Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,773, for Samuel F Merrick, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Merrick, Samuel F
S. 1,773.
CONTENTS
carded

1931. Massachusetts
Samuel F. Merrill
of Hampden in the State of Maine who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain of the Reg't commanded by Col. Pease in the of the  Reg't time for 1 Year Sergeants (Mater) 2 (two) Privates }
Col. A. H. Vinton Augt 28. 1844 Capt. J. Millard Feb 6. '46.
Inscribed on the Roll of Meals at the rate of 246 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of March 1832 and sent to Justin Willard Springfield Me.    Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832  $ 369.00    Pensional allowance ending 2 (two)  123.32     $ 493.32  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. B. Blair Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 67.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 3388 County of Hampshire 3388
Sustin Willard
Chiefs of the Court of Probate held at Springfield in & for said County on the 4 th day of January (by adjournment from the 2 d instant) do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Samuel F. Merrick late of Wilbraham in said County deceased was a Pensioner of the United States on account of services rendered by him in the Revolutionary war as Surgeon's Mate at the rate of $246.46 per annum that he died at said Wilbraham on the 22 d day of July A.D. 1836 leaving no widows - other that he left five children who still survive and whose names are - Samuel F. Merrick - Mary M. Morley (widow) - Catharine Barton wife of Ebenezer Barton - George Merrick & Lucy M. Forward wife of George Forward.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this fourth day of January A.D. 1844
Sustin Willard Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
On this eighth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate now sitting at Springfield within & for said County of Hampden Samuel F. Merrill a resident of Wilbraham in said County aged eighty years & in his eighty first year who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following circumstances viz: In the month of April seventeen hundred & seventy five he resided at said Wilbraham & being a practicing Physician was not enrolled in the Militia but he then volunteered to go to Cambridge in defence of his country. he then enlisted into the company commanded by Capt James Harriman of said Wilbraham, & marched with said company to Cambridge near Boston & there served one month between the time of the Lexington Battle & the Battle of Bunker's Hill. all the Massachusetts militia which could be induced or compelled to go were at then at said Cambridge & were under command of General Ward from Shrewsbury Mass n . Gen. Danielson from Springfield & Gen. Shepard from Westfield, who were then Colonels were also there in command but had only guard duty & to perform during this period. at the expiration of said one month he had leave to go home as did all others of his company who wished so to do, their services being not then wanted. this permission was from his Captain, & he had no other discharge For the service he offers the deposition of Deacon Calvin Merrill who was with him in said service
That on the first of January seventeen hundred & seventy six he again enlisted as a surgeon's Mate for one year, in the Regiment of Mass s Troops commanded by Elitha Porter Esq. - Lieut Col Thomas Williams Maj Abner Morgan, he then received a warrant as surgeon's mate from the Executive Authority of the State Under he has no record & can not find
1 month
1 year

altho he has made diligent search therefor - soon after his appointment he marched to Canada & penetrated that country one hundred Miles beyond Montreal, with said Regiment & joined the Army on their retreat from Quebec at a place called Sorell, said Army was then commanded by General Thomas, who was there taken with the Small pox & brought to Chamblee where he died, & was there buried, the Applicant attended him in his sickness & was present at his funeral & is therefore able to correct Professor Gilman who states in his Power in Canada that 5 th General Thomas died & was buried at Sorell - he served out this whole period of one year in the Office & capacity of Sergeant, mate as aforesaid and was discharged at Fishkill in New York State in the last of December, his Regiment was then & there dissolved by its own limitation & was disbanded - no one receiving a written discharge - said Regiment was raised by the State but by resolve of Congress all State troops raised for one year should be converted continental troops - as was the case with 5 th Regiment.
After the death of General Thomas the Army was commanded by General Schuyler - in which were Gen. Grafton - General for Poor - & Gen. Arnold
To corroborate his statement as to this last mentioned period of service the Applicant refers the Hon. Secretary of War to an application made by him in the year eighteen hundred & twenty nine (1829) he thinks it was in the Spring - said Application was supported by the Depositions of Elizabeth Green & others - Bliss which he supposes are now on file in the Pension Office, & he states that both said witnesses are now deceased, - & he knows of no one living now, who was with him in said service & whose testimony he can now procure - he however offers the testimony of Abigail Merrick his Mother as to what he knows on the subject.
Again in September eighteen hundred and twenty seven when Burgoyne was on his Marches from Canada, triumphant to N. York, this Applicant like many others disregarding

