Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,133, for Thomas Merrill, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
0 Gann
Merrill, Thomas.
PP. 7 133
CONTENTS

No. 10215 Dead Thomas Merrill Sherburne N.Y. Chenango Co New York
5 16 13 2 20 Dec
Claim Sherburne Chenango Co
177

No. 10240
BRIEF in the case of  Thomas Merrill of Plymouth  County of Chenango in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy two years 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days.     Volunteered in September 1775 3 As a Subaltern Gen. W. Huntington Col. Comd. State Troops, Capt. Phelps's company.   Enrolled April 1776 - Volunteered about 2 private Capt. L. Lyman's company.   Enlisted immediately after 6 " Col. Chester's regt. Capt. Ab. Lyman's company.   Volunteered September 1777 about 1 15 " Gen. Lee & Sullivan.   Enlisted in the Spring of 1778 3 " Capt. Charles Seymour, Genl. Putnam.   Found another term of 3 or 4 weeks, but does not recollect the year " Capt. Ozias B. Russell, Col. Ennis.   " Capt. Charles Seymour's company.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? West Hartford Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? The tradition is supported by the testimony of two credible citizens  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? There is no obituary 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. B. Wilcox Examining Clerk.

Thomas Merrill of Sherburn Chemung Co. N.Y. etc.
Report for a Pension, —
10.245
Mr. Merrill will please give Mr. Wood's signature and date to the within certificate and leave it with Mr. Myron Wood at Chemung Court.

State of New York County of Chenango ss: On this 25 th day of August in the year 1852 personally appeared in open court before Robert Merrill Vice Chancellor of the sixth circuit in the court of Chancery now sitting Thomas Merrill a resident of the Town of Plymouth in the county and State aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following. Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed June 7. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein stated:
He had no record of his age or birth but he was always informed by his parents, and believed that he was born on the Third day of December in the year 1759, at West Stafford in the State of Connecticut. He resided at West Stafford from his birth until June 1801 when he removed with his family to Chenango County New York where he has ever since resided. and still does reside. His first period of service was in the year 1775. On the month of September in that year he joined a company under the command of Capt. Rowley, in Col. Scituate's regiment, as a substitute for his brother Titus Merrill. His term of service at this time was three months, during the whole of which time Col. Huntington's regiment was stationed at Roxbury near Boston in Massachusetts but Capt. Rowley's company, to which said deponent belonged was at first ordered to New London in Connecticut. The company remained at New London, according to the best recollection of said deponent about ten days, and was ordered from there to Stonington in Connecticut. At Stonington we remained about the same length of time as at New London. From Stonington the company was ordered to join the regiment at Roxbury.
3

2. In marching from Sturminster to Roxbury we passed through Providence in Rhode Island. At Roxbury this Regiment remained with his company until Christmas 1775 when he was discharged, and returned home. The Regiment was discharged at the same time. During this period of this Regiment's service General Washington was at Cambridge, near Boston with the troops. This Regiment does not recollect the Christian name of either Capt. Kenney or Col. Huntington.
In the spring of 1776, when the British evacuated Boston, General Lee was sent, at this Regiment's request at that time, by General Washington into Connecticut to raise volunteers to go to New York — it being expected that the British would sail directly from Boston to New York. At that time four companies of volunteers were raised in the State of Connecticut — one in West Hartford, under the command of Capt. Abraham Sagerich — one in Old Hartford, under the command of Capt. Seymour — one in New Britain, under the command of Capt. Charles Nells — and another in New Haven, under the command of Capt. Bradley. This Regiment went as a volunteer in the company raised in West Hartford, under the command of Capt. Abraham Sagerich. This company started in the latter part of March or the first part of April 1776 from West Hartford, and marched through New Haven, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, &c. all the way by land to New York. When we arrived in New York, we found the Asia, a British 64 gun ship, lashed to the wharf, and the Phoenix and Brimsfield of London, two British frigates at anchor in the East river. These vessels, soon after our arrival, moved down to Staten Island, where they remained during our stay in New York. While we were in New York the companies were made

