Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9,932, for James March, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
March, James Sally
N. 9,932
B.L.Wt. 90044-160-55
CONTENTS

6710
Meane Dolly March, widow of James March who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Sister
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 22 dollars cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 15 th day of Oct 59 and sent to
Jacob Herrick, Lewiston Falls. Maine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 167 Vol. No. 2
The certificate in this case was sent to R. R. Throop 1859 Oct 25 th Certificate returned Mr. Thrall and sent to Jac Herrick, Lewiston Falls Me

Eda Butts Lt E. F. Packard Oct 23/56
214.956
Oct March 3. Jan. 29, /57
Sally March, Oct. 12/59
James March, Asst. Lifer.
90.000 Capt. Reddick Goodwin. Lt. Prince.
Ent. 15. May 1780. Dis. 20. Nov. "
Rowe, Mass.
July 53
CW: 160 ag, Oct. 14/59
M Blyden
Spec. B
Vol Mt. page 64
Jacob Herrick, E. F. Packard Lewiston Falls, Auburn Me. Area

I John S. Larrabee of Scarborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine of lawful age on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of said Scarborough duly chosen and sworn and have in my possession the Records of said Town from its organization up to the present time.
I have examined said Records for the name of James March and am well satisfied from said examination and from information obtained from old inhabitants of this place that Col. Samuel March and his descendants are all the persons of that name who have resided in said Scarborough from its first settlement. Col. March appears to have very often chosen to office by the Town. Among the names of his children I find James March. There are none of the numerous living in Town. I have found on record the following names children of Col. Samuel March Viz. Mary, Benjamin, Samuel, Eunice, Sarah, Anna, John, &c. I also find on the Records the marriage of Nathaniel Wilson and Anna March.
Witness Howard Merrill      John S. Larrabee Town Clerk of Scarboro. Philip J. Larrabee
Cumberland ss May 25 th 1858 personally appeared John S. Larrabee well known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity & made oath to the above affidavit by him signed before me. And I further certify for true.

That I have no interest in the matter to which this affidavit relates,
Edward Merrill Just here

State of Maine, County of York, Town of Buxton June 13 A.D. 1855 In the Records of the Congregational Church in said Town and under the head of "Persons joined in wedlock & when,, the following marriage is recorded as having been solemnized by Paul Coffin D.D. Viz "July 9 th 1800 James March of Scarborough and Sally Jore of Buxton.,,"
Attest
Joseph Bartlett Pastor
I Joseph Bartlett on oath depose and say that I am Pastor of the Congregational Church in Buxton aforesaid and have in my custody the Records of said Church. That the foregoing is a true abstract from said Records and if reduced to writing the date would read July the ninth One thousand eight hundred.
Joseph Bartlett
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day of the year first above written by Rev. Joseph Bart- lett the above named officer, who is well known to me as the person he represents him- self to be, and I hereby certify that I have no interest in the claim to which his affidavit relates.
Robert Wentworth Just. Peace.

STATE OF MAINE.
County of Cumberland ss.
On this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Sally March aged seventy six years, a resident of Portland in the County and State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, on oath declares that she is the widow of James March deceased, who was a Musician in the Company commanded by Captain Jedediah Goodwin in the Regiment of State Troops commanded by Colonel Brune in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the eighteenth day of June, 1812. In the Revolutionary war
That he enlisted at Scarborough on or about the fifteenth day of May  18  1780 for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of six months and six days and was honorably discharged at Falmouth now Portland on the 20th day of November A. D. 1780 as will appear by the Muster Roll of said Company. She also states that he served five months more in 1781
She further states, that she was married to the said James March in Buxton on the Ninth day of July A. D. 1800 by one Paul Coffin D. D. a Minister of the Gospel , and that her name before her said marriage was Sally Jose ; that her said husband died at Gorham on the 29th day of March A. D. 1823 and that she is now a widow. She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty land, under this or

any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor, and believes that her said husband never applied for or received Bounty land under any Act of Congress, in his life time.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1855.
And for the purpose of this application, I, the said Sally March do hereby constitute and appoint E. Franklin Parkhurst of Auburn in the State of Maine, my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to demand and receive from the Secretary of the Interior, a warrant for the quantity of land due me as aforesaid: and I fully authorize and empower him to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes, under him for the purpose therein expressed, hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my Attorney or his substitutes may lawfully do in the premises.
Sally March
We A. Franklin Gerrish and Caroline E. Gerrish residents of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath depose and say, that the foregoing declaration and Power of Attorney was signed and acknowledged by Sally March in our presence, and we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, and our personal knowledge of her for many years past, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be in her declaration.
A. Franklin Gerrish Caroline E. Gerrish
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me, on the day and year first above written, by Sally March the declarant above named, and by A. Franklin Gerrish and Caroline E. Gerrish witnesses above named, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Jacob H. Merrill Justice of the Peace.

