Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 42969, for Mead Merrill, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Merrill, Mead
S. 42969
or Wedad
B. L. W. 665-100
CONTENTS

10.10.6. New York.
Mead (alias Medad) Merritt
of Homer in the State of N. York who was a private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Meigs of the Connecticut line, for the term of the war -
Inscribed on the Roll of New York - at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 3 rd of January 1820 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th of June 1821. and sent to Henry Stephens, Esq. Cortland Village N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of March 1821 $112.51 Semi-annual all'ce ending 4 th Sept. 1821. 40.00 19 th 2 nd mo 2 / 31 1 150.51
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. } 21 May, 1820 -
Cortland County
Died July 23, 1833 See a. P.

N o 665.
Mead, alias, Medad Merrill. Private 2 d Reg t . Connecticut Line Resol d . Army of the U. S.
Warrant issued under date 27 th January 1817- in the name of the original Claimant and deliv d to the Hon ble . Victory Birdseye, M.C. on the 29 th Jan y .

State of New York } Cortland County } ss. On this third day of January 1820. Before me the Subscriber first Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in and for the County of Cortland in the State of New York. Personally appeared Mead Merill aged fiftyseven years resident in the town of Homer County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress Entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War. Says that he enlisted in the month of June in the year 1778. in the Town of Ryegate the State of New York in the Company commanded by Capt Samuel Barker in Col. Return Jonathan Meigs Regiment in the Connecticut Line - which Regiment was after ward commanded by Col. — Buller commonly called the Leathercap Regiment. That on an arrangement of the Connecticut troops he was transferred into the Second Regiment commanded by Col. Herman Swift Giles Curtis Adjutant that he was enlisted during the war that he was Discharged at the Highlands near West point in the State of New York on or about the eighth day of June in the year 1783. which Discharge he was possessed of until about three years since when it was forwarded to the War Office with his Affidavit and the Affidavits of John Parker and George Ransom for the purpose of obtaining his Land Warrant for his Bounty Lands —

that as he is informed by (Victory Birdsey Esquire then Member of Congress, who made the application) the Said Discharge Still remains in the war office to gether with the Affidavits of Parke and Brany and that he is that same person described in those affidavits and also in the Discharge by the name of Mead Merrill that he was not in any Battle or General action of particular note - but in several Skirmishes when on the Lines - that he is in Reduced Circumstances and in Need of Assistance from his Country for Support - Mead Merrill Sworn to and Declared before me the day and year aforesaid - John Keep First Judge as aforesaid.
I John Keep first Judge of the Court of Com rs Pleas in and for the County of Courtland aforesaid Do Certify that it has appeared to my satis- faction that the Said Mead Merrill did Serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding Declaration against the Common Enemy and that he is in reduced Circumstances, and needs the assistance of his Country for Support. and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of war pursuant to the provisions of the aforementioned Act of Congress. Given under my hand for 3 rd 19.20. John Keep First Judge as aforesaid

5665. Mead Merrill, private Cortland Co. N.Y. Col: Meigs, and Swift's reg t Conn t . 1778 - to 1783.
3. January, 1820.
Not found on rolls.
The testimony, on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, certified as such, by the judge, proving 9 months service in continuance, on continental estab t . is required.
Henry Stephens, agent, Cortland Village, N.Y. Res d . January 22. 1820.
See State

State of New York
Clerks Office
Ontario County
I hereby certify that the above affidavit was made and sworn to before me this day personally appeared John N. Taylor known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of said Office this 5 day of January 1820
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Office the 5 day of January 1820
Thos. L. Phelps Clerk
[Handwritten flourish]

Personally Come Before me Daniel Sherwood in of the justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cortland John Parker and being Duly Sworn Saith
that he was personal acquainted M chd Merrill for five years or thereabouts in Continental army in the Connecticut line that he first enlisted in the Six Connecticut Regiment Commanded by Return Jonathan Meigs and when that regt. was Consolidated he was transferred and myself into the Second Connecticut Regt Commanded by Colo. Herman Swift Both of us joined a Company Commanded by Capt. Chapman and we both remained in that Company till the Battle of June one thousand seven hundred eighty three we were on that day both of us honorably Discharged by General George Washington
I further certify that I have been personal acquainted with him from time to time ever since and know him to be the person now residing in the town of Homer in County of Cortland and known now by the name of M chd M ch . Merrill
John Parker
Sworn Before Me this 19 th Day of May 1821.
Daniel Sherwood justice Peace

