Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26131, Lemuel Wright, Mass. N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. N.H.
Wright, Lemuel Mary
No. 26/31.
CONTENTS

Samuel Wright New Hamp,
12.656
Private 7 Mo 15 days in Role Capt. Emmons Co Col. Munroe's Regt
16 ob.
March 12 1833
John Dana
P-291
Samuel Dana Esq Groton Maine

BRIEF in the case of of Wallis
Samuel Wright 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? 79 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.     Spring In 17 75 " 2 15 As a Private Substituted Gen. Cap d Dow Col d Brattle   July 10 th 76 " 5 5 Private " Emerson " Wmgate  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None Stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hollis N. Hampshire  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Evidence & 2 living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witnesses not Stated as credible, Justice Peace not certified to. Papers not properly attached. 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
L. L. Acerson Examining Clerk.

50 Declaration of Lemuel Wright No. 1. affidavit
This case contains three papers.
No. 1. 2. & 3. —
(12.656)
B The Applicant desires to be placed on the Mass. Agency at Boston & that his Rent may be sent to his agent
Lem. Dana Esq. Gulton St.,

State of New Hampshire
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Hillsborough ss.
On this twenty fourth day of August  ad 1832
Am last personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Hillsborough within and for the County of Hillsborough in the Commonwealth  State of New Hampshire
Lemuel Wright in said County aged seventy nine years
Who being 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. That is to say
1 In the spring of ad 1775 - His Brother Uriah Wright , was a Soldier in Capt. Reuben Dows Company in Col. Prescotts Regt. then serving at Cambridge, and in that vicinity and soon after the battle of Bunker Hill , being desirous to return home procured him the said Lemuel , to serve as a Substitute in that Company for the term of two and half months, which he did, and was discharged in the fall of ad 1775 . 2 o About the 10 th July ad 1776 He enlisted for five months to go to Ticonderoga in the Company of Capt. Daniel Emerson his Lieut. was Chedrick Parker and Lt. William Brooks in Col. Weingates Regt. he marched to Ticonderoga & there was stationed till the middle of December following when he was dismissed and returned home

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
In presence of
Samuel Wright + mark + Sworn to and signature
Jeffer Worcester
we Eli Smith a Clergyman residing in the town of Holloes in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Wright
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me county of Hillsboro, N.H. Paul Justin Paine
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Eli Smith
who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Holloes, and that Jeffer Worcester who has signed the same resides in S. Holloes - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Charles H. Atkinson Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Wright for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of Septm. in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
C. H. Atkinson Register
and further and referred as above

State of New Hampshire. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hillsborough
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and held at Lynchburg within and for the County of Hillsborough on the twenty seventh day of August A. D. 1832 On the application of Samuel Wright claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I'm Halls N. Hamp. on the 30 th Dec. 1752
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no family record, but there is one in the Book of records in Halls.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, I'm Halls, where I have always, and now do
live, -
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer,
My services were always voluntary and on my own motion, except ten weeks I served as a Substitute for Uriah Wright my Brother
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, I saw Gen Lee at Cambridge - Capt Job Shattuck Capt John Nutting,
6. Did you ever receive a written discharge from service? Ans. I never rec. any such discharge.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Mr. Jesse Worcester, Messrs Joseph Emerson Smith Ralph Emerson Tenney, and William Hale, Bury a M. Harley Esq. Dist. Noah Hardy and Capt. Walker I can't tell of Halls N.H. - In presence of Jesse Worcester attest Samuel Wright marks signature Shattuck Regt

21. 69 8 New Hampshire Samuel Wright of Wallis in the State of N.H. who was a Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Emerson of the Rgt. commanded by Col. D. Dingley in the N.H. line for 7 mos 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 25 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Oct 1833 and sent Sam l Alena Groton Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $62.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 30 — 12.50 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Net June 7, 1832. } Recorded by H. V. of Adson Clerk, Book E Vol. 1st Page 128

