Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,696, for Luke Metcalf, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Metcalfe, Luke Melatiah
NUMBER _____
W. 25. 696.
CONTENTS

5564
Vermont
Melatiah Metcalf widow of Luke Metcalf, dec d
NA who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 9 th March 1828 of Orleans (in the State of Vermont) who was a Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain Siles — of the division commanded by Genl Warren in the Mass. time for 8 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington at the rate of 29 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June 1840, & surat to John Kimball, Esq. President.
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1840 $117.33 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep r 1840 14.66
$131.99
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Clancy , Clerk. Bk A , Vol. 2, Page 46.

6824
Meliah Meliah
Declaration

State of Vermont } At a Probate Court held at Glover Orleans County ss within and for said County on the 15 th day of September A.D. 1838 present the Hon. Joseph Wiggins Judge personally appeared before said Court Melatiah Metcalfe aged 65 years widow of Luke Metcalfe late of said Glover deceased who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th July 1838 That the said Luke Metcalfe her said husband served in the War of the Revolution as follows - Immediately after the Lexington Battle he joined the Army and was in the Bunker Hill battle he enlisted for eight months and as she supposes served in the vicinity of Boston the first eight months of his service - Immediately after the eight months service had expired her said husband the said Luke Metcalfe again enlisted for one year went to Canada served one year had the small pox and as he always said that the soldiers suffered much in the Canada expedition she believes the services of the said Luke were in part under the command of Gen Lee in Capt Attilio's Company - Aldrich was Lieut. - The said Luke Metcalfe husband to the said Melatiah was born in now called Rutland in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts - The said Melatiah was born in Reene in the County of Cheshire N.H. and before Marriage she was named Melatiah French and was united to the said Luke in Marriage at Chesterfield in said Cheshire County by the Rev - Wood Minister of said Chesterfield in the month of September 1777 (the day of the Month not for certain ascertained) - She lived with her said husband now after marriage at Reene aforesaid until they removed to said Glover which was in the year 1824 and they continued to live together until the death of her said husband which was in the month of March 1838 (and as she fully believes on the 9 th day of March) since which time she has ever remained and still remains his widow -
her Melatiah Metcalfe Smash
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written be fore me Joseph Wiggins Judge of Probate

I Noah Leonard of Glouster in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont aged eighty seven years do hereby say that I have been acquainted with Luke Metcalf late of Glouster deceased from childhood as we were both born and brought up in the same town - the said Luke after he arrived to Manhood he lived in New York and as I always understood served in the War of the Revolution - about forty years ago I married to said Luke when I became acquainted with his wife who was before Marriage Mettiah French (as I always understood) with whom he lived until his death which was about ten years ago but the exact time of his death I cannot state although I was present at his death and at his funeral, and I know that the same woman with whom he lived more than forty years ago is now and ever has been since her death his lawful widow.
Noah Leonard
Sworn to and subscribed on the day above written Before me Joseph Wiggins Judge of Probate
I Jonathan Metcalf of Glouster in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont aged sixty years do hereby say that I am the oldest son of Luke Metcalf late of Glouster deceased and of Mettiah Metcalf who is now his widow I further state that I have often heard my Father say that he served in the War of the Revolution and mentioned serving in Canada and at Brandywine battle and at other places I also further state that my Father died in March 1828 since which time my Mother the said Mettiah Metcalf has ever remained and still remains his widow and now resides with me - Jonathan Metcalf
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written - Before me Joseph Wiggins Judge of Probate

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department. That the within named Melatiah Metcalf is the Widow of Luke Metcalf and that he served in the War of the Revolution and died in the month of March 1828 - as she has in her declaration set forth. And the court further declare That Noah Leonard and Louisa Metcalf who have sworn and subscribed the within affidavits are respectable witnesses and their statements entitled to full credit.
Joseph Wiggins Judge of Probate
State of Vermont. Orleans District.
I Geo Nye Register of the Probate Court for the District of Orleans of our said hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had in said court in the matter of the application of Melatiah Metcalf for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 18 th day of September A.D. 1838.
Geo Nye Register

Jon a Metcalf deposition

September the Twenty fifth Seventeen Hundred and Twenty Seven Joined in Wedlock Luke Medcalf to Melatiah French both of Keene Y. W. Wood C. E.
a true Copy from the Town records of Chesterfield, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures and letters as follows viz, 1777 Sept. 25 th
Attest Oscar Coolidge } Town Clerk of Chesterfield
I Oscar Coolidge above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Chesterfield aforesaid County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
Oscar Coolidge } Clerk of the Town of Chesterfield aforesaid August 21, 1838
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. Aug. 21. 1838.
Sworn before me
Sabin G. Mead Just Peace

State of New-Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
I Henry Boolige Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Cheshire certify, that Sarah P. Hovey, was on the 21 day of August instant and still is a Justice of the Peace in (said) County of Cheshire. duly commissioned and sworn and that his name subscribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Keene this twenty second day of August A.D. eighteen hundred thirty eight
H. Boolige Clerk

