Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,975, for Moses Merrill, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Merrill Moses
S. 18975
CONTENTS
carded

33129
Moses Merrill
of _____ in the State of _____ who was a Captain in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Revolution time for 8 months (Mars)
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 160 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Bldg 10 th June 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of May 1853 and sent to J. J. Coombs
Annuity to the 4th of Present Pension allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Class, } { Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by Meighan Clerk, Book E . Vol. 11 . Page 3

Declaration of Gyles Merrill for himself and his sister Lucy Downing only surviv- ing children of Moses Merrill a captain in the war of the Revolution for the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the 7th of June 1832.
Maine District D. C.
On this day of tenth day of November A. D. one thou- sand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before the Honorable Ashur Ware Judge in and for the United States Maine District Court it being a court of record. Gyles Merrill a resident of Auburn in the county of Cumberland, in the State of Maine aged 64 years who first being duly swor- n according to the law doth on his oath make the following Declaration for himself and Lucy Downing who are children, and the only surviving chil- dren of Mary Merrill & Moses Merrill who was a captain in the army of the Revolution for the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the 7th of June 1832.

Your Declarant states that his father Moses Merrill was a resident of New Gloucester in the county of Cumberland in the time of the war of the revolution that he served as a captain and assistant Col. of the county of Cumberland
in the army of the revolution as will appear by the Books, Rolls, and other documents in the Pension department at Washington which relate to Military services in the Revolution war
Your declarant states that he claims the Pension which was due him at his death, for himself, and his sister Lucy Downing only surviving children of Mary Merrill and Moses Merrill a captain in the Revolutionary army (he never having received a pension) agreeable to the act of Congress aforesaid passed for the relief of officers.
Soldiers, widows or children to be computed according to the grade and length of services that his said father performed as will appear from the documents referred to in the pension application and requests that the due be computed according to the grade and length of his service

Your declarant states that the reason why his said claim was not made before this date was because he was a member of the society called Shakers the United Society until recently having got of old, and in indigent circumstances, he was informed that according to the provision of the act aforesaid the only surviving children are entitled to the amount which was due at the time of his said father's death which was on the tenth day of June 1832 as will appear by the testimony annexed. Your declarant also states that his mother died before his father, captain Moses Merrill
Your declarant respectfully requests the department to examine his said claim and if allowed, that the amount be computed according to the length, and grade of service as captain.
Witness
Gyles Merrill
Signed & sworn to before
A. H. Lewis

I certify that it has been satisfactorily proved to me in open court that Moses Morrill late of New Bedford Gloucester in the state of Maine was reported to have been a captain in the revolutionary army of the union of the revolution that he died at New Gloucester June 10th 1832 & that he left surviving him three children Sylvester Morrill & Lucy Downing who are his only surviving children, & that the wife of said Moses Morrill died before the said date.
Nov 10 1852
Asahel Ware
Maine District ss: Office of the Clerk C. C. U. S.
I Geo. F. Emery Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States hereby certify that Asahel Ware whose signature above and within written was at the time of so signing, District Judge of the United States for said District duly commissioned and qualified, and full faith & credit are due to his acts as such, and each of said signatures purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Circuit Court this tenth day of November A. D. 1852
Geo. F. Emery
Clerk Circuit Court U.S.D. Maine Dist.

In a Book of Records of the town of New Gloucester County of Cumberland & State of Maine kept for the purpose of recording Deaths I find the following Extract, viz:
Moses Merrill died June 10 th 1832
I certify that I am town clerk of New Gloucester that the Records of said town are in my custody and that the above is a true copy of the record the date of which in writing would read thus, June the tenth eighteen hundred and thirty two E. H. Moseley Town Clerk
State of Maine
Co. of Cumberland S. S. Nov 8 th . A. D. 1852.
Then personally appeared the abovenamed E. H. Moseley who is town Clerk of New Gloucester who is well known to me to be a man of integrity and a credible witness, and made oath in due form of law that his certificate by him subscribed is true before me
At Waterville Just Prob & Notary Public

I John Witham of New Gloucester in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged sixty five years on oath depose and say that I always lived a neighbor to, and was well acquainted with Col Moses Merrill late of New Gloucester who was reputed to have been a Revolutionary soldier, up to the day of his death which took place on the 10 th day of June A.D. 1832 and that I was with him when he died.
John Witham.
Cumberland ss. Oct. 27. 1852 then personally appeared the above named John Witham and made oath to the truth of the forgoing affidavit by him signed.
Thomas Johnson Just Peace

I Samuel H. Haskell of Danville in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged seventy seven years on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Col Moses Merrill late of New-Gloucester who was reputed to have been a Captain in the Revolutionary War that I had been acquainted with him more than thirty years previous to his death which according to my best recollection took place on the 10 th day of June A.D. 1832 and I have no doubt but that is the true date of his death and I further depose that I was present at his funeral.
Samuel H Haskell
Cumberland ss. Oct 27 1852 then personally appeared the above named Sam l H. Haskell and made oath to the truth of the forgoing affidavit by him signed before me
Thomas Johnson Just. Peace

Maine District ss: Office of the Clerk B. B. U. S.
I Geo. F. Emery Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for Maine District hereby certify that Thomas Johnson who signed the several certificates hereunto annexed was at the time of so signing them, and still remains, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Cumberland duly authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, and that the several signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this tenth day of November A. D. 1852
Geo. F. Emery
Circuit Court U.S. for Maine District