3. the command of General Lee. He remained in New York about two months — until General Putnam came on from Boston with the continental troops, and then Capt. Seagrave's company was discharged, and this deponent returned home — by water as far as New Haven, and from that place by land. —
Immediately after this deponent's return from New York, he again enlisted for six months into a company under the command of Capt. Abraham Seagrave (before mentioned) in Col. John Chester's Regiment. He marched with his company by land as far as New Haven, and from there he went by water to New York. About six weeks after we arrived in New York, the British landed on Long Island — and there (according to the best recollection of this deponent) Gen. Washington took all of our regiment  the troops that were able to go, over to Long Island. They remained on the island but a short time, after which they returned to New York, and then returned in considerable numbers to West Chester. From West Chester the troops retreated to White Plains, where we remained until about the first day of December, when Gen. Washington sent for Gen. Lee's division (to which Col. John Chester's Regiment belonged) to come to Trenton in New Jersey and join the forces under the command of Gen. Washington. We started immediately for Trenton, and in our march crossed the Hudson at Stony Point — passed through Mendham, New Jersey, and crossed the Delaware about 120 miles above Trenton. From East Town we marched to Bethlehem, for the purpose of crossing the Schuylkill on the bridge at that place. From Bethlehem we marched down the Schuylkill & Delaware road to Trenton — arrived at Trenton about the twenty second day of December — having been twenty one days on the march from

White Plains. On Christmas day after our arrival at Scituate, this defunct with the rest of his company was discharged (the six months for which he enlisted having expired at that time) and immediately returned home where he arrived in eleven days after he started from Scituate. During this period of service there was a good deal of skirmishing between between the British and American Forces while they were on Long Island, but this defunct was engaged in none of it because he was sick in New York during the whole time the troops were on Long Island. He was taken sick about 12 weeks after he arrived in New York from home, and remained ill, according to his best recollection about a month until the troops retreated to Westchester. At White Plains there was a battle between the British & American forces, in which this defunct was engaged. The battle lasted during the day. After the battle the British forces remained at White Plains about ten days and then returned to New York Island and attacked Fort Washington. General Washington was at White Plains until after the British returned on to New York Island. Soon after that (but before this defunct died as recollect) he took his division and went over into New Jersey. The regiment to which this defunct belonged was a part of Gen. Sullivan's Brigade and of Gen. Lee's Division. Gen. Lee was present and had the command of the division until he was taken by the British which was while we were marching through New Jersey. After Gen. Lee was taken our division was under the command of Gen. Sullivan.
The most part of service of this defunct was in the fall of the year 1777. In the month of September of that year (according

5.
to the best recollection of this deponent) he went out as a militia man with a company of militia to which he belonged, from West Hartford, to Fishkill in the State of New York. He went out on horse back and remained at Fishkill about a week or ten days - until the British fleet moved up the river. He followed up as far as Livingston Manor, where the fleet anchored, and there remained about a week. Just before we got up to the Manor we met an express bearing the intelligence of the defeat of Burgoyne. The British fleet remained opposite the Manor about a week after the arrival of the news of the taking of Burgoyne and then turned back and went down the river. He followed the fleet back as far as Fishkill and was there discharged, and returned home. During this period of service Capt. Charles Seymour of West Hartford Connecticut was the captain of our company and Gen. Rutnam had the command of all the companies in service at Fishkill. Gen. Rutnam also had some continental troops with him at the same time - but how many this deponent does not recollect. This deponent served at this time according to his best recollection for the period of
14/ about six weeks. — 1. 12
The next period of service of this deponent was in the year 1778. In the spring of that year a regiment of "minute men" was raised in the State of Connecticut. As an inducement to enlist a bounty was offered by the state to those who would enlist as "minute men" (the amount of which this deponent does not recollect) and another bounty of Forty Shillings was offered by the town of Hartford to all those who would enlist from that town. This deponent at that time enlisted as an Lieut. Moses Gurnee for the period of nine months - to serve six out of the nine - with the understanding expressed at the time that the town bounty of