I Jonathan Metcalf of Glouster in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont depose and say that I was the oldest child of Luke Metcalf and Melatiah Metcalf who formerly lived in Heene in the State of New Hampshire. I further state that I have often heard my Father say that he served in the War of the Revolution eight Months and afterwards served one year in the (Canada Service) - and am confident that his last service which was one year was in a Company as he said in which was a man by name of Aldrich who was an Officer (either Capt. or Lieut.) and my Father served as waiter to said Aldrich —
I further state that more than thirty years ago my Father was owning a farm in Heene which he agreed to deed and did deed the same to me by my agreeing to support him and mother during their natural lives - and for their Security I gave to my Father a life lease of said farm which farm by mutual agreement was sold and with the contents of the same a farm was purchased in Glouster which was deeded to me and I gave a an other life lease to my said Father of said farm in Glouster — I further state that after the passage of the Law of 15 th March of 1815 (I was

not knowing the exact date but am informed it was on the day above written) my Father had considerable talk about trying to obtain a pension but when he was informed that none were entitled to a pension by that law except those who were in indigent circumstances he said he had neither home nor pension then to take the oath which would be necessary for obtaining a pension —
I further state that I never had any knowledge of any law peculiarly the law of 1818 being passed giving pensions to the old soldiers until the passage of the law of 7 th June 1832, and I have no reason to suppose that my father ever had any knowledge of the passage of any law by which he could obtain a pension during his life, and we lived together in the same house previous to the year 1818 until my Father's death —
I further state that my age is sixty two years —
I further state that my Mother is the same Melatiah Melick who has applied for a pension under the law of 7 th July 1836 and that she is now living with me but is in bad health by reason of a cancer — Jonathan Metcalf
State of Vermont } Rutland County Sd. } Glover. April. 18 th . 1840 Then per- sonally appeared before me Jonathan Metcalf who has subscribed his name to the above affidavit who is known to me as a creditable witness. Joseph H. Dornell. Justice of peace

State of Vermont
Orleans County Clerk's office May 7 th 1840
I Henry McBates Clerk of Orleans County do hereby certify that Joseph H. D. Winnell of Glover is a Justice of the Peace within And for the County of Orleans duly qualified And that the foregoing signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this Seventh day of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty
Attest Henry McBates Clerk

Parry
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25696
Neelatiah Metcalf
wid. of
Luke Metcalf
Coeymans, Nov. 1848
Act: July 1 st 1848.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6824
V Cph
Let. to Hon. J. Fletcher. April 9, 1840.
ad 7. July '38

Pension Office, April 9, 1840.
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr. Kimball, and to inform you that the cases therein referred to have been examined.
In the case of Mrs. Martha Seaver, the proof of the date of the marriage, and of eight mos. service at Cambridge in 1775 is sufficient, but the second term under Captain Staples Chamberlain is not supported by any roll in this Office, or by any proof in the papers.
The other term in 1778 in Rhode-Island cannot be traced on the rolls unless the names of the officers particularly of the Captain be furnished. Resort to the papers of Ichabod Seaver afforded no other aid to the alleged service of 1776, than the mere allegations that he served 5 months in 1776 under Captain Daniels. That term of service was not necessary to the pension he sought, and was therefore neither specified nor proved. There is no roll of Capt. Daniels for 1776.
The proof in the case of Mr. Melatiah Metcalf of the date of the marriage and of 8

months' service in 1775 in the grade of corporal - but the alleged service in 1776 cannot be allowed without the necessary specification and proof either by the rolls or by parol testimony. Some reasons should be assigned for his failing to assert his claim in his life-time between 1818 and 1828.
Elizabeth Barrows, widow of Moses Barrows, deceased, asserts a claim for three months service in Rhode-Island in 1780, and for service under an enlistment for three years at some time subsequently to that term to the end of the war.
No examination can be made of the rolls for either term before the requisite specification of each shall be furnished and some evidence to identify her late husband with any evidence which the rolls may afford of service credited to his name. If the length of the latter term be correctly estimated it must have been rendered in the Massachusetts Line, and would have entitled her husband when living to a pension under the act of 18 March, 1818, unless his pecuniary circumstances excluded him from its provisions.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obt. servt. J. L. Edwards Hon. Isaac Fletcher, } House of Representatives. }

Not copied.
Kept in a memo.
See Mt. mss
Eq book Vol 1

Pension Office June 1840
Sir
The claim of Mrs. Melitiah Metcalf remains upon our files.
The alleged service of one year in 1776, under Capt Aldrich is not satisfactorily established.
The service of her late husband Luke Metcalf in 1775 is verified by the rolls, for which a certificate may be issued, without any bar to the other service in case it shall be hereafter proved.
I have traced the rolls of Capt Geo Aldrich of Westmoreland, from Dec 1776 to Dec 1779, but do not find Mr Metcalf name upon it —
M o Kimball Esq Present,
AL July 7 1838 6824

