Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,970, for Ashbel Merrell, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn
Merrill, Haskell
$16,970
Eaton, Abigail
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

New York 4368
Abigail Eaton (say) widow of Ashbel Merrill who died on the 24th May 1794 of Callacanga in the State of N.Y. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain D r of the Reg t commanded by Gen l Putnam in the Rev d War for 2 years Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of June 1846 and sent to Nathan Dake
Arrears to the 4th of March 1846 $1200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 46 40.00
$1240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by Th s Ransom Clerk Book C Vol. 1. Page 113.
Aspel Collier Hill Ap 30/53 Ashbel Merrill, 27 th June 1853.
Same March 2 1884

State of Connecticut, County of Hartford ss. Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford, Rev. Charles S. Sherman of the Town of Berlin in said County, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he is thirtyfive years of age, that he is Pastor of the second Congregational Church in said Town of Berlin, that Rev. John Smalley, as appears from the Records of said Church was Pastor thereof from 1758 to 1820, that he died in the said year 1820 , that among the Records of the church aforesaid is an ancient Book in which is recorded the marriages solemnized by the said Rev. John Smalley, and among said marriage Records is one in under the title or head of "marriages" in the words following viz
"Askel Merrills & Abigail Hart Feb. 27. 1783"
and the said deponent further deposeth and saith, that he fully believes that the said record to be in the hand writing of the said Rev. John Smalley, that he has said Record in his possession, & that the above extract is a true copy therefrom.
Subscribed and sworn before me on this 4 th day of Sept. A.D. 1845 } Chas. S. Sherman Alfred North Justice of the Peace } Pastor 2 d Cong l . Church Berlin

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Charles C. Sherman who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit; that he is a highly respectable clergyman and Pastor of the 2nd Congregational Church in the town of Berlin, County of Hartford & is worthy of credit; that I have examined what appears to be an ancient Church Record; that in said Record are several pages, purporting to be a record of the marriages, solemnized by the late Rev. John Smalley during his life time; that said record is made in the following manner. viz. On the top of each page is written the word "marriages" & the remainder of the page is filled with names of the parties, with the date of their marriage annexed; that among said marriage Records I find the words & figures following viz.
"Ashbel Merrills & Abigail Hart. Feb 27 th 1783" that the above quotation is a true copy from said Record, and from the knowledge I have of the said Rev. John Smalley & the appearance of said Record, I do not hesitate to say that I believe it to be a true & just record of the marriage of the said Ashbel Merrills & Abigail Hart.
Alfred North Justice of the Peace
Dated at Berlin Conn. Sept 4 th A.D. 1845

State of Connecticut, } Office of Secretary of State. }
I hereby certify that Alfred North, Esq r , (whose name attached to the foregoing affidavit and certificate I believe to be in his own hand-writing,) is, and since the 20 th day of June last past hath been a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Hartford and State aforesaid, duly appointed and commissioned, as appears of record in this office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 5 th day of September, A. D. 1845.
Charles P. Tyler Secretary of State

Sir
Castleton Vermont Feb 21/53
Yours of March 7/53 was duly Recd — I regret the trouble I have made you — you misunderstood my Letter of Sept 27 1852 as also a subsequent one under date of Nov 12 th /52 —
My Mother obtained a Pension as the Widow of my Father Ashbel Merrill a soldier of the Revolution — My Mother subsequently married again to a Man by the Name of Westover Eaton and removed with him from Connecticut to North Ferrisburgh Cattaraugus County NY where the D r Eaton died leaving My Mother a Widow again — and the 12 th of Last August my Mother deceas d — John F. Curtis of Huron Wayne County NY had the agency of obtaining the Pension for my Mother
The Records of Conn t show that my Father Ashbel Merrill enlisted the 1 st day of Jan y 1781 "for and during the War,, (My Mother given Name was Abigail) J E Healy Esq. Comm r } Respectfully yours Pension Washington D.C. } Ashbel Merrill

6614
Abigail Eaton widow of Abiel Merrill No Mar. 19, 1845.
4 July 1836
On before 94 Butler's aft more than 2 years enlisted Dec. 80 dis: charged June 83.
a dr. 2 yrs $80.
Nathan Leake, Esq. Present

