Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17515, for Isaac Ramsdell, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Ramsdell, Isaac Withington, Abigail Former widow
N. 17515
M. H. Garrison
CONTENTS

New Hampshire 2728
Hannah Ramsdell, Mary Murphy and Dorothy Kirk, children of Abigail Wilington deceased who was the widow of Isaac Ramsdell deceased, and who, namely, the said Abigail Wilington deceased died on the 2 d May 1838 — — — of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire, who was a private in the C o commanded by Captain Brown of the reg t commanded by Col Bigelow in the Mass. line for Mass 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord, N. H. at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of July 1839 & sent to A. Chase, Hopkinton N. H.
Arrears to the 22 d of May 1838 $ 572.89 Semi-annual allowance ending
$ 572.89
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by D. M. Gundy Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2 Page 33.

State of New Hampshire Merrimack ss. 5
On this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before me Horace Chase Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex and State of New Hampshire to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 11. 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3. 1837. That she is the daughter and heir at law of Isaac Russell and Abigail Russell who, after the decease of the said Isaac Russell, married with Francis Withington.
That Her Father the said Isaac Ramsdell served as a private Soldier or Musician in the war of the Revolution That he served as a private Man in the Battle of Lexington in the Company of Capt Isaac Davis who was killed in the early part of said war on that day. After the Battle of Lexington her said Father immediately enlisted in the service. He enlisted for the term of three years and at or before the expiration of the said three years enlistment he again enlisted during the war in under Capt Joseph Brown of Acton Massachu- setts, and, as she thinks, in the Regiment of Col. Boyce, but of this she is not positive. That the said Isaac Ramsdell continued in the service till the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty when he was drowned at a place called the Kings Ferrying place. That she distinctly recollects, all the material and principal circum- stances of her Fathers services and death, being at the time of his death between nine and ten years of age, that she believes  although she cannot tell precisely where and at  other place, that he was in the battle of  at Brattle Hill and was at the taking of Burgoyne

he was in other than before stated. That she distinctly recollects of his turning out and going as a Minute Man to Lexington from the circumstance of Capt Davis calling him before he was up in the morning.
She has no documentary evidence of the said service nor does she now know of any living witness by whom the same can be proved, but she believes that evidence of the whole or part of the same together with the time and manner of his death may, by a careful examination, be found among the papers and documents relating to the war now on file in the War department at Washington city, and she humbly hopes and trusts that she shall be allowed the benefit that such evidence may afford her.
She further declares that she was the oldest child of the said Isaac Ramsdell and Abigail Ramsdell - that the said Isaac Ramsdell her Father and Abigail her Mother were married, as she believes from the evidence herewith furnished, at Concord Mass by John Cuming Esq on the twenty first day of December 1769. That her said Father, the said Isaac Ramsdell died as before stated in the year 1780 - that her Mother the said Abigail Ramsdell was afterwards married to Francis Withington who died in the month of August one thousand eight hundred and nineteen - that the said Abigail was a widow on the 14th July 1836 and remained a widow until the second day of May 1838, when she died as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed.
Witness Deborah Ramsdell Horace Chase
Shannak Ramsdell
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before me Horace Chase Judge of Probate.

I certify that the before named Hannah Ramdell, at the time of making her aforesaid declaration, was of feeble health and unable to go from, by reason of which her aforesaid declaration was taken out of court.
Horace Chase Judge of Probate

Concord May 1. May 1. st 1838.-
Mr. Phelps, Sir- Yours of the 26. th of April was duly received, & in answer I would observe that in on searching the records the following appear viz.
"Isaac Ramsdel & Abigail Temple both of Concord was married by John Cunning Esq. December 21. st 1769.-"
I hereby certify, that the above is a true copy as appears on the Records of the Town of Concord.
Attest. Nehemiah Ball, Town Clerk of Concord.
Concord May 1. st 1838.-
50 cts for trouble &c.

Canton Ms March 8
12 1/2
Mr Jacob Scales Henniker
N. H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Atoln. March 7 th 1839
I Daniel F. Barker the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the records of the Congregational Church of Atoln that there is contained in said records the following entry viz
"April last sabbath One Thousand seven hundred & seventy five the wife of Isaac Ramsdell owned the covenant & was Baptised and her three children"
"July the sixeth One thousand seven hundred & seventy seven Sarah child of Isaac Ramsdell & Abigail his wife were Baptised"
"January the fourteenth Seventeen hundred & eighty one Dorothy child of Isaac & Abigail Ramsdell were Baptised"
I certify that the above is a true copy of the records with the exception of the dates which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures as follows
"Apr. 6 last sabb 1775"
"July 6 th 1777"
"Jan'y 14 1781"
I Daniel F. Barker above named Deacon of the Congregational Church of the said Town of Atoln in the County & State aforesaid and that the above records is a true extract from the records of said Church with over

Exceptions above stated and that I hold the records of said Church in my possession
March 7 th 1839
- Daniel S. Barker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County March 7 th 1839 Then the above named Daniel S. Barker well known to me to be one of the Deacons of the said Church of Newton and a credible person and made oath that the aforegoing certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me Francis Little Justice of the peace

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,
Concord, January 22 1839
I hereby certify, that from the Records in this office it appears that on the twenty first day of January A. D. 1839 Joshua Darling was duly in Commission as a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Stratham and that his signature as such to the annexed Instrument is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State.
Josiah H. Severy Secretary of State.

