Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24559, for Richard Littlefield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Navy
Littlefield, Richard Anna
W. 24 559
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for entry]
[Ruled lines for entry]

✓ 1943
✓ Maine
Anna Littlefield widow of Richard Littlefield
who died on the _____ 1779 in the State of _____ who was a Midshipman in the Rolla commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the line for 13 months and 19 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 104 Dollars 66 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of April 1838 and sent to Hon George Evans
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 732 62 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 38 52 33 $784 95
Revolutionary Claim, for July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd -
Recorded by Dyer Austin Clerk, Book: A Vol. 2 Page 11

I Hannah Eldridge of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, widow, eighty six years of age, do on oath testify and declare that my first husband, Major Daniel Littlefield, was in the Expedition to Penobscot in the year 1779, under the command of General Wardsworth, and was killed in the battle there. I further testify and declare that Richard Littlefield of said Wells, was a quarter master or commissary in said service - and went on the expedition in company with my husband - the said Richard returned with the others and brought home my husband's watch, which he handed to him, when he was going into the battle where he was killed - I have always known the said Richard during his life and his wife, Anna Littlefield, before Anna Stevens - I was present at their marriage. His wife had twins just before he went to Penobscot and from that I know that he was married nearly a year before - Said Richard died at sea about fifty years ago - and Anna Littlefield now living, is his widow, is the same Anna Littlefield before mentioned and continuing the widow of said Richard to this day - Hannah Eldridge
State of Maine
York ss. Oct 7. 1837 Personally appeared which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures

Hannah Eldridge who is a credible witness and made oatt to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her subscribed — Before me Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace
I Joseph Wheelwright of Wells in the county of York and state of Maine, Gentleman, eighty sixth years of age do on oatt testify and declare that I was well acquainted with Richard Littlefield, who was in the service of the United States during the revolutionary war, he being a near neighbor of mine — I further testify that said Richard died about fifty years since and that Anna Littlefield now living in said Wells, is his widow never having intermarried since his decease — Joseph his Wheelwright Mark Witness E. E. Bourne
State of Maine
York ss. Oct 10 1837. Personally appeared Joseph Wheelwright, who is a credible witness and made oatt to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed — Before me Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace
I Stephen Stevens of Wells in the county of York and State of Maine, Husbandman, sixty seven years of age, do on oatt testify and declare that Richard Littlefield of said Wells married my

sister Anna Stevens, during the Revolutionary war, and both of them lived with me at my father's house until after the war - I further testify that I well remember his voyage in the Rolla Frigate when she went out and when he returned home - having been in her a Midshipman a twelve months voyage - He then came home and was married to my said sister Anna Stevens - I remember all about it. He was dressed in his Regimentals - all of which I could now describe particularly - After this he went to Boston and went on board, a ship, I think called the Alfred, (of 36 guns, I think I heard him say) He was appointed a commissary or steward, and went on this expedition to Penobscot with this vessel - this vessel was blown up there as were the others - and he with all the rest came back by land - I have often heard him tell all about this expedition - how he suffered - that they knocked down a house, and that it was not more than fifteen minutes before he ate a piece of his heart - Said Richard died nearly fifty years ago - and Anna Littlefield still lives his widow never having intermarried - I am confident that from the time he left Wells till he reached home he was absent at least three months on the Penobscot expedition.
Stephen Stevens
State of Maine
York ss. Oct 12. 1837. Personally appeared Stephen Stevens who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed. Before me - Edward E. Bourn Justice of the Peace
I Nick Gilman, Clerk of the town of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, certify that under the head "Marriages" in the Records of said town is the following "Seventeen hundred and seventy eight September third Richard Littlefield and Anna Stevens", and the same is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures.

as follows "1778 Sept. 3. Richard Littlefield and Anna Stevens" —
Nich l Gilman Clerk of the Town of Wells
I Nich l Gilman above named do hereby say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in said Town of Wells in the County town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me —
Nich l Gilman Clerk of the Town of Wells —
State of Maine
York ss. Oct. 13. 1827. Personally appeared Nich l Gilman who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed Before me. Edward E. Bourne — Justice of the Peace —
State of Maine
York county ss. I Wm. Cutter Allen Register of the Court of Probate of the State and county aforesaid, hereby certify that Edward E. Bourne, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of York aforesaid, and that his signatures herunto annexed are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 18th day of November day of October, 1837.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Reg. of the Court of Prob. York Co.