I Do Hereby Certify that I am personally Acquainted with the within named John Barker and know him to be a Man of Credibility and a Respectable Character
Daniel Sherwood 9 10
Affidavit of John Barker

STATE OF NEW-YORK.
CORTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss.
I Certify, That Daniel Sherwood Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavits of George R. ... & John ... taken, was, on the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Cortland, duly authorised and commissioned as such, and that full faith and credit are to be given to his acts, in that capacity. I further certify, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Daniel Sherwood and verily believe the signature to the annexed Affidavits
to be in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said county, this sixth day of June eighteen hundred and —
Twenty one
Samuel Atwater Jr. Dep. Clerk.
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

N o 665.
Mead, alias, Medad Merrill.
Private
2 d Regt. Connecticut Line
Repub l . Army of the U. S.
Warrant issued under date 27 th January 1817 - in the name of the original Claimant and deliv d to the Hon ble Victory Birdseye, M.C. on the 29 th Jan y . —

William Crawford Esquire Secy War
Sir, Please deliver to Victory Birkseye Esquire such Letters Patent Land Warrants or other Certificate as I may may be Entitled to receive from the War Office Relative to my Bounty Lands for my Service as a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army of the United States
Feb. 12 th 1816
Yours Respectfully Mead Merrill

In the matter of Mead Merrill
At the May Term of the Court of Common Pleas held in and for the County of Cortland on the second Tuesday of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, Present William Mal- lory Esquire first Judge and Jabez B. Phelps & Townsend Hoxie Esqrs. Judges.
Samuel Hotchkiss Jan. Clerk
At the request of Mead Merrill in the annexed letter from the war department mentioned; and in answer to the enquir- ies contained in the same, We do Certi- fy that from an acquaintance of nearly twenty years, and our present enquiries upon the subject, We consider Mr. Mer- rill a man of respectability, and one whose character stands fair in all re- spects. — In relation to the charge made against him, of fraudulently conveying his property to his children and particu- larly by means of the judgments given by him to his son Abel Merrill since de- ceased, We further certify that in our opin- ion the charge is in all respects, entirely unfounded.
William Mallory } Jabez B. Phelps } Townsend Hoxie }

State of New York Cortland County Clerks Office
I do hereby certify that William Walling, Townsend Root and Isaac B. Phelps are Judges as herein stated in the within Certificate and that I am acquainted with their hand writings respectively, and verily believe their signatures thereto subscribed be their proper hand writings.
Witness my hand, and the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County hereto affixed this 11th day of May 1837
Samuel H. Root of Cortland Common Pleas

+ State of New York } Schedule Cortland County. } ss. On the Ninth day of May Eighteen hundred & twenty one personally appeared in open Court of the Court of Common Pleas for the Said County of Cortland being a Court of Record by the Statute Law of the Said State passed April the 5th 1813. Mead Merrill Aged fifty eight years & Nine months resident in the town of Homer in the Said County of Cortland who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he Served in the Revolutionary War as follows: That he enlisted in the month of June in the Year 1778 in the town of Rye in the State of New York in a Company commanded by Capt Samuel Barker in Col. Returned J. Miers Regiment of the Connecticut Line which Said Reg t was afterwards commanded by Col. Zebulon Butler commonly called the Butler's Col. or First Connecticut Reg t . That in an arrangement of the Connecticut Troops he this deponent was transferred to the Second Reg t commanded by Col. Herman Swift that he originally enlisted during the War and that he was honorably discharged at the Highlands in the State of New York on or about the eighth day of June 1783. having Served about five years. That his discharge is now in the War Office of the United States for the purpose of Obtaining County Lands &c. That his original declaration was made on the third day of January 1820 which is hereto annexed.
And I do Solemnly affirm that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818. and that I have not Since that time by Gift Sale or in any manner disposed of 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 & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day March 1818. And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or Securities Contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.

Real Estate I have none. Personal Estate I possess as follows to-wit: One cow and calf worth fifteen dollars. Ten Sheep worth Ten dollars $ 25. 00 One old Beaurean two trunks & two chests. worth. 6. 00 One old table one landstand & Ten Kitchen Chairs. worth. 5. 00 One woolen wheel. One linen d. & one Reel. worth. 3. 00 One Set looking ware including a pot Whittle } tea little tafe pot frying pan Griddle & two small kettles worth 5. 00 One Set of Earthen dishes including plates cups & } Saucers Bowls & Small articles Teapot etc. worth. 3. 50 One Set table ware, including Knives & forks, } Spoons & tin Ware. worth. 15. 00 One Set cheese Wares including Pails milkpans } Tubs dishes Pops etc. worth 8. 00 part Set farming tools including a hoe Scythe } an axe & Auger Chisels compass Sundry } Small articles and an old handsaw worth 2. 50
$ 72. 00
The demands existing and due against me will over balance the demands due to me & collectable from Seven to Ten hundred dollars.
Mead Merrill
And the Said Mead Merrill further Affirms that he is by occupation a farmer, and of ability to pursue it according to his age, that he has a wife named Anne living with him aged fifty nine years & three months has been robust & healthy but infirmed by age. That he has one Child living with him Named Anne aged twenty years, who for upwards of a year has been Sickly and unwell.
And the Said Mead Merrill also further Affirms that he has been until within a few years in a good pecuniary situation and has been considered wealthy, but that unforeseen misfortunes which no human foresight could have prevented, has reduced him from affluence to a state of deprivation, and etc. Such a course as that to which he is now driven has repugnant to his feelings, Necessity has compelled him in his old age to look to that Government to which he has contributed his Services, for a Support.
Mead Merrill

Medad Merrill Declaration 3 Jan. 1820. Served from 1778. to 1783.
With the Evidence of Service by John Parkhurst & Geo. Ramey affidavits enclosed.
He is found on roll in Col: Meiggs's reg t by name of Medad Merrill. (same Capt: as he states to have served under - same date of enlistment - & for  the war. )
Proof of service, is also within contained -
Served during the war -

I Samuel Woodhull Jr. Dep. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cattle do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed of Maria Merrill are true Copies from the records of the said Court And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the Total Amount of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is seventy two Dollars In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this sixth day of June 1821
Samuel Woodhull Jr. Dep. Clerk

Sworn and declared on the Ninth day of May 1821— before—
John Keep Joseph Reynolds Jeremiah B. Phelps Townsend Rep—
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Caledonia
The Court hereby appraise the within Inventory at $72.00 May term 1821—
John Keep Joseph Reynolds Jeremiah B. Phelps Townsend Rep—

December 12, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Mead Merrill, S.42969
Miss Eva A. Thomas Wiawaka Lodge Lake George New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Mead or Medad Merrill and Caleb Merrill.
Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has been impossible to comply in full with requests similar to yours. The record of Mead or Medad Merrill is furnished herein, as found in papers on file in pension claim, S.42969, based on the Revolutionary War service of this soldier.
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown. He stated that he believed that his name was Medad Merrill until after his discharge from service in the Revolution, when upon examining the records of his birth he found his true name was Mead Merrill.
He enlisted in Rye, New York, in June, 1777, served as private in Captains Samuel Barker's and Chapman's companies in Colonels Return Jonathan Meigs', Zebulon Butler's (commonly called the Leather Cap Regiment) and Heman Swift's Connecticut regiments and was discharged about June 8, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 3, 1820, at which time he was fifty-seven years of age and was living in Homer, Cortland County, New York. He was living in Homer as early as 1816. In May, 1821, he stated he was aged fifty-eight years and nine months.
He died July 23, 1833.

