

Maine 604
Suecia Witham
widow of Caleb Witham
who died on the 5. August 1822 of Lincoln Co. in the State of Maine who was a Private in the by Captain of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Wigginworth in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of March 1837 and sent to Hon. J. Baily, Wiscasset, Maine
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 180.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 40.00
$520.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book — Vol. 1 — Page 22

✓ Emma Gould Bath, Maine April 15 th 1863
R
In relation to her father's pension who was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War.
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions
Hallett Kilbourn Acting Chf Clerk
Deft let April 21/63
Mr Whiting

Bath April 15.
1863
To the president Mr Abraham Lincoln
Sir I am the daughter of Caleb Witham who served three years in the Cid Revolution war and was at the baking of Burgyne and was in many others hard fought battles lost his health and returned to my mother then with one child they had ten afterwards of which I am youngest, he had a hard time thru life he drawed a pension a few years before he died which was in 1822 I seed many hardships at that time being the only child at home my mother health being poor, in after years she drew a small pension I was her only support till then, she died in 1825 I followed her down to the grave my dear mother and was left alone my health poor but the lord was my helper I have since married a man by name of John J Gould he made me a good living till he was

hurt by a horse in Chelsea Mass where we then lived 4 years ago. Doctor Wheeler attended him. Since that time his health has been poor his head was hurt so bad that thought he could not live but through divine Providence and Skillfulness of his physician he is with me now but we have got to be old I am 62 my husband older. I suffer from the uses and years of life, and shall the daughter of an old revolution Soldier be compelled to suffer want, or be so lowered in her own mind as to call on the town the Lord forbid, when I see how much our government is doing to alay the sufferings in this country and in other countries I feel glad and think they do what is right yet I think it would be also right to relieve me and give me my fathers pension as my parents lived to enjoy so little of it and I was the only child that staid with them and worked for them. I have one brother living in Kingfield.

Surrounded by a large family, wealth of in this world goods, he and my self is all that is living of 11 Children
pleas Sir give me something for my present and future benefit my husband and self will ever be Thankful & forgive me if I have said too much I can prove this to be true every word of it we now live in Bath Maine written By Amanda  Amanda Gould to
The president of the United States Abraham Lincoln

20 Caleb W. W. Ham
6711
March 1809,
Baily

STATE OF MAINE.
LINCOLN, ss.....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at Wiscasset, within and for the County of Lincoln, on the third Tuesday, being the twentieth day of June, and by adjournment  day of  from day to day, on the in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable JOSIAH STEBBINS & EBENEZER THATCHER, Judges of said Court.
ON this twentieth day of June 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 Circuit, Galeb Witham aged sixty eight years, resident in Woolwich in said Circuit, 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. Davis in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Wigginsworth 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 seventeenth day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 6711 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 hereto 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 particularly described on the back hereof, also subscribed by me.
Galeb Witham
Sworn to and declared, on the 20 day of June A. D. 1820. }
BEFORE
Josiah Stebbins
} 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 —
Personal — 1 bow, 1 old horse, no income, except my pension — a little decayed furniture — Calib Witham
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Calib Witham who, by occupation am a husbandman which I am unable to pursue by reason of infirmity from old age, & disease of the gravel
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     My wife Lucretia — 60 infirm and has a rupture   Daughter Aminta 19 common ability & health  
Calib Witham
Attest Nat. Coffin Clerk
STATE OF MAINE.
LINCOLN, ss.
I, NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county of Lincoln, 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 Forty dollars and cents.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Nat. Coffin
{ Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of Lincoln.

Caleb Witham, private
Wigglesworth M ts Reg t
Feb y 3, '77. 3 years
Admitted
April 17. 1818