Declaration In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 d Section of the Act of 4 th June 1836 And of the 1 st Section of the Act of 3 d of March 1837 as August 1842
State of New York County of Cattaraugus ss
On this 12 th day of September 1845 personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Judge of the Courts in & for the County aforesaid Widow Abigail Eaton late Widow of Asahel Merrill, a resident of Perrysburg in said County - aged Eighty one years, who being first sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the 3 d Section of the Act of Congress passed the 4 th of July 1836 and of the first Section of the Act of 3 d of March 1837 as of August 1842 - That her Maiden Name was West - That she was Married to Asahel Merrill on the 27 th day of February 1783 Seventeen hundred and Eighty three - in the town of Berlin Hartford County & State of Connecticut, by the Rev. Mr. Smalley Pastor of the Congregational Church in that Town - That her said late Husband Asahel Merrill served nine months in 1779 in a Company commanded by Capt. Giddis in a Regiment commanded by Col. Wallis & Gen. Putnam - That he served most of the time at West Point & Peekskill on the Hudson River - That on the first of January 1781 he enlisted in the service of the United States for during the War, & served in a Regiment commanded by Col. John Parker - and served to the close of the War and was honorably discharged when the Army was disbanded - That in the winter of 1783 the said Asahel Merrill returned home on a furlough & was married to this deponent as above stated and returned to the Army & served until discharged as above in July or August of that year - That of the said Asahel Merrill died on the 24 th day of May 1794 Seventeen hundred and ninety four - That this deponent was subsequently married to Weston Eaton on the 8 th day of August 1795 Seventeen hundred & ninety five - That her said last Husband, Weston Eaton died on the 12 th day of May 1840 - That this deponent has not since married but remains a widow, known to and subscribed before me The day & year above mentioned
Abigail Eaton
Asahel H. Hurd judge of Cattaraugus Co. N.Y.
I certify that the above named Abigail Eaton is a respectable person - That I consider her to be of the age represented by her - That on account of bodily infirmity she cannot attend the Courts to make this her Declaration
J. W. Hurd judge
State of New York County of Cattaraugus ss
I Francis E. Baillet Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Cattaraugus County certify that Asahel H. Hurd Esq. is a judge of the County Courts as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 12 th day of Sept. 1845 F. E. Baillet clk.
Answer to John H. Lewis. Huron Wayne Co. N.Y.

O. W. & N. Div.
F.S.
I. 23786.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
Feb. 13, 1893.
Sir:-
Referring to your request for a statement of the military history of A S H B E L M E R R I L L, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, I have to inform you that Abigail Eaton, formerly his widow, was allowed a pension for his services as a private in the Connecticut troops he having enlisted sometime during the year 1779 and rendered two years actual service. She mentions the following in her declaration as officers under whom he served: Capt. Judd, Col. Wylllys, and Col. Durkee. No mention is made of any engagement in which he participated.
Her application for pension is dated Sept. 12, 1845, at which time she was a resident of Perrysburgh, N.Y., and eighty-one years of age. She states that she was married to the soldier at Berlin, Conn., Feb. 27, 1783, and that he died May 12, 1840.
Owing to the large number of inquiries of this character an earlier reply was impracticable.
Very respectfully,
Daniel E. Pope, Esq.,
Commissioner.
Solicitor and Counsellor,
Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Nov 17 th 1892.
Hon Court of Pensions Dear Sir
I wish information of the service of a Revolutionary Soldier of the State of Connecticut (probably from or near New Haven) by the name of Merrill . His first name was either Chester or Harvey I think.
I write to your Dept for his Widow (who was my Grandmother) drew a pension (for the time of her widowhood I believe) under the name possibly of Abigail Eaton , along in the 40's. Her maiden name was Abigail Hart . Harrison

I believe that Merrill died sometime after the close of the war from injuries recd or disease contracted in the service, but am not certain. He must have died along about (probably before) 1775 or near that date, as his widow married Eaton soon after that date.
L E P