V2817
Declaration of Anna Littlefield wid. of Rich C .
Vol 26 p 236 on state census roll Aug 79 - and earlier Master 1-100/98 Wages 12 $ p mo
adm d
adm 2
12 mo. Midshipman
Frigate  Raleigh
1. mo. 1908 Quorum
$104:66- Master
no deduction
Hon Geo. Evans.
E. P. C. 7

State of Maine
York County ss.
On this tenth day of October eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before me William A. Hayes, Judge of the Probate Court for said County, Anna Littlefield, a resident of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, aged eighty four 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 Richard Littlefield, who was a midshipman in the service of the United States, on board the Frigate Rolla, in the revolutionary War - Said Richard was in said service more than one year, and was honorably discharged in 1778, she thinks in July or August as she was married in September - Having entered on board said Frigate early in 1777 at Portsmouth.
She further declares, that said Richard was again in the service of the United States on the Expedition to Penobscot in 1779 - That he was Quarter Master, or commissary, under Major Daniel Littlefield. She does not remember the colonel - He went with Major Littlefield and Captain Sawyer, both of whom were killed - He was in said service, two months or more. She has no papers relating to his said service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Littlefield on the third day of September seventeen hundred and seventy eight. That her husband the aforesaid Richard Littlefield died at sea in the year seventeen hundred eighty nine - and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by the proof hereunto annexed.
Witness Wm. A. Hayes
Anna her Littlefield mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, the said Anna Littlefield, in consequence of bodily infirmity being unable to attend court.
Wm. A. Hayes Judge of Probate York County Maine

I Joel Littlefield of Lyman in the County of York and State of Maine Husbandman, do on oath testify and declare that I was in the service of the United States on the expedition to Penobscot in 1779, in the company of Captain Nathaniel Cushing - I further testify that Daniel Littlefield was Major of our Battalion - one Munn Adjutant, and Richard Littlefield of Wells Quarter Master - said Richard Littlefield was in said service two months, or more - I returned home by Bangor and said Richard and others by Belfast -
Joel Littlefield
State of Maine
York ss Oct 14 1837 - Personally appeared Joel Littlefield, who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Edward E. Bourne
Justice of the Peace
I Thomas Murphy of Lyman in the County of York and State of Maine, Husbandman, eighty one years of age do, on oath, testify and declare, that I enlisted as a seaman on board the United States Frigate Rolla at Portsmouth in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, I think in the month of June, for twelve months, and served said twelve months when I was honorably discharged at Boston I further testify that Richard Littlefield of Wells was a Midshipman on board said ship during said twelve months - He was on board when I entered, and when I was discharged - but he was discharged before the ship went the next voyage under Captain Berry, as I saw him afterwards in Boston. The whole history of the voyage is perfectly familiar to me - The ship was commanded by Captain Thompson. Shores was a Lieutenant - also Shackford - Captain Thomas Manny Sailing Master - Midshipman Littlefield first joined me, and I was more familiar with him than with any other man on board.

— He used to have a good deal to say about his intended wife, Anna Stevens. He was afterwards a sea captain and died a few years after the war. Thomas Murphy
State of Maine
York ss Oct 16 1837 Personally appeared Thomas Murphy who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Edward E. Burse
Justice of the Peace
State of Maine.
York county ss.
I William Walter Allen, registrar of the Court of Probate of the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that the Hon. William A. Huges is the judge of the said Court of Probate and that his signature hereto annexed is his genuine signature. I further certify that Edward E. Burse, Esq., is a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of York aforesaid, and that his signatures hereto annexed are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 16th day of October, 1837.
Wm. Walter Allen, Regr. Court of Probate York county.

Page
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24, 559
Anna Littlefield widow of Richard Littlefield Midshipman Rev War
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol A Page 438
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Maine
Act 1836 - susp d .
Anna Littlefield
Let. to Hon. S. Evans
27 Jan y 1838.

