Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,252, for Joseph Meriam, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Meriam Joseph or Merriam
S 31,252
CONTENTS

5763
Massachusetts
Joseph Merriam
of Templeton in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Weald of the regt commanded by Col Jacobs in the Massachusetts line for 10 months & 26 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 36 Dollars 21 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Feb 1833 and sent to James Dana Present
Arrears to 4th of Sept 32 - $54.31 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 33 18.16 $72.41
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 9 Vol. 2 Page 67
April 7 th 1885 Copy of data furnished to Ezra S. Stearne Esq of Ashburnham Mass. for historical use. 70 copy inside
March

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Worcester -- within and for the County of Worcester on the seventh day of September -- A. D. 1892. On the application of Joseph Merriam claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born? Answer, I was born in Upton in Me. on the 3 d of Feby A.D. 1763
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have such a record in my Bible now in my possession. --
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, The two first periods of service I was living in Lexington on the first period I lived in Bedford, I returned to Lexington and after was removed to Ashburnham, and from there to Templeton where I now live.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer, all my services were voluntary and of my own accord.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? Answer, I saw Genl Heath at Peekskill village Brig Genl Patterson Genl Steuben at Westpoint, and Colo. Tappan in New Jersey. 6. Did you ever receive any written discharge from service? Ans r  I never rec d any such discharge.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution? Answer, Rev. M. Townsend of Phillipston, Laurell Walker Esq. Doctor Osgood, and Col. Leonard Stone of Templeton. Joseph Merriam

Affidavit of William Merriam in the case of Joseph Merriam

I William Meriam of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty six years do depose and say that in the year 1781 my brother Joseph Meriam now of Templeton in the County of Worcester left there for Bedford in the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid and enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution war for the town of Bedford aforesaid how long he enlisted for or how long he was gone I cannot recollect but he returned some time in the winter of the same year the said Joseph was living in said Bedford at the time he enlisted as an hired man and I was living in the vicinity of said Bedford and was knowing to his enlisting and going as aforesaid but under what officer I do not recollect
Ashburnham Sept. 4 1882
William Meriam
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester Sept. 4 1882 Then the above named William Meriam personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and true according to the best of his knowledge & belief
Joseph Jewett
I hereby certify that the above named Deponent William Meriam is a person that I have been acquainted with for this thirty years or more and in my opinion is a credible witness
Ashburnham Sept. 4 1882
Joseph Jewett Just of the Peace

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
U S
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty
two personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court now sitting at Worcester , Joseph Meriam a resident of Templeton in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty nine
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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
1 That he engaged to go to Rhode Island for two months and in the fall AD 1779. he enlisted in the Company of Samuel Heald of Carlisle in Col. John Colts Regiment and marched to Providence where he encamped about three weeks and then marched to Trenton , and when the British left  Rhode Island they went over Hawlands ferry to Bulls hill and near there joined the Regt  encamped  untill he seved out two months and was discharged  and  November AD 1779. in  that term and was ordered  2 In AD 1780 he engaged to go to New York for four  six months and enlisted in the Com -pany of L t Col. Thompsons Company as it was called, but it was commanded by Ensign Thayer in Col. Marshalls Regt the 10 th Mass s which he gained at  West Point and was encamped there nearly three weeks , when he was with several others  transferred to Kings ferry and put under the orders of Col. Breyer and employed in carrying troops and baggage over the river , after which he gained his Regiment of Plankets  Regt , and proceeded with his Regt to New Jersey and continued with his Regt  untill he seved out his term  four  months and was discharged at  West Point in January AD 1781.  3 In AD 1781. The Town of Bedford in Massachusetts  ordered him, to go into the Continental Army for three months , he believes he was mustered by Col. Brown of South Berkshire and proceeded to the State of New York and joined the Army at  Gallows Hill and was immediately put under the orders of L t Procter a Quartermaster  Officer and stationed about seven miles to one loap th Knapp to guard Battle , where he remained about three weeks , and returned to Camp , when he was taken by an officer called Major Keyes who was a Deputy Quarter Master Genl and had the care of the forage as his Quartermaster , one of his Clerks was named Gilead Sterling , and his Station was Peeks kill village his Quarters were near Genl. Heath the Commander in Chief of the Army  three sta tions in this situation he remained till his term of three months was finished and he was discharged .
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Wayne Nash  James Ladd Probate for the Court of Worcester
Joseph Meriam

We a Clergyman residing in the and residing in hereby certify that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Charles Wellington who signed the proceeding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Templeton and that Asa Tapsen who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. James Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Theophilus Wheeler Register , Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Meriam for a pension. That Joseph Meriam & Samuel Dyer before whom in the annexed affidavits were made are Justices of the Peace in the County of Worcester. That their signature is genuine. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court this 10th day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
James Dyer Esq. Justice of the Peace
$36.21
10 March 4. 26 Sept 1833
Declaration of 22/6/1 Joseph Meriam
Please to send to Sam. Dana Esq. Piquit Ms

July 29, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Calvin S. Brown University Mississippi
BA-J/ady Joseph Meriam S.31252
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Joseph Meriam, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.31252, based upon his military services in that war.
Joseph Meriam was born February 3, 1763, in Woburn, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, Joseph Meriam enlisted September 15, 1779, served as private in Captain Samuel Heald's Company, Colonel John Jacobs' Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged November 15, 1779. He enlisted July 5, 1780, served as private in Colonel Marshall's Tenth Massachusetts Regiment and in Colonel Brewer's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged December 20, 1780. While a resident of Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served three months under Major Keyes, Deputy Quartermaster General, and was discharged in the winter of 1781.
He moved from Ashburnham, to Templeton, Massachusetts, date not stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 6, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
In 1832, William Meriam, a brother of soldier, was aged sixty-six years, and a resident of Ashburnham, Worcester County, Massachusetts. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Date of death not on aB.

