Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4028, for Nathaniel Merritt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Merritt, Nathaniel
N. 4028
Hepsibah
CONTENTS

4091
Ohio / Cincinnati
Hepsibah Merritt
widow of Nathaniel Merritt
that who was a sergeant
in the Massachusetts line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of December 1843 and sent to A. G. Brown
Athens Ohio
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book a Vol. 1 Page 160
Rep 30 Dec 1843
Date of death not on file

Hepsibah Merritt
35th
7 July 38
admitted Sept 27 #120.
Col Thomas Manders on roll Sept 3 74 for Dec 1776.
admitted 13 Dec 1838
no paper
H. C. Morris NTR

Declaration of Mrs. Hepsibah Merritt of Elk Township, Athens County, State of Ohio, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of July 7 th 1838.
State of Ohio, Athens County, ss.
On this 15 th day of November, 1838, personally appeared before me the subscriber an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Hepsibah Merritt a resident of Elk Township, in the County of Athens aforesaid, aged 77 years, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows." That she is the widow of Nathaniel Merritt, who was an orderly Sergeant, in the American Army of the Revolution. That the said Nathaniel Merritt served as follows, as nearly as she is able to state, to wit: for the term of three years, in the years 1777, 1778 & 1779, as first Sergeant in the Company of Capt. Josiah Smith in Maj. Winslow's Battalion in Col. Thomas Marshall's Regiment, in Gen. Jonathan Patterson's Brigade, of Massachusetts, having enlisted for said term of three years, at South Hadley in said State of Massachusetts, & having at the close of said service obtained an honorable discharge, which she recollects to have seen but which has been lost or mislaid.
She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Merritt, at Petersham in the County of Worcester in said State of Massachusetts by the Rev. John Reed, on or about the first day of April in the year seven hundred and eighty two; that she has no record of the precise date of her marriage, that her husband the said Nathaniel Merritt died on or about the 26 th day of November in the year 1815; 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 & ninety four, viz, at the time above stated.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written, and I certify that the said Hepsibah Merritt is a credible person, and further, that from age & infirmity she is unable to appear in open Court
For Hepsibah Merritt Widow
David Richmond Special Judge

State of Ohio Athens County ss - Before me David Richmond an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County. Personally came Reuben Merrill whom I certify to be a credible Person who being duly sworn according to Law deposes that the following is a true & correct copy of the Records of the Births of the children of Nathaniel and Hepsibah Merritt, as the same was many years ago transcribed from an old Family Bible to a newer one now in the possession of the said Hepsibah Merrill, and that he did transcribe the same from the old Bible to the newer one as aforesaid as follows to wit - Calvin Merrill born August 12 th the year 1782 - Lydia Merrill Born December 21 st the year 1783 - William Merrill Born October 2 nd the year 1785 - Betsey Merrill Born March 17 th the year 1788 - Martha Merrill Born May 16 th the year 1790 - Reuben Merrill Born September 18 th the year 1792 - Nathaniel Merrill Born October 14 th the year 1794 - Curtis Merrill Born August 21 st the year 1797 - Sworn & subscribed before me Reuben Merrill This 15 th day of November 1838 David Richmond Associate Judge
State of Ohio Athens County ss - Before me David Richmond an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County. Personally came William Merritt whom I certify to be a credible Person who being sworn according to Law deposes that he is well acquainted with the circumstances of the above Record being transcri- bed from the old Family Bible to the newer one and that he has often seen the record & read them in both of the Bibles referred to in the above deposition of Reuben Merrill and also that he was present and saw his Father Nathan- iel Merrill die which was on the 26 th day of November 1815. and that he has lived with and near to his mother Hepsibah Merrill ever since the death of her husband Nathaniel Merrill & that she has not been married since and that she still remains a widow. and further he states that he has often heard his Father Nathaniel Merrill talk about being in the Revolutionary war and that he was at the Battle of Saratoga & the taking of Burgoyne and in several other Battles - Sworn & subscribed before me William Merrill This 15 th day of November 1838 David Richmond Associate Judge

Joseph Dana, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Athens and State of Ohio, do hereby certify that David Richmond Esquire, before whom the foregoing declaration purports to have been sworn, was at the date thereof and still is an Associate Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature thereunder written is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 4th day of December, A.D. 1838.
Joseph Dana Clerk

THE NEW TESTAMENT
OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST,
NEWLY TRANSLATED OUT OF THE
ORIGINAL GREEK
AND WITH THE FORMER
TRANSLATIONS
DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY MATHEW CAREY,
NO. 12 MARKET-STREET.
1813.

Calvin Merritt born this year 1982 August 12 th Lydia Margaret Born December 2 nd ye 1983 William Merritt born October 2 nd ye 1985 Dora Merritt Born Mar 1988 Martha Merritt Born May 1990 Paulen Kennel Born September 18 th 1992 Kathaniel Merritt born October 1994 Linda Merritt Born August 21 st ye 1997

White Swan, Wash. Sept. 22, 1935
Mr. A. D. Hiller Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Hiller:
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the information you sent Sept. 10, 1935 - (Your: Nathaniel Merritt - W. 4028 - BA-T/AWF). It is a big help, more so because I had little hope of connecting with the meager data I could furnish.
It may interest you to know that there is a stone in the Zaleski cemetery, Vinton Co. Ohio reading - "Heptzabah Merritt. died Oct. 17, 1847; age 87 years, 11 months." This checks with her age of 77 yrs on Nov. 15, 1838 as you gave me.
Sincerely yours, Edward H. Rulap.

September 10, 1935
Nathaniel Merritt-W.4028 BA-J/AWF
Mr. Edward N. Dunlap White Swan Washington
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you are trying to trace the parentage of Martha Merritt who married Rufus Pratt, son of Ephriam Pratt who was granted pension (S.40300) on account of his services in the Revolutionary War, and "it was suggested" that the given name of the father of Martha Merritt was Nathaniel, and his wife was either Martha or Hepsebah. You also state that on August 27, 1934 you were furnished the Revolutionary War record of Ephraim Pratt pension claim, S. 40300 and that mention was made to one Benah Pratt and that you "take this to be the same as Beriah Pratt". The writing in this claim is very dim and this name could be either Beriah or Benah. should have been a paragraph.
The record of Nathaniel Merritt, whose widow Hepsebah was granted pension on account of his services in the Revolutionary War is furnished herein.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 4028, based upon the service of Nathaniel Merritt in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of Nathaniel Merritt are not shown, nor are the names of his parents given.
He enlisted in South Hadley, Massachusetts, sometime in the year 1777, served three years as first sergeant in Captain Josiah Smith's company, Colonel Thomas

Marshall's Massachusetts regiment and was in the battle of Saratoga, at the taking of Burgoyne, and several other battles, not named.
The soldier, Nathaniel Merritt, married April 1, 1782 in Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Hepsibah, her maiden name is not given. He died November 26, 1815.
His widow, Hepsibah Merritt, was allowed pension on her application executed November 15, 1838, at which time she was seventy-seven years of age and living in Elk Township, Athens County, Ohio. She was living in 1843 in Brown Township, Athens County, Ohio.
The children of Nathaniel Merritt and his wife, Hepsibah:
   Calvin  born  August  12, 1782    Lydia or Lyda  "  December  2, 1783    William  "  October  2, 1785    Betsa  "  March  17, 1788    Martha  "  May  16, 1790    Reuben  "  September  18, 1792    Nathaniel  "  October  14, 1794    Curtis  "  August  21, 1797.   
William Merritt in 1838 stated that he had lived near his mother, Hepsibah Merritt, ever since the death of her husband, Nathaniel Merritt; and Reuben Merritt made affidavit in Athens County, Ohio in 1838.
There are no further data in this claim relative to family.
In order to obtain information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Hepsibah Merritt, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data:
Hepsibah Merritt, widow of Nathaniel Merritt, certifi-

cate # 4091, issued December 29, 1843, rate $120.00 per annum, to commence March 4, 1843, Act of March 3, 1843, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

To be papers of Elizabeth Merritt or Alisabella Merritt Pensylvania Ohio roll Letter of Atty to
T. Dennis Esq.

And Dec 29.
McArthur Dec. 22 d 1857.
W. Curing Jr Esq
Dear Sir
The Heirs at Law of Nathaniel Merritt dec d who was a Revolutionary soldier belonging to the Massachusetts Regt. say that he enlisted & served five years & was entitled thereby to bounty land which they think he never drew. They are unable to give us any information as to the N o . of his Regt. or the name of any of the Officers under whom he served But say that his widow Abigail Merritt now dec d after the death of her husband applied for and obtained a pension.
We suppose that by reference to her declaration all the facts can be ascertained as to the N o . of the Regt. &c. We think it would then be well to search the records & see if it is so that he was entitled to B. Land. The thing will pay if we can by our joint efforts make any thing out of it Have you as yet been advised as to the action of the Government, in the case of Mr. Dowd
Very respectfully yours in haste Hewitt & Bingham

Hepsibah Merritt 4622
$120 per an
A. G. Brown Athens, Ohio

State of Ohio, Athens County, ss. 3
On this tenth day of July A.D. 1843. personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Mrs. Depsibah Merrill, a resident of Brown Township in the County of Athens aforesaid, (Whom I certify to be personally known to me) who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3rd of March, 1831, granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of Nathaniel Merrill who was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution and served in Capt. Josiah Smith's Company Col. Thomas Marshall's Regiment in General Jonathan Patterson's Brigade, in the years 1777, 1778 & 1779, and that she received a Pension of $120.00 per annum, for five years, under the Act of July 7, 1838. And she further declares that she is still a Widow. Sworn & subscribed on this day, July 10, 1843. Before me, Pearly Browne Justice of the Peace Depsibah Merrill her mark
Attest Nathaniel Merrill Lyra Morse

I Joseph M. Dana, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Athens County, State of Ohio, hereby certify, that Peary Brown before whom the within Declaration purports to have been sworn, was at the date thereof and still is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature within written is genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the Seal of said Court, at Athens in said County, this 17 th day of July, A.D. 1843. Joseph M. Dana Clerk

Ohio 1430
Hepsibah Merritt widow of Nathaniel Merritt
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 26 November 1815 of Athens Co. in the State of Ohio who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Marshall in the M.S. line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 120 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Decr. 1838 and sent Hon C. Morris Secy of War
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1835 $300.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Mar 36 60.00 $360.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by W. M. Addison Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 2 nd Page 218

1929-Nov. 19, Hist to Mrs. Henry Hogan, M.E.E. 1931 - May 11 - Mrs. Henry Hogan ad. hist. of only N. Merritt furnished - J.L.R. 1935 - Sept. 10 - list to Edward N. Dunlap 1935 - Nov. 13 - Edw. N. Dunlap adv. Rist. of Sept. 22, 1935 placed on fill etc. M.M.T.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4028
Keepsake Merritt  Wid.
Nathaniel Merritt  Sergt. Mass. Line
Act: Mch. 31/43
Index: -Vol. M. , Page 41

November 13, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MDHF/ady Nathaniel Merritt W.4028
Mr. Edward N. Dunlap White Swan Washington
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the record of Nathaniel Merritt, W.4028, which was furnished you September 10, 1935, has been helpful to you in your research. You give, also, tombstone data in regard to Heptzabah Merritt which you state checks with the records of this office.
It is gratifying to know that this office has been of service to you. Your data have been placed on file in the above cited claim, and your thoughtfulness is appreciated. Only such data, however, as are found in the original papers are incorporated in the reports from this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Hebron Indiana.
Sept. 24, 1929.
War Department, Pension Office Washington D. C.
Gentlemen: I am writing in regard to a Revolutionary Soldier, Nathaniel one  Merrett who at the close of the Rev. War was a Major, I understand. He is buried in a little burying ground at Prattville Ohio, in Vinton County. I believe
He may have come from Mass. or Vermont. May have been a Pensioner from Pa.
I have a copy of the inscription on his grave stone at Prattville. I am a direct descendant and would like any information possible. Very truly yours (Mrs. Henry) Helen Hogan.

Hebron Indiana
April 1, 1931
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Gentlemen: I am writing about information regarding the Rev. War record of Nathaniel Merritt who it is claimed was a captain at the close of the Rev. War. or Mass. He may have enlisted from Pa. I understand he is buried in Athens Co. Ohio. near the Prattville cemetery.
Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
W 4028 (-per. Nov 19-1929)
Very truly yours,
(Mrs. Henry)
Helen Hogan

White Swan, Wash. Aug. 30, 1935.
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I am trying to trace the parentage of Martha Merritt who married Rufus Pratt, 1811, a son of Ephriam Pratt who was granted a pension for Revolutionary War service Apr. 20, 1818, while a resident of Burlington Township, Bradford County, Pa. According to family tradition the Pratt family had migrated from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania about 1800 and I assume were living in Burlington in 1811. I also assume that the Merritts were living there at that time and suspect that the father of Martha Merritt may have applied for a pension from that county about 1818. (Data on Ephriam Pratt from yours of Aug. 27, 1934: BA-J/ady, Ephriam Pratt; S. 40300.)
Mr. Merritt was supposed to have enlisted from Worcester county, Mass. and served thru the major part of the Revolution. As my grandfather wrote, "he served under General Washington in the eleven general engagements commanded by him." From another source it was suggested that his given name was Nathaniel, and his wife: Martha Cummings, altho I have reason to suspect that Mrs. Merritt's name was Hepsibah.
I realize that this is very meager data to work on but I would appreciate knowing if any pension had been issued to anyone by name of Merritt, resident in Bradford county, Pa. They may have later removed to Ohio.
Refering to your former letter, you mention one Benah Pratt of Burlington. I take this to be the same as Beriah Pratt, a brother of Ephriam, both of whom where born in Farmington, Mass. (Vital Records of Farmington).
Yours truly,
Edward N. Dunlap

May 11, 1931.
Mrs. Henry Hogan
Hebron, Indiana.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section III
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the history of Nathaniel Merritt, W. 4028, which was furnished you on November 19, 1929, is that of the only Nathaniel Merritt found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MEE/cel
November 19, 1929
Mrs. Henry Hogan Hebron Indiana
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.4028, it appears that Nathaniel Merritt or Merrit enlisted at South Hadley, Massachusetts, and served three years, 1777, 1778 and 1779, as first sergeant in Captain Josiah Smith's Company, Colonel Thomas Marshall's Massachusetts Regiment and was at the battle of Saratoga, at the taking of Burgoyne and in several other battles.
He died November 26, 1815, his age is not shown.
The soldier married April 1, 1782, in Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Hepsibah, her maiden name not given.
She was allowed pension on her application executed November 15, 1838, at which time she was seventy-seven years of age and resided in Elk Township, Athens County, Ohio.
In 1843, she resided in Brown Township, Athens County, Ohio.
Their children were:
Calvin born August 12, 1782. Lydia or Lyda " December 2, 1783. William " October 2, 1785. Betsa " March 17, 1788. Martha " May 16, 1790. Reuben " September 18, 1792. Nathaniel " October 14, 1794. Curtis " August 21, 1797.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.