Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41,865, for Nathaniel Merrill, New Hampshire

SERVICE
Continental N.Y.
Merrill Nathaniel
NUMBER
S. 41865
CONTENTS

Reported.
In letter to E. Patten P. Agt. Apr. 24. 1834
Letter to H. Clarke 17 May 1842. Letter to P. W. Agt 5 Sep 1842.
To Burlington Vermont from 4 March 1842. - 9. Sep 1842
Notification to Horace Clarke. Middlesex Vt.
Vermont. B Rescript 20.467
Daniel Merrill Chefield in the State of Conn. as a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Elliot. of the Regt. commanded by Colonel Scammon, in the Vt. H. Art. line, for the term of 3 years. from 14. October. 1777 to 14. October 1780.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut. at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 25 th day of September 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of April 1834, and sent to Hon. J. W. Huntington, S. of Reps. arrears to 4th of March. 1834. - 138.40. Semi-annual all co ending 4 Sep. 1834. - 48. -
$186.40.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818. May 1, 1820. March 1, 1823. }
Recorded Book D vol. Three page 14, W. W. Palmer clerk.

Original Claim.
Declaration, in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the Act of the 18th of March, 1818.
County of Litchfield ss. Litchfield
On this 24 th day of December 1830, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for the County aforesaid, Nathaniel Merrill resident in said County, aged 71 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 18th of March, 1818, 1st of May, 1820, and 1st of March, 1823; and that the said Nathaniel Merrill enlisted for the term of three years on the fourteenth day of October in the year 1777 in the State of New York in the company commanded by captain William Ellis in the regiment commanded by colonel Alexander Scammon in the line of the State of New Hampshire on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in said corps until the 14 th day of October 1780 when he was discharged from the service, in West Point in the State of New York — that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any State, except as aforesaid, and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension: to wit that about twelve years since he made application and transmitted his papers to the Pension Office, but that said application was rejected on account of the insufficiency of his proof of service; that within a few days before the date hereof he accidentally learned that Lieut. Robert B. Wilkins with whom he was acquainted in the Revolutionary Army, was living, and resident in the State of New Hampshire
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, 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 as it relates to my occupation, my ability to pursue it, the number and names of my family residing with me, their ages and their capacity to contribute to their support, I declare as follows, viz. that my occupation is that of a day laborer or farming — That I am old and infirm , My family consists of myself, an aged Daughter Wife, and a daughter of the age of nine years
The following schedule contains each article of real and personal estate now owned by the subscriber (except necessary clothing and bedding), viz.
  1 Iron Pot, (broken) $0.25   1 Table 0.50   1 Baking Pan 1.00   1 Dish Pettle 0.75   1 Tea Pettle 0.50   2 Chains 0.50   1 Axe 0.50   $4.00 
Nathaniel Merrill mark

Since the 18th of March, 1818, the following changes have been made in my property.
   Description of property. Names of persons to whom disposed of. Time of sale. Amount of money or description of property received in return.      There has been no change in my property since the 18 th of March A. D. 1818.  Nathaniel Merrill mark →   
Sworn to and declared, on the 24 th day of December, 1830 before the said County Court. Subscribed by Frederick Wolcott
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court in the county of Litchfield and state of Connecticut, do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Nathaniel Merrill — did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is
Four dollars and — cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 24 th day of December — A. D. 1830.
Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the — Court, County Court within the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut.

State of Vermont, Rutland County ss.
On this 22 nd day of August, 1842 before me, the subscriber, a justice of the Peace for the said county of Rutland personally appeared Nathaniel Merrill, who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain William Ellis in the Regiment, commanded by Colonel Alexander Scammon in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Connecticut, from whence he has lately removed that, he now resides, in the State of Vermont, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be then payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Connecticut, to Vermont - to wit,
That his wife died in Connecticut, and he removed to Vermont, for the purpose of living with his son
Witnesses who reside there Horace Clark Luther Fillmore
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid
Luther Fillmore Justice of the Peace
Nathaniel Merrill
I James Merrill of Pitts in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont, of lawful age being duly sworn testify and say, that I am well acquainted with the above named Nathaniel Merrill, (he is the father of this deponent) and is the person who has taken and subscribed the ab

oath and is the identical person described in the affidavit, by him above subscribed and sworn to
James Merrill
State of Vermont } Rutland County ss } Middlesex 22 d August, 1842
Then personally appeared before me the named James Merrill, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit, by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And I certify that the said James Merrill, is a person of veracity,
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Luther Fillmore Justice of the Peace
SEAL OF VERMONT. RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss. } I, Frederick W. Stephens , Clerk of the
Andrew L Brown Deputy I, Frederick W. Stephens, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that Luther Fillmore was at the date of the certificate to which this is annexed a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly commissioned: that his commis- sion is dated on the fifth  24 th day of November A. D. 1841, and will expire on the 30 th day of November A. D. 1842, and I verily believe his sig- nature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland in said county this 24 th day of August A. D. 1842. A. L. Brown Deputy Clerk

