Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24564, for Joel Littlefield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Littlefield, Joel Joanna
N. 24 564
CONTENTS

Transferred to Maine 21 July 1820 from 4. Militia Massachusetts Roll No 3506.
Joel Littlefield 4
Private Massachusetts Line
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 th of April 1818-
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th of October 1818- and sent to Daniel Sewall Esq. Justice of Peace Kennebec - Me.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 mo 27 / 30 — 39:20 Semi-ann. all'ee ending 4 th March 1819 — 48:—
$ 87:20
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
One Year
Lyman Lyman 27 of York } York Me Mass. } Mass. } Mass. }
Master Genl H. D. Sewall Esq July 21. 1820. Kennebec. Me.

1536
Maine
Joanna Littlefield
widow of Vachel Littlefield who was a Private
in the MS line
for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars & 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of August, 1843. and sent to
E. E. Bourne Kennebec Maine
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book L Vol. 1. Page 7.
1839 } Samuel Littlefield - Brof History of June 1 } Suspension & restoration of pension Roll. pay to have been in full Prior
Dep Augt 25

Joel Littlefield Lyman 3506
asick family Antun

STATE OF MAINE.
York ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at York within and for the County of York on the first Tuesday of July being the fourth day of said month and by adjournment  from day to day, on the days of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable Benjamin Greene Judge of said Court.
ON this fourth day of July in the year 1820, personally appeared before said Court in open Court
the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Circuit County, Joel Littlefield aged fifty eight years, resident in Lyman in said Circuit County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Moore in the Regiment commanded by Colonel stationed at Falmouth in the line of the State of now Portland state of Maine on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the eighth day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 3506 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner 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 18th day of March, 1818: 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; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is particularly described on the back hereof, also subscribed by me. Joel Littlefield.
Sworn to and declared, on the 4th day of July A. D. 1820.
BEFORE Benj. Greene
Chief Justice One of the Judges of the said Court.
Att: Daniel Sewall, Clerk

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz :
No real estate ————— 1 cow — 4 sheep — 1 hog ————— some old furniture — 5 kitchen chairs & pine table small iron pot —————
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me the said Joel Littlefield who, by occupation am a labourer ————— which I am unable to pursue by reason of weakness —————
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     Wife ————— 32 very weak & unable to work having had long periods of sickness under care of physicians —————   Children, Abigail ————— 24 in ill health & unable to contribute much towards her support —————   Betsy ————— 22 has been sick 2 years, pasting frequently   Charlotte ————— 17 habitually feeble & sick { under care of doctors.   Joel Littlefield.  
STATE OF MAINE.
York ss. I, Daniel Sewall Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county of York ————— do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is twenty five dollars and fifty — cents. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this eighth day of July , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Daniel Sewall, { Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York .

Stephen Thacher, Esq; Judge, York county, Mass ts .
Joel Littlefield, Massachusetts line, Revolutionary Claim.
Not found on the Mass ts : rolls. — See endorse- ment in the cases of James Hart, and Gideon Hanson.

Joel Littlefield's claim for pension
Wells. District of Maine.
3 depositions annexed.
Admitted

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
York ss. On the eighth day of April, A.D. 1818, personally appeared before me Stephen Thacher, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the county of York in the Commonwealth aforesaid, the aforementioned Joel Littlefield, and in my presence subscribed and made oath to the aforeswritten declaration and affidavit by him made, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War". And it appearing to my satisfaction that the aforementioned Joel Littlefield served for the term of more than nine months at one period in the war of the revolution on the continental establishment against the common enemy; I hereby certify the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and have caused the seal of the said Court to be hereunto affixed; the day and year aforesaid.
Daniel Sewall, Reg. d of said Court. }
Stephen Thacher Judge

I Joel Littlefield of Lyman in the county of York, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty five years or upwards, testify and say, that in May 1780, I enlisted under Captain Moore in the service of the United States, for the term of three years or during the war, and continued at Portland in said service until March 1781, when I had a furlough from the Captain to return home, and was then informed by said Captain, that if I was wanted afterwards, he should send for me; but he never sent for me, and I never returned to said service, and never had any written discharge.
I further testify and say, that owing to my reduced circumstances in life, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support.
Wells, April 8, 1818.
x Joel Littlefield

Journala acutifolia
Aug. 6. 1888.