N. Hampshire 1049
Mary Wright widow of Lemuel Wright, dec. who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 32 and who died on the 29 th May 1833 of Haverstown in the State of N. H. who was a P. in the Company commanded by Captain Emerson of the Regt. commanded by Brigadier in the N. H. line for 7 mos 15 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 2 5- Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of March 38, and signed by Hubbard Newton Subst. N. H.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept - $ 62. 50 Semi-annual allowance ending 12. 50 $ 75. 00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Runn Clerk. Book A Vol. 1 Page 59

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 5. April 1838, from 4 March 1836 to the 29 th Decr 1838, the day of her death - to 3 of the children of her last husband Age modified 24 Jany 1840

942 Declaration Mary Wright. Kalis. N. 26.
at 7 July 38. Hulbert Newton Assistant N. 26. Agent married in 1781.
adm 7 mo. 15 days 25 $ no deduction

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County ss. On this eleventh day of August anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, at Hollis, in said County, personally appeared before me, Luke Woodbury, Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c in and for said County. Mary Wright, a resident of said Hollis, aged eighty 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 7. 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"; That she is the widow of Lemuel Wright, who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, that he applied for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832. that a certificate of pension was granted to him, but he died before he received his pension, and she obtained it, as his widow. that she obtained it from the New Hampshire agency, and that she relies upon the widowed pension her husband for proof of his services.
She further declares that she was married to the said Lemuel Wright, at said Hollis, on the thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. that her husband the aforesaid Lemuel Wright died at said Hollis, on the twelfth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. that she thinks she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage
(over)

took place previous to the first of January Twentieth hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated, that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her said husband.
Attest Mary E. Woodbury
Mary her X Wright mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before,
Luke Woodbury } Judge of the Court of Probate as aforesaid
I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Mary Wright the deponent, is in my belief, a credible person, and that the cause of taking and executing the aforesaid declaration at the aforesaid time and place is, that the aforesaid deponent is, from bodily infirmities, unable to attend court
Luke Woodbury } Judge as aforesaid.
I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury above named is Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. in said County of Hillsborough as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have here- unto affixed the seal of said County and subscribed my name at An- dover in said County, this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1838
A. Wallace Clerk

I John L. Pool of Hollischan and say that I am well acquainted with Mary Wright the aforesaid declarant; that she is the same person mentioned in the certificate of marriage herewith exhibited, who by the name of W m Mary Johnson, was married to Lemuel Wright on the thirteenth of March 1781. That said Lemuel Wright died at Hallis on or about the twelfth day of May 1833. I can not be more particular as to the date, but know it was near that time; that said Mary Wright is now a Widow, and has been such since the death of her said husband Lemuel Wright as above mentioned. John L. Pool
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. I swear and subscribed this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1834. before me - and I further certify that the above named deponent possesses a good character for truth and is intitled to full credit. Hubbard Newton Jus. of the Peace
I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Hubbard Newton above named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County, this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

Jan 13 1840 New Haven

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 11 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Three child ren of Mary Wright by her last husband, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Concord M t . Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, have been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1836, to the 29 th Dec r . 1838. the day of her death.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. P. Smith Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Lemuel Wright and the W. Mary Johnson both of Hollis were married March thirteenth seventeen hundred eighty one By the Rev Daniel Emerson I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of records with the exception of the date which is expressed on the records in a full, legible figure as follows "March thirteenth seven- teen hundred eighty one" March 13 th 1781
Edward Emerson } Town Clerk: Hollis in the County of Hillsborough State of N.H.
I Edward Emerson above named depose and say that I held the office of Town Clerk of Hollis in the County & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Hollis with the exception of the above named as as certified by me
Edward Emerson
State of New Hampshire - Hillsborough ss. August 10 th 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Edward Emerson & made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true -
Before me Benjamin M. Farley Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Edward Emerson is a credible witness - Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that the words "of the" in the last line but one of the above affidavit were erased before signing Benjamin M. Farley Jus. Peace

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Benjamin M. Farley within named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the within signatures (three in number) purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,131
Mary Wright widow of Lemuel Wright Pris New Mar
Act July 14 38
Index: Vol W , Page 362
[Arrangement of 1870.]