Worcester Eaton was her second husband. At the time she drew this Pension she lived in Perryburg Cattaraugus Co N.Y. state - I give these facts as they may assist. As her name either as Eaton or Merrill must be upon the Pension Rolls I trust you will have no difficulty in sending me the information required.
I trust the time will soon come when all these records of Rev soldiers officers will be gathered up and published by Congress for general distribution to the public libraries and to their authenticated descendants. No more worthy object of Govt. expenditure could be found. Awaiting your early reply I remain Truly Yours Daniel Eaton Pope

✓ Abigail Eaton N.Y.
4 July 1836
mt to J. H. Curly Dec 23. 45

Abigail Eaton
Wed Mar 36 4368
L. D. Waldo Esq. Commissioner Pensions Washington D.C.

Nov: 15 th 1852
desires to know amount of Pension paid to Abi- gail Eaton formerly wid: of Ashbel Merrill.
Ashbel Merrill Castleton Vermont
Pensions Commissary Genl
Wash g D.C.

Asahel Merrill d. 94
79. Capt. Judd D. Col. Mylly.
81- Col. Durkee
Bullis reft
Eaton d
26 Dec 1780
12 May 1840
Bullis reft
Dec June 10- 1783

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16970
Abigail Eaton widow of Asahel Merrill Pri New War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. a , Page 207
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1893 - Feb. 16. Hist. to Daniel
C. Pope, Cornwall-on-Hudson,
N.Y.
F.D.

May 27. 1846 Mail
Adams Co., Penn.
Williamston.
Fanny L Edwards born of Louisiana Present.
2

Washington May 26 th 1846
Sir
I herewith enclose you additional testimony in the case of Abigail Eaton of N.Y. act 4 July 1836- agreeably to the requirements of your last letter in the case. it is believed that the case is now fully made out to the satisfaction of the department, & very respectfully request that the claim may be examined soon as it has been a long time pending.
Very Respectfully
Your At Servant
Nathan Leake

Castleton Rutland County Vermont
18 Feb 1854
L P Waldo Esq
Sir your of 27 th June 1853 was duly Rec d - request notice - I have delay d a reply some longer than I intended I have been look- ing for results from another quarter - - - - -
The object of my Enquiries of the Pension Office was to ascertain the amt of Money Paid by The Government to my Mother as Pension Money for services rendered the Country by my Father Ashbel Merrill in the War of the revolution
My half Brother Earl W Eaton has been in receipt of all the money Paid to my Mother by Government, and holds it as his own entirely inoperative of the expressed wishes of my Mother -
I am making an effort to compel him to a right course in the Matter - so far he shows Horne s only - as I am the Eldest of my Father's Children the younger ones rather look to me to see to the matter - - - - -
If I understand it right there is or was a Land bounty granted the soldiers of the Revolution which has not been awarded neither to my Father or his heirs - please advise me what course is necessary for me to pursue to make that available to my Father's Children
very much Oblidge
Yours Truly
Ashbel Merrill

Comptroller's Office Connecticut Hartford Octo 9 1845
On application for evidence of the service of Asahel Merrill in the war of the revolution, I have examined the documents in this office relating to that war, and find no roll of Capt Judd's Co under whom it is alleged Merrill served but find in the pay table Book the following entry
Capt William Judd Col Wyllys's Batt — Cr 1780 April 15 by his acct rendered for enlisting frontiersmen 925- 1-6
In Booklet under of "United States Dr to the State of Connecticut for the service of militia ordered to join the Continental Army 1779" is this entry
1780 July 27 Col H. Wyllys, wages, ————— 126- —
I also find under head of "Settlement with the 1 st Connecticut Regt John Durkee Esq Col for the year 1781 the name of Asahel Merrill who is stated to have commenced service as a private January 1 st 1781 and to have been settled with December 31 of the same year. 12 mos. Our acct with Durkee's Regt go no further than December 31-1781
A. Carrington Comptroller

March 24. 53
Ashebel Merrill rel: to claim of his mother as widow of Ashebel Merrill.
Hezekiah Gage Castleton Vermont FREE Benjamin Jenison Washington Ht.

