Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33157, for Thomas Nichols, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass) Nichols, Thomas
S. 33 157
CONTENTS

(2243)
Massachusetts.
Thomas Nichols Capt Cogswell } private, /
Massachusetts line. 1776. one year
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 6 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th of Aug. 1818 and sent to Hon. Stephen Elliot, Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818
Sent out of Record
4 mos: & 29/30 ths — $39 73
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Haverhill, Essex Discontinued
Application sent to John D. Sleeper Esq. 30 July 1821 Haverhill, Mass.

I, Thomas Nichols of the age of 62 years, depose, declare and say, that I am a resident Citizen of the United States; that I reside in and belong to the town of Haverhill in the County of Essex, in the Middle Circuit, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; that in the last part of the year 1775 I enlisted as a private soldier, for the term of one year in to the Army of the Revolutionary War: - I entered the service about the 1 st of January 1776 in Capt. Thomas Gagswell's company, in Colonel Loammi Baldwin's Reg t . of Massachusetts troops, & served the year out accordingly; & was then discharged at the expiration of my time by a pass from the Capt. to pass the guards, & so came out of the service; I further say that I have lost that pass, & that I am, by reason of my reduced Circumstances in life, in need of assistance from my country for support; and that I never had any pension allowed me by the laws of the United States.
Thomas Nichols
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Essex ss. April 6. 1818 Then the above named Thomas Nichols made solemn oath that the aforesaid declaration by him subscribed is true, before me,
Stephen Minot } Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit.
I, James Walker, depose & say that I am well acquainted with the above named Thomas Nichols, that I served in the same company with him above stated; I enlisted him, & know that he did serve therein more than ten months, & have no doubt but he served the whole time, but I was away the very last of the time & do not know positively as to quite the whole time. I also know said Nichols to be very poor & in need of assistance for support.
James Walker
Essex ss. April 6. 1818 Then the above named James Walker made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true, before me,
Stephen Minot, Judge of the Circuit Court etc.

Whereupon, it appearing to my satisfaction that the said Thomas Nichols did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in his declaration of service, against the common enemy, I now certify that the said James Walker & Joseph Noyes are credible witnesses & I transmit the testimony in the case & the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the Department of War. I also certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Thomas Nichols is in indigent circumstances, in need of assistance for support. { Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit. } Stephen Minot
I, Joseph Noyes of Haverhill depose & say I know the within named Thomas Nichols; I was in the service with him in Col. Baldwin's Regt. in the year 1776 & know & remember that he did serve in Capt. Coggswell's company during all the term of the year stated in his declaration. I also know him to be in indigent circumstances. Joseph Noyes
Exhibit A. August 6 th 1818 Then the above named Joseph Noyes made solemn oath that the said deposition by him subscribed is true, before me
Stephen Minot, Judge as aforesaid.

Thomas Nichols
65 - inform e
wife 60 - and two female grandchildren 9 & 5 -
lived one year -
worth $252.67
S not entitled
Di con? July 30. 1821 and sent to Ichabod Tucker Salem. Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas of the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Salem, within and for the County of Essex, on the third Monday of June, A. D. 1820.
Present, Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Chief Justice.
Hon. WILLIAM WETMORE, and
Hon. STEPHEN MINOT, Associate Justices.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Thomas Nichols
resident in in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 2243 now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
“WAR DEPARTMENT.....REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.”
“I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,  Thomas Nichols  late a private “in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate “of eight dollars per month, to commence on the sixth “day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
***** “Given at the War of Office of the United States, this fourteenth day * L. S. * “of August one thousand eight hundred and eighteen ***** J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,”
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit,
About three acres of mowing and tillage land in Haverhill, County of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a small one story frame house on the same with two rooms on a floor, occupied by me as a dwellinghouse, valued at $200.00
Personal estate -    1 cow 15.00 1 swine 10.00 5 sheep 5.00 31.00   Shovel 25 c 1 hoe 17 c Axe 50 c .92   9 chairs 2.25 two tables 1.50 3.75   Ironware 2.00 Crockery, Spotters ware 1.00 3.00   Other household furniture and utensils very old and mean worth in all say 4.00   Money, due me 10.00 
252.67
I owe the following sums to the following persons, viz:
  Doct. Elias Weld 20.00 about 20.00   note to Moses Parker 11.22 D. Nichols 20.00 31.22   Sundry small debts in all about 30.00   $ 81.22 