In May, 1821, Mead Merrill stated that his wife, Anne, was aged fifty-nine years and three months and at that time he referred to his daughter, Anne, aged twenty years. His eldest son, Abel, was born September 26, 1821. Rensselaer Merrill was his youngest son. In 1825 reference was made to three sons and two daughters of Mead Merrill but their names were not designated. There are no further data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILKE Executive Assistant to the Administrator

BY HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer Nedab Merrill , in the Second Connecticut Regiment, having ly served the United States for ... June 1782 to June 1783 - and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 18th June 1783
George Washington
By HIS EXCELLENCY'S Command,
Thompson
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
J. C. Smith Adjutant.
THE above Nedab Merrill has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for three Years faithful Service S. H. Smith
AN OR RT

Wiawaka Lodge, Lake George, N. Y. Oct. 22, 1908.
Bureau of Pensions, Revolutionary War. Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: - Will you please give me genealogical data contained in application papers of Mead or Medad Merrill , died July 23, 1833. He was living at that time, I understand, in Cortland county, N. Y., but had served in the Connecticut line.
Also, if you have on file the papers of Caleb Merrill who lived in Onondaga county but had given service in the Massachusetts line.
Very truly, (Miss) Eva A. Thomas

42969
88 Dec. 12, hist. to Miss Eva A. Thomas mcl
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 42,969
Mrs. Merrill
Pa. Pen. Ave
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 831
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Applicant aged 50 yrs - 9 mo.
- Wife 59 yrs old -
- 1 daughter, 20 yrs old -
- Had been considered wealthy, until within a few years - unforeseen events, &c. reduced him - N. Y. - see his statement -
Am't of Sched: $72
See endorsement on the within papers -

18 March '18
Mead Merrill
placed on Rev. Pa.
Roll N. York 30 th
June 1821 - Susp d .
See letter to Agent
9 Sept. 1825 - 10 Sept.
1825 to B. S. Campbell -
to Hon. J. Miller H. R. 19
ap l . 1826 - to same person
4 th & 10 Jan. 1827 &
10 th Feb. 1827.
May 28 th . Suspension removed, see letter to J s Manning, as. d to Agent
4 Sept '21

Mead Merrill
Henry Stephens, Scotland Village, N.H.
Recd 14 June 1821.
See within paper endorsed
W. L. G. 1821 Johnston City

Homer Cortland Co, N.Y.
August 26-1825-
It is considered here by those who know the facts that M c Donald Merrill draws a pension from the U. States as unjust under the existing laws and regulations. The truth is, that he has lived in this place for at least twenty years, settled upon a large and excellent farm has made good and elegant improvements of every description necessary for comfort and many luxuries. He settled out his three eldest sons with suitable portions, as well as two of his eldest daughters. Several years since he confessed a judgement in favor of one of his sons; Execution was taken out against all his property, and the sale of it was postponed from time to time until his youngest son attained the age of 21, then the whole of his property was sold and his youngest son and brother had the whole off; since that period the old man pretends to own no property but continues to enjoy the same with every privilege which he possessed before the confession of the judgement.
The above history of facts can be proven by all the neighborhood and dates of the judgement with all other necessary proof.
Yours Respectfully
B. Campbell
J. A. Edwards Esq.