his rank as an Officer, enlisted as a private soldier in the Dutch-Quiltin under Capt James Shaw & marched to Saratoga where he joined the Army under command of General Gates - he with his comrades marched thro. Mansfield, Westfield, Williamstown to Saratoga - he was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, he was not actually engaged in any battle but was very near the battle of the Heights of October 1777 - there were three Generals Officers at that time whom the Applicant remembers viz: Gen. Lincoln - Gen. Arnold - Gen. Fellows &c - This enlistment was for three months unless sooner discharged - but on the surrender of Burgoyne the records were not wanted & he was discharged at said Saratoga - by verbal order communicated by the Capt. V. James Shaw - as to this last period he knows of no person living who was with him & therefore can offer no better evidence than that of his Brother Chilesab Merrick whose deposition is herewith presented - he has resided at said Wilbraham every since the revolutionary war - he was born there the fourteenth of Sep. old style recorded at Springfield of which Wilbraham was then a part - He hereby relinquishes every claim theretofore to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Saml P. Merrill
I Israel G. Rose a clergyman settled in the ministry in the town of Wilbraham above named, & Chilesab D. Merrick an inhabitant of said Wilbraham being duly sworn on our oaths, state that we are well acquainted with Samuel P. Merrick who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age - & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier & surgeon in the Revolutionary war & that we concur in that opinion.
Israel G. Rose Chilesab B. Merrick
not for

And the said Court - Present the Honorable Oliver B. Morris Judge, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Israel G. Rose who has signed the proceedings certificate is a layment resident in the town of Wilbraham in said County and that Chiles B. Merrick who has also signed the same is a resident in said Wilbraham and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Justin Willard Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Follenrich for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Justin Willard Register

Sam l F. Merritt
Pension Application
March 10 29
Copy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss:
On this seventeenth day of March 1829 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas the same being a Court of Record & so established by a Statute of said Commonwealth said Court being now in session at Springfield within & for said County of Hampden, Samuel F. Merrick aged seventy seven years resident in Wilbraham in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: - In January A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy six he was appointed a surgeon's mate in Col. Elisha Porter's regiment of the Massachusetts line, and that he served in that capacity as aforesaid until the thirty first day of December of the same year when said Regiment was disbanded, the term for which it was raised having then expired. That his warrant or commission as surgeon's mate was received under the authority of this State & signed by a majority of the executive Council, that said warrant or commission has been missing for about ten years past & within that period he has often made diligent search for the same, but has never been able to find it, amongst any of his papers. or elsewhere. That he served during the period aforesaid which was more than eleven months in the continental army against the common enemy.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of any 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 18 th day of March 1818 & 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, & by me subscribed.
Schedule
   About 5 acres of land with a house and out buildings, standing thereon $ 900.00   32 acres of Do 590.00   2 cows $25 - 1 steer $10.00 one horse $52 87.00   1 clock $35 - 18 sheeps $7.00 - 2 looking glasses 9.00 51.00   one can of drawers $5 - 2 do with drawers $1.00 6.00   1 trunk $1.50 - 1 loom $2.00 - 2 stands $1.50 5.00   2 tables $6. 3 pr. tongs & 1 slice $1.50 7.50   1 pr andirons 50 2 iron kettles $1.00 1.50   1 pot 50 1 shovel 25 75   1 tea kettle $1.00 one Baker do $1.00 2.00   1 iron baron 25 2 old brass kettles $2. 2.25   28 earthen plates 92 2 platters 75 1.67   2 sets cups & saucers 75 3 sets knives & forks 1.50 2.25   8 silver spoons $3.00 2 candlesticks 50 3.50   1 pr snuffers 12 1 tea pot 50 62   3 tin pots 75 1 old silver cup $15.00 15.75   1 tea canister 12 two darning forks 60 75  

  one ox-yoke 50 1 chain $25.00 25.50   1 plough $1.50 2 chains $1.50 3.00   1 cart $15.00 - 1 harrow $1.75 16.75   6 volumes of books 4.98   1727.75 
amounting in all to the sum of seventeen hundred and twenty seven dollars & seventy four cents Samuel Fish Merrick
Sworn to and declared on the seventeenth day of March 1829 Before David Cummings J. E. Pleas
I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule here to 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 Seventeen Hundred & twenty seven Dollars & Seventy four cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the seal of said Court on this thirtieth day of March A.D. 1829 John Ingersoll Clerk of the Court for the County of Hampden

