Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37235, for John Merrill, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Nass.
Merrill, John
NUMBER _____
S. 37235
CONTENTS

Papers copy for Land off of Maine, Dec 13. 1835
Notification sent 16 th June 1820 to Esq. J. Portland Maine
Date of death not on A.B.
5663
Maine
John Merrill Capt Richards private Mass
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Dist. of Maine at the rate of 8. Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd of Jan'y 1819 and sent to Judge Parres - Paris Maine
Arrears to 4 th of Sep r 1818. 4 \text{ mo } 2 \frac{1}{2} \text{ d} 37. 60 Semi-ann. all'ce ending March 1819. 48. - $ 85.60
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

N o 24 John Merrill
Copy
(5663)
Contine
March 1819
NATIONAL DISTRICT COURT
Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared John Merrill, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 14th day of March, 1819.
My Commission Expires July 1, 1821
John Merrill
Clerk of the U.S. District Court

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. DISTRICT OF MAINE, ss.
At a District Court of the United States begun and holden at Portland — within and for the District of Maine, on the first Tuesday, being the sixth — day of June — and by adjournment from day to day, on the day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable ALBION K. PARRIS , Judge of said Court.
ON this sixth — day of June — in the year above written, personally appeared in open Court, the same having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Maine District, John Merrill — aged sixty one . . . . years, resident in Lewistown . . . . in said District, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private . . . . in the company commanded by Capt. Pritchard . . . . in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Grayton . . . . in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the 14 th day of April — A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 5668 — was granted. And 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 my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is particularly described on the back hereof, also subscribed by me.
John Merrill
Sworn to and declared, on the sixth } day of June — A. D. 1820. }
BEFORE Albion K. Parris —
{ U. S. District Judge for the District of Maine.

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz :
Real estate, none — One yoke oxen, two cows, one hog, very little household furniture, no income — no money due me but owe twenty dollars —
John Merrill
Sworn to, before
Albion H. Barris
U. S. Dist. Judge
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me John Merrill who, by occupation am a Mason . . . . which I am not able to pursue by reason of Rupture —
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     My wife, Sarah — 56 Infirm and unable to work   Samuel, a son — 17 able to work —   Nathan — do — 14 not able to do much   Franklin — do — 12 — do — — do —  
John Merrill
Sworn to, before
Albion H. Barris
U. S. Dist. Judge

Am MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
I, JOHN MUSSEY, Junr. Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record 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 one hundred dollars and _____ cents.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this sixth day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "John Mussey Junr.", with a large, stylized flourish on the "J" and "M".
{ Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.

John Merrill Private
Gratons Reg't Mass: Line.
2 yrs 10 mos
14 April 1818
Admitted
John Merrill

I John Merrill, a resident citizen of the United States of America, an inhabitant of Hembrewtown in the county of Lincoln and State of Massachusetts, do testify and say, that on the first of January A.D. 1781 I enlisted into the army of the United States of America on the continental establishment for the term of three years as a private soldier in Captain Thomas Richards company, Col. John Graton's regiment, Gen. Patterson's brigade in the Massachusetts line, in which service I continued until the twenty eighth day of October AD 1783 when I received from Gen. Knox an honorable discharge, since accidentally lost. I further testify, that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support and that I am not borne on any pension list of the United States.
John Merrill
We Joseph Hutchins of Hembrew in the county of Cumberland and State of Massachusetts, and Stephen Haskell of Phippsburg in said county, do testify and say that we were in the continental service in the revolutionary war during the same period that the above named John Merrill performed a part of his service and were in the same brigade, and were well acquainted with said Merrill in said service, and to our certain knowledge said Merrill served during the full term of one year and more. We further testify that, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, he stands in need of assistance from his country for support.
Joseph Hutchins Stephen Haskell

Medford November 4 1783
This certifies that the bearer John Merrill has received no wages for the year 1783 82 to my handbills
The foregoing rate capt 3 d Mass Regiment
Whom Concerned
This certifies John Merrill late of the 3 d Massachusetts Regiment, has received seven months wages for the year 1783. and no more from the United States — Henry Nuffer Paymaster West points October 27 th 1783 3 d Mass s Regiment
To whom it may concern.
We the subscribers selectmen of the town of Lewiston, do hereby certify that Mr. John Merrill an inhabitant of this town is in indigent circumstances, and in our opinion is justly entitled to support from govern- ment by the act of Congress for making pro- vision for the indigent soldiers of the revolu- tionary war.
Dear Friend
Dated at Lewiston April 11 th 1818.
William Gorham Calvin Gorham