Castleton VT Nov 12 1852
Dear Sir
Under date of Sept 27 1852 I address d a letter to the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington asking for Information respecting the Amount of Money Paid by the Government to the Widow Abigail Eaton of Perysburgh New York State as a Pension awarded her first Husband Ashbel Merrill for his services in the War of the Revolution — — —
as I have not received any answer to that enquiry and as it is a matter of some consequence to me to obtain the statement of the amount Paid to her or her order or assign you will confer a great favour if you can consistently give me the Information I ask — for which I will remit at once all reasonable Charges
Truly yours
Ashbel Merrill
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

State of New York
County of Berkshire ss. Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace of said County Abigail Barnes of Ditchfield in said County aged Eighty four Years - After being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, from the earliest period of her recollection up to the Year 1794 she Resided in the Town of Farmington in Hartford County State of Conn- =ecticut. That while living in said Town of Farmington she was intimately acquainted with Abigail Hart which was nearly this deponents age. That in the winter of the Year 1783 seventeen hundred and Eighty Three. The said Abigail Hart was Married to Ashbel Merrell, who was then a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. That he was then at home on a Furlough, and Returned again to the army in a few weeks after his Marriage to the said Abigail Hart That he was absent five or six Months after his Marria- ge - and it was said and believed at the time that the said Merrell was in the army of the United States. That this Deponent attended the wedding of the said Merrell and acted as Brides maid. (This deponent is sure the said Abigail Hart was Married to the said Merrell in the winter of the Year 1783. from the following fact That this deponent was Married in the fall of 1783 to Gad Woodruff and the said Ashbel Merrell & Abigail Hart Stood up with them when they were Married. That the said Gad Woodruff Deed in February 1782. That this deponent was Married again to Elmerer Barnes in June 1783. That this Deponent is sure the said Merrell was Married in the winter that intervened between the death of her first husband and her second Marriage. That this deponent Moved from her native place Farmington, C.T. to the place where she now lives fifty two Years since. at the time this deponent left Farmington. The said Merrell and wife were living in Green River in the County of Columbia State of New York. That about fifteen or twenty Years after this deponent Moved to the place where she now lives. She went to visit a Brother of hers living in the town of Augusta about twenty Miles distant. That the person whose name was Abigail Hart and was Married to Ashbel Merrell as above stated was then living in Augusta and was the wife of a Man by the name of Eaton (think it was Weston or Westover Eaton This deponent visited at the house of the said Eaton and Learned by the said Mrs Eaton that her husband Merrell, had died in Green River, That she subsequently Returned to her Friends in Hartford County C.T.

and was married again to the within named Eaton That this deponent afterwards learned that the said Eaton & Wife moved farther west to the County of Cattaraugus - That this deponent has seen the said Abigail Eaton since she moved to Cattaraugus and is sure she is the same person that was married to Asahel Merrill as above stated Subscribed and sworn before me This 30th day of April 1846 Horace E. Ball Justice of the Peace Abigail her X Combs mark
I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Abigail Combs for many years say thirty or thirty five and believe her to be as old as is represented by her. That her memory appears to be good that she is an intelligent and respectable old lady that I consider her statement to be relied on
Litchfield April 30 th 1846 Horace E. Ball Justice of the Peace
STATE OF NEW-YORK } ss. Herkimer County,
I certify that Horace E. Ball Esq whose name is subscribed to the Annexed Certificate was, on the day of the date of said Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified. And that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his signature to said Certificate genuine.
Witness my hand and official seal. May first 1846-
E. A. Newman Clerk

