Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 45005, for Phinehas Merrill, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Continental (Mass)
Merrill, Phinehas or Phineas
NUMBER _____
S 45005
CONTENTS

N o 13910 New Hampshire.
Phineas Merrill
of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Bond of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Glover in the Massachusetts line, for the term of nine months , from April 1776 to February 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 16 day of May 1818 and
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of June 1819 and sent to E. Bartlett Keene  N. Hampshire .
Restored to the Roll on 28 day of March 1828 and notification sent to Truelove at Bath  N. Hampshire Pension commencing on the 18 th of February 1828
Amount due on 4th of Sept 1828 }
$ 52. 17.
{ Revolutionary Claims Acts March 18, 1818 May 1, 1820. Primack 1828

Phineas Merrill Private Col. D. Dyer's Regiment Massachusetts Line 1776 - 9 months
Admitted
E. B. Dyer
16 May 1818
The deposition of two credible & disinterested witnesses duly to be taken & authenticated, (for the certificate of an officer of the Regt.) is required to prove the services of applicant -

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss - On this 29 th day of May 1819 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said Coun- ty personally appears Josiah Merrill of Lewistown in the District of Maine who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he well knew that his Brother Phineas Merrill now of Bath in said Grafton County did enlist as a private soldier in the revolutionary army into Capt. Bond's Company in the Massachusetts line & that he left his home in Bradford in the State of Massachusetts & joined the army early in the spring of the year 1776, & that he did not return again from the army until the last of January 1777.
Ezra Bartlett
I Ezra Bartlett Judge as aforesaid do cer- tify that no particular device or impression for as seal of said Court has been adopted or used, & that the deponent appears to be a credi- ble witness.
Ezra Bartlett

Ebenezer Messer of Landaff in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire of seventy five years of age depose & say that in April 1776 I enlisted as a private Soldier in Cap t Moses Brown's Compa- ny in Col John Glover's Regiment being the fourteenth in the Massachusetts line in the revolutionary army, for one year; that previous to this time I was acquainted with Phineas Merrill then of Bradford in the State of Massachusetts now of Bath in the County of Grafton & State of New- Hampshire, that in the month of April 1776 said Merrill was an enlisted Soldier in Cap t Dond's Company in the same Regiment to which I then belonged, & I am well knowing that said Merrill served therein for nine months or more & was honorably discharged at Peks-kill in New York in the month of Jan y 1777. ————— G. (letten) (see) sec m
Concord July 28 th 1818
Personally appeared Ebenezer Messer and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true before me ————— Ebenezer Ball Justice Peace

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Grafton ss.)
ON this sixteenth day of May 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County
personally appears Phineas Merrill aged 63 years, resident in Bath in the said State, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision 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:" That he the said Phineas Merrill enlisted in April 1776 at Bradford in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Bonds of the Massachusetts line in Col John Glover's Regiment ; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the January 1777. when he was discharged from service in Pekskill State of New York ; that he was in the battles of White-Plains & Brandy-point and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Ezra Bartlett
I, Ezra Bartlett Judge of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Phineas Merrill  for support is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of his country's assistance, & did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Aug. 10 th 1818.
Ezra Bartlett
I Ezra Bartlett Judge as aforesaid do certify that Eleazer Ball is an acting Justice of the peace for the County of Grafton aforesaid & that full faith & credit is due to his attestations as such Ezra Bartlett

Phinehas Merrill Declaration N. H.
1 March 183.
Hon. Mr. Whipple H. R. rec? Dec. 14. 1826.

