Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 23968, for George Means, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Means, George Hannah
W 23968.
CONTENTS

Rep d
Maine 5503
Hannah Means, widow of George Means, who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17. day of May 1864 and sent to M. S. Allison Present
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 1, Page 33,

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7th. 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows."
State of Maine } York County } ss.
On this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared before the Hon. Ezekiel Whitman chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of the State of Maine, October Term 1838. in open court Hannah Means, a resident of Saco in the County of York; aged seventy two years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7th. 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions." That she is the widow of George Means of Saco, deceased, who was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution, as I have often heard him say. I think I have heard him say that he served at Providence & on Long Island, but in what company & Regiment I do not recollect. She further declared that she was married to the said George Means on the seventeenth day of September in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty five; that

her husband the aforesaid George Means died on the third day of September in the the year Eighteen hundred & twenty four; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before
Lauriston Ward, Witness } Hannah Means her { mark
Subscribed & sworn to on the day and year aforesaid
Ezekiel Whitman
State of Maine
York ss. I. Miriam H. Hobbs Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for said County, hereby certify that Ezekiel Whitman is Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of said State, and that the above signature purporting to be his, is genuine. also that John F. Scammon is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas, the seven- teenth day of October A.D. 1838
H. H. Hobbs. Clerk

Be know all men by these presents that I, Hannah Means, of Saco, in the County of York, & State of Maine, widow of George Means of said Saco, deceased, & the same named in my Declaration hereto annexed, do hereby make & appoint Lauriston Ward of said Saco, Esquire, to be my true and lawful Attorney for me & in my name, place and stead, to demand, recover & receive from the Secretary of War, the Commissioner of Pensions, or any other officer of the United States, any Pension Certificate & all sums of money to which I am or may be entitled under the provisions of the act of Congress of July 7th. 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay & pension to certain widows;" and on receipt thereof full & sufficient release & discharge to make and deliver for the same. Giving & granting to my said Attorney as full & complete power & authority in the premises as I could exercise if personally present. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, at Saco in the State of Maine, this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Signed, Sealed & delivered in presence of
John H. Scammon Nicholas Means
Hannah Means her X mark
(Over)

State of Maine.
York ss. On this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared Hannah Means and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney by her signed, to be her free act and Deed, & at the same time made oath that according to law that all the matters & things therein set forth are just and true as stated.
Before me, John L. Scammon Justice of the Peace

George Means - Born April 20 th 1757. -
Hannah Means - " Jan. y 25 th 1766. -
The following are the names of their children born in Saco. -
Elias Means - Born February Seventeenth, One thousand seven hundred & eighty-six.
Mary Means - " - February twenty-ninth, One thousand seven hundred & eighty-eight.
John Means - " - March fifteenth, One thousand seven hundred & ninety
George Means - " - November twenty-fourth. One thousand seven hundred & ninety-two.
I certify that the above is a true copy of the births of the children of George & Hannah Means taken from the records of the town of Saco, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows,
"Elias Means born Feb'y 17 th . 1786 Mary Means " Feb'y 29 th . 1788 John Means " March 15 th . 1790 George Means " Nov. 24 th . 1792."
George Sutherland
Town Clerk of the town of Saco & who have the cus- tody of the records of said town
I George Sutherland, above named, do hereby certify that I hold the office of town clerk of the town of Saco in the County of York & State of Maine, & that the above is (over)

a true extract from the records of said town of Saco with the exception above na- med, as certified by me.
George Sutherland Town Clerk of the town of Saco.
State of Maine
York } Saco } ss.
Sworn to this fourteenth day of August A. D. 1840.
Before me Lauriston Ward, Notary Public.