General Wright
12. 656.
On roll capt. Emerson.
Ja. Dana

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Wright 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? 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?
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? yes
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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
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? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
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 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 shown 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.

W Sept 28.
file with letter of 31, 86 Aug.
James L. Calverly Esq.
Commission of
Jensen's
Washington
D. G.
FREE

Amherst N.H. 7th Sept. 1835
James L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir, on the 11 th ultimo, I addressed through the Post-Office, to the War Department, the application of Hannah Hill, a resident of Merriam in the County of Hillsborough N.H. for a pension, under the act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1835. Her declaration and the evidence therewith transmitted, will present the grounds of her claim, to the benefit of the act. I indorsed my name as agent, on the application, with the place of my residence; supposing, that would be considered sufficient, to authorize any communications on the subject, from the Pension Office, to be made to me.
I now learn, from your circular, that such an indorsement, is not deemed sufficient. "That a letter giving the name of the applicant &c. should accompany each set of papers". I therefore, now give the information that I am the legally authorized agent of Hannah Hill; and that any communication in relation to her claim, may be addressed to me. To guard against mistakes, it may not be improper, to give you my address by which communications are usually made to me. "Hubbard Newton Esq. Counsellor at Law, Amherst New Hampshire". We agreed, that the suggestions in your printed circular, in relation to unnecessary inquiries , shall

be, so far as I am concerned , strictly  attended to - I have something of the properties of ill-timed importunities; and, can say with some truth , at least;
Hand ignarus mali , miseris  summore  disco !
Yours very respectfully &c &c, Hubbard Newton.
P.S. On the same 11 th of August 1838 I addressed to the pension officer, the applications for pensions, of Melvina Carlton , Elizabeth Mullet - Hannah Bills - on the 13 th Aug. the application of Mary Weston , and on the 27 th of August, the applications of Hannah W m Eber , Mary Wallan , and Mary Wright - with my name, as agent very legibly inclosed, on each application.
If necessary, I will now supply a letter in each of these cases, according to your rule; but should be glad to spare you the trouble of receiving them, & myself the labor of writing them, if permitted by your courtesy so to do - Yea or no ?
I shall soon forward a number of other applications; & will, as your rule requires, accompany each one with the necessary letter of instructions - Any suggestions in relation to a cause, which can relieve yourself, or the gentlemen in charge, in

the Russian affair, from any perplexities; or render more pleasant any intercourse which may become necessary upon this subject, will I assure you, be most readily im- proved. And, I am confident, that what ever is well intended by one gentleman, will be courteously accepted by every other.
Permit me sir, again to express my sense of the obligations your country has already imposed on your Honorable Senate.
H. Newton.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. July 25 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth .
Phinehas Hardy who subscribed the annexed Deposition
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Sam l Dana
And I do certify that the above named Phinehas Hardy is a disinterested and credible witness.
Sam l Dana jus Peace affairs.

I Phinehas Hardy of Holles do testify and say that I served in the War of the Revolution and was in Capt. Spauldings Company in Col. Reeds Gannys Regiment, and I remember Micah Wright and Samuel Wright who as well as myself belonged to Holles, the said Micah was a Soldier in Capt. Daws Company and Col. Prescotts Reg t at Cambridge near Harvard College, and soon after Bunkerhill Battle said Micah wished to go home to Holles and he offered the said Samuel Wright as a Substitute and he was accepted and entered into Daws Company, I was often on fatigue duty with him and know that he continued there serving as a Substitute for said Micah as much as ten weeks.
In presence of Sam. Dana
Phinehas Hardy mark X

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Ss. I Elias Thurney clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Middlesex do certify that Samuel Dana Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within said County and that his name subscribed to the within and annexed Certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of said Court the twenty ninth day of March 1833.
E. Thurney.
Official of Nicholas Harkness the Clerk of General Wright. No 3.