Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 4739, for Jacob Merritt, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b
Merritt, Jacob Jane
W 4739
CONTENTS

See letter to Hon J. J. McHay Augt 26. '41
6221
North Carolina
Jane Merritt widow of Jacob Merritt decd N.C. who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 30th March 1815 of Sampson Co. in the State of N.C. who was a Brigadier in the Comp'y. commanded by Captain Merritt of the Regt. commanded by Col.  in the N.C. line for Commons
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of June 1841 and Lieut Patrick Murray Present Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $125.00 Levi-annual allowance ending
$125.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book  Vol. 20 Page 188

THE P S A L M S of D A V I D IN M E T R E.
Newly translated, and diligently compared with the original Text, and former Translations.
More plain, smooth and agreeable to the Text, than any heretofore.
Allowed by the Authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk of SCOTLAND, and appointed to be sung in Congregations and Families.
EDINBURGH: Printed by ALEXANDER KINCAID His Majesty's Printer. MDCC LXVII.

Stephen Mernt the son of Jacob Mernt and Anne his wife was born the 2nd day of December in the year 1785
Very humbly and diligently composed with the original Test, and former Testations. Given under my hand and seal to the Test, this 2nd day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
Printed and Published by the British Library Board

Elizabeth married the Daughter of Jacob Merrill and Yinne his wife was born the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord 1836

4 Sleek Sheehan the son of James was born the 14th day of February in the year of our Lord 1842
Presented the day of Philip Merrill and Mouraine his wife

Miles Merritt the son of Jacob Merritt and Genochis wife was Born the 7 th Day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five

State of North Carolina Sampson County
On this the 25 th day of May A.D. 1841 personally appeared before the Subscriber Clerk and Master of the Court of Equity for said County of Sampson Jane Merritt a resident of Duplin County in the State of North Carolina, though in about a mile & a half of the dividing line between Sampson & Duplin Counties aged eighty years the 17 th of last month who being first duly 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 Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Jacob Merritt who was a private of Infantry and Cavalry in the Militia of the United States in the Revolutionary War.
That her husband the said Jacob Merritt served 1 st In a company of Duplin militia Infantry under Captain Hardy Holmes in a regiment commanded by Col: Ashe in the year 1779 in an expedition to Briar Creek where they were defeated by the enemy and served three months as a private. That he resided in Duplin County N.C. when he entered this service, that he was draughted for this tour, that he was in the battle at Briar Creek that he marched through South Carolina - and that she has no documentary proof of this tour of service and refers to the affidavit of Daniel Merritt as the best evidence she can procure.
2 ndly He entered a company of Duplin militia Cavalry in the fall of the year 1780 under Captain John Moulton and marched to Cross Creek now Fayetteville and was there attached to the command of Genl Arrington, thence to Cheraw in South Carolina, thence on an excursion beyond Cheraw and returned to Cheraw where he exchanged places with a Mr Williams and entered a company of Infantry commanded by Captain Thomas Page to be with his brother Daniel Merritt.

having served in both companies three months as a private, that he resided in Duplin County when he entered this and all his other tours of service, that he was a volunteer and found his horse, that she has no documentary proof of this service and refers to the affidavits of Arthur G. Jones Daniel Merritt for proof thereof. 3 rdly He entered a Company of Duplin Cavalry under Captain Robert Merritt his Father in the fall of the year 1781 as a volunteer and served two months as a private, marched through Duplin & New Hanover Counties and into Bladen County that she has no documentary evidence of this service and refers to the affidavits of Daniel Merritt and William Robinson Esq for proof thereof.
4 thly He entered again a Company of Duplin Cavalry in March 1782 under Captain Robert Merritt as a volunteer and served two months as a private and was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col: James Kenan and was occasionally under the command of Col: Thomas Plunkett, and marched to Wilmington and was in the vicinity thereof when the British had possession of it and was in that vicinity when Captain James Love was killed at the Eight mile House, and was persuaded by Capt Love to go with them the night he was killed and marched into Wilmington soon after the enemy evacuated it, that she has a discharge given by Col: James Kenan herunto annexed to show this service to which together with the affidavit of Daniel Merritt she refers to as proof.
She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Merritt on the day of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two, that her husband the said Jacob Merritt died on the 30 th day of March in the year seventeen eighteen hundred and fifteen (1815) i. e. eighteen hundred & fifteen, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, A but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred

and ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated.
She further maketh oath that she is aged and infirm and resides at the distance of fourteen miles from the Court House of her County and unable from bodily infirmity to travel that distance to Court without great inconvenience and danger to her health. She further maketh oath that the family Record of her children's ages herewith annexed, has been in the possession of her husband and herself for many years previous to his death and in her possession ever since, that the same is genuine, and in the hand writing of her deceased husband. That she has not intermarried since the death of her said husband Jacob Merritt but continues his widow.
A In explanation of the time of their marriage and as to its not being prior to his leaving the service she declares on her oath that her husband the said Jacob Merritt after their marriage served short tours of duty for a week, a fortnight or three weeks at a time from the fall of their marriage until the next Spring that is, the Spring of 1783. with his horse in excursions against the Tories before peace was perfectly restored and the excitement had subsided, whether military service or not she cannot say - She further declares on oath that she believes her husband served considerably more than is stated in this her declaration and the affidavits herewith sent - amounting to as much as two years, at least but is unable to make any further proof within her knowledge.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year Jane Q. Merritt aforesaid before me and I hereby certify. Mark that it was interlined before sworn to & subscribed in the 6 th line of 2 nd page with the words "Arthur Matthews,, & 11 th line of 3 rd page with "except that Elizabeth's age ought to have been in December 1783 & 1754,, and the explanation after the Letter A. And I do further certify that said applicant is aged, & infirm & it might be attended with danger for her to travel to Court in Dublin and that she resides in about one & a half miles of the line of Sampson. Witness my hand & seal of Office. May 25. 1841. Patrick Murphy, L. M. Co.

No 7833. James Merrill's Declaration Act of 1838-
Patrick Murphy J.M.C. present

State of North Carolina Sampson County ss
On this the 23 rd day of May A.D. 1841 before me Patrick Murphy Clerk & Master of the Court of Equity for Sampson County aforesaid personally appeared Daniel Merritt a resident of said County aged seventy eight years the 9 th of next October, who being first duly sworn according to law maketh oath that he was well acquainted with Jacob Merritt the husband of Jane Merritt who contemplates applying for a pension, (being brothers), and knows that he served in the War of the Revolution that he entered the service in a company of Duplin militia cavalry in the fall of the year and he believes in the year 1780 under Captain John Moulton as a private and marched to Cross Creek near Fayetteville and was attached there to the command of Genl. Harrington. That he engaged for three months in said cavalry service. After serving awhile in the cavalry he exchanged places with a Mr Williams and entered the infantry service under Capt. Thomas Page to be in the same company with his brother this affiant, this affiant being then in service under Capt. Page. After this affiant entered service in Duplin and marched to Cross Creek while there, the company of cavalry to which Jacob Merritt belonged marched on by us to Cheraw, at which place the infantry came up with and joined the cavalry, that Jacob Merritt with his company went on an expedition beyond Cheraw and returned, that after his return he and Williams exchanged as aforesaid. That said Jacob Merritt served in both companies upon this occasion three months as a private. That before this tour said Jacob Merritt served a tour in a company of Duplin militia Infantry under Captain Hardy Holmes and in a regiment or brigade under Col or Genl. Ashe in an expedition to