OLD PEOPLE.
By the census of 1850, there were found in Maine thirteen persons over 100 years of age; of whom nine were males and four females. This was one to every 44,755 of the population of the State. In New Hampshire and Vermont, the proportion was much larger, being in the former State, eleven in a population of 317,456, or one to 28,860, in the latter, eight in a population of 313,402, or one to every 39,175. In the Southern States, I am astonished to find that the proportion of centenarians is much larger than in any of the New England States, being as one to 24,845 among the whites; one to 1,267 free colored, and one to 2,249 of slaves. The aggregates in the United States are 787 whites over 100 years, 343 free colored, and 1425 slaves.
I have not the means of determining the number of that age of persons now in Maine, and can speak only of two, viz: Father SAWYER, now residing in Bangor, who was born in Hebron, in Conn., October 1755, and consequently is 102 1-2 years old; the other is Mrs. WILSON, who is now living with her son, Col. John M. Wilson, in Oxford County. I have requested Col. Wilson to furnish me an account of his mother, which I think is interesting enough for an article in the newspaper. I therefore offer it you for publication. W.
Wilson's Mills, Oxford County, Maine, } March 17, 1858. }
William Willis, Esquire,
DEAR SIR,—In compliance with your request, I send you the following facts and incidents in relation to the life of my mother, as she has given them mostly from present recollection.
She was born in Scarborough, County of Cumberland, on the 28th of February, 1756, and is the daughter of Samuel March and Anna Libbey, who kept what was called the March Tavern, in that town. Her father was a native of Kittery, and by trade a shoe-maker. He was the Representative of the town of Scarborough to the Massachusetts Assembly, at the time of its removal for safety from Cambridge to Salem, and was by that Assembly commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel with orders to raise a regiment for eight months' service, which, on returning home, he accomplished in his own vicinity in about six weeks, the place of rendezvous being at his tavern.
He was ordered the next year to join the north-western army, and served two years when he became disabled by sickness. He was previously a Lieutenant in the French war.
Her mother was the daughter of John Libbey, one of the first inhabitants of Scarborough.
My mother was the fourth of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters. She is now the only survivor of the family. Three of her brothers served in the army of the Revolution. Her brother, Col. JAMES MARCH, of Gorham, who died about thirty years since, served in Portland, then Falmouth, as musician, at the age of fourteen years. Another brother was lost in a private armed vessel from Portland, in the war of 1812. Three of her sisters were of the first inhabitants of the town of Limington, whom she often visited by following a spotted line through the woods on horse back, before there was any road above Standish corner.
Remaining at home until past forty years of age, the chief care of the house, which was much frequented by travelers, devolved upon her, during the absence of her father, and the feeble health of her mother. She has a distinct recollection of many incidents of the Revolution, particularly of the destruction of the American fleet at Bagaduce, the retreat from that place through the then wilderness, and the burning of Falmouth. The men returning from Bagaduce received supplies provided by Government, at their house. The man who was sent on shore by Capt. Mowatt, to set fire to the first parish meeting-house in Portland, was brought to their house a prisoner, on his way to Boston. He was made prisoner by Solomon Bragdon and Major Libbey, who were guarding the meeting-house. She thinks that if the Committee of Safety had followed the advice of Capt. Thompson, who had made a prisoner of Capt. Mowatt, when he was on shore, (on the Neck, then so called,) on a gunning excursion, the town would not have been destroyed. On receiving the threat from Mowatt's Lieutenant that he would open his fire upon the town unless the Captain was liberated at a certain hour, Capt. Thompson, who had an impediment in his speech, answered verbally, ff-fire away! ff-fire away! every gun you fire, I will e-e-cut off a joint!
A British ship, loaded chiefly with fish, for the British army at Boston, went ashore in a snow storm, on Blue Point, was broken up on the beach, and the fish drifted high upon the shore. The old gentleman who first discovered the wreck, supplied himself liberally, and then informed his neighbors. This was a seasonable relief to the inhabitants, who were at that time in great destitution. A few incidents will show the privations of those days. My mother on losing her metal thimble was obliged to supply its place with a leather one. She had a set of pins, which she used for dressing on Sundays and special occasions; they were carefully laid away at other times, and thorns used instead of them. A neighbor having obtained a small quantity of coffee, invited her friends to a treat; coffee pots being out of the question, an earthen jug was substituted in this case. The coffee was excellent.
In 1797, she became the second wife of my father, Nathaniel Wilson, who had been an officer of the Revolutionary army, serving in a volunteer company raised in Portland, then Falmouth, and commanded by Capt. Partridge; he was at the time a Major in the Massachusetts militia, and resided in what is now the town of Westbrook. My father having died in 1818, at the age of seventy-eight years, my mother was left to my care, and she has resided with me until this time, for the last twenty five years, in Township No. 5, Range 2, in the County of Oxford—thus being subjected again to privations similar to those of her early life. She is free from disease, cheerful and contented, sensible of gradual decay, waiting patiently for her final change, and relies upon the faith and hope of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. WILSON.