I Thomas Mearns of Brooks, in the County of Waldo & State of Maine aged 84 years & pensioner on the Maine Roll under the Act of Congress of 1818 do upon oath hist ry & say, that George Mearns late of Saco in York County in said State, deceased, was my brother; that during the Revolutionary War our home was at said Saco that in November 1776 as I think my said brother George Mearns enlisted as a private for three months in Capt Humphrey Pikes Comp y of the Massachusetts troops, that afterwards in the year 1778 he again enlisted as a private in Colo Wades Regt of the same troops for the period of eight months & served and that period that the next year 1779 he served in what was called the Benedict expedition in Maine having enlisted for three months under Capt Littlefield of Wells.
That I well recollect of being present & seeing him - my brother George married to Miss Hannah Danks about the year 1783-84, that he died fifteen years ago or there abouts & that his widow is still living at Saco - or was a short time since.
Thomas Mearns.
State of Maine
Waldo ss. Subscribed & sworn to this twenty third of March 1840 the deponent being a credible witness
Before me W m Hoxford Justice Peace

Pay  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23968
Hannah Means Wid of George Means Brn Rev War
Act: Mar 3 rd 1843
Index:—Vol. M , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hannah Mearns Madine
act 7 July 1838 suspended
Single W. Mearns Esq. Post W. M. Allison Washington City D.C.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Hannah Means, of Saco in the County of York & State of Maine, widow of George Means late of said Saco, deceased, have constituted and made, and in my stead and place put, and by these Presents do constitute and make, and in my stead and place put William S. Allison of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, Esquire,
to be my lawful Attorney, for me and in my name and stead, and to my use, to prosecute my claim against the United States for a pension to demand & receive of the Commissioner of Pensions in the said city of Washington, my papers in relation to said claim, forwarded to said Commissioner by Lauriston Ward, Esquire, of said Saco, as my Attorney, and now in the office of the said Commissioner
Given and hereby granting unto my said Attorney, my full power and authority, in and about the premises; and to take and use all due means, course and process in the law for accomplishing the same, and in my name to make, seal and execute due acquittances and discharges therefor: And for the purposes aforesaid to appear, and the person of his constituent to represent before any governor, judges, justices, officers, and ministers of the law whatsoever, in any Court or Courts whatsoever: With full power to make and substitute one or more attorneys under him, my said Attorney and the same again at pleasure to revoke. And generally to do, transact, accomplish and finish all matters and things whatsoever, relating to the premises, as fully and effectually, as I his said constituent should, ought or might personally, although the matter should require more special authority than is herein comprised. I hereby ratifying and holding firm and valid whatsoever my said Attorney or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises, by virtue of these presents.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in Presence of Nicholas Means Lauriston Ward
Hannah Means her mark
State of Maine.
York ss. October 14 th 18 43. Then the above named Hannah Means personally acknowledged the above instrument, by her signed and sealed, to be her deed. Before me, Lauriston Ward JUST. PACIS.

3862
Hannah Mearns widow of George MD
Act 7 July 1838
1

I, Stephen Googins, of Saco in the County of York & State of Maine, aged eighty three years, depose & say, that I was a Soldier in the Continental Army in the war of the Revolution; that my father & the father of George Means, late of said Saco, & the late husband of Hannah Means, now of said Saco, Widow were neighbours during said war; that when I returned from the Army in the year 1775, I found that the said George Means had enlisted in the Militia in the Massachusetts line. He enlisted in said Militia at two different times, & served more than a year, in the whole but how long much longer I cannot recollect. I think he served at one time in the Company commanded by a Capt. Berry. He served on Long Island and on Rhode Island & was driven off by the British. There were a number of Soldiers belonging to Saco, then called Pepperellborough, that served in said Militia with said George in said war but I believe they are all dead.
Lauriston Ward, Witness
Stephen Googins his mark
State of Maine York, Saco ss.
On this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight personally appeared (over)

before me, Lauriston Ward, a Notary Public in and for the County of York, by legal authority duly admitted & sworn and dwelling in Saco, the aforesaid Deponent, and after being carefully examined & duly cautioned, made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, in the town of Saco in the State of Maine, on this thirteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Lauriston Ward, Notary Public.

I, George Geogins, of Saco in the County of York & State of Maine, aged seventy five years, depose and say, that I was always acquainted with George Means late of said Saco, from his boyhood up to the time of his death; that I know that he served in the Militia in the Massachusetts line in the war of the Revolution; I think the in the Company com- pany commanded by a Capt. Berry; that he served on Long Island, & was driven off by the British; and afterwards on Rhode Island; that he was out two or three times & served a year, or more, in the whole. He was down at Bagaduce (now Eastport) when our troops had a skirmish with the British. The said George Means had the character of being a good soldier. I think he was at the taking of Burgoyne, but I am not certain. I feel pretty certain that he was out one year in the whole, if not more. I think he went into the Army in the last of the year 1776, or 1777, but do not recollect, when he returned from the last period of his service. —
George Geogins
State of Maine York, Saco, ss.
On this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared (over)

before me, Lauriston Ward, a Notary Public, in and for the County of York, by legally au- thority duly admitted & sworn, and dwelling in Saco, the aforesaid Deponent, and after be- ing carefully examined & duly cautioned made oath that the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed is true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal, in the town of Saco, in the State of Maine on this thirteenth day of Oc- tober, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Lauriston Ward Notary Public.

I, Susannah Cummings, of Biddeford in the County of York & State of Maine, aged seventy years, depose & say, that I was present at the marriage of George Means & Hannah Banks, both of Saco, & saw the marriage ceremony performed. They were married at Biddeford by the Rev. Nathaniel Webster, I think it was fifty three years ago, this fall. The said Hannah is now present & the widow of the said George Means, having never been married again since his death.
Susannah Cummings
State of Maine York, Saco ss.
On this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared before me, Lauriston Ward a Notary Public, in and for the County of York, by legal authority duly admitted & sworn, & dwelling in Saco, the aforesaid Deponent, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made oath that the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed is true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal, in the town of Saco, in the State of Maine, on this thirteenth day of October in (over)

the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. I also certify that the said Deponent is known to me & believed to be a person of truth & veracity.
Lauriston Ward, Notary Public
I, William Smith, of Biddeford in the County of York & State of Myriam  Trades , depose & say, that I am Town Clerk of said Biddeford & have the custody of the Town Records of said town & of the records of the marriages in said town, so far as they have been returned into the Clerk's Office, by the Ministers & Magistrates who solemnized them, and there recorded; that I have examined the records of said town & that I cannot find any record of the marriage of George Means to Hannah Banks of Saco: And I further state that few returns of the marriages solemnized by the Rev. Nathaniel Webster appear to have been made by him into the Clerk's Office of said town, and further your Deponent saith not.
William Smith Town Clerk
State of Maine
York County, Saco, ss. On this third day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared

before me, Lauriston Ward, a Notary Public, in & for the County of York, by legal authority duly ad- mitted & sworn, & dwelling in Saco, the aforesaid Deponent, who is personally known to me & believed to be a man that would not testify to anything that was not strictly true, and made oath that the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed is true.
In testimony whereof I here- unto set my hand & affix my No- tarial seal, in the town of Saco aforesaid, on the day last aforesaid.
Lauriston Ward, Notary Public

Rep.
Maine 8395
Hannah Means
widow of George Means
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 3. September 1824 of York Co. in the State of Maine who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Berry of the commanded by in the Mass. mil. line for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 46 - Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of May 1844 and sent to M. S. Albin Present
Total amount, $233 :30
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brann Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 11

3062
act 7 July '38
Hannah Means widow of George Means, 14 months Private folder. $40:00 per mo
03 I have 2 certificates act '38 & act 43- h. (under act '43) 5871-
Send cut: 15 W. S. Allison Σ Present

Aug 18 1870
me add. proof Hannah means
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Saco, Aug. 14. 1840.
Sir,
Your letter of the 15 th . of May last was duly received.
In compliance with your requirement, I herewith enclose you a duly authenticated extract, from the records of the town of Saco, of the births of the children of George & Hannah Means, as "documentary proof showing that they lived together as husband & wife prior to January 1. 1794." I know of no other documentary proof, showing the above fact, as having existed, except perhaps a record of the baptisms of their children, which I presume may be found. I can, however, prove the fact by a host of living witnesses. But I doubt not that the document enclosed will be deemed sufficient.
Yours Respectfully Gauriston Ward

23 Aug 1841.
Car. Ham. St. Museum.
Mrs. Ly. Weston
S. Ward
Maine
23
James I. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Mrs. Ly. Weston The Rev. Mr. Webb Maine

Paco, Aug. 19. 1840.
Sir
Your letter of the 22 d . of August 1840. stating that the claim of Hannah Means for a pension would suspended remain for further proof, was duly received.
I have not been able to find any additional evidence in support of the claim since the receipt of your letter, nor do I know where to look for any. I must therefore submit her claim upon the evidence already adduced, viz. The Depositions of Stephen & George Googins & Thomas Means. If these depositions are not so full & particular as could be desired, they contain all the facts they could recollect. If they were mistaken as to the names of the officers under whom George Means served, it is not to be wondered at, considering the advanced age of the deponents, & that neither of them served with him. The deponents are men of veracity, & there is no doubt but that the husband of the claimant served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution,

in all, somewhere about two years. The claimant having proved the service of her husband by living witnesses, ought she to be barred of her claim because she cannot prove the names of the officers under whom he served; or, because his name cannot be found on the Muster Rolls in the Pension Office, when it is understood that so many of the original Rolls have been lost?
As the claimant is poor, and as I believe that her deceased husband performed the requisite services, I shall regret, extremely, if the evidence that has been able to be adduced in support of her claim, shall not, upon a reexamination & further consideration, be deemed sufficient.
Will you please inform me of your decision as soon as made, and oblige
Your Obedt. Servant Laureston Ward
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Washington D.C. Oct 26. 1843
Sir
Enclosed herewith is a power of Atts from Mrs Hannah Means, authorizing me to call for her papers. If I cannot be allowed to look at them, be pleased to state to me particularly what service is alleged as set forth, and what other evidence is required, so that I may be enabled to obtain it.
I am respectfully Your Obed Servt
Wm Allison
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commrs of Pensions

Apr 16. 1840
much obliged me
Rev.
M. C. [unclear]
J. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions City of Washington D.C.

Washington City April 10 1840
Dear Sir
I recommend the enclosed letter to your early consideration - If any personal explanation from me can be of service I will care to see you -
Yours truly
William Clifford
Hannah Miley
General Bradley says of Hall's writes to me as follows - extract - "Some twelve months ago. I made out certain pension papers for Israel

Wakefield of Boston & Noah Hill of Hollis" (you know dear) "which were left with Mr. Prudhomme to be as then treated & which he says he found in a dry place described as the the common place of Prisons - Wakefield has been called upon by the Department for further proof - Hill has never heard a syllable from the officer & is in great doubt as to the date of his letter 'His application was for an invalid pension' - - -
Please inform me of the state of the two cases -
Yours W E

ap. 8. 1840 APO APR
James T. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Hon. Clifton Adams

Saco, April 3 d 1840.
Sir,
Your letter of the 6 th of May 1839 stating that you had examined the claim of Mrs. Hannah Means, widow of George Means, dec., and returning the papers & disallowing the claim for want of satisfactory proof of service was duly received. It was not known at that time that any further evidence could be obtained to substantiate said claim & the matter, of course, was suffered to rest. Recently, however, it was ascertained that Thomas Means of Brooks, about 120 miles from this, was acquainted with the facts in relation to the services of his brother George, as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. His deposition has been taken & appears to be full as to the several terms of service & in support of the claim. Having obtained this Deposition I now enclose it to you, together with the original papers, and, in behalf of the claimant, respectfully request you to re-examine the claim & decide upon it as now presented.
I have just received a letter from John Means Esqr. of Augusta, a very respectable man, & a son of the claimant, who says "there is no doubt but my mother is fairly entitled to a pension & therefore I think we are justified in pursuing it."
I shall write the Hon. Nathan Clifford the Representative in Congress from this District who will call on you in relation to this claim.
Respectfully
Your Obedt. Servant
Lauriston Ward
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

May 15 44
Cam
Stan. Meany
Dept of the
Act 38
W. S. Allinson
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Court of Common Pleas
5871 Oct 43.

May 14. 1846.
Sir
Will you oblige me by having the claim of Hannah Means of Maine, act 7 July 1838, suspended care,
I am resp
Thos. Allen
J. J. Edwards Esq. Committee of Review

Saco May 6. 1844.
Wm. S. Allison Esq.
Sir,
I enclosed you in Novr. last the amended declaration of Han- nah Means, a claimant for a pension, a- -greeably to your request. Since which I have not heard anything from you in relation to her case. Will you please to inform me what progress you have made in establishing her claim? and oblige
Your Obedt. Servt. Gerriston Ward

JOHN FAIRFIELD, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS,
GREETING:
Know Ye, That William Huxford , whose name is borne upon the paper hereunto annexed, was at the date of his attestation thereto, a justice of the Peace within and of the county of Waldo,
John Fairfield
duly nominated and appointed, commissioned and qualified; and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at AUGUSTA, this first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty and in the sixty-fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
Philip L. Johnson , Secretary of State.

Benj Portman = M17 L 100 8 14 Bay for Booz Ge Poa — An North Run
L 4 - 5

of Pepperlborough, Saco. George Means d. 1824 Hannah Means m. 1785 8. (Elwade. Perry Huluphey Pike proof of marriage not sat. at Bangor and Moxie Sub. field
Stephen Goggins m. when from any in 1775 - Howd Means gone in Capt Bangs Co G. Goggins -

Nov. 28, 1843. Barnes Means Maine
at 7 July 1835
purge
Additional to.
W. J. Allison Brest

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th. July 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows."
State of Maine County of York ss.
On this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty three personally appeared before me Garrison Ward one of the Justices of the Peace and of the Quorum within and for the county of York Hannah Means, aged seventy eight years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of George Means late of Saco in said county, who was a soldier in the army & in the militia during the revolutionary war; that having married her husband some years after the termination of his services, she cannot of course be expected to have any other knowledge of his services than what is derived from the statement of others; that her husband as she has been informed and verily believes served early in the Revolutionary War & in the militia, & at different periods under Captain Berry, Captain Humphrey Covery

Pike, Major Littlefield and Col. Wade and other officers for upwards of two years. She would prefer to the testimony exhibited of witnesses who had a personal knowledge of her husband's service, & also to such testimony as she may be able to obtain from the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, which she will endeavor to obtain with the least possible delay. She further declared that she was married to the said George Means on the seventeenth day of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five; that her husband the aforesaid George Means died on the twenty third day of September in the year eighteen hundred and twenty four; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; that she makes this as an emendation to her former declaration, now in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions in the City of Washington D. C. —
(One erasure & one interlineation before signing)
Gerritson Ward
Hannah Means her mark
Cyrus Means
} Witnesses
Sworn and subscribed on the day & year first above written, before
Gerritson Ward Justice of the Peace & Quorum

State of Maine, } ss. County of York. }
I, William Drafton, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, within and for said county of York, do hereby certify, that Lauriston Ward is an acting Justice of the Peace and of the quorum, in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty fourth day of December 1838, and will expire on the 21 st day of December 1845, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State the fifteenth day of November 1843.
William Drafton, Clerk.