Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36126, for Thomas Merchant, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born-
Merchant, Thomas
S 36126
CONTENTS

Resitaled Feb 17 1822 Santa Bonita J. Gebhard House 1/2 3/12
19/518 4/50
4.00 1.09 5.96 24 29.96
Prova (2,410)
New York Roll to Connecticut
Thomas Merchant
Capt Smith
print
Connecticut line - 1777. 3 years.
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
scribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 of Sep: 1818 and forwarded to Herman Hickok Esq. Schoharie Scho- harie County N York.
Arrears to 4th of Sept: 1818. 29.96
Semi-ann. all'co ending 4 Mar: 1819 48.
3 mos: 19/518 4/50 $ 27.96
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinue Jefferson, Schoharie County

Schedule
State of New York } ss: Thomas Merchant of the town of Scholaine County } Jefferson in the county and state aforesaid, on this fourteenth day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Scholaine, being a court of record, by a statute law of the state for the said county of Scholaine aged sixty four years and Ten Months, resident in the town and county aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: In the Regiment commanded by Col. Isaac Sherman in a company commanded by Capt. Nehemiah Rice in the Connecticut Line - That his original declaration is dated on the thirteenth day of May 1810, and that his pension Certificate is numbered 3,410 - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 10 th day of March 1810; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner, dispose of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby, so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the 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 pensioned on the 10 th March 1810; 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 in course other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed -

Real property I have none -
Personal property
1 Yoke of Oxen, 1 cow, 1 two year old heifer, 13 sheep and 8 lambs, 3 hogs and seven pigs, 1 plough, 2 chains 1 ap, 1 Iron bar, 2 harness, 1 drag, 1 old shovel, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 pot and old kettle, 1 three pail kettle, 1 Tea pot and sugar bowl 2 sets of earthen plates four knives and forks 1 Spider, 1 Tea kettle, 6 old chairs 3 pails - 1 old hay pail 1 Cradle 2 scythes and handles, 1 pine chest 1 small looking glass 1 Table old, 1 pair of fire tongs 1 wooden spoon and pickaxe, 1 half barrel, pick measure and 2 quart measure 50 bushels of potatoes half a barrel of pork 5 bushels of rye, 3 bushels of wheat 2 1/2 bushels of corn 3 Milk pans, 4 Spoons 1 Tin Milk pail
That by occupation he is a farmer That he is poor and cannot labour much to contribute to his support - That he has a wife whose health is much impaired and two children living with him a son named Joel aged Nineteen Years who is not very well healthy his daughter named Mary is about sixteen Years of age - That there is due to him from Theodore Gurney two thousand of British and that he is notable honestly indebted upwards of one hundred and fifty dollars one hundred and fifty dollars and fifty Thomas Merchant
Sworn to, and declared, on the seventh day of June 1820 before William Buckman Esq. first Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Schoharie.

John Smart clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Schoharie do hereby certify that the foregoing acts and the Schedule 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 and fifty Dollars and Sixty two Cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 9 th day of June 1820 —
John Smart.
Clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Schoharie

MS 62
NY 15 Scho. Com. Phas Count
2410 Schedule of Thos. Merchant a pensioner of the United States
Copy Second
Susp
(2410) Surp June 27/1820
March 1819

By The pension papers of Thos. Merchant
Comet
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Schoharie County ss: On Thomas Merchant on this Thursday of May 1810 before me the Subscriber, one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas for the said county, personally appeared Thomas Merchant aged Sixty Years, resident in the Town of Jefferson in the county aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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": That he the said Thomas Merchant enlisted in the Year One thousand eight seven hundred and seventy seven in the State of Connecticut, in the company commanded by Captain David Smith in the regi- ment commanded by Col. John Chautler, that he continued in the service of the United States for the term of three Years, when he was discharged from service in Westfield in the state of New Jersey; that his discharge was signed by Col. Isaac Sherman, which discharge he lost: That he was in the battles of German Town and Monmouth, and that his is reduced in circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other income now in possession of his said service but the pension of Col. Stephen Haddum annexed sworn and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid Thomas Merchant Heman Hickok
I Heman Hickok one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Schoharie aforesaid, do certi- fy, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Thomas Merchant did serve in the revolutionary

war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of three years, on the continental establishment, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the secretary for the department of war pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress - this thirteenth day of May 13 th May - 1810
Heman Hickok -
I Heman Hickok one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Schoharie do also further certify that I am personally well acquainted with the said Thomas Merchant and know him to be in reduced circumstances and to stand in need of assistance from his country for support. Dated this 22 nd day of Augt. 1810 — Heman Hickok