I William Willis of Portland in the State of Maine, Counselor at law, declare and say, that in the latter part of March or early in April in the year 1858, I received from John M. Wilson Esq., a letter written at my suggestion, giving an account of his mother, a daughter of Samuel Mank, aged over One hundred years. The letter is dated "Wilson's Mills, Oxford Co., Me., March 17. 1858", and was procured by me, on account of the great age of the woman, as an interesting statistical and historical matter. I caused the letter, with my comments, to be published in the "Portland Advertiser", a daily paper published in Portland, Me., and it was also published in the Historical Magazine, a monthly periodical printed in New York. I have had frequent conversations with Col. Wilson, about his mother, her great age and the incidents of her early life, and thought they possessed sufficient interest to be made public. I have known Col. Wilson thirty years or more, and know him to be a man of intelligence, integrity, veracity & purity of character. I have no hesitation in placing full reliance in any statement he may make. Portland Dec. 13, 1858 Wm Willis
State of Maine } Cumberland Co } S/S.
December 13. 1858 personally appeared the above named Wm. Willis and made oath that the above declaration by him signed is true. Before me
John W. Weymouth Justice of the Peace.

Portland July 21. 1859
The remarks signed W. and the printed letter of John H. Wilson, bearing date March 17. 1858, were published by me in the Portland Advertiser, a newspaper printed in Portland, Maine in April 1858. I had requested Mr. Wilson to write me a particular account of his mother, as I considered her case an extraordinary one, and his letter, of which the foregoing is a copy, was sent to me in compliance with my request. I have seen Mrs. Wilson, at her son's house, and I am well acquainted with Col. John H. Wilson, the writer of the letter, having known him and done business with him for more than thirty years. He is a very respectable man, and his statements may be confidently relied upon as true. I have seen him this present month, and learnt from him that his mother is still living; and I have no doubt of the fact.
Wm Willis
Portland July 27. 1859
I hereby certify that Hon William Willis above named is personally well known to me. He is a gentleman of high standing and character thoroughly acquainted with the historical matters to which he refers. His statements in my opinion are entitled to implicit credit.
Nathan Clifford Justice of the Sup. Court of the U.S.
(over)

Portland July 21. 1889.
The facts stated in the letter within having become matter of history are recusable in any event as evidence. With Mr. Miller I am well acquainted & his statements may be received without any question.
Yours truly
Jerry of the Rev. S. P. Ladd First Church of Marine

Wid. File No.9,932, James March, Rev. War.
Nov. 23, 1905.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated November 12, 1905, and received in this Bureau November 14, 1905, you are advised that in the above-noted claim of the widow of James March, Revolutionary soldier, it is shown that he was born at Scarborough, Maine, date not given, and when very young enlisted, May 15, 1780, as a fifer in Captain Jedediah Goodwin's Co., Colonel Primes' regiment Massachusetts troops, and served six months and six days. On July 9, 1800 he married Sally Jose, at Buxton, Maine. He died March 2, 1823, at Gorham, Cumberland Co., Maine. His widow applied for pension May 15, 1855, at which time she resided at Portland, Cumberland Co., Maine, and was seventy-six years of age. Her claim was allowed. They had a daughter, Abigail M. Marrett, fifty-one years of age in 1855.
Soldier's father, Samuel March, a native of Kittery, Maine, and Representative of the Town of Scarborough to the Massachusetts Assembly at the time of its removal from Cambridge to Salem, was by that assembly commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel, and the next year joined the Northwestern Army and served two years. He was previously a Lieutenant in the French War. He married Anna, daughter of John Libbey, one of the first inhabitants of Scarborough. They had six sons and eight daughters. Three sons served

Wid. File No. 9,932, James March, Rev. War.
--2--
--2--
in the Revolutionary War and another was lost in a private armed vessel from Portland in 1812. The names of the following children are stated: James, Mary, Benjamin, Samuel, Eunice, Sarah, John, and Ann, the fourth child, born February 28, 1756 at Scarborough, Maine. In 1797 she became the second wife of Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilson, who served in the Revolutionary War, and died October 28, 1818. His widow was a pensioner, and in 1859 resided at Wilson's Mills, Oxford Co., Maine, with her son, John M. Wilson.
There is no record of a claim by or for the services of Samuel March.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. K. A. Burnham, Hanover, N. H.

