Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24773, for Samuel Richards, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental N.Y.
Richards, Samuel Margaret
No. 24773.
CONTENTS

11622
Waine Margaret Richards, dec d , widow of Samuel Richard, who died on the of 1811 in the State of who was a Captain in the by Captain of the by in the Revolution Enc. from 1860.
Inscribed on the Roll of Portland at the rate of 380 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Voted 4th March 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of April 1855 and sent to J. Coombs Semi-annual allowance ending Present
(Revolutionary Claim, ) Act July 7, 1838. ) G. J. Getty Clerk. Recorded by Book No. Vol. 7 Page 111 76

A
Abigail Born Augus 21. 1808 } James Judson " Feby 13. 1810 } Children Harriet " Dec r 29. 1811 } of Sophrona " Nov. 28. 1813 } Andrew Samuel " May 8, 1815 } Aaron & Erastus " Jan y 18, 1818 } Catherine George Allen " Aug. 29, 1819 } his Wife George Andrew " June 11. 1821 } Catherine Richards the Mother } Born March 13 th 1790 }
A true copy from the Records of the Town of Hinston
Attest Colby C. Cornish Town Clerk
I Colby C. Cornish on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of Hinston above named, duly chosen & sworn, that I have in my custody the Records of said Town - That the foregoing Certificate was copied from said Records & is a true abstract from the same.
Colby C. Cornish State of Maine Kennebec S.S. Nov. 5 th 1852 Subscribed and sworn to before Me
Robert Ayer Justice of the Peace

United States of America
State of Maine.
On this tenth day of November A.D. 1852, personally appeared before the Hon. Asahel Ware, Judge of the United States for Maine District, John Richards a resident of Winslow within the State aforesaid, aged 54 years, who on oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838. Your declarant states that he is one of the children of Samuel and Margaret Richards both deceased. And your declarant states that his father was a resident of Goffstown, New Hampshire, in the time of the Revolution, and entered the Army as a Captain in April 1775, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill that year. Also a Captain in the year service in 1776, and served in Col. John Stark's Regiment, and was in the Northern Army that year at Ticonderoga and vicinity, and was in the service as Captain about two years. And your declarant further states that Samuel Richards his father died at Pittsfield in the month of August A.D. 1775, and that his mother Margaret Richards survived him and remained

a widow to the time of her death which took place on the twenty third day of April A. D. 1842.
He further states that his mother Margaret Richards was married to his father Samuel Richards prior to 1794, to wit, on or about the year 1786, the exact time he is unable to give as he is unable to find any record of her marriage. He further states that the children and only surviving children of his mother Margaret Richards, are Catharine Warren, Sarah Sharland, Daniel Richards, Mary Robinson, John Richards & Jeremiah Richards. - He states that Catharine Warren is the oldest child living, that the said Catharine Richards his sister married Andrew Warren, and is the same person who is mentioned in the certificate of the Town Clerk of Winslow, marked A. hereto annexed. He further states that the reason for not making application before was, that he could not find the record of the marriage of his father and mother.
John Richards
Witness
Aspen Me
Signed & sworn to before me
Aspen Me

Maine District ss.      Office of the Clerk U. S. D. C. U. S.
I Geo. F. Emery clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for Maine District hereby certify that Ashur Ware
is Judge of the District Court of the United States for said Maine District duly commissioned & qualified and full faith and credit are due to his acts as such, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Circuit Court this tenth day of November A. D. 1852
Geo. F. Emery } Clerk Circuit Court } U. S. for } Maine District

I Amos Purhor of Pittsfield in the County of Somerset State of Maine aged seventy eight years, on oath depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Samuel Richards. Said Richards was a Captain in the Revolutionary war. Said Richards lived in my house at one time for the space of one year or more — He had his wife and family with him and one of their children was born while he lived in my house. This was forty six years ago. And the child born in my house was the youngest of nine children. Said Samuel Richards married my sister Margaret Purhor — They were married by a justice of the Peace — I was not at the wedding but have no doubt they were married. They lived together as man and wife and brought up a family of children respectably and were taken and received to have been married by their neighbors and friends. I never heard any one express a doubt of the fact. While said Richards lived at my house he showed me his Commission as a Captain in the Revolution. Said Commission had a large seal on it. At the same time that he showed me his Commission he showed me a Certificate of his

