Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7653, for Levi Nichols, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Nichols, Levi
P 7653
CONTENTS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Worcester ss June 13 th - 1850 }
This day personally appeared Thaddeus Nichols of Holden in said County, who is personally known to me as a man of truth and veracity - and made the following deposition, first being sworn - to testify to the truth, in reference to, his knowledge, of the services of his Brother Levi Nichols, in the War of the Revolution - to be used for the purpose of obtaining a pension - pay or an allowance for services rendered the United States during the war of the Revo- =lution -
Before me
Charles Chapman Justice of the Peace
I. Thaddeus Nichols of Holden in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being eighty four years old - I was born in Holden and have always resided there - During the War of the Revolution My Brother Levi Nichols (older than myself) was continually soliciting My Father for his consent - to join the American Army -

at length my Father gave his consent, and he enlisted or volunteered, to serve at West Point, or on the River at other places, - he went, and my Father put him under the care of Abner Rogers who was older, than my Brother, and went with him Brother -
I remember my Brother informed us when he came home that, when he was going out they traveled until they were very hungry at length arriving at a house, they called for something to eat, but was refused, until the Orderly, commanded them to load. Their Gun, when their request was granted, and they soon had refreshments and marched on to their place of destination. also he wrote home during the time he was at West Point, of Arnolds, sale of it to the British, also of Genl Washington arrival and restoring order in the Camp after Arnold left. I have since, and immediately after his return. frequently heard him Allude to the services which he performed at West Point, - we frequently heard from him while he was gone, by others from Holden who was at West Point and vicinity - doing duty, as Soldiers - with him - and in the vicinity of his post, the term he enlisted for or served, I do not know -
turn over

In testimony whereof I set my mark in presence of Thaddeus his Nichols Horace Nichols. mark
The day first above written I took the deposition above subscribed by Thaddeus Nichols and reduced the same to writing which was subscribed in my presence
Charles Chaffin Justice of the Peace

July 8/50 Levi Neal
Alexander Loring Co.
Mrs Susan  Hanson
No ball in file
No copy
must be original
Hay C. Sweetzer
H. R.
No 38.001.
Levi Nichols
Ship
act 7 June 32

November 7, 1931
2A-3/112
Memorial Branch Office of the Quartermaster General War Department Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Levi Nichols, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier of that name, searched under all spellings, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
It appears that a claim for pension was made by Levi Nichols, of Alexandria,inking County, Ohio. The papers in said application were returned to be properly executed, and the claim suspended. No further application was ever made by him, so this office has no record of his own statement.
Theodore Nichols, a resident of Holden, Massachusetts, made affidavit on Jan 13, 1880, at which time he was aged eighty-four years and stated that his brother, Levi Nichols, after continued solicitation, finally secured the consent of his father, whose name is not given, to enlist in the American Army; that his brother served at West Point or on North River at various times and was at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason. He did not give dates of his brother's service or names of officers under whom he served, and did not state that he was in any battle.
There is no reference to wife and children of Levi Nichols.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator.

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
NOV 4 1931
1931
Memorandum for
The Surgeon General, Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.
1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations.
2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.

No 38.001. Levi Nichols Ohio
S. H. Hon. G. Sweet July 1850
Same Apr 12/51 not there
7653
Flaminia
act 7 June 1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
1658
P. O. _____
Louis Nichols
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1867 shows reason for
Alleges: suspension
"claim not properly
Re-enlisted: made out awaiting a decision according to the printed instructions.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1930-Dec-19- visit to Mr. Adkins & family. 1868 1931-Sept 11- visit to Ben Chas. Hart 1868 1931-Sept 7- visit to Mrs. Brannon. Home Dept. Lumberton Hotel

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Washington September 11, 1931
Honorable Charles West House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
PA-5/EE
My dear Mr. West:
Reference is made to your letter of September 1, 1931, requesting information in regard to Levi Nichols, a soldier of the Revolution.
You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier of that name, searched under all spellings, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
It appears that a claim for pension was made by Levi Nichols, of Alexandria, Licking County, Ohio. The papers in said application were returned to be properly executed, and the claim suspended. No further application was ever made by him, so this office has no record of his own statement.
Thaddeus Nichols, a resident of Holden, Massachusetts, made affidavit on June 13, 1850, at which time he was aged eighty-four years and stated that his older brother, Levi Nichols, after continued solicitation, finally secured the consent of his father, whose name is not given, to enlist in the American Army; that his brother served at West Point or on North River at various times and was at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason. He did not give dates of his brother's service or names of officers under whom he served, and did not state that he was in any battle.
There is no reference to wife and children of Levi Nichols.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Written after consultation with M.M.H.F.
December 19, 1930
Mrs. Edgar L. Forsyth Alexandria Ohio
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section Levi Nichols-R.7653 EEL
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau show that a claim for pension was made by Levi Nichols, of Alexandria, Licking County, Ohio. It appears that the papers in said application were returned to be properly executed, and the claim suspended. No further application was ever made by him, so this bureau has no record of his own statement.
Thaddeus Nichols, a resident of Holden, Massachusetts, made affidavit on June 13, 1850, at which time he was aged eighty-four years and stated that his older brother, Levi Nichols, after continued solicitation, finally secured the consent of their father, whose name is not given, to enlist in the American Army; that his brother served at West Point or on North River at various times and was at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason. He did not give dates of his brother's service or names of officers under whom he served, and did not state that he was in any battle. There is no reference to the wife and children of Levi Nichols.
The above noted Levi Nichols is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, and the War of 1812 records do not show that a claim for pension was ever made on account of the services of Levi Nichols.
It is suggested that you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, for the military record of Levi Nichols.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

CHARLES WEST 17TH DISTRICT OHIO
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
September 1, 1931
Hon. E. W. Morgan Director of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Morgan:
I shall appreciate it if you will furnish me with the service record of LEVI NICHOLS , a Revolutionary War soldiers.
Levi Nichols, I am told, was born in 1761 and died June 26, 1854 at the age of 93 years. He served in the Vermont line. He is buried in Gaffield Cemetery.
Very respectfully yours,
Charles West

Alexandria, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1930.
C. M. [initials]
Rev. 7/18/12 Nichols
Pension Bureau: -
I am writing for information of Levi
Nichols born April 13, 1761 and died Oct. 6, 1854, buried in the Gaffield Cemetery, St. Albans township, Licking Co. O. I do not know where he was born but he came to Ohio from Vermont, had lived at Meathensfield, Windsor Co. and also Johnson, Franklyn Co. Vt. Came to Ohio some time from 1816 to 1820. Am told by older members of the family that he was in the Revolutionary War. Can you tell of any of the battles he was in and also of his father? Have you any record of the same? In the State Library at Columbus, Ohio I found a Levi Nichols engaged July 10, 1780, discharged Oct. 10, 1780 in regiment raised in Worcester Co. Mass. to reinforce Continental Army for 3 mo. Is this the same Levi Nichols? Would like to know if David Nichols 1777 enlisted from Worcester Co. Mass. is the father of Levi Nichols? If not have you any record of his father & mother? Would like to know the last name of his wife all I have is the name Betsey born Feb. 23, 1764, died June 26, 1849. Older members of the family think that Levi Nichols served during the War of 1812, he and also his oldest son Levi. Have you any record of the same? Recently Alexandria
1812-64 C. M. [initials]

Had a Centennial and now they are preparing a history of the town and St. Albans township. I have been asked to write a history of the Nichols Family, hence all the questions.
If you have any other information of the Nichols family would be very much pleased to have it. I hope I may have a reply from all these questions and thanking you I remain,
Mrs. Edgar L. Forsyth, Alexandria, Ohio.

Dear Sir
Washington. Jan. 26 th 1857.
I have enclosed my friend R.W. Young Esq. to aid him in the presentation of the claim of his client for a Pension.
You will please let him have access to all necessary Papers and Records and Mss.
Oblige
Yours truly
Hon. James E. Heath.
Charles. Smith

Dear Sir
Washington Dec. 30 th 1850
Enclosed you have the letter of Mr Wilson a very respectable Attorney of Columbus, where my claims lie, answered with a return of his letter.
I am compelled to again call your attention to the case of Levi Nichols of Licking Co Ohio. You will recollect that at my last interview you informed me that the Papers could not be found, that Mrs. Edwards had in her hands Papers of the Office.
You will pardon me for saying that inasmuch as Mr. E. left the Pension Office with the universal current - of all who had business to transact in that Office, and now has time to act as a general Pension Agent - It is making a large draft upon the patience of Applicants whose rights delayed by the neglect of a default Officer, who kept expenditures and in a complicated map - that he now has in time out of Office to adjust.
The above can present the single point whether his Oath, will be taken in connection with the testimony of his witnesses other facts that he served in the war of the Revolution (without having also to state the term

The Stockade surrounding practically all the time, and a large number of the most respectable men in the County criticizing their character and truth, and that he has always been reputed as a soldier of the Revolution.
I confess I never had any patience with some of the Rules established by Mr. Edwards, in many cases. They were subversive of the Rights of the old soldier and which his Government by Law, had rendered a boon to him, in his old age. A Superior Public Office has inherent with an understanding Rules which have determined him of his rights.
The claim is an old one, as the charge of the Grand - and heard the County by his Government - even. I would feel myself exceedingly unfortunate if I failed to obtain a favorable determination of this case before the Commencement of Pension.
I desire an Early decision in order that I may take an alternate remedy. If I should be so unfortunate. It is a claim that I intend to press with pertinacity, being well satisfied with its prospects.
Please accept my best wishes Yours sincerely Charles. Saunders
Her Father & Heir Cust. of Pension.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, CHARLES W. HARTSHORN , Clerk of the William A. Smith Assistant Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that
Charles Chaffin , on the 13 th day of June 1850, was, and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the deposition of Thaddeus Nichols
hereunto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said day of June hundred and fifty
County , this twenty fourth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
W. A. Smith Asst. Clerk.

Hon. C. Swoope
18 July 1850

Pension Office July 18 th 1850
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the Affidavit of Theodorus Nichols, in relation to the Service of his Brother Levi Nichols, has been received and placed on file.
It does not appear that Levi Nichols has ever asserted a claim to a pension. Before we can act upon his case understandingly, he must proceed as directed by the enclosed printed instructions, and establish his claim by the Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hon. C. Sweetzer Dinner of Nips
Replied this morning 7 June 1852 Chas. Care