State of Maine
York County ss. Be it known that on the six day of August 1830, before the Court of Probate for the County of York personally appeared Joanna Littlefield a resident of Lyman in the County of York, aged seventy two years of age, who being duly sworn, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Joel Littlefield a Rev- olutionary Pensioner who served in the army of the Revolution as stated in his declaration for a pen- sion now on file in the Pension department, and who also served two months in 1779 in the Penobscot expedition in the company of Capt Nathaniel Laurins.
That she was married to said Joel on the third day of July, seventeen hundred and eighty sixty six. That her aforesaid Husband Joel Littlefield died on the fourteenth day of March eighteen hundred and thirty eight. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January eighteen hundred and thirty four, viz at the time before men- tioned -
Witness
Joanna
her  J Littlefield marks
Wm. H. Hayes Sworn and subscribed in open court on the day and year before mentioned -
Before me Wm. H. Hayes Judge of Probate York by the

275 Joanna Littlefield Widow of Jacob Lee Pensioner of 1818.
service in Capt Nathl Warner's nat forces,
admitted for nine months
$30. —
E. E. Bourn

I Joshua Gellpatrick of Lyman in the County of York and State of Maine Husbandman aged eighty years do on oath declare that I have known Joel Littlefield of said Lyman more than fifty years - I knew him when he was married and have known his wife Joanna Littlefield from the time she was married to said Joel which was more than fifty years ago - Said Joel died in March last, and said Joanna is still living as his widow not having been married since his death - his Joshua Gellpatrick Witness Luke Goodwin mark E E Bourne -
State of Maine York County ss. Aug. 9. 1838. Personally ap- peared Joshua Gellpatrick who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing decla- ration by him subscribed Before me Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace
Extract from the Records of the town of Lyman in the County of York and State of Maine.
"Seventeen hundred and eighty six, This may certify Joel Littlefield of Wells and Miss Joanna Garland of Exeter has been lawfully published - and the entrance of Marriage" And the foregoing is a true copy from said Records with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Records in fair legible figures as follows "1786" - and there is no other entrance of said marriage John Grant } Town Clerk of Lyman
I John Grant aforesaid depose and say

that I hold the office of Town Clerk in said town of Lyman, and the foregoing is a true extract from the Records of said town, with the exception of the date, as certified by me -
I further testify that I have been well acquainted with said Joel Littlefield and Joanna Littlefield his wife more than fifty years - said Joel Littlefield died in March last and said Joanna is still living his widow, never having been married since his death.
John Grant
State of Maine
York County ss. Aug 9. 1838. Personally appeared John Grant who is a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Edward E. Bourn Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
York, ss.—
I, JOHN SKEELE, Register of the Court of Probate, within and for the County of York, being a Court of Record, hereby certify that William A. Hayes is Judge of said Court of Probate and that Edward B. Bourne is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the signatures to the papers hereunto annexed and purporting to be theirs, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- eight .
John Skeele } Register of Probate York County.