State of New Hampshire
Grafton
At the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Records by law established, held at Plymouth within and for the county of Grafton on the first Tuesday of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six Present.
The Hon. { Arthur Livermore Chief Justice Timothy Farrar } Associate Justices Josiah Butler }
On this sixth day of October being the fourth day of the term personally appeared in open Court Phinehas Merrill aged seventy two years resident in Bath in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818, the 1 st of May 1820 and 1 st of March 1823 that he the said Phinehas Merrill enlisted for the term of one year or or about the 1 st day of April in the year 1776 in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Borne in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Glover in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment that he continued to serve in the corps until the month of February 1777 when being sick and left near Peekskill in the State of New York to be cured, and as soon as he was able he returned home by leave of his said Colonel his time having expired of enlistment, and never had a written discharge. That his original declaration was made and dated the 16 th day of May A.D. 1818 - that he received a pension certificate which is numbered 13.910: and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March A.D. 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner 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 the 18 th day of 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 viz.
   A few articles of kitchen furniture as in first schedule though more worn all worth not over 8 30   1 Cow small steeple both 16 "   1 Horse received for one named in first schedule which became old & useless 22 "   4 Sheep & lambs all 9 33   3 small Shoats 2 50   1 Axe & 1 Hoe both 1 "   A few shoe making tools nearly worn out value 2 "   1 old Wagon nearly worn out not worth repairing 4 "   1 old Sleigh worn out nearly 4 "   1 old horse Cart with 4 50   10 acres poor land hills land no profit survey & not worth over 60 "   Phinehas Merrill 133 63  
That since the exhibition of my first schedule the following changes have been made in my property viz 40 acres of land in Hebron New Hampshire then owned by me I sold & conveyed to Mr. Jacob Merrill on the 3 d day of August AD 1820 being its full value according to the certified copy of the deed herewith exhibited. I received of Mr. Merrill a note signed by Ebenezer Wise for said land for one hundred dollars & it has been paid to me & I have expended it in my maintenance. The 40 acres of land I owned in Bath in 1820 I bought of Caleb Hunt in October 1819 & took his deed for it & did not put the deed on record & in October 1820 I sold said land to Elijah Hunt now dead & to John Hunt

now gone from New Hampshire to reside & where I know not for three hundred dollars, & I gave back my lease to Caleb Hunt & he at my request deeded said land for me to said Elijah & John & They gave me their notes payable in neat stocks grain & lumber for two hundred dollars & said Caleb for one hundred dollars & I have received the amount of said notes of them from time to time in provisions other farm debts for me & I have expended it all to support me & my wife through much sickness & expense which has cut it all up. & I now owe forty dollars & have not the means to pay it. I am by occupation a Shoemaker but cannot work but very little, being old, infirm & weakly. My wife is aged 56 years & in 1823 had a long fit of sickness & has never recovered & is now very feeble. I have no others in my family. My wife by a former marriage has a child who is about 18 years old named Rebecca who makes our house her home occasionally & is kind to assist us, but has no property and is under no obligation to aid us and I do declare that I cannot support myself & wife without the aid of my charity or by charity. I have been kept off long and now my means are gone. Hope to receive a pension again.
Phinehas Merrill
Sworn & declared before the Justices of said Court this 6 th day of October A.D. 1826 H. D. Woodworth Clerk
The Court having heard evidence thereof are of opinion that the whole amount of the property of the said Phinehas Merrill does not exceed one hundred thirty three dollars sixty three cents
H. D. Woodworth Clerk
Copy examined H. D. Woodworth Clerk

45.005
INVALID.
Perry
File No. 45.005
Phineas Merrill
Rev. Rev. War
Act: 18 th March 1818
1 st May 1820 or 1 st March 1822
Index: —Vol. 3 , Page 331
[Arrangement of 1870.]

13.910 R  New Hampshire
Phineas Merrill
of Bath in the state of New Hampshire who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Glover of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Nine months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 16 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of June 1818 and sent to Ezra Bartlett Esq. Haverhill New Hampshire
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819 77.16
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819. 48.00
9 Mo. 20. 31 $125.16
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Not entitled
Notification that the 2d. June 1820, to the Pensioner at Bath
M. H.
4th May 1820. New Hampshire 8 Nov. 1827. to her France 6 May 1828. to do.

Copy of a Deed Planchas Merrill to Jacob Hurd —

KNOW all Men by these Presents,
THAT Thunehas Merrill of Bath in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire Shure Yeoman.
For and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me in hand, before the delivery hereof, well and truly paid by Jacob Hurd of Bath in said County Joinder
the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, has given, granted, bargained, sold, and by these presents, do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enseoff, convey and confirm unto the said Jacob Hurd and to his heirs and assigns, forever one half of a lot of land in the town of Bath in the County of Grafton, situated in the third range of lots and a part of the lot numbered twenty one adjoining said half lot on the whole about thirty five acres more or less and being the same half lot and parcel of lot which John Phillips conveyed to me by deed dated the fourth day of December Anno Domini 1808 as follows: That beginning at the southeast corner of said lot numbered sixteen, thence running northerly on the easterly line of said lot across said lot and on said lot numbered twenty one to Thomas H. Read's land, thence westerly by said Read's land until it comes to Mr. Grant's land thence running south easterly on said line with the easterly line of said lot to the southerly line thereof thence easterly in the southerly line of said lot to the bound began at
To have and to hold the said granted premises with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same, belonging to him the said Jacob Hurd and to his heirs and assigns to his share only proper use and benefit forever. And I the said Thunehas Merrill and my heirs, executors and administrators, do hereby covenant, grant and agree to, and with the said Jacob Hurd and his heirs, and assigns, that until the delivery hereof I am seized and possessed thereof in my own right and fee simple, and have full power and lawful authority to grant and convey the same in manner aforesaid; that the said premises are free and clear of all and every incumbrance whatever, and that I and my heirs, executors and administrators shall and will warrant the same to the said Jacob Hurd and his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty  Signed sealed and delivered, in presence of us  John Blough M.P. Payson  Thunehas Merrill Seal
State of New Hampshire  Grafton ss. State of August 3 d 1820 Then personally appeared the aforementioned Thunehas Merrill and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me,  M.P. Payson Justice of the Peace.  Grafton March 18. 1823  Rec d recorded & indexed  Attest John D. Kimball Reg d

Grafton Sept 25. 1826 The within is a true copy of record examined by
John Kingsbury Regr
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss Court of Common Pleas Clerks Office I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Grafton do hereby certify that on the day of the above date Epbraim Kingsbury Esq whose name appears above under his own proper name was Registered of classes for said county of Grafton duly qualified to make the above certificate
Witness my hand & the seal of said court this 18 th day of Feb y 1828
George Woodward Clerk

Bath Dec 25 1827
Friend Sir
I have recd. the letter from your department on Phoebe Ann's Pension case. I now enclose the certified copies of the Deeds and the affidavits of the creditors. I do hope that his case may be settled so that he can draw next month as he really needs the help of his country being such a poor
I am respectfully with much esteem for yourself & the admin- your most Obedt Servant all of Bath N.Y.
Have James Burham see them

I lack the merit of having full age before and Say that on the 6 of Octbr 1817 I deeded to Phinehas Merrill of Bath a piece of Land for the sum of three hundred Dollars and he paid me for it in about two years after in full and in Octbr 1820 he the said Phinehas Warranted the same piece of Land to Elijah and John Hunt and the Deed that I gave to the said Phinehas not being as recorded he requested me to Deed to them which I did and took up my old Deed given him in 1817 the sum the Hunts was to pay him was three hundred Dollars and I paid the said Phinehas one hundred of what he was to have in grain lumber and various terms where he was owing and the other was paid him by the said Elijah and John in paid-up and other various pay for the benefit of his family and Do not know of one cent being due him at this time the reason why I am the very sure is that the sd Elijah has since died and I have the letters of his estate and that there has been no claim presented to me where the Merrill is interested and John Hunt has moved to Troy NY about 2 years ago and when he was here and all business as I know it was done and done in a fair way and that the sd Merrill if I know his situation which my Henry says I do is in

Knowl of . armistice and further say if I know him he is an honest poor Man and very seventy years of age and unable to labor but very little and has an aged companion with him to support Caleb Hunt
Grafton J. Sept 30 th 1826
Personally appeared Caleb Hunt & made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just just & true before me
John Kimball Justice Peace
State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss Court of Common Pleas, Clerks Office
I hereby certify that John Kimball Esq whose name appears above under his own proper hand with which I am well acquainted, is a Justice of the peace for said county of Grafton duly qualified to administer oaths witness my hand & the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of Oct. anno Domini 1826 J. Woodworth Clerk

Know all men by these presents that I Caleb Hunt of Bethel in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire gentleman for and consideration of Hundred Dollars to me in hand, before the delivery hereof well and truly paid by Elijah Hunt and John Hunt Mother of the said husband men the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have given granted Bargained and sold and by these presents do give Grant Bargained sell convey and confirm unto the said Elijah and John Hunt their heirs and assigns forever all certain tract or parcel of land situated in the said County sitting by Estimation fifteen acres be the same more or less all that part of the southerly half of the hundred acre lot numbered fifteen in the first range of hundred acre lots East of Ammonoosuc River which is situated between the two roads leading from the Ammonoosuc river to Haverhill viz the River Road by Carlton and back Road by Goodwin in the said River Road now located containing about seven and an half acres by Estimation be the same more or less a fraction and an half acre being a part of the hundred acre lot numbered sixteen in the first range of hundred acre lots East of Ammonoosuc River it being the same I hold by Deed from Ebenezer Dyer dated 4th December 1813 also another tract or parcel of land situated in the said County being a part of said hundred acre lot number sixteen and described as follows to wit beginning at a stake and stones standing on the Easterly side of the Road leading to Haverhill at the southeasterly corner of the land late of Oliver Sawyer Descend thence South twenty eight East by the Sawyer land twenty two rods to a stake and stones thence East fifteen degrees north twenty nine rods to a stake and stones standing on the southeasterly side line of the lot thence South thirty degrees west west thirty eight rods to a stake and stones standing on the west side of the old Road leading from the said River to Haverhill by John Sanborn at the corner of the land I bought of the late Ebenezer Dyer mentioned thence on the line of said land to the Easterly side of the Road first mentioned thence southerly on the Easterly side of said River Road to the River began at containing by Estimation be the same more or less which last mentioned is the same which I have conveyed to Ebenezer Carlton & by Deed bearing Date 16th Janf 1813 and the said Carlton has thereby conveyed his majority in the same to me So have and to hold the said granted premises

