Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24115, for Daniel Littlefield, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Littlefield, Daniel Eldridge, Hannah or Eldrige
W.24115
CONTENTS
Widow's second husband Amos Eldridge, served in a privateer
Former widow

See letter to Hon. M. H. Sibley H. R. Jan. 11. 1838 cc. E. E. Bourne, May 8: '39
Maine 1283
Hannah Eldridge
widow of Daniel Littlefield
Mass
who died on the year 1779 of York Co. in the Free & Maine
who was a Capt. & Major in the by Captain of the Regt. commanded by Col. Frost in the Maine
time for 6 months Capt. 120.00 19 days Major 31.66
$151.66
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 151 Dollars 66 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11. day of August 1837 and sent to E. E. Bourne Pembunk, Maine
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 910.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sept. 75.83
$985.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D. Brann Clerk, Book A - Vol. 2 - Page 5

I Petiah Littlefield of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, husbandman seven- ty five years of age, do on oath testify and de- clare, that my father Noal M c Littlefield, was a cap- tain and Lieut Colonel during most of the Revo- lutionary war - that Daniel Littlefield who was a near neighbour of my father was also a cap- tain in the service of the United States - was af- terwards a Major and was killed in the expe- dition to Penobscot in the year 1779 - I do not remember the particular periods of service of either of them - but I will remember, that both my father and Captain Daniel Littlefield were both Captains of companies enlisted for the defense of the sea coast - called the "beach companies" - They were both with their companies at Portland when it was burnt - they were also both with their companies stationed at Ketty point - While at the latter place, I went on to see my father - they were engaged in building a fort - I was there about a fortnight - Capt Daniel Littlefield's company quartered in the Old Pepperell house - I cannot say how long they were there; but according to my best recollection, it must have been about six weeks - My father's beach company was enlisted for six months - I cannot tell how long Captain Daniel Littlefield's company

enlisted for all I remember is, that my father and Daniel Littlefield were together with their companies most of the time - and together left Nittery Point and soon after with their companies went to Cambridge - Both of them were at Cambridge with their companies before General Washington took command - and both were there until the British were driven out of Boston - My father went from there to Ticonderoga being promoted to be a Lieutenant Colonel - I do not remember at what time Capt Daniel Littlefield left Cam- bridge - or where he went from that place - The war service commenced soon after Lexington battle in 1775 - I think Captain Daniel Littlefield was all the time in the service from the time when the head companies were enlisted until he left Cambridge - I do further testify that Hannah Eldridge now liv- ing in Wells was the widow of said Daniel having been married before the Revolutionary war - and that she afterwards married Amos Eldridge, who went to sea in 1871 and has never since been heard of.
Esther Littlefield
State of Maine
York ss. March 28 1837. Personally appeared Ela- ther Littlefield who is a respectable  credible citizen and a respectable citizen witness credible witness and made out to the truth of the foregoing de- claration by him subscribed
Before me Edward E Bourne Justice of the Peace

I Abner Fish of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, Husbandman, do on oath testify and declare that I enlisted in a company under the command of Captain Daniel Littlefield of Wells, in the service of the United States, in Dec 1776 for the term of three months - Nathl Berrut was first Lieu- tenant, Elias Jacobs second Lieutenant - We went to Danbury in New York - to North Castle - to Peck's Kill - where we staid time out and were discharged We were in Col Frost's Regiment - I was sergeant of the company - I was allowed, I believe, in my per- sion but three months. But I was absent about four months - I further say that said Daniel Lit- tlefield was a faithful officer - and in recruiting and enlisting his company - and in the service at New York, he must have been four months - The said Daniel went as Major on the expedition to Penobscot in the year 1779 - and was then killed I further say that Hannah Eldridge widow of Amos Eldridge now living in Wells, was the wife of said Daniel at the time of his death -
State of Maine
Abner Fish
Yorl ss. March 29 1837. Personally appeared Abner Fish who is a respectable citizen and credible wit- ness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed - Before me
Edward E. Bourn Judge of the Peace
I Ezekiel Wakefield of Kennebunk in the County of York and State of Maine, Gentleman, do on oath testify and de- clare, that about the first of January 1776, I enlisted in the service of the United States, for the term of two months, in a company which was commanded by Captain Daniel Little- field of Wells - We went went immediately to Cambridge where