marriage with my sister, from under the hand of the Justice of the Peace who solemnized the marriage. The said Samuel Richards, died thirty seven years ago, or thereabouts. His widow survived him and lived a widow untill her death which happened in 1842. I was not at her funeral but was at that of her husband. The only surviving children of said Samuel Richards and his wife and widow Margaret Richards are Lutherine Warren, Sarah Skurlund, Mary Robinson, John Richards, Daniel Richards, Jeremiah Richards of whom Catherine Warren is the oldest now living, although she was an older one named Rebecca who died some three years ago.
Said Samuel Richards was a native of Goff- stown New Hampshire and came to the then Prov- ince of Maine soon after the Revolutionary war, and lived there the remainder of his life.
(Amos) Richards
State of Maine Somerset ss. Nov. 4 th 1852 subcribed and sworn before me and I hereby certify that the above named affiant Amos Richards is personally known to me as a person of respectability and veracity whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief.
Samuel G. Dighton, Jr.

I David Puffer of Pittsfield in the County of Somerset and State of Maine aged twenty years on oath depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Samuel Richards who died in this place then a plantation about thirty seven years ago. Said Richards was a Captain in the Revolutionary war and was so reputed by his neighbors and townsmen. He was always called Captain Richards. He married my sister Margaret Puffer — They lived together as husband and wife in respect ability and brought up a large family of children. They were taken and received to have been married, by their friends and neighbors.
I never heard any one dispute the fact, I myself have no doubt of it. They certainly lived together as husband and wife and had one or more children born previous to 1796 — Said Samuel Richards was a native of Goffstown New Hampshire. His wife the said Margaret survived him and lived a widow untill her death in 1842. The only surviving children of said Samuel Richards and his wife and widow Margaret are Catherine Wanner Sarah Shetland, Mary Robinson, John Richards, Daniel Richards,

and fourteen children of whom Catherine Warren is the oldest now living.
David P. Fisher
State of Maine Somerset County ss Nov 1 st 1852 Subscribed and sworn before me and I hereby certify that said affiant Amos Fisher is personally known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity and that his state- ments under oath are entitled to full credit and belief in and out of court.
Samuel D. Dinsmore, Jr.
May 26, 1848

Elizabeth Noury, of Benton in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine aged eightyfive years on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Samuel Richards who died in Pittsfield, which was then an unincorpor- ated Plantation, in August 1815. Said Richards was a captain in the Revolutionary war. He was a native of Goffstown New Hampshire, and came into the State of Maine soon after the Revolution. He was always called Captain Richards and was taken and received by his friends & Neighbors to have been a Revolutionary Capt- ain — Said Richards married my Sister Margaret Parker. I was present at the wedding and saw them married. It was solemnized by a Justice of Peace at Buxton sixty four years ago. My sister the said Margaret survived her husband and lived a widow until her death. She died in April 1842. The only sur- viving children of said Samuel and Marg- aret Richards are Catharine Warren, Sarah Sharland, Mary Robinson, John Richards Daniel Richards and Jeremiah Richards of whom Catharine is the oldest surviving child — Said Catharine was born

about 1790 and is now sixty two years of age.
Witness Madison Crowell
+ Elizabeth Roundy
State of Maine, Kennebec ss November 5 th 1852. Sworn and subscribed before me, and I hereby certify that the above named affiant Eliza- beth Roundy, is personally known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity, whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief.
Madison Crowell Justice Peace.
June 12 1849.

STATE OF MAINE.
PROBATE COURT,
Cumberland County, ss.
Be it Known, That on this third  third day of November 1845 It has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That Daniel Richards — late of Pittsfield, Maine was a Revolutionary Pensioner Officer of the United States, and that he died at said Pittsfield on the month  month of August 1845. And that Margaret Richards his widow survived him, and remained a widow to the time of her death, which took place on the twentieth third day of April 1842, and that Catharine Warner, Sarah Shailand, David Richards, Mary Robinson, John Richards, and Jeremiah Richards, are the children and the only surviving children of the said Margaret Richards deceased, and that he left no widow.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this twentieth day of November in the year 1845.
Josiah Pierce Judge of Probate for Cumberland County.

