Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,317, for Amasa Merriam, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Merriam, Amasa
S 23,317
CONTENTS

17039 Connecticut
Amasa Merriam Wallingford in the State of Connecticut who was a Pri in the Conn commanded by Captain of the Reg commanded by Col Muzz in the Conn line for 11 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of July 1833 and Sept. 13 Chapin Wallingford Ct Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $73.32 Pension allowance ending Sept. 33 1833 $71.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 27

Amasa Meriam
2251
Prospect Hall
David Lake for
Amasa Meriam
- Admitted
Private 11 months $36.66
A. B. Chapin Wallingford Conn.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of Connecticut County of New Haven ss. District of Wallingford
On this 9 th day of August 1832 - personally appeared in the court of Probate for the district of Wallingford - in open court - said court now being in session - Amasa Merriam a resident in the town of Meriden in said New Haven County - aged seventy five years the 27 th day of September 1832 - who first being duly sworn according to law - doth on his oath make the following declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the act Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as here stated That in the year 1776 - applicant was a member of the Militia of this State in the County of Meriden then a part of the town of Wallingford That the Militia were called in a body to go to New York - that applicant together with the other members of the company commanded by Captain Dyer the name of the Regiment as Ensign forgotten - that said Company left home to go to New York - that they proceeded to New Haven and went on board ship at that place and sailed for New York - that they were on the water four days - that they left home about the first of August - that they had been in New York a number of days when the retreat from Long Island took place - that applicant was quartered in the corner of Smith & Vine Street then so called - that ap- plicant saw the British when they came on to Brooklyn Heights & saw them firing their swords - that applicant was taken sick and was sent to Harlem with the other sick ones - that applicant was

unable to do duty at that time - that he left the city of Kingsbridge - that the a few days after he was verbally discharged - that the term of service which he performed was about less than one month - applicant does not know of any person living that was in said company with him - nor of any other evidence of it - applicant further says that late in the fall of the year 1776 a short time after his return from New York he was again called upon to go on to Horse Neck with the other members of the company com- manded by Captain Lord - the name of the Col. and other field officers is forgotten by applicant that they remained at Horse Neck about a week and went to Byram Bridges - that during this time they were employed in scouting - going on guard & sentry and similar business - that they were at near Maconoch & West Chester - that the British were in possession of New York - that they were in the service two months - and were verbally discharged in the first part of January of 1777 -
applicant further says that early in the spring of 1777 applicant thinks it was about the first of April - he was drafted to go on the North river - that he was in a company commanded by Captain Camp of Durham - the Colonel's name is forgotten - the Gen. commanding was one M c Donough - that he joined the company at a near Peekskill in the state of New York that he was paid there at Peekskill during his term of service which was two months that while at that place applicant saw one man hung for desertion as he thinks,

and we shot for the same cause - that two were whipped for the same reason - applicant says he does not know of any person living who was with him in this town, - nor of any other  nor of any other  way of any kind of it  way of any kind of it - and that he was verbally discharged
Applicant further says that in the fall of the same year he was called upon to go to the West - together with the other members of the Company - that he was in a company commanded by Captain Drew that he went to Fishkill - & while there he recollects to have seen Col. Minge but whether he commanded them or not he is unable to say - that the Company was divided and part of the Company went down to Poughkeepsie - that applicant went down the river with a portion of the company - that they remained there some time - when they were verbally discharged having been in the service not less than about one month -
Applicant further says that in the year 1778 he was drafted to go to New- -Jersey as a Captain Comp. Gen. & Field officers are forgotten - that he marched on to New London in company with the other members of the said Company that they sailed from there up the river Glasgow & Newick and reached from them to Providence - that while there they started to return to New London but were ordered back before they arrived there that they were there as near as applicant recalls not less than about two months, - and returned home - that there is no man living within knowledge of the applicant that was with him in that town - nor of any other evidence of any kind of it -