31 2 52
INVALID.
Rev
1906 Mch 2 Hirtay to Mrs George W
Smith
M.B.H.
1937 July 29. Hirtay to Mrs. L. Brown. A.D.Y.
File No. 31 2 52
Joseph Merriam Rev Rev
Act: June 7 1825
Index: Vol. 2, Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Certificate of Edward D. Bangs in the case of Joseph Meriam

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 23 d . 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Joseph Meriam of Lexington Mass. enlisted Marched in to Camp July 5 th 1780 & was discharged December 20 th 1780 having served five Months & 26 days. He was on the Roll of six months men raised by the Town of Lexington in 1780 to recruit the Continental Army; and is made up on said roll for 5 months, 26 days.
Edward D Bangs. Secy
I also find the name of said Joseph Meriam on the roll of Capt. Samuel Heald's Company, in Col. John Jacob's Regiment raised to do duty in Rhode Island - and that he served therein from Sept 15 to Nov. 15. 1779 of two months.
Edward D Bangs Secy.

We Charles Wellington a Clergyman residing in the Town of Templeton and Asa Sessions residing in the same Town, hereby certify that we are acquainted with Joseph Merriam, who is about to apply for a Pension; and we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Charles Wellington. Asa Sessions
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
November 12 th 1833. Then the above named Charles Wellington & Asa Sessions made oath to the truth of the above certificate by them submitted. and I hereby certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to their testimony. And I do further certify that said Charles Wellington is a Clergyman residing in said Templeton -
Before Samuel Lee. Justices

Fort Plain, N. Y. Feb. 14, 1906.
Pension Bureau.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the records of the following-
Joseph Morian, Corporal of Lieutenant Samuel Brown's Company in Colonel Daniel Grois Regiment. New Hampshire Volunteers

Also of Joseph Merriam who served in the 107th Massachusetts Regiment, Commanded by Colonel Thomas Marshall.
I sent over a month ago for the records but as I have heard nothing decided the letter was lost.
Very sincerely
of Alice Merriam Smith Address Mrs George H. Smith Fort Poinsett, N. Y.

O. M. & Co. Fort Plain, N. Y. C. January. 16. 1906.
Pension Bureau Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly inform me if either Nathan Merriam or his son Joseph
Merriam were pensioners of the Revolutionary War.
Nathan was the son of Joseph and Dorothy Brooks Merriam
He was born May, 12, 1720

and died Nov. 11. 1782. I think he lived in Massachusetts
Joseph Merriam was the son of Nathan and Abigail Wheeler Merriam. He was born Jan 26. 1744 Married to Mason N. H. in 1769 and died Nov. 6, 1826.
Very sincerely
Julia Merriam Smith address Mrs. Geo. N. Smith 57 Centre St., Fort Plain N. Y.

MRS. CALVIN S. BROWN UNIVERSITY, MISSISSIPPI
July 1, 1937.
CLN
Bureau of Pensions, War Department, Washington, D.C., My dear Sir,
A pension was allowed in 1832 to Joseph Merrain (1763-1849) for services in the Revolutionary war. He was born in Hoston, and died in Ashburnham, Massachusetts; he served for at least a while in Capt. Samuel Heald's company, Col. John Jacob's regiment. Will you send me a copy of all the information you

have about him or his family?
Yours truly,
Maud Morrow Brown (Mrs. Calvin S. Brown).
4 Received A. G. O. JUL 6 1937

A.G. 201 Delay, William (7-1-37) ORD
1st Ind.
CLH: jjw
War Department, A.G.O., July 13, 1937. - To the Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C. ( Attention Miss Nevitt) Record Verification Unit.
1. Inviting attention to the basic communication, the receipt of which has been acknowledged. 2. There are no records on file in this office of Captain Samuel Heald's Company, Colonel John Jacob's Regiment (Massachusetts Troops) Revolutionary War, and no record has been identified of Joseph Merriam.
E. T. CONLEY Major General, The Adjutant General. By: O. A. Mitchel

of Joseph Meriam , 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept 15 1779 Nov. 15 1779 Pri. Samuel Heald John Jacobs mass   July 5 1780 Dec 20 1780 Pri ————— Marshall to Reg Brewer mass   1784 3 mos ————— ————— Major Keyes. D G M Gen mass  
Battles engaged in, None stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Leicester, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept 6. 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Templeton, Worcester Co. Mass
Age at date of application, born Feb 3, 1763, at Woburn, Mass
Remarks: His Father William Meriam Meriam testifies on the claim
A careful search of the records of this office fail to show that claims were  filed on account of the Revolutionary war services of a Nathan Meriam  or of any Joseph Meriam other than the above.
Very respectfully,
Mrs Geo C Smith
57 Centre St.,
Fort Plain N.Y.