Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16959, for Christopher Merriam, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Merriam, Christopher
S. 16959
CONTENTS
carded

17.670
Connecticut
Christopher Merriam
of Wallingford in the State of Conn who was a Pri. & 60r in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Baldwin in the Conn Sts Troo for 7 mo -
Date of death not in B
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 24 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Sept 1833 and Rent - 6. B
Phelps Woodbury Conn
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $ 36 - Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 4 34 12
$ 48
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Steele Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 3 Page
28

State of Connecticut, Probate Court
ss. Hartford district of Woolim
On this 25 day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before The Court of Probate for the district of Woolim, held at Woolim in Simsbury County
now sitting, Christopher Merriam a resident of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, aged eighty years, who being first 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein
Spec
stated. That the first entered the service of the United States As an enlisted soldier for a short but unspecified period of time in the year 1776 as a Private in Captain John Hosmer's Company of State Troops and went to Long Island with an understanding that he should serve until his Corps should be relieved by troops expected from Boston that he served on that Four or five weeks at Brooklyn on Long Island he should think in the Month of March the Lieutenants were Matthews and Bensham and Thomas Fenn was the Ensign. The second Tour he went to New York a short time before New York was taken by the enemy. he cannot from recollection state the year it was drafted as a Private soldier and served in the Militia on this Tour for the term of five weeks. He served while he was in New York and he recollects while there a remarkable Thunder Shower in which three Officers were killed with lightning he suffered on this Tour severely with dys- entery cannot tell the day of joining or leaving his Company but has a general recollection that he was at New York about five weeks. The reason after for leaving was taken he cannot state the year but thinks it was in 1777 He was drafted and went to New Haven in the Militia on a Tour of two months duty as a Corporal served out his time of two Months Thomas Fenn was his Captain & Joseph Seymour his Lieutenant - at New Haven - on the Tour at New York Michael Dwyer was Captain Thomas Fenn Lieutenant brother Isaac Merriam Ensign, the same Fall or Autumn he was at New Haven the year he cannot state with certainty was again drafted for two Months and went to the Swampscott He served there two Months in the capacity of a Private Sol- dier while he was there Lord Washington was taken Thomas Fenn was Captain Joseph Seymour Lieutenant - The Adjutant was Daniel Brinsmeyer of Washington. Mr. Hovey of Plymouth was Chaplain Col. Baldwin of Waterbury was a Regimental Officer The year Brinsmeyer was taken he went as a Private soldier in Thomas Fenn & Lieut. Joseph Seymour being drafted to Red Bank in the State of New Jersey. He served there four weeks in the Militia in the United States Service he recollects that while there Europe was burnt and that he saw the smoke which ascended from the flames. When Red Bank was burnt he was there on a Draft in the Militia When he served but six days under the same Officers as at Red Bank

and this is the only time he was in any personal charge from the enemy or in any skirmish or action His Regiment made bold Daring march through a field of Wheat to a point to prevent the breaking of the enemy the enemy formed & received our fire & then began to retreat & disperse them Sergeant Walter of his Company was wounded & I saw him & a man by the Name of Dole were killed and Many of them had their garments pierced with Balls, He is unwilling to state dates with certainty as he may have forgotten but he makes such references to the then passing events as he thinks will be equally satisfactory. He was born in Mendon Nov 1752. He remained there until he was 21 years of age & then removed to Watertown where he has since resided except when in the army. He has no record of his age & has no other proof than the deposition of Thomas Dutton & Eliza Dutton transmitted. He is acquainted with Rev. Deacon O. Griswold & Eliza Dutton.
The said Christopher Merriam 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.
Christopher Merriam H. B. Phelps Magistrate of Probate District of Woodbury
We, Deacon O. Griswold a clergyman, residing in the town of Watertown and Eliza Dutton residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Christopher Merriam who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. B. Phelps Magistrate of Probate District of Woodbury D. C. Griswold Eliza Dutton
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Deacon O. Griswold who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Watertown and that Eliza Dutton who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Watertown and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. B. Phelps Magistrate of Probate District of Woodbury
I, Nathan Preston Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Merriam for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this first day of September 1832
Nathan Preston Clerk

November 21, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. John S. Zink 3111 So. Madison Tulsa, Oklahoma
BA-J/EEL Christopher Merriam-S.16959 Joseph Shepard-S.33659
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Christopher Merriam, who received a pension while residing in Litchfield County, Connecticut; Joseph Shepard, of Middletown, Connecticut, who died in Oneida County, New York, in 1840; and Abiel Cole, of Massachusetts, who died in 1781, all soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of Abiel Cole. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
The records of Christopher Merriam and Joseph Shepard have been found and are furnished herein.
Christopher Merriam S.16959
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16959, based upon the military service of Christopher Merriam in that war.
Christopher Merriam was born January 1, 1753, in Meriden, Connecticut and lived there until he was twenty-one years of age, when he moved to Watertown, Connecticut. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in said Watertown, Christopher Merriam enlisted in March, 1776, and served two weeks at Brooklyn, on Long Island as a private in Captain Jesse Curtiss' Connecticut Company; a short time before the capture of New York, he enlisted and served for six weeks

as a private in Captain Michael Dayton's Connecticut Company, of which his brother, Isaac, was ensign: he enlisted, date not given, served two months at the Sawpits as a private in Captain Thomas Fenn's Company of Connecticut Troops under Colonel Baldwin and was at this place when Fort Washington was taken: in 1777, he served two months at New Haven as corporal in Captain Thomas Fenn's Connecticut Company and in same year, served four weeks as a private under same captain: went to Red Hook, New York, and was there when Neopus was burned: when Norwalk was burned, he enlisted and served six days under Colonel Deming in the Connecticut Troops.
Could not identify Capt Michael Dayton or Col Deming
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1832, while residing in Watertown, Connecticut.
There are no data as to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Christopher Merriam (S.16959), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Christopher Merriam, Certificate No. 17670, issued September 12, 1833, rate $24 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Connecticut Agency.
*****
Joseph Shepard S.33659
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.33659, based upon the military service in that war of Joseph Shepard, the only soldier of that name, or similar spelling, who served in the Connecticut Troops.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Joseph Shepard are not shown.
While residing at Chatham, Connecticut, Joseph Shepard enlisted, served from January 1, 1776, to January 1, 1777, as a private in Captain Abraham Tyler's Company, Colonel Jedediah Huntington's Connecticut Regiment. He marched to Roxbury where he remained until

April following, then went to New York, was at the battle of Long Island, in the retreat from New York and battle of White Plains.
Joseph Shepard was allowed pension on his application executed September 27, 1819, while residing in Buckland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. It is not shown that he ever lived in Oneida County, New York.
In 1820, soldier stated that he was aged sixty-seven years and his wife, Hannah, aged sixty-six years. He did not give Hannah's maiden name or the date of their marriage.
He died October 19, 1840, place not shown.
Three children survived the soldier, their names are not given.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Joseph Shepard (S.33659), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Joseph Shepard, Certificate No. 17507, issued June 14, 1820, rate $ 8 per month, commenced September 27, 1819, Act of March 18, 1818, Massachusetts Agency.
* * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

11953
Christopher Merriam
5 mi p'rale 2 mi corpara #24
Reply to W. B. Phelps Woolbury Hathorne Peckham 61

4953
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Christopher Merriam which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? — no —
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? — no - grades not all stated
He states Page 1 Line 3 he was a private, In year 1776 On the next line Page 1 Line 12 he states he was a private colonel In the next he states he was a Corporal P 1 Line 22
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
In Page 1 Line 29 he states in himself to be a private Line 35 He states he was a private This is his last town this embraces five towns all he answered for - except the 5th He has made his supplemental declaration as to that

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ? — no — XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades : For ——— year ——— months and ——— days, I served as a ———. For ——— months and ——— days, I served as a ———; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
+ Claimant should state whether there are survivors of his service and produce the best evidence in his power.

I Thomas Dutton of Watertown in Litchfield County Connecticut aged Seventy two do depose and say that in the Revolutionary war in the year 1776 in Novr & Decr or thereabouts the exact time I cannot state & serve as a Sigeu in Capt n Thomas Denny's company two Months the Adjutant was Roe Bradley I think we were drafted in the Militia or it was a Militia Company Mr Christopher Merriam of Watertown was then I recollect & I suppose staid the term of two months though I cannot state with certainty Mr Merriam served as a Private soldier Col Cook was Colonel of the Regiment Thomas Dutton
Litchfield County Watertown August 20 th 1832
Litchfield County Watertown August 20 th 1832 Personally appear Thomas Dutton signer of the foregoing De- position well known to me as a man of respectability and truth being duly sworn made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated Hobbs Cook Justice of Peace
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that Hobbs Cook Justice of Peace, was on the 20 th day of instant August & that he now is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, & that the above signature which purports to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal, in the Hall of said Court at Litchfield in said County this 22 nd day of August A. D. 1832.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk

State of Connecticut
Probate Court } District of Woodbury
On this 28 day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury Christopher Merriam of Watertown in Litchfield County in said State and being duly sworn on oath makes the following declaration in addition to and supplemental to the declaration by him made in said court on the 25 day of August 1833.
That in all his service in the army of the Revolution he was a private soldier except only in the town of duty at New Haven as stated in his original declaration. He then left and was appointed a corporal & served in that capacity in that town & in the town of Norwalk.
The said Merriam also declares. That he has made enquiry and can find no person now alive except Thomas Dutton who has knowledge of his services in either of said towns of duty as set forth in his original declaration. — and that he has no other evidence than his own oath & the deposition of said Thomas Dutton and only believes it impossible to obtain farther proof. Christopher Merriam
Sworn & subscribed before me
W. B. Phelps Judge of Probate District of Woodbury

I Nathan Preston Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original supplemental proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Merriam for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seal of said Court this first day of June 1833 Nathan Preston Clerk

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
20
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.

Will you please send me the Rev. war record of Christopher Merriam, who was a pensioner residing in Litchfield Co. Conn in 1832? also any additional data you have in re: his family. He died 1837.
Also of Joseph Shepard who was of Middletown Conn and served in Capt Elliott's Wadsworth Brigade. He died in Oneida Co. N.Y. 1840.
Also - Abiel Cole 's war record. He was of Mass. Died 1781. Thank you!!
Mrs John S. Zink 3111 S. Madison Tulsa Okla.

16959 INVALID.
1935-Nov. 22/sketch to Mrs John B. Zink - EL
File No. 16959
Christopher Merriam Corp. New Mass
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Merriam, Edmund GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6167 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 23, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Merriam, Ephraim GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6171 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 23, 1790 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.