Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30546, for Francis Litchfield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Litchfield, Francis
S. 30546
CONTENTS

15718 Massachusetts
Francis Litchfield Plymouth in the State of Massa tte who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Langdon of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Jackson in the Mass s line for 12 mos & 14 days
Mile & Cube
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of May 1833 and sent to Lords Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $80.88 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept " 20.22 $101.10
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 d Page 49
79 Physic

Francis Litchfield Statement
12. 220
on Roll Cert. of Probate Regt entered 15 May 1797 died 8 Jan 1798 7 M 25 D

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss.
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon ble Wilkes Wood, Judge of the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth, now sitting at Hanover in said County, Francis Pitchfield a Resident of Scituate in the said County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two, nearly, who being first 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 7 th A.D. 1832.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States and served in the Continental line as herein stated to wit:
In May A.D. 1777 he enlisted into said Army for eight months as a private in Captain Langdon's Company as he thinks, attached to Col o Henry Jackson's Regiment, Lieut Col o Cobb and Major Tyler, he believes it was the ninetieth Regiment of the Bay forces. In about three weeks after his said enlistment he was ordered to Boston, from there to Dorchester, and continued about one month, then a part of said Regiment and he among them were sent to Plymouth and was then employed in cutting wood which he thinks was freighted to Boston for the troops, while at Plymouth he was under the command of a Lieut, name not recollected, continued there about one month, then ordered back to Dorchester, or Ruggles and joined said Regiment, then marched thro' Worcester to Peekskill, joined Gen l Putnam crossed the river and marched to White Marsh and joined Gen l Washington, was soon sent to the Hospital at Lancaster and had the smallpox and his time having expired the 17 th of Jan y A.D. 1778 was discharged and after eighteen days march arrived home in February following, he received a written discharge but has lost it. He can prove this service by Noah Barrell and John Whitcomb who served with him in the same Reg t and their depositions are annexed
Then he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated to wit:-
In February 1778 he entered said service as a private in the Company commanded by Francis Cushing, Lieut Mott, attached to Col o Lothrop's Regiment, was stationed at Nantasket and served forty days, was then discharged and returned home - he did not receive a written discharge - he can prove this service by Luther Damon who served in the same Company with him and his Deposition is annexed,
In the summer of the same year 1778 he again entered said service in the Company commanded by Joseph Clift, Lieut Dwyly and Ensign Holmes, marched to Tiverton, crossed Howland's Ferry to Rhode Island, remained there some time, then his company was ordered to tend Howland's Ferry previous to a skirmish with the British troops then marched to Providence and Patuxett, and having served one  nineteen days month, was discharged and returned home. At this time the French Fleet under De Estang was in Newport harbor, and during the time the British fleet appeared off and the French fleet sailed out in pursuit, he did

not receive a written discharge - he can prove this service by William Flyland, who was in the same service with him, his Deposition is annexed - Also see the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, certificate annexed
In March A.D. 1781 as he believes, he again entered said service as a private in the Company commanded by Williams Barker, Lieut Bates the Ensign not recollected, marched to Newport on Rhode Island, stationed on Butts' hill and encamped in the Quaker meeting house, employed in fortifying and standing guard, and having served forty days was discharged and returned home the first of May following - did not receive a written discharge - he can prove this service by Paul Merritt who served with him and his deposition is annexed -
He served as aforesaid eight months in the continental line, and four months and one nine days in the States' service or militia making in all twelve twelve months and one nine days - he has no documentary evidence of his service.
He was born in Scituate the 25 th day of Sep r 1760 His birth is recorded in the town records of Scituate  has no record of his birth He lived in Scituate when he entered said service and always lived there - He volunteered or enlisted into said service, he was not drafted, nor a substitute. He has named all the Officers under whom he served that he remembers also all the important circumstances of his service. He is known in his present neighbourhood to Rev d Samuel Deane, Samuel A Turner Esq r and others who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Francis Pitfield
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
We Samuel Deane a clergyman residing in the town of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and Samuel A Turner residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Pitfield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age nearly, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel Deane Samuel A Turner
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

In the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the said town of Scituate and that Samuel H. Sumner who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that the statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court, Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Francis Litchfield for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

N o 12. 220.
Francis Litchfield
Paid 12 Mo. & 4 Days
J. W. Lord
Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of Francis Litchfield of Plymouth County in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 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.     In 1777 . . . . . — 7 25 private. Gen. Capt. Langdon, Col. Henry Jackson   1778 . . . . . — 2 10 do " Francis Cushing, Col. Vose   do . . . . . — 11 19 do " Joseph Clift   1781 . . . . . — 1 00 do. " Wm. Barker    Total service 12 Years 12 Months 54 Days.   
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth County, Massachusetts.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? First - true proved by Noah Barrick & John Whitcomb 2nd - true by Luther Damon 3rd - proved by Wm. Heyland  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
R. F. PLEASANTS Examining Clerk.
* per Roll of service

L. W. B. I. 30546.
May 18th, 1899.
Sir:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that it would be impracticable for this Bureau to furnish you a list of all pensioners or applicants for pensions for service in the different wars, bearing the name of Litchfield, found upon the records in this Bureau.
Francis Litchfield made an application for pension on August 22, 1832, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Scituate, Mass., and his pension was allowed for one year and four days' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Scituate, Mass., and served under Capt. Langdon and Col. Jackson.
As a matter of courtesy only, a short and concise statement concerning one or two Revolutionary soldiers, (as per above), is furnished an applicant where the same is desired for genealogical or historical purposes.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. W. J. Litchfield, Southbridge, Mass.

