Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15262, for Abner Poland, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Poland, Abner Sarah
N 15262 B.L.Wt 4871-100, issued 1795
CONTENTS

(3436)
New Hampshire Roll
Abner Poland 4
private
Massachusetts line 3 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 3 rd of June 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th of Oct r 1818 and delivered to Edward Coombs Esq. at Washington City —
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 24.53 Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 Mar 1819 48.00
Arrears 3 Mo 2/3a $72.53
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Enfield, County of Grafton New Hampshire

Declaration of Abner Roland June 3 rd
Abner Roland
Concord

I Abner Poland of Enfield in the county of Grafton and state of New Hampshire being a Citizen of the United States of the age of fifty seven years on oath declare that I served as a private soldier and noncommissioned Officer in the Army employed in the War of the Revolution in the Continental establishment - that after having enlisted and served one year I in the spring of the year 1778 enlisted into a Company of Light Infantry commanded by Captain John Burnham in the eighth Regiment of the Massachusetts Line commanded by Col. Michael Jackson - that I continued in said service in said Regiment during the term of my enlistment which was three years and immediately on its expiration I again enlisted into the same company and Regiment during the War - that I continued in said service in said Regiment until the peace in 1783 when I received an honorable discharge in writing - at Newburgh in the state of New York - that I was in the battle at Hubbardston, at Stillwater, at Monmouth and at Yorktown - that by time and accident I have lost the discharge aforesaid - that I cannot produce any further evidence of said services - and that from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of My Country for support - And I do hereby relinquish all claim to pension under any law of the United States passed previous to the 18th day of March 1818 -
Abner Poland

1586 Concord N. Hamp.
Sarah Poland widow of Abner Poland dec d who died on the 14 January 1835 of Grafton in the State of N.H. who was a Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain Brughams of the Reg t commanded by Col. M c Gowan in the Mass a line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N.H. at the rate of 88 14 3/4 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March 1835.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of March 1837 and sent Hon. Wm. B. Churchill Esq. Maine.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1837 $182.66 Pemi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 38 - 44.00
$226.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by N.H. G. Gideon Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 Page 30

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836 State of New Hampshire } ss. Grafton County }
On this first day of February A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me David C. Churchill one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire Sarah Poland a resident of Canaan in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged 77 years who being first duly sworn according to law each on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the ben- -efit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4- 1836. That she is the widow of Abner Poland who was a Corporal in the Army of the Revolution. She has heard her said late hus- -band say that he served seven years & six months in the War of the Revolution, for proof of his service she refers to a Disch- -arge signed by George Washington dated June 1783. which she supposes is in the files of the War Department as the same was presented in support of his claim to a pension her said late husband being a Revolutionary Pensioner in his life time -
She further declares that she was married to the said Abner Poland on the seventeenth day of February in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three that her husband the aforesaid Abner Poland died on the fourteenth day of January A.D. 1835 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Sarah Poland
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before —
David C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas
I hereby certify that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity the said Sarah Poland the above applicant cannot attend the Court
D. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas

State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss
Town Clerk's office June 26. 1837.
I hereby certify that the following is a true copy of a Record in the in the town Book of said Ipswich entitled "Consummation of Marriages" viz
"17 33. March 20 th Abner Poland jun r to Sarah Burnham both of Ipswich". It also appears by the same Record that they were joined in Marriage by the Rev. John Cleveland Minister of the Gospel in said Town. Ebene r Burnham Town Clerk of s d Ipswich.
State of Massachusetts
Essex County ss } Ipswich June 26. A.D. 1837.
Then personally appeared Ebenezer Burnham, known to me as Town Clerk of said Ipswich and made oath that the above Certificate subscribed by him is true.
Before me Jonathan Story third justice of the Peace
Essex ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I John Prince Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do certify that Jonathan Story third Esquire is a justice of the Peace in said County and that his signature hereon is genuine
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court June 26. 1837.
John Prince Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Poland, Abner GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4871 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Nov. 2, 1795 to Joseph Fosdick
*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.