Ref
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24. 5-64
Joanna Littlefield Widow of Isaac Littlefield Brimstone Spring
Act: Mar 3 rd 1863
Index:—Vol. A , Page 438
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Maine 339
Joanna Littlefield widow of Joel Littlefield dec d
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 14 th March 1838 of York Co. in the State of Me. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Warans of the Regt. commanded by _____ in the U.S. time for 11 months
Increased from $30.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 36 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the first day of March, 1834. 14 th March 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Octo. 1838 and sent E. E. Bourne Hennobunk Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1838 $17.25 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 3 rd 1838
$35.58
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Abel Atkinson Clerk, Book A Vol. 15 th Page 14

Maine 339
Joanna Littlefield widow of Joel Littlefield M c
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 14 th March 1838 of York Co in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Warans of the Reg t commanded by Col  in the U.S. line for Gonnet
Vol 37 p 8- on private 2 mo. in medical exp se let to E. E. Bourn Sept. 26, 1838
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 30 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1838 14 th March 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Sept 1838 and sent J. C. Worms Kennebec Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1838 $14.50 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar 39, 15.00
$29.50
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by W. H. Johnson Clerk, Book 17 Vol. 13 Page 14

ask Mr. Holmes to certify as to the official character and signature of the Mr. Sewall, and then the suspension may be removed —
See letter to Mr. Holmes, 15 Dec. 1876 —
See letters to the Hon. J. Holmes, Senate U.S. & Dr. Newhall, Nov. 16 dec 76.

Joel Littlefield Me. act. 1818 to what time paid? Pen Offin Aug 30
p 8 4 March 1838
SH

Washington 4 1/2 a m
Mr
I enclose you the evidence in the case of Paul Littlefield & John Astley as to the credibility of their depositions & the official signatures of the magistrates
Yours respectfully
J. M. Morris

Rec d 15 Dec. 1826
Joel Littlefield,
Evidence to unaward sus- pension in his case.
Shirley

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to include a date and a name.]
334

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Joanna Littlefield widow of Joel Littlefield dec d who was a Private in the Revolution and died on the 14 th day of March 1838 is entitled to receive a pension, at the rate of Sixty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 14 th day of March 1838 ; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the 4 th of March, 1841, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14 th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
J. Cooper. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Thomson Me. Oct 6. 1838
Dr Sir
Agreeably to your letter received this day, I enclose the certificate of Joanna Littlefield, for the purpose of the addition of the service in the Penobscot expedition —
Respectfully
Hon. J. L. Edwards. Com. of Pensions Washington DC
Your obt Servant
E. E. Bourne

Heronland Me. Sept 20 1838
Br Sir
I presume that some mistake has been made in relation to the claim of Joanna Littlefield, widow of Joel Littlefield. It is said that it does not appear that he was in the company of Capt Nathaniel Warren at the taking of Penobscot. The declaration stated, "Capt Nathaniel Warren  Lowell ". If it did not, it should so state. He was certainly in that company, or that of Captain Sawyer - but I feel very confident of the former. I have taken many depositions of him to prove service of others in that expedition. In the papers of Capt. Nathaniel Warren  Lowell , pensioner under the law of 1832 - is a roll of that company in his own handwriting, or list in a journal kept by him of that service.
I know nothing about the former service only that he was "bound to service" though a considerable proportion of the time at home - and when I forwarded the papers, I apprehended that we could be allowed there but 9 mo -
Respectfully
Your obed servant E E Bourne

No 3-
The certificate of the Secretaries of the — Commonwealth of Mass. Church respecting Lotteful — & the living rolls of 1780 & 1782—
[Signature] The Postmaster at Kennebec. Maine

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office Dec. 5 th 1826.
I hereby certify that I have examined the Revolutionary Army Books in this Office for the name of for Joel Littlefield, who represents himself as having served in Capt. Moore's Company of Artillery, from April 1780 to 1782 — but I do not find the said Littlefield's name —
I further certify that there are no Army Books in this Office, relating to service after the year 1780; and that those which contain the accounts for service in the year 1780, appear to refer only to those who enlisted previous to that year. If therefore the said Joel Littlefield enlisted in April 1780, it seems probable that the accounts for his service are to be found in Books settled by the government of the U. S. and which do not exist in this Office —
Edward D. Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth.