we staid our time out - We were in the Regiment of Colonel Little of Voluntary part - I was sergeant of the Com.pany - After our time was out we were requested to continue in the service fifteen days longer - The Regiment voted, and most of them determined to stay. I further say that said Daniel Littlefield continued in the service as Captain of said Com. company, said two months and fifteen days - and returned home with me at the end of said term - Said Daniel afterwards went as Major on the expedition to Pumbrook and was there killed by a ball from the enemy -
Witness E. E. Bourne
Ebenezer
hi Wakefield
State of Maine
York ss. March 30 1837. Personally appeared Ebenezer Wakefield who is a respectable citizen and credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed -
Before me
Edward E. Bourne
Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
York county ss.
I Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the State and county aforesaid, hereby certify that Edward E. Bourne Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the county of York aforesaid, and that his signatures hereunto annexed are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this third day of April, 1837.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Reg. Prob. York county

Application v 1723
V 713 Hannah Oldridge wid of Dr Littlefield Munroe
Res age 11
Adm s h m c capt 120 " 19 d s m c 31 66 per ann $ 151. 66 commg 4 March 1831

State of Maine
York County ss. On this third day of April 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said County, Hannah Eldridge a resident of Wells in said County and State, aged eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, 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 4 1836. That she was the widow of Daniel Littlefield who was a Captain and a Major in the Army of the Revolution - She has no knowledge of the precise length of each term of said Daniel's service - But she believes he was continually in the service from the time of Lexington Battle or soon afterwards, till the spring of 1776, being Captain of a company called the Beach, or Sea coast company - that he was at Portland with his company immediately after it was burnt, and was also six weeks at Military Point - where she went and staid herself one night - that during the course of the year 1775, her house was a head quarters for the soldiers, where they prepared their bullets, cartridges and bayonets - But she does not remember, how long this first service was - who were his other officers, or whether he was drafted, or enlisted in the service - all she knows is that he was continually in the service of his country - He was also Captain of a

company at Cambridge in the latter part of said year, and the winter of 1776, - when he was in Colonel Little's Regiment - she believes about three months, after the expiration of his time there he returned home. In the latter part of the year 1776, he again entered the service as Captain - and afterwards went with his company to New York - to Danbury, Pecks hill &c. He was there in the Regiment of Col Frost - and was in the service four months . Nathaniel Bement was his Lieutenant -
In the year 1779, he was commissioned or was appointed, or drafted as Major to go on the expedition to Penobscot - He was there under the command of Col or General Wardsworth - and while endeavouring to take the point of land on which the enemy had built a breast work, a shot from the enemy struck him, being then in a boat and he was killed - After this unsuccessful attempt to take possession of the British posts, the expedition was abandoned and the troops returned home having been absent two months - No papers, or any other article of her husband's were saved - so that she has now none of his commissions, or any other papers relative to his services, they having been all taken with him - Neither has she ever received a cent from the State or United States - At the time of all his services said Daniel lived in Wells.
She further declares that she was married to the said Daniel Littlefield on the third day of May seventeen hundred and seventy 8 and that

her husband the said Major Sammie Littlefield was, killed as aforesaid in the service of her country in 1779 - that four years afterwards, she was mar- ried to Amos Eldridge who was also in the service in a private - the said Amos Eldridge went to sea in 1801 - and sailed on a voyage to India and was never afterwards heard of - She was a wid- ow at the time of the passage of the Act before named, and has been ever since the decease of said Amos El- dridge in 1801 - as will appear by the proof annexed -
Hannah Eldridge
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written Before Wm. A. Hays Judge of said Court
State of Maine.
I Wm. Cutter Allen, Registrar of the Court of Probate for the county of York, hereby certify that the said Hannah Eldridge appeared in open court and made oath to the above declaration, and I further certify that the Hon. Wm. A. Hays is the Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid, and that his signature hereunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this third day of April, 1837.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Reg. Prob. York Co.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24115
Hannah Eldridge Wid of Daniel Littlefield Capt Rev War
Act July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. A, Page 215
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hannah Aldridge wid of Amos D. sum of wife of said Littlefield. Me Let. E. E. Borne June 1. 1837 - do. to same 15. July 1837
Act 4 p 9 1836

Major Little field 20 days in 1779 Penobscot Expedition killed 25/105
1779
Cuts' Co. of Little field Det. was 2 h. 104, Vd. mo. in Man

To Mrs Hannah Littlefield at
Wells by
favor of Mr Lawyer

Prospect Hill 3 rd N o 1776
Dear Wife this line comes to let you know that I am Well and Hope that they will find you the same and I want to hear from you very much and think very hard that you dont sent me a letter before now and I want to hear how you and further cares on I let you know we have begun last night to bombard Boston and have shot three morters and hurt only 2 men and they have at Prosbery we exchanged about 20 Burns Last nite and several to day one they have from Boston Common to Prospect Hill and it fell in the fort on the platform and went through the platform and went into the frozen ground and there was about two thousand of us upon the lines the hardest of us want more there fore Rod of areas of the shell fell about 3 feet from me and John Hatch Lade between Me and it and it didnt nobody Mr Burnham was very much startled at it He laid by Me we shall have three more morters down to nite and it will be A Hottler nite to nite and it was last nite and I am in hast But Remember Me to friends and tel Mrs Bukland her husband has been sick but is a little better so he goes about again this is 13 Sick in the company but is getting better our people is a going to Dorchester Hill to morrow nite and then they expect a heavy battle I am in hast But Remember Me to the Dear Children and tell them that they have  have  not  not yet have forgot them yet But I remain yours Loving Husband til Death Daniel Littlefield

But if you Rile to Me by A stranger Perch to be left At Stedmonds The Line of the Lile house in Cambridge and their i Shall gittit I Shall Rile to you Every Opulently But Send A Letter by Capt. Sawyer

Mrs Hannah Lillifield at Webb by favor of Mr Kimble

Prospect Hill February 28 th 1876 Your wife this is to inform you that I am well and all the men but one I have John Cook Smith Regiment of Ipswich and Mr Burnham is Adjutant of the Regiment Brother Nash is gone to Prospect I Goyne this Regiment in the Room of Nubery Port they have raised No Men their is great Preparation a making there to Bombarding Boston I want to hear from you all soon for I am in hurry about you and want to hear from you Tell the Children that their father is well and wants to see them But I am in haste and and remain your Loving Husband Till Death
Daniel Littlefield
Joshua Cain is gone to the Asylum With the Drummers But is a little Better all the rest of the men is well

2 M o To
Daniel Littlefield
In
Wells With By former John Littlefield

Dear Wife this comes to you to let you know that I am and in God's health at present & hope they will find you the same and the children and all friends I haven't seen Brother this week for we ain't allowed to go to Cambridge for he lay upon our arms all the time I have nothing in particular only that there was a Negro killed in the fort and won them wounded in two places we haven't done much now believe I want to tell you every Monday to time now you tell me how we had a very heavy storm last night I have very annoying company and a set of difficulty with them when the Congress split the gun went into Boston it killed men 3 women & 3 children we could hear them out to our lines I only write only to your self to let you know how we are on I don't know when we shall move the money I have none money by me now Black Hawk's Is 3:45 P.M. A pleas I long to see you & the children I am Hast and remain your loving husband
Daniel Littlefield
We lifted out of the trenches four thousand men to go to Boston if the troops come out at Dover But they didn't our people drew up in front of Boston and that prevented them from coming out

