Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16647, for Josiah Merriman, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental (Comm.)
Merriman, Josiah Lydia
No. 16647.
CONTENTS

Date of death not on A. B. - L. L.
Albany 1257
Sydia Merriman
widow of Jonah Merriman
who died on the 17 Dec r 1810 of Genesee Co. in the State of N. York who was a Capt d Drag. in the commanded by Captain of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sheldon in the line for 2 years Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 100 Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29. day of July 1837 and sent to N. W. Soper Batavia, N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 600.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sep. " 50.00
$650.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 — Page 134

aw
Aug. 15, 1906
495.

Merriman, Josiah
His name appears on a list of claimants to be placed on the pension list returned by the Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 116.
Rank: Corporal, 2 d dragoons
Disability: Diseases, particularly on the thumb and shoulder of the right arm, in consequence of wounds received.
Residence: Wellingford.
Monthly allowance: $6.67
Arrearages: $150.00
Remarks: Enlisted December 28, 1776; continued to the end of the war.
allowed
see 1835 list

aw July 19, 1906, S.M.H.

Merriman, Josiah
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the Circuit Court for the district of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on Dec 14, 1792, and printed in the American State Papers class 9, page 66.
Rank: Corporal
Regt.: 2 d Lt. dragoons
Disability: Wounded on the thumb and shoulder of the right arm.
Date of certificate: Oct. 4, 1792.
Monthly allowance: $ 6.66 2 / 3
Arrears due: $150.00

Nov. 1 "1906
Nov
Nov

Merriman, Josiah
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of Connecticut submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on Feby 21, 1795 and printed in the American State Papers Class 9, Page 153.
Rank: Corporal
Regt: 2d light dragoons, Capt. Porter's company.
Disability: Wounded in his right leg, by the accidental discharge of his pistol in the holster. The claimant was likewise wounded in the month of October, 1777, at Frankfort, by a musket ball in his right arm, and his hand severely cut with a broadsword.
When and where disabled: June, 1777 on his march to Morristown.
Residence: Wallingford.
To what pension entitled: Two-thirds
Remarks: Enlisted Dec. 26, 1776, for the war; on the roll in 1781.
Evidence complete.

Affidavits of Isaiah & Robert Meriman
in case of Widow Lydia Meriman. —

1 State of New York County of Seneca
Josiah Merriman, of the town of Macedon, in the County of Monroe and State of New York, being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is fifty four years of age, and upwards, that he is the son of Josiah Merriman, late of Providence, Saratoga County, New York, and formerly of the town of Wallingford, (now Mendon) in the County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, deceased, that in the life time of his father, the said Josiah Merriman, he has frequently heard him relate the particulars, or many of them, of his services in the Revolutionary war, that this Deponent frequently heard him say, that he enlisted in Col. Sheldon's Regiment of Light Horse for during the war and that he served during the war after his enlistment and until its close.
And this Deponent further says that he understood from his father that he served about seven years in the Revolutionary war, that he was wounded while in the service and this Deponent says that he died at Providence in the County of Saratoga, State of New York on the 17 th day of December in the year 1810. That at the time of his death the said Josiah Merriman was in the receipt of a Pension from the government of the United States, for on account of wounds received while in the service in the Revolutionary war, that he left a widow, Lydia Merriman, who is the mother of this Deponent, that she now resides in Byron, in the County of Seneca in the State of New York, and has resided there about nine years last past: that she has never married since the death of her said husband, Josiah Merriman, and still remains a widow and is more than eighty four years old; that she is very infirm and utterly unable to appear in a court of Record, — and has not been able to walk for the last thirteen or fourteen years. — and further this Deponent saith not.
Josiah Merriman
State of New York Seneca County
Robert Merriman, of the town of Byron in the said County of Seneca, being duly sworn doth depose and

