Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24552, for John Littlefield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Littlefield, John Miriam
W. 24 552
CONTENTS

2 Maine 128
Miriam Littlefield widow of John Littlefield late of Vinalon in the State of Maine who was an Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain of the N.E. commanded by Col. Gapsper in the Mass. line for 2 yrs forward
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 240 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Octo 1836 and Seat E. E. Dowse Kennebec Me
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $1370.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending April 37 120.00 $1440.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Addison Clerk. Book Vol. 1 Page 12

217
Miriam Littlefield Widow of John Littlefield
on Roll-Tupper
Ensign 1 Jan 77 resiged 28 June 1780
Admitted
2 yrs. Ensign
240#
See 1.25

State of Maine.
York ss.
On the eighth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before me William A. Hayer, Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, being a court of Record. William Littlefield, a resident of Wells in the County of York and state of Maine, aged eighty one years, who being first duty sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4. 1836. That she is the widow of John Littlefield, who was an Ensign & second Lieutenant in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war. That he entered the service in the beginning of the war in 1775 and was in the service until the last of June 1780 - Having been the first of the war she believes at Cambridge - of this she knows nothing, except what she remembers her often saying. From the first of the year 1777 to the time of his discharge on the 20 th of June 1780 - he was Ensign in the company under the command of Daniel Wheeler in the Regiment commanded by Col. Francis - after Col. Francis was killed the Regiment was commanded by Col. Tupper. The captain of the company also died within a year after he left Wells - I never heard of any other

Captain. I often heard him tell of the battles he was in, particularly of Bunker Hill, Ticonderoga, where he had two bullets through his clothes. I have often heard him tell, of the battle in which Burgoyne was taken - How surly, the English looked when they marched through our army, after they surrendered, and other battles which he was in, which I do not now particularly remember. She further says that he was honorably discharged on the twenty-eighth of June 1780 having been in the last service between three and four years - She believes he was Ensign all the time, from the day he first entered the service in 1775 to the time of his discharge in 1780. The foregoing facts are only known to her from his declarations - The Roll, Receipts & etc and other papers connected with his service have been in my possession ever since he died - I do not know what became of his commission.
She further says that she was married to said John Littlefield on the fourth day of May 1780 in the year seventeen hundred and eighty. That her husband the aforesaid John Littlefield died on the eleventh day of March seventeen hundred and ninety and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed. My husband was on furlough when he was married - Staid at home a few weeks after he was married - Then returned to the army somewhere she believes in New York - and in a little while after resigned his commission.

and returned home on the last of June 1780. At the time of marriage my husband was John Littlefield junior. Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year above written -
His Miriam X Littlefield Mark
Witness Wm. A. Hayes
Before me
Wm. A. Hayes Judge of said Court State of Maine
York ss. I hereby certify that the foregoing Miriam Littlefield, in consequence of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court.
Wm. A. Hayes } Judge of the Court of Probate for York County
The words "at the time of marriage my husband was John Littlefield jun" were interlined before signing -
Wm. A. Hayes Judge
State of Maine.
York county ss.
I William Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for said county, hereby certify that said Court is a Court of Record, and that the above named Wm. A. Hayes is the Judge of said Court, as above stated, and that the foregoing signatures annexed, are his genuine signatures. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 10th day of September A.D. 1836. Wm. Cutter Allen. Reg. Court of Probate

York October 15 th 1836
Dear Sir
I received yours requesting me to copy the church records, relating to the marriage of John Littlefield and Meriam Parsons. I would state, that the Rev. Mr. Lyman did not make out, in recording, a regular certificate of the marriage of each couple, but in his book or records headed - in this manner -
Marriages consummated by Isaac Lyman
June 11 th 1765 Jotham Moulton & Joanna Findal January 5 1780 Samuel Donnel & Abigail Sappan Feby 13 1780 Ezekiel Adams & Dorothy Webber May 4 1780 John Littlefield & Meriam Parsons June 1 1780 Prince & Dinah Servants of Messrs Layman & Rose. June 27 1780 Solomon Vanell & Mary Moore.
And so in continuance during his ministry through 10 or 12 pages - so that I can merely certify that I find in the Records, that John Littlefield & Meriam Parsons were married, by Isaac Lyman Pastor of the 1 st Church in York on May 4 1780 -
Fees $1.00
Yrs Resp y J. Putnam.

