Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,371, for Jonathan Merriam, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Merriam, Jonathan
S 21,371
CONTENTS

New York 28. 711
Jonathan Merriam
of Essex Co in the State of New York who was a P te Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain Lamb of the Reg t commanded by Col Cushing in the Mass s line for 8 months private } " " corporal }
Date of death not on AB.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 99 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon R. Vokallon D.R.p.s
Arrears to the 14th of March 34 $ 101.97 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep r 4.34 16.99 $118.96
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam l H. Page Clerk. Book E Vol. 4 Page 108

Mathan Newman Application for a Pardon
13.795
1772
Abund 8 mo. pri 2 mo. Corp
26. 66 2/3 7. 33 1/3 99
1772 7.33
26 2/3 7 1/3 33 1/3
Mr. Wharton

State of New York
Essex County 3 rd Personage appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex Jonathan Merriam who being duly sworn deposes and saith that from Old Age and the consequent loss of Memory he cannot swear posi- tively as to the precise length of his Service but from the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades For two months I served as a Private in 1776 For two months I served as a Private in 1776 or 77 For four months I served as a Private in 1777 For two months I served as a Corporal in 1779 Making a total of eight months as a Private & two months as a Corporal and for such Service I claim a Pension
Subscribed & sworn to this 18 th Day of June 1833 at Essex
Jonathan Merriam
Essex before me
Oliver Knight Just Peace
State of New York
Essex County 3 rd On this Eighteenth day of June in the Year 1833 at Essex in the County of Essex Personage appeared before me Edward S. Knight in Commission of Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex Jonathan Merriam a Resident of said Town aged Ninety Three Years who being first duly sworn According to Law upon his said Oath doth depose and say that he is the identical Person who subscribed and sworn to the annexed Declaration made for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 and in addition,

to the the Statute to make in Said Declaration the said Deponent saith. The first period of Service for which he claims Service in 1776 he cannot now recollect any of his field or Company officers except Colonel Parker who was his Colonel and that the Second period of his Service was under Lieutenant Commandant Shumway in Colonel Whelungs Regt And the third period of his Service being from March in 1777 he served under Capt Samuel Hunt Humphrey in Colonel Cushing's Regiment. Major Rand & Bowman And that his last period of Service was under Capt Steadley Lieut Rich in Colonel Converse's Regt Sergeant Wales - that from the length of time which has intervened since his Service he cannot recollect any more of his officers names but believes the foregoing statement to be correct. That he always served with an embodied Corps called into the Service as he supposed by order of the Governor of Massachusetts John Hancock. That his Service was in the field & Camp near having been stationed in any Fort or Garrison except while fortifying at Dorchester Heights. And that during the time or periods for which he claims he was not engaged in any Civil pursuits and that in Reply to the Interrogatories presented by the Department and which were before him and answered by the Court and answered there as well as now Deponent
saith
No. 1 Interrogatory. He was born at Oxford Worcester Co Massachusetts March 4 th 1760.
 " 2nd His Age is on Record in the Town Clerks Office in Oxford & in his Family Bible Now in his possession  " 3rd Born in Oxford when he entered the Service at East of his time of Service resided there until the Close of the Revolution moved to Ferrisburg. He lived there five 

Removed to Essex New York & has lived there ever since I now reside there
" 4 th Always voluntary & served in Troops called out by Order of the Governor of Massachusetts
" 5 th This interrogatory is answered in the Body of the Declaration
" 6 th None Rec d A matter discharge from the Service
" 7 th The Rev d Elijah D. Doolittle & Joseph Stafford the same persons who testified before D r Jonathan Merriam
Subscribed & sworn to this 18 th day of June A D 1833 at Essex before me
Orville H. Douglass Comm re of Sads
I, Emma H. Douglass, the Trustee of the Pension before whom the preceding Affidavit was sworn to and before whom as a Commissioner of Decrees the above Affidavit or Amendment of a Declaration known to Annexed was subscribed and sworn to the best of my belief by Jonathan Merriam after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department. That the above named Applicant Jonathan Merriam was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Essex, this 18 th day of June 1833
Emma H. Douglass

State of New York Essex County Clerks Office
I do hereby certify that Edward S. Cough whose name appears to the final of the foregoing Affidavit as a justice of the peace and before whom the same appears to have been sworn to and also whose name appears to the above Affidavit as a Commissioner of the Annexed Publication as a Commissioner of Deeds and before whom the same depositions to have been subscribed and sworn to was at the date thereof a justice of the peace and also a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Essex duly qualified and authorized to administer oaths according to law and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and Commissioner and truly believe his signature to the same to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Essex this 20th day of June A.D. 1833
P. Morse, Dep. Clerk.

