Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17413, for Caleb Nye, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Nye, Caleb Abigail
W. 17413
CONTENTS

3577 Burlington Vermont
Abigail Nye widow of Caleb Nye dec d
who died on the 15 th November 1811 of Milton in the State of Vermont who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded by Captain Billings of the 1 st Reg t commanded by Col l Page in the N. H. C. line for 8 months N.H.
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington Vt at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of July 1841 and sent Orin Davis, Wells, Vermont
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $400.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept r 20.00 $420.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5 th }
Recorded by W. H. Addison Clerk, Book C Vol. 1 st Page 43

See no 5026

State of Vermont
Rutland County y.s.
On this 12 th day of August A.D. 1840 personally appeared before the honorable judge of the Probate Court for the district of Fairhaven in said County. Haged Nye a resident of Mills in the County of Rutland and within the Probate district aforesaid aged 93 years, who being first duly sworn according to law do hereby make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
That she is the widow of Caleb Nye deceased who was a Sergeant in the army of the Revolution. That he enlisted at Hardwick in the County of Wooster State of Massachusetts on the first of April 1775 in Capt. Samuel Billings Company, was stationed at Roxbury Mass. where he remained on duty until the first of January 1776 having served nine months. The names of the Regimental or field Officers she cannot now remember.
She further states that in April 1777 the said Caleb Nye again joined the Army as a minute man (as they were then called) & proceeded with his company to New Jersey & remained on duty until March 1778.
And that in June 1778, he again entered the Army & marched to White Plains where he remained in service of the United States until March 1779.
From her advanced age & consequent loss of memory she is unable to state names of the Officers of the company & Regiment, or the precise length of time he served in the two last terms of service mentioned above.
She further declares that she was married to the said Caleb Nye on the first or second Sunday in November in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy one at Barnstable Massachusetts. That her husband the said Caleb Nye died on the 15 th day of October 1811 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more

fuller appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Abigail her Meye marks
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me: And I do hereby certify that by reason of bodily infirmity, the said Abigail Meye the applicant is personally unable to attend in said Court to make her aforesaid declaration
And I do further certify that the said Abigail Meye is a person of credibility
Almon Warner Judge
State of Vermont Rutland County
I Benjamin F Langdon Register of the Probate Court for the District of Freshwater in said County of Rutland do hereby certify that the Hon. Almon Warner is Judge of said Probate Court as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. And I do further certify that the said Probate Court is a Court of Record
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court at Castleton in said Probate District & subscribed my name this 12 th day of August A D 1810
B F Langdon Register

Barnstable Ms. December 16 th 1837 Almon Warner Esq.
Dear Sir I have examined the records for the Town of Barnstable and cannot find the marriage of Caleb Sye and Abigail Goodspeed on record. I find the names of Abigail Caleb Sye and Abigail Goodspeed entered in order for marriage April 20 th A 1771 by Samuel Jenkins—town Clerk. The last record of any marriage by Symphos Marston Esq. that I can find is in Decr 13 th A. 1770.
Yours &c (Calvin Stetson) Town Clerk

V 5026 N.Y.
Suspended Set to O. Lewis May 9 th 1840
act 4 July 36

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 174413
Abigail Nye
Widow of
Caleb Nye
Sergt New Mar
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abigail Nye
Wid of Caleb
Vt.
Act July 4. 1836
Married 1771
died Oct 15 1811
Allen 8 mo. Surgeant $40. per ann. Mass. militia Capt Samuel Pellings.
Mr
Orlin Lewis
Wells
Vt.

Hardwick Caleb Nye d. Oct 1811.
Abigail Nye m. 1771.
1775 9 mo. Serf. Sam Billings
Apr. 1777 Minute man. went to New Jersey and remained there until March '78
June '78 Again joined the army at White Plains and remained there until March '79

Apl. 20. 1820
5026
July 1836
Granville N.Y. April 17
Free
James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Wells Vermont April 16 th 1840,
Dear Sir
Widow Rye has been engaged about 2 years in trying to obtain the Pension that her husband would have been entitled to had he been living. But her want of funds to enable her to prosecute the enquiry has thus far prevented her. I have endeavored to assist her a little in the present case. But my entire ignorance in such business, I hope will be an excuse for all blunders which you may detect in these papers. Should it lack the necessary proof in order to enable her to obtain the pension for Mr Ryes services which there is a record of in in the War Department, I trust you will forthwith inform me of the defect that steps may be taken to obtain it. Will you not examine her case as soon as your business will allow you and if the testimony is sufficient forward the requisite papers for obtaining it that she may obtain funds to employ some person better qualified than myself to pursue the enquiry likewise for her own comfort as she is in truly destitute circumstances. If the application as drawn to by her is correct I wish you to preserve it for future reference
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Vernon Force Chas. Dewart Orlin Lewis Wells Rutland Co Vermont
P.S. Should the papers be incorrect will you return them and let me know wherein OJ

By To Whom it may Concern.
Enclosed is the deposition of Lydia Percival taken at the request of Ansell Beardslee to prove the marriage of Abigail Goodspeed and sealed up by me.
Solomon C. Howland Justice of the Peace in Barnstable Co. Ms.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss Sandwich April 21 st 1888
Lydia Percival of Sandwich in the county of Barnstable widow woman aged Eighty four years or thereabouts being produced, sworn and examined of behalf of the marriage of Abigail Goodspeed formerly of Barnstable Mass. deposes as follows.
Question 1 Did you ever know Abigail Goodspeed formerly of Barnstable?
Answer. Yes I did know her
Question 2. Whose daughter was she?
Answer. Joseph Goodspeeds (called so)
Question 3 Was she ever married and if so to whom?
Answer. Yes. To Caleb Hye.
Question 4 Did you see them at the time they were married?
Answer. I did for I looked right on them.
Question 5 Who married them?
Answer. Nymphos Mearstirs Esqr
Question 6 How long ago should you think it was?
Answer. They were married in the fall of the year 1771
Question 7 At whose house were they married?
Answer. Joseph Goodspeeds her fathers.
Question 8 What data have you to say that they were married in the year 1771
Answer. Because I am now in my eighty fourth year and I was seventeen the fall they were married.

Question 9 Are you certain Wynphos Mearstins Esq. married them
Answer I think it was.
Question 10 What makes you think that he married them
Answer Because it was sabbath night and Mr Shan (the minister) did not disapprove of marrying on the sabbath.
Question 11 When they were married sabbath day night?
Answer. Yes they were
Question 12 Do you remember for a certainty that you saw them married?
Answer Yes I do remember that (laugh)
Question 13 Were there many or a few people there?
Answer. Good many for sabbath night.
Question 14 Can you tell the names of any that were there that are now alive around here?
Answer I don't know as I can it was so long ago that can not tell for certainty.
Question 15 Do you think that Mr Shaw the minister ever married on the sabbath
Answer. I think not. or at least not to my knowledge
Question 16 Did Esq. Mearstins frequently marry people in this county?
Answer I think he married a great many as there was no other justice in the upper part of Barnstable in those days

Question 17 Is By Masters alive now?
Answer No She is dead She died in Boston while a representative.
Question 18 Can you write your name
Answer I dont think I could so that it could be read as you see my hand trembles very much.
Lydia her X Percival mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Constable J On this twenty first day of April in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight came Lydia Percival the aforesaid deponent who being by me cautioned and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the preceding deposition which was reduced to writing by me and by her subscribed (by making her mark) in my presence. Said deposition is taken at the request of Ansell Doodspeed To prove the marriage of Abigail Doodspeed formerly of Barnstable. There being no adverse party residing in this state was not notified or present at the taking hereof. I also certify that I am not an attorney or any way interested in the affair.
(Solomon C. Howland. Justice of the Peace in Barnstable Co. Ms)

Welles Vermont May 24 th 1841
Dear Sir, Having at length attained the requisite Declaration that you informed me must be made before a judge of record I herewith send it, hoping that there may not now be any thing in the way to prevent the worthy old blind Lady from obtaining her needy pension. The day of her marriage cannot be ascertained no nearer than the affidavit of her sister Mrs. Rachel (which you have got I suppose as I requested you to keep it) and her own Declaration. The record of the publication of her intended marriage with Mr. Eddy I understand can be obtained but the record of her marriage cannot owing (as Eddy and her sister says) that the priest who should published them would not marry on the Sabbath day, they therefore were married by Esqr. Hoxton who neglected to have a record made of it. You likewise have the deposition of Israel H. Lydea - God speed that she is the widow of the said Caleb Eddy and has always remained so. You likewise have a record of his demise in the Wales  Department for near eight months. Is this not sufficient for her to draw the pension for the time you have a record of without further proof. This is all she expects to draw for unless she should be fortunate enough to find some one knowing to his other demise so that she could prove that. Should it now be lacking for testimony please furnish me. And I have to crave your indulgence for troubling you so much, as the able she could employ some one who could better understand how to do the business, and of course would make less trouble for you. The old lady is a neighbour of mine not able to employ an agent used to the business, I therefore engaged without compensation to assist her, thinking you would bear with me on account of some little service rendered you (whether

of any use to you as I have not in making enquiry about deceased pensioners and reporting to you which you doubtless recollect about the time N. Sample shot himself. If you should want the deposition of the minister of the gospel re. to her being a person of truth for veracity it can be got as of fifty others. You yourself I understand have seen the old lady. Esq. Goodspeed the Lower Clerk said you came to his office to make some enquiry about pensioners at the time of N. Sample's blowing up and the old lady was there there which you will perhaps recollect. and he was then perfectly blind — Since writing the above I have received from Judge Warner the letter containing the notice of her publication and have concluded to send it you which is enclosed. In the mean time I would just mention that Judge Warner undertook to obtain her pension, but could not obtain proof of his services, and therefore did not pursue it. Will you not examine this case as soon as your business will permit and send me word. And should other testimony be wanting please let me know immediately we have to depend upon the deposition of Mrs. Percival her sister for proof of her marriage as there is no record and no one living that we know of that saw them married. But could be got of their living together a number of years as man & wife. I have reference to the deposition I sent you about a year since you will see the deposition of Ansell & Lydia Goodspeed as then before Wm Lamb Esq. the same justice that she made her declaration before last year and that procured the signature of the County Clerk that he was Justice of the Peace
Yours, Truly Celine Lewis
Dear L. D. Edwards in response as of Pensions Washington (S. C.)

5028 Abigail Nye Yt
act 4 July 36-
vol 14.38 - in 75 Sept 8no
Widow Abigail Nye Declaration

State of Vermont } Rutland County }
On this 18 th day of April 1840 personally appeared before me Wm Lamb (one of the Justices) of the Peace for said County of Rutland. Abigail Dye a resident of Wells in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont Aged ninety three years who first being 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 4 th 1836: That she is the widow of Caleb Dye who done duty in the Revolutionary war. Lived at Hardwick Worcester Co Massachusetts, was called Sergeant Dye, but does not know whether he was so or not. was stationed as a guard at Roxbury at the time of Bunker Hill Battle, went away in April 1775 and returned in January 1776. Was called to White Plains in May or June (cannot recollect which) 1776 and returned in March 1777 did not stay at home but a few days. he went away again in April 1777 on that day, and returned in April 1778 he was at the taking of Burgoyne during this campaign. He was called a minute man and when a draft was made for two men out of every town he was one, and a Mr Southgate another that was drafted from Hardwick. He went some of the time under Capt Billing how much of the time she does not know. She has heard him speak of one Capt Stone but does not know whether he was under him or not. She thinks he was under Col Smutty Page & Gen Jonathan Warner. She thinks his name was Jonathan
She further declares that she was married to the said Caleb Dye in Barnstable in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the first or second Sabbath evening of Nov 1771 That her husband the aforesaid Caleb Dye died on the fifteenth day of Nov eighteen hundred and eleven. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She further says that there is no record of her marriage to an unmarried person. She has no documentary evidence in support of the claim sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. Abigail Dye mark
Colin Lewis witness
Wm Lamb Justice peace
I hereby certify that the above applicant being blind and from other disabilities is unable to appear in court. I have been acquainted with her for some years and believe her to be a person of truth and veracity.
Wm Lamb Justice peace

State of Vermont } ss Rutland County
Wells April 13 th 1840
On this 13 th of April 1840 personally appeared before me Wm Lamb one of the Justices of the Peace for said County of Rutland. Ansel Goodspeed and Lydia Goodspeed both of Wells in said County who after being first duly sworn according to law doth on their oaths make the following depose as follows That the widow of Caleb Page removed from Hardwick to Wells Rutland County Vermont in Feb 1812 & since which time we have been personally acquainted with her and know that she has and does still remain his widow. That her faculties are very much impaired, her memory is very poor, and she is perfectly blind. We have heard her tell the same story heretofore when her recollection was better and have no doubt but her statements are nearly correct as as near as she can recollect. Her maiden name was Abigail Goodspeed our fathers Sister
Ansell Goodspeed
Lydia Goodspeed
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Wm Lamb Justice peace
I hereby certify the above deponents are persons of truth and veracity whose word or oath are to be depended upon
Wm Lamb Justice peace
STATE OF VERMONT. RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss.
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that William Lamb Esq. was at the date of the certificate to which this is annexed a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly commissioned: that his commis- sion is dated on the twenty fifth day of November A. D. 1839, and will expire on the thirtieth day of November A. D. 1840; and I verily believe his sig- nature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland in said county this fourteenth day of April
A. D. 1840.
F. W. Hopkins

State of Vermont } On this 26 day of May 1841 Rutland County } personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for the County of Rutland. Ansell Goodspeed and Lydia Goodspeed his Wife Residents of the Town and County aforesaid. Who first being duly sworn according to Law, Depose and say. That I have been long Acquainted with the Widow Abigail Rye the Signer of the foregoing Declaration, that she removed to this Town February 1812, soon after the death of Mr. Rye, since which time, she has resided for most part of the time in our family. That she has, (since the decease of Mr. Rye) and does, still remain his Widow. We also say, that we have often heard her tell the same story, about Mr. ours Services as she now states in her declaration, without thereby it might be some variation in the dates, from her age, and consequent loss of memory. She cannot now be so explicit as she has been heretofore, in recounting his Services gitting one before the other. And further we would state that from our acquaintance with her we believe her to be a person of credibility
Ansell Goodspeed Lydia Goodspeed
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above mentioned before me and I do hereby certify that the said Ansell and Lydia Goodspeed the signers of the above are persons of credibility and I could likewise certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Rye the signer of the foregoing declaration and have no reason to doubt the statements there in made.
Wm. Lakin Justice Peace