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Thomas Merchant , 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. File 36,126
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Conn. 77 3yrs. { David Smith Nehemiah Rice John Chandler Isaac Sherman 5th Conn.                                                   
Battles engaged in, Germ. Mon.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, May 13. 1818 -
Residence at date of application, Jefferson Schoharie Co NY. 1826 Housatonic, Litchfield Co Conn -
Age at date of application, 63
Remarks: 1820 wife Anna - ch. Joel 19 yrs. Mary 16 yrs. 1826 stated he had lately married a wife in Conn - who was unwilling to accompany him to NY state.

36 126
Reog INVALID.
File No. 36,126
Thomas Merchant His Rev do
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Aug. 30, 1904. Hist. to Mr. L Collamer, Wash. etc. x 1906 Sept 17 - Mrs. W. H. Lowers - No place of birth. M. B. H. 1906 Nov 21 History to m th Lowers 1909 Nov 9. Hist. to George E. Merchant f.

Correct
John C. Calhoun Esquire
New York Res.
Thomas Murchant M.D.
13. May
Heman Hickok
Rehoboth
for
Sec. of War
City of Washington

Shelbyville Augt 25 th 1810
Sir: I enclose you the paper of Mr. Merchant containing the additional certificate required, to entitle him to the pension granted by the late law of Congress. The pension Certificate might be transmitted to me, if it should be deemed expedient —
I remain Sir
Rev. Sir
Thos Law
John C. Calhoun Esq

Edward St. John
For War Department Washington City District of Columbia United States of America
Recd. 25 May 1860

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield ss. Washington May 8 th 1826
On this 8 th day of May 1826 before me the subscriber a justice of peace for the said County of Litchfield personally appeared Thomas Merharts of said Washington who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Nehemiah Rice in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Isaac Sherman in the service of the United States that his Name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed, and that he now resides in the State of Connecticut where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be then payable in future and that his reasons for removing to the State of Connecticut are that he has lately married a wife in Connecticut who was unwilling to accompany him to the State of New York
Sworn & subscribed to before me this day & year aforesaid Holbrook Curtis justice of peace
Thomas Merhart
State of Connecticut Litchfield County Washington May 8 th 1826
Personally appeared on this 8 th day of May 1826 Gavit Smith of said Washington before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County of Litchfield and being duly sworn made solemn oath that he is well acquainted with Thomas Merharts, that he well knows the said Thomas Merharts to be the same person described in the above affidavit

by him the S d Markant subscribed - And that the facts stated in S d Affidavit are correct and true to his knowledge given & subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid
Garrit Smith
Holbrook Curtis Justice of Peace
Litchfield C o S t Watertown May 8 th 1826
I hereby certify that Garrit Smith the above Deponent is a person of veracity
Holbrook Curtis Justice of Peace
I, Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it shall concern,
That Holbrook Curtis Esq. whose name is subscribed to the the certificate hereto an- nexed, dated the eighth day of May instant, is, and for more than one year last past has been, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Litchfield, duly appointed commissioner and qualified; That said signature is the gen- uine handwriting of the said Curtis; and that full faith and credit is due to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of said State the twenty-second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six.
Thomas Day

No Real Estate. Personal Property $150. 62
Age 64 - quite infirm, had three ribs broken, skull fractured, and his Hip dislocated - the effects of which wounds in a measure, disable him performing those services which are necessary for his maintenance - Has a Wife and 1 Son, aged 19 - one Daugh- ter aged 16 - Served 3 years from 1777 - Hon. J. Gebhard. Hand of Rep

Schoharie County ss: Stephen Sudds of the town of Jefferson in the county aforesaid personally ap- peared before me Herman Hickok one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county aforesaid and on oath says, that he is well acquainted with Thomas Merchant the applicant for a pension under the late law 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". That he well recollects the time of his enlistment into the service of the United States, that it was in the year 1777, and that he saw him in the service after- wards at Potts Kill - His deponent further says that after the said Thomas Merchant was dis- charged the service of the United States, that he saw him, and that the said Thomas Merchant showed him his discharge. That the discharge was an honorable discharge by the bust of the deponent's recollection and belief — and from this says not Stephen Sudds
Sworn and subscribed before me Herman Hickok one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of Schoharie county this nineteenth day of May 1810 Herman Hickok