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss Personally appears before the subscriber a sister of the man of the county of said and age 60 years of age that he is personally acquainted with Abigail Eaton of Perysburch in the State of New York, who is applying for a Pension as the widow of Ashbel Merrill who was her first husband. That this deponent was personally acquainted with the above named Widow Abigail Eaton, and her first husband Ashbel Merrill in the town of Berlin Hartford County in the State of Connecticut previous to their marriage. This deponent will recollect that Ashbel Merrill left home in the year 1779 or 1780 and was absent from said town of Berlin most of the time until the close of the Revolutionary War, and it was said at that time and this deponent still believes he was engaged as a soldier in the army of the United States. This deponent will recollect that the said Ashbel Merrill returned home in February 1783, on a furlough and was married to the above named Widow Abigail Eaton whose maiden name was Hart. That the said Merrill returned to the army and continued in service until the army was disbanded when he returned again. That the said parties commenced living together as husband and wife soon after the said Merrill returned from the army and continued so to live until the death of the said Merrill which took place in the spring of the year 1794, leaving his widow the present applicant for a pension - who afterwards married Nelson Eaton who died in 1840, leaving the above named applicant a widow. That the present applicant for a pension Abigail Eaton is the same person that was married to the said Merrill in Berlin in the year 1783. This deponent thinks he cannot be mistaken in the time the said parties were married, because he well knows it was during the winter of the last year of the Revolutionary War.
Subscribed and sworn before me Jese Gosses This 12th day of September 1845
Darius H. Butler - Justice of Peace
I certify that the above named Jese Gosses a highly respectable person and worthy of credit
Darius H. Butler - Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss Personally appears before the subscriber a sister of the man of the county of said Anna Gosses Burlington in said county aged Eighty years; after being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that Abigail Eaton who is applying for a pension as the widow of Ashbel Merrill late a soldier in the war of the Revolution is this deponent's sister. That this deponent and her said sister lived during the war of the Revolution in the town of Berlin in said County. That this deponent was well acquainted with the said Ashbel Merrill who also resided in said town of Berlin. That the said Ashbel Merrill was absent from said town two or three years during the last part of the Revolutionary War and it was said and believed he was in the army of the United States. That the said Merrill returned home on a furlough in the

winter previous to the close of the War and was married to his deceased sister whose name was Mary Elizabeth Hart. That the said Merrell soon after returned to the army and rema- ined until he was discharged which was three or four months. That he then returned and lived with the said Elizabeth Eaton as husband and wife until his death which took place four or five years after their marriage. That the said sister afterwards married Weston Eaton, and that he died about five years since leaving the said Elizabeth a widow who is still a widow. Subscribed and sworn before me, This 12 th day of September 1845 } Anna Combs Darius H. Butler Justice of Peace }
I certify that the above named Anna Combs is a respect- able person and worthy of credit
Darius H. Butler Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut, County of Hartford } ss.
I, Chauncy Howard, Clerk of the County Court for said County, hereby certify, that Darius H. Butler, whose name is sub- scribed to the above and foregoing certificate, is a Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said Court, this 7 th day of October A.D. 1845. Chauncy Howard, Clerk of the County Court.

Report to John Glunt. Huron Wayne Co. MI

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
ss. Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Master of the Court in and for the County aforesaid. Joseph Cookes aged Eighty two Years - After being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith - That he was acquainted with Abiel Merrill of Berlin in the County of Hartford Connecticut from the fall part of the war of the Revolution until his death - And also with Abigail Hart who was married to the said Merrill & subsequent- ly to Weston or Westover Eaton. from the same time to the present. That the history of the said Abiel Merrill and the said Abigail Hart is as follows viz The said Merrill Enlisted in the army of the United States for during the war. Cannot state the exact time he Enlisted, but thinks it was after the year 1780. That in the winter of 1783 the said Merrill returned home to Berlin on a furlough and was married to Abigail Hart That he returned to the army after he was married and stayed until the army was disbanded which was five or six months after he was married - That a few Years after the close of the war the said Merrill and wife moved to Burlington about twelve miles from the place where they were married - That they lived in Burlington five or six years and then moved to Green River Columbia County New York State where Merrill soon after died - This deponent was not present when the said Merrill Died but always understood and belie- ved that he died in that place in the year 1794. That soon after the said Merrill Died his widow returned to Burling- ton where she had friends living and was married to Weston Westover Eaton the year after her husband Merrill Died - That a few years after the said widow Merrill was married to the said Eaton they moved to the town of Augusta Madison County New York where they lived ten or twelve years - They then moved from Augusta to Perysburg Catherine County New York where the said Eaton Died. and where his widow the present applicant for a pension now lives -
This deponent further deposeth and saith. That the reason why he is enabled to testify so positively & so minutely, in relation to Abiel Merrill and the present applicant for a pension Abigail Eaton is as follows viz At the time the said Merrill Enlisted he and this deponent were intimate friends also At the time the said Merrill was married the said deponent was present and when the said Merrill was married - And knows it took place in