Barton Orleans County Vermont Feb. 20 th 1840 Hon. James L. Edwards —
Dear Sir — enclosed is the declaration of Metahiah Metcalf widow of Luke Metcalf for a pension there are two declarations which do not materially differ — except in the first she was of opinion that George Aldrich served in the eight Month's service as an officer in the declaration she believes it was in the year service that Aldrich served — in the first declaration is the Testimony of Noah Leonard & Jonathan Metcalf identifying the claimant to be the widow of Luke Metcalf &c. &c. but as there is no material difference I send on both — It is hoped that Metcalf's service will be found in Col. James Reed's Regiment or in some other for the year service The widow is now of opinion that Aldrich served in the year service as Capt. or Lieut. —
Please let me have a return soon as convenient —
Respectfully Yours John Kimball

I Eliakim Sims of Sullivan County of Ohio & New Hampshire aged eighty eight years next September depose and say that Luke Metcalf formerly of Keene served in the Revolutionary war in the year 1775 eight months in Captain Jeremiah Stiles Company in Col. Sargents Regiment. — I was in the same service & in the same company & we both went into the service from said Keene. — Said Metcalf according to the best of my recollection was a corporal in said service. — Said Metcalf afterwards married militia friend with whom I was acquainted. —
Eliakim Sims
State of New Hampshire Grafton N.H.
March 4. 1859
Subscribed & sworn to Before me Thomas M. Edwards Jus Peace
I certify that the above deponent is a credible person — intelligent & of good memory. Thomas M. Edwards Jus Peace
16.37
Eliakim Sims Deposition

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss. —
I Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Superior Court of Indictments in and for the County and State aforesaid - certify that Thomas M. Edwards was on the fourth day of March last past and still is a Justice of the peace in said County of Cheshire duly com- -missioned and qualified and that his signature within written is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court at Keene this twelfth day of April A.D. 1839.
H. Coolidge Clerk

6824 Declaration Matiah Micalf Yes
Act 7. July 38
m 77-a 28
Dec 16. 37- on - Stiles - forst 8mo
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

State of Vermont At a special Court held at Glover Orleans County ss within and for said County of Orleans on the 27 th day of November A.D. 1839 present the Hon. John Kimball Judge - Personally appeared before said Court Melatiah Metcalfe a resident of Glover in said County of Orleans aged 86 Eighty six years who being first 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 Con- gress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows
That she is the widow of Luke Metcalfe who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and served as follows — In the Spring of the year of 1775 he enlisted for eight months into a company commanded by Capt. Stiles was in the Bunkerhill Battle and served out his eight months enlistment in the vicinity of Boston —
Immediately after the eight months service had terminated her said husband the said Luke Metcalfe again enlisted into the service of the United States for one year she cannot State for certainty the names of the Officers under whom he served in the Year Service she is confident that Aldrich served with her said husband as Capt. or Lieut. and she always understood that the year service was in Canada (or as called Canada service) that her said husband had the small pox with many others many of whom died with that disorder and she well remembers that in while her husband was gone they received news at Reene that Col. Wymann was dead (which proved a mistake) and she believes her husband was in Wymann's or Reeds Regiments in the Year service but in that she is not certain — but she is certain that he returned home about the first of the year 1777 after his year service had terminated.
She further declares that she was married to the said Luke Metcalfe in the month of September in the year

1777 (and as appears by the Certificate from the records on the 25 th day of the month) at Chesterfield in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire by the Rev. ——— Wood a Gospel Minister of said Chesterfield — That her said husband the aforesaid Luke Metcalf died on the 9 th day of March 1828 That she was not Married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four in at the time above stated —
She further states that before Marriage her name was Melatiah French that she was born in Reene in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and that her husband the said Luke Metcalf was born in Rutland (now Brattle) in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts but at the time of their Marriage they both resided in Reene before written where they continued to reside until they removed to Glaser aforesaid which was in the year 1824 at which place she has ever since resided and since the death of her husband has ever continued a Widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
her Melatiah L Metcalf mark
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written
Before me — John Pimblett Judge
And the Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the Matter That the above named Melatiah Metcalf is the Widow of the within named Luke Metcalf and that he served in the War of the Revolution and died on the 9 th day of March as set forth in her declaration —
John Pimblett Judge

State of Vermont
Orleans County p S I, Samuel G. Crafts, Clerk of Orleans County Court, do certify that the Hon d John Flimball, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is one of the Judges of Orleans County Count duly commissioned and sworn, and duly empowered by the laws of said State to administer oaths and to take and certify depositions, &c. and that his name subscribed to the foregoing certificate is his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty ninth day of November A D 1839.
Sam l G. Crafts, Clerk
Melchiah Melvill Declarant

Washington City June 27 th 1840
a pension certificate for eight months service of Luke Metcalf as corporal will be accepted reserving the right to have her pension increased whenever whence more service shall be shown
22 7 33
John Rimbhall for Melatiah Metcalf widow of said Luke Metcalf
22 7 33

Melatiah Metcalf
add proof
In Kimball of Barton, Vt.
Over
June 24 1820

Gloucester } 24 May 1870 }
Price 6
Wm John Kumball
Parton
Moment
2

6824
Melatiah Metcalf
Mrs of Luke
At Ver.
Act July 7 1838
Maria 1777
due 1828
Ala 8 m. capact
$29 33 per am
J. Kimball Esq Present