Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,563, for John Light, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Mrs
N.H.
Privateer
Light, John
Leavitt, Sally
Former Widow
VP 21.563
CONTENTS
This woman's last husband, Josiah Leavitt N.H. also served in the Revolutionary War.
See papers within.

Pp 1 Oct 13
7725
New Hampshire Portsmouth
Sally Neavill formerly widow of John Neight
Mass who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the year 1779, of Carroll in the State of New Hampshire who was a Corporal in the Company, commanded by Captain Shermainy of the Regt commanded by Col. Waldo in the Mass. line for 70 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire for at the rate of 73 Dollars 83 3/4 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Oct. 1842 and seal J. S. Eastman Gilmanton, N. Hampshire
Whole amount due $ 366.65
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Thomas Van Klief Clerk. Book A Vol. 1. Page 45.

Allister of Albany by the Rev Doctor Mc'Clintock of Granville. Seventeen hundred and eighty four. December twenty second Dinah Wentworth and Abigail Nuttall.
August twenty ninth. Josiah Seaver & Sally Light Seventeen hundred and eighty six Jan y twenty ninth John Shattuck and Priscilla Branscomb
I William L Brackett of Granville County of Rocking- ham and State of New Hampshire do hereby depose and say that I hold the office of town Clerk of said Granville and that the above is a true copy of the records of said town of all the dates which are expressed on the records in said League figures thus. Dec 22. 1784
Aug 29 - 1786 Jan y 29 th
I further depose and say that the date of the year on the top of the page over the marriage of John Light is torn off; but there is not a shadow of a doubt that same marriage took place in seventeen hundred and eighty five. as the marriage of John Shattuck was the first recorded in seventeen hundred and eighty six below that of Light. and in the same handwriting.
Wm. L. Brackett.
Town Clerk.

State of New Hampshire Granada February 23 d 1844. Subscribed and sworn to by the within named Bracket before me David Murray Notary Public
State of New Hampshire Shofford County ss. Hon. J. A. Eastman H. C. I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court in and for said County hereby certify that David Murray, Esquire, is a Notary Public for said State duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated the 24 th day of June A D 1839. and will expire on the 23 d day of June A D 1844. and that his signature above is genuine. Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this 23 d February A D . 1841. F. Cogswell, Clerk.

The following marriage is a copy from the records of the town of Exeter County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire "John Light & Sarah Marvel were married December fourth one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven"
I hereby certify that the above marriage 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 "Dec 4. 1777"
Attest Chas Conner Town Clerk
I Chas Conner above named depose & say that I held the office of Town Clerk in the county, town & 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
Chas Conner Town Clerk of Exeter
Sworn before me Jonathan Lawrence Justice of the Peace & Quorum

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss
I J. B. Hoitt Clerk of the Superior Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Solomon Lawrence Esq is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated the Fifth day of December A D 1835, and will expire on the Fifth day of December A D 1840. and that his signature within written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County this 28th day of May A D 1839.
J. B. Hoitt Clerk

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
STRAFFORD SS. —On this fifteenth day of September 1840 personally appeared before the Hon. Hiram R. Roberts one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Strafford  Sally Leavitt a resident of Wolfborough in the County of Strafford, aged eighty six 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 Jonah Leavitt who was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the company commanded by Capt. Jon a Robinson of Stratham. about 4 or 5 months in the year 1776 and that previous he was a soldier in Capt. Rowling's company for a short time
She further declares that she was married to the said Josiah Leavitt on the eighth day of August in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five that her husband, the aforesaid Josiah Leavitt died on the month  day of September A 1827 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz : at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before her X mark
Hiram R. Roberts Judge of said Court
I hereby certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the court.
Hiram R. Roberts Judge of said Court