Brier Creek where they were defeated - That after the defeat at Rockfish in August 1781 - where the American forces were dispersed Captain Robert Merritt formed a company of light horse or cavalry, and he believes his brother Jacob Merritt entered it - This affiant did himself, under his Father the said Robert Merritt, that this affiant believes that all his Father's sons capable of service were in that tour and Jacob Merritt was considerably older than this affiant being two children between us - He is satisfied that said Jacob Merritt was in this tour, upon further reflection, this affiant thinks it was a three months tour, though it might have been only two months, that said Jacob Merritt was a private, that it was in the fall of 1781 - and the service was regularly continued until the time for which the engagement was was expired - That said Jacob Merritt and this affiant again entered service under their Father Captain Robert Merritt in a company of Duplin Light Horse in the first of the year 1782 and was attached to the command of Col James Kenan, marched to Wilmington soon after the enemy evacuated that place and were in the vicinity and performed the greater part of this tour of service in New Hanover County and under the command part of the time of Col. Thomas Blundworth - That in the first mentioned tour under Capt Robert Merritt our marches were in Duplin Bladen & New Hanover Counties, and the Tories fired upon us at Bennett Smiths on South River and wounded David Tucker a private of our party - that this affiant was first under the impression that these tours were each for three months but is now induced to believe that they were two months tours - This affiant has no recollection of being at the marriage of his brother Jacob Merritt with said Jane Merritt

but is satisfied they were lawfully married about the close of the War and lived together as man & wife till the death of said Jacob Merritt several years ago -
Sworn to & subscribed the day Daniel Merritt and year aforesaid before me and I hereby certify that said Daniel Merritt is well known to me and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit -
In testimony whereof I, Patrick Murphy Clerk Master aforesaid have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office the 25 th day of May A.D. 1841 - Patrick Murphy (M C )

State of North Carolina Sampson County
On this the 10 th day of September A.D. 1840, before me Patrick Murphy Clerk and Master of the Court of Equity for said County personally appeared Arthur Matthe a resident of Duplin County in said State aged seventy eight years the 14 th of next month who being first duly sworn according to law maketh oath that he was well acquainted with Jacob Merritt the husband of Jane Merritt who contemplates applying for a pension under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1838 and served with him in the war of the Revolution, that we both entered a com- pany of Duplin cavalry under Captain John Moulton, attached to a Regiment commanded by Col: James Kenaw in the fall of the year and he believes in the year 1779, marched from Duplin to Cross Creek now Fayetteville and remained in the vicinity thereof a week or fortnight and marched thence by Drowning Creek (where we had a small skirmish with the Tories), to Cheraw, South Carolina and stationed and guarded the hospital there awhile, thence on towards Camden and joined Genl Harrington's army and continued our march es with them to near Camden. That said Jacob Merritt exchanged places with some person, left Captain Moulton's Company of Cavalry and entered the Infantry Service under Captain Thomas Page while we were in South Carolina, that said Jacob Merritt

was a private, that he was a volunteer and entered for three months and served under Captain Moulton two months at least before the exchange and he believes he finished the three months for which he volunteered in the Infantry under Captain Page whose company he entered to be with his brother Daniel Merritt who was serving in Captain Page's company. This Affiant does not recollect that he served any more with said Jacob Merritt, but believes he served afterwards in this section in the cavalry service, and has always understood that he served before in an expedition to Brian Creek-
his Arthur J. Matthies mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me and I hereby certify that said affiant is well known to me, that I believe him to be a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this the 10 th day of September A.D. 1840 in the 65 th Year of American Independence
Patrick Murphy MC

State of North Carolina Sampson County
On this the 12 th day of July 1841 before me Patrick Murphy Clerk & Master of the Court of Equity for said County of Sampson personally appeared William Robinson a resident of said County aged seventy six years the 9 th of last December who being first duly sworn according to law maketh oath, that he served a two month tour of duty in the war of the Revolution with Jacob Menitt the husband of Jane Menitt, (a Pensioner under the act of Congress of July 7, 1838 and intends applying for a small increase thereof under Captain Robert Menitt in the lighthouse or cavalry com- mencing about the 1 st of August 1781 - King Vann Lieutenant, William Goff Ensign under the command of Col. James Kenan marched mostly in Duplin County which then included what is now Sampson some in New Hanover and some in Bladen, were fired on by the Tories at Bennet Smith's on South River and David Tucker, wounded while we were at dinner, That just before the commencement of this service, the militia of Duplin were ordered out and marched to Rockfish to guard there and prevent the British there in possession of Wilmington from crossing, but they crossed above and below in detached parties and coming upon the Americans in the rear, routed them, the militia again collected and a Company formed under Capt Robert Menitt and undertook to serve and did serve two months under him in the lighthouse and furnish horses in lieu of the three months which they were called out to serve in the Infantry - and that said Jacob Menitt was in said Company of lighthouse and a private Sworn to & subscribed the day & year. W m Robinson

aforesaid before me and I hereby certify that said William Roberson is well known to me, is a respectable man & credible witness and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit & that named, was interlined before same to.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this the 13 th day of July A.D. 1841
Patrick Murphy J.M.C.
Aff. davit of Wm Roberson for Jane Merritt

15
July
Friend
Hon: James L. Edwards Comm te of Pensions Washington D.C.

Near, Paylor's Bridge. N.C. July 13 th 1841-
Sir.
Mrs Jane Merritt widow of Jacob Merritt prays for a small increase of pension vis for one month's service in the lighthouse in 1781 after the route at Rockfish; The reason it wasn't allowed before was that Daniel Merritt stated in his declaration that he himself served one month in the lighthouse under Capt Robert Merritt after the Route at Rockfish to complete if I recollect right a three months tour which he had commenced under Capt Jonathan Packer. However it might have been with Danl Merritt the enclosed affidavit of William Robenson a highly respectable and intelligent gentleman of undoubted veracity testifies that Jacob Merritt served two months in, 81 after the defeat at Rockfish; This together with the affidavit of Arthur Matthys also filed with her papers concurring with Squire Robenson outweighs the evidence of Danl Merritt in his own declaration, especially as Mr Merritt after hearing the testimony of Squire Robenson and further reflection also recollected that it was a two months tour of service in the cavalry and horses furnished, in lieu of the three months which they were to serve in the Infantry I think that Arthur Matthys in his own declaration states it to have been a three months tour and beg leave also to refer to the affidavit of Major James Matthys filed with the papers of Arthur, who served in this tour - I should rely mostly however on the statement of memory of Mr Robenson Esq: and as the tour of duty performed by Jacob Merritt in 1782 which the discharge from Resnan shows was for two months, it goes to show or however it is more likely that the tour in the cavalry was more

usually for two months - The increase to Mrs Merritt will be but little, though of some assistance should it be allowed as she is needy, and could proof of all her husband's services be made. I have no doubt she would be entitled to much more and perhaps too under the act of '36. She humbly conceives herself entitled to an increase for one months more services than has been allowed her and hopes that it will be granted.
I am very respectfully
yr obt Servt
Patrick Murphy
Hon: James L. Edwards Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

Jane Merritt M rs of Jacob N e
Ad July 7 1838
Maria 1782
died — 1815
Allan Genl. fm
$25. per ann
Capt. Merritt N e
Military Cavalry
Patrick Murphy Esq. Present

Jacob Merrill a 1815 af. 80. Jane Merrill M Sept 17 82 s
79. 3. v Hardy Hobbs, like it 80. 3. v Moulton it Allan 3 81 12 Rob Merrill a do 1 M 82 2 — — May 2/6 Sat.
St. John Merrill.
  3  dec.  1780  6m  Page    2   81  2  Parker    1   81  6  Merrill 1 m. o. an dec.    3   82  3  Merrill    9  alt?  83  3  —  

Very WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4739
Jane Merritt Wid.
Jacob Merritt Pitt. N. H. line
Act: July 7/38
Index:—Vol. Ms , Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May the 25 th Day 1782
This is to certify that Jacob Nemit has
serv'd a full month's tour of duty
under Capt. Munt in the Light hours and is hereby
Discharged J. Kenan Col
1782

Pension Office May 31 st 1841.
Sir,
The claim of Mrs Jane Merritt widow of Jacob Merritt deceased has been examined and placed upon our files.
Mrs Merritt may be allowed for 6 months services as a private of Cavalry to wit, 3 months under Captain Moulton in 1780 one month in 1781 and two months in 1782 under Captain Robert Merritt.
Should you desire that a certificate for this amount should be issued, you will please inform me.
I am very respectfully Your Obed St J L Edwards
Patrick Murphy Esqr of North Carolina Present.