6. Forty shillings should be paid to this deponent by a certain day fixed upon, and that if it was not paid by that time this deponent should not be bound to serve. This deponent waited about a week after the bounty was to have been paid, but it was not paid, and he then went down to Boston and embarked on a privateering cruise on board the Hancock a sloop of War of 18 guns commanded by Capt. Hardy of Salem Massachusetts. After we had been out at sea about ten days, we captured a British merchant Brig from Bermuda bound to Europe, and sent her in to Boston, where one half of the cargo was condemned and the other half, with the brig, released. The share coming to this deponent from this capture was two dollars. After capturing this Brig we cruised about ten weeks before we came across another British vessel, when we captured the "Devant" a British Privateer of 22 guns, from Jamaica, bound to England, and commanded by John Rowley. The Devant had been cruising for some time off the Southern United States, and had captured from America eleven prizes, which she came into Jamaica and sold — and at the time we captured her she had her effects on board — consisting of a very valuable cargo of Rum, Sugar, Fruits and Spices. We attacked her and after a close engagement of two hours she blew up. We picked up eighteen of her men whom we carried into Boston and from whom we learned the foregoing facts relative to the vessel. We arrived in Boston about the latter part of August having been out at sea three months. When he returned home this deponent learned that the company of "Minute Men" into which he had enlisted previous to going on his privateering 3.

7.
voyage, had just returned from West Point, when they had been serving the first three of the nine months for which they enlisted. About three or four weeks after this Regiment came home; the Company of "Minute Men", before mentioned, into which he had enlisted, was ordered to repair to Harts Neck, in Long Island Sound, in the State of Connecticut. This Regiment then joined his company and went with them. The company marched from West Hartford by the way of New Haven to Harts Neck. He remained at Harts Neck three months - until Christmas, when we were discharged (our term of enlistment having at that time expired), and we returned home. The company to which this Regiment belonged was commanded by Captain Oziel Bliss and the Regiment was under the command of Col. Root. During our stay at Harts Neck there were no engagements between us and the enemy. Col. Thomas, of Rye, of Rye & New Haven during this period, was surprised and taken in his house at night, by a detachment of about a hundred or fifteen hundred men from the British camp. Harts Neck is about 3 miles from the residence of Col. Thomas. The next of the Col's Captain reached us in the morning. We immediately went down to his house - but the British had left there before we arrived. We pursued, but were unable to overtake them, and returned without an engagement. We found a number of mangled bodies of Americans in the house where the British had left - and it was said at the time that Col. Thomas himself shot a British officer who was attempting to get into the window.
3 - 3
30 or 40
21
This Regiment served another period of three or four weeks during the Revolutionary war - but in what year he does not recollect. It was at the same time that the British burned Fairfield, in Connecticut. The news that the British had landed at Fairfield

8. reached West Hartford, and this department with the company to which he belonged immediately marched down to Milford about 8 or 10 miles from Fairfield. The British had burnt Fairfield before we reached Milford, and left them some time before we started for home. He remained at Milford about a fortnight and was then discharged & returned home. Our company was the only one at Milford at this time, and was commanded by Capt. Charles Seymour.
This department was out on three frustrating cruises during the Revolutionary war, besides the one already mentioned, in which he assisted in capturing from the enemy thirteen prizes — and he went on a voyage to the West Indies in a Sloop of War. On our homeward passage from the West Indies we took a new British Brig out of Charleston and carried her into New London.
This department further declared that he never at any time or if he ever had any he continues it of no value and herewith it had any discharge in writing, — and he had no documentary evidence of his service at any of the periods before mentioned. He had written to Hartford when he returned during the Revolution — and was to ascertain if any of the officers or soldiers with whom he served are yet living, but has been unable to learn of the existence of any — And he declared that he does not know of the existence of any officers or soldiers with whom he served, or of any person who can testify to his service. This department further declared that there is no clergyman residing in his neighborhood who has lived there for a longer period than one or two years, or who has known him for a longer time than that period — and as a substitute for the certificate of a clergyman, requires

9.
by the regulations adopted by the Secretary of War, he has procured the certificate of Joel Thompson and Obadiah Geman, who have resided in the neighborhood of this defendant for thirty years, last past, and who can testify as to the character of this defendant for veracity, and as to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. Joel Thompson was a member of Congress from this district about fifteen years ago, and was for a long time first Judge of the court of common pleas of this county. General Geman was also a senator in Congress from this district (the defendant thinks by the name of the state) and has been a member of the Legislature of this state, and First Judge of the court of common pleas of this county. This applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed this 5 th day of June 1843 Thomas Merrill Robt. Howell Levi Chase
We Joel Thompson and Obadiah Geman the persons residing in the immediate vicinity of Thomas Merrill the applicant for a pension named in the foregoing declaration and the latter residing about two and a half miles from the said applicant hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Thomas Merrill and have been for thirty years; that he is a man of truth & veracity; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that belief; and we further certify that in our opinion that belief is general; and, as far as our knowledge extends no doubts have ever

10. Witness that the said Thomas Merrill was a Revolutionary soldier subscribed and sworn before me this 24th day of August 1832 { Joel Thompson — Obadiah German Sylvanus Water, Justice Peace of Town of Newburgh Chenango Co. NY
State of New York } Chenango County, ss. } I, Louis K. ... Clerk of the said county of Chenango do hereby certify under my hand and seal of office that Sylvanus Water, before whom the foregoing certificate of Joel Thompson and Obadiah German was sworn to was a Justice of the Peace of this county, at the time the said certi- ficate was sworn to, at the time approved by the Court therein, and that the signature to the said Court, is the genuine signature of the said Justice, my hand and seal of office this 24th day of August 1832 P. T. Pindle Atty. C.R.
And the said court do hereby declare its 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 said court further certifies that Joel Thompson and Obadiah German who have signed the foregoing certificate reside at the state in this said certificate — that they are entitled persons and that this statement is entitled to full credit. —
Robt Moore Vice Chancellor

I Jonathan S. Wood clerk of the court of Chancery of the sixth circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Merrill for a pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25 th day of
August 1832
Jonathan S. Wood Clerk

I Pollard Merrill of the Town and County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy Three Years, do depose and say, that I am a Younger Brother of Thomas Merrill, formerly a resident of this place, and Now of Sherburne Chenango County State of New York, and that I recollect of his serving at various times in the Revolutionary War, but from age, infirmity, & loss of memory, cannot distinctly recollect the particular years he served in, Nor the number of tours he performed, Nor the length of time he served. I however have it strongly impressed on my mind, that he served in all something like a year. I distinctly recollect of his serving one tour in a Pioneer out of Boston, and was gone between three & four months.
I have some recollection of his serving five months as a substitute for my Brother Titus in the year 1775, although from age, infirmity & loss of memory I cannot speak with distinctness, & certainty of this particular tour. Further the deponent saith not.
Pollard Merrill
State of Connecticut } Hartford } County of Hartford }
Hartford July 14 th 1834
Personally appeared before me Pollard Merrill the Signer of the foregoing deposition, to me well known as a credible person, and being by me ably sworn according to Law, Made Oath & Subscribed to the same in my presence.
Harriett Talcott Jus. Justice of Peace.

I Theron Dening of the Town and County Hartford and State of Connecticut Aged Seventy Three Years do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Thomas Merrill formerly a resident of this place, and Now of Sherburne Chenango County State of New York and that I served two Months with him in the Militia of this State, in the Revolutionary War, at New Haven & Old Milford in this State about the time the British Made an attack on those places under Genl. Dryon. The particular Year & Month is not Now in my recollection Further the deponent sayeth Not. Theron Dening
State of Connecticut } Hartford } County of Hartford }
Hartford July 14 th 1834
Personally appeared before me, Theron Dening, the Signer of the foregoing deposition to me well known as a credible person, and being by me duly Sworn according to Law, Made Oath, and Subscribed the same in My presence. The word Old Milford was interlined previous to the signing & acknowledging of the foregoing.
Samuel Talcott Jm. Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut, County of Hartford.
I. David Griswold, Clerk of Superior Court for & County, do hereby certify, that Samuel Talcott Jr. is a Justice of the Peace for a County, & was on the 14 th day of July 1834 a Justice of the Peace for a County, duly qualified & sworn according to Law, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & seal of office here to this 15 th day of July 1834. David Griswold, Clerk

Thomas Merrill
Titus Merrill Myron Merrill Elijah E. Merrill Flavia Fanchiido Celia Collins Cynthia Kellogg

State of New York County of Chautauqua
Be it Known, that on this twenty third day of November A. D. 185 2 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Titus Merrill of North Norwich in said County resident of North Norwich in said County, and made oath according to law that Thomas Merrill who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4 That he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
guments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint the  Henry  BENNETT , of New Britain  Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of The heirs of Thomas M'Nickle for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due ; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency ; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Sister Mary
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Titus Mearns to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Dr. B. Knapp Justice of the Peace
State of New York County of Chautauqua
It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of  Supreme Court  of New York that Titus Mearns — the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the son of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that _____ Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this _____ day of _____ 185_____
  1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address.  3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.  4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature.  10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.  
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Cont'd Rolle Col 1st show
Mrs Merrill - Capt Abra Se...wick Col Chester 1st Oct to 25 Dec 76 - 3 mos 7 das Same Regt also under Se Jan 1 Feb 76 1 " 10 "
Daniel Hooker Pensioner swears to 2 mos in fall of 77. Declarant alleges brook 1. 12 Woodman & Hooker allowed 2 mos for same service
Mrs Merrill swears to 3 mos service of Goodman at Horse Neck in fall of 78 as minute man. Goodman was allowed
Richard Goodman - Pensioner - Service as minute man in 78 in O. Bipell's Co. thinks active service extended 1/2 the year - Declarant swears to 3 " Certif of Contr confirms the statements 8 29 of declarant in every essential fact Provd 9 mos except that it does not show the service

Declaration alleges
75 Sept Rowleys Co  Huntingtons Regt for Littles Farm 76 Mar or Apr Sedgwick Co 2 mos & more " " same co 6 mos
77 Fall, thinks Levy 6 weeks 78 Spring Smith  Goodwin on Privateer 3 mos " Summer or Fall O'Leil 3 mos
Date not recollected another term of 3 mos 3 Privateering cruises .
Hoffman 32,476 Nov 17-315-
Mrs Mearns Mearns

7133

He [unclear] July 23/55
Act of June 7. 1834 Thomas Miller suspension Letter to A. S. [unclear] Herburne New York Mar 15. 1834 let to 16 Maynard 24 Sep 34 Lt. to R. Hudson 30 April 1840 1834 1835 20 Nov 34 22 Jan 35 " " " "

76 2 mo. Capt. Ledgwick - 6 mo. " Chester 77 1 1/2. Seymour - not on rolls 78. 3. - Belfield Col. Engrs - not on rolls - several times in Seymour Company

Thomas Merrill Cole June 1832
free H. Brinsfield W.D.
Mr L. P. Waldo, Comr of Pensions! Washington.

Jan 14/53 Rec. of copy of Thomas Merrill deed.
Wm. H. Bennett H. H. Rose
Spec H. Bennett Wife
E. Heath Esq Corner of Penn Washington.

State of New York
Chautauqua County ss On this twenty first day of January 1833 personally again appeared in Open Court before Robert Morris Vice Chancellor of the High Court at a Court of Chancery now sitting at the town of Herkwick in the County of Chautauqua Thomas O'Neills a resident of the town of Herkwick  Lyons  Plat  Plat in said County, who being again first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath, make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That his service, as he has, stated in his original declaration was, that in the month of September 1775 he served as a substitute for his brother Titus O'Neills for the term of three months and was discharged after having service upon that in his original declaration -
That his service, as stated in his original declaration commencing in the Spring of 1776, was, as follows as near as he can now recollect, that he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. Abraham Ledyard in the month of March 1776 and served as he believes for the term of two months in the War before being discharged, and was discharged -
That immediately after the last service he enlisted for six months under the said Capt. Ledyard and served on his enlistment in the War before being discharged for the term of six months and was discharged -
That the period of his service, as stated in his original declaration commencing in the month