State of New York, Schoharie County ss. I do hereby certify, that Herman Hickok was one of the Judges of the court of com- mon pleas in and for the county of Schoharie at the time of taking the within acknowledg- ment - and that the signature appears to be in his own proper hand writing - Witness the seal of the said court at Schoharie this fifteenth day of May 1818 -
W m D r Dan l Clerk of Schoharie county

Jan'y. 10. 1822
It appears by your letter of the 9. July last, that, Thomas Merchant was stricken from the pension list under the acts of 18. March 1818, on account of the amount of property, which was about $140. In addition to the facts contained in the affidavits on which his pension was refused - He had three ribs broken & skull fractured and his hip dislocated. The effect of which wounds in a measure, disables him from performing those services which are necessary for his maintenance. He solicits me to ask a restoration of his pension. Can it be done at present? or only the authentication of the above facts sanction it?
I am Your ob. servt John Gebhard At Mrs. Paytons

COPY.
Surv. File, 36,126, Thomas Merchant,
L.H.H.
Sept. 18, 1906.
Mrs. W. H. Lowerre, No. 3 Hill Street, Cortland, New York.
Madam:-
In response to your letter of the 10th instant received the 12th, you are advised that the papers in the above-noted claim fail to show place of birth of Thomas Merchant, Revolu- tionary soldier.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Record Division.
November 9, 1909.
Mr. George E. Merchant, # 31 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester, Mass.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 1" and received the 3" instant, you are advised that the papers in the pension claim of Thomas Merchant, Sur. File No. 36,126, fail to show any family data other than that contained in the enclosed circular letter.
For the date of last payment of soldier's pension and name of the person to whom said payment was made, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, citing the following data data: "Thomas Merchant, Certificate No. 3,410, issued September 17, 1818, under the Act of March 18, 1818, at the Connecticut Agency."
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo M Moore
Claim No. Nov 4, 1909
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thomas Merchant
Service Conn  Ret
Additional Service _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No O.W. & H. or R. as above except I.F. No. 36126.

GEO. E. MERCHANT, GLOUCESTER, MASS. 31 EASTERN AVE.
Rev
Rev
Nov. 1. 09
Dear Sir: I am desirous, in completing family history, to obtain all the information possible of Thomas Merchant, a Rev. soldier and pensioner, especially as to his parentage , birth, death, dates of enlistment and discharge, children. If any of this information can be had will you kindly forward same. Any cost involved will be promptly met-
Rept—
Geo. E. Merchant—
P.S. He harked from New York at one time.

3 Hill St. v
Cortland,
N. York.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:
I made an application to become a member of the D. A. R., and thought I had all the proof necessary. I now receive mail that what I need is a copy of the pension application of Thomas Merchant , a Revolutionary soldier,

who, if I have the proper date applied for a pension in 1818, from Jefferson, N.Y.
If you can assist me, by sending a copy of his application for pension, I shall very much appre- ciate it.
The request for this proof comes from Ruth M. Griswold Pealer,

Genealogist, W. S. D. A. K.
Hoping to receive the necessary proof at your ear- liest convenience -
Very Respectfully Yours,
Mrs. W. H. Lowerre
3 Hill St.
Cortland,
N. Y.
Nov. seventh.

O.M.H. 22
3 Hill St. C
Portland, N.Y.
To Pension Dept.
Can you tell me the place of birth of Thomas Merchant, born I believe in 1755, and enlisted from Conn. Served 3 yrs. as private, and fought in battles of Germantown and Monmouth. Applied for pension May

13 th , 1818, residence Jef- ferson, N. Y.
I wish to join the D. S. R. and the Thomas Merchant I refer to was my great grandfather, my father also being Thomas Merchant, born in Jefferson, and I always visit in Jefferson, so am sure

I am eligible through the J. Merchant, born in 1735, but I do not know where he was born.
If you can furnish me this item of information, I shall be very grateful.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Mrs. W. H. Lowerre
3 Hill St.
Cortland N. York.
Sept. tenth.

R.S.
I do not know whether I am writing to the proper dept. but suppose if a person draws a pension their record would be per- fectly clear.