applicant further says that in the fall of the year 1779 he was drafted from the Militia in which applicant belonged to go on the coast that he went to Bradford in a company commanded by Capt. Dan Collins - that their duty was to guard the coast - & the like - that they were about 2 mo about two months - and was verbally discharged - applicant further says that he knows of no one living who was in that service.
Applicant further says that in the year 1780 he went to East Haven in a company commanded by Captain Shepherd - that he went as a substitute for Stephen Alwade - that he went and staid about 1 mo about one month that he was verbally discharged that this was in the fall and the object of their duty was to prevent smuggling Applicant thinks he is entitled to pay for service in New York 1776 1. month - in the same year 3. months - in the spring of 1777 2. months - in the same fall of the same 1. month - in 1778 2. months - in 1779 2. months - in 1780 2. months making in all 12 months
To the questions by the Department applicant says To the 1 st that he was born in Meriden then a society of Wallingford 1757 - To the 2 d that he supposed it was recorded by his father in his bible - but he knows of no other record - To the 3 d that he has always lived in the same town and society where he now lives To the 4 th that he has answered it to the best of his recollection in the body of his declaration - To the 5 th that he has answered it to the best of his knowledge in his declaration

To the Q th That he has answered it in the same manner - in the same place To the 7 th He refers to the Rev. Charles J. Hinsdale William Yale Esq. Patrick Lewis Esq. Past. Masters - all of Meriden Applicant relinquishes all claims to any pension or annuity whatever except the present - & declares that his name his name is not on the roll of any agency of any State -
Subscribed & sworn to This day & year aforesaid
Amasa A Merriam
We Charles J. Hinsdale a clergyman residing in the town of Meriden and William Yale Esq residing in the town same hereby certify - that we are well acquainted with Amasa Merriam who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Subscribed this day & year aforesaid Charles J. Hinsdale Pastor of the Congregational church in Meriden.
William Yale
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter - and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department - that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier.

and served as he states, and the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Charles G. Hinsdale who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Meriden, and William Yale Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Meriden, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit — And the Court further certify that the applicant was sustained in his declaration by the testimony of Daniel Yale & Joseph Merriam in relation to his tour to Boston in 1877 — and in that of 1878 by Enoc Hall given in Court. Geo D Reynolds Judge of Probate for the District of Wallingford. Randall Cook Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Wallingford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Amasa Merriam for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Office this 9th. day of August A D 1832
Randall Cook Clerk
43 3

State of Connecticut } to the  the undersigned Nov. 30 1832 County of Trumbull }
Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Trumbull - and whose name is subscribed - Amasa Merriam of Meriden signeth the foregoing declaration - & when duly sworn deposeth & saith, that, by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time of his service in each of the terms, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades - At New Haven in the year 1776 - as a private not less than one month - at Housatonic - and other places - more particularly in the fall of 1776 & early in the year 1777 - two months - at the North River in the spring of the year 1777 - two months - at Peekskill in the fall of the year 1777 - not less than one month - at Providence in the year 1778 - not less than two months - at Branford in the year 1779 - not less than two months - at East Haven in the year 1780 - not less than one month - all of which service was done in the capacity of a private in the Militia in the State of Connecticut - and making in all the term of twelve months for which services the said Amasa Merriam claims a pension - and applicant further says that the  his terms of service were short, and age has impaired his recollection he is wholly unable to remember the names of all the officers under which he served - that those whose names have not gone from his mind are mentioned in the foregoing declaration by him signed & sworn to - and that he knows of no evidence either verbal or documentary - which does not now accompany this declaration -
Amasa Merriam
Subscribed & sworn to this day & year aforesaid before me A. B. Chapin Just. of Peace

I Asaph Merriam of Meriden in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut - of lawfull age depose & say that I am well acquainted with Amasa Merriam of said Meriden - that in the year 1847 - being at that time myself a member of the United States Troops - in a Regiment commanded at that time by Col. B. F. Mudge - Col. Lawrence being Captain of the Company in which deponent was - that at that time we were in quarters - at Peterskill & Fort Riley - That Amasa Merriam was at that time in the Militia - deponent thinks the said Amasa was then as much as six weeks - though he is not able to say positively - but he is confident he was then more than a month - deponent also says that in the spring of the same year the said Amasa was drafted from the Militia to go on to the North river - the other terms of service being in the fall - that he went - & was gone when the deponent enlisted into the United States Troops & therefore does not know how long he was gone - but that the said Amasa was drafted for two months - and further the deponent saith not.
Asaph Merriam
New Haven County ss Meriden Nov. 24. 1852.
Subornally appeared Asaph Merriam the signer of the foregoing deposition - & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated - before me, the undersigned & I hereby certify that the said Asaph Merriam Esq. is a credible person & his statement is entitled to belief - J. B. Chaplin Jatt. of the Peace

I Enas Hall of Meriden in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of lawfull age depose & say - that I am well acquainted with Amasa Meriam of Meriden of said that in the fall of the year 1780 deponent was drafted & go to East Haven in a Company com- -menced by Capt. Shepard - that the company was stationed on the the  East of the river & smug- -gling - that Amasa Meriam was in the same company with him - that They were there one month at least - and were finally discharged - and further the deponent saith not
Enas Hall
New Haven County p. Meriden Nov. 24th 1832 Personally appeared Enas Hall the signor of the foregoing deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated before me - the undersigned a Justice of the Peace. & hereby certify that Enas Hall is a credible person - & that his statement is entitled to belief
A. B. Chapin Just. of the Peace

I am Daniel Hale of Meriden in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of lawful age depose & say that I am well acquainted with Amasa Meriden of said Meriden that in the fall of the year 1777 the Militia of the town of Meriden were called upon to go into the State of New York to Fishkill & a number of other places - that the said Meriden was then also - & was out not less than a month & with the deponent was not
Daniel Hale
State Haven for Meriden Nov. 24. 1832
Personally appeared Daniel Hale signor of the foregoing deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein set forth - before me - the undersigned - a Justice of the Peace - & I hereby certify that Daniel Hale is a credible person & his statement is entitled to belief
A. B. Chapman Justice of Peace

I Randall book clerk of the Probate District of Wallingford, hereby certify that A. B. Chapin whose name is within written to the depositions of Asaph Merriam, Enos Hall, & Daniel Yale is a justice of the Peace, duly qualified to administer oaths & that the same is his hand writing —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of said office This 3 d day of December A D 1832 —
Randall book Clerk
3

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. Amasa Merriam Ser. File 23,317
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 1 mo. Pvt. Ives Conn. militia   Fall of 1776 2 mos. " Ives   Apr. 1. 1777 2 mos. " Camp   Fall of 1777 1 mo. " Ives   1778 2 mos. " Camp   1779 2 mos. " Dan Collins   Fall 1780 1 mo. " Shepherd  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Meriden and Hamblee Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 9. 1832 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Meriden and Haven Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, born Sept. 27. 1757 in Meriden then a society of Wallingford Conn.
Remarks: died Oct. 7. 1840 *
* from Agency book.

Probation
23317 INVALID.
File No. 23,317
Isaac Merriam
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1899
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 257
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June 17-1901 Mrs. Clara Merriam Bell Piovia Ills
1909 Dec. 9 Hist. to Minnie P. Booless V. L. Lee 1910 Mar. 18. Susan E. Merriam life date of decla. Aug. 9, 1832 Correct. no claim for wid or that sol. does not state he was married etc etc 1910 Apr. 20 Miss Susan E. Mer- riam giving names of persons who certified to sol. decla. tion on V. L. Lee. 1920 July 20 Hist. to B. E. Amey