Statement of the Evidence
Vol 26 p 23
May - July 6 th July 25 th 79

Sturminster Newton April 5 1837 —
Dr Sir
Accompanying this is the application of Hannah Eldridge for a Pension —
The following is her claim — with a brief account of the evidence in support of the different portions of it.
  Service as Captain from June 18 1775 to March 15 18 1776 —  8 1/2 Months    Captain in New York — 1777 —  4. Months    Major at Penobscot 1779 —  2 Months     14 1/2 Months  
First service — The evidence is not what I should wish in regard to more than little over 4. months.
Deposition of Ezekiel Wakefield proves the service from Jan 1 1776 to March 15 — 2 1/2 months — Patatuck Littlefield's deposition proves that he was Captain of the seacoast company in 1775 — 6. weeks at Kelley Point, 1 week at Portland — that he was also at Cambridge before Gen Washington took command which was the first of July, and until after the British left Boston — But during the same time he says that he was at Kelley Point and at Portland — Some of the Brattle company, among the rest that of James Hubbard, as appears by the Pension application of Joshua Gillepatrick (I suppose from minutes by me) marched to Cambridge and there stood their term out — Probably Capt Littlefield's company was there before being at Kelley — or perhaps he had clay

of another company for 4 months, or that was the period for which some of the companies were in the service — Littlefield who is a very honest man and a member of the Congregational church, is positive he was all the time in the service from the beginning of the war until he came home from Cambridge in March or April 1876. — He was one of the best officers, according to the account of the witnesses who have testified — and perhaps he was a part of the time entertaining soldiers, being a popular and influential man — I cannot but hope that some evidence will be found on the files at Warrenton in regard to the seacoast and Cambridge service — Mrs. Littlefield's testimony is that he was in the Regt of Col. Little of Newbury — it will be seen by one of the old letters accompanying this, which she found after making her declaration that he went into Col. Smith's Regt. — Perhaps the Rolls of both Regiments will show some thing of the time of service — I could get many witnesses that he was captain of the Beall Company, but no one knows the length of term — All the rest were 6 months. If his service was the same that with the 21 st would make it as Pettit Littlefield states in his deposition — I leave it however with the Department to do what is right —
2 d Service. 4 Months in New York — Proved by deposition of Abner Fish — The widow was positive that he was over 4 months in this service —
3 d Service Major at Penobscot where he was killed — I believe 2 months was allowed to all those who were on this expedition — When Littlefield was killed the expedition was broken up — I petitioned at the last session of Congress that she might be allowed her pension notwithstanding her intermarriage — and the Bill was reported which is here with sent — I only forward this to show the opinion of the committee that the whole term ought to be allowed — She was probably killed not more than 10 days before the rest reached their homes —

I have endeavoured to obtain all possible evidence in this case - but there have been so many deaths within a few years among the old soldiers - and the memory of those who are alive, is so indistinct, especially in regard to what they did or when they went themselves, that it is now very difficult to prove definitely, what we could prove with the truth a few years ago -
On going to the town records, after completing all the rest of the papers, I found the marriage was not recorded - as was the case with a great many others - in some towns there are no records of marriages at this time - and when they were made, they are so scattered about that it was difficult to find them - I found the Intention of Marriage as stated - and then took the 2 d Deposition of Abigail Littlefield to prove the marriage - That the applicant was his wife also appears by the letter & the Deposition of Abigail Fisk - The 2 d marriage (being an extraterrestrial fact, I proceeded she is a widow now) is also proved by Lett re Fisk - her present widowhood by same.
The only difficulty in the case is in regard to the first pension - I hope a liberal construction will be put upon the case in regard to that - she was left destitute with 5 children by the death of her husband in the service of his country, and never received a cent of pay or any thing else on his account
Respectfully,
Your obt Servt
E E Bourne
Hon J L Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions

Deposition of Petah Lilliefeld & Merold Gelman Abner Fish and Ezekiel Wakefield

I Petahat Littlefield of Wells in the town ty of York and State of Maine, Husbandman, do on oath testify and declare that Mayor Daniel Littlefield who was killed in the service of the United States at Penobscot in 1779, and who was Captain of the local company my company in Wells and at Killington, who was at Cambridge and in the State of New York, in the Revolutionary War, as stated in my former deposition, was Daniel Littlefield 3 d then being the other of that name older than himself then living in Wells. I do further testify, that I well remember when said Daniel Littlefield was married to Hannah Love though I was not at the wedding - I remember when they moved into their house, being the next to my father's. I was small in the house and all over it at the time, I was always at home then as much as in my father's house. The said Daniel and Hannah had six children. Three of them are now living - and were all born after before the Revolutionary war - they were mar- ried about 1770 - I do further testify that Hannah Littlefield who was the wife and widow of said Daniel was after- wards married to Amos Eldredge and that she is now living in Wells as the widow of said Amos Eldredge. Petahat Littlefield
State of Maine
York ss. April 4 th 1837. Personally appeared Petahat Littlefield who is a respectable citizen and a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed. Before me -
Edward E. Brown Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
— York County
Wells April 5. 1837
"Daniel Littlefield the third and Hannah Lord both of Wells their intention of Marriage was entered the 17 th day of March 1770" I certify that the above is a true extract from Wells Town Records and that there appears to be no Record of the Marriage of the above named persons. — Attest Nich l Gilman Town Clerk
State of Maine
York ss. ss. April 5 1837. Personally appeared Nicholas Gilman who is a respectable citizen and credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
ss. I Wm. Littlefield, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the State and county aforesaid, hereby certify that Edward E. Bourne, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said county of York, and that his signatures hereunto annexed are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal offered this third day of April, 1837.
Wm. Littlefield, Clerk Prob. Court Co.

Disposition of Asa Lewis to be used in the case of Harriet Eldridge

I Asa Low of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine, Husbandman, do aged eighty years, do on oath testify and declare, that I worked, as a hired man with Captain Daniel Littlefield in the years 1775, 1776, and 1777 - I do further testify, that said Captain Daniel Littlefield, was in the service of the United States, or the State, from the beginning of the war until the spring of 1776 - He was absent all this time as Captain of a company, excepting short visits of a week or ten days, which he made to his home during the time - My memory is certain in regard to this, as I had the whole charge of the farm - He was at Nittery Point, I am confident as much as three months - I was sent there to see him after he had been there a good while, and he was there with his company a good while afterwards - After that his company guarded the beach until he went to Cambridge - Some nights he guarded and watched himself - I know, for a certainty that there was no time during the aforementioned period, in which he was not in the service - From thence he now marched with his company to Cambridge, - a part of another company was added to his - and some new ones enlisted - I went with the company as far as York - He was absent from home in this service three months -
I do further testify that said Daniel Littlefield was in the service of the United States, at Pechskill, I think it was, in New York, in 1777 - a part of

two or three companies were joined together under him - He had the names of being as good an officer as ever was in the army - He was afterwards Mayor on the expedition to Penobscot - where he was supposed to be killed, as a ball struck the boat in which he was - The boat sunk, and he went down, without any exertion to save himself - I often heard him tell how there were two companies at New York - the Captains of which not knowing how, got him to march their companies on to the parade - During the first year, when they were guarding the beach, the company used to meet once or twice a week at his house - I am positive, that he was all the time before he went to Cambridge, guarding the beach - he had the whole care of that business - and the business and at Ritten Point -
Witness E. B. Bourne.
Asa X Love Mark
State of Maine
York ss. July 3 d 1837 Personally appeared Asa Love, who is a credible witness, and a respectable citizen and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
Before me.
Edward E. Bourne Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
York ss.
I Mr. Nathan Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the state and county aforesaid, hereby certify that Edward D. Browne Esq; is a Justice of the peace within and for said county of York, and that his signature hereunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifth day of July 1837.
Wm. Nathan Allen Regt. Prob. York Co.

Dr Sir
Wernersville me July 7. 1837
Your letter of the 1 st of June in relation to the applications of Charity Lord, and Hannah Eldridge for pension, was duly received - I was thereon notified that the Mass. Rolls afforded no evidence of the service of John Lord, as Lieutenant - and of Daniel Littlefield, the husband of Hannah Eldridge, excepting 19 days, as Mayor at Penobscot - and that no decision would be made until an examination had been made at the offices in Massachusetts.
In order that there should be no failure of a thorough examination, I now concluded to take the first opportunity, and make that examination myself - Previous however to going there, I suggested the case to Mr Palmer the Collector of this Port, who had done much of this business, and who, I knew, had spent some time in the office in Mass. in 1832, in examining the rolls - He stated to me that he well remembers two or three rolls of Capt Daniel Littlefield's companies, besides the Penobscot Expedition - He examined them all - and that I should find them at once -
I called at the Secretary's Office and stated my wishes to Mr. Bigelow chief Clerk, - who expressed much surprise that I should be directed to make any examination there - That every paper