  amount of debts deducted from my Inventory  $ 252.67     81.22    leaves me worth in all  $ 171.45  
I am in the 65th year of my age, am infirm and subject to the rheumatism and very much afflicted with a rupture, so as to be obliged constantly to wear a truss, and unfitted for much labor or exertion, have no trade and am in such indigent circumstances as to need the assistance of my country for support — My family is a wife Mary aged 60 years in ordinary health for her age, and two female grandchildren aged 9 and 5 years thrown upon my care —
I served in the Revolutionary War as follows — In the last part of 1775 I enlisted as a private soldier for the term of one year & entered the service about January 1st 1776 in Capt. Thomas Cogswell's Company, in Col. Loammi Baldwin's Regt. of Massachusetts troops and served out the term of one year accordingly, when I was discharged by a pass from the Captain, at Fishkill in New York, which pass I have since lost. —
Thomas Nichols
Essex Jp. July 13. 1820 Then the above named Thomas Nichols made oath that the said schedule and statement by him subscribed are true, before me
Stephen Minot, Judge of said Court

and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Stephen Minot a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, Thomas Nichols do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. So help me GOD.
Thomas Nichols
Essex, ss. C. C. C. P. June, Term, A. D. 1820.
Then the abovenamed Thomas Nichols took and subscribed the aforesaid Oath before me
Stephen Minot
Judge of said Court.
I, ICHABOD TUCKER, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is one hundred seventy one dollars forty five cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Salem, in said County of Essex, on this 17 th day of July A. D.
1820
Attr.
Ichabod Tucker Clerk

Thomas Nichols
65 - inform e wife 60 - and two female grandchildren 9 & 5 -
lived one year -
worth $252.67
S not entitled
Wicon? July 30. 1821 and sent to Ichabod Tucker Salem Mass.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 18 th 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child ren of Thomas Nichols, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight — Dollars and — Cents per month  annum , under the law of the 18 th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1826, to the 24 th Nov. 1826.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson H. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

INVALID.
File No. 88,157
Thomas Nichols
Rev Rev War
Act: 18 th March 1818 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To the Secretary of the Department of War Sir, please to transmit the Certificate of allowance of my pension under the late law, to Stephen Minot, Esqr of Haverhill Ms who will forward the same to me.
Haverhill Ms. April 6. 1818
Thomas S. Nichols

Lawrence Mass July 23 1823
Hon John C Calhoun
Sir
I have the honor of enclosing the Declarations of Lieut William Greenleaf and Thomas Nichols applicants for the provisions of the Pension act. If I may be allowed, I can state with confidence from my personal knowledge, an opinion, that they justly come within the provisions of that act and are the worthy subjects of the bounty of their country!
Very respectfully Your obed Servt James H Duncan
M rs Greenleaf's papers given to M r Edwards, with a letter left by M r Nelson to be handed to the Secretary of War, 5 Augt. 1823 -

Copy Thomas Nichols to Thomas Elliot

Know all Men by these Presents,
That I Thomas Nichols of Haverhill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts bondvainer
in Consideration of one hundred and fifty dollars
paid by Thomas Elliot of West Newbury in the County of Essex aforesaid Husbandman
the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said
Thomas Elliot certain parcels of land situate in Haverhill in the County of Essex aforesaid and bounded as follows viz, one parcel and first beginning at the southeast corner of the premises by the highway by land of Nathaniel Walker, thence northwest by land of said Walker about seven rods to land of Clement Greely, thence east by land of said Greely about ten rods to the highway, thence south by said highway about seven rods to bounds first mentioned, containing twenty square rods more or less. Second beginning at a stake and stones at the southwest corner of the premises by land of David Nichols by the highway, thence northeast about twenty rods to land of David Nichols to a stake and stones, thence southeast by land of said Nichols about ten rods to the Merrimack river so called to a stake and stones, thence as the river now runs by said river about twenty rods to land of David Nichols to a stake and stones, thence northwest by land of David Nichols about twelve rods to the bounds first mentioned containing two acres more or less. Third beginning at a stake and stones at the southwest corner of the premises by land of David Nichols by the highway, thence northeast by said highway about six rods to a stake and stones to land of Clement Greely, thence southeast by land of said Greely about sixteen rods - Merrimack river so called, thence by said river about six rods to a stake and stones to land of David Nichols, thence by land of said Nichols northwest about sixteen rods to the bounds first mentioned with the buildings thereon, together with all the privileges and appurtenances therewith belonging.
To HAVE and to HOLD the afore-granted Premises to the said Thomas Elliot his Heirs and Assigns, to his and their Use and Behoof forever.
AND I do covenant with the said Elliot his Heirs and Assigns, That I am lawfully seized in Fee of the afore-granted Premises; That they are free of all Incumbrances; That I have good Right to sell and convey the same to the said Elliot
AND that I will warrant and defend the same Premises to the said Elliot his Heirs and Assigns forever, against the lawful Claims and Demands of all Persons.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I the said Thomas Nichols
have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this seventeenth Day of April in the Year of our LORD One thousand eight hundred and Twenty Three
Signed, sealed, and delivered in Presence of us,
Daniel Nichols James H. Duncan
} (bracket)
Thomas Nichols seal
Essex ss. April 17, 1823. Then the above-named Thomas Nichols acknowledged the above Instrument to be his free Act and Deed—before me, James H. Duncan { Just of Peace.
Essex ss. Received May 2. 1823. recorded and examined by Amos Choate Reg.
True copy of record, Book 937 Leaf 10. Amos Choate Reg