United States of America - State of Maine - On this 15 th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before the Honor- able Asahel Ware Judge of the United States, District Court for the District of Maine - in open Court, Sally March a resident of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State aforesaid aged seventy six years - who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed February 3 rd 1853 - And this declarant states that she is the widow of James March deceased who was a piper and private in the Revolutionary Army and served six months and six days in Capt Goodwin's Com- pany as piper and five months and three days in Capt Reed's Company as by the certifi- cate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts will appear - She further states that she was marri- ed to her late husband the said James March by Rev. Paul Coffin in Buxton on the Ninth day of July A.D. 1800 and that her name before her marriage was Sally Jove - That her said husband died at Gosham on the 29 th day of March A.D. 1823 - That she has not intermarried since his decease but is now the widow of said James March and for proof of her statements she refers to the papers here to annexed.
Sally March
Be it remembered that on this 15 th day of May 1855 personally appeared me

the undersigned I make oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing application for a pension signed by her
Arthur Ware Judge of the United States for the District of Maine
Maine District ss: I Geo. F. Imeney Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for Maine District, hereby certify, that Arthur Ware, whose genuine signature is above written, is Judge of the United States for the District of Maine, duly commissioned and qualified, and full faith and credit are due to his acts as such, and the above contains the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the above named Declarant's claim for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this same fifteenth day of May A. D., 1855.
Geo. F. Imeney { Clerk Circuit Court U.S. for Maine District

Burnham. m.13.4.
Revolution. Massachusetts. WIDOW, &c.
1905. Nov. 21. Heir to K. A.
File No.
9932
Sally March
widow of
James March
His wife Rev War
Act:
Stat. 3d 153
Index:—Vol.
31
Page
6
[Arrangement of 1870.]

n
90.044
~
{160 Acres}

No 6536
Sally March, widow of James March Maine
z. Jacob Herrick October 15, 1855.
Same May 9. 1856 same July 13/58
R. 6901
Act Feb. 3, '53.

FREE
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington
D.C.
J
2111.956
2 Albin for bounty land act of 3/4/55

K. A. Burnham. Hanover. N.H. 3-595.
Nov 22. 1905
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Nov. 16, 1905
Searched by F.F.N.
Original No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant, _____
Soldier Samuel March,
Service, Rev. War
Remarks: No Rev. Env, of Wid. Admt or Ref. claim. No bounty lands,
----- Chief of Division.

Sally March, wid: of James.
Me:
Admnh for #2 2 3 / 100 per Anl Com: Feb: 3 rd 1853 mou 2 nd Dec: act H.R. 3 rd 5 th ,
Cert: to Jacob Herrick Lewiston Falls Me.

Hanover, New Hampshire, November 12, 1905.
Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly furnish me with the Revolution- ary Record, if there be any in your department, of the following:- Col. Samuel March of Scarborough Me. born Sept. 1730 James (Sullivan) March of Scarborough Me. born Feb. 9, 1768. Very Respectfully Yours:-

Q.W.M. 9932 Hanover, New Hampshire, November 12, 1905.
Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
OLD WAR FILES NOV 15 1905 B.
Will you kindly furnish me with the Revolutionary Record, if there be any in your department, of the following;- Col. Samuel March of Scarborough Me. born abt. 1730 James (Sullivan) March of Scarborough Me. born Feb. 9, 1769. Very Respectfully Yours;-
F. A. Burnham

Commission of Pensions Present.

Lewiston Falls May 28 th 1858
To the Commissioners of Pensions Sir,
Enclosed you will please find additional matter in the claim of Sally March for a Rev. Pension. You will find a history of the claim in a letter from John M. Wilson to Mr Willis late Mayor of Portland and a noted antiquarian. The letter was published in the Portland Advertiser by Mr Willis. It appears that Col Samuel March moved from Kittery to Scarborough, before the Rev. War — Capt Jeremiah Goodwin lived in Berwick, a Town contiguous to Kittery, Col March and Capt Goodwin were old acquaintances, hence the Colonel's willingness to entrust his boy James with his old friend Capt Goodwin.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Jacob Herrick Lewiston Falls Maine,
To the Commissioners of Pensions,

Brief in the case of Sally March, wid: of James. Cumberland County and State of Maine. act 3 d Feb: 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Husband was a fisher & served six months and six days in Mass: State Troops as appears by the Cert: of the Secretary of State of Mass: & the Affidavit of a petitioner who has personal knowledge of the Service. Record evidence of married husband's death. Widowhood and identity is (If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Established by credible parole proof. Claim is allowed for $22. 73 / 100 per An: Commencing Feb: 3 d 1853.
Jacob Herrick Esq: Severston Falls, Maine,
Name and residence of Agent
S. B. Dyer Examining Clerk.

Leaviston Falls Maine Sep. 23 rd 1855
To the Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
Please find enclosed Mrs Sally March's claim for Pension under act of 3 rd March 1853, which I respectfully request may be registered and adjudicated in due course.
When Mrs March made her declaration she supposed her late husband performed both tours of service named in the Certificate of the Secretary of State Massachusetts, but after consulting with Mrs Wilson sister of her late husband (by her agent who went more than one hundred and fifty miles to see her) Mrs March is satisfied that the service as private named in that Certificate was not performed by her late husband.
She therefore claims only for six months and six days service as piper. I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Jacob Herrick
Leaviston Falls Maine.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Commissioner of Pensions Present