Omit
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came John Merrill the applicant named in the papers hereunto annexed, and after being duly cautioned and examined, made oath that the several statements by him made in the annexed application, signed in my presence, are wholly true.
And the said applicant further offered in evidence The affidavits of Joseph Hutchins & Stephen Haskell fellow soldiers with him in the war of the revolution, made & signed in my presence; also two certificates relating to the applicant's arrangements for service in said war; all which are hereto annexed, together with the certificate of Dan Read & others, noncommissioned officers, concerning the applicant's circumstances in life.
And it appearing to me in the examination here had, that the several persons above named are credible witnesses, I do hereby admit the annexed declarations as evidence, and certify the same as being satisfactory proof to me that the said John Merrill the applicant, served as a private soldier in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and upwards in continuation on the continental establishment. And I do further certify, that from the declaration of the applicant made before me, under oath as aforesaid, it does appear that in consequence of his reduced circumstances in life, he is in need of assistance from his country for support; all which I do hereby certify and transmit to the Secretary of the Department of War, agreeably to the provisions of an Act of Congress, passed March 18, 1818, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused my Official Seal to be affixed the day and year first mentioned.
Alcione L. Darris
Judge of the United States in and for the District of Maine.

May 14, 1937.
Mrs. Mark H. C. Spiers 309 Kings Highway, Brooklawn Gloucester City, New Jersey.
BA-J/ILL John Merrill S. 37235
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Lieutenant Moses Merrill, born July 9, 1737 and married April 7, 1756, Phebe Coffin, also the record of John Merrill, son of said Moses, born July 29, 1759, married Sally Henshaw and died October 8, 1843 in Lewiston, Maine.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Lieutenant Moses Merrill cited by you. The record of John Merrill is furnished herein as found in pension claim, S. 37235, based upon service in that war, as he may be the soldier in whom you are interested.
John Merrill enlisted January 1, 1781, served as private in Captain Thomas Prichard's company, Colonel John Green's 3 rd Massachusetts regiment and continued in service until October 27, 1783, when he was discharged at West Point.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 14, 1818, at which time he resided in Lewiston, Lincoln County, District of Maine (then Massachusetts). In 1820, the soldier gave his age as sixty-one years, but did not state the date and place of his birth, nor the names of his parents. In 1820, Sarah, his wife, was aged fifty-six years; her maiden name, the date and place of her birth, and the place of their marriage are not shown.
In 1820, three sons were living at home with the soldier and his wife, Sarah, namely, Samuel, aged seventeen, Nathan, aged fourteen, and Franklin, aged twelve years. There are no further data regarding the

family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
John Merrill Certificate #5563 Issued January 22, 1819 Rate $8 per month Commenced April 14, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 Maine Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

37 235 Rev INVALID.
1929- Dec. 2 - Paulus to Miss Minifred L. Halman. See records in John Hight - A 2041 1937 - May 14 - Hight to Mr. Mark H.S. Spina J.L.R.
File No. 87, 235-
John Merrill Rev Rev Mrs
Act: 18 March 18 th
Index: - Vol. 2 , Page 269
[Arrangement of 1870.]

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 37937
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
December 6, 1929
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering PENSIONS 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 four pages from Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 37235, John Merrill.
No. of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing? days
For further information see M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved: Ad. Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau. Margaret M. Finch Chief of REPRODUCTION REPRODUCING BRANCH
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    Cards, size     Proof list    Pay rolls     Labels (submit sample)    Corrections     Fill in letters    Tabulation sheets   
  Photostat Size actual  Official use?  Repay? yes  $ 6.00    Blue Print Size actual  Official use?  Repay?  $   
Remarks
(OVER)
See corres. in John Hight (Rev.) 11.20.41
Rev. 8/18/29

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.
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as follows:
Now reads            1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
Should read        1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
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309 Kings Highway Brooklawn, N.J. (Gloucester P.O.) 4/19/37
Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen; - Will you kindly send me the date of the death of Lieut. Moses Merrill b. July 9, 1737 - married Phoebe Coffin Apr. 7, 1756 both of Newbury, Mass. also the Revolutionary service record of:
John Merrill - son of the above, b. July 29 1759, Newbury, Mass.

d. Lewiston, Maine Oct. 8, 1843 - married Sally Henshaw of Falmouth.
The favor will very much oblige
Yours sincerely
Faith Randall Spiers (Mrs. Mark H. C. Spiers)