The winter of the Year 1783. Seventeen hundred and Eighty Three. from the fact that this deponent was Married to a sister of the said Abigail Hart about that time. This deponent Recollects that it was near the close of the War of the Revolution - That when the said Merrill Returned to the army after his marriage it was talked and believed that he would not have to stay out a short time. This deponent is sure that he did Return and stay five or six weeks after Months after he was Married & it was believed that he was in the service of the United States. That this deponent at that time lived in the town of Farmington which town lies between the towns of Berlin & Burlington. That he saw Merrill & wife frequently untill he moved to Green River where he died. That sometime after the said Eaton & wife moved to Augusta this deponent moved to that place. That after the said Eaton moved to Poughkeepsie this deponent moved to the County of Erie adjoining the County where the said Eaton lived, and rem- ained there untill about two years since when this Deponent Returned to Hartford County Connecticut to live with his children. That he is sure that the present widow Eaton who is applying for a pension as the widow of Ashbel Merrill is the same person that was married to the said Merrill in the winter of 1783 as above stated That this deponent has no interest in the claim and does not expect to be benefited by it should the pension be granted
Subscribed and sworn before me This 24 th day of April 1846
Joseph Cowles
Darius F. Butler Justice of Peace
Hartford County ss Burlington April 24 th 1846 I certify that I am acquainted with Joseph Cowles who has signed the foregoing affidavit. That I consider him to be of average information by him that he is a highly respectable man that his memory and mind appears to be good and that any statement he may make is entitled to credit
Darius F. Butler Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Office of Secretary of State
I hereby certify that Darius F. Butler Esq. was on the 24th day of April, A.D. 1846, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Hartford, duly appointed and commissioned; and that I believe the within to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Hartford this 28th day of April A.D. 1846 Daniel P. Root Secretary of State.

State of New York County of Onondaga ss Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Notary of the Peace in and for the County Aforesaid, Samuel Starr Aged Sixty five - Years - Who After being duly sworn According to law, deponeth and saith - That for forty three years and upwards he has been personally and intimately acquainted with Abigail Eaton (Widow of the late Weston Eaton) who is applying for a Pension as the Widow, formerly, of Asahel Merrill deceased. That he was formerly well acquainted with the said Weston Eaton - That the said Weston and Abigail Eaton and this deponent lived together in the same neighborhood for many years, in the town of Augusta, Oneida County and State of New York - That some years since and upwards the said parties and this deponent moved into the town of Poughkeepsie Cattaraugus County N.Y. When the said Eaton died, said when his widow, Abigail Eaton and this deponent now reside. That this deponent attended the funeral of the said Weston Eaton in the month of May 1840 - That he has always, from his earliest acquaintance with the said Abigail, understood, and believes, that at the time she was married to the said Weston Eaton, she was the widow of the aforesaid Asahel Merrill deceased. That this deponent has seen some of the children that are expected, and believes to be the children of the said Abigail Eaton, by her first husband, the said Asahel Merrill. And further - That this deponent has always understood and believes, that the residence of the said Weston & Abigail Eaton, before they came into the State of New York, was in the State of Connecticut. That the said Abigail is now a widow. I am an H. Pitcher Notary of the Peace
Samuel Starr This 4th day of April 1846
I certify that I have for many years been well acquainted with Samuel Starr the above named deponent and believe his statement entitled to full confidence & belief L. H. Pitcher Justice

State of New-York, COUNTY OF ERIE.
} ss.
I, MANLY COLTON, Clerk of the County of Erie, and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof, do hereby certify that Leman H. Pitcher Esq., whose name is subscribed to the annexed Affidavit & Certificate  therein a Justice of the Peace was at the time of Subscribing for said County, duly Elected and sworn, and acting as such. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Leman H. Pitcher and verily believe the signature to said Affidavit & Certificate - to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court of Common Pleas and of said County, this 10 day of April A. D. 184 6
Manly Colton Clerk.