Leavitt Falls Sep 17 th 1859
To the Commissioner of Pensions — His pleasure find enclosed additional evidence in the claim of Sally Mark widow of James Mark for a Revolutionary pension under act of Feb. 3 rd 1853 — Also for land warrant. The claim for land warrant was presented by E. F. Packard Esq. her attorney for that purpose and is numbered 214,956
I particularly wish to call your attention to the printed letter of Col. J. H. Wilson and compare the matter contained therein with the affidavit of Mrs. Ann Wilson, sister of claimants late husband. Above all the certificates of judges Clifford and Ware consider the matter in the letter as having become historical facts and entitled to weight as evidence. Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Jacob Herrick Leavitt Falls (Me)

Commissioner of Pensions —

Leaviston Falls Maine Oct 21 st 1859 To the Commissioner of Pensions —
Sir,
Please find enclosed a pension Certificate issued to Elizabeth French under act Feb 3 rd 1853, 2 d section No 6710 which I received yesterday probably through a mistake, as I have no such claim pending — I conjecture that something intended for me has been sent to Vermont — And that this certificate was put into the wrong envelope. Will you please acknowledge the receipt of this and explain & thus oblige your obedient servant,
Jacob Herrick, Leaviston Falls Maine
Rev Geo. C. Whiting Washington D. C.

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, Sept. 21 1855.
I, Stetson H. Hill , Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Jacob Herrick and Joseph Bidwell , are
and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an  was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Cumberland  Androscoggin , as appears by the paper here- unto annexed—that he  he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signatures pur- porting to be his  his  his  his genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson H. Hill , Register,

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, Sept. 21 1855.
I, Stetson S. Hile , Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Robert Mentmore
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of York Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson S. Hile,
Register,

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, Sept-21 1855.
I, Stetson S. Hill , Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
John M. Wilson
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Oxford Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson S. Hill Register

214.986
Sally March widow of James March claim for bounty land Revolutionary service out of Mass. 1755
E. F. Packard Attorney Auburn Maine Attorney Auburn Maine

I Ann Wilson of Township No 5 Range 2 in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, being now in the one hundredth year of my age do testify, and say, that I am a Daughter of Col. Samuel March formerly of Scarborough in the County of Cumberland in this State, that Col. James March late of Gorham in said County of Cumberland was one of my brothers, that he served as a Musician though very young at the time and was paid for such service in the time of the Revolutionary War at Falmouth, now Portland, in Capt Goodwin's Company, and Col. Prince's Regiment, that while in service he was unfit for duty for a short time by reason of sickness, and that I went to the quarters of the Regiment, obtained leave of absence for and took him home. On his recovery he returned and served while the Regiment remained at Falmouth.
Witness
E. P. Wilson Luther D. Sackett
Ann her X Wilson mark

State of Maine Oxford SS
} March 10th 1853
Then personally appeared the within named Ann Wilson and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true
Before me John M c Wilson
Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the deponent above named is my mother, that she is a person of truth and veracity of good character generally and that I have heard her repeat the above statement many times since my remembrance. My Mother retains her faculties in a remarkable manner. Neither she nor myself have any interest whatever in the claim to which this relates
John M c Wilson

State of Maine, Cumberland County, Town of Gorham Town Clerk's office September 15 th A.D. 1855.
In a book of Records of Deaths happening in said Town the following appears recorded Viz
"James March died March 29 th 1823.,,"
Attest Samuel H. Bacey Town Clerk
I Samuel H Bacey on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of Gorham aforesaid and have in my custody the Records of said Town. That the foregoing Certificate is a true abstract from said Records and if reduced to writing the date would read "March the twenty ninth, One thousand eight hun- dred and twenty three."
Samuel H Bacey Town Clerk of Gorham, Subscribed and sworn to on the day of the year first above written before me
Joseph Ridlon Justice of the Peace.

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, May 28 1858.
I, J. D. Pulsifer , clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Seward Merrill
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Lumberville  Androscoggin , as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
J. D. Pulsifer Clerk.

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, May 28 1858.
I, J. D. Pillsifer , clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that J. M. Wilson
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Oxford  Androscoggin as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court for said County, the day and year first above written. J. D. Pillsifer Clerk.

