Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20251, for William Merithew, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
N. J.
Merithew William Sarah
W. 20 251
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 8,705
William Merithew 1
of Foster — in the state of Rhode Island who was a Mariner  on board the Providence  in the regiment commanded by Capt Colonel Whipple — of the U.S. Navy here, for the term of 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 th of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th of March 1819 and sent to Benjamin Lowell Esqr Providence Rhode Island
  Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1819  9 mo 23/31  77.93    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 1 Sep 1819   48.00      $125.93  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Verification sent Oct 24, 1820 to Chaplain Colonel Providence Rhode Island

280
Sarah Merithew
widow of William Merithew
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th March and who died on the 1 st May 1825 - of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a Per. Sec. in the Providence command by Captain Whipple of the U.S.N. commanded by in the line for 16 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 86 Dollars 62 Cents per to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Sept 39, and Bdy. Council, Providence, R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept - $ 303. 49 Semi-annual allowance ending 22. 31 $ 326. 80
{ Act July 7, 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk. Book A Vol. 2 - Page 14

William Merithew
13 Mr
1861
You must be more explicit State the date of entering the service — bring the declara- tions on oath of two credible witnesses to support your own declaration — and let the judge certify that you are in reduced circumstances.
further proof produced & certified also ledger of service

I William Merithew of Foster in the County of Providence in the District of Rhode Island being now fifty two years old on solemn oath do declare and say that in the year 1779 as early as the month of October  I do not recollect I enlisted as a sailor on board the Frigate Providence, a vessel of War then in the service of the United States commanded by Abraham Whipple Esquire & then lying in Boston Harbour, soon after my enlist- ment we sailed from Boston on a cruise off the West Indies, we cruised sometime in the West Indies, took several prizes & arrived in Charleston, in South Carolina, in the Spring following according to the best of my recollection whilst lying in Charleston we were taken prisoners, when that City surrendered to the British, I made my escape & came home to Rhode Island or August  in sometime in July 1780, as near as as I can remember it was ten months after my enlistment before before I arrived home; I also served in the land service in 1775 in Capt Hoods company & Col Pattersons regi- ment in the Massachusetts line - and was in the Battle of Bunker Hill - I also served in Col Green's regiment of the Rhode Island line about five months - being the time for which I

enlisted - but my discharge is now lost - I was in the land & naval service more than two years - I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances & stone in need of the good offices of my country for support according to the provisions of the late act of Congress - Witness my hand & seal
Rhode Island District ss
Be it remembered that on this 13 th day of May 1878 came before me the above named William Merithew & made a solemn oath to the truth of the declaration by him above subscribed In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & have caused the seal of the Court to be hereunto affixed -
Davitt H. Howell District Judge.
The signature of the Judge and the seal of the District Court of the United States are hereunto affixed
Witness Benjamin T. Dorr Clerk of R. I. District

William Merithan
8705
Em
Sept. 10/19

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Providence, sc.
District Court, Special Term, June Sixth A. D. 1820
On this Sixth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said District  William M. Wentworth aged 65 years, residing in the town of Foster in said District who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
That he served on board the Frigate Providence commanded by Commodore Abraham Whipple more than two months
that he made a previous declaration on the thirteenth day of May 1818, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 8705 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: 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.
William M. Wentworth Mark
A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Wm. Wentworth
My 1 house, 1 Sleigh, 1 Plow, 3 old Chairs, 1 Loom, 1 Chest of drawers, 1 Little Shovel and tongs some knives & forks & Spoons, 1 Table, 1 Tea Kettle, 1 Coffee Pot, 6 Spoons - 6 plates & 1 urn
And this declarant saith that he is a basket maker but is unable to do much labour in consequence of the Rheumatism that he is involved in debt that he now justly owes more than forty dollars that he has a wife who can do but little work that he relies altogether on his pension, having lost the use of his right hand
William M. Wentworth Mark
Rhode Island District  District Court Sworn to and declared in open Court on the Sixth day of June 1820 before David Howell District Judge
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Clerk's Office of the District Court, A. D. 1820
I, Benjamin Lowell Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule 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 amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is eight dollars and
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this thirteenth day of June 1820
Benjamin Lowell
Clerk of said Court.