State of Massachusetts -
I Caleb Witham — a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Woodworth in the County of Lincoln in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on February A. D. 1777
I entered and was engaged in the said service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the 4 th day of February 1780 being three years, and the time for which I enlisted —
as a private soldier — against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence: that I belonged to Capt. Davis' Company Col. Wigglesworth's Regiment Glover's Brigade at first; afterwards Capt. Woodbridge commanded the same Company & after Capt. Davis left the Company & before Capt. Woodbridge took the command, it was commanded by Lieutenant M c Call for a short time,
and that I left the service on the 4 th day of February 1780 at the High Lanes near West Point & then there received a regular discharge which I have lost.
and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of sixty six years — I was at the capture of Burgoyne, & at the battle of Monmouth — And I further declare that Col. Wigglesworth once lived in this neighbourhood & I obtained from him the annexed certificate, but he moved away westward about five or six years ago & I have not been able to see him since. — The above Regiment was in the Massachusetts line, but its number I have forgotten.
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
Caleb Witham
Lincoln ss. BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 17 th — day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen Pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me Jeremiah Bailey Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Lincoln in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the same being a Court of record in said County
the abovenamed Caleb Witham and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination duly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Jeremiah Bailey —
I John H. Sheppard Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Lincoln hereby certify that the aforesaid Jeremiah Bailey is Judge of said Court of Probate above named & that his signature to this caption is genuine & that the seal aforesaid is the seal of said Court — John H. Sheppard. April 7. 1818

Caleb Witham's Discharge

I here certify that Caleb Witham was a Soldier in the Continental Service, during three years. viz. 1777. 1778. & 1779. in the Company commanded by Col. Davis. in the Regiment under my command.
Dunstableborough May 8 th 1802 —
Ebenezer Dyer

I Reuben Hinckade of Piscatah in said County of Lincoln on oath do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Caleb Witham the aforesaid Applicant - that he enlisted in the war of the revolution for three years in 1777 and faith- -fully served out the time & was discharged regularly in 1780 near Least Point - we were part of the time aforesaid together in Capt. Davis Company Col. Wigglesworth Mass. a. -cheretts Regiment - I was afterwards transferred to Capt. Alex. -ders' Company in same Regiment, & Davis Company afterwards was commanded by Capt. Woodbridge - Reuben his Hinckade Mark
In presence of Jeremiah Bailey
I Jonathan Huntoon of Piscatah aforesaid on oath do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Caleb Witham aforesaid - that he enlisted in the war of the revolution for three years in 1777, and faithfully served out the time & was discharged regularly in 1780, near Least Point - we were in the same Company together the whole of said time - Jonathan Huntoon
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lincoln Jt. June 22. 1818. Personally appeared before me Jeremiah Bailey aforesaid, Judge of said Court of Probate, the aforesaid Reuben Hinckade & Jonathan Huntoon, & after due caution to testify the whole truth, they severally made oath to

to the truth of the depositions aforesaid by each of them respectively signed, which said depositions were each written by me, & both signed in my presence, & each of said deponents are credible persons & their statements entitled to credit & belief.
Jeri Bailey
X
1100 AM 11/18/97

Caleb Witham
768. 3. Sec. Lucretia Witham, Widow of Caleb Witham
not on Town records was not on
old case
adm d
2 yrs pri. 80.
no deduction
H. J. Daily HN Wiscapett ME

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836.
State of Maine fs. - On this twenty ninth day of October 1836. personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel E. Smith one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the State of Maine, Lucetia Witham, a resident of Woolwich in the County of Lincoln, and State of Maine aged seventy eight 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 4 th 1836.
That she is the widow of Caleb Witham, who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, and that he enlisted in February 1777 for three years in Capt. Davis' Company, Col. Wigglesworth's Regiment, Glover Brigade, in the Massachusetts line on the continental establishment. Capt. Woodbridge commanded the Company a part of the time, and for a short time it was commanded by Lieutenant W. Hall. He served the three years out & was honorably discharged in February 1780. He made application for, and received a pension under the law of 1818. His original pension certificate has been lost, but it is believed it was numbered 12. 442 and issued on his application made the 29 th of April 1818. The certificate that the Secretary of War directed his name to be continued on the Pension Roll is found, & hereto annexed. He was described in his declaration aforesaid as of said Woolwich.
She further declares that she was married to the said Caleb Witham on the ninth day of January in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, that her husband the aforesaid Caleb Witham died on the fifth day of August 1822, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Attest
Sam l E. Smith J. Bailey
Lucetia her X Witham Mein

Sworn to and subscribed on the day after before written, before me. And I further certify that the afore mentioned applicant, Suecetia Withem, is in my opinion unable to attend court by reason of bodily infirmity. And I also certify that the aforesaid Suecetia Withem is a person re- puted to be of good credit.
Samuel D. Smith
Justice of Court of Com. Pleas of the State of Maine
_____ State of Maine _____ Lincoln ss. _____ Clerks Office _____
I Jacob Smith Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within the County of Lincoln do certify that the Hon Samuel D. Smith, whose signature is affixed to the above certificate, is duly commissioned and qualified as a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Maine.
In testimony, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this eleventh day of November A.D. 1836.
Jacob Smith. Clerk.