of September 1777 in the Militia Under Capt. Leyman was according to his but recollection for the period of six weeks.
That his service under the militia was for Nine Months, to serve six out of the nine in the Spring of 1778. as stated in his original declaration and as follows, after his return from Brandywine as before stated that he served at this time the period of three months and was discharged
That his service at the time the British occupied Philadelphia as stated in his declaration was for the period of at least three weeks
Sworn to service the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Merrill
Robt. Moore
Rev. Charlebois

I Jonathan L. Wood, clerk of the court of Chancery of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New-York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Merrill for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of office this 21 st day of January A. D. 1833
Jonathan Wood Clerk

War Department Pension Office January 4. 1834
Sir,
The papers relating to the claim of Thomas Merrill for a pension have again been examined, and are herewith returned.
By the regulation of the Department, every applicant is required to produce the best evidence in his power. It has recently been ascertained that there are rolls of the militia or state troops of Connecticut in the office of the Comptroller of that state, Elisha Phelps Esq., for 1775, to whom the applicant is referred for proof of that part of his claim. Evidence may likewise be obtained from the same source (except in regard to that on board the privateers) of the validity of the rest of his claim.
As soon as Mr. Phelps' certificate is produced, a final decision will be had on the case.
I am, respectfully, Your ob. t Servant J. L. Edwards Comm. r of Pensions
H. H. Wayman Esq. Sherburne. N. Y.

hi Enclosed you will find the statement of Elisha Phelps as far as he can ascertain from the records in his possession
Of the Hon. Henry Mitchell's state- ment in relation to the general aspect and belief of the applicants herein as well as of his unimpeachable good character would be of any consequence I would refer you to him in Congress Yours truly & Abba K. Merrill
To Hon. J. L. Edwards

Dec 3 W.P.S. No. 1 NEW BEDFORD NOV 28 U.S.A.
FREE
Hon. J. L. Edwards
War Department. Pension Office - Washington

Sir
Wentworth Nov 28. 1857.
Yours of the 20 th inst. in relation to Thomas Merrill's application for a pension has been rec d .
Mr. Merrill is a truly poor man, does not know where any one of Capt. Howland's Company resides at this time; and has not the means in his power of ascertaining — unless he can learn that fact from your Department — If you have any names of Pensioners, therefore, who served in that Company at that time, you will confer a favour by forwarding to me their names & places of residence; and as I have no doubt of the truth of Mr. Merrill's declaration, I have every reason to believe we shall be able to corroborate his statement in relation to his substitution for his Brother's services to the satisfaction of your Department.
Please also inform me if the names of a large portion of our most respectable inhabitants, certifying their belief as to his services & the truth of his declaration, would avail him any thing.
Most Respectfully Yours &c. Arba R. Merrill
Hon. J. L. Edwards

I Daniel Hooker of the town and county of Wartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Five years and upwards do testify before and say That in the fall of the year 1777 I was drafted in a company of Conn Militia commanded by Captain Charles Seymour of Wartford West Division That we went to Fishkill in the State of New York and there joined the regiment That we served in that town Two Months and were discharged at Fishkill in the State of New York. That we were employed a great part of the time in watching the motions of the British Fleet. Then on the North River until after the surrender of Burgoyne, when when the British Fleet descended the river and we returned to Fishkill and there remained on guard until we were discharged. I was well acquainted with Thomas Merrill then of said Wartford and now residing in the town of Plymouth county of Berkshire and State of New York. and will recollect that he was then a member of Capt Seymour company and served the said term of Two Months I had previous to and long after said term of ser- vice lived a near neighbour to the said Thomas Merrill and further the deponent saith not Wartford December 28 th 1835 Daniel Hooker
Wartford county to Wartford December 28 th 1835 Personally appeared Daniel Hooker signer of the foregoing pension application with to the truth of the same. Nathan Johnson Just. of Peace