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this the 17 day of September A D 1838 personally appeared before me Julius Potter one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County, Sarah Matthews of the County of Providence in said County, aged 84 years who being duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7, 1838 viz t that she is the widow of William Matthews late of Boston in said County who was a seaman on board the ship of the Revolution & that he also performed other services that he entered on board the Frigate Providence under Commodore Abraham Whipple, that when the act of Congress of March 12 1818 was passed he applied for & obtained a pension under said act, & to the determination he made to obtain said pension. She refers as evidence in her behalf at least so far as he served on board

the Fugitive Provisions, and she further declares that she was married to the said William Merithew on or about the 15 th day of October 1787 but the exact day she does not remember. Nor is her marriage recorded in Gloucester where she then resided. That her husband the said William died on or about the first day of May A.D. 1825 and since then she has remained un- married. She was not married to him prior to his having the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January A.D. 1825 hundred & twenty five to wit at the time above stated
Attest Will Pitt SARAH MERRITHEW
Providence R.I. situate Sept 17 th A.D. 1837
Personally appeared before me the above Sarah Merithew who made oath to the above declaration by her subscribed in my presence and I further certify that said Sarah Merithew from age and infirmities is to feeble to attend Court
Will Pitt Just C.C. Pleas

I Esther Thornton of Scituate in the County of Providence do testify & say that I am now in the 47 year of my age. that the Sarah Murtlow who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration is my mother and the said William was my father My father died in May 1825 & since then then my mother has remained unmarried I am the second child of my father & mother my eldest sister would have been 49 years of age last March had she lived My mother now resides with me in my family & has done since the death of my father
Esther Thornton;
Providence for the Scituate Sept. 17th A.D. 1838
Personally appeared before me the above named Esther Thornton who made oath to the preceding affidavit by her signed and I further certify that said officer is a credible witness.
My Nathaniel P. Potter Just C.C.G. News

O. W. & N. Division.
P. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
June 10, 1895.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of WILLIAM MERITHREW a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. 1775 8 mo. Pri. Samuel Sloan John Patterson Mass. In October, 1779, he enlisted as a sailor on the frigate "Providence" commanded by Capt. Abraham Whipple, and sailed from Boston on a cruise to the West Indies; several prizes were taken and the frigate then proceeded to Charlestown S.C., where, in the Spring of 1780, her crew were made prisoners. Sometime in July or August, 1780, he made his escape and returned to Rhode Island; late in 1780 enlisted and served five months as a private in Capt. Burlingame's Co., Col. Green's R. I. Regiment.
Battles engaged in,
BUNKER HILL.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Probably Scituate, R. I.
Date of application for pension,
May 18, 1818.
Residence at date of application,
Foster, R. I.
Age at date of application,
Sixty-two years.
Remarks: He married Sarah Wood about October 15, 1787, and died about May 1, 1825.
Mr. Lyman E. Ware, Box #575 Omaha, Nebr.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Ref WIDOW, &c.
File No. 202,51
Sarah Moorethaw Widow of William Moorethaw Min. Rev. War.
Act July 9 th 1838
Index: Vol. III , Page 43
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 10/95
His to Lyman E. Ware, Box 375, Omaha, Neb. (H. Apr. 16/96 Soldier's pensioned Mrs. Mary D. Thornton Greenville, R. D. No. 1.

Sarah Merithew
Sec. Bap. Church, May 27: '39
abt. July 38

Providence Sept 18 1839
Sir
5930 - oct 38
In answer to so much of your letter of May 27 title, as respects the claim of Mrs Sarah Matthews widow of William Matthews - I herewith enclose further evidence both as regards the marriage & the services - I enclose a certified copy of a deed dated April 8 1792 which shows the relation of Martha wife at that time while the certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts & the affidavits of Joseph Richardson & Reuben Place fully verify his declaration under the act of March 18 1818 of 8 months service in Colt Henry company in '75 & 6 months service in Colt Greens regiment in '80 10 months as a seaman is admitted by you I am very respectfully J L Edwards Esq your obedient servant Benjamin Russell