1682 Joanna Littlefield
$36:67 per an
E.E. Bourne
Kennebec
Maine

State of Maine York County ss.
On this twenty ninth day of April  May 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Joanna Littlefield, a resident of Lyman in the County of York, aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision, made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 d March 1843, granting pensions to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Joel Littlefield who was a private in the Revolution, and served as stated in his declaration for a pension under the law of 1832 - That she received a pension of thirty six dollars and sixty seven cents per annum under the Act of July 7. 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow
Witness.
Sophia L Gould
Joanna her X Littlefield mark
E. T. Bourne Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written (the said declarant being personally known to me)
Before me
Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace
The word April , was erased, and May inserted before signing
Attest. E. T. Bourne

STATE OF MAINE, } York County, ss. }
I, William Hammond Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of York and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Edward E Bourne is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his commission was dated on the twenty fifth day of June A. D. 1841 and will expire on the twenty fifth day of June A. D. 1848. and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this first day of June A. D. 1843
(Wm Hammond)
} Register of the Court of Probate for said County of York.

Pennebec Me Nov. 10 th 1825.
Sir.
Your letter of the 11 th of August last to Joel Littlefield of Lyndon in this State, notifying him that the further payment of his pension had been suspended in consequence of a representation having been made to your department that he did not serve nine months at any one period during the revolutionary war - was duly rec d .
It is believed here that this report can rest upon no other than a mischievous old man by the name of Joseph Shockley , a disappointed applicant for a pension, who knows nothing of the services of Mr Littlefield in the revolutionary Army & was never acquainted with him until within a few years, but from some cause or other he became years ago he became his open and violent as well as secret enemy. How much truth is contained in the representation to the war department above alluded to the inclosed deposition of Mr John Hearnson a respectable farmer in the town of Litchfield in this State will show and I trust with the other evidence now in the department in support of the original declaration of Mr Littlefield will be satisfactory evidence of his services -
Mr Hearnson the deponent to the within deposition resides in the eastern part of this State a distance of more than 80 miles, has never seen Mr

Littlefield since the close of the war - & is himself excluded from a pension on account of property -
It will be seen by this deposition and also the original evidence in support of the original application of Mr. Littlefield that he (Mr. Littlefield) was in the service on of the continental establishment from the first of June 1781 to the close of the war in 1783, a period of two years - I Mr. Littlefield informed me that he actually recd - a pay pension in the army for the greatest portion of the time while on furlough from April 1782 to the close of the war when the army was disbanded - of course could be considered in no other light than a soldier the whole time -
If this evidence is not satisfactory please to state what further evidence is required in order that his pension may be restored to him - Let a report of his case be made to -
Your obedt Servt.
Robert Palmer
Hon J Barbour. Secy of War.

I Joseph Gillpatrick of Kennebunk in the county of York, aged sixty three years, depose and testify, that I was in the Militia service at Portland in the year seventeen hundred and eighty. Joel Littlefield then of Wells in said county, belonged to the same company, and was in the same mess with me. And in April of that year the said Littlefield enlisted into the Continental service in a company of Artillery. I was acquainted with him, and frequently saw him while stationed at the Redoubt or Fort, so called at Portland. He with several others returned home in the month of March or April following. He now resides at Lyman in said county of York.
Joseph Gillpatrick
State of Maine, York ss. On the twenty second day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six, the above named Joseph Gillpatrick personally appearing, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed. Taken at the request of the above named Joel Littlefield, for the purpose of restoring him to the pension list. And I hereby certify that the said Joseph Gillpatrick is a credible and disinterested witness.
Daniel Sewall, just, of the peace.
Washington City 16 Dec r 1826
I certify that Daniel Sewall above named as a Justice of the peace of York County, Maine, is qualified to administer oaths. That the signature & certificate are his hand writing & that Joseph Gillpatrick the Deponent is a person of fair reputation for truth.
J. H. Holmes U.S. Senator