P. O Box 107
Branford, Connecticut
March 12, 1910.
Commissioner of Pensions
Record Division
Deptmt of the Interior
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I have before me a letter from your office, written Dec 9th last
To { Mrs. Minnie P. Cooley 209 Hallock St New Haven }
giving, upon a printed form, the "military history of Amasa Merriam, a soldier of the Revolutionary War,"

The letter is marked:
"V. L. M."
"G. K."
Lin File 23317"
"J. Davenport, commissioner"
It gives the following data
"as contained in his application for pension on file in this office"
  "1776 1 mo. private Under Capt. Ives.   "Fall 1776 2 mos. " "   Apr. 1, 1777. 2 mos. " camp   Fall of 1777 1 mo. " Ives   1778 2 mos. " camp.   1779 2 mos. " " Dan Collins   Fall 1780 1 mo. " Shepperd" 
{ It says the date of his application for the } { pension was Aug. 9 1832. }
This age as given as we understand it to have been: - "born Sept 27, 1757, in Meriden, then a Society of Wallingford"
My father (Amasa's grandson) was very sure his grandfather never received a pension and won't be quite convinced that he really did; and wondered a little if there was a mistake. He was under the impression that the law granting pensions to Revol. soldiers did not go into effect so early as that. I have asked one or two people whom I

thought should know, but they do not.
May I trouble you to inform me when the law granting Pensions to wounded Revol. soldiers se first went into effect; and when the general pension law for them all went into effect? (for I am told there was a difference)
———— Furthermore ————
If Amasa Merriam really drew a pension, when did it cease ?
{ My father says he died early in 1841 — { shortly after his son Samuel, who was my father's father; but the exact
date of his grandfather's death he never had. Meriden records, for that period, are missing.
That is our reason for inquiring about

This pension matter.
And can you inform me if any effort was ever made to secure a Widow's Pension for his widow — Hannah Douglass Merriam ?
Amasa Merriam married her in Oct. (1st) 1809. She lived till Dec. 17, 1850.
And when did the law granting pensions to Revol. widows and children first go into effect?
Yours very respectfully (Miss) Susan E. Merriam.
(P. O. Box 107 Branford, Conn.)

Commissioner of Pensions. Ear
Will you kindly send me the military record of Amasa Merriam who served in Capt. Hough's Co. in Alarms in New Haven and Fairfield July 5 th & 7, 1779, 6 th militia Co. in 10 th regiment?
He was born in Wallingford, Conn. Sept. 27, 1757. He died Dec. 1840 or Jan. or Feb. 1841.
Respectfully yours (Mrs.) Minnie P. Cooley 209 Hallock Ave. New Haven, Conn.

Record Division.
April 20, 1910.
Miss S. E. Merriam,
P. O. Box 107,
Branford, Conn.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 9 th and received the 12 th instant, you are advised that in the claim of Amasa Merriam, Sur. File No. 23,317, Revolutionary War, the application is certified to by Charles J. Hinedale, Pastor of the Congregational Church at Meriden, Connecticut, and William Yale a resident of said place. The day of his death is fixed by the date of the last payment of pension and hence there is no date as to his physician or any circumstances of his death, nor is there any data as to his service other than that furnished on December 9, 1909.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

No 1.
GWV
Peoria Ills
June 9 - 1901
Mr H. Clay Evans
Dear Sir will you please see if My Great Great- Grand Father. Titus Merriman was in the Revolutionary war He was born Aug 28 - 1727 in Leavitt, later New Haven Middletown or Wallingford. His son - Asa Merriman born in 1767 went in a Dragoon Battery about 14 years old so I feel sure the Father served too if living. I have no record of His death.

No. 2.
I would like also the Record of Capt - "Joseph Ives" from Conne. who is also My Great- Grand Father. being the Father of My Grand Mother Clarissa "Ives" Meriman
Capt - Joseph Ives. died Feb 23 1845. was married to Clarissa Hall. in 1791.
If not asking to much if Theophilus Had. born Aug 26-1741 married March - 10 - 1768. - died May 17 - 1864. Meriden or New Haven Conn. was in the Revolutionary War. One of the Regiments who was at the State Conference gave me your address and said you would keep me thanking you in advance
Respectfully, Clarissa Meriman Bell.

Bureau of Pensions Dept of the Interior Washington D.C.
Rev War Feb 16-1920
Dear Sir
In answer to your letter of Feb 12 will say that you either overlooked or have recently lost records relative to Pension of Amasa Merriam. of Meriden. New Haven Co., Conn. The Connecticut Soldiers Rev War & 1812 and Mexican show part of his service. also shows he was a Rev War pensioner. The book I ask you about in previous letter (List or Census of Revolutionary War Pensioners printed 1840) contains his name. was this book printed by the Pension Bureau. I wish to get a copy of this work.
I call your attention to look under the last part of Year 1832 for application for pension and in 1840 for date of death.
would like list of his service. that is dates of entering and discharge, and company and Regiment also date of application and of death. and to know the Monthly or yearly amount allowed.
I did not know if Rev War soldier got land grant or not. but did know of the 2 grants of Sylvester Merriam. for service in War of 1812. (would like date of enlistment and Discharge and Regiment to which Capt Butler's Co was a part or place stationed which was New Haven I believe) of Sylvester Merriam of Meriden, Conn. later of Brookfield, Trumbull Co, Ohio.
* I wish to thank you for the copy of Pension Laws also for information regarding land grants of Sylvester Merriam.
Amasa Merriam service should cover years 1776 to 1780. Awaiting your reply I Remain
Yours Truly, B E Amy, Witwood, Ohio.
There is no record of any correspondence with this person in the War Section. See record of Amasa Merriam D. 53517 - AW
the has already been recd - of S.M.

pur P.O.Box 107, Branford, Connecticut, April 9, 1910. Jan
Bureau of Pensions, Record Division, Washington, D. C.
Mr. J. L. Davenport, Commissioner,
Dear Sir:- Referring to your letter of March 18th, as to " Amasa Merriam, Sur.File,No.23,317 ", ("G.C.K.") I thank you for the definite information which you sent.
I would like to know, if we may, who certified or vouched for this pension applicant, ..Amasa Merriam, ...when his application was filed and allowed.
You state that it was dated August 9, 1832, "as correct- ly stated in the Bureau letter of December 9, 1909." And, your letter adds:
"He died October 7, 1840, when his pension ceased and there was no claim for pension filed by a widow, nor did said soldier state that he was ever married."
Also, does it appear from what source the day of his death was fixed,-- Anything to show who was with him then, any physician, or any one acquainted with him?
If these questions are unreasonable and will cause annoyance, please pay no attention to them,--- as well as the following:- We never knew that he was in any regular engagement; but were once told that he "was directly under Washington himself in New York ; that he was in camp a season when the soldiers were sick and waited on them; worked in camp at his trade of shoemaker &c and, in such ways, assisted. We liked that story better than to think of battles. Is there any way to verify any such statement as that?
yours truly, (Miss) S. E. Merriam

Record Division.
March 18, 1910.
Miss Susan E. Merriam, P. O. Box # 107, Branford, Conn.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 12" and received the 15" instant, you are advised that Anasa Merriam Sur. File No. 23,317, was allowed pension upon an application dated August 9, 1832 as correctly stated in the Bureau letter of December 9, 1909. He died October 7, 1840, when his pension ceased and there was no claim for pension filed by a widow, nor did said soldier state that he was ever married.
Wounded soldiers were granted pensions during the War of the Revolution and afterwards at various times under different Acts of Congress. The first service pension Act was dated March 18, 1818, and the first general Act granting Revolutionary War widows pension was dated March 19, 1828. There is no law which would entitle the descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers to pension.
Very respectfully,
Miss Susan E. Merriam,
Commissioner.
March 18, 1910.
Record Division.