State of New York County of Essex ss
On this Twenty sixth day of September in the Year 1832 Personally appeared in Open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county aforesaid now sitting. Jonathan Merriam a Resident of Essex in the county of Essex and State of New York. Age and Servitude Two Years, Who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth Upon his said Oath, Make the following Declaration, in Order to Obtain the the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. Affix
That he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer on the first day of February in the Year 1776. in the Massachusetts Militia for the term of Two Months. And service for the full end term for which he volunteered when he was dismissed from the service not receiving any written discharge That he resided at the time when he entered the service in the Town of Oxford in the county of Worcester & State of Massachusetts he joined the Company at Oxford & marched from thence through the Towns of Watertown & Waltham, to Dorchester, at which place he was stationed during the two months & was employed in building the fortifications on Dorchester Heights, was not engaged in any battle during the above term of service And cannot recollect the names of any of his Officers nor in one skirmish during the above term When the enemy was kept up all one night between the party to which he belonged and the British Troops stationed on Boston Neck - the American Troops being that night on duty at Roxbury & Cambridge. He has no documentary proof of his service and knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service - That he does not recollect any of his Field or Company Officers names And further the said Jonathan Merriam Declares and says. That soon after he was dismissed from the above service - living in the same year - that he again entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer, the country being alarmed by a report that the British had landed & taken possession of New Port Rhode Island entered the service for two months does not recollect the names of any of his Officers - He started at Oxford, at which place he joined the Company. and marched directly to Providence Rhode Island on the arrival of his company at Providence part of the Company

Were discharged and returned home. When he with a number of others belonging to the Company Volunteered for Two Months. And were stationed at Providence during the whole time was engaged in no Battle during the time was when called out on an alarm by the report that the British were landing at Warwick Neck & Plundering the Place - the Company were Marched from Providence to Warwick Neck but on their arrival at the latter place they found the British Troops had taken a Cow and some other property & had returned on to New Port Island & the Americans returned to Providence. When he remained until the expiration of the two months & was discharged and returned home. He not having a written discharge has no Documentary Evidence of his service & knows of no Person living whose testimony he can produce who could testify to his service - And the said Jonathan Merriam Upon his said Oath doth further declare and say that About the first of August in the Year 1777. he again entered the service of the United States - as a Volunteer in the Massachusetts Militia for four Months service under Capt. Abijah Sargent of Charlestown Massachusetts and Lieutenants Humphrey & Towns - He then landed at Oxford and then joined the Company, and served under the above Company officers in Colonel Thomas Cushing's Regt. of Massachusetts Militia of which Regt. Thomas Rabb & Col. Bowman were Majors. - They Marched from Oxford to Bennington in Vermont at which place we remained a short time & were Marched from Bennington to the Town of Maloomschoick in the State of New York at which place we remained about fifteen days & were kept on duty scouting through the Country about Cambridge N.Y. & Potters Vt. and were in Potters Vt. at the time of the first Battle at Bemans Heights in Saratoga County N.Y. Immediately after the Battle at Bemans Heights they Recd Orders to March & join the American Army at that place and there the Company first joined the Regiment of Col. Cushing & were there at the second Battle. Col. Cushing's Regiment were kept in the rear of the Battle Ground as a reserve & did not march onto the Battle Ground until near the close of the Battle of the Continental Officers who were at the Battle of Bemans Heights the then Brig. Genl. Ebenezer Dyer Genl. Glover Genl. Gates & Genl. Lincoln & Arnold, distinctly recollects Genl. Francis was Mortally wounded in the second Battle at the same place of which wound he died at his quarters soon after

Shortly after the Battle, General Burgoin who commanded the British Army marched them to Fish Creek at which place he surrendered to the American forces. the latter part of October we were then marched through Albany down the Hudson River to White Plains. at which place we received notice the loss of Warrenton at which time he was discharged & returned home. during the time we were at White Plains we were marched to Frog Point. expecting to have an engagement with the British Army under command of General Clinton. When we arrived at Frog Point we were found by the Continental Troops under Gen Putnam who the British Army not appearing we returned to our Quarters at White Plains - that he served the full period of four months has then including the time allowed him to return home. that he did not receive a written discharge has no documentary evidence of his service. knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure. who can testify to his service.
Then the said Jonathan Mersim & upon his said oath doth further declare & say, That in the Month of September in the Year 1779. he again entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer in a Company of Massachusetts Militia under Captain Halsey & Lieutenant Nick. of the Town of Dudley in Massachusetts - he still residing at Oxford. & then joined his Company & marched to Providence Rhode Island and were stationed there about three weeks. since then marched to Kings Town by way of Bristol, Mount Hope, & Scituate River & remained at Kings Town until the British left New York Island when we were marched to New Port & took possession of the Island & remained there until the latter part of November when he was again discharged & went home. that all the above periods & terms which he served. amount to four full months - and that he has no documentary evidence of any of his terms of service & knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service - he 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. Known to me and Subscribed the day & Year aforesaid before me in open Court Leonard Stone Clerk of Court of Common Pleas
Jonathan Merriam
We, Elijah Burdick, a Clergyman Residing in the Town of Essex in the County of Essex and State of New York and Joseph Stafford Residing in the same place do hereby Certify, That we are well acquainted with Jonathan Merriam who has subscribed and known to the above Declaration; That we believe him to be twenty two years of Age; That he is respected & beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and that we concur in that Opinion.
Known to me and Subscribed the day & Year aforesaid before me in open Court I the Clerk of Court of Common Pleas
C. Benedict Joseph Stafford
Where the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the said Department That the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further Certify that it appears to them that Elijah Burdick who has signed the foregoing Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Essex & that Joseph Stafford who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a credible Person and that their Statement is entitled to Credit.
Signed by order of the court Leonard Stone Clerk of the court aforesaid
Essex County ss. I Leonard Stone Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby Certify, that the foregoing Contains the Original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the Application of Jonathan Merriam for a Pension.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 26 th day of September 1832
Leonard Stone Clerk