State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Rufus Bowles of the town of Farmi- ngton aged sixty seven years; after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, That when a boy he was acquainted with Asahel Merrill who married a sister of this deponents brother's wife - That this deponents brother's wife's father who married a sister of the wife of the said Merrill lived at in the house with this deponents father. That the said Merrill and wife frequently visited the said father's house and in that way this deponent became acquainted with the said Merrill when young. That the said Merrill's wife's maiden name was Hart. That the said Merrill moved west, this depo- nent thinks to the State of New York where it was said he died - That his widow returned to Burling- ton the town joining Farmington where this deponent has always lived, and there married a man by the name of Eaton - That a few years after said widow Merrill married the said Eaton. They moved to the western part of the State of New York - That this deponent has since heard that the said Eaton was dead - This deponent is sure that the wife of Asahel Merrill who resided in this County when this deponent was a boy - Subse- quently became the wife of a man by the name of Eaton - That she afterwards lived in Cattaraugus County in the State of New York. That the said widow Merrill & Eaton lived together as husband & wife in the State of New York. This deponent knows from letters he has frequently received from his brother Asahel Bale who lived for many years near the said Eaton in the State of New York. Subscribed and sworn before me, Rufus Bowles This 15 th day of April 1846
Roderick Stanley Justice of Peace for the County of Hartford
I certify that I am and have been, for the last fifty years well acquainted with Rufus Bowles, who has signed the foregoing affidavit, and know him to be a man of strict truth and veracity, and that he has for a number of years sustained the office of Deacon in the Congregational Church in this town,
Roderick Stanley Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Hartford
Berlin April 16 th A.D. 1846
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Elijah Francis of said Berlin Aged Eighty Six Years after being duly sworn according to Law deposes and saith That since his earliest recollection he has resided in the town of Berlin where he now lives; that when a boy this deponent became acquainted with Ashbel Merrell who formerly resided in this town, that when boys this deponent and the said Mer- rell went to school together, that they were afterwards both apprentices to Timothy Stanley for the purpose of learning the Tan- ning and Shoemaking Trade - That the said Ashbel Merrell left the said Stanley in the year 1780 or 1781 and enlisted in the Connecticut line for and during the War of the Revolution -
That the said Merrell was absent from said town until the close of the War of the Revolution, and that it was understood and believed in this town, at that time that he was in the service of the United States - This deponent thinks he is not mistaken about Merrells Enlisting in the year 1780 or 1781 - because this de- ponent was in the service during the years 1776 and 1777, and after he returned he went to live with Timothy Stanley as above stated and was there when said Merrells enlisted which was between three and four years after this deponent returned from the service - That the said Merrells was said to have been married to Abigail Hart, that they lived together as husband and wife, that a few years after the close of the Revolutionary War the said Merrell moved from this town and died (as this deponent understood and believes) ten or twelve years after his marriage to the said Abigail Hart - That it was repor- ted and this deponent believes that the said Abigail who was the widow of the said Merrell was afterwards married to a man by the name of Eaton and moved to the State of New York that this deponent never knew any other person in this town by the name of Ashbel Merrell and thinks there was none - Subscribed and sworn to, the day & year first above written.
Elijah Francis
Before me,
Henry Wash Justice of Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Elijah Francis who has signed the foregoing affidavit, that I consider him to be of the age represented by him, that he is a highly respected inhabitant, has been for many years, and now is Deacon of the Presbyterian Church in this town That his mind appears to be unimpaired by age and that any statement he may make is entitled to full credit -
Henry Wash, Justice of Peace.

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } ss.
I, Chauncy Howard, clerk of the County Court, for said County, hereby certify that Henry Nash and Roderick Stanley, whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificates, are Justi- ces of the Peace within and for said County; and that their acts, as such Justices, are entitled to full credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said County Court, this 21 st day of April, A.D. 1821.
Chauncy Howard, Clerk.