Suspended See let to W.C. Church. ill May 31. 1857

Mass.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15262
Sarah Poland Widow of Abner Poland Corporal War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 137
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Shall I so far trespass upon the politeness of Mr. Wilson as to request of him to inform me, up to what time Abner Poland of W.H. was paid under the Act of Congress passed 15th May 1828; He died Jan'y 1835.
Robert 29 Nov '37
by. ol. cut 738-591-628
Refer to Mr. Hewart
Died January 14. 1835 Order for pay 11 Aug 1835. See Book of pay Certifs. Calif. frms - No. 601 J.D.W.
Mr. Wilson sent the No. of the m.d. in your room

Abner Poland was pensioned under Act 18 March 1818, and struck off. Again pensioned under the Act of May 25. 1828. And died in 1835. He rec d the bounty land as a War man. in 1795. The Court rolls show the following
"Pension Abner, Brumley Co. Col. M c Jackson, Reg t . 8 th . "1 March 79 3 rd y r . (loan, reenlisted 79 Corp t Aug t 80 "by Sept. 11 1780
The Mass. Military rolls Vol. 29. p. 99. show that on 1 st Feb y . 1781. Abner Poland from Ipswich Mass. was enlisted for the loan. in Col t Jackson's Reg t .

Sarah Poland a resident of Canaan in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire widow of Abner Poland late of said Canaan deceased, makes the following as an amendment to her declaration made before the Rev. D. C. Chasehill on the first day of February A.D. 1837 in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the 3 d section of the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836 in which she stated that she was married to the said Abner Poland on the seventeenth day of February in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three. She finds by a copy of the Records of Ipswich Massachusetts where she was married that she was mistaken in the month and day of the month. She now declares that she was married to the said Abner Poland on the twelfth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three as will appear by reference to the copy from the records of Ipswich which is hereto annexed. She further declares that her said husband was for a time a pensioner under the act of Congress passed March 18. 1818 and was afterward stricken from the list of Pensioners on account of having in possession more property than he should have to entitle him to a pension under said act. He was afterwards placed on the Pension list Roll under the act of 15 May 1828.
She further declares that her said husband was not a Pensioner under the act of June 1832 and supposes the reason why he did not apply was under said act

Page 2
of June 1832 was that he was already a pensioner under the act of 1828 as before stated. She herewith transmits a paper purporting to be a copy of her said husband's discharge referred to in her original Declaration. She further declares that her said husband continued in the service after her intermarriage with him almost three months as appears by the copy of his discharge. He did not return home to Ipswich until late in the fall of the year 1783. He waited as she understood him after his discharge was given for his pay and continued in the service as she understood him on his return.
Sarah Poland
State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss. Canaan August 14. 1837
Sworn to and subscribed before me D. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pheas

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss. J. Nathan B. Felton, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, hereby certify that David L. Churchill, whose name is subscribed to three certificates written on the preceded preceding pages of this packet 204 pages [2 D 4 th pages] was on the fourteenth day of August last past, and ever since has been, a Judge of said Court, and acting Justices of the Peace for said County, and that his name so subscribed is, in such case aforesaid, his genuine signature, being in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court the 29 th day of September Anno Domini 1837.
J. B. Felton Clerk
Witness Frank Palmer

Enfield New Hampshire June 22 nd 1828
Sir Mr Almer Poland of this town says that he enlisted in the Continental line of the Army of the revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination who was a Corporal in the eighth Massachusetts Regiment and had a discharge from the American Army he now thinks that he is entitled to a pension under the Act of May 15 th 1828 He wishes some information on the subject he had a discharge which below you will see a copy — he made application under the Act of 1818 sent his discharge for to obtain a pension he was put on the list soon after he was stricken off Judge Evans called his discharge /after leaving/ Poland a copy and said he left it at the War Office with other papers at at the time he was put on to the pension list or at one other time when application was made for Soldiers Land at which time he cannot tell but is of an opinion at the time he made application for land he wishes to know if it be necessary that he should have his discharge sent to him if in the Office and to be sent on with other papers if he should be so fortunate to come under the provisions of the Act of 15 th May 1828 Copy of his discharge
By his Excellency George Washington Esq: Commander in Chief of the forces of the United States of America These are to certify that the bearer hereof Almer Poland Corporal in the eighth Massachusetts Regiment having faithfully served the United States seven years and six months and being enlisted for the war only is hereby discharged from the American Army Given at Head Quarters the 13 th day of June 1783 —
George Washington by his Excellency Command
J. Freemball J Esq Registered in the books of the Regiment Francis Tufts Adjutant
The above Corporal Poland has been honored with the Badge of merit for seven years and six months faithful service
M. Jackson Cole
Head Quarters June 13 th  1783 1783 the within certificate shall not avail the bearer as a discharge until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace previous to which time & until proclamation thereof shall be made he is to be considered as being on furlough
George Washington
any information on the subject directed to Joseph Merrill Esq Enfield N.H. will do the old Gentleman a kindness he is an old man rather hard & I presume fought many hard battles says he was through the whole War if he comes under the provisions of the last act, I presume he is as much deserving a pension as any other man we consider him a worthy man
Joseph Merrill
if the original is in the office it will speak for itself if not this copy is in substance the same

Corporal Poland 26 Co
Whereabouts Duchamp French Head July 10th 1803 his choice twenty persons

Abner Poland's Discharge Ipswich Recd Feby 10 th 1803 his choice twenty Dollars
Abner Poland Lt Col

By His Excellency George Wash Washington Esq; General and Commander in chief of the forces of the United States of America.
These are to certify that the bearer hereof Abner Polands, Corporal in the eighth Massachusetts Regiment having faithfully served the United States seven years and six months and being enlisted for the war only is hereby Discharged from the American Army. Given at head quarters the thirteenth day of June 1783
George Washington by his Excellency's Command
J Trumbull Esq
Registered in the books of the Regiment, Francis Tufts Adjutant
The above Corporal Polands has been honored with the Badge of Merit for seven years and six months faithful service
M c Jackson Col
Head quarters June 13 th 1783
The within Certificate shall not avail the bearer as a discharge until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace previous to which time and until further motion thereof shall be made He is to be considered as being on furlough George Washington

By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE ARE TO CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Abner Poland Corporal in the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment, having faithful- ly served the United States seven years & six months and being enlisted for the War only, is thereby Discharged from the American Army.
GIVEN AT HEAD-QUARTERS the Thirteenth day of June 1783
G Washington
By His Excellency's Command,
Putnam Col Genl
REGISTERED in the Book of the Regiment,
Truman Dift.
Adjutant.
THE above Corporal Poland has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for seven years & six months Years faithful Service.
M c Learen Col o

V1335
Sarah Poland widow of Abner. N.H.
alleged Marriage in March 20 '83. Febry 17 83
record proof indispensable
Adm l Capt $88 per annum comf 14 Jan y - 1835 Mass Coal line Capt Burnam Col Jackson,
Hon D.C. Churchill Syene N.H.

I Elijah Gove of Canaan in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that Abner Poland State of said Canaan the reputed husband of Sarah Poland and revolution Pensioner deceased on the fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty five. and that I was present when he died and attended his funeral.
I further depose and say that the since the said Abner Poland deceased the said Sarah Poland has continued to be and is now his widow
Elijah Gove
State of New Hampshire Grafton County } ss. Canaan February 1-1837 Then the above named Elijah Gove made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before
J. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas
I certify that said Gove is a credible witness
J. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas
I David Burnham of Enfield in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire of lawful age testify and say that during the war of the revolution I lived a near neighbor to Abner Poland and Sarah Poland his wife that during the said war and before its close and I should think about six months before its close the said Abner Poland returned home from the Army on a furlough and while at home as aforesaid he was married to the said Sarah. Soon after which he returned to the Army - At the time they were married I lived with my Parents and the nearest neighbor to said Sarahs Parents with whom said Sarah then lived. And my Parents were present at said Abners & Sarahs wedding.
David Burnham
State of New Hampshire Grafton County } Canaan February 1-1837
Then the above named David Burnham made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before
J. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas
I certify that the said Burnham is a credible witness
J. C. Churchill J. C. C. Pleas

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss. I Nathan B. Felton, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, hereby certify that David P. Churchill, whose name is subscribed to the six certificates written two of them on the half sheet included in this packet, under the declaration of Sarah Poland, and the other four on the other side of this last half sheet, two of them under the affidavit of Elijah Gove, and two of them under the affidavit of David Burnham, is, and was on the first day of February current, a judge of said Court, and that his name so subscribed is his own in each case, his genuine signature, being in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the eleventh day of February A.D. 1837.
N. B. Felton Clerk

State of New Hampshire
On this third day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and of the Independence of the United States the forty second - Before William H. Woodward Esq: Chief Justice of the Courts of Common Pleas in the second District in said State comprising the County of Grafton - Came Abner Poland of Enfield in said county a citizen of the United States and being duly sworn made solemn oath that the declaration herewith annexed by him subscribed is just and true - The declaration aforesaid being made in order to obtain the provisions made in and by an act of the Congress of the United States approved on the eighteenth day of March now last past - the said Abner Poland declaring that he has no other evidence of his said service
I therefore hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Abner served on the Continental establishment in the war of the revolution against the common enemy for a longer term than nine months at one period of the war and that he now is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of his Country's assistance for support
And I now transmit the declaration aforesaid to the Secretary of the Department of War as the law requires
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed (no particular impression or device being used therefor) at Hanover in said District the day and year before written
Wm H. Woodward

We the subscribers hereby certify that we have been acquainted with Mr Almer Poland of Enfield in the County of Grafton & state of New Hampshire & his circumstances as for property for a good many years — And we do not hesitate to say that his property is small and that he is in indigent circumstances Enfield June 16 th 1818
Elijah Gove Thomas E Poland
Grafton & Enfield June 16 th 1818 Then personally appeared Elijah Gove & Thomas E Poland and made solemn oath that the above certificate by them subscribed is just and true before —
Joseph Merrill Jus. Pease

Revolutionary Claims.
[ B. ]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Almer Poland of Enfield in the county of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a * Corporal in Captain John Burnham Company, in the eighth Regiment, of the Massachusetts Line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States.†
Witness my hand, this fifteenth day of July , in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & twenty eight Almer Poland
Before me,‡ Joseph Merrill Justice of the Peace in the county of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire personally appeared, this day, Joseph Johnson and Samuel  Thurber of the said county, who did severally make oath that Almer Poland by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this 15 th day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & twenty eight Almer Poland Joseph Merrill Jr. Peace
I, George Woodward Clerk of the Court of the County of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify, that Joseph Merrill Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the peace for said county and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [L. S.] said Court, this 25 th day of July , A.D. 1828
G. Woodward Clerk
* Sergeant, Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be.
† The claimant, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since the 3d of March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of _____ dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of _____
‡ Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
§ Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
Ms. A. Poland
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Aug. 23. 1828
Abner Poland, of Enfield in the County of Grafton, in the State of New Hampshire, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Corporal, in captain Burnham's company, in the set regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
Allowed Oct 1828
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
28 th August 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Abner Poland in the Massachusetts line .
It further appears that Abner Poland is now on the pension list of the Massachusetts agency, and has been so since the 3d of March 1826 at the rate of 8 dollars per month.
This is pension S. 33483
There is now on the Massachusetts Pension Roll a man by the name of Abner Poland , who according to his pension papers, enlisted for only one year, in Cap t Dodge's company of Col. Little's Regiment, and was discharged in 1777.
Richd Hagner And
#15,262 Holt Mills
OK
Ms A Poland

✓ 731.
all will
#
15,262
J. Morris
A. Poland.
recd. 4 Augt. 1848
ackd. 23 d.
Enfield PA
July 29
free
Hon Richard Rush Secretary of Treasury War Department Revolutionary Claim Washington City

Confield New Hampshire July 29 th 1828
Dear Sir I enclose the papers of Mr A Poland I presume his Discharge is in the Office according as I wrote before if any thing further be necessary be so good as to write to me on the subject Respectfully yours —
Joseph Merrill