Key
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24773
Margaret Richards Wid of Samuel Richards Capt Rev War
Act July 7 th 1838
Index: Vol. M , Page 166
[Arrangement of 1870.]

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND,
February 9th A. D. 1853
I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Robert Ayer Esq. is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Kennebec, that Thos C. Woodman is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hancock, Samuel Dexter is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Somerset, and that Madison Crowell is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for _____ the County of Kennebec as appears by
the paper hereto annexed; that they are DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the
COMMISSION is dated of the said Ayer is dated March 30, A. D. 1852 and will expire
March 30th A. D. 1859. — Said Woodman's Commission
is dated Nov. 20, 1846 and will expire Nov. 20, 1858 — Said Dexter's
Commission is dated May 26, 1848, and will expire May 26,
1858, and that Said Madison Crowell's Commission bears
date June 12, 1849 and will expire June 12, 1856
_____
and that the following SIGNATURE purporting to be his  theirs are GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
C. C. Harmon, Clerk.

Bucksport Jan'y 15, 1853
A Waterhouse Esq
Dr Sir
Yours of the 12 th directed to the Town Clerk of Bucksport was duly rec d . I have made diligent search of the Records to find the date of the Marriage you name, and am confident there is no such Marriage recorded in the Records of this Town, the first Marriage recorded is dated 8 th Sept r 1793. Solemnized by Jonathan Buck Esq r about one year after the Town was incorporated, and I have examined the records strictly up to 1820 and find no such record made as you enquire for.
Yours Respectfully.
Jas. B. Parker, Town Clerk of Bucksport
I James B. Parker Town Clerk of Bucksport On Oath testify & say that I have access to the Books of records of said Town & have thoroughly searched them & cannot find any record of the Marriage of Samuel Richards & Margaret Pishor
James B. Parker Town Clerk of Bucksport
State of Maine Hancock County ss } January 17, AD 1853
Then personally appeared the above named James B. Parker, Town Clerk of Bucksport, well known to me as a man of truth & a credible officer & made oath in due form of law that the above Certificate by him subscribed is true. Before me.
The Hon. C. Woodman Justice of the Peace

W. Bradford Esq.
According to your request, I have obtained a certificate of the town clerk of Bucksport, for which I paid one dollar.
Respectfully &c., A. Waterhouse.

I Amos Pugh of Pittsfield in the County of Somerset and State of Maine of lawful age on oath depose and say that I have this day made affidavit in the claim of the children of my late sister Margaret Richards for a Pension by virtue of the Revolutionary services of her husband Samuel Richards — I now in like manner make the following addition to said former affidavit. To wit That the said Samuel Richards and Margaret Richards were living together as husband and wife previous to 1796 and that their oldest living child was born as early as 1790.
Amos Pugh
State of Maine Somerset ss Nov. 16th 1852 Subscribed and sworn before me and I hereby certify that the above named affiant Amos Pugh is well known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief. Samuel L. D. Foster, Justice.

I, Hannah Pughor wife of Amos Pughor of Pittsfield County of Somerset and State of Maine, aged seventy eight years, on oath depose and say that I have heard, read the deposition of my husband in the matter of a Pension Claim for the children of Samuel Richards and Margaret his wife and widow this day made. I was well acquainted with the parties therein named and I know that the said deposition is true.
Hannah Pughor
State of Maine, Somerset ss. Nov. 4 th 1852 Subscribed and sworn before me and I hereby certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity.
Samuel Dexter Just. Peace.

State of New Hampshire. Secretary of State's Office.
I do 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 office, it appears that the name of Samuel Richards is borne upon a Pay Roll of Captain Samuel Richards's company in Col John Stark's Regiment to August 11 th 1775" as captain of said company Time of Entry, April 23. 1775; Time in service 3 months 16 days; Rate pr. mo. £6; Amount of Wages £21. 8. 7. Same Roll Vol. 8. Page 97.
Same Vol. Page 127 is the following: We the subscribers belong to Capt. Richards's company in Col. Stark's Regt. do hereby acknowledge that we have received of Mr. Walker for four dollars each man in full satisfaction for the Regimental costs which was promised by the colony of New Hampshire. The foregoing is signed by Timothy Blake & other members of said company.