I John Shaw of Woolwich in the County of Lincoln, State of Maine, aged seventy six years, on oath depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Secretia Witham, the widow of Caleb Witham a Revolutionary Pensioner, late of said Woolwich deceased. I first be- -came acquainted with her and said Caleb after he re- -turned from the army, they had then been married (as I understood) some years, and had several children - said Caleb & myself were both out in the Revolutionary war, though not in the same Regiment. Said Caleb in the latter part of his life moved with his said wife & family into the said town of Woolwich, where he died about ten or a dozen years ago. His widow, the said Secretia With- am is now living in said town of Woolwich, she resides about three quarters of a mile from my dwelling house, and is very poor and needy.
I well recollect of hearing of a couple who came from Par- -ker Island to be married in January 1777, it was the winter I well remember, next after Independence was declared,

And after the war was over & I became acquainted with said William & his wife, I found that they were the same couple. Said Lucretia often visited at our house, as my wife Margaret Shaw, who has given her deposition today, and the said Lucretia had been acquainted with each other when girls. John Shaw
State of Maine.
Lincoln ss. September 29 th 1836. Personally appeared the above named John Shaw before me Deemich Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Lincoln, and after due examination & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, maketh oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed in my presence. And the foregoing deponent is a disinterested person & of good credit, in whose testimony confidence may be placed.
Attest, J. Bailey Justice of the Peace. —

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. LINCOLN, ss— I Jacob Smith  NATHANIEL COFFIN , Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Jeremiah Bailey Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 11 th day of November A. D. 18386
Jacob Smith CLERK.

I Margaret Shaw aged seventy eight years, wife of John Shaw of Woolwick in the County of Lincoln, State of Maine, on oath depose and say, that I have been acquainted with Lucetia Witham the widow of Caleb Witham late of said Woolwick a Revolutionary Pensioner deceased, from her youth, her name was Lucetia Linscut before she married said Caleb Witham, and she lived on Parker Island in the town of Georgetown in said County of Lincoln. I well recollect that said Caleb Witham and said Lucetia Linscut in January 1777 came together from said Parker Island on the ice to my father's house in Woolwick afore- said, on their way to the Rev. Mr. Winship's house in said Woolwick to be married. Mr. Winship was then the set- tled ordained Minister in said town of Woolwick, and lived about a mile and a half from my father's house. Said Caleb and Lucetia stopped at my father's to warm themselves, and I well recollect that my father said to them, "You must get your work done well, for you have come a great way for it" - They told our family that they were going to

The Rev. Mr. Winship, to be married. Said Caleb Witham enlisted into the Revolutionary War in the spring following, that is, in May 1777, and was gone three years, excepting once he returned for a short time on a furlough, and before he returned on the furlough, said Lucretia's first child was born. After said Caleb returned from the Army when he had served his time out, he and his said wife went to housekeeping; after living in several places, they moved into said Woolwich where he died. He has been dead I think as much as ten or twelve years, they had a number of children, & some of them are now living. Lucretia Witham the widow of said Caleb Witham is now living, she resides in said town of Woolwich about three fourths of a mile from where I live, and she is the same person who called at my father's house with said Caleb Witham on their way to be married as I have before stated, and always lived with said Witham as his wife, until his death. The Rev. Mr. Winship has been dead a long time since.
Margaret her X Shaw Mark
Witness. H. Bailey

State of Maine.
Lincoln ss. September 29. 1836. Personally appeared the above & foregoing named Margaret Hilton before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County of Lincoln, & after due examina- -tion & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, maketh oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her signed (by her mark) in my presence. And the foregoing Deponent is a disinterested person of good credit, in whose testimony confidence may be placed.
Attest, J. Bailey Justice of the Peace —