premises with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same same belonging to them the said Elijah Hunt and John Hunt their heirs and assigns and to their and their only proper use and benefit forever. & the said Caleb Hunt for myself heirs & ex- ecutors & administrators do hereby covenant grant and agree to and with the said Elijah and John Hunt their heirs & assigns that until the Delivery hereof I am the Lawfull owner of the said premises seized and possessed thereof in my own right in full simple and full power and Lawfull authority to grant and convey the same in manner aforesaid that the said premises are free and clear of all and every incumbrance whatsoever and that I my heirs Executors and administrators shall and will warrant and defend the same to the said Elijah & John Hunt their heirs and assigns against the Lawfull Claims and De- mands of any person or persons whomsoever in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Day of October Anno Domini 1820
Signed sealed and delivered Caleb Hunt in presence of John George Joseph Dodge
Grafton ss. State of New-Hampshire, Bath, Aug. 27. 1823.
Then the above named Caleb Hunt personally acknow- ledged the foregoing deed by him signed. to be his free act & deed.
Before me, David Smith, Jus. Peace.
Grafton August 27. 1823 Rec d for record recorded Lib 9 fol 512 & examined Attest Jph Kingsbury Regr

Said Caleb Hunt to Ex J. Hunt Certified within

Grafton Is. Register's Office, Dec r 12 th 1827.
The within is a true copy of Rec d see lib r 90 fol o 512 examined attest John Page Reg r
State of New Hampshire
Grafton Is. I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Grafton do hereby certify that on the day of the above date John Page Esq r whose name appears above under his own proper hand was, & now is, Register of Deeds for said county of Grafton duly qualified to make the above certificate.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 18 th day of February anno Domini 1828
George Woodward Clerk

I David Smith Jr before say that I have traded in goods in Bath Me from 1822 until now & Phoebe Merrill of said Bath began to take moneys out of my Store on the 19 June 1823 has continued to do so ever since as need for herself & family in small articles all amounting a little over one hundred Dollars she has paid by Elijah Hunt Notes when he sold land to them all but 9, 82 which he now owes me he has been careful & prudent & takes nothing but moneys she sold me John Hunt & Elijah Hunt note to enable him to get the things - The note was for two Hundred Dollars Dated Oct 9, 1820 by him for land as I understand said Hunt - I have said note now Elijah Hunt is dead & John Hunt has received money out of the estate & said Merrill has requested the balance of said note 10, 81 to me the rest was paid him before in small sums at sundry times as appears by endorsements on said note - said note is in behalf

Hunts hand writing I hope my daughter The copy of it before me on it is pronounced - Said Merrill is richly the all appearance has to have no doubt there are the previous - The following is a copy of said note - But the Oct 9 1820 For value received we jointly & severally promise to pay Phoebe has Merrill two hundred Dollars payable in grain nut stock & lumber in equal proportion of each at common market price - The lumber to be delivered in Marshall building in Haverhill The stock & lumber to be delivered at Bath village within three years from date & interest yearly witness Caleb Hunt (signed) Eliza Hunt John Hunt
On the back is endorsed in William & Hutchinson Hand Writing 1822 Jan 10 now $35.67 1823 Jan 10 " 33.22 1824 April 7 " " 61.42 } 164.36 " " 34.05 }
See other hand writing May 10 (no year) $20.00 in part also June 16 (no year) twenty Dollars Nov 13 1822 one hundred 6 Dollars also May 17 1823 one hundred 1,34 also Dec 1824 one hundred at 1,28 - March 9 1829 allowed by the commissioners of Elijah Hunts estate to me 17.46 (signed by Caleb Hunt & Confirmation John Hunt) { also to me Eliza Hunt } also to me
The above are the facts according to my best recollection William Sterling -
Grafton J. Dec 25 1827 David Smith Jr Then the said David Smith Jr personally appeared before me and oath that the above affidavit by him signed is just & true before me William Sterling