Old People.
By the census of 1850, there were found in Maine 13 persons over 100 years of age; of whom 9 were males and 4 females. This was one to every 44,755 of the population of the State. In New Hampshire and Vermont, the proportion was much larger, being in the former State 11 in a population of 317,456, or 1 to 28,860, in the latter 8 in a population of 313,402, or 1 to every 39,175. In the United States I am astonished to find that the proportion of centenarians is much larger than in any of the New England States, being as 1 to 24,845 among the whites, 1 to 1,267 free colored and 1 to 2,249 of slaves.—The aggregates in the United States are 787 whites over 100 years, 343 free colored, and 1425 slaves.
I have not the means of determining the number of that age of persons now in Maine, and can speak only of two, viz: Father Sawyer, now residing in Bangor, who was born in Hebron, in Conn., Oct. 1755, and consequently is 102½ years old; the other is Mrs. Wilson, who is now living with her son, Col. John M. Wilson, in Oxford county. I have requested Col. Wilson to furnish me an account of his mother, which I think is interesting enough for an article in the newspaper. I therefore offer it you for publication.
W.
WILSON'S MILLS, OXFORD CO., ME., } March 17, 1858. }
William Willis, Esq.,
Dear Sir,—In compliance with your request, I send you the following facts and incidents in relation to the life of my mother, as she has given them mostly from her present recollection.
She was born in Scarborough, county of Cumberland, on the 28th of February, 1756, and is the daughter of Samuel March and Anna Libbey, who kept what was called the March Tavern, in that town. Her father was a native of Kittery, and by trade a shoemaker. He was the Representative of the town of Scarborough to the Massachusetts Assembly, at the time of its removal for safety from Cambridge to Salem, and was by that Assembly commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel with orders to raise a regiment for eight months' service, which, on returning home, he accomplished in his own vicinity in about six weeks, the place of rendezvous being at his tavern.
He was ordered the next year to join the north-western army, and served two years when he became disabled by sickness. He was previously a Lieutenant in the French war.
Her mother was the daughter of John Libbey, one of the first inhabitants of Scarborough.
My mother was the fourth of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters. She is now the only survivor of the family. Three of her brothers served in the army of the Revolution. Her brother, Col. James March of Gorham, who died

that Assembly commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel with orders to raise a regiment for eight months' service, which, on returning home, he accomplished in his own vicinity in about six weeks, the place of rendezvous being at his tavern.
He was ordered the next year to join the north-western army, and served two years when he became disabled by sickness. He was previously a Lieutenant in the French war.
Her mother was the daughter of John Libbey, one of the first inhabitants of Scarborough.
My mother was the fourth of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters. She is now the only survivor of the family. Three of her brothers served in the army of the Revolution. Her brother, Col. James March of Gorham, who died about 30 years since, served in Portland, then Falmouth, as musician at the age of fourteen years. Another brother was lost in a private armed vessel from Portland in the war of 1812. Three of her sisters were of the first inhabitants of the town of Limington, whom she often visited by following a spotted line through the woods on horse back, before there was any road above Standish Corner.
Remaining at home until past forty years of age, the chief care of the house which was much frequented by travelers, devolved upon her during the absence of her father, and the feeble health of her mother. She has a distinct recollection of many incidents of the Revolution, particularly of the destruction of the American fleet at Bagaduce, the retreat from that place through the then wilderness, and the burning of Falmouth. The men returning from Bagaduce received supplies provided by Government at their house. The man who was sent on shore by Capt. Mowatt, to set fire to the first parish meeting-house in Portland, was brought to their house a prisoner on his way to Boston. He was made prisoner by Solomon Bragdon and Major Libbey, who were guarding the meeting-house. She thinks that if the Committee of Safety had followed the advice of Capt. Thompson, who had made a prisoner of Capt. Mowatt when he was on shore (on the neck then so-called) on a gunning excursion, the town would not have been destroyed.
On receiving the threat from Mowatt's Lieutenant, that he would open his fire upon the town unless the Captain was liberated at a certain hour, Capt. Thompson, who had an impediment in his speech, answered verbally, f-f-fire away! f-f-fire away! every gun you fire I will c-c-cut off a joint!
A British ship loaded chiefly with fish for the British army at Boston, went ashore in a snow storm on Blue Point, was broken up on the beach and the fish drifted high upon the shore. The old gentleman who first discovered the wreck, supplied himself liberally, and then informed his neighbors. This was a source of relief to the inhabitants who were at that time in great destitution.
A few incidents will show the privations of those days. My mother on losing her metal thimble was obliged to supply its place with a leather one. She had a set of pins which she used for dressing on Sundays and special occasions. They were carefully laid away at other times and thorns used instead of them. A neighbor having obtained a small quantity of coffee invited her friends to a coffee party. Coffee pots being out of the question, an earthen jug was substituted in this case. The coffee was excellent.
In 1797 she became the second wife of my father, Nathaniel Wilson, who had been an officer of the Revolutionary army, serving in a volunteer company raised in Portland, then Falmouth, and commanded by Capt. Partridge. He was at the time a Major in the Massachusetts Militia, and resided in what is now the town of Westbrook.—My father having died in 1818, at the age of seventy-eight years, my mother was left to my care, and she has resided with me until this time, for the last twenty-five years, in Township No. 5, R. 2, in the county of Oxford, thus being subjected again to privations similar to those of her early life. She is free from disease, cheerful and contented, sensible of gradual decay, waiting patiently for her final change, and relies upon the faith and hope of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN M. WILSON.