I Christopher G. Otis of Woolwich in the County of Lincoln, State of Maine, on oath depose & say, that I am Town Clerk of said town of Woolwich for the present year, duly sworn & qualified; that at the request of Mrs. Lucetia Witham of said Woolwich, the Widow of Caleb Witham late of said Wool- wich deceased, a Revolutionary Pensioner, I have care- fully examined the Records of said town, and do not find the marriage of said Caleb and Lucetia re- corded therein. Ch s G. Otis
State of Maine . . . Lincoln p. Oct. 14. 1836. Personally appeared the above named Christopher G. Otis before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within the said County of Lincoln, and after due examination & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed in my presence. And the foregoing deponent is a disinterested person & of good credit, in whose testimony confidence may be placed. Attest, J. Bailey Justice of the Peace

War Department,
P. 6711.
PENSION OFFICE,
July 6. 1820.
SIR,
You are hereby informed that the schedule of your property has been examined ; and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
To Mr.
Caleb Witham U. S. Pensioner.
Wadsworth, Maine.

I Anna Norris of Whitefield in the County of Lincoln State of Maine being of Lawful age and sound mind do depone as follows "To wit,,
I was intimately acquainted with Caleb Withers of Georgetown and Lucretia Linscott of said Georgetown in said County of Lincoln from the time of their childhood until the time of their Marriage. I lived with Sommeus Jordan Parker. Town Clerk of the Town of Georgetown aforesaid & see the intention of marriage posted up in the Town Clerk's office or by law required. and after being married of the parties above named & after being married, they the said Caleb & Lucretia lived to his the said Caleb's father's house within one half mile of my abode as husband & wife and had one child in the time that the said Caleb was in the United States service.
I know that they the said Caleb & Lucretia were married before he enlisted as a soldier but enlisted soon after their marriage and at the close of the term of his enlist- ment he the said Caleb returned home with my brother - & then removed his family into the country. That I am A. Norris mark

Lincoln J. January 21 st 1837 This appeared Anna K. in within named and made oath to truth of the within deposition Reuben Lewis Justice of the Peace

I Amanta Witham, of Washburn, in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine, age thirty five, daughter of the late Galt Witham, of Washburn - on oath depose & say -
That my Mother, Lucetta Witham of said Washburn, is still alive - that her maiden name, was Lucetta Pincot - that my deceased father, always stated, he was married to my mother, during the war of the Revolutions - I also depose, that in former years, I have often seen, in our old family Bible, a Record of their Marriage AD 1777. and I am quite certain, it was on the 9th of January Anno Domine 1777 - that it appears they were married - I do not know what has become of the old leaves, presume they are worn out, & the Record lost - Amanta Witham
State of Maine -
Lincoln ss. February 9. AD 1837.
Then the above named Amanta Witham, personally appeared, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement - Before me - Frederick Foster Just. Peace -

Dear J. Burley Washington

Page  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26024
Lucretia Williams wid of Caleb Williams Pri Mass Line
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. W , Page 346
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Susp.
Mr. Wm I. Bailey
Oct 10 1886.

Caleb Witham M c act 1818. when last p d !
G.M.C.
Mar. 6. '37.
Due 5 th Aug 1822 p d to that period
JH

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

House of Reps. Dec. 7. 1836
Sir,
I have the honour to enclose the papers in the case of Secretia Witham, a claimant for a pension under the act of July 4, 1836.
I would respectfully ask (on account of the extreme poverty & helplessness of this widow woman) as early a decision as your duties will permit, and that the decision when made, may be communicated to me in her behalf.
Your most ob t Serv t . J. Bailey
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions —

House of Reps.
March 3. 1837
Sir,
I enclose two depositions in the case of Lucutia Witham of Maine, praying for a pension as the Widow of Caleb Witham decd. I observe that the Justices who took the depositions have omitted to certify as to the credibility of the deponents. I know these deponents to be persons of truth & veracity.
The family of the Caleb Witham (those who are alive) live about four miles from my place of residence, and I never heard the marriage of said Caleb, and Lucutia doubted.
Very respectfully, Your H on . Serv t .
J. Bailey
Hon. J. S. Edwards Com te of Pensions