Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7135, for Elisha Merriman, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Merriman, Elisha Chloe.
R 7135
CONTENTS

Mrs. Merriman P. O. Box 100
10253
Merriman
Chloe Merriman Elisha
N 9-
July 7 1838
m 1782
1

State of New York Queens County } ss.
Declaration  Re  under act of 7 July 38
On this sixteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared Symon Kingsley one of the judges of the Queens County Court held in and for the said County of Queens, and State of New York. Chloë Ellerman a resident of the Town of Otsego in the County of Queens and State of New York aforesaid aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 - entitled "An act granting half pay, and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Elisha Ellerman who was born at Wallingford now Meriden, New Haven County in the State of Connecticut October 21 st 1749 and who was a private in the army of the Revolution - and who was first drafted for a term of six months, in the Spring or Summer of the year 1776, and served under Captain Cook in Colonel Mott's Regiment of Connecticut troops or levies - That at the time he was drafted, he resided in Wallingford - now Meriden aforesaid and continued to reside there until his death which took place on the 3 rd day of April 1814. That her said husband the said Elisha, as she always understood from him served out the said period of six months in the neighborhood of York Island and was at Fort Washington when it was taken by the British in the latter part of 1776. Declarant has understood from her said husband that said

Captain Cook and seventeen of his men were taken by the British but Said: Eliza Elleriman useful That she also understood from her said husband husband that he served at that time with troops who were under the immediate command of General Washington himself in New York and the vicinity of New York & was absent at that time at least six months - she does not now recollect the particular time he was drafted nor where he returned, but he did not return to Wallingford  the aforesaid until after Fort Washington was taken by the British as aforesaid - He was afterwards drafted for short periods and served she believes sometimes in the Regiment of Colonel Cliffs, but cannot state the particulars of such service, but she believes he went to New-London at the time of the burning of that town in the year of 1781 but in what particular time she does not recollect under Captain John Hough & that he also marched to New Haven at a time of a battle in that place under Capt. Edwards, but in what year she does not now recollect
She further says that she has no documentary evidence of such service - she recollects that her said husband once had a discharge, which declarant last saw about twelve years ago, but she does not know what became of it - declarant further

States that she thinks that said discharge was signed by Colonel Clings. but as to the date thereof she does not now recollect
She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Merriam at Wallingford  Clarendon aforesaid, on the twenty fifth day of December seventeen hundred and eighty two. That her said husband, the above said Elisha Merriam died on the 3 rd day of April 1884 at Clarendon aforesaid. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and eighty four viz: at the time above stated - Declarant further states that she is informed and believes that there is a Town and Church Record of such marriage at Clarendon aforesaid; that she has also a Family Record thereof -
Sworn before me this 16 th day of September 1843
Chloe Merriam
The words "Wallingford now" "Wallingford" "Wallingford" being first inserted & the words "Clarendon" "Clarendon" & "said" being first erased & the words "the" "of" having been altered & the figures "15 th " & "15 th " having been altered to "3 rd " & "8 th "
Lyman Kingsley
Judge of Onondaga County Courts

State of New York Brooklyn County } } Stephen Merriman of the town of of Otis in said County of Brooklyn and State of New York of the fifty three years and upwards being duly sworn says that he is a son of Elisha Merriman deceased who was the husband of Chloe Merriman the de- ponent in the foregoing declaration named that deponent is not the son of said Chloe but is the son of a former wife of the said Elisha Merriman that this deponent well recollects that his said father was reputed to be a revolutionary soldier at Wallingford - now Meriden where he lived - that deponent recollects of hearing said Elisha state some particulars of a certain battle in which he was en- gaged of hearing General Hovey order a retreat of crossing a river in a leaky boat with a few others by which means of which they escaped - & which battle deponent believes was at Fort Washington at the time of its capture by the British but as to the other particulars of this campaign or of any other time he served in the army, he does not now recollect of hearing him state -
Deponent further says that he resided with said Elisha & Chloe Merriman from his earliest recollection until he was of the age of twenty one years & that said Chloe Merriman has resided in the same house with deponent for

five years and upwards last past & is still a widow & further deponent says not - Subscribed & sworn Leahy Merriman before me this 16 th day of September 1843
The words "of which" being first erased & a blot upon the word "husband"
Symon Kingsley
Judge of Prob. Co. Court

State of New York Onondaga County - 3
Thaddeus Pomeroy of Atsies in said County being duly sworn says, that he is aged sixty one years & upwards - that this Deponent is a regular Clergyman of the Presbyterian denomination - That he resides within about one mile of the residence of Chloe Merriman who makes the foregoing declaration - and of Zephany Merriman who makes the foregoing affidavit. That he has been personally acquainted with said Chloe for the space of about two years last past & that she possesses a high character for truth, clear uprightness, of character - Deponent further says that said Zephany Merriman is one of the deacons of Deponents Church - & also possesses a high character and reputation for truth & veracity - Deponent further states that he well believes the statements made by said Chloe & said Zephany, in said declaration & said affidavit are entitled to full credit and confidence - I further says not known before me
This eighteenth day of Thaddeus Pomeroy September 1843 -
W.B. These words being first read to her , inserted - to wit "settled" erased I request in fullness of character erased - before signing be Lyman King Sley
Judge of the Co. Courts

State of New York } Onondaga County - } ss I. Lyman Kingsley one of the Judges of Onondaga County Courts. Held at Syracuse in the County of Onondaga and State aforesaid - Do hereby Certify. That I am personally acquainted with Chloe Merriman. The person before who executed the foregoing Declaration before me this day. I that she is a credible person and her statements are entitled to full confidence. I further certify that from her old age & bodily infirmity. She is not, in my opinion, able to attend the courts of which I am a Judge. nor from present appearances. Do I think she will be able to attend said courts for the purpose of taking such Declaration at the next Term thereof. I further certify that I am personally well acquainted with Stephen Merriman who has made the foregoing affidavit. I have known him for about twenty one years last past & that he is a person of high character. for truth and veracity. & that the statements made by him in the foregoing affidavit are entitled to full confidence & credit. I further certify that I am also acquainted with Thaddeus Pomeroy who makes the foregoing affidavit and that he is a credible person. I further that I reside in the Town of Cicero & in the neigh- -hood of said Chloe. Stephen & Thaddeus. Dated Cicero Sept. 18 th 1843. Lyman Kingsley Judge of Onondaga Co. Courts

State of New York, Monroe County - ss. I, Charles T.
Heick, County Clerk of the County of Monroe in the State of New York aforesaid, do hereby Certify that Lyman Hingley, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Chloe Merriman & affidavit of Zephany Mer- -riman were taken. & who executed the foregoing Certificate. is a Judge of Mon- -roe County Courts. as above appears. And that the several signatures to the foregoing papers purporting to be his - are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at the Village of Brockport This 16 th day of October Eighteen hundred forty three. "October" written on erasure before signing
Chas. T. Heick Clerk.

State of Connecticut } New Haven County } Town of Wallingford - } } for December Twenty- fifth seventeen hundred and eighty two Elisha Meriman married Chloe Meriam.
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the Record of the Marriage of Elisha Meriman & Chloe Meriam - found on the Records of the said Town of Walling- ford, with the exception of the date. Which is expressed on the record aforesaid in fair legible figures as follows - viz - Elisha Meriman married Chloe Meriam December 25 - 1782
Attest Lorenzo Lewis Town Clerk.
I Lorenzo Lewis do hereby depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid. and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Wallingford - with the exception above named as certified by me -

and further this Depponent says not - Sworn & Subscribed } Lorenzo Lewis before me this 28th } of the Town of Wallingford Day of September 1843. } New Haven County, Connecticut -Cut- Augustus Hall 2 d Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } New Haven County } I Robert H. Osborn County Clerk of the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut We hereby Certify that the above named Augustus Hall 2 d before whom the foregoing affidavit of Lorenzo Lewis was taken, is a Justice of the Peace, as above - and that the signature to the foregoing affidavit purporting to be the signature of the said Justice of the Peace - is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of Office at said Court in said County this 28 th Day of September A.D. 1843 - R.H. Osborn Clerk of New Haven County Court

January 28, 1852.
Hon. James E. Heath, Comm r of Pensions.
Sir,
Enclosed is the petition of the heirs of Elisha Merriman, with such papers as were referred to the com. on pens. Such information & views as you can furnish upon the subject will be acceptable.
very respectfully Your obed servt
Geo. W. Jones S. W.
Ch s H. Campbell "

Feb. 10. 1846
Dead letter case Chas. Morris
20
J. L. Edwards — Court of Pensions Washington City —

Syracuse, N.Y. Feb y 6. 1846
Sir,
I enclose a paper left with me, to sustain the claim of Mrs. Chloe Merriman (I believe) which has been by me presented to your Department for a pension, on a/c of her former husband's services —
Elisha Merriman — The enclosed sustains the declaration I believe as far as the officers are concerned —
I am respectfully Your Obed t Serv t
G. H. Brown
Hon: J. L. Edwards Com te of Pens

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Conn. 9 Nov. 1844.
On application for evidence of the service of Elisha Merriman in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office relating to that war, and do not find any payroll of the company of Cap. John Couch, in which he is said to have served. But find in the "Pay Table" books an account with Cap. John Couch, in which he is credited for service in Bradley's Regiment in 1776, Viz:— "Hospital Expenses £ 57. 0. 1 Losses, £ 192. 5. 7 . . . . . £ 249. 5. 8 3/4 "Acct. rend? for his C o . Viz:—
  "Enlisting Bounties 258. 0. 0 — Equiping Prem ts 91. 16. 0 — first  } 656. 14. 10 3/4    "M o . pay 197. 12. 0 — Commiss ts 8. 0. 2, Losses 29. 3. 6    "Pris ts Wages 70. 2. 4 Mileage 2. 0. 10 . . . . .  
And I certify that the above statements and extracts are correct. — — — — — Stearrington Comptroller

I Stephen Parker of Cheshire in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 84 years and on Oath Depose and say; That I resided during the war of the Revolution about one and one half miles from Elisha Meriman of Meriden, and from evidence at that time derived from him, his family and neighbors I verily believe and do not hesitate to say, That the said Elisha Meriman enlisted for a campaign of six or seven months in the Company Commanded by Capt. Cook sometime in the Spring or fore part of Summer of the year 1776, That the Company in which the said Elisha enlisted was stationed during said summer of 76 in and about New York; that the said Elisha was at Fort Washington at the time that it was taken by the English, and that he the said Elisha made his escape from the English in an old Boat. The said Elisha was absent from home I am positive more than six months during the year of 1776. and from circumstances within my recollection I have no doubt but that he was engaged during his absence in the service of his Country and further deponent saith not.
Stephen Parker
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss Cheshire On this seventeenth day of October A. 1843 personally appeared Stephen Parker and made solemn Oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above deposition by him subscribed, and I certify that Stephen Parker who subscribed the above deposition is a credible witness Before me Levi Foster. Justice of Peace

I Catharine Hitchcock of Meriden in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 83 years and on Oath depose and say; that I lived near neighbor to Elisha Meriman, during the war of the Revolution, and that my Father Nathaniel Douglass and I believe said Elisha Meriman enlisted as soldiers in the Company commanded by Cap! Couch for six months in the spring or fore part of the summer of the year 1776. My Father told me that he and Elisha Meriman had enlisted for six months and I likewise heard said Elisha tell my Father and others that he the said Elisha had enlisted for six months, and I saw them depart together, with their arms. My Father returned before his time was out on account of sickness, said Elisha remained. I am positive untill his time was out for I remember that when he returned he called to see my Father and talk over the business of the Campaign, said Elisha was I believe in New York at the time Fort Washington was taken by the English and my Father was at that time on the New Jersey side of the River at Hackensack Village attending upon the sick. I received a letter from my Father soon after Fort Washington was taken giving an account of the surrender of the Fort and of the escape of the said Elisha Meriman and Asaph Merriam from New York at that time in an old leaky Boat, and that he saw them land on the Jersey side of the River. I have often heard the said Elisha relate to my Father and others the particulars of his escape from the English at that time and further I say not. Catharine Hitchcock
State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss Meriden
On this thirteenth day of October A. 1843 personally appeared Catharine Hitchcock and made solemn Oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above deposition by her subscribed, and I certify that Catharine Hitchcock who subscribed the above deposition is a credible witness
Before me Levi Foster Justice of Peace The words distant about 80 rods interlined before signature Levi Foster

State of Connecticut ss. Probate District of Meriden Oct 23 d A D 1843.
I hereby Certify that Rev. Levi Foster, before whom the foregoing depositions of Stephen Parker, and Catharine Hitchcock, were taken, is a Justice of the Peace for New Haven County, State of Connecticut, duly appointed, and authorized to take depositions in manner and form as the foregoing, and that the signature thereto is in the hand writing of the said Rev. Levi Foster.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my official signature, and affixed the Seal of said Court the day and year above written —
James S. Brooks Judge of Probate for the District of Meriden
Mrs. Chloe Sherman
Parker Papers

Feb'y 20, 1852.
Hon. Jas E. Heath Comm r of Pensions,
Sir In your letter of Jan'y 30, 1852, relating to the Memorial of the heirs of Chloe Merriman, you state that "the alleged service was not established "as required by our rules, her husband's name not "having been found upon the Connecticut rolls in "this office, or upon those in charge of the Comptroller "of that state." &c.
The memorialists mention certain deposi- =tions filed in the Pension Office, tending to prove the revolutionary services of Merriman, and ask that they be considered in aid of their petition.
Be so good as to send copies of said depo- =sitions for the use of the com. on pensions.
very respectfully, you obed t serv t
Geo. W. Poore Secy
Ch a Com Pens

Chloe Merriman 10253.
New York
Let to E. A. Brown July 16 / 1844 same May 27. 1846.
Let Hon Gen. W. Jennings, Jan 30/52.
Let to same Feb 26 "
7135
Let July 7. 1838.
U.S. District Court

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1863.
7132
P. O. Chloe Meriman
Service: Widow Elisha Meriman
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____
REJECTED

Mrs. Chloe Meriman Memorandum —
10,253-
INA

Syracuse Onondaga Co. N.Y. November 1 st 1843-
Dear Sir -
I enclose herewith for your consideration - Pension papers of Mrs. Chloe Meriman - widow of Elisha Meriman deceased -
The Claim consists of six months service in 1776 - under Capt. Clegg & Col. Meigs - & of subsequent service under Captain John Hough - & under Captain Edwards - that he was at New London & New Haven -
Proof of the marriage is enclosed - I also true affts as to the facts of service in 1776 -
Respectfully Yours -
Edward A. Brown
W. W. Hon J. L. Edwards - Comm ee of Pensions 3