I John Hanscom of Litchfield, in the county of Lincoln and State of Maine testify and declare that in the time of the revolutionary war I was acquainted with Joel Littlefield now of Lyndon in the county of York.
Evidence of claim against the estate of Joel Littlefield at one period. About the last of May or first of June 1781, the said Joel Littlefield enlisted from Capt. Daniel Clarke's company of eight months men then stationed at Portland into Captain Moore's company of Artillery for three years or during the war . The company was then also stationed at Portland and was afterwards commanded by Captain Joseph McCallum. I belonged to the same company. We remained at Portland until about the first of April 1782, at which time the company separated and were allowed to go home on a furlough, but under the direction of the officers we were held in readiness to repair to the head quarters of the company at a moment's warning. Peace was then talked of and expected and we were never afterwards called into service. Littlefield remained with us at Portland until the company separated.
John Hanscom
State of Maine. County of Lincoln.
Be it known that on the twenty-sixth day of October 1825 personally appeared the above named John Hanscom, subscribed to and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed. Before me, and I hereby certify that the said Hanscom is a credible witness. William Robinson Justice of Peace

State of Maine
Lincoln ss.
I Nathaniel Coffin Clerk of all the Judicial courts in the County of Lincoln certify that William Robinson Esq. whose name is subscribed to the within certificate was a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and legally qualified to act as such at the time of his signing the same, and that the within is his own proper signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said County this seventh day of November A.D. 1825.
Nath. Coffin
25 ch

Kennebec Falls Sept 25
Free
Honorable J. C. Calhoun,
Adm l
Secretary of the department of
Washington

Hennebunk, 24, Sept. 1818.
Dear Sir,
I here enclose the claims of Fanny Hart & Joel Littlefield for their respective pensions, with such evidence as they have been able to procure in support of their respective claims. I have been waiting some time, in hope, that they could procure further evidence, but it seems they are not able to do it. The evidence as it is, is satisfactory to me, and I hope it will be so to your Honour, altho' I wish it could have been in their power to procure more full & satisfactory evidence. They are both extremely poor, and are well entitled to their respective pensions.
I have never received any information concerning the claims of Theodore Rounds , Bezaleel Low , Joseph Withington , Jonathan Hanson , & Andrew Sherburne , which were before Stephen Thacher Judge, and forwarded in last, altho' I have repeatedly written concerning
The warrant for the pay of Gideon Hanson & Edward Nason have been duly received; but as this last is payable at the branch bank in Boston , I am fearful there is a mistake, and shall not deliver it out, till I hear further
With respect, I am Sir,
Your honor's humble serv t
Daniel Sewall.

The contents of the Select men of Lyttelton I Hon. D. G. Moss in regard to the character of John Harrison our Deputy is in the Department.

We the subscribers Selectmen of the town of Litchfield County of Lincoln & State of Maine do hereby certify that Mr. John Hanscom of this town is a Gentleman in whom the utmost confidence can be placed in his word as we believe him to be a man of strict truth and veracity and we have no hesitancy in saying that the said John Hanscom would not tell or certify a falsehood. We further certify Mr. Hanscom's moral character is very good and he is a respectable member of a Christian Church to which he belongs. Litchfield July 3. 1826 John Smith David E. Burr Silvanus Waterman
To all whom it may concern.
I David E. Burr of Litchfield County of Lincoln and State of Maine do hereby certify I have for many years been acquainted with Mr. John Hanscom of this town and have always found him to be a man of strict truth & veracity and very honest in his dealings. I further certify Mr. Hanscom's moral character is very good and has a good standing in a respectable church Litchfield July 3. 1826 David E. Burr
Lincoln Is. July 3. 1826. Personally appeared the above named David E. Burr & made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed Before me John Smith Jus. of the Peace