Mead Merrill in answer to information received at the War Department against him, Says, that in the Spring of 1819 he considered himself in very embarrassed circumstances a note endorsed by himself and three others payable at the Catskill Bank was Protested for $7600.00. and the maker had absconded, that he had underwritten five notes payable at the Silver Lake Bank amounting to $4300.00. that those for whom he had underwritten were apparently embarrassed, at this time his own private debts amounted to about $2400.00 and that his resources for money were nearly exhausted, in this situation his creditors were calling on him for payment, that he borrowed money on short credit to satisfy those that pressed him the closest, some protested their demands, that in some instances he turned out property to others at a low price, that he offered to sell all or any part of his property to enable him to discharge his debts, and that he clearly expected the Catskill and Silver Lake Banks would prosecute their demands, and that the amount they would likely recover against him would be more than he was worth, preferring the payment of his own private debts to all others, he agreed with Abel Merrill his eldest Son to advance him some money, and to purchase as many of his debts as he could, by which measures he became indebted to his Son the Sum of $1714.28. and for which he gave a Warrant of Attorney to confess a judgment dated August 30 th 1819. the following is an exemplification of said Warrant. Mead Merrill to Abel Merrill D r August 30 th 1819.
   August 30 th 1819. the following is an inventory of the   Mead Merrill to Abel Merrill Dr. August 30 th 1819.   May 29 th 1819. To Cash advanced. $400:00.   June 22 nd " " " " " " 100:00   August 24 th " " " " " " 40:50   " 30 th " " " " " " 40:21   " " " " " " " " " " 723:14   " " " " " " " " " " 95:00   " " " " " " " " " " 98:00   " " " " " " " " " " 890:00   " " " " " " " " " " 175:00   " " " " " " " " " " 8:46   " " " " " " " " " " 18:97   $1883:28   Cr.   Contra   " " " " " " " " " " $169:00   " " " " " " " " " " 1714:28   $1883:28  
The judgment as appears was Docketed September 8 th 1819. execution was taken out and levied on all his property (excepting such as was exempt by Law.) that the property was advertised by the Sheriff to be Sold, the the personal property on the 13 th of October the real estate on the 18 th of No- that the Sale of the Personal property was postponed by his sons directions until the 18 th of November,

At which time as he is informed the property was exposed for sale to that no person appeared to bid on it for which reason the Sheriff postponed the Sale until the 27 th of November, that at that time a Settlement with the Coalhill Bank had been agreed on but could not be completed until an agent should arrive from the Bank of Auburn, that it was altogether on account of this negotiation that the Sale of the prop- erty was postponed until the 25 th of December following, that on the 30 th of November to complete the Settlement on his part he gave a Mortgage to the Bank of Auburn on three hundred and forty acres of his land to secure the payment of $2196.80. with interest, payable by installments, that on the same day his Son executed a writing to the Bank of Auburn giving their Mort- gage preference to his judgment, that on the 25 th of December his property was Sold on the execution subject to the above Mort- gage, that Remplair Merrill his youngest Son bid off the property is true, but that his Daughter was concerned in the transaction is is not true, that he has enjoyed the use of the property as before is also untrue, (except that he has been permitted to reside in the dwelling house with his Son) and that he has Laboured from home the most part of the time when his health would permit since the Sale of his property, that for the year past his earnings have not been sufficient for the support of himself and family, that in the Summer of 1819 Suits were commenced on four of the notes underwritten by him to the Silver Lake Bank, judgments obtained on them executions taken out and deliver to the Sheriff, one of them was Settled by Messrs Hopkins who under wrote with him for $350.00 one collected by the Sheriff, one returned to the Bank, and one is Still in the hands of the Sheriff, that the amount for which he is now holden on these debts is not far from $3000.00, and for which he is liable to be imprisoned that his Son to whom the judgment was confessed died on the 28 th of September 1821. consequently it may be difficult to corroborate some part of this Statement, that at the time the letter from the War Department was received by Mr. Stephens stating the charges against him he was at work about 130 miles from home and knew nothing of the letter until some days after his return which was on the 26 th day of last August July last— Mead Merrill Subscribed and Sworn this 6 th day of September 1826 before me— William Mallory Justice of the Peace

Moses Hopkins deposeth, that the in year 1819. he acted as deputy Sheriff under Neh B. Smith High Sheriff of the County of Cortland, that in the month of May 1819 he had an execution which he was collecting for Abel Merrill who directed him not to delay the collection. Stating that his Father was in trouble that he had agreed to let him have some money and he must have it, that towards the last of the month he paid over to Abel Merrill nearly $400.00. that some days after in con- versation with Mead Merrill he informed him that he had received the money of his son, and that the note which this deponent had under written for him to Phineas Wells would soon be taken up, that shortly after this conversation Abel Merrill did purchase the said note which is the same stated in the annexed exemplification, that about the first of October 1819 he received an execution in favour of Abel Merrill against Mead Merrill the amount of which was about $1725.00. that he levied the same on all the property that he could find of the defendant, and advertised the same for Sale, the personal property was to be Sold on the 18 th of October 1819. and the real estate on the 8 th of November, but the Sale of the personal property was postponed by the plaintiff, direction until the 18 th of November, that at that time he exposed the property for Sale to the highest bidder that he could obtain no bid for the property, where upon he again postponed the Sale until the 27 th of November, at which time the Sale was postponed by agreement of the parties, until the 25 th of December, and as he was informed and believed to be true for closing a Settlement with the Galskill Bank, that on the 25 th of December 1819. he again exposed the property for Sale, that Renselaer Merrill then bid off the prop- erty to whom he delivered the personal property, and executed a Deed to him of all the right and title of Mead Merrill to the Land so Sold and bid of by the Said Renselaer, and that no person whatever was concerned with him in bidding of the property, that from this deponent's own observation since that time Mead Merrill has not cared on the farm and appeared to have no management of the business as before the Sale, that to his knowledge he has worked from home at the millrite business the greater part of the Summer Seasons since his property was Sold, that this deponent has examined the annexed Statement of Mead Merrill and that so far as it relates to the Silver Lake Concern he he knows the same to be correct, and that he has lived within three Miles of the Said Mead Merrill for more than twenty years past—

And that from this deponants own knowledge of his affairs in part, and the information that he has recieved from time to time of his circumstances has no doubt but that the facts set forth by the said Mead Merrill are all Respectfully true, and furthermore Saith not Subscribed and Sworn this 9 th day of Neser Hopkins September, 1826, before me — William Mallory Justice
State of New York } Ellen Miller of Homer in said County Cortland County ss } being duly sworn before me and says that on or about the Month of August 1826 Abel Merrill husband of this deponent a demand against Mead Merrill to the amount of Ninety two Dollars or there about and further This deponent Saith not Ellen Miller Sworn to and Subscribed this 7 th September 1826 before me William Mallory Justice of the Peace

Continued County -
William Russell of Homer. Continued County being July sworn before me & saith that in the Winter or Spring of the thousand eight hundred and fifteen, in this deposition had a demand against Mad Merrile of the same place, for about one hundred and fifty dollars, when, in this de- ponent was informed, at that time was much involved, by his owing for others, that in this deposition called on the said Mad Merrile for payment - That the said Mad Merrile stated to this deponent, that in the said Mad had no money & that probably he should have a great deal of trouble, in consequence thereof -
That the said Mad then stated that his own private debts should be paid as soon as possible, and that no person should suffer on that account, -
That in the latter part of July or begin- ning of August, following, Mad Merrile then paid the said Mad, satisfied the demand this deponent had against the said Mad Merrile, and further this de- ponent saith not -
William Russell
Subscribed & sworn to the 4th day of September
1828 Before me William Maffey Notary Public Homer - William Maffey J.P.

House Representatives Jan y 8 th 1827
I L d Governor Jay In the Papers submitted to me in the case of M ch Merrill came only W th out and in answer I state that I am unwilling to give my Opinion either for or against his right to be restored to the Pension roll I do not possess that personal knowledge in the case which I ought to enable me to give an Opinion that I should be satisfied with myself — I am personally acquainted with a Neighbor of his on whose Information I could place the most entire dependence — He is a Man of good sense and the most strict Integrity — and I presume knows all that would be required — If you wish I will get his Opinion on the subject and then I should be free to express mine
I am yours Respectfully
J Miller
N B I send all the Papers submitted except the letter to me from H Stevens Esq

State of New York Cortland County
Ebenezer Wedgcomb deposes that some time in the month of February or March last a man came to him and gave him to understand (The name of the person he is not at liberty to disclose) That if said man would give Twenty five dollars or deposit the same here in the hands of this deponent that he thought he might be restored to his position again. He further now states that there had been charges against said man forwarded to War department. That the department had done an affidavit of the charges and had been sent to a person in this County that he was authorized to say to this deponent that if the said man could not be restored again to his position that the Twenty five dollars should remain in this deponent's hands to be handed over to the said man and this deponent further says that the above described person said that

That if the said Affidavit should not be sworn subscribed and to the War depart- =ment That he made no doubt but that Mr. Merrill would be restored - again to his position - These frames were held out as an inducement for Mr. Merrill to deposit the Twenty five dollars -
Ebenezer W. Edgcomb
Sworn subscribed this 9 th day of September 1826 before William W. Warren Justice

Cortlandville N.Y. September 11th 1896
Genl War Department Bureau of Washington
Rev. John A. Dyer. Dear Friend: Cortlandville N.Y.