Edw d E. Bowne Esq. Nuenheim Rd now at Alfred -

York October 15 th 1836 This may certify that, upon ex- -amining the Records of the 1 st Church in York, I find re- -corded, the marriage of John Littlefield Jr and Meriam Parsons, which was consummated by Isaac Lyman the then Pastor of said Church on May 4 th 1786.
attest Jer h S. Putnam Clerk of 1 st Church in York Me.
State of Maine.
York County ss. October 15 th 1836
Then personally appeared Jer h S. Putnam of York Physician, who is a respectable and credible person and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true.
Before me Alex. W. Tuttle Justice of the Peace
1200.00 120.00 1320

State of Maine.
Yah. fs. I Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for said county of York, hereby certify that Alexander McIntire, above-named, is a true copy of the Peace within and for the county of York, and that the within signature hereunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this seventeenth day of October 1836.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Regn. Court Probate.

March 19, 1940.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. M. True MacDaniel 16 Nelson Street Dover, New Hampshire
BA-J/ADY John Littlefield W.24552
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to John Littlefield, who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.24552, based upon the military service in that war of John Littlefield.
The date and place of the birth of John Littlefield and the name of his mother are not shown. He was the son of John Littlefield, who died a few years prior to 1790.
While a resident of Wells, Massachusetts, (Maine) John Littlefield entered the service at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, served as Ensign, in Captain Daniel Wheelwright's Company, Colonels Francis' and Tupper's Massachusetts Regiments, and later served as Lieutenant; was in the battles of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga, where he received two bullets through his clothes; was in the battle and surrender of Burgoyne and resigned his commission June 20, 1780.
He died March 11, 1790, in Wells, Maine, his age not given.
He married May 4, 1780, Miriam, the name is shown also as Meriam, Parsons, of York, Maine. Their marriage was recorded on the records of the "1st Church in York".
His widow, Miriam Littlefield, was allowed pension on her application executed September 8, 1836, at which time she was aged eighty-one years, and a resident of Wells, York County, Maine.
She died October 21, 1841, place not stated.
An a B

In 1836, Pelatiah Littlefield, aged seventy-four years, was residing in Wells, Maine, no relationship stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

John Littlefield (Mass.) W. 24552
Three receipts signed Jon a Libby, Lt. and Q.M., and
A receipt signed Aaron Francis, Q.M., dated April 1, 1777 and
A receipt signed Josiah Morrison, dated April 12, 1777
have been removed from this claim to be sent to the War Dept.
D.G.
May 18, 1911
Sent to War Dept. Jany. 16, 1913.

1909 Mch 26. Dist. to Mrs Grace L. Gouche or Gouche. M.B.H.
1940 Mar. 19. Dist. to Mrs. M. True MacDaniel, A.D.Y.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24,5-5-2
Meriam Littlefield
Wid. of
John Littlefield Ensign Rev. War,
Act June 7 th 1832.
Index: Vol. A , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Littlefield (man) N. 24 552
Hamble Major Genl Heath

Sir,
I would beg leave to recommend Lieutenant Littlefield, to you for a furlough.
West Point Decr 20th 1879
I am Sir
Your very obedt Servt
Moses H. H. H.
consented to for twenty days
By order of his Excellency Dan L. Russell
Wm B. Maj Genl Heath