And upon an "Estimate of the Loss sustained by the Officers and Soldiers of Two New Hampshire Regiments at the Battle at Charlestown June 17th, 1775.
Col. John Stark's Regiment is the following:
  "Capt. Samuel Richards Company.   William Kemp £ .. 3 Timothy Hutchinson .. 3   Reuben Kemp 2 .. 14 James Carr .. 3   Andrew Newell 2 .. 8 Joseph Robinson 2 ..   Obed McCune 3 — Caleb Dalton 8 .. 7.10 3/4   Plumer Wheeler 3 £ 10 .. 13.10 3/4   8 .. 8 .. 8 .. 8   £ 19 .. 1.10 3/4 
Army Rolls V. 2 P. 144.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, this eighth day of March
1852 John S. Hadley Secretary of State.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, ss.
OFFICE OF THE COURT OF PROBATE.
I, Freeman Bradford Register of Probate for said County, hereby certify, that Hon. Josiah Pierce whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate, is JUDGE OF PROBATE, in and for said County and State, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the Constitution and Laws of said State, that the annexed signature purporting to be his, is genuine, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given, to his official acts and attestations.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Official Seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this thirty first day of January A. D. 185 3
Freeman Bradford

11.622
Maude Margaret Richards, decd widow of Samuel who died on the of Maude in the State of Maude who was a Captain in the Revolution by Captain of the commanded by in the Revolution for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Portland at the rate of 160 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. - Endg 4th March 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of March 1854 and sent to H. Bradford
Arrears to the 4th of Portland Semi-annual allowance ending Me
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act July 7, 1838. }
Recorded by Book
Vol.
Wiggin Clerk, Page 15

14.884
Brief case of
Miss Richards and Miss G. V. Smith
Maine.

Brief case M argt Richards dec d ?
John Richards (10 th Nov r 1852, aged 54 - before Judge As Court) declares he is one of children of Sam l & M argt Richards Vam l ent d Army as Capt in in Ap r 1775 & was at Bunker Hill - Also Capt in in Service in 1776 & was in Northern army that yr: at Ticonderoga & was in Service as Capt in  2 years . Sam l died in Aug t 1815 & M argt survived him & remained a widow to her death on 23 d Ap r 1842. Sam l & M argt married a- bout 1786. can find no record of marriage - Sur- viving children are Catharine Warren, Sarah Shar- land, Dan l Richards, Mary Robinson, John and Jeremiah Richards. Cath: married And ew Warren his person mentioned in Certif: of Town Clk of Win- -low.
Judge of Probate certifies (3 d Tuesday Nov r 1852) it has been satisfactorily proved in Open Court that Sam l was a Rev: Soldier & died in Aug t 1815. M argt remained a widow & died 3 d Ap r 1842 - Cath: to others named, children.
Secretary of N.H. certifies from Roll that Sam l was Col l Stark, Reg t Capt in to Aug t 1 st 1775 - time of entry 23 d Ap r 1775 time of service 3 mos & 16 days .

In Capt. Richd Co. Timothy Blake & others receipt for $4.~ in satisfaction of Regimental Cook promised by Colony N.H.
Town Clk: Winslow certifies to record that Cath: Wann was born 13 th March 1790.~
Town Clk: Bucksport certifies there is no record of marriage pre- vious to 8 th Sept. 1793.
Daniel Pishon, (4 th Nov: 1852.), says he well knew Vaml. who died about 37 yrs. ago - reputed a Capt. & called so - Married Dept: sister - Vaml. & Mary lived as man & wife & had a large family children. has 10 or more children born previous to 1794 Mary survived him & died a widow in 1842. 6 children surviving; Cath: eldest.
Amos Pishon. (4 th Nov '52) says he was well acquainted with Vaml. - & Mary lived in Dept's house 1 year - & one of children was born there 46. yrs ago. 1 st child youngest of 9 children. Vaml married sister Mary - Vaml showed Dept. his Comm n as Capt. had a large seal on it & at same time showed Dept. Certif. of his marriage with Mary. Vaml died 37 yrs ago. - Mary died a widow in 1842 - (In addition says) Vaml & Mary lived as husband & wife previous to 1794 - oldest child was born in 1790.~
Veran Pishon corroborates Amos' statements.

