Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34998, for Reuben Merrells, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Merrells, Reuben : S. 34998
CONTENTS

* Michigan 20, 306 x New York
Reuben Mervell
of Columbia in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Benton of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Russell in the Connecticut line, for the term of three years from January 1777 to 1780
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 2 nd day of Feb: 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd of February 1831 and sent to Hon. J. Strong, House of Reps.
Arrears to 4th of March 1831 $ 8.73 Semi-annual all'ce ending
$ 8.73
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
Rec. Book D, Vol: 5, fol: 114
see letters 23. April 1831 to B. Knaus & J. Barton
air. Transpt. July 27 - 1835
To Michigan from 4 th March 1835 - July 31 - 1835 -

County of Wayne ss:
On this Sixteenth day of July 1835 before Me, the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Wayne personally appeared Reuben Merrells, who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Brown in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Chandler in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York - from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the Territory of Michigan where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be then payable, in future.
The following are his reasons for removing from New York to Michigan Territory. That he wants to live with his children.
Sworn and Subscribed to, before Me, the day and year aforesaid }
Henry Shipman
J. W. M. L.
Reuben Merrells

Territory of Michigan
County of Wayne ss:
On the sixteenth day of July 1835 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County personally appeared Hanson Curtis who on his oath declares, that Reuben Merrill is the identicle person named in an Original Certificate of Pension in his possession from the War department, and is also the same person who has sworn to, and subscribed the annexed Affidavit.
Sworn to, and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid.
Henry Shipman
J.P. M.B.
Hanson Curtis
County of Wayne ss:
I do hereby certify that Hanson Curtis the witness aforesaid is a person of truth and veracity.
Henry Shipman J.P.

Isaac S. Rowland Clerk of the Court of Wayne County, certify that, Henry Chipman is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purport- ing to be his is genuine!
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed My Seal of Office and Subscribed My Name, this sixteenth Day of July in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty five —
I. S. Rowland Clerk

County of Columbia ss
On the sixteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty, personally appeared in open court, being a court of Record for the City of Hudson in said County Reuben Mersells resident in said County Aged about Sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the Eighteenth of March Eighteen hundred Eighteen And the first of May Eighteen hundred Twenty and Eighteen hundred Twenty three, that he the said Reuben enlisted for the term of three years on the tenth day of January in the year Seventeen hundred Twenty Seven, in the State of Connecticut in the Company commanded by Captain Benton, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Russell in the line of the State of Connecticut Connecticut on the Continental Establishment, that he continued to serve in the Army until Seventeen hundred Eighty, when he was discharged from the service in Morristown in the State of New Jersey, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any State
And that the following are the reasons for not making earlier Application for a pension pension, that he was the owner of considerable real and Personal Estate but encumbered and becoming liable to pay the debts of other Persons his property has all been sold And he his now considerably in debt has a wife aged fifty Eight years both infirm and unable to support themselves, without public or private Charity - And in pursuance of the act of the first of May Eighteen hundred Twenty I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the Eighteenth day of March Eighteen hundred and Eighteen and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the acts of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and navy service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the Eighteenth day of March Eighteen hundred and Eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or security, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed, that since the Eighteenth day of March Eighteen hundred and Eighteen, the following changes has been made in my property, it has all been sold by virtue (sale) of said County
Sworn to in open court on the 16 day of August 1830 Present, James Morton, Clerk. In presence of me Edward D. Hudson Clerk
Signature Reuben Mersells

Description of Property now in the possession of said Mennell, One Cow worth fifteen Dollars 2 Pigs and Pigs worth twenty Dollars One table six chairs Common worth two Dollars Two Shirts, one trunk worth two Dollars Cooking Utensils, Clothing & Stockery worth about fifteen Dollars Return to in open court August 18 th 1830 Thomas James Walton } (Signe) Reuben F. Mennell Fletcher M. Buckman Justices of said Court. Edward C. Thurston Clerk
I Edward C. Thurston Clerk of the Justice court of the City of Hudson do hereby Certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that said Reuben Mennell did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of three years under one engagement on the Continental Establishment. I also Certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed annexed are truly copies from the records of said court that the total Amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is fifty four dollars. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 18 th Day of August 1830
Edward C. Thurston Clerk