7589 Sally Leant Sam Madam Mr Light

State of New Hampshire.
Shofford county ss. I Francis Cogswell, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county hereby certify that Hiram R. Roberts, Esquire, was on the fifteenth day of September A.D. 1840. a Judge of said Court and that, being well acquainted with his signature, I have no doubt that the within purporting to his signatures are genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this eighteenth day of September 1840.
F. Cogswell, Clerk.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of the 7 th July, 1838 and the 23 rd August 1842.
State of New Hampshire, Carroll Ss. On this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and forty three, personally appeared before the Honorable Jonathan P. Chase Judge of the Court of Probate for said county of Carroll, Thomas Rust, a resident of Wolfborough in the County of Carroll aforesaid, administrator on the estate of Sally Leavitt late of said Wolfborough deceased, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain for the estate of the said Sally Leavitt, the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 7. 1838 and the 23 rd of August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That the said Sally Leavitt was the widow of John Light who was a corporal in Col. Baldwin's Regiment, as will appear by the papers now on file in the pension office made out during the life time of the said Sally Leavitt, to which he the said Thomas Rust would refer for evidence of said Light's service. He also declares that the said Sally Leavitt was married to the said John Light on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven; that her husband, the aforesaid John Light died in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz- at the time above stated. He further declares, that after the death of the husband aforesaid, she was married to Josiah Leavitt on the 8 th day of August 1785; that he died in

the month of September 1827, and that at the time of her death she was still a widow having never been married after the death of her last husband aforesaid the said Josiah Scott. He further declares that at the time of her death she was aged about eighty nine years according to his best belief - and that her maiden name was Sarah Marvel. He further declares that he was well acquainted with the said Sally Scott in her life time, that he knows the fact of her death and that she is the same identical person whose papers are now on file in the pension office and to which he would refer aforesaid for proof of the statements made in this declaration and for proof of the service of the said John Scott. For evidence of the death of the said Sally Scott and of his being duly appointed administrator in her estate he would refer to the accompanying papers of the Court of Probate of said County of Carroll.
Thomas Rust
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Jon as H. Chas - Judge of Probate
State of North Carolina
Carroll ss. At a Court of Probate held at Snipes Corner on the Second Tuesday of August A.D. 1843
Satisfactory evidence was advanced to prove that the said Sally Scott died on the twenty seventh day of December A.D. 1843. And on this day the said Thomas Rust was duly appointed Administrator on her estate and gave bond as the Law directs and that said Sally Scott left no children.
Jon as H. Chas - Judge of Probate

State of New Hampshire
Cunroll ss. I the Hall Register of Probate for the County of Cunroll in the State of New Hampshire hereby certify that Jon E. Chase who has signed the annexed as a Judge of Probate is in fact Judge of Probate for said County and that his signature affixed is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this eighth day of August A. D. 1843.
W. H. Merrill Regt Prob.

6 Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 rd section of the act of the 4 th July 1836 and of the first section of the act of the 3 rd March 1837.
State of New Hampshire on this 17 th day of May A D 1839
Strafford ss. I personally appeared, before the Hon.
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate for said county of Strafford Sally Leavitt a resident of Wolfborough in said county aforesaid, aged 84 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, and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3 rd 1837: That she was married to John Light, who was an Officer, (Ensign or Lieutenant) in the Revolutionary revolutionary War, in the service of his country, that he was in the Massachusetts Regiment at the battle of Bunker hill in the year 1775, that he afterwards engaged in the New Hampshire line and continued in the service of his country from that time (1775) to the year 1779, in which year he died.
She further declares, that she was married to the said John Light at Exeter on the fourth day of December, seventeen hundred & seventy seven, that her husband the aforesaid John Light died in the service of his country the following year, that she was afterwards (August 8 th 1785) married to Josiah Leavitt, who died September, eighteen hundred and twenty seven, and that she has remained the widow of said Josiah Leavitt ever since, and, of course, that she was a widow on the 4 th July 1836 as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto secret
See 4 secret
Sworn and subscribed, on the day and year above written in open court. And I certify the said applicant to be a person entitled to full credit.
Before me,
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate
Recd & 19 Dec 1839

State of New Hampshire
Shafford sp. I Ira A. Eastman Register of Probate of said county hereby certify that the within named Daniel L. Atkinson is Judge of Probate of said county and that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate of said county this seventeenth day of May A.D. 1839.
Ira A. Eastman Register of Probate.
4562 N.H. July 28th forwards of John Swift ack July 28. 1836

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21563
Wally Leavitt Former Widow of John Leight Conf. Rev. War.
Act July 7 1832.
Index: Vol. 14 , Page 130
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bally Scavit 7589 N. 16.
Set 7 July 1838