I Reuben Bliss now residing in Monson in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull Age, do testify and say that in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six I enlisted for the whole year into the continental or revolutionary Army in the Regiment commanded by Elisha Porter Esquire Colonel; and that I actually served more than Nine months in said Regiment in the same year, during all which time Samuel Fiske Merrick, then and still of Wilbraham in the then County of Hampshire, now County of Hampshire aforesaid, did serve in the said Regiment, as Sergeant's Mate, and how much longer the Deponent saith not -
Reuben Bliss
Hampshire ss
On the ninth day of March A.D. 1829 Reuben Bliss, the aforesaid deponent, personally appeared; and after being duly examined and sworn, made solemn oath to the truth of the aforesaid deposition by him subscribed - Taken at the request of the said Samuel Fiske Merrick, and to be used on the application of the said Samuel Fiske Merrick to the Government of the United States of America for a pension -
Before me William Knight, Justice of the Peace.
Hampshire ss. I do hereby certify that the said Reuben Bliss, is a man of truth and veracity - William Knight Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss.
I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampden do certify that William Knight Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within paper was at the date thereof a justice of the Peace within & for said County duly Commissioned & acting under the Authority of this Commonwealth - and that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to his acts & attestations done in that capacity, and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said William Knight
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred & twenty Nine
John Ingersoll Clerk of Court

Rejected. See letter to Miles and Bliss May 21, 1829 see to Apr. 1829

I Eliphalet Green now residing in Belchertown in the County of Hampshire and commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that in the year seventeen Hundred seventy six I entered for the whol year into the continental or revo- -lutionary Army in the Regiment comman- -ded by Elisha Porter Esquire Colonel and that I actually served more than Nine Months in said Regiment in the same year during all which time Samuel Fisk Merrick then and still of Wilbraham in the then County of Hampshire aforesaid now County of Hamp- -den did serve in the said Regiment as surgeons Mate and had much longer the Deponent saith not
Eliphalet Green
Hampshire ss
On the fourth day of March A.D. 1829 Personally Appeared Eliphalet Green the aforesaid Deponent, and after being duly exam- -ined cautioned and sworn Made solemn Oath to the truth of the aforesaid deposition by him subscribed - Taken at the request by said of Samuel Fisk Merrick and to be used on the application of the said Samuel Fisk Merrick to the govern- -ment of the United States of America for a pension
Before me Justus Forward Justice of the Peace Hampshire ss I do hereby certify that the said Eliphalet Green is esteemed a man of truth and veracity Justus Forward Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss.
I, SOLOMON STODDARD, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire, do certify that Justus Porward Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth—and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given, to his acts and attestations done in that capacity—and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the hand writing of the said Justus Porward
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine ,
S Stoddard Clerk of the Court

Rev. Mar.
174/3
✓ INVALID.
File No. 1778
Daniel G. Merrick. Ing. Schu. Mass. Inst.
Act: June 7. 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]

20986
Maps.
Samuel J. Merrick
Hampden County
Mass.
act 18 March 1818
Rejected
See letter 20 May 1829 to Messrs. Willard & Bliss

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sept. 7. 1845.
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 Samuel P. Merrick is borne upon a Roll of Capt James Shaw's Company Col Charles Tyng's reg t under Command of Genl Gates as a Private from September 24 to October 18. 1777. 32 days including allowance of 142 miles travel. Not upon rolls of Col. Porter's reg t . and the above is all the evidence of service of any one of the name as shown by the records in this office.

B. 703.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Berrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The subscriber who is the eldest son of Samuel F. Merrill late of Wilbraham in the County of Hampshire deceased, for himself & on behalf of the other surviving children of said deceased, hereby respectfully requests, that the Secretary of the Commonwealth would furnish evidence from the rolls in his Office of the service of said Samuel F. Merrill deceased, in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the town of Wilbraham in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts & enlisted from the same town. He however first went as a volunteer Private to Charlestown in June 1775 & was in service there about three months at Drummer Hill or elsewhere. In this town of service, his children do not know to what particular company or corps he was attached. Afterward in the Spring of the year 1776, he enlisted from said Wilbraham as a Sergeant  Mate in Col. Porter's Regiment, & by some written memoranda of his now in our possession it seems he rec d at Hadley as wages, from Col. Porter, the sum of £14, in April 1776 and again at Crown Point the sum of £1.16 &c - the latter was in July 1776. In this term of service which continued a little more than a year, He marched to Canada with said Regiment doing duty as Sergeant  Mate , as at the Capture of  Drummond's Again in September 1777, descending from his Rank in the Staff, he left home to join the Western Army as a Volunteer Private under Capt. James Shaw & Lieut. Noah Stobbins & in this capacity was at the Capture of Drummond's Army. He died at said Wilbraham in July 1837 Aged - 84 years - Sgt. Watson was the Sergeant of Col. Porter's Regiment
Samuel F. Merrill
3 own