I. Nathaniel Merrill of Norfolk in the County of Litch- field and State of Connecticut. Testify and say. That I was born in the Town of Shillings, in the County of Windham, and State aforesaid, and when I was Ten Years of age, I removed with my fathers family to Chesterfield in the State of New Hampshire, and in the month of January A 1776 when I was betw. een seventeen and eighteen Years of age I enlisted into the service of the United States as a private soldier for one Year in a Company commanded by Captain Robert Oliver, Lieutenant Isaac Harwell, and Ensign Emerson, and in a Regiment commanded by Col. James Reed, & Lieut. Col. Gilman, after my enlistment I was marched to Winter Hill, & after the British Troops left Boston, I went with the army to New London in Connecticut, and from there by water, to New York, in the month of March 1776, and after remaining there a few weeks, we were transported to Albany, and from there marched to Lake George, & from there in Battalions to Saint Johns in Canada, we then proceeded with the army to Montreal, and there met the remains of the army under Genl. Thomas retreating from Quebec, we then all retreated to Saint Johns, and to Crown Point and from there to Ticonderoga and Mount Independence where we remained to until the last of October. I would here remark that when I was mustered with the company at Winter Hill near Boston, it consisted of about one hundred men, and when we arrived at Ticonderoga from Canada, the company consisted of only twelve men fit for duty of which I was one the others

being all dead, or so sick as to be unfit for duty. I then marched with the company to which I belonged, and with several others, to Albany and from there to Morristown in New Jersey where we joined the American army under Gen t Washington, and was present with the army at the battle of Trenton, and a few days afterwards on the first of January 1777 was discharged.
I enlisted again in the revolutionary army for eight months in May A D 1777 in a company commanded by Cap t Daniel Livermore a lieutenant Amos Cobourn, and in a regiment commanded by Col t Alexander Scammell and having served out my time, I again enlisted to serve for three years in the same Regiment, the company being commanded by Captain William Ellis, and having served until the 20 th day of May A D 1780, I was discharged at West Point on account of my ill health during three terms of service I was at the taking of Gen t Burgoyne, and at the Battle of Monmouth, and served with Gen t Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians but as my service under these enlistments, have been stated in my application for a pension, and been satisfactorily proved to the War Department, I omit to state the details of this my service more particularly.
After I was discharged at West Point in May 1780, I returned to my father's house in Chesterfield in New Hampshire and resided with him constantly until the spring of the year 1781, excepting that in the fall of the year 1780, I made a visit of two or three weeks, to Shillings in Connecticut, and in May 1781 I went with my father to the Town of Arlington in the County of Bennington in the State of Vermont, where he purchased a farm, and I then continued to labor in the neighborhood, until the fall or autumn of 1781, when I went to reside with a Mr. Isaac H. Wallen

of said Arlington, and I lived with said Wallau and labored for him and for other persons in the neighborhood untill October 9 th A D 1783 when I was married and soon after removed from said Town of Arlington and have since resided in various places in the State of New York and Massachusetts, untill the summer of 1821, and since that time have lived in the Towns of Norfolk and Canaan in Connecticut. I further certify that after my discharge in May 1780, I have never resided, or served, in or deserted, from, the service of the United States, and that any entry, or memorandum, of return made say on any of the Books, or Rolls, or files, in the War department, of my having deserted, is untrue, and must have been made by mistake.
After the law of A D 1818 was passed, giving pensions to the soldiers of the Revolution, I immediately made application for a pension, but was so poor that I could not procure any testimony, to support my declaration, or any money to pay the fees of the Court. I then neglected to do anything further on the subject, untill my present Application was made, & I was soon after notified that I must procure proof of my service. I then obtained the disposition of Lieutenant Robert Wilkins, and forwarded it to the Pension agent, and soon after, was informed that I was returned on the Ledgers of the Regiment as a deserter in A D 1782 and for the purpose of proving, that I did not desert, and having no means, or money, to enable me to travel in any other way, I went on foot, to Chesterfield in New Hampshire, to procure the Disposition, of my former Captain, William Ellis, and from there travelled on foot to Concord in the same State, to procure the Certificate of the Secretary of State, of my service & discharge. With these papers I

returned home, having travelled on foot, in going and returning, three hundred and twenty miles, and from my poverty, was obliged to depend upon the charity of the people for my support, having had only two dollars in money, when I commenced my Journey.
After I had transmitted the aforesaid papers to the War Department, I was informed by a letter from the Pension Agent, of the 20 th of July 1832, that I must procure and forward other circumstantial proof, that I did not Reenlist  desert after my discharge in 1780, and for that purpose, I again commenced a Journey on foot, to Arlington in Vermont, and on my arrival there, I found that every person who resided in Arlington and of my acquaintance while I lived there in 1781, and 1782, and 1783, were dead, or superannuated, excepting a Mr. Isaac H. Wallen, whose Deposition I procured, and the said Wallen, for the purpose of being certain as to the time, when I lived with him, before giving his deposition, went to the Town Records of Duds and ascertained the date of the Deed to my father of the farm he purchased, when he removed with his family to Arlington as I before stated, and further the Deposition saith not
his Nathaniel X Merrill mark
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } Canaan.
On this 6 th day of November A D 1832, Personally appeared Nathaniel Merrill and subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same contains the truth, and I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Merrill, and that he is a Credible Witness. William M. Burrall Associate Judge of Litchfield County Court