I William Hutchinson of Bath N.H. before saying that I have traded with Phoebe Munce of said Bath from May 1820 until Febry 1824, sundry dollars & 30 cents all in small articles furnished him during those four years out of our store being the stock of former Hutchinson & Co. of which I am the entire Partner there are now one hundred charges some necessary for himself & his family the husband's account has paid you said account by Elijah Hunt Lathers I have seen a note this day of which a copy is in David Smith's Depositions on this sheet 3 of which endorsements on it are in my hand writing I believe they paid me for said Phoebe the most of said amount I do believe said Munce is now Betsy Buckley Solemnly The Pension
Grafton Jn Dec 25, 1827 - W. Hutchinson was personally appeared before me and above affidavit is just to the best of my knowledge Frederick Hall Jur. Clerk

Affidavits -
State of New Hampshire
Grafton Co. Court of Common Pleas Clerk's Office
I George Woodward Clerk of said Court do certify that Ira Goodale Esq whose name appears under his own hand / with which I am well acquainted / to two certificates on this sheet, is a Justice of the peace within & for said county of Grafton, duly qualified to take affidavits & that full credit is due to be given to his official attributions Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court this 26 th day of December A D. 1827
W. Woodward Clerk

1820 I Jucal Hunt of Bath before I say that on the 3 d day of August I purchased of Phinehas Merrill about 40 acres of land in Helens N.H. at the price of $100 which I think was its fair value as I sold it for the same sum - I bought it to aid said Merrill who was much out of health & unable to do much or go with me to Helens to see it was very destitute of the means of support although he then owned this land & 40 or 45 acres of land in Bath but it was mostly uncultivated & poor & he very little income & he could not get support himself & keep it - after spend- ing several days I lost my time & expen- se & sold it for $100 only since I gave him all I got for it & two other years after he had expended it all & was in debt & had to sell his Bath land to stock his pay in provisions & had some debts paid by the Hunt who bought it one is dead & the other moved out of the state & having his deed of it not on record he gave it up to Caleb Hunt who sold to him Caleb Hunt back to Elijah & John Hunt for him & there is no deed of it on record to as from Phinehas Merrill no copy can be given as the deed is cancelled by agreement with Caleb Hunt & Merrill has received his pay of the Hunt in full & has expended it. He is now poor & destitute - his wife has for nearly three years been sick & feeble & I do believe he must have assistance or charity to continue supported - I know he is an industrious man but was unable to do much - I was acquainted with his situation and don't believe his personal

property worth over twenty five Dollars this is such things mostly as he must have or less thereon as the same are now - his time comes of hand I should think worth fifty or sixty Dollars I suppose in part time from his care business which he could not spend with the support himself keep at all for I have no doubt of his stating the facts as they are in respect to his present business that his sales were better field transactions to give him a support broad fairly the mostly from nursery -
Grafton Pa Sep 29 1826 Jacob Hunt Bureau to be done now
Frederick J. P. Penn
State of Pennsylvania
Grafton Pa
Court of Common Pleas Clerks Office
I hereby certify that John Goerner Esq whose name appears above under his own proper hand with which I am well acquainted, is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Grafton duly qualified to administer oaths
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of October anno domini 1826
Robt Woodruff Clerk
Jacob Hunt Esq affidavit Memoranda care

Copy Rhinebeck Union -
not entitled 13910
29 June 1819.

District of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
At the superior Court of Judicature of the State of New Hampshire held at Hanover within & for said county of Grafton being a court of record by the laws of said State on this 30th day of May in the year of our Lord 1820 personally appeared in open court Abimelech Merrill aged 65 years & 4 months, resident in Bath in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows viz a private soldier in Capt Bonds company & Colonel Gilmore's regiment in Massachusetts line, that his original declaration was made & dated the 15th day of May A.D. 1818. that he has received a pension the certificate of which is numbered 13910. And I do solemnly swear, that I was an honest citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March A.D. 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposal of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it so as to bring myself within the provision 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 of 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 & by me subscribed as follows viz. A few articles of kitchen furniture worth not more than — — — 10.00
  16 cow - middling size 14.00 1 old horse waggon 10.00   1 horse worth not more than 20.00 1 old single sleigh 2.00   2 sheep & 2 lamb 6.00 40 acres of land in Holton N.H. which   10 small sheats 4.00 is no income to me being will land 100.00   a few articles of farming tools 40 acres of land in Bath mostly   shoemaker tools all old ones unimproved with a small   all worth not more 10.00 house partly finished in which   54.00 2 tier, but am unable to finish   it now 200.00   376.00 

And I am owing nearly one hundred dollars now, that I bought some considerable part of my said property since I had my pension by the money I obtained under it. That I could not pay my debts with my personal property nor could I live without it & keep house. My land is very little in value indeed & with all the labor I can bestow on it myself (being unable to hire much) & my pension too, I am but just keep along & I have been unable to do a days work three months - And I further declare, that I am by occupation a cordwainer in firm & unable to pursue my business being in a weakly way. My wife is aged 53 years & as well as women in general. My wife being my second in marriage has one child aged 13 years which is quite unable to support herself. My health & the situation of circumstances of my family is such, that I should not be able to support myself without my pension - I have six daughters by my former wife all of age & all gone off & none under any obligation to assist me. I have no son -
Phinehas Merrill
We the subscribers selectmen of said town of Bath do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the said Phinehas Merrill & believe the statement or affidavit to be his situation & that the property is fairly priced it being our approval of the same -
Samuel Hutchinson } Selectmen of John Clement } Bath -
Sworn to & declared before the Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature of the State of New Hampshire in open Court on this 20 th day of May 1820 -
Asst. S t . W m Weston Clerk

Stephen P. Webster Clerk of the Superior Court of Pulaski for the county of Grayson do hereby certify That the foregoing rate & the schedule thereto annexed - are truly copied from the records of said Court; And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 376 - - - dollars - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court on this 20 th day of May Anno Domini 1820 -
S. P. Webster Clerk

Bath Feb 16 1828
I recd your communication relative to Oliveras Merrill yesterday & have had the duds authenticated & affidavits enlarged here he has expnd all the assets of his estate.
I could have obtained But French if he had been at home but his claim is small & Mr Merrill is sick & is very anxious about this like a child & his friends thought we had not best wait
I hope it is satisfactory I know he is honestly poor & that all is fair & Mr Whipple saw say whether I would accept this if I did not know it
Yours with extreme respect & etc Frederick A. D. C.
Dear James Barbour

Haverhill, N.H. June 2 d 1819. —
Sir,
Phineas Merrill has procured the testimony of his Brother, Josiah Merrill, who appears to be a man of truth & veracity, which, with the testimony of Ebenezer Messer, who was out with him & who has obtained a certificate entitling him to a pension for the same services which Merrill performed, I conclude will be satisfactory to you that the applicant, Merrill, did serve as he has stated; I have therefore returned his papers with this additional testimony.
I am, most respectfully,
Sir,
your obed t . Servant —
Honorable, John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War —
Ezra Bartlett

7 Jacob Heard of Lawful age of Bath Vth Deppar being that I have arrested Phinehas Merrill in his affairs for ten or twelve years I have paid some Debts for him I aided him to lease the house he lives in was given to him by Timothy Barron of Bath Jonathan Barnes gave him the use of an acre of land I assisted him to fix it up & gave him the joiner work as he was poor I paid for some timbers to make a chimney I got it laid up for a store of wood to cover it in all about fifty Dollars which he had to do to make it habitable it is a very small house but is finished now but that with what he had to pay Doctor Edmund Dean for visits medicines in his sickness & debt French for same (since Deat Dean's death) & some small stone bills and to Rosewell Shattiff of wiring some Dollars I paid last year I said Shattiff is now moved out of the state I other little debts all necessary as far as I know he's exhausted all his means I sell the accounts of the lender he sold me the land he sold Elijah Hunt John Hunt left him poor Selecti tute she is really unable to live without charity I must have suffered before now if we had not assisted him I did not continue to give pity - He is very feeble I described his triumph with a glass near since he left the country - as he was all the above payments are in small sums from our dead home gone away from him sent an affidavit tell Merrill cannot well do more than he has to show his poverty dark the end of his Century -
Forrest Ward Grafton Feb 15 1828 This I do hereby certify that the above affidavit made solemnly on the that the same is just & true & do hereby that he is a respectable individual without hope in the good all justice of the law

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss
Court of Common Pleas Clerks Office
I George Woodworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that Ira Goodale Esq whose name appears within under his own proper hand is a Justice of the Peace within & for said county of Grafton duly qualified to make the within certificate
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 18 th day of February anno Domini 1828
Rollwoodworth Clerk