I certify that the deponent David Hooker is a credible person and his statements are entitled to credit Nathan Johnson Asst. Clerk
State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss
I Milo Goodwin clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Nathan Johnson is a Magistrate as above & that the for- going signature, purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office & subscribed my name this 28 th day of December in the Year one thousand eight hundred & thirty five.
Milo Goodwin Clerk County Ct Hartford
Thomas Merrill Esq. New York Asst. For Prison
Roswell Judson Esq. Sherburne Chenango Co. (N.Y.)

Sir. The Heirs of Law of Henry Merrill, a Revolutionary Soldier - an applicant for a pension - it has been suspended!
What are the objections? what additional proof (if any) is required -
Thomas Merrill - was entitled to Pen. & Military Bounty land. And it is believed his heirs have or can make the necessary proof to establish their claim - I desire such information on the subject as you can give me of the state of the law - & of the grounds of objection.
Jan 14. 1853
Yours &c
Henry Russell

Comptrollers Office January 22 nd 1804
I Eliza Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut do certify that upon an authenticated copy of a pay roll of the 6 th Co. of the 8 th Reg t , raised by order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut July 1775, it appears that Titus Merrill entered into said company on the 12 th day of July, & served therein as a private until the 18 th of December 1775 being five months & six days. Abijah Howley was Capt. Abediah Farnham 1 st Lt. Jonathan Gillet 2 nd Lt. & Joseph Barber Ens. of this company, & Col. Jas. Huntington commanded the Reg t .
That there is charged to Capt. Abraham Sedgwick on the books of the Pay Table under date June 25 th 1776, viz, "To order on Treasurer " in account for his company £580, 0, 0." This charge

is balanced by a credit, under date October 27 th 1784. Under the same date, the amount of Capt. Sedgwick's account is charged to the United States, viz, To " amount Capt. Abraham Sedgwick's account rendered " Chester Reg t 1776. No roll of this company or reg t has been found. By advertising to the State records I find, that Col. John Chester was appointed one of the Col s of the six Battalions ordered to be raised by the General Assembly at their session in June 1776, and to join the continental army at New York, & to serve until the 25 th Dec r 1776.
By the journal of the Council of Safety it appears that, during the months of May June & July 1777 one fourth of the 5 th 8 th 11 th 12 th 21 st 22 nd & 25 th regiments were ordered to be drafted for New London - one half of the 14 th Reg t - the whole of Gen l Silliman's Brigade one fourth of Gen l Eustis Col s Brigade, some fourth of Brig s Ward, Tyler & Douglass Brigades. Whether all that were drafted, were in service or not cannot be determined from the books in this Office. The accounts of this Military service was not generally kept with the Captains, but the Col s or Paymaster's.

It is not possible to ascertain whether Capt Charles Seymour was in service in 1778 or not.
The records of the State show that the Genl Assembly in February 1778, ordered two brigades  regiments to be raised, & to serve until the first of March 1779, at intermit intervals.
The Council of Safety in June 1778 reduced the above corps to two regiments, to be commanded by Col. Ennis & M c Clellan. Elias Bispell was appointed, & served, as one of the Captains in Col. Ennis' reg t . Moses Goodman was his Lieutenant. No roll of this company or regiment has been found, nor any proof showing the exact duration of their service. The pay roll of Capt. Bispell's company is charged to the United States.
Capt. Elias Bispell served in Col. Levi Wells regiment, raised May 1779 and to serve until first of March 1780. Elias Bispell Major. Capt. Bispell's pay roll is charged to the States  United for service in this regiment, but the roll of his  the company, or regiment cannot be found. E. Phelps

Therburne N.Y. June 1834 L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington
Thurs in all Evi.
All Evidence Thurs in chanc'le