Declaration of Thomas Nichols.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex, p.
At the Court of Common Pleas begun and holden at Salem within and for the County of Essex on the third Monday of June A.D. 1823.
On this seventeenth day of June 1823 personally appears in open Court, the same being a Court of Record for said County proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment.
Thomas Nichols resident in Haverhill in said County aged sixty seven years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 and the first of May 1820 and the 1 st of March 1823, that he the said Thomas Nichols enlisted for the term of one year on or about the twenty eighth of December A.D. 1775 in the capacity of a private soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Thomas Cogswell in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joami Baldwin in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in said Corps until January 1 st 1777 when he was discharged from said Service at Fishkill in the State of New York, that his name has been placed on the pension list, and dropped therefrom on account of his property.
And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the

United States in the Revolutionary War" passed the 18 th day of March 1810 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule following by me subscribed my necessary clothing for myself and my wife and bedding excepted to wit
  One Cow value  $12.  two small pigs  $3.  3 Sheep  $3.  $18. —    4 Chairs  $1.  1 Table  .50.  1 axe old  .25  1.75    Iron ware  $2  Crockery and pottery ware  $1.    3.00    Other Utensils  very mean and old      1. —     $23.75  
And I do further declare, That since the exhibition of my first Schedule the following changes have been made in my property  About 3 acres of mowing and tillage land in Haverhill with a small dwelling house on the same occupied by me as a dwelling, Sold to Thomas Elliott April 17 th 1823 for $150. of which sum S d Elliott paid to Doct r Elias Weld for his bill visits & medicines for myself & family, for the last fifteen years as per his bill receipted " " 76.80  paid me in money, " " 73.20  total $150.00
out of which money I paid the following debts I owed,
  To  Rufus Parker  note  "  $12. —    "  David Nichols  "  "  31.56    "  Moses Gale's  note  "  10.70    "  Peter Barker's  Ap  "  5.62     Thos n Nichols  jr.  "  1.26     John Edwards  "  "  1.48     Robert Kelly  "  "  1.96     Rich d Ayer  "  "  1.19  
One Swine killed and used in my family 3 Sheep, 1 sold.
2 paid for keeping the rest Shovel, Hoe, 5 Chairs, 1 table, broken and worn out.
I have no dependence for support but on the labour

labour of my hands, have been in the habit of working a little at shoemaking tho' I never learnt the trade and am so infirm being often attacked with the gout and Rheumatism and so afflicted with a rupture as to be constantly under the necessity of wearing a truss, that I can earn but very little, my family consists of my wife Mary 68 yrs old and rather weakly, and a Grandchild Phoebe Nichols aged 8 years and from my poverty and infirmities I am unable to subsist without the aid of public or private charity or the bounty of my Country
Thomas Nichols
Sworn in open Court before John McWilliams Judge of the C. C. Pleas.
I, Ichabod Tucker, Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and Schedule have been admitted to the Record of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is twenty three dollars and seventy five cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this seventeenth day of June A.D. 1823.
Ichabod Tucker, Clerk,

Massachusetts Thomas Nichols Private, 1st. 1776
1 Schedule June 1820 3 acres of land & a small 1 story frame house $200— Cows, pigs, sheep &c Furniture 52.67 $ 252.67 indebted to sundry persons, names given) $ 81.22
2 Schedule June 17. 1823 Cows, Pigs, Sheep, & furniture all valued at. $23:70— The Real Estate mentioned in first schedule was sold for $150 April 17. 1823— deed made, acknowledged, Recd & recorded same day — He paid the following Debts with the $150 Recd for Land.    Doct Weld $76.80  1 Pig killed & used in family.    As Parka — 12.  3 Sheep — 15.00    D. Nichols — 31. 56  2 paid for    M. Gale — 10. 70  keeping    P. Clarke — 5. 62  the rest.    & 4 others — 5. 89     $142.57   
Head. Under 1838, 21st 23rd
Paid at the Treasury the Act of the 8. April from 1st Sep 1826. to Nov. 1826. Age notified Head 134 1/2, badly
nuptial — Wife 68 infant — Grandchild aged 8 —
170.00 48 98.80  Andrew  Child  such
Restored 2nd Sep 1823
James H. Duncan Haverhill Mass