20 Jacob Rice, Affidavit, with the Secretary of New Hampshire. Certificate annexed, showing that Joshua Darling is now an acting Magistrate in Fair State Vt.

I Jacob Rife of Henniker in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire being of lawful age do testify and say that the W d Abigail Ransdell moved into Henniker more than thirty years ago to live with Mrs Green her daughter (now Mrs Kirk) and resided with her and her daughter Hannah Ransdell until she went to keep house for Francis Withington in eighteen hundred and eleven to whom she was married February 6. 1812 as appears from the records and lived with him until his death which occurred in August 1819 when she was left without a home and little or no property. She then immediately repaired to live with her daughter Hannah Ransdell and has resided with her and her daughter Mrs Kirk most of the time ever since (her remaining daughter Mary living in Massachusetts). Through infirmities of years and feeble health she has never been able to support herself since her late husband's decease and her children being unable to support her she was supported for several years partly by her children and partly by the Town of Henniker but during the last years of her life she was in a very helpless situation and thought taken care of by her children until her death which occurred in May last year They received a compensation from the Town aforesaid until her Decease knowing to the above facts from the circumstance that I have served Selectman and assessor nine years for the Town of Henniker since 1818

I further testify and say that I have lived a neighbour to them the above named time of time and ever known the W m Abigail Withington and her daughters to be steady industrious and respectable people those whose word may be relied upon by all people
Henniker January 21. 1839
Jacob Rice
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss.
January 21. 1839
Then personally appeared Jacob Rice esquire aforesaid and who is a highly credible witness whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief - and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit is just and true.
Before me
Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace

I Hannah Randall of Henniker in the County of Merrimack in the State of New Hampshire of lawful age do hereby say that I am the Daughter of Isaac Randall who lived was deceased while in the Service of the United States in one thousand seven hundred & eighty - I well recollect when the news of the death of my Father was received by my Mother with whom I then resided at Acton in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts - that my Mother is now the Widow of Francis Withington with whom she married about twenty six years since and with whom she lived until 1819 - when he deceased, and my Mother has since remained a Widow - The said Isaac Randall my Father engaged in the United States Service in the Revolutionary War as a Minuteman in Capt. Isaac Davis Company who was killed in the Battle of Lexington. I well remember that the said Capt. Isaac Davis called my Father before he was up in the morning to go to Concord - The Enemy had advanced from Boston as far as Concord - Capt. Davis was killed the first engagement - or first fire of the War - After the Lexington Battle my Father enlisted immediately for three years - and near the expiration of said term of three years enlistment he enlisted again during the War under Capt. Joseph Brown of Acton Mass a aforesaid - I do not remember the Regiment to which Capt. Brown was attached but I think the Col o name was Bigelow - Capt. Joseph Brown I will know for many years. I was the oldest of my Father's Family which consisted of five Children one deceased just before my Father's decease and one was born just after his death - I was well acquainted with my Grand Parents on my Father's side who both used frequently to visit my Mother during my Father's absence during  in the War - and used to speak considerably to my Mother - I was about nine years and ten months old when we received the melancholy news of my Father's being deceased - at a place called the King's Ferry place - & further with that
Henniker April 24 th 1838
Hannah Randall
State of New Hampshire } April 24. 1838 Then personally appeared Merrimack ss. } the above named Hannah Randall and made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition was just & true according to her best recollection before me Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace I certify that I have long known the aforesaid Deponent and say that the declaration under oath is entitled to the

fullest faith & credit, and also certify that I am well acquainted with the Mother & was for some years, before her Marriage with Francis Wittington now deceased the said Widow P. Mary Ann Ramsdell now Widow of Wittington was a woman of excellent character & altho' poor as it respects the things of this world, has long been supported by public charity, yet is esteemed among the excellent of the Earth & is now and has been a worthy Member of the Church of Christ in Kennebec since 1811, as appears by the Church records.
April 25. 1838 Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace
I Hannah Ramsdell further testify and say that sometime near the expiration of my Father's three years enlistment he enlisted during the War of rebellion and obtained a furlough and came home I think sometime in Dec r 1779, and continued at home during the Winter & returned to the Service in the Spring of 1780, before he died - I further testify that I remember well that my Father was a fifer in the Service - and well remember his brass fife and his uniform & his side pocket in which he carried his fife
April 25. 1838
Hannah Ramsdell
Merrimack ss. April 25 1838 Then personally appeared the above said Hannah Ramsdell and made solemn oath that this affidavit or further declaration of facts that I have subscribed is just & true Before me Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace
Hannah Ramsdell Affidavit

Concord January 25 th 1839.
Respected Sir It will appear from my deposition taken a few days before my Mother's death (she died May second 1838 aged 91 years and seven months) that I am the oldest of my Father's family and consequently all were under 16 years of age our names were Hannah Mary (now Mrs Murphy residing in Northbridge Mass) Rebecca (she died the year following my Father's decease aged 7 years) Sarah (she died before my Father) Dorothy (now Mrs Linn) was born the 5 th of Dec after my Father's decease
Hannah Randall
Verum quod si. Merrimack ss. Jan. 24. 1839
Then the above named Hannah Randall made solemn oath, that the foregoing statement relative to the children of her Father's family is correct & true
Before me Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Merrimack & State of New Hampshire aforesaid

Statement of the Children of the late Isaac Russell
1804

Dulcy Morse's Deposition.

I Betsey Morse of Henniker in the County of Merrimack and State of N. Hampshire, do testify and say that I went to live at Acton, Massachusetts about fifty four years ago - and lived in said Acton twelve or thirteen years - and was acquainted with the Widow Abigail Ransdell so called - she was a respectable woman and sustained a good character for truth & veracity - I have been acquainted with the said Widow Ransdell fifty four years - I well recollect when she was married the second time in Henniker N.H. to Francis Withington - she lived with Mr. Withington about seven years - I well understand when I lived at Acton Mass. that the said Sarah Ransdell died in the Service of the United States - I well remember that my Uncle (Col. Joseph Brown was an officer in the Revolutionary War) was wounded at Bunkerhill Battle and was an Israelite Ordinance I was about eighteen years of age when I went to reside at Acton - I know that the said Col. Joseph Brown of Acton Mass. was the officer referred to by Mrs. Ransdell in her affidavit of this day - because there was no other man of that name in Acton aforesaid - I further with not.
Henniker April 24. 1838
Betsey Morse
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss
April 24. 1838
Then personally appearing the aforementioned Betsey Morse and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by her this day subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth according to her best recollection in just & true.
Before me
Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Betsey Morse the above named Deponent more than forty years & say that she is a credible & highly reputable woman whose testimony is entitled to full credence & belief
April 25. 1838
Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace

4251 Abigail Withington dec. act 4 July 1836
Precedents, Sec. 4251
Abigail Withington da farming wid of Isaac Ramsdell dec JH
Ad July 4 1836
Maria 1769
daid 1780
Alsea 24 pm $80
per ann from March
4 1837 to May 2 1838
ced to
Hannah Ramsdell
Mary Murphy
Dorothy Kirk
children of said Abi.
fail at
H. Chase H. Jenkins
Defendants
Robert M. Waldo

I Robert M. Wallace of lawful age Testify and say that I have been acquainted with the widow Abigail Withington for more than twentyfive years. and when I first knew her. she was called and known by the name of the widow Ramsdell. and I never heard her called by any other name than the widow Ramsdell until she was married to Francis Withington She was always called a peaceable and inoffensive person. and was a member of the congregational Church in the Town of Henniker
April 25. 1838
R. M. Wallace
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack
SS
April 25. 1838
Then personally appearing the above named R. M. Wallace before me and testified made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true Before me Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace
Merrimack SS. April 25. 1838
I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with R. M. Wallace for more than 30 years. and say that his testimony is entitled to the fullest credit & belief.
Joshua Darling Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack County
The subscriber, Register of the court of Probate for said county of Merrimack hereby certifies and declares that Horace Chase Esquire is Judge of the court of Probate for said county of Merrimack, that full faith and confidence may and ought to be given to his acts as such and that his signature to the declaration of Hannah Ramsdell hereto annexed is his genuine signature. I do also certify that at a court of Probate, held at Concord, in said county of Merrimack on the fourth Tuesday of April Anno Domini 1839, before the said Horace Chase Esquire, Judge, it was proved to the satisfaction of the court, that Abigail Withington, who was the wife and widow of Isaac Ramsdell, deceased, died at Alexandria, in the county of Coos, New Hampshire, on the second day of May, Anno Domini 1838, that she left three children and heirs at law by her said husband, the said Isaac Ramsdell, to wit, Hannah Ramsdell, Mary Murphy and Dorothy Kirk, who are still living and are all and the only heirs now living of the said Abigail Withington by her said husband, the said Isaac Ramsdell - it was also proved as aforesaid, that the said Abigail Withington had no children by Francis Withington with whom she married after the decease of the said Isaac Ramsdell.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court of Probate, the year and day first above written.
H. B. Chase, Register of the court of Probate for the county of Merrimack.

sion on file in this Bureau. Isaac Ramsdell. W.F. 175-15-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     * 1775- Immediately after battle of Lexington 1780 Private Isaac Davis ✓ Mass.   Fifer Joseph Brown Bigelow   He was drowned at Rungs Ferrying place in 1780  
Battles engaged in, * Lexington, Bunker Hill and Taking of Burgoyne. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Acton, Middlesex Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, by daughter Hannah Apr 24, 1838. She cl was at Residence of dau. Hannah at date of application, Henniker, Merrimack Co. N.H. Age at date of application, 67 yrs.
Remarks: Soldier married at Concord Mass. Dec. 21, 1769 Abigail Temple. Their children were Hannah. Mary married -- Murphy. Rebecca, who died 1781 aged 7 yrs. Sarah who died before Soldier. Dorothy born Dec. 5 after Soldier's death married -- Green then -- Kirk. Soldier's widow, Abigail, married at Henniker N.H. Feb'y 10, 1812 Francis Withington who died Aug. 1819. She died May 2, 1838 at Alexandria Grafton Co. N.H. aged 91 yrs + 7 mos.
Very respectfully,

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1910 Dec 20 Hist. To Mrs. Louie Allen. V. 9 1910 Dec. 30 corrected hist. To Mrs. Louie Allen.
File No. 12515-
Kannake Russell Mary Murphy and Dorothy (Kirt) Children of Abigail Washington Turner Lucas Russell
Prin Rev War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 105
[Arrangement of 1870.]

DEC 15 1910

M
Machias 12-12-10
Hon. Com. of Pensions Dear Sir
Will you kindly give me the record of one Isaac Ramsdell who was a private in the Continental Army war of the Revolution Mass. line Is said to have died in service July 25-1780

was there a pension granted his wife or family any think you can give me will be gratefully recieved as it is called for now to establish my claim to become a member of Daughters of the Revolution
Mrs. Lovie Allen
Box 192 - - - Machias Me,

Hopkinton May 16. 1839
Hon. J. V. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
The enclosed papers of Hannah Ramsdell, respecting her declaration and Certificate, sometime last winter, were forwarded to you by Hon. Henry Hubbard and were returned to him as informal -
You say in your letter to Mr. Hubbard "A declaration should be made by some one of the heirs in the usual form before a Court of record - At the same time the day of Mrs. Withington's death, the names of her children should be shown by satisfactory proof before the Court, all which should be certified by said Court to this department," -
The papers presented to you before were prepared by Joshua Darling Esq. who was not aware that a declaration would be required in this as in other cases - Since the papers were returned I have drawn the enclosed declaration which has been signed and sworn to in usual form, satisfactory proof has also been furnished of the time of Mrs. Withington's death and the names of all her children now living.
The declarant Hannah Ramsdell is the eldest of the three and at the time of the death

of her Father, Isaac Ramsdell, was between nine & ten years of age, of sufficient age to recollect the particulars of her Father's services -
I had occasion to go twice to see Miss H. Ramsdell before her declaration was completed. I found her very intelligent and on inquiry of the first people in her immediate neighborhood found she sustained a good reputation for truth - I believe also there is some evidence of her reputation taken to Judge Sargent and accompany her declaration - I have attached all the papers to her declaration that were before sent to you, or all that have to my hands, although some of them may have but a remote bearing on her case -
If, Sir, on examination of her claim any informality should be found I would be obliged to you to inform me & I will endeavor to have the same corrected.
The early examination of her claim as convenient is very desirable as the declarant is in very needy & destitute circumstances.
I am Sir with great respect your Obedient and humble Servant Horace Chase

Grace Ramsdell died S. d. 1780 M c 69 Abigail Wetherington died May 2 '38
Hannah Ramsdell
Mary Murphy
Sarah Pills
Putnam, Rd. Whipple Co
2 o Jan '77 38

Copy of the Certificate issued in this case.

War Department.
Revolutionary Claims.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4 4 th July 1836, 3 d section, Abigail Withington, deceased, late of New Hampshire, who was the widow of Isaac Ramsdell, deceased, a private of the Revolution, was entitled to receive Eighty Dollars per annum, during her natural life, commencing on the 4 th March 1831, and that having died on the 2 d day of May 1838, the amount due up to the day of her death, is payable to Hannah Ramsdell, Mary Murphy and Dorothy Kirk, children and only heirs of the said Abigail Withington, deceased.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
Examined and } Countersigned
Secretary of War
Commissioner of Pensions.