Eliz th Roundy. (5 th Nov r 1852.), says she was well acquainted with Sam l who died in Aug t 1815 - Sam l was a Capt. in war. Came from N.H. to Maine after war. Always called Capt. - presently Sam l & Mary married 44 yrs ago - Sister Mary died Sam l widows in Apr l 1842. Surviving children as before. Cath o born 1790 - now 62 yrs old
State Department - (18 th March 1853.) on return Genl. Sullivan's Brigade 7 th Reg t foot Col l Stark is Capt. Sam l Richard name - Paper dated on back in Genl. Washington's hand writing 20 th Sept. 1775. In a similar return dated "1776"

Washington, Feb. 25 th 1883
Sir:
I herewith present the claim of the children of Margaret Richards, widow of Samuel Richards, for the benefit of the Act of 7 th July 1838.
The service for which a pension is claimed, is as follows:
As a Captain in Col. John Stark's Regt. in 1775; 8 months.
As Captain in same Regiment, in the year's service of 1776 - 12 months.
Making in all 20 months as Captain.
The 8 months service in 1775 is proved by the Certificate of the Secretary of State of New Hampshire.
Of the year's service in 1776, there are no rolls in existence. We have, however, been able to supply the defect, as we think, by referring to the American Archives.
In Vol. 4, 4 th Series, pages 631, to 635, you will find a "General Return" of the American Army, made January 8, 1776 -
On page 635, is the return of the "Names of the Commissioned Officers in the 6 th Regt of foot. Field Officers John Stark Col., &c
In the list of Captains is the name of " Samuel Richards ".

As the engagements in the Continental Army for 1776 were all for one year , the fact that the name of Richards appears in this return made the 6 th of January 1776, is conclusive evidence that he was in said year's service.
There is no possibility of proving by rolls that he continued to serve during said year, because the rolls have all been destroyed while in the custody of the Government.
The evidence of marriage prior to 1794 I think you will find satisfactory. It is shown that no record of the marriage exists. But there is a record of the birth of Catherine Richards, a daughter of said Samuel and Margaret Richards, which took place on the 13 th March 1790. Also a record of the birth of her children - grandchildren of the said Samuel & Margaret Richards - the eldest of whom was born Aug. 21, 1808.
There is also much parol evidence showing that the marriage took place prior to 1794.
Very respectfully
J. E. Scutt Esq. Comm ee .
Warrant Secy J. J. Bowles

P. S. Since writing the foregoing I have obtained from the State Department the certificate enclosed. It shows that the name of General Richards, Captain, is in the Army Returns of 1776
Very respectfully,
J. P. Gould

Margaret Richards
wid. of Saml ?
Me. Act 1836-
add l Evidence
Dislote
J. S. Gault

STATE OF MAINE.
Cumberland County ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Portland within and for said County, on the twentieth day of March A. D. 1855, being a Court of Record:
Satisfactory evidence having been offered to the Hon. Josiah Pierce Judge of said Court, that the facts hereinafter mentioned are true, the same are ordered to be entered on the Docket of this Court, and the testimony pertaining thereto filed, viz:— by the testimony of Enoch Fuller and James Warren of Winslow in the County of Kennebec in said State, credible and disinterested witnesses. That Mrs. Margaret Richards, widow of Capt. Samuel Richards, died on or about the first day of April A. D. 1842, and that Catharine Warren, Sarah Shauland, Daniel Richards, Mary Guilifer (formerly Mary Robinson) John Richards and Jeremiah Richards, are the children, and only known surviving children of said Margaret Richards, deceased,
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, this Twenty First day of March 1855.
Aaron B. Holden Register of Probate.
STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF Cumberland, ss.
PROBATE OFFICE,
I, Josiah Pierce JUDGE OF PROBATE for said County, hereby Certify, that Aaron B. Holden, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate, is the REGISTER OF PROBATE for said County, duly appointed, commissioned, and sworn: and that his said Certificate is in due form.
Given under my hand this Twenty First day of March A. D. 1855.
Josiah Pierce Judge