I John Littlefield Ensign Colo. Supp rs Reg t do acknowledge the United States of America to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the Third, King of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the uttermost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said United States against the said King George the Third, his heirs and successors, & his or their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of Ensign of Foot which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding. ~
John Littlefield Ensign.
Sworn before me in camp at White Plains, August 24, 1778.
James Patterson 186

Wells 19 July 1788
Sir, Please to pay to George Shatford Esq d what Wages, & Rations there are due me for serving in the Army. I oblige yours humble servant
To ———— Pierce John Littlefield Esq r

This Officer resigned his Commission on the 20 th June 1780 as appears by the Muster Rolls of Col. Sufkins Reg t on file in this Office he therefore has no claim on the United States as the State of Massachusetts has settled with their Officers &c. to the 1 st Jan y 1781.
Joseph Howell Jun d M c Comin Office of Army Accounts New York Aug st 1788
20 th June
John Littlefield Order for his Maj ty &c

John Littlefield (Mass) W. 24552

West Point 23 March 1779
Gentlemen
We have considered of your pretensions and are of opinion that inasmuch as Ensign Littlefield was appointed when the Reg t was first organized and as Ensign Meloy came in as such in consequence of a vacancy sometime after — that Ensign Littlefield ought to have the preference
Tobias Fernald Maj r Henry Sewall Lieut.

Mrs. M. Littlefield
sup d to the Col by 1836 to E.E. Barnes

24.552
Minion Littlefield John
Payroll St Col Littlefield

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
March 20, 89.
Searched Briefed by W.T. Conboy
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Major John Littlefield
Service 1 st York Co. Mass. Mil., Rev.
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190___
No claim, combination records _____, 190___
REMARKS:
No OW. Inr. or Widow OW Rejas above except OW. Inr. File # 24552

Oath of Allegiance &c.

York Sept 3 rd 1836
This may certify that upon the records of the 1 st Church in York, is entered the marriage of John Littlefield Jr. of Wells and Miriam O. -son of York dated May 4 th 1780.
attest - Jee S. Putnam { Church Parish Clerk

Fremontville Sept 10 1836.
Dr Sir
I herewith send you the application of Miriam Littlefield for a pension under the late law of Congress. — I have entered into no detail in the depositions in regard to the services of the applicant's husband, supposing they would be abundantly proved by documents at the War Office, as well as by documents herewith forwarded —
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Com. of Pensions.
Respectfully Your Obedt Servant.
E. E. Burrows
Schedule of the evidence.
Deposition of W m Eaton , Sergeant, to prove the service of J. L. and that his widow, the applicant, is still living — Deposition of Petrial Littlefield & Solo Stevens — the same Social Morrison Receipt — from service in 1777 — Oath and Aaron Francis Receipt — from service in 1778. Roll of the Company — Sundry Receipts — and recommendations to prove service in 1779. Statement from the office of Army Accounts — to prove that he was in the service until June 20 th 1780. Certificate from the Parish Clerk of York , moving of the terms of marriage. It is believed that the last year of nearly four months from the

the paper signed by Major Furness. That he acted as lieutenant - If it so appear at the Depart- ment, I trust that a Lieutenants pay will be allowed - The widow not being able to say any thing on that subject -
Hon J L Edwards. Com of Pensions
Respectfully Your O H sent E E Bourn

I Pelatiah Littlefield of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine Gentleman, aged seventyfour years, do on oath testify and declare that I well knew John Littlefield of Wells, who was a Lieutenant in the continental army during the Revolutionary war, and who died at Wells in the year 1790. I was also well acquainted with Miri- am Littlefield wife of said John. And I do further testify that Miriam Lit- tlefield now living at said Wells, is the same Miriam Littlefield - and has never intermarried since the decease of said John but continues his widow to this day. - Pelatiah Littlefield
State of Maine
York ss. September 3 d 1836. Personally appeared Pelatiah Littlefield, who is a credible and disinterested witness and made oath to the truth of the forego- ing declaration by him subscribed -
Before me Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace.

I Solomon Stevens of Wells in the County of York and state of Maine, do on oath testify and declare that I was well acquainted with John Littlefield who was an officer in the revolutionary war - That I live the nearest neighbor to him - That I attended his funeral - That he died about 1790 - his father's name was John - and died a few years before - I do further testify that Miriam Littlefield now living in said Wells was the wife of said John Littlefield jun - and that she has never intermarried since his decease. I was not old enough to remember her marriage but I at always understood her former name to be Miriam Parsons -
Solomon Stevens.
State of Maine .
York ss. Sept 8 1836. Personally appeared Solomon Stevens who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed -
Before me
Edward E. Bour Justice of the Peace.

I William Eaton of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine gentleman do on oath testify and declare that I was sergeant of a company in the continental army during the Revolutionary war from the spring in 1777 to the spring of 1780 - Daniel Whipple was Captain of said company Joseph Bragdon & - Joseph Parsons Lieutenants, and John Littlefield Ensign - Daniel Whipple died at Valley Forge - I was discharged at the expiration of my term and left John Littlefield in the service as Ensign - I went out in 1781 and in 1782 from Newbury Port When I came home four months after Littlefield was married - and had been married sometime - He was county Maine Parsons of York while he was in the service - I fear the say that Meriam Littlefield now living at Wells is his widow, never having intermarried since - our Regiment was commanded first by Col Francis who was killed - Then by Col Luffen - The Brigade by General Paterson - Emerson Lieutenant Littlefield's father was also named John and died a few years after the close of the war - William Eaton
State of Maine
York ss. September 8 1836.
Personally appeared William Eaton who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed - Before me Edward D. Bourne Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
Yah fs.
I William Cutler Allen Registrar of the Court of Probate for said county of York, hereby certify that Edward D. Bourne, Esq. is a Justice of the peace for said county of York as above stated, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this tenth day of September A.D. 1836.
Wm. Cutler Allen Regi. of Court of Prob.

Oct 22 OCT 16 N.Y.
FILE.
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Com. of Pension. Washington D.C.
ms. p. 15 Oct 22/36 4 July 36

Kennettville Oct 17 1836
Le Sir
Enclosed I send a certificate to be filed in the case of the application of Miriam Littlefield for a pension, allotted to according to direction. — I send the whole letter that it may be seen how marriage was then recorded —
Yours Respectfully E. E. Bourne
Hon J L Edwards. Com. of Pensions

IF 24552 - Miss May N. 24 2

Coldwater Mich March 4 th 1909
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C. Will you please send me the Revolutionary War record of Major John Littlefield 1 st York Co. Mass. Militia and oblige
Mrs Grace L Carruke 159 Division Street Coldwater Mich

Feb 26, 1940
MARGERY SULLIVAN CHAPTER D.A.R. DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me what data you have as to the war service, and the number of his pension, if he recd one, (or the pension of his widow, Miriam (Winn) Littlefield) of John Littlefield , of Wells, Me., born about 1753, died the 11 th of March, 1790; and how long did widow Miriam receive a pension?
Did he leave any children, specified in the pension?
Respectfully, (and appreciately if we get the desired information)
Fluence E. M ce Daniel, Historian Margery Sullivan Chapter D.A.R.
address -
Mrs. M. True M ce Daniel, 16 Nelson St.,
Dover, N. Hamp.

reply to your request of 4th , received 6th inst statement of the military history of John Littlefield  Rev T. 24.552. REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion file in this Bureau. Soe dier was the  Son of John Littlefield who died a few years before soldier.  put this below in remembrance
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 20 June 1780 Ensign Daniel Wheeler { Francis Pepper Mass Mass         
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, Ticonderoga, Saratoga.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wells Me.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 8, 1836. Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Wells, York Co. Me.
Age at date of application, 81 years
Remarks: Soldier died Mch 11, 1790. He married  Miriam Parsons, May 4, 1780 in York Me.