We Charles Prentiss, a Clergyman, and the settled Minister of the first Society in the Town of Canaan in the County of Litchfield, and Joshua Raymond of said Canaan a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Merrill the aforesaid Deponent, that he is reputed, and believed, to be a credible witness in the neighborhood where he resides to be a credible witness, and we concur in that opinion, and that altho' he now lives within the limits of the Town of Norfolk, he has labored, and resided most of the time for ten years last past, in the said Town of Canaan.
Charles Prentiss Joshua Raymond
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } ss. Canaan
On this 8 th day of November A D 1832, Personally appeared before me the subscribing authority, the Rev d . Charles Prentiss, & Joshua Raymond Esq d , and subscribed the foregoing Certificate, and made oath to the truth of the same, and I further certify that the said Charles Prentiss is the Resident Clergyman in the first society in said Canaan, & that Joshua Raymond is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Litchfield and that they are Credible Witnesses.
Wm M. Burrall Associate Judge of Litchfield County Court

Frederick Woodruff, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, certify that William M. Barron Esq. before whom the pre- ceding Affidavits of Nathaniel Merrill, Charles Jennings and Joshua Raymond and appear to have been taken, now is and for more than one year last past hath been an Associate Judge of the County Court for said County, (which Court is a Court of Record) and that the signatures to said Affidavits which purport to be his are genuine & his proper handwriting. In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Litchfield in said County this 25 th day of December A. D. 1832.
Frederick Woodruff, Clerk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MMRP/MSK
February 25, 1930.
Hon. George S. Godard State Librarian Connecticut State Library Hartford, Connecticut.
My dear Mr. Godard:
In response to your letter of February 21, 1930, I have the honor to furnish you herewith the history of Nathaniel Merrill, S. 41865:
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim (S. 41865) it appears that Nathaniel Merrill was born in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, date not stated.
While residing in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, with his father, whose name is not given, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Hampshire Troops as follows:
From January 1776, one year in Captain Robert Oliver's Company, Colonel James Reed's Regiment, and was in the expedition to Canada and battle of Trenton; from May 1777 in Captain Daniel Livermore's and William Ellis' Company, Colonel Alexander Scamell's Regiment. He was in the battles of Stillwater, Saratoga, Monmouth and in Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, and was discharged in May, 1780.
In 1818 he was fifty-eight years of age and was residing in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
He stated that after he was discharged from the service he returned to his father's house in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and resided there until the spring of 1781, when he moved to
1818 58 1760
1832 1760 72

Arlington, Bennington County, Vermont, and married October 9, 1783, and soon after moved and lived at various places in Massachusetts and New York until 1821 when he moved to Connecticut.
In 1830 he referred to a daughter as aged nine years, her name not given; and in 1842 he stated that his wife died in Connecticut, and that he had moved to Vermont to live with his son.
His son, James Merrill, was residing in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont, in 1842.
The name of the soldier's wife is not given, and there are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

January 11, 1930
Honorable F.C. Walcott United States Senate Washington, D.C.
My dear Senator:
In response to your request by telephone of January 10, 1930, I have the honor to advise you that you are herewith furnished the history of Nathaniel Merrill, S. 41865:
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim (S.41865) it appears that Nathaniel Merrill was born in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, date not stated.
While residing in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, with his father whose name is not given, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Hampshire Troops as follows:
From January, 1776, one year in Captain Robert Oliver's Company, Colonel James Reed's Regiment and was in the expedition to Canada and battle of Trenton; from May, 1777, in Captains Daniel Livermore's and William Ellis' Company, Colonel Alexander Scamell's Regiment. He was in the battles of Stillwater, Saratoga, Monmouth and in Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, and was discharged in May, 1780.
In 1818, he was fifty-eight years of age and was residing in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
He stated that after he was discharged from the service he returned to his father's house in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and resided there until in the spring of 1781, when he moved to Arlington, Bennington County, Vermont,

and married October 9, 1783, and soon after moved and lived at various places in Massachusetts and New York until 1821 when he moved to Connecticut.
In 1830, he referred to a daughter as aged nine years, her name not given, and in 1842, he stated that his wife died in Connecticut and that he had moved to Vermont to live with his son.
His son, James Merrill, was residing in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont, in 1842.
The name of the soldier's wife is not given and there are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

Dec 31 1929 December 31, 1929.
Mr. F. C. Bissell 1009 West Boulevard Hartford Connecticut.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 41865, it appears that Nathaniel Merrill was born in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, date not stated.
While residing in Chesterfield, New Hampshire with his father whose name is not given, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Hampshire troops as follows:
From January 1776 one year in Captain Robert Oliver's Company, Colonel James Reed's Regiment and was in the expedition to Canada and battle of Trenton; from May 1777 in Captains Daniel Livermore's and William Ellis' Company Colonel Alexander Scamell's Regiment. He was in the battles of Stillwater, Saratoga, Monmouth and in Sullivan's expedition against the Indians and was discharged in May 1780.
In 1818 he was fifty-eight years of age and was residing in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
He stated that after he was discharged from the service he returned to his father's house in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and resided there until in the spring of 1781 when he moved to Arlington, Bennington County, Vermont and married October 9, 1783 and soon after moved and lived at various places in Massachusetts and New York until 1821 when he moved to Connecticut.

December 21 st 1888
V.I.R./H.F.H.
In 1830 he referred to a daughter as aged nine years, her name not given, and in 1842 he stated that his wife died in Connecticut and that he had moved to Vermont to live with his son.
His son, James Merrill, was residing in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont in 1842.
The name of the soldier's wife is not given and there are no further data as to family.
Due to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours, and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the Bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.
Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of their receipt.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

GEORGE S. GODARD STATE LIBRARIAN
ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE STATE LIBRARIAN
CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY HARTFORD, U. S. A.
February twenty-seventh 1930
Hon. Earl D. Church, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Rev. and 1812 War Sec. MMHF/HMM
My dear Colonel Church:
I thank you for yours of 25 inst. enclosing history of Revolutionary Service of Nathaniel Merrill, S.41865 received this morning. I am transmitting this to Mr. Charles S. Miller, Oak Corner, R. D. 5 Waterbury, Conn.
Very sincerely,
State Librarian
GSG:LGG

41865
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 41865-
Nathaniel Merrill Rev Peter M.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 881
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1927. Mar. 20 photo mounted to A. W. De Gooch, Co. N. S. Shipping Board. City (see receipt for payment in James Pierce. W 27442) Aw.
1929. Dec. 31. Hist. to F. C. Bissell awg.
1930. Jan. 11. " " Hon F. C. Walcott awg.
1930. Feb 25, 1930 - Hist. to Geo. S. Godard for Chas. S. Merrill.
MS

admitted Connecticut as discharged 1875 1820 "again by a return Oct 1782 he deserted" Vid rolls - p. 172
Ref to M d E and ordered to be rejected - papers filed with susp n jeans
Vid letter to app d 3 May 1821.

State of New Hampshire.
To all whom it may concern. I hereby certify that there is in this office on file, a List of the non-commissioned officers and privates in the company formerly commanded by Captain W m Ellis of the 3 d New- Hampshire Regiment, from June 1777, to Jan'y 1, 1780, with the times of their enlistments and other casualties; and that upon said List is borne the name of Nath l Merrill who enlisted, as appears by the aforesaid List, on the fourteenth day of October Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and that from said list it appears that he was a member of said company in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State in the office of the Secretary of State, at Concord, the fourth day of October Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and in the fifty fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Dudley S. Palmer, Secretary of State

I Robert B. Wilkins of Concord in the County of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire on Oath declare that I was a Lieutenant in the New Hampshire Line in the Continental Revolutionary Army, and was personally & well acquainted with Nathaniel Merrill, and know that he enlisted as a soldier in Captain William Tilton's Company of the 3 d New Hampshire Regiment commanded by Colonel Alexander Scamnell, on or about the fourteenth day of October 1777 for three years, and continued faithfully to serve until his term of enlistment expired he was a neat, obedient, alert, Brave soldier highly respected by all the Officers that commanded him
Robert B Wilkins
State of New Hampshire, On the 4 th day of October, 1830. Merrimack County, ss. & the above named Robert B.
Wilkins, personally appearing, made solemn oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is just and true.
Before me, Abbe Gady, Justice of the Peace for said County.
State of New Hampshire
To all whom it may concern.
Know ye, that Abbe Gady, whose proper signature as a Justice of the Peace is prefixed to the above affidavit, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Merrimack in said State, duly constituted and sworn, and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court, within and out of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, at Concord, this fourth day of October Anno Domini 1830, and in the fifty-fifth year of American Independence. Dudley S. Palmer, Secretary of State

Canaan Ct. May 6 th 1831
Hon d John H. Eaton Secretary of War
Sir. I enclosed during the last session of Congress to J. W. Huntington a number of Congress - from this State, an application of Nath l Merrill of this place, for a pension, for revolutionary services by referring to the documents. You will find ample proof of his services. Mr. Huntington wrote me that on an examination of the Regimental Ledger of the troops, among whom Merrill claimed to have served it was found, that there was an entry or memorandum, that Merrill had deserted in 1782. & he sent me a copy of the account. I communicated this to Mr. Merrill who totally denied it, and says he was never in the service at all, after 1780. in May, when he was discharged, after a particular examination of Merrill I was satisfied that he did not desert, & that the entry in the Ledger was made by mistake, or related to some other person of the same name. I therefore advised him to go to New Hampshire, and to procure such proof as he might be able to find, relative to his discharge. He has since made the journey on foot, altho over seventy years old, and begged his subsistence on the road, and has procured the enclosed copy of the roll of the company in which he served, and also the disposition of Capt t Ellis, under whom he served, which I hope, and trust, will satisfy you, that he did not desert. I find that, that there is no certificate annexed to the disposition of Capt t Ellis. That Mr. Hinds, the Justice of the Peace who administered the Oath, is a magistrate, and altho it appears to me that the copy of the Roll is sufficient proof, that Merrill did not desert I will if it is necessary procure a Certificate from the Secretary of State of the fact, that Hinds is a Justice of the Peace -

when I enclosed the papers of Merrill to Mr. Huntington I referred you to him, for information with respect to myself, in pursuance of the late rule adopted in your department as to agents of persons applying for pensions. I also, in an application I made during the last winter for a new pension Certificate for Russell Hunt, enclosed a Certificate of the Clerk of this County, that I now hold the Office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Litchfield, which is on file in the Pension Office & will I suppose be satisfactory, as to my own respectability.
Mr. Merrill is very poor, & literally dependent upon the charity of individuals for his support. I therefore hope that his application will receive an early attention, by referring to the application of Merrill, you will find the deposition of an Officer who served in the same regiment with him, that he was an obedient faithful & brave soldier, & that he served his time, & you now have the testimony of another Officer who enlisted him, & in whose company he served & that he was discharged, also the Roll of the Company with the same facts on it, under these circumstances I think you will be satisfied that the memorandum on the Regimental ledger, made according to the date, two years after his time of service had expired, is wronous , or relates to some other person of the same name, please to notice if it mentions the same Company & Regiment.
If a Pension is granted to Merrill, he wishes to have it sent to me, by mail directed to South Canaan P. Office Connecticut.
I am Respectfully &c
Wm M. Burrall

Canaan Ct. Dec. 27 th 1830
Hon d : John H. Eaton, Secretary of War,
Sir. at the request of Mr. Nath l Merrill I enclose his application for a Pension and the evidence in proof of his service. Mr. Merrill wishes to have his pension certificate sent to me directed to South the Post Office South Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut. he is very poor, & unable to support himself without the aid of the charitable, and an immediate attention to his claim, would therefore much oblige him.
I have observed a notice in the Washington papers from the Pension Agent. that no attention would be paid to any papers transmitted to that office by any agent of a pensioner or applicant for a pension, unless some satisfactory reference, was given by the Agent of his respectability. I would therefore refer to Mess rs J. W. Huntington & R. S. Ingersoll members of Congress from this State, with whom I am well acquainted and who will satisfy you in that respect.
I am with Respect
W m M. Burrall

Canaan December 1 st 1833
Dear Friend
I hope you will take the earliest opportunity to look after Mr Merrill's pension his age and infirmities and extreme poverty call for immediate relief
He has used every exertion to support himself and family hoping every day to receive from the government that reward he was so well entitled as a soldier of the revolution The justice of his claim no one will dispute who that hears the simple unvarnished history of his campaigns will dispute, I have been acquainted with him about Thirteen years, & in that time he has told over the attendant circumstances of all his acts and duties as an enlisted soldier of the Revolution perhaps fifty times without any variation he firmly declares that he was honorably discharged as he has stated in his declaration.
I beg of you to use such means as may be in your power that he may have his pension immediately
If you have any spare documents, please to send some to your friend & humble servant Joshua Rayson

Albany N.Y.
pen: to com: 25 Sept. 1832 = $18 per month.
Hon. J.W. Huntington H.R.
Connect. Rd. at 18 march 1816
The within deposition of Isaac H Wallis was taken and sealed up by Gardner Baxter justice of the peace

I Isaac H Wallace of Shaftsbury in the county of Bennington and State of Vermont of lawfull age being duly sworn do depose testify and say that Nathaniel Merrill came to my house in Arlington in the county of Bennington some time in the autumn of A.D. 1781 and he continued to reside in Arlington until A.D. 1783 and further this deponent saith that he never knew that the said Nathaniel Merrill ever enlisted into the continental service after he came to Arlington and thinks he did not or he would have known it and further this deponent saith not
Isaac H Wallace
State of Vermont } Town of Shaftsbury 25 th day of Bennington County } September A.D. 1832 Then Isaac H Wallace of Shaftsbury in the county of Bennington and state of Vermont personally appearing and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before Gardner Burton for justice of the peace
The above deposition taken at the request of Nathaniel Merrill to be used in the United States war department Certified by Gardner Burton for justice of the peace

I Benjamin Ellis of Hinsdale in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, of lawful age depose and testify that I was an officer in a company in the Third New Hampshire Regiment, commanded by Col. Alexander Scammon, from the year 1776 or 1777, till the close of the Revolutionary War in 1783. The former part of P. term I was a Lieutenant, and the remainder, I commanded as captain. While I was a Lieutenant in P. company, Nathaniel Merrill, of Chesterfield in P. County of Cheshire, enlisted into P. company as a private soldier for three years, and served therein as such, two or three years, according to the best of my recollection, and was honorably discharged. I believe his discharge took place some little time before the end of his enlistment, on account of the bad state of his health. It is so long ago that I cannot now recollect all the particulars about the enlistment & discharge of every soldier belonging to my company, but I well remember the enlistment of P. Merrill, & my impression always has been & now is, that he was honorably discharged. - At the time P. Merrill enlisted as aforesaid, the company aforesaid was commanded by my uncle Capt. William Ellis. Benj. Ellis
State of New Hampshire. Cheshire ss. -
On this 29th day of April Anno Domini 1831 Benjamin Ellis above named, known to me as a gentleman of respectability, veracity & truth, personally came and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed,
Before me
Abn: Hinds Jus. Peace

(Copy)
War Department
Pension Office
April 21. 1834
Sir,
Be pleased to inscribe on the revolutionary pension roll of your agency under the Act of March 18. 1818, the name of Nathaniel Merrill, at the rate of eight dollars per month, commencing on the twenty fifth of September 1832, and pay him upon the production of the proper vouchers.
I am very respectfully
Your obedt Servt.
(Signed) L. Edwards
E. Parsons Esq. H. U. S. Br. Bank Pension Agent
Sir,
Office Bank of States Hartford April 21. 1834
Above is a Copy of your letter relative to Nathaniel Merrill, which I forward agreeably to your request of the 17th inst. out - Nathaniel Merrill whose name was

enrolled under the Act of 1818 many years ago. appears to have been paid to September 4. 1833..
Payment of his pension is suspended until further instructions from the War Department agreeably to your letter of 17th inst.
I am very respectfully Your obed serv
H. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
Samuel H. Parsons for Enoch Parsons Dec'd

Keepy refd to the Ld of Micalestown N o May 11 th 1810 of W er Yrs
Enclosed is the Pen. C ap . of Mathew M un illy, returned to be transferred to the Pen. list roll of the B r Agency You may return the same to me by his request
Yr H o serv t
Horace Clark

House of Reps. Dec. 31. 1830.
Sir.
I transmit you the enclosed papers, which have been sent to me -- William M. Burdell Esq. is a gentleman of great respectability, with whom I am personally acquainted --
Please communicate to me the decision which may be made on the application,
Respectfully Your obedt Servt
J. M. Huntington
J. L. Edwards Esq.

9. Sept 1842
Enns
J. S. O'Leary Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Pension Agency Hartford Sept 7. 1842
Sir
In answer to your enquiry as to what time Nathaniel Merrill a pensioner on the roll of this Agency under the Act of 18 March 1818 at the rate of eight Dollars per month was last paid I have to inform you that he has been paid to the 20 th March 1842
I remain very Respectfully Your Ob dt Serv t .
A. H. Conway For Henry Fowler Pension Clerk
D. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Middlesex J. S. Aug. 22. 1842
Hon. J. A. Edwards
In the Rev. Papers of Nathaniel Merrill for his transfer from Camb. Rev. Socy, to the Socy, be oblige and a new copy to him be issued please return to me and
Very Yr. W. S. S.
Horace Clark

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No.
13698
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
Please furnish work specified below.
March 22, 1927
Bureau ordering Pension
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostat copies of 4 pages from the Rev. War pension claim, S. 41865, Nathaniel Merrill.
No. of copies 1 of each page Shall form be kept standing? days
For further information see A. E. Wilson 5033 541
Approved: Room No. Phone No.
Chief Clerk of Bureau Chief of Branch or Division
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph
single or double space?
Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph
one side or both sides?
Facsimile signature?
Folding
once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling
Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter
Fill in addresses?
Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes, size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
Cards, size
Pay rolls
Corrections
Tabulation sheets
Photostat
x Size actual
Official use?
Repay? yes
$0.60
Blue Print
Size
Official use?
Repay?
$
Remarks
(OVER)
see receipt for payment in James Lucas 10-27-44-2

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192 . (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
 Make new addressograph plate  Change present addressograph plate } On list.....  Destroy present addressograph plate } 
as follows:
Now reads        1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
Should read    1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192 .
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....

GEORGE S. GODARD STATE LIBRARIAN
ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE STATE LIBRARIAN
CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY HARTFORD, U. S. A.
February 21, 1930
United States Pension Bureau Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Reb
Please advise concerning record on file in your department of Nathaniel Merrill, 2nd., noted on page 50 of the Connecticut Pension Roll, published in the Report from the Secretary of War ----- in relation to the Pension Establishment of the United States, printed Washington, 1835. This is page 514 of the full report.
This information is requested for the leader and historian, Charles S. Merrill, of the Ancient Mattatuck Drum Corps, Waterbury, which had service in the Revolutionary War.
Very sincerely,
Geo. S. Godard
State Librarian
GSG:SEB

THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION
 President  DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE 58 Waverly St., New Haven  Vice-Presidents  Maj. CHARLES H. SPRAGUE Bridgeport  WILBUR F. TOMLINSON Danbury  FRANK E. SANDS Meriden  Secretary  ROBERT F. BRADLEY 306 Meigs Bldg., Bridgeport  Treasurer  HARRY H. PRITCHARD 886 Main St., Bridgeport
 Registrar  F. CLARENCE BISSELL 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford  Historian  PAUL B. GODARD 18 Asylum St., Hartford  Chaplain  Rev. J. ROMEYN DANFORTH New London  Necrologist  LEVERETT BELKNAP P. O. Box 734, Hartford  Trustee to National Society  WILLIAM W. BUCKINGHAM 444 Humphrey St., New Haven
F. CLARENCE BISSELL, Registrar 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford
Dec. 28. 1929
DELEGATES
 COL. TRACY B. WARREN (at large)  WILLIAM G. BAXTER  WILLIAM W. BUCKINGHAM  ARTHUR R. KIMBALL  CLARENCE BLAKESLEE  WILLIAM H. BURE  P. JOSEPH CHATTERTON  ROBERT SCOVILLE  JAMES S. HEDDEN  ARTHUR S. LANE  A. MCCLELLAN MATHEWSON  FREDERIC T. MURLESS, JR.  EDMUND E. FREEMAN  JOHN M. PARKER, JR.  EDGAR L. POND  SEYMOUR N. ROBINSON  ERNEST E. ROGERS  FRANK E. SANDS  CHARLES E. P. SANFORD  WILLIAM A. SCHENCK  JOHN A. SPAFFORD  ALFRED SPENCER, JR.  MARTIN WELLES  HERBERT H. WHITE  CLARENCE H. WICKHAM  ARTHUR E. WOODRUFF  REV. ORVILLE H. PETTY 
OTHER MANAGERS
 WILLIAM H. ALLEN  JOHN C. BRINSMADE  ORLANDO H. BROTHWELL  ALBERT F. CORBIN  WILLIAM H. CORBIN  FRANK B. GAY  WILSON H. LEE  ROBERT W. LOVELL  FRANCIS MAXWELL  EDWARD J. MORGAN  GEORGE C. ROSS  EARNEST C. SIMPSON  GEORGE F. BURGESS  HARRY R. WILLIAMS  DR. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS 
Secretaries of Local Chapters, ex-officio
 F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON, New Haven  WILLIS N. BARBER, Meriden  SAMUEL P. BEARDSLEY, Bridgeport  EARLE M. WOOD, Norwich  CHARLES A. QUINTARD, Norwalk  ELMER H. SPAULDING, New London  CHARLES G. STONE, Hartford  MALCOLM D. RUDD, Salisbury  HARRY E. TARGETT, Danbury  ADRIAN L. MULLOY, Waterbury 
U.S. Pension Office
for min. of Nov. 13 th gave astray?
I asked for pension record of Nathaniel Merrill, pensioner in Conan, Conn. @ 80 in 1820, as per U.S. census of that date.
Having no answer, I conclude that the letter went wrong.
Respectfully
F. C. Bissell. Regt.
1821 0 800 176 0
163 0 71 59

IN REPLY REFER TO
3-1885
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON

Senator F. C. Halcott Senate Office Bldg., Room 332 Washington, D. C.
requested by telephone, the history of Nathaniel Merrill a pensioner in 1840 residing in Canaan, Conn. aged 80 yrs.
Jan-10-1929 MWF

Mr Merrill humbly requests, that whatever communication, the Honorable Secretary at War may think proper to make on the subject of his petition, may be sent to the Post office in Great- Barrington in the County of Berkshire & Common- wealth of Massachusetts —

To the Secretary of the War Department of the United States of America.
We hereby Certify that Nathaniel Merrell of Syringham lately removed from Gt. Barrington is in needy circumstances & stands in need of help from this State and possesses no property of value and will justly come under the late act of Congress for the Relief of those that Served in old Revolution War
Dated at Syringham this 12 day of April 1820
Vilas Brewster } Selectmen Thomas Garfield } of the town Ezra Heath } of Syringham
Nathaniel Orde
John Gerry
Sanford Gleason
J. Warren Dorr. Pastor of the Congregational Church society in Syringham
Isaac Church
Ebenezer Chadwick
Abijah Heath
George Heath
Eliza Garfield
Myron Garfield
Jehiah P. Bane
Adonijah Bidwell Justices
John Garfield Just. Peace
Joseph Church
Caleb Curtis

Tyringham April 17 th 1820
This certifies that the within named Silas Pierce Thomas Garfield & Ezra Heath are Select- Men of the Town of Tyringham for the present year John Garfield Int. Receiver

I Kimber Harvey of Marlborough in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts and sixty three years testify and say that in the War of the revolution I served as a Sargent in the Company commanded by Captain William Ellis in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel being the third Regiment in the New Hampshire line on the Continental establishment and was personally acquainted with Nathaniel Merrill now of Sheffield in the County of Berkshire State of Massachusetts and am well knowing to his joining said Company and Regiment in the Month of July in the year Anno Domini 1777 and served as a good and faithful soldier from that time until the tenth day of May Anno Domini 1780 when I received my discharge and left him in the service but understood that he was discharged the same month and further saith not
Kimber Harvey
I Benjamin Thatcher of Marlborough in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts aged fifty eight years testify and say that I in the War of the revolution served as a private soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. William Ellis in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel being the third New Hampshire Regt on the Continental establishment from about the seventh day of May Anno Domini 1777 until about the seventh day of May Anno Domini 1780 that I was personally acquainted with Nathaniel Merrill now of Sheffield in the County of Berkshire State of Massachusetts and know that said Merrill joined said Company and Regiment some time in the summer of the year 1777 and that he served as a good and faithful soldier in said Corps until about the seventh day of May Anno Domini 1780 when I was discharged and left him in the service but have understood that he was discharged the same month and further saith not
Benjamin Thatcher

State of New Hampshire } Cheshire ss. Feb. 2. 1819 } Then Thimble Harvey and and Benjamin Thaxter, within named personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Cheshire and made solemn Oath that the affidavit by them respectfully subscribed contained the truth and nothing but the truth, taken at the request of Nathaniel Merrill late of Barington in Hampshire County State of Massachusetts now residing in Sheffield in said County of Hampshire, and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponents and that they are men of good character and reputation and to be believed in and out of Court, and that I believe them in no wise interested in what they have testified to
Nathaniel Parker, Judge C. C. Pleas
Cheshire ss. I Levi Chamberlain, Assistant Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County hereby certify that the foregoing Affidavit whose proper hand is above written is true of the substance of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that no particular impression is used as a seal by said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed a seal in form as used by said Court this 3 rd day of Feb- ruary A.D. 1819
Levi Chamberlain

State of New Hampshire Office of the Secretary of State Concord, April 23. 1831-
I hereby certify the within to be a true copy of the original, now on file in this office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, at Concord, this twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one, and in the fifty fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Dudley H. Palmer, Secretary of State

A List of the Noncommissioned Officers and Privates in Col. P. Benj r Ellis Company in the 3 d New Hampshire Regiment from Jan y 1 st 1780 till Jan y 1 st 1781
   Enlisted Men's Names Ranks Term Casualties     Feby 28 th 1778 Amasa Parker lieutenant War   March 9 1778 Caleb Aldridge do do Promoted August 17 th 1780   May 2 nd 1777 Kimball Hersey do 3 years Discharged May 10. 1780   Feb. 28 1778 Petiah Ramey Corporal do Promoted Feby 1. st 1780   May 1 1780 Silas Ray do War do May 1 st do   March 9 th do John Abbott Drum do do March 9. 1780   do do Nath l Nail fife do do " do   April 20 1777 Naboth Patterson Private do   do 9 th 1778 Peter Bebee do do Deserted May 20 th 1780   June 8 th 1780 James Eddy do do   April 4 th 1779 Nehemiah Phillips do do   March 4 th 1777 James Barnes do do   June 3 1780 Jonathan Edds do do discharged Dec r 12 th 1780.   March 19 th do Jacob Fife do do   Jan y 1 st do Salaman Hasbiline do do   June 10 th 1777 Calvin Chamberlin do 3 years Discharged June 8 th 1780   May 9 do Henry Carter do do do May 10 th do   do 25 th do William Farley do do do do 30 th do   March 1 st do Joseph Gay do do do June 27 th 1780   May 4 th do Abraham Lawrence do do left sick with his wounds at Lunenburg Oct r 1779 not heard of since   Octob r 12 th do Nath l Merrill* do do Discharged May 20 th 1780   Feby 20 do Eliphalet Shipman do do do Jan y 27 th do   May 1 st do Benj r Thatcher do do do May 10 th do   Feby 10 th 1780 Jonathan Woodcock do do Deserted April 1 st do   May 1 st 1779 John Batch do do Discharged May do do   do 9 th do Simony Crossfield do do do Feby 8 th do  
Benj r Ellis. Capt —
Note made by D. D. Holmes * On the Return of Cap t W m Ellis Company, this name is Nath l Merrill. It stands on said Return in the same order, in which it stands on this. Cap t W m Ellis was the predecessor of Cap t Benj r Ellis.

District of Massachusetts.
BERKSHIRE COUNTY, ss.
ON this 27 th day of April in the year of our Lord 181 before the subscriber Henry Miller of the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts personally appeared Nathaniel Merrill aged 58 years, resident in the Town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire aforesaid, in the said District—who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war;" That he the said Nathaniel enlisted in May 1777 at Chesterfield in the State of New Hampshire in the company commanded by Captain Daniel Livermore of the 2 d Regiment commanded by Colonel Seamans
for three years — That he continued to serve in the said corps, in the service of the United States, until the 14 th May 1780
when he was discharged from service in West Point State of New York and that said discharge was burnt up in Depots house in the year 1783
That he was in the battle of Trenton & Saratoga — so called; — and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support;
And that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
John Hooker  Nathaniel Merrill
I John Hooker Clerk of the Court do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathaniel Merrill did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and I John Hooker now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
John Hooker
I JOSEPH WOODBRIDGE, Clerk of the Court do certify and attest, that the abovenamed John Hooker is the Clerk of the Court and that the foregoing is his signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, the day and year first above written.
J. Woodbridge CW