✓ No 14, 884
Margaret Richards widow of Samuel
Me
(b) 7 July 1838
Married 1786
Widowed Augt 1875
(ad) 8 mo 6 d 160
Yarmouth, County
14 March 1876 & end
4 " 1841 (widow
deed in 1847)
Payable to
Catharine Warren,
Sarah Sharland
Mary Robinson
Daniel Richards
John Richards &
Jeremiah Richards
only surviving children
W. Bradford
Portland
Me

Portland Feby 27th 1854
Dear Sir
Yours of the 24th covering Pension certificate of Asphia Carey formerly widow of Isaac Bolster is at hand.
Relative to the claim of Margaret Richards, children allowed as you inform me for 8 mos as capt in 1795 - I have to say that an Administrator in that case can be of no use and would subject the children to some considerable expense as no one would undertake the business short of 5 per cent in addition to the regular probate fees for travel and attendance at least.
Beside the children all live in the same neighborhood I believe, were all consulted when application was made and then preferred that each one draw his own proportion of the pension without the intervention of an Administrator. I understand there is no change in the children and that Catharine Warren, Sarah Sharland, Daniel

Richards, Mary Robinson, John Richards, and Jeremiah Richards, are now the only surviving children. I hope therefore the Commr will issue the Certificate pay- able to the children named in the Certificate - I am Very Respectfully Your Ob't Serv't: Freeman Bradford
J. A. Coombs Esq Washington City D.C.

Washington, Feb. 4. 23 rd 1855.
Sir:
I respectfully ask a reexamination of the claim of Margaret Richards, of Maine, widow of Samuel, admitted under act of 1838- upon additional evidence existing in your office, which is herein referred to:
The claim was originally asserted, for 8 months service as Captain, in Col. Sturges Regiment in 1775, and for one year's service in same grade and same Regiment, in 1776. The evidence of the 8 months service in 1775 was considered satisfactory, and a pension allowed therefor, about a year ago.
In order to prove the year's service in 1776, I referred to the American Archives,

Vol. 4, 4 th Series, pages 631 and 635. Showing that in a general return of the Army dated Jan'y. 8 th 1776, Samuel Richards was returned a Captain in Col. Stark's Regiment. I also filed a certificate from the Secretary of State, showing that Samuel Richards is returned a Captain in Col. Stark's Regiment, in a return dated "1776."
Upon this evidence I claimed, that inasmuch as the Officers in the Continental line who entered at the beginning of 1776 all entered for one year , and inasmuch as all the rolls of said year have been destroyed, the fact that Richards was found as a Captain on a return made in January 1776, ought to be satisfactory evidence that he continued to serve during said year. In this view,

however, your Office did not concur, but demanded some evidence showing that Richards's service was continued through the year 1776.
Fortunately for the claimants, a Vol= ume of the American Archives, which has lately been published, furnishes this evidence:
In Vol. 3, 5 th Series Am. Ar. page 1035, you will find a " General return of the Army, Trenton Dec. 1. 1776. " In this return, under head of "5 th Continental Regiment of foot" of which " John Starks " was Colonel, you will find the name of Samuel Richards in the list of Captains .
This, I presume, will be entirely satis= factory to prove that Richards's ser= vice continued through the year

1796. I respectfully ask that the Pension may be increased accordingly.
Please send the certificate to me. You will see by the papers, that I have had the legacy of the claim from the first.
The former certificate was sent to Freeman Bradford Esq. but you will see by an endorsement on the papers, that it was so sent by my direction.
Very respectfully Your obed servt
J. H. Gamba
Hon S. P. Waldo
Commr of Pensions

Sam. Richard
Secy. Stalo's Ctf.

Department of State.
Washington. Nov. 18. 1853.
J. J. Coombs Esq. Washington.
Sir.
In accordance to your request of the 25 th ult o , an examination of the Washington Papers has been made for evidence of the alleged Revolutionary service of Samuel Richards, with the following result.
In Wiring's Returns , vol. 99, p. 16, is a Return of the Brigade of Genl Sullivan, and under the 7 th Regiment of foot, Col. Stark, is found the name of Samuel Richards as Captain. This paper is dated on its back, in the handwriting of Genl Washington, "20 th Sept r , 1775."
No similar return is found in M. A. N o 20, p. 138, dated "1776."
I am Sir, very respectfully Your Obedient Servant
W. L. Marcy.

Margaret Richards decd Widow of Samuel Maine
Increased July 7 1838.
19 mos Captain $380
per annum from March 1836. to March 1841, 13 Deduct- ing $160 per annum under same act,
Pay to Catharine Warren 1 Sarah Sharland 2 Mary Gullifer 3 Daniel Richards 4 John Richards 5 and Jeremiah Richards 6  only children
Cost to J. H. Coombs Esq Present

Brief in the case of Margaret Richards dec d wid w of Samuel.
County and State of Maine
act July 7 1838
Claim, (" original " or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
The claim was originally asserted for 8 months in 1775, and for the year 1776 in Col Stark's Rep t as Captain. The accompanying brief will show upon what grounds the 8 months in 1775 was allowed. When the above admission was made it was shown that her husband was still in service on the 8th of Jany 1776. It was also shown that all the Officers then referred to, entered the service for one year but as it was not shown that they continued in service through the year, it was not thought advisable to allow for that year. — Since the case was admitted the 5 th Vol of the American Archives has been published, and at page (Historical) 1035 of that Volume 5 th Series, it is shown that
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
He was still in service on the 1 Dec 1775. This, of course, is unclavine, as to 11 months service in 1775. The case is therefore increased to $380 deducting $150 already allowed. The commission has also examined the point and is satisfied of the propriety of the admission.
Name and residence of Agent
J. J. Coombs Esq. Present
Thornton D. D. D. Examining Clerk.

Print in the case of Margaret Richards Cumberland County and State of Maine act 7 July 1838
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, revolutionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Three monthly 16 days records in 1775 Certificate of Secretary of State, after U.S. State, that Capt. Richards name is found in 1776. — Paid testimony and proof that two men were allowed eight months service under Capt. Richards
(If for increase.) — earnings proved by ages of Grand children and living witnesses
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
See papers of James Carr, N.H. act 11 March 1818, also papers of Warner Wheeler, N.H. act 7 June 1832. No 6927
Allowance at $10 per annum from 11 March 1836 to 11 March 1841
M. Bridgman
Name and residence of Agent
Portland Me
H. C. E. Examining Clerk.

V o 14. 884
Margaret Richards, widow of Samuel Maine.
Letter to, J. J. Coombs 23 d June 1853.
Acq 7 th July 1858.

6927 6854 2042 6236 Sanden 6241 Saruya Bang
Bang

James Carr , a pensioner on the New Hampshire Roll, act 1818, says in his declaration that he enlisted immediately after the battle of Lexington, for eight months , as a Corporal, in the Company commanded by Capt. Samuel Richards , in Col. John Starks Regiment, and served out his full term.
Plover Whalen , a pensioner on the N.H. roll, act 1832, says he served eight months in 1775, in the Comp'y of Capt. Samuel Richards , Col. Starks Regiment, &c.
This evidence conclusively proves the 8 months service in 1775
As to the year service in 1776, it is well known there are no rolls showing the continuation of said service. I believe it has been the practice of the Office to allow for a year service, where it is shown, as in this case, that an Officer entered for the year, at the commencement of the year 1776. I have lately had an

allowance for one year's services in 1876, on precisely the same evidence that we have in this case.
Very respectfully,
Your ob. serv.
J. H. Gault,
J. Cole Esq.

In a general Return of the Army, Jan'y. 8, 1776, is the following
"Names of the Commissioned Officers in the 6 th Regt of Foot."
"Field Officers John Starks Col. Thomas Poor Lt. Col. John Moore Major
   Captains - 1 st Lieut! 2 Lieut. Ensigns     - - - - - — — —   Samuel Richards — — —  

Margaret Richards deceased
Widow of Samuel
Me. Act 1838
Witnesses present for the above - p 635 " 3 1/2 " " 1838
Send certificate to Freeman Bradford Portland, Me. J. V. Gould

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Richards, Samuel GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4947 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 17, 1796
to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Richards, Samuel GRADE Sergeant LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER N 8678 and 14151 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 28, 1799 to David Richards, heir.
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.