I Nelson Fickett of Township Nos 8 Range 2 in the County of Oxford and State of Maine do make oath and say, that I am one of the Assessors of Lincoln Plantation, in said County and chairman of the board, that I am acquain- ted with Mrs Ann Wilson a pensioner of the United States who resides in this Township with her son John M. Wilson, whose house is near mine, that I have been acquainted with her about sixteen years, that she retains her faculties as well as most persons do at the age of seventy or eighty years, and I am fully of the opinion that any statement she may now make, or that she has made within the time I have known her, in relation to things that transpired in her early days, and particularly at the time of the war of the Revolution, is entitled to full credence.
Nelson Fickett
Attest G. P. Wilson.
Oxford SS Jan'y 1857 Then personally appeared Nelson Fickett above named and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief Before me John M. Wilson Justice of the Peace
We David W. Sturtevant and Drew D. Sinnell

of Township No 5 Range 1 in the County of Oxford and State of Maine do make oath and say, that we are Assessors of Lincoln Plantation in said County of Oxford, that we have known the above named Mrs Ann Wilson more than twenty years, that her faculties are not so impaired by age as to render her statements doubtful, and that we have reason to believe, and do believe, that Nelson Fickell in the above affidavit has made a true statement of facts.
David M. Sturtevant Allest Gilman Bennett L D Linnell Oxford 18 th Jany 1857 Then personally appeared David M. Sturtevant and Lorenzo D. Linnell above named and made oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true according to their best knowledge and belief.
Before me John W. Wilson Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify, that Nelson Fickell, David M. Sturtevant, and Lorenzo D. Linnell, who have signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits, are personally known to me as witnesses of respe- ctability and veracity. Also that I have no inte- rest in the claim to which said affidavits relate.
John W. Wilson Justice of the Peace

I Isaac Larrabee of Scarborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged ninety eight years, on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Col. James March and also with his father Col. Samuel March. The family were all the persons of the name of March that ever resided in Scarborough, as I believe, James March was all the one of the name of James March who ever resided in this place within my recollection. The said James March married Sally Jose of Buxton. The said James March kept the tavern in Scarborough formerly kept by his father until he removed to Gorham. -ee Witness Geward Merrill                      J. S. A. C. Larrabee Philip J. Larrabee
Cumberland ss May 25 th 1838 Subscribed and sworn to before me, and I certify that the above named affiant is a witness of respectability and veracity. And that I am a disinterested Magistrate. I also certify that I was well acquainted with James March above named. I lived in Gorham when he died in that place some thirty years ago.
Geward Merrill Just. peace

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, Sept 21 1855.
I, Stetson S. Hile , Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Deereb Herrick and Joseph Riellene , are
and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, now  was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Cumberland  Androscoggin , as appears by the paper here- unto annexed—that each  he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signatures pur- porting to be their  his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson S. Hile ,
Register,

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, Sept 21 1853.
I, Stetson Hise, Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Robert Wentworth
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of York Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson Hise, Register.

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, ss.
Auburn, Sept 21 1853.
I, Stetson S. Hile , Register of Probate for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
John M. Wilson
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Oxford Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
Stetson S. Hile
Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
Sept. 14. 1853.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of James March is borne on Pay Roll of Capt. Sedeliah Goodwins Co. under Gen. Wadsworth's command from May 15. to Nov 20. 1780. 6 Mos. 6 days as fifer And on roll of Capt John Reeds Co. in Col McCobb's Regt. "raised for the defence of the eastern part of this Commonwealth" from June 28. to Dec 1. 1781 as private 5 Mos. 3 days.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
T. M. D. [Signature] Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secretary of State Massachusetts Sarah March widow of James March deceas- ed who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army requests evidence of her said husb- and's service therein. And this applicant states that the said James March was a Native of Scarborough in the State of Maine and that he entered the Revolutionary Army as a fifer when very young. She does not know the length of his service or the officers under whom he served but has frequently heard him and others state that he served. She therefore respectfully requests the Secretary to cause the Rolls and Revolutionary Docu- ments in his office to be examined and a certificate to be issued setting forth all the Revolutionary services of James March of Scarborough afore- said fifer. to whom she was married subsequent to 1800 -
Sarah March By A. F. Gerish
State of Maine Cumberland County ss. August 29th 1853. signed in my presence, by said Gerish at the request of Mrs March Jacob Herrick Just. Peace.

I Ann Wilson of Township No 5 Range 2 in the County of Oxford and State of Maine aged ninety nine years and five months on oath depose and say that I am a pensioner of the United States on account of the Revolutionary services of my late husband Nathaniel Wilson who was a Lieutenant in the revolutionary army at the rate one hundred dollars forty three cents per annum. that I am a native of Scarborough in the County of Cumberland and daughter of Col. Samuel March of said Scarborough.
I further depose and say that Col. James March of Gorham in the County of Cumberland was my brother and that he served when very young in the revolutionary war at Falmouth now Portland that he served in Capt Goodwins company of Col. Primes regiment. his time of service I do not exactly recollect but think it was six or seven months and near the latter part of the war. During the time of his service he became sick and I went to his quarters myself and obtained leave of absence for him and took him home. In a short time he recovered and returned to the service. He served in the capacity of fifer. He afterward married