going to afford any proof, had been sent to Washing- ton - He however directed me to Mr Flomer the old gentleman, having the charge of Revolutionary papers - He expressed also the same surprise - I stated to him the cases - He also replied, that he well remembered, both the Captain Littlefields from Wells - and that their rolls were taken - Still I spent two days in the office in endeavouring to find something, but could not which would be proper evidence, but could not -
After my return, I was informed by his daughter who lives in Kennebunk, that there was a man who had the charge of the farm, all the time while her father was gone, who lived about ten miles from here - I went to him and took the enclosed deposition. His mind is very bright and memory good and he is positive that he was in the service mor- tise than is claimed - He felt assured, so also did he Mr Eldridge, that when he went to New York, he was gone 6 months - but that there was no question whatever as to the term which he states -
Capt Daniel Littlefield is always talked of here by the old soldiers as one of the finest officers in the service - and it seems to me that such would not be the case, unless he had much opportunity to show himself such - If the law had been passed 3 years since I could prove all their claims by abundant testimony - But all in this vicinity who would be likely to have any knowledge

have died within 2 or 3 years - In regard to the 2 months at Pensylvania, I did not claim that time on account of that length of service because he was killed before it expired - But on account of his intention of serving - being prevented by the act of God and in death withheld any pay to the widow. Supported by the opinion of the Committee of Congress, I supposed that the Commissioner might reasonably allow the time Ezekiel Wakefield - Abner Fisk - and Samuel Headwell Application for Pensions are on file - There, of course, are better evidence than depositions -
I am aware that the whole evidence is not so precise and definite as could be wished - Still her case has been a hard one - Every paper connected with her husband's service were taken with him - and nothing was ever returned - If the proof therefor is not such as might be required under different circumstances, still I think that it is sufficient to establish - a service of 13 Mo.
I could find no rolls of Capt Hooper's Compa- ny in the case of Charity Lord - widow of John Lord. I suppose the present evidence is sufficient, in the absence of Record evidence - If not there are other soldiers - and I can obtain their depositions - Thomas sons deposition - and the pension application of David Sur- rel, I believe however will be satisfactory -
Respectfully,
Your Ovt Sent
E E Bourne
Hon J L Edwards Com. of Pensions.
over

NB In looking at the deposition, I see that no term is stated as to the sense in New York - The war position just that it was 5 Mo - but at any rate, it was not less than the 4 - Somehow or other I forgot to insert the term as he finally would have it - The other disjunctions however grow the term -
Hannah Eliza & J. Lord

Hennebunk Me. July 21 1837
Dr Sir.
Your last letter, in relation to the case of Hannah Eldridge, applicant for a Pension, stating that the proof was not satisfactory for more than 6 mos service of her husband Daniel Littlefield, was duly received. I thought the evidence of Lou would be sufficient to establish the beach service , as I believe it would be in connection with Col. Littlefield, in our highest courts of law. But, to guard against imposition, I am aware, that the Pension department can hardly be too rigid, in its requirements, in regard to proof of service - and I am now satisfied that these requirements have been none too rigid in this case -
On the receipt of your letter, I determined to make one more trial to establish the six months service, believing as I did that Littlefield actually performed it - and knowing that there was a pensioner in York, who was in Capt. N. H. Littlefield's company, who was at Kittery Point, I determined went to her house, and obtained the enclosed deposition - first calling on a brother of the before mentioned who though not in the service himself, well remembered the history of things on the sea road in Wells during the war - He at once, explained to me the whole difficulty - in regard to the supposed

service, other than that at Kittery point which he will remember - All the rest of his services in watching the boat, drilling & at his hour, was merely voluntary - Littlefield, he said, was a very public spirited man - always engaged in doing something for the public good - and appointed two days in every week at his hour for the company of which he was captain, and for all others for who would attend, to meet and exercise - and that his watching on the boat was "on his own hook" - This explained to me at once a part of the testimony of Low, who seems to be a very honest man - He knew of the service at Kittery Point, though, he could not tell any thing about the time - Low however says it was three months - Pelatiah Littlefield, (I think) six weeks - Joseph Winn whose deposition is enclosed, says it was but 15 days - I suppose the latter is right, from the reason which he gives - though I knew Pelatiah Littlefield, who is a member of the congregational church, to be a strictly conscientious man, whose word is to be relied on with perfect confidence - Still the confidence of Winn satisfies me that both he and Low are mistaken - though Littlefield might have been somewhere else with his company, in the service before going to Cambridge. One old woman told me that her husband was with Capt Daniel Littlefield at Kittery point - and

Portland - this was the only man whom she remembered was with her husband - she could prove but 4 Mo's beside and I was therefore obliged to abandon her case - as this was every thing I could learn from her -
That he was in the service at Kittery Point, I suppose is fully established by the declaration of the applicant - Petulant Littlefield - Dana Love - and and therefore I do not consider it necessary to be at the expense and delay of sending the enclosed deposition to the clerk for the certificate of Magistrate - I merely send it, to show the reason for a sending to the 15 day - If however the first depositions are not satisfactory as to the length of service, I will have the proper authentication of Winn's deposition.
I wish no more to be allowed, than is proved beyond a reasonable doubt -
It is very mysterious to me, what has become of the Rolls of Capt Littlefield's companies - Mr Palmer is positive that he examined particularly two or three of them - and I think he cannot be mistaken - They must have been mislaid among the rubbish in the offices at Mass - if not found at Washington
Though I think that Littlefield was in the service after he left Kittery Pt before going to Cambridge yet, in the present state of the evidence, I readily admit, after that the proof is not satisfactory to my own mind - Before seeing Winn, I could not doubt that - Littlefield was in the service at least

one year. The service period is, I suppose as follows Rittery Point 15 days. Cambridge 2 mo 15 days. New York 3. Penobscot " 19
6 mo 19
Irish in his deposition says that he must have been in New York some 4 mo. If he was discharged in New York, would it not be reasonable to allow the time in travelling home which could not be less than a fortnight? — I am satisfied, however, to leave the whole concern with the Department believing that justice will be done to the applicant, so far as the evidence establishes. He can
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington
Respectfully yours P. H. Set E. E. Bourne

I Joseph Winn of York in the County of York and State of Maine, Gentleman, do on oath testify and declare that I was a soldier in the company of Capt Noah M Littlefield at Kittery Point in the year 1775. - I do further testify and declare that Capt Daniel Littlefield was also at Kittery point, with his company all the time while our company was there; both companies were in the service of the State of Massachusetts. I further testify that we were then just fifteen days and no longer, the man who boarded both companies, said he agreed to board fifteen days, - and he refused to keep us any longer - and both companies then marched home - Our company was enlisted to guard the head - and served six months - I do not remember where his company was after that until he went to Cambridge soon after - I do neither do I remember any one of his company who is now alive - I remember many now dead who were with him at Pirkhill New York, and at Cambridge
Witness -
E E Bourn
Elizabeth Winn
his Joseph L Winn mark.
State of Maine
York ss. July 21 1837 - Personally appeared

Charlotte Munn who Joseph Munn who is a respectable citizen and credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing decla- ration by him subscribed -
Before me
Edward E Bourn Justice of the Peace

H. R. 854.
JANUARY 18, 1837.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. FRY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL
For the relief of Hannah Eldridge.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the benefit of the third section of the act of July fourth, eighteen 4 hundred and thirty-six, allowing pensions to the widows of those 5 officers and soldiers who were married before the expiration of 6 the last term of the husband's service, be extended to Hannah 7 Eldridge, wife of Major Daniel Littlefield, late of Wells, in the 8 State of Maine, who was killed at Penobscot, in 1779, notwith- 9 standing her subsequent intermarriage; and that, in computing 10 the term of service in the Penobscot expedition, the same time 11 be allowed as has been allowed to others who were in the same 12 service and returned: Provided , The said Hannah can make 13 satisfactory proof of the said service to the Secretary of War; 14 and, also, that she was the wife of the said Daniel at the time he 15 was killed: And provided, further , That no pension has been 16 heretofore paid to any person for or on account of said service.