30 546 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,546
Francis Litchfield Rev Rev War
Act: same in 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 248
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 18 99
W. J. Litchfield Smithfield,
Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Augt. 15 th 1832.
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 the Name of Francis Litchfield, is borne on a Payroll of Capt n Joseph Clift's Company, in Col o Josiah Whitney's Regt, Marched to the State of Rhode Island in July 1778. & is therein stated to have served One month & Nineteen Days.
Edward D. Bangs, Secy

I Luther Damon of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years, on oath do testify and say, that in the month of February A.D. 1778 Francis Litchfield of Scituate aforesaid entered with me the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution in the Company commanded by Francis Cushing, Lieutenant Mott, in Col o Lothrop's Regiment said Company was stationed at Nantasket and served forty days being the time of enlistment and said Litchfield served the whole time and was then discharged and further saith not,
Luther Damon
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. August 6. 1832 Then the above named Luther Damon made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. before me - Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justices I further certify that the above named Luther Damon is a credible person Attest Ebenezer T. Fogg - Justices

Noah Burrell of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years on oath do testify and say that in the month of May A.D. 1777 Francis Litchfield of said Scituate entered with me the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution for eight months, and was attached to Col Henry Jackson Regiment marched from Roxbury to Peek's Kill, crossed the North River thro' the Jerseys to White White Marsh and from there ordered to Lancaster Hospital and had the small-pox. were then discharged at the end of the term said Litchfield served the whole of said term in the same Regiment tho' not in the same Company with me, and further saith not
Noah Burrell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Aug 6. 1832. Then the above named Noah Burrell made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. - before me Ebenezer S. Fogg, J.P.
I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Noah Burrell for a number of years, and that he is a credible person -
Attest Ebenezer S. Fogg - Justiciarius

I John Whitcomb of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy four years on oath do testify and say that Francis Litchfield of Scituate aforesaid in the year 1777 served with me one Campaign of eight months in the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment and marched to White marsh - and further saith not
John Whitcomb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Plymouth ss Aug 22. 1832 Then the above named John Whitcomb made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true,
before me - Ebenezer T. Dagg. Just peace,
and I certify that said John Whitcomb is a credible person
Attest Ebenezer T. Dagg - Just peace,

I Paul Merritt of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy one years on oath do testify and say that in the month of March 1781 as I think Francis Litchfield of Scituate aforesaid entered with me the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution in the Company commanded by Williams Barker, the Lieutenant was a Bates of Hanover, marched to Rhode Island and was stationed at Burt's hill the whole term employed in keeping guard and building forts, the Company barracks in the Quaker meeting house, was discharged the first of May following the precise time I served I do not now remember but think it was about forty days, said Litchfield served the whole term in said Company and further saith not.
Paul Merritt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. August 4. 1832 Then the above named Paul Merritt made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true — before me — Ebenezer D. Fogg — Justiciarius I further certify that the above named Paul Merritt is a credible person Attest — Ebenezer D. Fogg — Justiciarius

I William Hyland of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years on oath do testify and say that in the summer of the year 1778 as I think, Francis Litchfield of said Scituate entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution with me as a private in the Company commanded by Joseph Clift and marched to Rhode Island and crossed Howland's Ferry in our way, employed while there in erecting forts, staid there some time and just before a skirmish with the British troops my said company was detached to man the boats to carry the American Forces over the Ferry then marched to Providence and Patuxett served the term out and the said Francis Litchfield served the whole time but what was the length of the term I have now forgotten. The time of the above service was when the French fleet under De Estang was in Newport harbor and during the time the British fleet appeared off and the French Fleet sailed out in pursuit of them - and further saith not.
William Hyland
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Aug 3. 1832 Then the above named William Hyland made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
before me - Ebenezer J. Fogg - Just peace
I further certify that the above named William Hyland is a credible person
Attest Ebenezer J. Fogg - Just peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H Lord Register of the Court of Sessions for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Ebenezer T. Pogg is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates annexed are true & genuine sig- natures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty second day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H Lord
William H. Maynard John Francis L. H. Field

WILFORD J. LITCHFIELD, M. S.
SOUTHBRIDGE,
MASS.
Member of N. E. Hist. Gen. Soc'y
Mass. S. A. R.
Compiler of Litchfield Genealogy.

Southbridge, Mass., March. 20. 1899.
Commissioner, Pension Dept., Washington, D. C.,
Sir: - Will you please send me a list of all the hitchfields who have been or are upon the Pension lists for any and all  wars .
Please send me, also, the account, as you have it, of Francis Hitchfield of Massachusetts , who served in the Revolution. He was living June 1. 1840, at S. O. Ruggles' house in Leituate, Mass. , according to the 1841 "Census of Pensioners". Please inform me what is the expense of procuring each separate record, and the whole .

I understand that the department furnished five one or two records to an applicant. Am I rightly informed? K
Hoping to hear from you soon,
I am, Very truly yours,
W. J. Leitchfield, Compiler of Leitchfield Genealogy.