COLUMBIA COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE.
ss.
I Joseph D. Monroe Clerk of the
County of Columbia, do hereby certify that John Bull Junior _____ whose name is subscribed to the annexed certificate _____
was on the day of the date of the said certificate _____ a Justice of the Peace in and for said County—And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice _____
and verily believe the signature of John Bull Junr. _____ subscribed to the said certificate _____ to be the proper hand writing of the said Justice
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County, this 27 th _____ day of Oct r  183  1838
J. D. Monroe

State of New York Columbia County ss.
Personally appeared before me John Bull Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County Jesse Torrey of the Town of New Lebanon in said County, who being duly sworn, on his Oath dep- reth and saith, that he entered the United States Service in the month of April in the year 1777. That his company commanded by Paul Brigham joined joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Chandler, at Warbury in the State of Connect- icut, that he there became acquainted with Reubin Merrell, who was also in the United States Service and belonged to and served in the same Regiment to which this deponent belonged by that he was at the time well acquainted with Reubin Merrell, and sincerely believes, and has no doubt, the person here present is the same Reubin Merrell with whom he served in the Revolu- tionary war.
Jesse Torrey
Subscribed and sworn the 12 th day of October 1830
before me
John Bull Esq.
I certify that the above named Justice of the Peace Jesse Torrey who signed the above Affidavit is personally known to me and that he is a credible and disinterested witness.
John Bull Esq. Justice of the Peace

State of New York Columbia County
On this Sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred & thirty before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in the said County personally appeared Oliver Trull to me personally known, and a citizen of the City of Hudson in said County of Columbia, and being duly sworn according to law deposeth and says that he was a Revolutionary soldier in the Connecticut line and served more than three years - he knew Reuben Merrill in the Army as a soldier, and thinks he served during the same time he served & hereby believes that the said Reuben Merrill is the person now present who does now make application for a Pension — Oliver Trull
Sworn & subscribed to this 16th day of August 1830 before me James Hudson a Justice of the Peace

COLUMBIA COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE.
ss.
I Joseph D. Monnell Clerk of the
County of Columbia, do hereby certify that James Barton
whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit
was on the day of the date of the said affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County—And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice
and verily believe the signature of James Barton subscribed to the said affidavit to be the proper hand writing of the said Justice
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County, this 27 th day of Oct 1832
J. D. Monnell

Columbia County } ss State of New York } I certify that the within named Oliver Seall is a respectable Citiz of the City of Hudson and that he is a credible & disinterested Witness —
James Barton a Justice of the Peace
Columbia County } ss Before me Personally appeared William V. Flagler Deputy Sheriff of the County of Columbia and being duly Sworn, deposeth and says that he did on the ninth day of August 1838 sell by virtue of an Execution issue out of the Supreme Court of Judicature, all the Real Estate of Wenben the Merrill — as he hereby acknowledges — and further saith not —
Sworn & Subscribed to this 27th day of October
W. B. Flagler
Before me James Barton a Justice of Peace

In Additional Declaration And Supplementary to Reuben Merrill's former Declaration made before the Justices Court of the City of New Haven, being a court of record and having Common Law Jurisdiction And a seal being duly sworn that he Reuben Merrill enlisted into the Continental Service on the Tenth day of January in the Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, at the Town of Hebron in the State of Connecticut for the term of three years under Lieut. Mark. We joined the Company under the command of Capt. Sylvanus Brown And the Regiment of Col. Chandler in the April following at Danbury in Connecticut. I remained under Capt. Brown till November or December following when Capt. Brown gave up his Commission And went home And on the new arrangement Major Heath Scott And Lieut. Josiah Benton took the command of the Company And Col. Russell commanded the Regiment till sometime in December 79 or January 1780 Col. Sherman took took the command And I was soon after discharged at Morristown in the Jerseys — My Brigadiers were first Genl. M c Dougall Genl. Tarleton and Genl. Parsons I was in the Battle of Germantown, was in Fort Mifflin at the time it was attacked And given up to the British I wintered at the Valley Forge was in the Battle of at Monmouth and several other skirmishes As to Mr. Torrey — he served in the same Regiment though not in the same Company he served in Capt. Brightman's and I in those above stated the two Companies generally lay together And I have many old acquaintances in both in the Company that I served in was my Father Asher Merrill And my Mother Asher M c . My Father served his time out My Mother died at Danbury the first season — I was in Connecticut State service in the Campaign of the year 1780 And in the year of 1781 I drove a team in the Continental Service I have wrote my name Merrill since I have done business for my self but I find the most of the name wrote Merrill and how it was wrote when I enlisted I cannot tell — As to Property I accumulated some by my industry after I came out of the Army but I have none to give me any And have since lost it by sickness And false friends and other Casualties — I signed a note for Elisha