Sherburne Chemango Co. N.Y. August 9. 1834.
My Son in
Enclosed I send you two afts of the Service of Thomas Merrill . You will perceive that these afts state longer periods of Service by Thomas Merrill at the times they do state, than Thomas Merrill's Declaration - although we have not been able to procure afts of all of his Service. When Thomas Merrill made his Declaration, he said that he knew he had served a great deal more than he had stated, but he could not recollect positively how long he was out in some of his campaigns, and therefore he deemed  would  not  not get it longer than he actually served. It appears he was so afraid of getting it too much that he fell short and did not get it enough which we think in his favour.
His papers are on file waiting these afts. Yours truly &c
Abba K. Maynard J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions

7133
P. O. _____
Thomas Mcmill
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Pension papers
Dec 14
My
Adolphus
The Merrill
Hon. S. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions War Department Pension Office Washington

Sherburne, Chenango Co. (N Y) 9 th Dec. 1839
Hon d Sir
Inclosed is afft. for Thomas Merrill to enable him to obtain his pension; he informs me that he made application for a pension some five or six years ago, that you required further proof & that the agent who received this affidavit. (P. P. Prindle) has been absent with the papers until recently, he now wishes me to finish his business. I therefore inclose to you the afft. hoping that the same together with the original papers on file will be satisfactory, if not please communicate with me on the subject, my name is entered at your office as a pension agent - please accept my earnest desire for the restoration of your health and I remain very respectfully
Your obt servt Hon. J. L. Edwards or Roswell Judson
Geo. W. Crops Esq acting Comr.
P. S. Why don't you let us have the President's Message the Jersey blues seem to make some difficulty. I hope they will remain neutral for & during the present Session - Judson

Herborne. Chenango Co NY. Apl 25. 41
Hon D L
By request of Thomas Merrill the Applicant for a pension, I send you a vest which he bro't from the Revolutionary Army, he wishes you again to examine his papers & affidavit herewith sent, and see whether he has not complied with the law, he can send many affidavits of our most respectable inhabitants as to their belief from long acquaintance &c. that he served as he states in his former declaration and that he is a man of strict integrity, truth and veracity, to comply with his wishes I forward the vest.
I remain Your obt servt
Roswell Judson
Hon J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington

In the matter of an application of Thomas Merrill for Pension
Additional evidence
Rowell Hudson agent
Sherburne, Chenango County (New York)
communicate to J. H. Purdy of N.Y.

I Richard Goodman of the town and county of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged eighty two years and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn to testify depose and say that in the year of 1778 I enlisted into a company of State Troops in the Regiment commanded by Col. Roger Innes. Elias Bissell was Captain of Moses Goodman was a Lieutenant in said company. The enlistment was for one year and the company was what was called the minute men. I was also well acquainted with Thomas Merrill then of said Hartford but now a resident of the town of Herkum county of Chenango State of New York. The said Thomas Merrill enlisted into and was a member of the same company. We were called out a number of times during the year we were stationed at Mooseheck Bridge and other places and I would judge that we were absent from home & in the services more than one half of the time during said year. Whether the deponent saith not
Rich d Goodman State of Connecticut county of Hartford
Be it remembered that on this the 27 th day of Nov. 1843 personally appeared before me Richard Goodman Notary Public duly commissioned and qualified in said Hartford the above named Richard Goodman the signer of the foregoing affidavit made oath to the truth of the same. I also certify that he is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office on the day & year as aforesaid Richard Goodman Notary Public

A. H. Maynard 2 Jan y 1839
Ab.
Rec. Vol. 33. pa. 302.

War Dept Pension Off Dec 34
Sir
In reply to your letter requesting the names of those who may have been inscribed on the Pension Roll for the same service in which Thomas Merrill alleges he was engaged, I have to inform you that the arrangement of our files & the character of our entries in each case are not such as would enable us to comply with your request without considerable labor. However willing to afford all the means which are proper to enable claimants to establish their just claims, the adoption of such a rule as your request contemplates would occupy much more of our attention than could be spared
Oct 7 June
J. K. Maynard Sherburne N.Y.