I Richard Tobie of New Gloucester in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine Aged Eightyone Years on Oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with the late Col. Moses Merrill, who was a Capt. in the Revolutionary War, and with Mary Merrill his wife and their children and that Giles Merrill & Lucy Downing are his only surviving children. Richard Tobie
Cumberland ss. Nov. 4 1852 Then personally appeared before me the above named Richard Tobie Esq. and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Thomas Johnson Just. Peace

I Daniel Collins of New Gloucester in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged sixty  seventy years on Oath depose and say that I well knew the late Col. Moses Merrill (who was reported to have been an Officer in the Revolutionary war) and with his wife & children and that Giles Merrill & Lucy Downing are the only surviving children of said Moses Merrill & wife
Danl Collins
Cumberland ss Nov 1852 Then Personally appeared the above named Daniel Collins and made Oath to the truth of the forgoing affidavit by him Subscribed
Thomas Johnson Just. Peace

Letter
Dec 10/32
Moses Merrill, dis. Oct 1832. Me
The department will please address Gyles Merrill off Newfound Maine
J. H. Coombs

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
November 26. 1852.
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 Moses Merrill served as Captain in Col. Phinney's Regt. in 8 mos. service in 1775. he entered the service from New Gloucester, Apb. 24. The coat roll of his Co. was signed Oct. 26.
The name Moses Merrill is borne on a roll of Capt. H th Cobb's Co., Col. Mitchell's Regt. as 1 st Lieut. from New Basee. on Penobscot service. from July 8 to Sept. 23. 1779. 2 mos. 15 days.
On lists of Officers. of 1776. as Lieut. Col. 4 th Regt. Cumberland Co.
See the above as above

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.
Frederick Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Application of Gyles Merrill aged 64 years son of Capt. Moses Merrill & Mary Merrill both of New Gloucester Maine deceased, for the evidence of his Father's Revolutionary service as captain, —
This applicant states, that his said Father Capt. Moses Merrill was a resident of New Gloucester in the time of the said War. — he cannot correctly state, the length, or time of his said Father Capt. Moses Merrill service as capt. in the Military establishment, —
He further states, that his said father was from his first remembrance reputed to have been a captain in the army of the Revolution, & served in several campaigns as captain dur- ing said war. — He therefore respectfully requests, that the secretary of Mass. Boston, to furnish from all the books, rolls & other doc- uments that relate to military service all the evidence of his said father's said service, and forward it to him, in care of A. Waterhouse at North Pownal, Maine, Gyles Merrill.
State of Maine
Co of Cumberland S.S. Oct 28 th . 1852.
Subscribed before me, A. Waterhouse Justice of the Peace

18975 INVALID.
File No. 18975-
James Merrill
Captain Rev. Mass.
Act: June 7. 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 255-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 8 '96 rec'd opened to Louise Merrell Chicago Ill J.H.S.

M L or S
Chicago Ill. May 30-96. Commissioner of Pensions, Dept. of Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:—
Will you kindly make a transcript of the record of pension of Moses Merrill of Cumberland County, Maine, as revolutionary pensioner and on record as such. Also of Benjamin Surt of Cumberland Co. Maine.
Please send it to the address below and oblige
Yours respectfully
Louise Merrill
6565 Yale Ave. Chicago.

Washington, Dec 10 th 1852
Sir:
Enclosed please find the dictation of the Children of Moses Merrill, dec d , late of Maine; for areas of Pension under Act of 7 th June 1832
The Certificate of the Secretary of State of Mass. clearly establishes the claim for 8 months service as Captain, in Col. Phinneys Regiment in 1775.
The service of 2 months & 19 days as 1 st Lt. in Col. Mitchells Regiment in 1779, was probably rendered by another man of the same name.
He seems to have been made at Lt. Col. in 1776, but as the record shows no service in that grade, we can claim no pension on account thereof, on the evidence now filed.
He is identified with the 8 months service in 1775. —
1 st By the fact that he was a resident of New Gloucester, as shown by the application of the son to the Secretary of State, before he knew what evidence the records contained.
2 d By the fact that the son, in his affidavit made before he knew what evidence the records contained, declared that his father had served as a Captain

3 o By the testimony of several old persons, who state that said Moses Merrill, from their earliest recollection, was reputed to have served as a Captain in the war of the revolution.
The date of his death, (10 th June 1832) is shown by the Town Records of New Gloucester and also by the certificate of the Judge of the U. S. District Court. The names of the surviving children are also shown by the last mentioned Certificate.
I am, very respectfully Your obed servt J. S. Coombs
J. E. Heath Esq Court of Pensions,

Brief in the case of Morse Merrill Dec County and State of Maine act June 7 1832
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Service accurately described, and Record obtained from Secy of State of Mass. upon said description, also, traditionary evidence of service — Affidavits of several witnesses as to Revolutionary
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Character,
Name and residence of Agent
H. C. Crosby, Present
Thomas K. Plitt Examining Clerk.

Moses Merrill dec
Me
Adm. June 7 1832
8 Mos Cash $160
Per annum from
March 1831 to 10 June 1832
when he died
Pay to Gyles Mer- rill and Lucy Harrington Surviving children
Cert to
J. H. Merrill Esq Present