Packard to Whiting & Clark which I had to pay on Execution Octo r 17 th 1823 one hundred sixty three Dollars And sixty one Cents Paid on Execution in favor of Martin Van Buren for a sum he carried on for me Octo r 2 d 1827 Five hundred thirty Eight Dollars forty five Cents 11 th June 1829 Paid on Execution in favor of Martin Hoffman when I was found for my son Robert Ninety three Dollars fourteen Cents for that I had to hire money And give my property in security till finally in August last it was all sold by the Sheriff
Signed Reuben Merrill Sworn and subscribed to this 18 th Day of December 1830 before the Court
James Pratten
I do hereby certify the above to be a true copy of the original affidavit made by Reuben Merrill and filed in the justice court of the City of Hudson by deposit My hand under the seal of said court this nineteenth Day of January one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty one
Edward Thurston, Clerk of C

Columbia Co. J. Colubia Williams of the City of Hudson in the County of Columbia Councillor at Law, being duly sworn say that on or about the 5 th day of November 1827. I lent to Reuben Merrill of Canaan in the County of Columbia one hundred twenty five Dollars the balance of a judgment which Martin Van Buren had against him - an Execution was then out against him in the hands of the Sheriff of Columbia County - The proceeds of the money to pay the Execution in kind or cash at the time said Merrill borrowed of Oliver D. Seal gave him a mortgage upon property in Canaan after said - four hundred Dollars - In June 1828. Notes from said Merrill a bond warrant of Attorney for the note he gave me for the money I lent him.
In July 1828. Judgment was entered in the Supreme Court - on the 9 th of Aug. 1830. all the Real Estate of said Merrill was sold including the Equity of Redemption of said Second Mortgage to Oliver Seal & purchased by me for two hundred fifty two Dollars 49/100 - which was the amount due on the mortgage & costs I held also a judgment against said Merrill recovered before Normal & Hubbell Esq. for between thirty & forty Dollars - upon promissory notes signed by

and his son who is induct Nathan Morrill - Show of no property of the defendant's Real or personal estate which seem satisfy that judgment -
On this 19 day of Jan'y.
1831 Sworn & subscribed to before me
And further saith not C. Williams
James Baston Justice of the Peace

34 998 Rev INVALID.
File No. 34,998
Renben Merrells
Pr Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]

War Department Pension Office.
October 30, 1830
Sir,
The papers in the case of Reuben Merrill have been examined and they are herewith returned, the evidence not being sufficient. In regard to the disposition of his property he must produce the affidavits of the Sheriff by whom the property was sold, and the evidence of persons to whom he was indebted, to shew how, when, and on what account the debts were contracted, and how, and when they were paid, and the amount of each debt. The evidence of service is not satisfactory. If he served in any other company than those mentioned in his declaration, he should give the names of the officers under whom he served. There is a discrepancy between his statement and that of Jesse Torry, which requires explanation. The claimant should say whether his name was always pronounced Merrill, or otherwise.
James Barton Esq. Hudson. New York.
I am respectfully Your Obedt Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Ho. of Reps Febr 1 st 1831.
Sir
I have your letter of the 20 th ult. with Mr. Merrill's papers - which last I return to you.
It seems to me that all the proof you ask for is among the papers.
W m B. Flagler, Deputy Sheriff, and a respectable man. swears he sold all Mr. M's real estate - &c
Ebenezer Williams, one of the most unswerving Counsellors in the state swears that Merrill's property was sold under a judgment in his favor - states how the debt originated - and that Mr. M. still owes him - and that he has no property as he knows of, out of which he can get the balance -
Yours &c
Larry Strong
Genl. L. Edwards Esq Pension Office

July 25.
Rev. Br. Dunn
FREE
J. J. Edward Esq. Comm r of Pensions City of Washington

Pension Agency. Dedham July 16 th 1835
Sir I herewith enclose you the Application of Reuben Merrill a Revolutionary Pensioner on the roll of the New York Agency, to be transferred to this Agency. And the result you will please to make known to me.
Very Respectfully &c E Doty P.A. Pr. Henry Doty
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions -