Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37244, for John Melvin, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Melvin, John
S. 37244 B.L.Wt. 899-100
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for entry]
[Ruled lines for entry]

5949.
Maine
John Melvin. —
private Capt Smith Massachusetts line — War,
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of — 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 th of April 1818. —
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th of January 1819. and del d .
R. L. Vose, Augusta Me.
Arrears to 4th of Sep r . 1818. 4 mo 7/30 — 33.86 Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 — 48.00
$81.86
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Unity.
Continue

(-899)
John Melvin private 1st Regt Mass: line
Warrant ipb April 14-1820
Hon: James Parker

Notification sent the 10 th July 1920, to R. G. Vose, Esq.
Augusta - Maine.
Date of death not on AB

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Kennebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Ken- nebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court ; and that the original was exhibited in open 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, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is One hundred  forty nine dollars and  and and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is Forty nine dollars and  cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of Kennebec

126. State of Maine.
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this twenty fourth day of May , 1820, personally appeared before Nathaniel Weston Esqr. Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, John Melvin aged seventy one years, resident in Unity in the County of Kennebec within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Smith and Regiment commanded by Colonel Vose of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of during the war, and was at the taking of Burgoyne, at the battle of Saratoga and at the taking of Cornwallis
that his original declaration was made before Judge Wilde on the twenty eighth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 5,949 . And I, the said John Melvin do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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 income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
John Melvin
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz: I own what are called the betterments, the land belonging to other proprietors of forty six acres of land in Unity with a small poor condition finished house and a barn thereon much out of repair, the whole of eighty dollars value.
One pair of steers four years old of the value of forty five dollars, one swine of the value of three dollars. Old household stuff, besides necessary bedding not exceeding five dollars in value, one axe, one hoe, and one shovel all of the value of two dollars, one plow worth six dollars, a old harrow, yoke pitch fork & scythe worth four dollars, one pair of wheels old, poor worth four dollars.
I have no debts due to me that can be collected and same as much as one hundred dollars. My income from property, trade or profession, does not exceed sixteen dollars a year.

And but for the assistance of my children that are of age, I must have been supported by the town
I am by occupation a farmer, was severely wounded in my right knee in the revolutionary war, and being sick a great part of my time old and infirm and able to do very little labor.
I have residing with me in family five in number viz, myself, my wife Abigail aged seventy two infirm and feeble but able to do a little my daughter Jane aged thirty, my daughter Patty aged twenty five, and my grand daughter Sarah aged nine years.
Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing & bedding, I have no property or income whatever
John Melvin Subscribed, sworn to and declared, both the oath and schedule, on the twenty fourth day of May 1820. Before me
Nathaniel Weston Jr. C.J. C.C.C. Pleas.
Attest

Jan 19
126
John Melvin
(5949)
Continued
March 1849
P. B. Vose, Augusta, Maine.
Album copy of photo of John Melvin Esq.
C.C.E. Place.

John Melvin
John Melvin, Unity, Pr. Col. Vose's Mass. Reg. Jan'y 1777. to June 1783.
April 28. 1818
Admitted 2

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I John Melvin, aged twenty years, a citizen of the United States, born in Chester in the State of New Hampshire, now resident in Unity in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that in June 1775 I enlisted as a private in the war of the revolution against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for the period of during the remainder of eight months service, in Capt Hart Williams Company and Col Phinney's regiment of the Massachusetts troops on line. This period I served fully out, and then re-enlisted, in January 1776, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the same service and upon the same establishment, for the period of one year, in the same company and regiment, under the same officers, and in the same line. This period I also fully served out, and again enlisted, in December 1776, at Fort George, in the state of New York, in the same service, and upon the same establishment, for the period of during the war, in Capt George Smiths Company and Col Joseph Vose's regiment, in the same line. This period I fully served out and took my final and honorable discharge from the Army at New Windsor, the eighth day of June 1783 - My Discharge I kept a number of years, but it is now worn out, and not in existence to my knowledge - I was at the battle at Bunker Hill, at the battle of Monmouth and at the taking of Savannah - From my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support. And I hereby relinquish all my claim to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension list whatever - I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine -
John Melvin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Memphis
On this twenty eighth day of April 1818, the above named John Melvin, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed -
Before me
S. S. Wilde
Jus. Sup. Jud. Court for S. County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Reuben Cookson, aged twenty three years, of Umber, in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that I did know the within named John Melvin, that I am well knowing to his having served in the revolutionary war for more than fourteen months; I served in the army myself and in the regiment with him during this time: — From his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support. He sustains the character of a man of truth —
Reuben his Cookson mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec ss.
On this twenty eighth day of April A D 1818 the above named Reuben Cookson, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed —
Before me,
S. S. Wilde
Jus. Sup. Jud. bench for the Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States
The subscriber, being one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do certify that John Melvin, a citizen of the United States, now resident in the District of Maine, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the twenty eighth day of April, A D 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings to be had thereon to your Honor, that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeable to the provision of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War" passed March 18th A D 1818, which declaration and the other evidence produced by said applicant is herewith annexed
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a careful examination of the said applicant, and a full consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that said applicant did serve as a private soldier, in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and have caused the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court to be hereunto affixed, this twenty eighth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
S. S. Wilcke Jus. Sup. Jud. Court for the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec p
The subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable Samuel S. Wilcke Esq., before whom, the foregoing proceedings were had, is one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this Commonwealth, and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto this certificate, having His signature, the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and eighteen.
John Davis

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, June 17 th 1819
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that John Melvin served as a Soldier in Capt. Lt. Col. Company, and Col. Vose's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from June first 1777 to Decr. 31 1780, being four years and months . He having enlisted for during the war - & also records are not of a later date than Dec r 1780 Helen Bradford Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

to testify that John Melvin was a Private soldier of the first Mass. Reg t commanded by Colonel Joseph Rose, that he enlisted in November 1776 for the War, and that in 1778, he received clothing but no further evidence can be found concerning him -
In the roll of Honorable Discharges is found the name of James Melvin as having been discharged in June 1783. and the name is connected with many others who formerly belonged to the same company with John Melvin - And on a careful examination of the books of the 1 st Mass. Reg t , the name of James Melvin is not to be found, except in the case stated above.

There can be no doubt that a mistake was made in entering the discharge, and that John , should have been inserted instead of James . -
I further certify that the names of John Meloin - or John Melion . are not to be found on the books of the said So Man th Reg t . -
I further certify, that the above statement has been made from a careful examination of the books of my late father (Col Joseph Rose) now in my possession. -
Boston March 24 - 1870
Frank A Rose Majr 1st Bn

John Melvin pr. Col. Vose 1 st Capt Reg. 1779 to June 1783.
claim for land
Proof
Mary Vose

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester.
fe 29 04 6
I John Melvin, now resident in Unity in the District of Maine, aged seventy one years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy seven, I enlisted in the army of revolution, against the common enemy of my country for the term of During the War , and served in the company commanded by Captain Smith, and in the regiment, No one under command of Colonel Vose of the line Massachusetts, and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the War, in seventeen hundred and eighty three, when I was regularly discharged from the same regiment under the command of the said Col. Vose.
My discharge is now lost or mislaid, so that I cannot produce it to corroborate the above statement. I further declare that I have never received a warrant for the Bounties and Land promised to me, on the part of the United States, nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim to that gratuity in any manner whatsoever. Therefore,
Know all men by these presents that I John Melvin aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint the Honorable James Garfield a Representative in Congress now at the City of Washington, Dist. Columbia, to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, or of such other person as is duly authorized to issue and deliver the same, a warrant for the quantity of land due to me as aforesaid, and to sign a receipt or acquittance therefor; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed. — Witness my hand and seal, this twentieth day of March one thousand, eight hundred and twenty. —
Attest J. Nichols
John Melvin
I Samuel Jones aged sixty four years, a citizen of the United States, do, upon oath, declare that I have been long acquainted with John Melvin, who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I know that he did perform the military service therein stated. — I belonged to the same company and regiment with him. — Attest R. C. Vose
Samuel Jones
Before

Before me Robert C. Vose one of the Justices of the Peace for the county of Kennebec, personally appeared the above named John Melvin subscribed to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of Attorney thereto subscribed, to be his free act and deed, and, likewise, personally appeared Samuel Jones who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this twentieth day of March 1820.
Robert C. Vose Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Kennebec ss.
In Testimony that the above written Robert C. Vose Esq was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c in the State of Massachusetts, at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the County Seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Augusta in the said County, this day of March 1820
John Davis
Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, held within the County of Kennebec.

February 16, 1931
Miss Lucy M. Whitmore Bucksport Maine
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EKL
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37244, that John Melvin was born in Chester, New Hampshire, date not given.
He enlisted, place not stated, in June, 1775, served eight months as a private in Captain Hart Williams' Company, Colonel Phinney's Massachusetts Regiment; re-enlisted in January, 1776, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and served one year as a private in the same regiment and under the same officers.
He enlisted in December, 1776, or January 1, 1777, served as a private in Captain George Smith's Company, Colonel Joseph Vose's First Massachusetts Regiment, was at the battle of Bemus Heights, at the taking of Burgoyne, at the battle of Monmouth and surrender of Cornwallis and was discharged June 8, 1783. He stated that he was severely wounded in his right knee, engagement in which said wound was received not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 28, 1818, at which time he was aged seventy years and resided at Unity, Massachusetts (Maine). me Dist.
In 1820, he stated that his family residing with him consisted of his wife, Abigail, aged seventy-two years, her maiden name and the date of their marriage not shown; daughter Jane, aged thirty years, daughter Patty, aged twenty-five years, and granddaughter Shulah, aged nine years, names of her parents not given.
Very truly yours
E.W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.
Date of death not on AB

37244 Rev INVALID.
File No. 37244
John Melvin Rev Rev David
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 269
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1931-Feb 16 Dist to Miss Lucy M. Whitman EEB
1940 Jan. 12 Dist to Miss Geneva Noble Melvin. See letter in Rev. ch David Melvin S. 37240 UCD

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT,
July 5
181 8
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that John Melvin served as a Soldier in Capt. St. Cole Company, and Col. Vose Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from Jany 1. 1777 to Decr. 31. 1780, being four years and months.  during the war
Walter Bromfield
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

John Melvin private
1st Regt. Mass. line
Whipped at 899—
for 29. 840—

Bucksport, Maine. January 21, 1931.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am seeking information regarding John Melvin .
I believe he enlisted in the War of the Revolution from Gorham, Maine, and served in several regiments covering a long period. About 1795 he moved to Unity, Maine.
I will appreciate it if you will advise me if you have any record of this man.
Very truly yours,
Lucy M. Whitmore (Miss) Lucy M. Whitmore.

January 12, 1940
BA-J/MCS John Melvin, S.37244
Miss Jeneve Mulle Melvin 149 Beaconsfield Road Brookline, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.37244, based on the military service of John Melvin.
John Melvin was born in Chester, New Hampshire. The date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
John Melvin enlisted, place not stated, in June, 1775, served eight months as a private in Captain Hart Williams' company in Colonel Phinney's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in January, 1776, and served one year as private in same company and regiment as his first enlistment. He enlisted in December, 1776, or January 1, 1777, served as private in Captain George Smith's company in Colonel Joseph Vose's First Massachusetts Regiment, was at the battle of Bemus Heights, at the taking of Burgoyne, at the battle of Monmouth and at the surrender of Cornwallis and he was discharged June 8, 1783. He stated that he was severely wounded in his right knee, engagement in which said wound was received not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 28, 1818, at which time he was seventy years of age and was living in Unity, Massachusetts (later Maine).
In 1820 he was living in Unity, Kennebec County, Maine, and stated that his family then residing with him consisted of his wife, Abigail, aged seventy-two years, (her maiden name and date of marriage not shown) his daughter, Jane, aged thirty years, his daughter, Patty, aged twenty-five years, and his granddaughter, Shulah, aged nine years (names of her parents not stated). There are no further data relative to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of John Melvin, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
John Melvin, Certificate 5949, issued January 8, 1819, rate $8 per month, commenced April 28, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

January 12, 1940
Miss Jeneve Malle Melvin 149 Beaconfield Road Brookline, Massachusetts
BA-J/MCS David Melvin, S.37240 John Melvin, S.37244
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War pensioners, David Melvin, of Hancock County, Maine, and John Melvin, of Kennebec County, Maine.
You are furnished herewith, the records of David and John Melvin as shown by papers on file in their claims for pension because of service in the Revolution.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator