Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21711, for Joshua Merritt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
NUMBER
W. 21711
Merritt, Joshua Brewer, Priscilla
Former widow
CONTENTS

Payable to Children, viz. Joshua Merrill, George and Nancy Brewer.
Reported.
Maine. 7928.
Priscilla Brewer, dec. d widow of Joshua Merrill, Mass who was a Sergeant & Private in the Massachusetts Line Husband died in 1781.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 61 — Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843, & on 26 June 1844, when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th. day of August 1846. and sent to
Jacob Herrick, Esq. Durham, Maine.
[Acts of March 3, 1843.] and June 17th. 1844.
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 1.
D. H. Wood, Clerk.

State of Maine Cumberland County ss On the sixteenth day of June, One thousand eight hun- -dred and forty six, personally appeared before the Honorable Barrett Potter, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Cumberland, it being a Court of Record in the State of Maine George Brewer, a resident of Freeport in said County of Cumberland aged fifty two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration for him- self and in behalf of Joshua Merrill and Nancy Brewer, in order to obtain the benefit of the provi- -sion made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 March 8 th 1843 and June 1 st 1844 — This declarant states that he the said George Brewer, Joshua Merrill and Nancy Brewer are all children and the only surviving children of Priscilla Brewer late of said Freeport, who was formerly the wife of Joshua Merrill of Scituate Massachusetts, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary war and served therein as a private fifteen months and twelve days and as a sergeant two months as will appear from the certificate of the Secretary of State Massachusetts — dated March 1 st 1846 — That Joshua Merrill of Chestero- -ile in the State of Maine is the only child of said said Priscilla by her first husband Joshua Merrill of Scituate, deceased — And that the declarant and

Mary Brewer are the only surviving children of said Priscilla Brewer, by her second husband Joseph Brewer — He further declares that said Priscilla was married to said Joshua Merrill of Scituate by William Turner Esq in the year of our Lord 1780 — That said Joshua Merrill died in 1781 — That on the 10 th day of January 1785 — the said Priscilla was mar- ried to Joseph Brewer at North Scituate in the State of Maine, by David Mitchell Esq — That said Joseph Brewer died, on the 27 th day of July 1833 — That said Priscilla survived him — That she did not intermarry after the decease of her second husband but died the widow of said Joshua Merrill and said Joseph Brewer in the 26 th day of June 1844.
Witness B. Potter
George Brewer
Subscribed and sworn the day of the year first above written before me
Barrett Potter judge of said Court.

I Thomas Vinal Town Clerk of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts depose and say that the following is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Scituate
"Joshua Merritt and Priscilla Litchfield both of Scituate were Married in Scituate Mass. Seventeen hundred and eighty. By William Turner Just. Peace"
And I do certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows - 1780.
Attest Thomas Vinal Town Clerk
I Thomas Vinal above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Scituate County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
Thomas Vinal Clerk of the Town of Scituate Mass
County of Massachusetts } ss Plymouth County } July 31 st 1843 Then personally appeared Thomas Vinal above named and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him. subscribed.
Before me Sam l D. Turner. Just: Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Samuel H. Hemenway is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the within is his true & gen- uine signature.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said county this fifteenth day of Aug- ust 1843. Jacob H. Lord
Ms. B. 1. 28

State of Maine.
Probate Court } Cumberland, ss. }
Be it Known, That on this sixteenth day of June, 1846, it has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That Joshua Merrill, late of Scituate, Massachusetts, was a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States, and that he died in 1781. And that Priscilla Merrill was the widow of said Joshua Merrill till 1785, when she married Joseph Brewer, of North Yarmouth, in the State of Maine, — that said Joseph Brewer died on the 27th of July, 1833, — that the said Priscilla remained the widow of said Joshua Merrill, and said Joseph Brewer till her death which was on the 26th June, 1844. — And that Joshua Merrill, George Brewer, and Nancy Brewer are the children and the only children of said Joshua Merrill and said Priscilla, and said Joseph Brewer and said Priscilla, deceased.
In witness whereof

I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this sixteenth day of June in the year 1846.
A. A. Totten { Register of Probate for Cumberland County —

Payment to be made at  Portland  by
W m Woodbury
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Maine
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 2. Page
O. H. Woodbury Clerk.
Duplicate.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844, Priscilla Brewer, dec d , late of Maine, widow of Joshua Merritt, who was a Sergeant & Private in the Revolution and died on the _____ day of _____ 1781 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Sixty one dollars and Seventy Seven cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March 1843, and terminating on the 26 th June 1844, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death. when she died, payable. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 26 th day of August one thousand eight hundred and Forty Six. To Joshua Merritt, Esq r Brewer Nancy Brewer, only children.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate.