Rich d Littlefield } Mai o Sep. 1778. Drea 1789 Anna Littlefield }
On board Frig Rolle, in Mid le —disch d July or Aug t 1778. Service One year.
1779. Dr Master a Com ny with the Penob t Exp t 2nd a moe
W th Stephen Stevens. J s Wheelwright

The attention of the Commissioner is respectfully requested to this letter.
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Kennebec Me. Jan. 31 1838
Dr Sir.
I have just received your letter of Jan'y 27. to Hon. Geo Evans, in relation to the claim of Anna Littlefield for a Pension - as the widow of Rich d Littlefield who was in the service of The United States, on board the Fregate Rolla, and in the Penobscot expedition under Capt. in the Rev. War. I waited nearly 4 mo. and therefore wrote to Mr Evans barely to ascertain if the papers had reached the Department -
The following statements are contained in the letter - That there was no such fregate as the Rolla in the service of The United States
That no evidence was produced to show the service of Littlefield on board of her, but the testimony of Stephen Stevens who was then a boy of 7. or 8 years old -
That there was no record evidence of the marriage furnished -
In regard to the first point, I can only say that the Rolla is as well known here as an U S fregate in the Rev. War, as the Alliance, or the Ranger or any other vessel in the service - She was built by the U S at Portsmouth - in the winter and spring of 1777 - and is spoken off in the papers as an U S fregate - and there are several pensioners under the law of 1818, as I understand who were in the same service - and one here under the law of 1832.
In regard to the second statement, I would remark, that the deposition of Stephen Stevens was not taken to prove the service in the Rolla - but principally

to prove the identity of the widow, and the 2 d service. There is with the papers the deposition of Thomas Murphy of Lyman, one of the most respectable citizens of that town - who was a pensioner under the law of 1818 - cut off in consequence of his property, and pensioned again under the law of 1832 - This was for the service on board of the U.S. frigate Rolla - I think also, though I cannot speak with confidence, that he said that his discharge was forwarded with his original papers, which would probably tell the character of the vessel - His testimony was that Littlefield was a Midshipman - I think also that he states that one of her principal officers, as well as others, were pensioners in N.H., when I enquired if there was any other who was on board, whose deposition I could get.
In regard to the 3 d statement, I reply that a copy of the record of the marriage was also with the papers, and I believe on the same sheet with the declaration made out in the exact words of the latest form furnished me by the Department.
I examined the case very carefully, and I could not imagine any possible deficiency that could be discovered in the papers, so that it would be necessary to return them to me -
I am aware that the Commissioners must commit the examination of claims to the several clerks of the office, and I presume that this case must have fallen into the hands of some one who has not long been conversant with the detail of the pension business. - Knowing that business would be taken up in its proper order I waited patiently to hear from this case, until I thought

I have good to reason to apprehend that the papers might have miscarried. If it was suspended without any neglect of mine in preparing the case, I hope it will not be delayed until its turn may come again in regular order -
Hon J L Edwards Com. of Pensions -
With much respect -
Your Hht. Servant.
E E Bourne

Hennibunk Oct. 16. 1837—
In Sir
I herewith send you the application of Mehitable Littlefield for a Pension— She had no knowledge of any law giving a pension to widows until a short time since, when she heard that Mrs Elanage the former wife of Daniel Littlefield had received her. This is the cause of the delay.
In looking over the papers I can see no defect— I believe all are complete according to the rules— I did not suppose any proof was necessary in regard to the service, as the rolls of the Rolla and of the Penobscot Expedition, are probably with the Department— But the accompanying depositions, could be very conveniently had, and therefore I took them— Stevens in his deposition is probably mistaken as to the name in which Littlefield was at Penobscot, as I believe there was no one of that name— He does not however speak with any confidence as will be seen— That however is of no consequence— His neighbours say he was a commissary— I do not know the difference between that office and that of a Quater Master— I suppose however he was a Quater Master— as on calling on the Department Littlefield, I asked him if what office Rich

a little further was at Penobscot - He at once replied a Quarter Master - From the account of Stevens that he was ordered to Boston and sailed from there I should think it probable that he might have been absent, as he says, three months -
I suppose the length of service on board of the Rolla will appear by the Rolls - He, of course, from Murphy's deposition, served 12 mo, and probably a little longer -
Respectfully,
Your Obedt Servant E E Bourne