To the Intendant of the Pension Office }
Enclosed are the applications of Doct. J. F. Merrick and Ishmael Bowker for Pensions. It will be most convenient for the applicants that any paper or advice upon the subject matter, should be addressed to the subscribers, Counsellors at Law, Springfield Mass.
March 31 st 1829
Willard & Bliss

111 Feby. 8-1844
Miss S A. J. Miller Same of Morris for increase
Dear A. J. Miller Yours Truly

Aug 7. 1824
Sir I enclose the papers of A. J. Mullins and J. Merrick, de? with a view to the macabre of the pennies heretofore allowed them.
I am Respectfully
Yours &
H. H. Bylond
Hon. J. Edwards

Sir Please report 1. Mr. Williams H. H. S.
W. H. H. Sylvester Esq. Washington City D.C.

Springfield Mass th Dec 6 - 1845
Dear Sir
some one or two years ago I rec d a line from you in relation to arrangements of Pension to which the heirs of certain persons attach to the medical staff in the Rev. Army. After so long a time I have procured the certificate of the Sec y of State of Mass. in relation to the evidence of service of Sam l F. Merrill. You have already some papers from me in relation to this case - & I hope you will be able to obtain a certificate for the arrangements. Should this case succeed - I shall pursue that of the heirs of A. D. Miller some papers in relation to which are also in your possession. Mr. Ashmun on Representation will hand you this & will I doubt not render any assistance proper for him, & should you obtain a certificate. Please forward it only to me - & do me please address any communication on the subject.
I have rec d an intimation that the heirs of Capt. Lieut. (Capt. by brevet) John Bryant of the Artillery, who died between 20 & 30 years ago, & who was Capt. of Artillery in the Rev. war. & who lost an arm in the service. I rec d a Pension of some $700 (Fisher) during his life. has something due him in cash & land - Should the

parts of this case fall under yr. notice. Please communicate them to me - Mr Willard is a daughter of my aunt - respectfully
H. H. Sylvester Esq. Washington D.C.
your affec. son
Bustin Willard
P.S. I enclose the Certificate of our Lev. of State

Samuel F. Morrick
Appl d for Pension
12 months in office
2 months a private
11/1866.
1 Year Sergeant's Male
2 Months Private
Admitted
$246.66
Justin Millard Esq Springfield Mass

I Chichester B. Merrick of Wilbraham in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age I testify and say that in April in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy five Samuel D. Merrick of said Wilbraham enlisted as a volunteer with me under James Warrens Captain, we marched to Cambridge and both of us served in the Army of this State Troop about one month the exact time I do not recollect. And I do further testify that in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy five the said Samuel D. Merrick was appointed a Sergeant's Mate in the Regiment commanded by Eliza Porter Colonel and that he served in that capacity the whole of the year, which I knew as well as I could know not being present with him in the Army during which time when he set out and when he returned.
And I further state that in September Seventeen hundred and seventy seven the said Samuel D. Merrick enlisted as a volunteer under James Shaw Captain and marched to the Northern Army and was gone a month this I as well know as I could of any thing not being present, and in all that time there it was well understood in the neighborhood and frequently talked of and never doubted that he so served.
Chichester B. Merrick
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } 88. County of Hampshire }
On this eighth day of August A.D. 1882 personally appeared Chichester B. Merrick & subscribed & made oath to the above deposition before me. Justin Willard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court of Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that Justice Willard Esq. before whom the within Deposition was executed is a justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that his name thereto subscribed is his true & genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

To the Hon: Commissioner of Pensions Washington City District of Columbia - Samuel F. Merrick of Wilbraham in the County of Hampden & State of Massachusetts son & heir of Samuel F. Merrick late of Wilbraham in the County of Hampden deceased, would respectfully represent, that the said Samuel F. Merrick deceased was a Revolutionary pensioner of the U. States receiving a pension of $246 & some cents per annum as Surgeon on Surgeons route & for services rendered in that capacity in the war of the Revolution. That he died at said Wilbra- ham on the twenty second day of July A.D. 1836. leaving no widow. but that he left the following named children & heirs to wit - Samuel F. Merrick Mary M. Morley Catherine Barton George Merrick Lucy M. Forrester
And the said Samuel F. Merrick, child & heir as aforesaid now respectfully asks that a reexamination of the claim of sd Samuel F. Merrick deceased may be made & that any & all additional sums or arrearages of Pensions due sd deceased may be allowed and

to the Petitioner on behalf of himself and his Mother & Sister Abenacama - having reference particularly to any increase of pension which, under any regulations or decisions of the Pensions Department, may remain in arrears due & unpaid to the claimant in his life time -
Samuel F. Merrick by Joseph W. Merrill his Atty -
Albert Merrill