I Reuben Place of Gloucester in the county of Providence do testify & say - That I am now in the Seventy-eighth year of my age - That in the year 1780 I served as a private six months in a regiment of Continental troops commanded by Col Christopher Greene Stationed on the island of Rhode Island; and I further testify that I have a distinct recollection of a man by the name of William Merithew who served in the same regiment at the same time and for the same length of time as a private, I was in Capt Cole's company but the said Merithew was in a different company & I cannot now call to mind which of the companies he was in but I well remember the time man, I was acquainted with him both before & after the war. His widow now resides, I believe in Scituate in this state.
Reuben Place

State of Rhode Island, County of Providence.
In the city of Providence on this first day of July A D 1839, personally appeared before me, Reuben Flame, before named and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the deposition on the foregoing written, which Deposition was reduced to writing by me in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence.
I do further certify that the said Reuben is a credible witness.
William H Smith Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence Ye. I, John W. Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Providence, in said State, being a Court of record, do hereby certify that William H. Smith Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence, in said County; that by law he is duly authorized and qualified to administer oaths and take depositions; and that his forewritten signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court, at the City of Providence, this Eighteenth day of September A 1839.
John W. Smith clk

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
William Sprague
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, That the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is in the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Provi- dence, this thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- eight and of Independence the sixty- third
Wm Sprague
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secy

State of Rhode Island &c.
Secretary's Office Novem r . 30. A D 1838
I certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday in May last.
Job Armstrong and Lancel Potter were severally elected associate Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within the county of Providence - and Forman Smith a Justice of the Peace for the town of Scituate in said county - each for one year; and commissioned accordingly. as appears of record.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretarys Office ————— Sept. 15, 1839.
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 William Morehew of New Providence is borne on a Return of Captain Steans Company in the 26 th Regiment Commanded by Colonel John Patterson, with the names of Lebi Sabin 1 st Lieut, of Williamstown, Enos Parker of Hoosuck 2 nd Lieut, Charles King of Sheffield Drummer. 4 Sergeants 4 Corporals & 46 Privates belonging to the 3 rd Brigade.
The name of Samuel Sloan is on "Returns of the names and places of residence of all the Commissioned Officers - Non-Commissioned Officers & Soldiers which have enlisted in the 26 th Regiment of Foot now in the Continental Service from its first Establishment together with the Casualties happened in the same since, to this day being the 6 th October 1775.
  Names,  Residence,  Surgeon,  Timothy Childs  Pittsfield.    Col d John Patterson  Lenox.  Chaplin,  David  bury of Gageborough.    L t Col d Seth Read  Uxbridge.  Surgeons Mate,  Jn o  See Pittsfield.    Maj r Jer o Cary  Gageborough.  Adjutant,  Will m Walker  Lenox.    Q m M aj Gerrard Fitch  Stockbridge.     
Names of the Captains of Col d Pattersons Regiment. viz. David Noble, Samuel Sloan, Will m Wyman, Charles Dibble. The o Bliss, Thomas Williams, John M c Inty, Nathan Watkins. Joseph Morse, & Sam l Kilton.
It also appears in Blotter No 1 A, Cambridge April & May 1775 That in April 29 th 1775 there was "delivered Ten pounds Powder Thirty pounds Bullets and two dozen Flints for Capt m Steans Company Col d Pattersons Regiment to Samuel Sloan" and in June 28 1775, Ordered to Col d Patterson Reg t Capt m Steans Company, Boards for two Tents, 1100 Nails for their Tents.
In testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of the State
John C. Digeou
Secy of the Commonwealth

Mr. Merthar
Lindström's book
in 75
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come, know ye that we William Merethew & Sarah Mer- ethew of Cranston in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, husband man & wife; the said Sarah Merethew is now the lawful wife of the said William Merethew & one of the daughters & heirs of William Wood late of Bristol in the County & State aforesaid deceased who in his last Will & Testament did order & empower his executor to sell his farm wherein he the said William Wood in his life time lived except thirty acres that was to be set off at the west end of said farm he gave to his son Charles Wood the other remaining part of which the said William Wood farm he in his said Will ordered & empowered his Executor to sell after the decease of the wife of the said William and in said Will did give & bequeath unto his daughter Sarah Wood now wife of the said William Merethew the one sixth part of the money arising from the sale of said farm: Now know ye that we the said William Merethew & Sarah Merethew his wife for & in considera- tion of the sum of twenty four pounds lawful silver money to us in hand already received before the sealing hereof paid by Jeremiah Wheeler of Situate in the County & State aforesaid, hath remised released & forever quit- claimed & by these presents for ourselves & for our heirs doth fully clearly & absolutely remise release & forever quitclaim unto him the said Jeremiah Wheeler in his full & peaceable possession & seisin & to his heirs & assigns forever, all such right title estate interest & demand whatsoever as we the said William Merethew & Sarah Merethew his wife now have or ought to have; or that she the said Sarah Merethew hath or that she could might or ought hereafter to have after the decease of her mother Anna Wood the widow & relict of my said father William Wood deceased, by virtue of his my said father William Wood's last Will & Testament by any way or means whatsoever. To have and to hold all the said remised released & quitclaimed estate portion or part of the aforesaid William Wood's estate

that doth by any way or means whatsoever belong to us the said William Merithew & Sarah Merithew his wife by virtue of our said honored father William Woods last Will & Testament to light the said Ezekiah Wheeler his heirs and assigns forever so that neither of us the said William Merithew & Sarah Merithew nor our heirs nor any other person or persons whatsoever for they or them or in our names or in the name or stead of us or them shall or will by any way or means whatsoever hereafter have any claim challenge or demand whatsoever to any of the above recited release & quitclaimed estate part or portion of the said estate of our honored father William Wood deceased, but from every part & parcel thereof both of us & they & all them shall by force & virtue of these presents be utterly barred & excluded from all claiming actions & demands whatsoever. —
In witness whereof with the said William Merithew & Sarah Merithew his wife hath hereunto set their hands & seals this eighth day of April in the fifteenth year of the Independence of the United States of America Anno Domine 1791 —
Signed Sealed & delivered { William Merithew in the presence of us { Sarah Merithew
N. B. Before signing & sealing the words "one sixth part of the money arising from the sale of said farm" was interlined between the twelfth & thirteenth lines from the top downwards. —
Christopher Colwell
Zeb a Hopkins
Providence in Rhode the day & year above written, personally appeared William Merithew & Sarah Merithew his wife, the above signing to this instrument & acknowledged the same to be their own free act & deed before me
Zeb a Hopkins Just. Peace
Rec d the 13 th day of May A.D. 1791 and is recorded per me Richard Steere Jr. Dep. Prov. Clk.

Town Clerk's Office Gloucester R.I.
June 24 th 1839.
I Morris H. Brown Town Clerk of the town of Gloucester in the County of Providence, duly appointed & legally qualified, do hereby certify that the foregoing Deed is a true copy from the registry of deeds &c. for said town in this Office.
Morris H. Brown Town Clerk
Providence R.I. In Gloucester June 24 th 1839 Then Morris H. Brown Town Clerk of said town of Gloucester appeared and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed
Before me
Job Armstrong Just C. C. Pl.
July 1839

The Deposition of Christopher Smith of Scituate in the District of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law says, that in the month of September 1779 he entered on board the Frigate Providence then lying in Boston harbor & bound on a voyage; said Frigate was in the service of the United States & commanded by Abraham Whipple Esq. In the month of October following this deponent well recollects, that William Merithew now of Foster entered on board said Frigate in the capacity of Marine - in the month of November said Frigate sailed on a cruise. After cruising several weeks she arrived at Charleston South Carolina where she lay during all the winter following - until the 15th of May 1780 when the City of Charleston was taken & the Frigate Providence together with all shipping in the harbor was surrendered to the British & their crews made prisoners of War - The prisoners were put on board different Prison ships - but this deponent does not know what became of said William. The prisoners in general were detained until June when they were sent to Philadelphia & it was not until August that this deponent arrived home. This deponent knows that said William was on board said Frigate during all her aforesaid voyage & at the time the vessel was captured as aforesaid but does not know what became of him afterwards. He has no doubt that he served on board said Frigate

I was a prisoner of War more than a Nine Months. said Merithew was a good sailor I always performed his duty - This deponent further testifies that he has known said William ever since, I verily him now to be in indigent circumstances, said William is a hard working man & has hitherto earned a scanty living by making baskets - & by daily labour for others I now believe him deserving the provisions of the late act of Congress -
Christopher Smith
10 March
B Rhode Island District. 15 March 1819.
Hon. Perry at War. By the foregoing de- position - and those of Sishka Aldrich & John Dwyer, therein set forth, I am satisfied that S d W m Mary- threw is poor and needs the assistance of his country for his support - and that he was in the Service, or detained from Home by reason of his having been a prisoner, for the Space of nine months.
Daniel Hordell
District Judge.

to the Lawfull authority Before Whome Wm Matthews may Present himself to Have His Name Entered on the Purian List containing the Disposition of John Gdy taken and sealed up By me the Subscriber

I John Eddy of Foster in the County of Providence Now in the Sixty Second year of my age testify and say that I belonged to the ship Providence Nine months or upwards of the time in the year 1779 & 1780 in the United States Service and William Mearthens was Residing in Foster in the County of Providence Was aboard of said Ship and Did this Duty as a member of Board of said Ship then under the Command of Commodore Abraham Whipple
question Asked By W m Mearthens
do you Consider me to Be poor and Needy — answer yes
I Consider you to Be Poor and Needy and W m Mearthens any Person say Nothing to the contrary the Deponent further saith Not John Eddy
Providence ss at Foster May the 11 th 1818 Personally appeared John Eddy Subscriber to the above Deposition and Foreign Deposition and after Being Sworn and duly Conferred to testify the truth and the whole truth made solemn oath to the same Before me W m Dyer J d French
taken at the Request of W m Mearthens to be read Before the Lawfull authority Before Whom I Mearthens may Present himself to get his Name Entered on the Pension List

To the Hon ble David Howell Esq Judge of the District Court of Rhode Island
Inclosed is the Deposition of Elisha Aldrich of Foster taken at the Request of William Merithew to be used as Evidence in Support of his Claim for a Person, agreed to a total Act of Congress and dated in Foster March 5. 1819 By Mr Melodorr Foster Jus. Peace

I Elisha Aldrich of Foster, in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, Yeoman, being duly sworn and engaged according to Law, on solemn Oath Do depose and testify, That that on or about the First of October, in the Year 1779, I entered on Board the American Ship of War Providence then under the Command of Commodore Abraham Whipple, in Boston Harbour and served myself in the Marine Department then under the Command of Captain William Jones, William Waterman then serving as Lieutenant of Marines in the same Company. — And at that Time I perfectly remember that William Merethew now residing in said Foster served as a Mariner on Board of the same Ship, and sailed with us in the said Voyage of said Ship from Boston for Charlestown where we arrived about the Twenty Third Day of November in that Year and arrived at Charlestown a few days before Christmas in the next Month. — The Ship was taken by the British in Charlestown Harbour May 12 th 1780 the day on which the American and Navy Army under the Command of General Lincoln, surrendered to the British General Clinton. I arrived home myself about the Middle of July next following. I have ever since been acquainted with said Merethew and know his Circumstances to be poor —
Elisha Aldrich
Providence ss At Foster in the State of Rhode Island the March 5 th 1819
Then the above named Elisha Aldrich, personally appeared and having been duly engaged according to Law, made solemn Affirmation on the Pain of the Penalty of Perjury, that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed contains the Truth and nothing but the Truth in all matter therein taken, at the Request of said William Merethew, to be used as Evidence in support of his Claim for the Allowance of a Pension agreeably to a title of Congress taken and sealed up at said Foster the day and year last before mentioned
Before me Meadow Foster Jus. Peace

Sarah N. Matthew
3930
act 7. July 38
R. I d
m 87. d 25.
Vol 16. 24 capt. Sloan - 8 mo.
Wm Murchison
Providence
act 178. 40 - 10 mo seaman
1780 20 - Amos Hill
$60.00
Accts
26.62 14 mo fri
do - 10 seaman
86.62
No deduction
Reynolds Providence
R. I.