Cortland Village State of New York September 15 th 1819
Sir
In your letter of the 19 th of April 1818 to the Hon ble by him enclosed to Henry Stephens Esquire, are stated the charge against me of making a fraudulent conveyance, the fraud complained of as I understand rests on the judgment confessed by me in favour of my Son, which I must prove to be untrue or no longer be continued on the pension list. In case that the enclosed evidence should not prove satisfactorily to you that there was no fraud in this matter, I ask that you will obligingly inform me what further proof is necessary on this subject, in cases under the Roman republic the accuser and the accused were brought face to face, but for wise pur- poses under the American Republic the accuser appears by affidavit, thus far I have no objection, but I know no good reason why an American citizen accused of any misdemeanor is not entitled to receive an exemplification of the evidence exhibited against him, the informer for aught I know may be disqualified as a witness in any case, the circumstance of his proposing a settlement or restoration on receiving money from me discloses his motives to be impure, from all which I infer that the information may be false and malicious, a word to the Wise is sufficient
I have the honor to be very Respectfully your obedient Servant, Mead Merrill
The Honorable J. L. Edwards Esquire

Mead McEl's application for Land Warrant. T. Birdseye Att.
W. to issue. —

State of New York
Cortland County ss. Mead Merrill of the Town of Harris County of Cortland State of New York being duly sworn deposes & saith that he this deponent is the same person and no other or different person than the one mentioned & described by the name of Mead Merrill in the annexed discharge - That this deponent enlisted in the Sixteenth year of his age & truly believes that he enlisted by the name of Mead Merrill was always so called on the rolls of the company known by that name while in the army returned & received his discharge (which is her annexed) by that name & further that he supposed that to be his true name until after his discharge & return from the service when on examining the records of his birth and name he found his true name to be Mead & not Mead Merrill and further that he this deponent has ever since been known by the name of and called Mead Merrill still is known & called by the name of Mead Merrill and no other - and further this deponent saith not
Mead Merrill
This day personally before me Moses Brattle one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Cortland the above named Mead Merrill to me personally known to be the person described by the name being duly sworn saith that the above affidavit is true
Moses Brattle
10 February 1816

State of New York
Cortland County
ss. John Parker and George Ranney of the Town of Lisle in the County of Broome in the State of New York and being Duly Suborned and say that Mead Merrill subscribed the foregoing affidavit in their presence that they were well acquainted with him when he was a Soldier in the Second Connecticut Regiment and that they know him to be the same person and no other than the one described in the Ancestral Discharge and that they were both Soldiers in the same Regiment and were discharged from the same day and further on that the said Mead Merrill as he is now called was known latter and returned by the name of Mead Merrill when in the army and the above deponent John Parker for himself further saith that he the deponent now knows that the above named Mead Merrill is now known by the name of Mead Merrill and by no other than Mead Merrill and that he told him the deponent that his true name was Mead and not Mead and further the deponents say not
John Parker George Ranney
the above named John Parker & George Ranney this day personally before me Mead Merrill and the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Cortland & after subscribing the same & being duly sworn say that the above affidavit is true the above John Parker being personally known to me to be a man of truth saith that he was personally acquainted with the v z George Ranney in the Continental Army and since and at this present time & believe him to be a man of truth & veracity
10 February 1816
Messrs Barto

I William Mallory Clerk of the County of Westland Do hereby certify that M rs Beate Esquire whose name is subscribed to the within certificate was at the Date thereof a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Westland acting under the Authority of the State of New York In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County to be hereunto affixed This Twelfth day of February Eighteen Hundred and sixteen
William Mallory Clerk