I Samuel Shackford of Sanford in the county of York, aged sixty six years, testify and depose, that I belonged to Captain Daniel Clark's company of Militia stationed at Portland, and Joel Littlefield of Wells belonged to the same company with me. Some time in April in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, the said Joel Littlefield enlisted from Capt. Clark's company of Militia into one Captain Moores company of Artillery then in the Continental service, and also stationed at Portland. I think it was the first of April that said Littlefield left our Company and enlisted into said Company of Artillery. I was well acquainted with him at the time he enlisted, and when I left Portland in January following, said Littlefield was in the service of said company of Artillery, and in the Spring following said Littlefield returned home to his family, and now resides at Lyman in the county of York. Samuel Shackford
State of Maine. York ss. On the twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six, the above named Samuel Shackford personally appearing, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed. Taken at the request of the above named Joel Littlefield, for the purpose of restoring him to the pension list. And I hereby certify that the said Shackford is a credible and disinterested witness. Daniel Sewall just of the peace.
Washington City 16 Decr 26
I certify that Daniel Sewall above named is a justice of the Peace of York County Maine & qualified to administer oaths so that the signature & certificate are his hand writing & that Samuel Shackford the Deponent is a person of fair reputation for truth. J. Holmes US Marshal

Kennebunk, 5 th August, 1825.
Sir,
I received a Letter from Jonathan L. Edwards Esq r . Mar 1819. wherein he mentions that "the claim of Joseph Shackley has been been examined — and his name cannot be restored to the Pension list" — This information is very appalling to him, as he has con- veyed all his estate to pay his just debts, and is now unable to labour for his living, and must become chargeable to the town of Lyman for his support and maintenance.
Mr. Edward Nason , is very much dissatisfied with the re- jection of his claim. It has affected him so much that he came to me with tears in his eyes, and requested me to write you once more in his behalf. He says that if you knew the hardships & sufferings that he endured for the space of three years in the revolutionary War, for which he has received but a small compensation, and not any ways near what was promised him, and for which he conceives, the faith of government was pledged that he should be paid: — If you knew how hard he had laboured and endeavoured to keep what little estate he had; — that the greatest part of the debts which he owed arose in consequence of rebuilding his Mills, which were burnt in the night, either by accident, or by some ill minded person; — that being involved in debt, and his creditors calling upon, he found no way of paying them but by selling his estate — that he offered his estate first to those men who were in the habit of purchasing, — that they would not give him so much as his sons would — that he conveyed his estate to his sons for the sole purpose of dis- charging his just debts — that he can call God to witness that he had no intention of defrauding any person; — he says, he is persuaded if you knew all this, (and much more might be added) — that you could not be so hard hearted, as not to restore his name to the Pension list.
All that he states is true, and can be proved to the satis- faction of any disinterested person. — And it seems a great pity, that those who have suffered so much in the service of their country, and have never been paid for their services, and have conveyed their estates for the sole purpose of discharging

just debts, and are now reduced to want and suffering circumstances, and that not by any misconduct of their own, but by the providence of God, should be denied a place on the Pension list, while many are on the same list, who have spent their estates, in intemperance and riotous living, and who if they had been as industrious and prudent as Mr Nason has been, would have had considerable estates, and would not have been under the necessity of saying that "they greatly stand in need of the assistance of their country for support."
Joseph M. Aug. 1825 I mentioned in a former letter, that there was a person in the town of Lyman who was on the pension list, that never was in the service eight months at any one time. His name is March 1819 Joel Littlefield. But I would have it understood that I know nothing of the fact myself; but have been credibly informed of it by some of his neighbours.
I am Sir,
With due consideration and respect.
Your humble servant,
Daniel Sewall.
Honorable James Barbour.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
York ss. On the fourteenth day of August, A. D. 1818, personally appeared the aforementioned Moses Littlefield, Samuel Shackford, and Gideon Hanson, before me the subscriber, one of the justices of the Peace, and Register of the Court of Probate within and for said county, (the Judge of said Court being then absent), - and in my presence severally subscribed and made oath to the respective depositions by them signed. Taken at the request of Joel Littlefield, in order to substantiate his claim for pension from the United States.
And I hereby certify that the said deponants are credible and disinterested witnesses. And that the said Joel Littlefield is in such poor and reduced circumstances, that he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court of Probate, the eighteenth day of August, A. D. 1818.
(Daniel Sewall, Justice of the Peace, & Register of said Court.)

I Moses Littlefield of Wells in the county of York & commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty five years, testify and say, that I lived in the same house with Joel Littlefield, and knew of his enlisting into the continental service in the revolutionary War; I understood he enlisted for three years or during the War. I understood that he went to Portland — but the time of his enlistment, and how long he tarried in the service , I cannot now recollect.
Aug t 14, 1818.
Moses Littlefield
I Samuel Shackford of Sanford in the county of York, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty seven years, testify and say, that about the last of April or first of May 1780, I enlisted into the militia in the late revolutionary war, and knew of Joel Littlefield's enlisting into the Artillery in the continental service in said War, at Portland, some time in May 1780, and I understood it was for the term of three years or during the War. I knew of his continuing in said service till about the middle of December 1780, when I returned home, and left the said Joel Littlefield in the service.
Samuel Shackford
Aug t 14, 1818.
I Gideon Hanscom of Lyman in the county of York, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty one years, testify and say, that I knew of Joel Littlefield being in the continental service in the revolutionary War in September 1780, he was then in Captain Moore's company of Artillery. I understood the said Joel was enlisted for three years or during the war, but I am not knowing to his continuance in the service for more than two or three months afterwards. I further testify, that owing to the reduced circumstances of the said Joel Littlefield, he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. Gideon Hanscom
Aug t 14, 1818.

Schedule of the Documents furnished in the case of Salt Ludlowfield -

Schedule of Documents furnished in the case of Joel Littlefield whose pension has been suspended for further evidence of his services in the Continental Army of the Revolutionary war.
Kennedy Me. Dec 7 1826.
No 1. The deposition of John Hanscom now in the Department furnished by said Littlefield through the agency of Hon W m Burleigh at the last session of Congress. No 2. The certificate of the select men of Litchfield and of the Hon D. C. Burr in support of the character of John Hanscom. has been forwarded No 3. The certificate the secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts respecting Joel Littlefield & the army rolls of 1780 & 1782. No 4. The Deposition of Joseph Gilpatrick in support of the services of Joel Littlefield. No 5. The Deposition of Sam l Shockford in support of the services of Joel Littlefield.
Baruch Palmer.

U.S. Old War & Navy MAY 2 1889 DIVISION
RENSSELAER U.S.A. MAY 27 1889 OFFICE

Kennebec, Me., May 23 1889
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Sir:—
I am informed that my grandfather, Joel Littlefield of Wells, Maine, was a revolutionary soldier who enlisted in said Wells and died in Lyman, Maine, in 1842, or thereabouts.
That he drew a pension soon after he came out of the army, that he also so drew the same near the close of his life, and that there was an interim of several years during which he did not draw his pension, and that I claim as one of his heirs that the amount due and never paid should be paid his heirs.
I am unable to give further information at the present writing.
Will the department kindly inform me, what evidence will be necessary to substantiate these facts, and whether the records do not show my information in the premises correct?
Very Resp'y, Samuel Littlefield by W. L. Dane

June 1. 1889
In answer to your communication of 25 th ult as one of the heirs. claiming that there was an interim of several years when the pension of Joel Littlefield a Rev. Soldier & resident of Maine, was not paid, you are advised that under the first hospice act passed by Congress - March 18. 1818 - for the benefit of those Soldiers, he was allowed a pension, when in 1825 a malicious person alleged that Littlefield did not serve the required 9 months service on the Continental establishment to entitle him to the pension. - His pension was suspended until he could more specifically detail his militia & continental tours of duty, which being satisfactory, his pension was restored from the date of the last semi annual payment & the payments regularly continued until his death in 1838.