7589
Sally Leavitt N.H.
Let to Hon. J. A. Eastman July 7 '43-
act 7. July 38

N. H. Sally Leavitt formerly wid. of John Light See list to Thos. Rust, Aug. 26. 1839 to do. Nov. 6. 1839 Let. to Hon. Ira Allen Eastman March 18, 1840. " to same - June 18. 1840 " to same - Aug 11. 1840 " to same March 5. 1841. Ack July 4. 1836

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Marion B. Hudson,
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Josiah Leavitt or Levitt
Service Rev. War.
Additional Service _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 191 _____
No claim, combination records _____, 191 _____
REMARKS:
No. O.W.S. O.W.W. or Rejected as above.
O.K. Rice, Rev.
APR 23 1911

I David Piper of Wolfson College in the County of Oxfordshire do hereby certify that I was knew Lieut John Light for the only time years (viz) 1776, 1777, 1778 as an officer in the revolutionary war, and knew him at a time during that time; and that he was attached to (I think) Col. Lillie's Regiment
David Piper
State of New Hampshire } May 13. 1839 Stratford ss ———
Sworn to before me Joseph Tarrar Justice of Peace

Wolfboro' Oct. 10 1839
Dear Sir. I enclose the papers of Sally Lucas and Sally Leavitt -
You will perceive in reference to the proof of marriage of Sally Lucas that the Town records we have searched, & would say that we have no Church records in existence that I can find, previous to 1834 - There was some 40 or more years ago a church formed in this town but no records kept that we can find -
as it regards the proof of service of John Light, the two witnesses who have testified, still are positive that the Officer of whom they testify was known in the service by that name and the same man was the husband of the said Sally Leavitt - I have no doubt myself from acquaintance with the deponents and Mrs Leavitt that they are correct and I hope Sir you may be satisfied that she is entitled to her country's bounty
Yours Thomas Priest

A Return of Capt Nicholas Bowring's Company at Pierce Island Nov 5 th 1775
Nicholas Bowring's Capt William Chan 1 st Lieut John Clark Ensign Josiah Leavitt Private
State of Me. Hampshire Suntary of Adm l Office Feb 3-1841
I hereby certify the foregoing to be true extracts from the original Record which contains the names of twenty two men. Josiah Leavitt being of the number In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the Seal of said State.
Josiah Stevens Jr Sec y of State

Master Roll for security for men including Officers enlisted by Col William Wappler by order of the Genl Court for the State of New-Hampshire to reinforce the Army at New York
Army
for Robinson's Col t
which Levitt Private, time of enlistment Sept 23 d Bounty 6. Travel 2.10 Total paid 8.10
Portsm o Sept 17 th 1861 Joshua Wadsworth Master Master
State of New-Hampshire Secretary of State's Office Feb 3- 1861
I hereby certify the foregoing to be true extracts from the original Record in this Office Instituting whereby I have hereunto affixed the seal of said State
Jeremiah D. Dickey Sec y of State

Washington Feby 27, 1811
Sir, Since sending you an affidavit to day (which I did not read) I have received the accompanying papers which I forward together with the letter covering the same -
Very respectfully
Your obed Servt
J. J. Edwards Esq Comm Pension S
J. A. Eastman

J. A. Eastman H. B.
Col Sylvester Pension Office Washington D. C.

House Reps June 16. 1840.
My dear Sir,
The name of the woman whose paper we were looking for this morning is Sally Leavitt -
Yours truly
Col. Sylvester
J. A. Eastman

M c Light. a 1799 Sally Leavitt. M. 1777 75. 8 m. Cope Sherman. Paldum. 76. 12 — — — 77. to 80. Leaf

No 7589. Sally Leavitt formerly wife of John Leavitt N.H. Act July 7 th 37
Adm de
20 mo
600
$73.33 per an.
J. A. Eastman Esq. Gilmanton N Hampshire

Pension Office 1843.
Sir
The additional papers in the case of Sally Leavitt formerly widow of John Light claiming a pension under the act of July 7 th 1838 have been examined. There is no proof of the claimant's marriage to John Light among the papers filed with her former application under the act of July 4 th 1836 which was rejected. The service is established for twenty months as a Corporal.

Elmwood N 76 } Oct 4 1843
Free J. A. Eastman Esq. M.L.
Dr Crump Pension Office Washington D. C.
Oct 4 1843
J. A. Eastman Esq. M.L. A. H.

Gilmanton N. H. October 4, 1843
Dear Sir,
Some time since I sent to the Pension Office the papers to obtain a pension in the case of Sally Scnitt widow of John Light, a case which you and I looked over last spring and which required only the forwarding of the proper papers to obtain the certificate.
I think, in the multiplicity of Mr. Edmonds engagements, the papers must have got mislaid. Will you be so kind as to look up the papers & forward the certificate to me?
I also sent, a few weeks since, the Declaration of Dinah Sands to obtain a pension under the act of March 1843, she having been a pensioner before. I suppose this case can be decided at once. By attending to these cases you will much oblige Your friend
7725
S. A. Eastman

Gilmanton N. H. Aug. 15 1843.
Sir.
I enclose a declaration, Certificate &c. to procure a pension on account of the claim of Sally Goret of this state (before her decease) whose papers will be found on the files of your office.
The application is made by the administratrix. She having left no children and being entitled at the time of her decease to a pension under the acts of July 1838 and August 1842.
I am well acquainted with the case and have no hesitancy in saying that it is an honest application.
Should it not interfere too much with your other engagements I should be glad if the certificate could be sent so as to be received before the 4th of September as in that event, it would save a journey to Portsmouth on purpose - there being abundant opportunities to send near the 4th.
Please send certificate to me.
Very respectfully Your obedt Servt
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. Pensions Washington
J. A. Eastman

✓
No 7589
Sally Leavitt
N.H.
act 7. July 38
Wm. J. A. Eastman
H.O.2

State of New Hampshire
Carroll ss. On this 19 th day of February A.D. 1841 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the court of Common Pleas in & for said county Sally Leavitt a resident of Wolfborough in said county of Carroll (formerly the county of Strafford) aged eighty seven 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 th 1838 entitled, an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. — That she was on the fourth day of December A.D. 1777 lawfully married to John Light late of Exeter in the county of Rockingham and State aforesaid, dec d who was a corporal in Capt. S. Sherman's company in Col. Baldwin's Regiment of Massachusetts Troops; eight months in the year 1775, and twelve months in the year 1776; that the said John Light died in the year 1779. That at the time of his decease the said Light was engaged in Privateering, and not in the service of United States as stated in a former declaration made under the act of July 4 1836 now on file, and as I then supposed; She further declares, that subsequent to the death of the said John Light, viz on the 8 th day of August 1785 she was married to Joniah Leavitt and that the said Joniah Leavitt died on the day of September 1827. She further declares, that she has not intermarried

since the death of the said Josiah Leavitt but continues a widow
Witness Thomas Rust
Sally her X mark Leavitt
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above written, before me
Nathl. Rogers, Judge of said Court
I certify, that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend court
Nathl. Rogers, Judge aforesaid

State of New Hampshire Canale ss
to Francis R. Chase Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Nathaniel Rogers loss was on the 19 th day of February A.D. 1841. A judge of said Court and a Notary Public will be acquainted with his signature & have no doubt that the within purporting to be his signature is genuine.
Given under my hand & seal of said Court this 22 nd day of February A.D. 1841.
J. R. Chase Clerk

4562) Sally Leavitt and f r Light N.B. As 4 July 1836
S. B. Washington Pension Office Geo. Wythe Disbursing me.

Gilmanton Aug. 4. 1840
Col Sylvester, Dear Sir,
You recollect that I trouble- d you considerable about the pension application of Sally Leavitt widow of John Light. I suppose she is entitled to a certificate under the act of 1838 if not under the act of a previous date. I wish to examine the papers and if you will have the goodness to send the same to me on receipt of this you will very much oblige
Your friend
Mra A. Eastman

 1 The name of John Light is borne on "A Return of Capt Isaac Sherman's Company in the 38 th Regiment of Foot in the Continental Army, commanded by Lieut Col. Boammi Baldwin," as a corporal from Exeter, N.H. and said Return is dated "Camp at Sewalls Point September 26 th 1775," and signed "Isaac Sherman Captain."  2 The name of John Light is also borne on "A Pay Roll for the fourth Company in the 38 th Regiment of Foot in the Service of the United Colonies, commanded by Lt Colonel Boammi Baldwin Esq rs for the Month of Aug t 1775," as a corporal, Money due £2 4s. "Received of Lt Col Boammi Baldwin the pay for the month of August 1775" "John Light."  3 The name of John Light is also borne on "An exact account of the Officers and Men in the 4 th Company in the 38 th Regiment of Foot commanded by Lt Colonel Baldwin, and what wages due to them for one Month in the month of Sept 1775 as Officers and Soldiers in the Army of the united Colonies of North America," as a corporal, wages due £2 4s. and said account is "Dated at the Council Chamber Sewalls Point Oct er 30 th 1775," and signed "Isaac Sherman Capt."  4 The name of John Light is also borne on "A Return of the Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in Capt Isaac Sherman's Company, Colonel Baldwin's Regiment, that have received their Month's advance pay of Jan ry 1776," as a corporal. And said return is signed "Isaac Sherman Capt." 

5 The name of John Light is also borne on Abstracts of the pay of Capt Isaac Shermans Company in the 26 th Regiment commanded by Col. Leammi Baldwin, for the months of February, March, April, May, & June 1775, as a corporal at $2. 00 45 per Month, These Abstracts for February & March signed "Isaac Sherman Capt l ," and those for April May and June signed Caleb Robinson Lieut l . 6 The name of John Light is also borne on "A Muster Roll of Capt Caleb Robinson's Comp y " in the 26 th Reg t commanded by Col l L t Baldwin "for the year 1775," said Roll is dated "Exeter February 22 d 1777," and signed "Caleb Robinson Capt l ."
Sup l Offic e , Boston Sept. 11. 1832
I hereby certify that the foregoing statements are correct as shown by original rolls in the possession of the State.
Witness the hand of the Secy John P. Duglass Secy of the Com l te

I Edward Mason of Wolfborough in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire do hereby depose that in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy five, I belonged to the revolutionary army New Hampshire line, that I was acquainted with John Light then an Officer, (I think a Lieut) in the Massachusetts line, and that he and myself came at Winter Hill in said year in the service of the Country - In one hundred and seventy seven said Light belonged to the New Hampshire line, was an Officer, (Lieut. I think), and we were both at Bennington, and both retreated from that place - That in November and December said year, we were both at Vallores, and were both in the fort of the retreating enemy from that place to New York - said Light was there at the time as Lieut. I believe -
I further depose that I now live within one hundred rods of Sally Leavitt, the Widow of Joseph Leavitt, deceased and have been well acquainted with her for more than fifty years, that her reputation is unimpeachable and that I was well acquainted with her while she was the Widow of said Light, and while the wife of said Leavitt, and ever since the death of said Leavitt - and that she is now living
Edward Mason
State of New Hampshire } May 15. 1839 Strafford } Sworn to before Joseph Farrar Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Shafford Co. I Ira A. Eastman Register of Probate of said county hereby certify that the within named Joseph Farrar was on the thirteenth and fifteenth days of May instant a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned within and for said county and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate of said county this seventeenth day of May A.D. 1839.
Ira A. Eastman Register of Probate
State of New Hampshire
Shafford County ss.
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court for said county hereby certify that Joseph Farrar is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the seventh day of December 1838 and will expire on the tenth day of December 1843 and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and have no doubt that the signatures to the affidavits annexed by the above seal are genuine - I therefore certify the same to be genuine
Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this tenth day of September 1839.
F Cogswell, Clerk

I Samuel B. Mason a Revolutionary Pensioner do hereby say that I served in the Revolutionary Army from the year 1775 to the year 1783 first as a private, then as a noncommissioned Officer, and then as a Commissioned Officer, during that time I knew John Light a Lieutenant in the New Hampshire Line from 1777 to 1779 or 1780. I think he was in the Battle at Monmouth. In 1779 he marched with Sullivan into the Indian Country and was in the Battle with the Indians at a place called Newtown. After this Battle, and when we returned from the Indian Country, said Lght was still in the Service, and marched with the Army to New Jersey, and then to winter quarters in Connecticut. After that I knew nothing of said Lght in the Army, but saw him in Portsmouth in 1781 when I was at home on furlough.
Samuel B. Mason
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss. Jan. 11. 1840 Then the above Samuel B. Mason personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above Affidavit by him signed is true
Before me
B.M. Bean Jus. of Peace
I certify that the above Samuel B. Mason is a credible Witness
B.M. Bean Jus. of the Peace