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Town Clerks Office Gloucester
September 8 th 1838
I Clovis H. Brown Town Clerk of the town of Gloucester aforesaid in the County of Providence do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the record of Marriages &c. for said town, in this office, and do not find William Merithew's marriage to Sarah Wood therein recorded.
I further certify from my own knowledge, that a great many marriages have been solemnized in said town, of which no record has been made.
Clovis H. Brown Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence St. The same day and year above written personally came before me Clovis H. Brown Subscriber to the above certificate and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Job Atkinson Just C.C. Pleas

I Molly Wade of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being now 88 years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with William Matthew formerly of Foster and the husband of Sarah Matthew now his widow an residing in Scituate in said County I was present at their Marriage and saw them Married they was Married about the fifteenth of October A1787 her maiden name was Sarah Wood Witness Sarah Wade Molly her Wade
Providence ss
In Gloucester September 27 1838 The said Molly Wade made oath to the above before me and subscribed the same in my presence and I further certify said Molly is a credible witness and her statement entitled to full credit taken by me. Scituate September 27. 1838 Deborah Smith Just Peace

Joseph Richardson. Dep.
Free J. Davis P.M. Thompson Ct July 3 Hon. Benjamin Cawell Providence R.I.

I Joseph Richardson of Thompson in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut aged 77 years & over & being duly sworn according to law do testify & say that I was a private soldier in Col. Greens Regt. of Rhode Island troops. Capt. Chandler Burlingame for six months. I was stationed on Rhode Island. went away from home in the month of June. I believe William Merithew of Gloucester or Foster in Rhode Island was a private in said Company & Regt. during said six months. I then & ever have been well acquainted with him. he served a part of the time as Corporal. he was there the six months. and further saith not. Joseph Richardson
State of Connecticut Windham County
Thompson June 26 th 1839 Then personally appeared Joseph Richardson to me well known to be a credible witness, & the signer of the above deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Simon Davis Justice of the peace

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss. I Daniel P. Tyler Clerk of the County Court of the County & State of America do hereby certify that Simon Davis is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & sworn, that his commission was dated on the — Day of June 1839, and will expire on the 20 th Day of June 1840 & that his signature above written is genuine Given under my hand & the seal of said County This 1 st Day of July 1839
Daniel P. Tyler, Clerk

July 3 1839
We learned In J. I. saw a man J. Richards dep. which is all he knows of the sum of Mr. Merithew's expen are two dollars which I have charged you
Yours att. servt J. Davis

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
William Merithew
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Town Scituate Rhode Island
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Johnston Rhode Island
Date of death (as near as possible):
1820
Christian name of widow:
Sarah Wood Merithew
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Yes
Remarks: O. W. & N. DIV.
APR 14 1896
CHIEF'S DESK.
Your name and address:
Mary D. Thornton, Greenville, R. I.

Omaha, Nebr., May 30th. 1895
To the Hon., the U.S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I have been informed that Sarah Merithew received a pension under an Act of Congress (dated July 7 1838) on account of being the widow of William Merithew who served in the Revolutionary War .
I desire to obtain from the records of your office some brief reference indicating the character of the service rendered by the said Merithew William Merithew and if possible the date of his discharge.
If it is not the province of your office to furnish me this information direct will you kindly indicate to me how I shall proceed in order to obtain it.
I would like to have this information at an early date and hence will deeply appreciate a prompt response from your office.
I would remain
Very respectfully
Address:
Lyman E. Ware.
P.O.Box No. 375, Omaha, Nebr.

O. W. & N. Div. P. S. M. E. C. W. 20251.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 16, 1896.
Madam:
In response to your request for the military record of William Merithew, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on May 13, 1818, at which time he was residing in Foster, R. I., and sixty-two years of age, and his pension was allowed for sixteen months' actual service as a private in the Massachusetts  in the Massachusetts troops, and as a seaman; a part of the time served under Capt. Samuel Sloan and Col. John Patterson. Also served on the frigate "Providence". Enlisted from Scituate, R. I.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. Mary D. Thornton, Greenville, R. I.