Sally Job of Buxton and died in Gorham some thirty years ago. His widow has not married again and now resides in Portland Witness
Sylvanus P. Wilson                      her Ann x Wilson mark G. P. Wilson.
State of Maine Oxford ss
August 10th 1855
Then personally appeared the above named Ann Wilson and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true before me. And I hereby certify that she is a person of truth and veracity and good character general and that I have heard her make the above statements in regard to her brother's service in the revolution many times before any informal in regard to pensions was called. She retains faculties in a remarkable manner
Neither she nor myself have any interest whatever in the claim to which this relates
John M c Wilson Justice of the Peace

State of Maine, County of York, Town of Buxton June 23 A.D. 1855. In the Records of the Congregat- ional Church in said Town and under the head of "Persons joined in wedlock and when," the following marriage is recorded as having been solemnized by Paul Coffin D.D. Viz "July 9 th 1800 James March of Scarborough and Sally Jose of Buxton."
Attest
Joseph Bartlett Pastor
I Joseph Bartlett on oath depose and say that I am Pastor of the Congregational Church in Buxton aforesaid and have in my custody the Records of said Church. That the foregoing is a true abstract from said Records and if reduced to writ- -ing the date would read July the ninth An- thousand eight hundred
Joseph Bartlett.
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day of the year first above written by Rev. Joseph Bartlett the above named officer, who is well known to me as the person he represents himself to be and I hereby certify that I have no interest in the claim to which his affidavit relates.
Robert Wentworth
Just. Peace.

State of Maine Cumberland County Town of Gorham, Town Clerk's office September 15 th A.D. 1855 In a book of Records of Deaths happening in said Town the following appear recorded Viz "James March died March 29 th 1823."
Attest Samuel G. Bacon Town Clerk.
I Samuel G. Bacon on oath depose and say, that I am Town Clerk of Gorham aforesaid and have in my custody the Records of said Town. That the fore- going certificate is a true abstract from said Records and if reduced to writing the same would read "March the twenty ninth, One thousand eight hun- dred and twenty three."
Samuel G. Bacon Town Clerk of Gorham
Subscribed and sworn to on the day of the year first above written before me
Joseph Ridlon Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, SS.
Auburn, August 15 1859.
I, J. D. Pulsifer for said County of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that John W. Munger
is, and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereunto annexed, was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Cumberland Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the county aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court for said County, the day and year first above written.
J. D. Pulsifer Clerk of said Court

State of Maine.
CUMBERLAND, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND, April 21. 1856. }
I, OBADIAH G. COOK,
Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court,
for said County of Cumberland , being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Nath l Brown and J. K. Harmon — — — — — Esquires — — — — —
are their  is , and at the date of his Certificate, to the paper hereto annexed was , as were
ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
within and for the County of  Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that they are  they are DULY COMMISSIONED and qualified to administer Oaths and take Acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid — and that the following Signature , purporting to be his  their are GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
O. G. Cook,
CLERK.

James Kirk of Gorham, in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged 79 — years in with depon and say that I was well acquainted with Colonel James March, who died in Gorham aforesaid about thirty years ago. Said March was reputed to have been a musician in the Revolutioary war and to have served as a fife when a mere boy. I received my impressions from common report among his friends and acquaintances and from conversations held with Col. March himself on the subject. Col. March and I held commissions in the Militia at the same time and were often together. I am also well acquainted with his widow surviving. Her name before her marriage was Sally Free. She has not intermarried since his death, but is now the widow of the said James March.
Witness Nathl Brown
A. F. Merrill
James Kirk
Cumberland ss March 18 th A.D. 1856 sworn and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the above named affiant General James Kirk is a gentleman of respectability whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief. I also certify that I am not interested in the matter. Nathl Brown Just. peace.

I Abigail M. Manett of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged fifty one years on oath depose and say that I am daughter of Col. James Manett, late of Gorham deceased who was in the Military service in the Revolutionary war and served as fife for a Company, stationed at Falmouth during one season, as I have heard him say, repeatedly. I have heard him say and have often heard him repeat it to his acquaintance that he served as aforesaid when very young and small. That he would not make use of the rations of liquor allowed him but distributed the sum among the soldiers, by which means and his extreme youth he became a pet among them and contributed to their amusement. That the soldiers would take him on their shoulders placing him in a right position and then march around with him, while he in the mean time was blowing the fife from his elevated position for their amusement. I also depose and say that my father never used in any shape any spirituous liquors to my knowledge and have heard him say that he never did during his life time. I also depose and say that I have frequently heard my aunt Mrs Ann Wilson say that she carried him home while he was in the service and unable and after nursing him awhile carried him back

to his quarters in Falmouth.
Witness
Jacob Henrik A. H. Gerish
Abigail M. Mallett,
State of Maine Cumberland ss Dec. 5 th 1855 Subscribed and sworn to before and I hereby certify that the above named affiant Abigail M. Mallett is a witness of respectability and veracity and also that I am not interested in the claim to which her affidavit relates.
Z. K. Harmon Justice of the Peace