2 say, that he is fifty two years old and upwards, that he is the son of Josiah Merriman, late of the town of Providence, Seneca County, N.Y. and formerly of the town of Wallingford, (now Meriden) New Haven County, Ct. deceased, and Lydia Merriman, late the wife of the said Josiah Merriman, now resident of the town of Byram in the said County of Seneca, that he has frequently heard his father relate many of the particulars of his service in the Revolutionary war, that he understood from him that he enlisted during the war, that he served until its close and about seven years, that at first he was a private, then a corporal, and then a sergeant and served as sergeant about two years - that he has heard others who served with their respective fathers, relate many of the particulars of their service and of the service of the said Josiah Merriman; that the said Josiah Merriman died at Providence Seneca Co. N.Y. on the 17 th December 1810, that he drew a Pension while living on account of wounds received in the Revolutionary war, that he left his widow, this Deponent's mother, who, as this Deponent believes, was married to the said Josiah Merriman in the year 1781 and while the said Josiah Merriman was in the service - that this Deponent's mother, and the widow of the said Josiah Merriman, previous to her marriage with this Deponent's father, was the widow Lydia Simpson. -
And this Deponent further says, that the said Lydia Merriman has remained unmarried ever since the death of her husband, the said Josiah Merriman, and still is a widow; that for the past nine years and upwards she has resided with this Deponent, that she is eighty four years of age, and upwards, that she is very infirm and utterly unable to appear in a Court of Record, and has been unable to walk for more than twelve years, and further this Deponent saith not. -
Robert Merriman
State of New York } ss. Seneca County } Town of Batavia. -
I, James D. Merrill, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Seneca, do hereby certify that Josiah Merriman and Robert Merriman, who have respectively subscribed

3 The foregoing affidavits, appeared before me, this 7 th day of March 1837 and made solemn oath that the affidavits respectively subscribed by them are just and true - And I further certify that I am well and personally acquainted with the said Josiah and Robert Merrimand, that they are men of respectable character and standing, of strict veracity and truth and that their statements are entitled to full confidence and credit -
James D Merrill Justice of Peace.
State of New York
Schenectady County ss: I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that James D. Merrill Esquire by whom the foregoing Certificate purports to have been made was at the time the said Certificate bears date a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to act as such: And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe the signature subscribed to said Certificate is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official seal this 7 th day of April A.D. 1837.
T. Fitch clerk

1736
Statement of
Widow, Lydia Herriman, in order to procure the benefit of the act of Congress, passed July 4 1836.-
Admitted
Corporal of Dragoons & 2 years Discharged In page 95. Final Set Certificate
H. M. Soper Esq. Batavia N. Y.

State of New York County of Ulster
On this twentieth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before the undersigned, John Sharpefield, one of the Judges of the County Courts of the county of Ulster; being Courts of Record, Lydia Overman, a resident of the town of Byram in the said county of Ulster, who being first by me duly sworn doth depose and say, that she is eighty five years of age, that she was born in the town of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, that her first husband was Robert Simpson, who died while in the Revolutionary service, but in what year precisely she cannot recollect, that she was married to Isaiah Overman after the death of her first husband, and on the eighth day of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, in the town of New Haven  Berkshire , in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut; that at the time of her marriage with the said Isaiah Overman, he was in the service in the Revolutionary army, in the Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon, that he was then a corporal and she recollects that Major Tallmadge was an officer in the army, but to what regiment he belonged she cannot tell. That she understood from her husband that he had been in the service from the commencement of the war and that he had enlisted for during the war, and she further says that her said husband, Isaiah Overman served until the close of the war, and that during the latter part of his service and after her marriage to him, he was a sergeant in the army, but how long he served as sergeant she cannot tell. That he served most of the time after her marriage, near Philadelphia and in that neighborhood, that her husband was wounded a great many times and was in many battles, but the names she cannot recollect. That at the time of his death, he received a pension on account of wounds received while in the service. That she resided while her husband was in the service in New Haven Ct. for a short time and then moved to her

husband's father in the town of Meriden, Ct. — That after the war her husband returned home and they lived in Meriden many years, when they moved to Providence, Saratoga County, New York, and that he died there on the 17 th day of December 1810. — That he received a Pension at the time of his death, that she lived with her children at different places until she came to reside with her son, Robert (Merrimand), in the town of Byers in the county of Bennington, where she has lived about ten years. — That she has not any certificate of her marriage, and never had any, that she has never been married since the death of the said Sarah Merrimand and is now his widow. That her extreme age and debility has weakened her memory so that she cannot state any more particulars of her husband's history. That she is now so infirm and has been so for many years that she cannot walk and cannot appear before a Court of Records.
That the facts above stated will more fully appear by the proofs hereto annexed. — "Wallingford" erased      Lydia X Merrimand and "New Haven" substituted.      mark.
Sworn and Subscribed this 20 th day of March 1837 before me.
John Chatfield a Judge of Litchfield County Courts
I certify that Lydia Merrimand made her mark to the above affidavit, not being able to write on account of the loss of her eyesight, and that from bodily infirmity, she is unable to appear in a Court of Records.
John Chatfield a Judge of Litchfield County Courts

State of New-York Genesee County ss
I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that John Chatfield Esquire before whom the annexed Affidavit purports to have been taken was at the time the said Affidavit bears date a Judge of Genesee County Courts dwelling in said County duly authorized to act as such: And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge And Verily believe the signature subscribed thereto is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal this 7 th April A.D. 1837 - T. Fitch clerk

State of Connecticut } Wallingford Town Clerks Office County of New Haven } Feb 27th 1837
Josiah Merriman married Lydia Simpson March 8 th 1787.
I James W. Carrington Town Clerk of said Town of Wallingford. Certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Records in this office.
J. W. Carrington Town Clerk.
I Randall Cook Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Wallingford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that James W. Carrin- gton's signature annexed to the foregoing Certificate is the Town Clerk of Wallingford. Duly authorized and empowered to certify Records & Copies of Records and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Court of Probate this 27 th day of Feb. 1837.
Randall Cook Clerk

June 28, 1932.
BA-J/ILL
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Josiah Merriman W. 16647
Mrs. Thomas W. Larkin 16 Trigon Park LeRoy, New York.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting the history of service of Josiah Merriman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 16647, based upon the service of Josiah Merriman in that war.
Josiah Merriman of Wallingford (later called Meriden), New Haven County, Connecticut, enlisted December 26 or 28, 1776, served as private, corporal and sergeant in Captain Porter's Company, Colonel Elijah Sheldon's 2 d Regiment of Light Dragoons and was in the service until sometime in 1781; he was in many battles and was wounded several times, once in June, 1777 on his march to Morristown, later in October, 1777, at Frankfort by a musket ball in his right arm and a severe cut on his hand by a sword, and at another time, in his right leg by the accidental discharge of his pistol.
He was allowed pension from September 4, 1794 on account of disability resulting from the above noted wounds.
The soldier died December 17, 1810 in Providence, Saratoga County, New York, where he had moved from Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut. He had resided in said Meriden for about twenty years after his war service and his father, whose name is not given, lived in that town in 1781.
Josiah Merriman married March 8, 1781, Lydia Simpson who was born in New Haven, Connecticut, date not given; they were married in New Haven, Connecticut; their marriage was recorded in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut. Lydia was the widow of Robert Simpson who was also a Revolutionary War soldier and died during his service in that war.

Lydia Merriman, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Josiah Merriam, on her application executed March 20, 1837, at which time she was eighty-five years of age. She was living then with her son, Robert Merriman, aged fifty-two years, in Byron, Genesee County, New York, having made her home with him for nine years.
In 1837, Josiah Merriman, son of the soldier and his wife, Lydia Merriman, was fifty-four years of age and resided in Sweden, Monroe County, New York.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

I Amasa Merriam of Meriden in the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut aged Seventy nine years, do hereby say, that I was well acquainted with Josiah Merriam when he was a boy and during the War of the Revolution; that he enlisted in the Continental Service, during the War; the Officers names under whom he served I do not recollect. That the said Josiah Merriam married a widow Simpson two years or more before the close of the War; that they lived together as Man & Wife when he was at Home on Furlough, had one Child during the War, and after the War they lived together Twenty years or more in this State as Man & Wife, when they removed to the State of New York; that the said Josiah served in Revolutionary War after his Marriage and until the close of the War; that the said Josiah Merriam belonging to the Cavalry and was reported to have been a Sergeant. —
Amasa Merriam
State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss Meriden c
On this 28 th day of February A.D. 1837 personally appeared Amasa Merriam and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts in the above Deposition by him subscribed and certify that the said Amasa Merriam is a man of truth & veracity, of respectable character and that full credit is due to his statements.
Before me
Benjamin Andrews Justice of Peace

Comptroller's Office Hartford Connecticut March 1st 1837
I certify that the name of Josiah Meriman appears on the Books of the Connecticut Line in this Office, under the following head, to wit, "Settlement with 2 d Regiment Light Dragoons Elisha Sheldon Esq, Colonel before 1780" and he is credited for service as a private from January 1st 1777 to July 12 th 1778 - being 1 year 6 months & 11 days £45-18-4-, and also as a Corporal from July 12 th 1778 to Jan'y 13 th 1780 being 1 year 5 months & 19 days £52-18-, he is also credited as corporal for services in the same Regiment for the year, 1780 £36-, He is also further credited for services as a corporal in the same Regiment for the year 1781 £36-, Wm Field Comptroller

State of Connecticut ss Office of the Secretary of said State March 1 st A.D. 1837
Thereby certify that that Benezah Andrews Esq. is a Justice of the peace within and for the County of New Haven in this State and has been for more than eight months last past as appears by the records in this office -
And I further certify that the signa- ture of said Andrews annexed to his certificate hereto attached is his true and natural signature -
In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of this State and signed the same at the date above.
Royal H. Kimball Secretary of State

Hezekiah Rice of Moriaus in the County of- Waltham in the State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years, do hereby say, that I was well acquain- nted, with Josiah Merriman and Lydia his wife that they were married during the Revolutionary War; That he moved his wife Lydia into this Town some time before the close of the War and after the close of the War they lived together in this Town (Wallingford & Meriden then being one Town) several years; as was said and they then removed from this State into the State of New York; That the said Josiah Merriman enlisted during the war that he was a Sergeant in a Company of Cavalry, and that after his marriage the said Josiah served in the War, until the close the close of the War; That the said Lydia at the time of her intermarriage with the said Josiah Merriman was a widow, by the Name of Lydia Simpson. Hezekiah Rice

State of Connecticut New Haven County ss Meriden
On this 28 th day of February A D 1837, Personally appeared Hezekiah Trull and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts in the within Deposition by him subscribed, and thereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Hezekiah Trull & that he is a man of truth and veracity, of respectable character and that full faith & credit is due to his statements sworn to & certified by me
Bengiah Andrews Justice of Peace

Patania, Genesee County, N. Y. April 7. 1837
Hon. James L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Dear Sir,
I enclose the papers of the Widow, Lydia Merriman, for the purpose of procuring for her the benefits of the Acts of Congress, passed July 4. 1836. I think you will find that her papers abundantly establish her claim. I went to see her, myself, to draw up her statement and have no hesitation in declaring that she stated the truth. She is possessed of her memory in more than an ordinary degree for a person of her advanced age. Her recollection as to her marriage was, that it took place in New Haven and she would not admit that she was mistaken. The certificate of her marriage, you will perceive is from the town clerk of Wallingford. She says that Wallingford has since been set off from New Haven - or as she states, she went to or lived in Meriden soon after their marriage, and Meriden and Wallingford were then one town as sworn to by one of the witnesses. I desire that you will make the necessary examination of her claim as soon as convenient and advise me of the same.
I wish also an examination as to her claim for commutation money and bounty land. If your office is not the proper office for this examination, will you oblige me by submitting the papers to the proper persons?
I am Yours
Obt Servt. &
Horace M. Soper

for a statement of the military history of Josiah Merriman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Wid. 7. 16,647.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan 1. 1777 to 1781. Pri. 3d Corpl. Porter Elisha Sheldon Contl. Dragoons  
* Soldier was pensioned for accident and of right leg received in June 1777 while on march to Morristown of musket ball and of right arm and sword cut of hand in Oct 1777 at battle of Frankfort .
Battles engaged in, In many battles, no names stated except as above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Conn.
Date of application for pension, March 20. 1837. Her cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y.
Age at date of application, 85 yrs old. She was born at New Haven Conn.
Remarks:
Soldier married March 8. 1781, at Wallingford, New Haven Co. Conn. Lydia, wid. of Robert Simpson; soldier died Dec. 17. 1810 at Providence, Saratoga Co., N.Y. Children: Josiah, aged 54 yrs and Robert, aged 52 yrs. in 1837.
Very respectfully,
* { N. B. See Page 153, Am. State Papers for acct. of wds. and name of Capt. }
Commissioner.

Batavia New York.
January 30 th 1909.
Department of the Interior, Pension Dept. Washington D. C.
Dear Sir;
Do your pension records contain the name of Josiah Merriman who was born April 5, 1748 and died Dec. 17, 1810. His wife's name was Lydia Johnson Simpson. We do not know where he was born or where he died but he lived in New Haven Conn. at the beginning

of the Revolution.
Janet A. Dibble. 151 Summit St. Batavia N.Y.
16647

MRS. THOMAS W. LARKIN 16 TRIGON PARK LEROY, NEW YORK
May 12 1932
Veterans Administration, Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
I wish to thank you for former favors, especially the copy of service of Benjamin Bradley, with that we were able to complete D.A.R application papers on his service.
May I ask as a further favor a copy of the history of service of Josiah Merri- man who served from Wallingford Conn. His wife was Lydia (Johnson) Simpson widow of Robert Simpson.
Thanking you in advance for this favor. Very truly yours,
C. G. Larkin. (Mrs T. W.)

1909, Feb. 13. History to Miss Janeta Dibble, Batavia, N.Y.
1932 - June 25 - Hist. to Mrs. Thomas H. Lakin - Ill. L.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16647
Lydia Merriman
Wid of
Jonah Merriman
George Rev War
Act: July 4 th '36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 43
[Arrangement of 1870.]