Durham Maine July 2 nd 1896
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I hereby transmit to your department the papers, in the pension claim of the children of the widow Priscilla Brewer, formerly the wife of Joshua Merrill, which I wish to have registered and acted upon in due course of business — You will please direct to your most obedient servant.
Jacob Merrill Durham (Maine)
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Payment to be made at Portland by W m Woodbury Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of Maine Payable on the 4th March, and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book 25. Vol. 1 Page by H. Wood Clerk.
Duplicate.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Priscilla Brewer, dec d , late of Hilo aine, — widow of Joshua Merrill, — — — — — who was a Sergeant & Private in the Revolution and died on the — day of — 1781. — is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Sixty one dollars and Seventy Seven cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March 1836 — and terminating on the 4 th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death, and payable to Joshua Merrill, George Brewer & Nancy Brewer, only children. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 26 th day of August — one thousand eight hundred and FortySix.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. S
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate

Joshua Merrill Falmouth, Maine
Rev. War
M c H. Brooks 1405 - 7 th St. N.W. Wash g D.C.
My pensioner wants to know when last paid

21711
3-068. (Old No. 3-649.)
6-20
Bureau of Pensions.
Joshua Merrill  Res
June 16, 1846
Freeport Me. - 52
Application of Geo Brewer for himself & Anna " r Joshua Merrill.
Ap. 19, 75 - Scituate Mass
Capt Win Turner Col Anthony Thomas Pvt. 4 days
May 3, 75 - Capt Nathl Winlow Col Jos. Thomas Pvt - 3. m - 6. d.
Oct 24, 76 - Capt Jos. Stetson Col Anthony Thomas Pvt 5 d
May 1, 76 Capt Nathl Winlow Col Josiah Whitney Pvt - 7 m
Dec 76 - Capt Hayward Pierce Col Jos. Cushing Pvt. 7. d
Sept 30 79 - Capt Calvin Curtis Col - Sgt. 2 m. (over)

mar. Priscilla
1780
d - 1781
She remarried Joseph Brewer Jan 10, 1785 who died Aug 27, 1833 She died June 26, 1824
One child

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24711
Priscilla Brewer
Former widow of
Joshua Merrill Sergt Rev War
Act March 23 rd & June 19 th 1874
Index: Vol A , Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dec 5-1902 Inu. St. C. Brooks \frac{1}{2}

10.897
Priscilla Brewer died 90 20- CK- 1195
Act 7. July 38
Admitted:
2 mo. Supt. 15 " 16 d. private
$ 61.77 per annum
Also - acts '43 & '44, terminating 26 th June, 1844, when she died, payable to Joshua Merrill, George Brewer and Nancy Brewer
Jacob Herrick, Esq. Durham, Maine.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
March 17. 1846.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Joshua Merritt of Scituate, is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt. William Burn's Company, in Col. Anthony Thomas's regt., for Service in an alarm 19 th April, 1775, as a private, 4 days. Upon a Muster Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Company, in Col. John Thomas's regt., in the Eight Months Service, as a private of Scituate, from May 3, 1775. 3 Months & 6 days. Upon a Return of said Company, dated October 6 1775, and upon an Order of same for Military Coats, dated December 18, 1775. Upon a Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Stetson's Company in Col. Anthony Thomas's regt. that marched in an alarm from Scituate to Hingham the 24 th March 1776, as a private, 5 days. — 4 — 8 — — 5 —

Upon several Pay Rolls of Capt Nathaniel Winslow's Company in Col Josiah Whitney's regt, as a private of Scituate from May 1 to November 30 1776. 7 Months.
7 -
Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Haywood, Pierce's Company, in Col John Cushing's regt for Service at Rhode Island in Dec 1776 as a
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
private, 7 days said roll is da- ted Scituate, March 28 1777 Upon anoth- er sheet of Pay due to Capt Calvin Curtis Company from Plymouth 60 as a Sergeant from September 30 1777 9. 2 Months.
- 7
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John C. Parsons, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
2 m. S. Sgt.
Parsons

To the Secretary of State Massachusetts Joshua Merrill child and only child of Joshua Merrill deceased, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary war, requests evidence of his father's ser- vice — This applicant believes that his father served eight months at Roxbury, in 1775 either in Capt. Winslow's or Capt. Stockbridge's Company of Col. Bailey's Regim- ent, but of which Company he was a member he is unable to state — He believes that his father performed other service afterwards, but in what Company, he is unable to state. He therefore requests the Secretary to examine the Rolls and Revolutionary documents in his office and grant a certificate of all the service of Joshua Merrill of Scituate (Mass) which was his native place, and from which place he enlisted into the service. Joshua Merrill
State of Maine Franklin County ss January 6 th 1846 signed in my presence.
W m Morgredge Just. Peace.

State of Maine, Cumberland County Town of North Yarmouth - Town Clerk's office June 15 th 1846 - In the Book of municipal Records, belonging to said Town Page 133 rd the following entry appears to wit - Married by David Mitchell Esq, January the tenth, One Thousand seven hundred and eighty five, Joseph Brown and Priscilla Merrill - The foregoing is a true copy of the Records of North Yarmouth aforesaid, excepting the date, which is expressed in legible figures thus "January 10 th 1785."
Attest Samuel Sweetser Town Clerk
I Samuel Sweetser, on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of North Yarmouth aforesaid, duly chosen and sworn - That the Records of said Town are in my custody, that the foregoing certificate was taken from said Records and is a true copy of the same, with the exceptions above noted.
Samuel Sweetser
State of Maine, Cumberland County ss June 15 th 1846 subscribed and sworn before me.
Jacob Merrill Justis Just.

State of Maine Cumberland County Town of Freeport — Town Clerk's office June 12 th 1846 — In the book, of Records of deaths belonging to said Town of Freeport page 157 — The following appears, to wit — Joseph Brown died July the twenty seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty three —
The foregoing is a true copy of the record excepting the date which is expressed in words and figures thus "July 27 th 1833.,,"
Attest
Nehemiah Thomas, Town Clerk
I Nehemiah Thomas, on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of Freeport aforesaid, duly chosen and sworn — That the records of said Town are in my custody, that the foregoing certificate was taken from said Records and is a true copy of the same, with the exception above noted.
Nehemiah Thomas
State of Maine Cumberland County ss June 12 th 1846 Subscribed and sworn before me
Jacob Merrill Just. Peace.

State of Maine County of Cumberland Town of Durham  Freeport , Town Clerk's Office June 12 th 1846 — In the Book of Records of Deaths which have occurred, in said Town page 157 — the follow- ing appears of Record — To wit — Priscilla Brewer died on the twenty sixth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and forty four — The foregoing is a true copy of the Record of Freeport as far as ex- cepting the date, which is expressed in words and figures thus "June 26 th 1844.,,"
Attest
Nehemiah Thomas, Town Clerk
I, Nehemiah Thomas, on oath depose and say, that I am Town Clerk of Freeport as far as duly chosen and sworn, that the Records of said Town are in my custody — That the foregoing certificate was taken from said Records and is a true copy of the same with the exception above noted — The word Freeport having been inserted and Durham erased before signing,
Nehemiah Thomas
State of Maine Cumberland County ss June 12 th 1846 Subscribed and sworn before me,
Jacob Merrill Just. Peace.

I Sarah Cutter of Somerset County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged eighty eight years, on oath depone and say that I am a native of Scituate Mass achusetts - That I was well acquainted with Joshua Merritt of said Scituate who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war - That said Joshua Merritt mar- ried to Priscilla Litchfield of said Scituate - I was well acquainted with said Priscilla - They were married somewhere about 1780 - They lived in the marriage State less than a year, when said Joshua Merritt went to sea and was never afterwards heard from - It was supposed that the vessel went down and all on board perished. After said Merritt's death, his widow came to this place and was married to Joseph Brewer - That said Brewer died some ten years ago and that his widow survived him and remained a widow until her death which happened in 1844 - I also depone and say that Joshua Merritt of Chesterville is the only child by the first marriage and that George Brewer and Nancy Brewer are the only children by the second marriage. Sarah Cutter
State of Maine Cumberland County ss June 12 th 1846. Personally appeared Sarah Cutter who is well known to me as a witness of veracity and respectability and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me, Jacob Merrill Just. Peace.

I William Litchfield of Freeport County of Cumberland State of Maine, and twenty nine years of age do hereby depose and say, that I am a native of Scituate Massachusetts - I came into Freeport when I was about twenty years old. I also depose and say that I was well acquainted with John Merrill of said Scituate, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army - That said John married my sister Priscilla Litchfield - I was present at the wedding at my father's home in said Scituate. The said John went to sea in something less than a year after his marriage and was never heard from afterwards - It was the general opinion that the vessel went down and that all on board perished. After his death my sister came to this place and was married to Joseph Brewer, who died some ten years since. That she lived a widow after his death until about two years ago when she died - I also depose and say that John Merrill of Chesterville is the only child of said John Merrill and Priscilla Litchfield and that he was about a fortnight old when his father went to sea and never returned. I also depose and say that George Brewer of this Town and Nancy Brewer are the only surviving children of said Priscilla, by her second marriage with Joseph Brewer. William Litchfield

State of Maine Cumberland County S. June 12 th 1846 Personally appeared William Littlefield who is reputed a witness of veracity and made oath to the truth of the within Affidavit by him signed before me
Jacob Stevens Just. Peace.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, ss....
I — Charles Cobb — Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that
Jacob Henrick is a Magistrate
as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that He is duly qualified to act as such; that His Commission bears date September 24. A.D. 1841. and will expire Sept. 24 A.D. 1848.
and that the — following — signatures purporting to be his — are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, this Sixteenth day of June Anno Domini 184 6
Charles Cobb CLERK.

Joshua Merrill, Geo. Brewer and Nancy Brewer, only children.
Rep? —
11084. ✓
Maine.
Priscilla Brewer, deceased. Widow of Joshua Merrill, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the year 1781 of Cum. Co. in the State of Maine who was a Ser + Pi in the Comp y commanded by Captain Winslow of the Reg t . commanded by Col d Thomas in the Massach t . line for 2 months Sergt. & 15 mo. 16 days Private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine — at the rate of 61 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of August 1846 and sent to Jacob Herrick, Durham, Maine.
Total amount, $308.85
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by S. Henry Wood Clerk, Book ① Vol. 1 Page 1.
Payable To Children, see back.