13,795.
Jonathan Merriam. Essex County New York.
Merriam
em
Ed
Robinson

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jonathan Merriam
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Volunteer 1776. 2 Private not recollected not recollected none From Oxford to Worcester Worcester Massachussetts   Vol d 1776 2 P r not recollected not recollected none Providence   Vol d 1777. 4 P r Capt Lamb Col. Lushings Lt Humphrey Major's Genl. Sullivan Branam's Heights From Vermont to New York Aged 72 yet.   Vol d 1779 2. P r Capt Healey not stated none From Oxford to Providence Thence to New Port.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Ew.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S. 21371.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Sept. 27, 1920
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Merriam a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb. 1, 1776 2 mos. Pvt. Houghton Parker Mass.   1776 2 mos. ✓ Whitney   Aug. 1777 4 mos. Abijah Lamb. Thos. Cushing   Sept. 1779 2 mos. Corpl. Healey Jno. Jacobs Converse  
Battles engaged in, Bemis Heights and Surrender of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Oxford Worcester Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension Sept. 26, 1832 Cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Essex - Essex Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, in Oxford Mass. Mar. 4, 1760.
Remarks: No family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Revolution
21 371
INVALID.
File No. 21,371
Jonathan Mearns
Rep. New York
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 267
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1920, Sept 27 Hist to Mrs. Eli Deyson - Ev.
Letter in S. 28629 Abraham Bartlett.
1938 Apr 26. Rec report in re to this per to S. H. Smith in case of Eli Hull, W. 26663 - M.W. 2778.

State of New York
Essex County 3 rd . On this 6 th day of May in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred And Thirty four personally came before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex, Jonathan Morgan, who being duly sworn according to Law, upon his said Oath doth depose and say, that in his first Declaration made for the purpose of procuring the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 he states that he did not recollect any of his field or company Officers under whom he served the first time of his service being two months as a volunteer in 1776 - And what at the time was a fact and that when he made solemn to his Amendment Declaration for the same purpose he could not recollect any of his said Officers for the said time but Colonel Parkers and also not recollect any men of the Officers under whom he served the said time until called upon to state their names for the purpose of sending to E. Briggs Esq Secretary of War - for the purpose of searching the Rolls in his Office and that then in conversation with Mr Ezra Pond on the subject it came said to his memory & he now clearly recollects & believes that the said time or period of service (four or two months in the year 1776 being his first term of service) was in Captain Houghtons Company - a Colonel Parkers Regiment - He is very confident of the fact (as he believes that) that he was a Lieutenant in the same Company - and that he served two terms under Captain Houghton - & further saith not
Subscribed and sworn to before me May 6 th 1834 at Essex End Co New York
Jonathan Morgan
M. Kirtland Justice Peace

State of New York Essex County ss.
I, Nathl. H. Knight Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Melchior Hoffmeyer Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Jonathan Mearns was taken and sworn to was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified according to Law and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and believe his name subscribed thereto to be his genuine Signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court and County this 16 th day of May 1834
Nathl. H. Knight Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 31, 1834.
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 Jonathan Merriam is borne on "A Pay Roll of Capt. Abijah Sams Company, in Col. Cushing's Regiment of Militia, from the State of Massachusetts Bay, including the time to return home," having served as a private from August 15 th to Nov. 29 th 1777. and was allow'd Three months & twenty four days.
m c D o 3.74
The name of Jon a Merriam is borne on "An Abstract of pay due to Capt. Healy's Company of Militia in Col. Jn s Jacobs Reg t of Light Infantry, from the Massachusetts State, doing duty in the State of Rhode Island for the term of two months for the States pay to a resolve of the General Court, 1779. = Raised by an order of Council," having served as Corporal, from Sept r 17 th to Nov. 17 th 1779. and was allow'd including mileage, Two months & six days.
2.6 6.
Jonathan Merriam claims service under Captains Trask & Houghton, in 1776. The rolls he describes are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy