Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5420, for William Nickols, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental
Mass.
Nickols, William or Weed Joseph Sarah
5420
W 5420 B.L.W. 8147-160-55-
CONTENTS

11.788 R New Hampshire
Joseph Weed of Office in the state of N. Hampshire who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wesson of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Six years
scribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 th of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th of June 1819 and sent to Wm Badger Esq c Dover Strafford Co. N. Hamp c
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 9 23 / 31 77. 93 Semi-ann. all c ending 4 th Sep r 1819 48.
$125:93
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Consent to A. Pierce Esq c Dover, N. Hamp c May 14. 1821

For Wed
Joseph Wedd
Private
Colonel Westons Regt.
Mass s line 1777- war
on Roll
Admitted

State of Newhampshire County of Strafford } On this 13 th day of may A.D. 1819 before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of common pleas for said County personally appears Joseph Weed aged sixty three years resident in the Town of Ossipee County and state aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Con- gress entitled An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war: That he the said Joseph Weed sometime about the month of April or May A.D. 1776 enlisted for one year in the state of Massachusetts and entered the aforesaid service of the United States in the company command- ed by Captain John Baker regiment command- ed by Col d Moses Little Massachusetts line That he served said enlistment out and was dis- charged at Peekskill or Fishkill in the state of New York that on his way home he enlisted again in the Town of Hartford in the state of

Connecticut for during the war sometime in the month of May 1777 he thinks in the company comman- ded by Captain Amos Coagwell Regiment com- manded by Colo Weston line aforesaid
That he continued to serve in the said service of the United States in the revolutionary war on the continen- tal establishment from April or May 1776 until June 1783 except the short space of time he was on the road from Peekskill or Fishkill in the state of New York to Hartford in the state of Con- necticut when he was discharged at Westpoint in the state of New York that he received certif- cates of his discharge both times that he after- ward followed the seafaring business where he had his chest broken open and his pocket- book stolen and his discharge were in it that he was in the battle on the North River on board the sloop Washington in 1776 and in Mon- mouth in 1778 and that he is in reduced cir- cumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid - William Badger

I William Badger judge etc. as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joseph Weed did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the pre- ceding declaration and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Depart- ment of War pursuant to the directions of the afore- mentioned act of Congress—
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the seal of said Court to be affixed to the same this first day of Sept A.D. 1818
William Badger
Attest David Walbridge Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Stafford

85 Joseph Weed
Joseph Weed
Cattle
11.700
Sept 1819
Matto, May 4. 1821
Andrew Pierce Esq. (Lover)
250

To the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Wolfborough within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, on the second Tuesday of July, 1820.
Joseph Wee aged Sixty six years, resident in Ossipee in said County, comes into court, and in pursuance of an act of Congress passed on the 1st day of May, 1820, brings with him, and in his proper person exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole Estate and Income—his necessary clothing and bedding excepted—as follows:— thirty acres of ordinary Land and Building, two cows - one two year old heifer, three sheep and Lambs - one two year old Calt and one hog and two pigs - one Scythe and one snath two axes and hoes - six old Chairs - one chest with drawers one trunk some small Iron ware and some little earthen ware That I am now in Debt to the amount of fifteen Dollars
Joseph Wee
Witness, Jonathan Capp Nathan Watson
And the said Joseph Wee in pursuance as aforesaid produceth to said Court the following oath by him duly taken and subscribed:—viz.
I Joseph Wee do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner 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 18th day of March, 1818; 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.
Joseph Wee
And the said Joseph Wee doth here in Court further declare on oath, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Capt. John Baker Col Pittles Regiment Massachusetts line in the year 1776 about ten months, and was in the battle at Flatbush and was in the battle between the American Gallies and the British Frigates at Tapan Bay in the North River - and served in the Company commanded by Captain Cogswell in Col Wessens Regiment Massachusetts line from March or April 1777 to March 1780 and was in the battle at Monmouth

That the date of his original declaration in order to obtain a pension is May 13. 1818 and the number of his pension certificate is 11.788 — That his occupation is that of a Blacksmith that he is disordered in his head & unable to labor much That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz. his wife Abigail fifty nine years old very weakly for the most part of the time under the Doctors hands and unable to work my sons Moses & Aaron twelve years old both healthy
Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said schedule, and that the same, together with a copy of the premises be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Sworn and declared before the said court the 11 th
day of July — 1820.
} Joseph Weed
Attest, A. Peirce , CLERK.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.....STRAFFORD ss.
AT a Court of Common Pleas holden at Wolfborough within and for the county of Strafford and state of New-Hampshire, on the 11 th day of July 1820 before
DANIEL M. DURELL, Esquire, Chief Justice, and
VALENTINE SMITH and } Associate Justices of said Court. SAMUEL QUARLES, }
The aforesaid schedule and oath and the above declaration duly subscribed and sworn by the said Joseph Weed having been by him exhibited in person, and presented to the Court, and the same being seen and considered, it is the opinion of said Court that the value of the property contained in said schedule is two hundred & fifty dollars fifty cents. Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises, together with the proceedings thereon be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Attest, A. Peirce , CLERK.
STATE OF NEWHAMPSHIRE.....STRAFFORD ss.
I, ANDREW PEIRCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Strafford, being a court of record, do certify that the foregoing schedule and oath, and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the court thereon are true copies from the Records and files of said court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, the 11 th day of July — 1820.
A. Peirce , CLERK.

3.257.
New Hampshire cont.
Sarah Nichols, formerly widow of William Joseph Weed, who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll of the record 91 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Dec r 1853 and sent to
Thos. J. Tibbetts North Wolfborough N.H.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 19. Vol. a
Ag.

State of Northamptonshire Council So
On this twenty sixth day of April One thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County aforesaid it being a Court of record Sarah West a resident of Ossipee in the County of Carroll State of Northamptonshire aged seventy eight years 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 Feb'y 3- AD 1853 That she is the Widow of William West who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner and drew Ninety six Dollars for commutation his place of residence was in the Town of Ossipee in the County aforesaid And the Agency at which he was paid was Portsmouth N.H. She further declares that she was married to the said William West by Elder Stephen Clark of the Free Will Baptist order And as far as she can recollect she was married to the said William West sometime in the Month of April Eighteen hundred and thirty She has no record of the marriage That she was married to him at the time above stated She further declares that she was a Widow at the passage of the Act of the 3 rd February 1853 and is still a Widow and that she has never before made applica- tion for a pension Cuttest Moses Merrill her Sarah X West ment

Subscribed & sworn to in Open Court this day and year before written before me and I certify that I have no interest in the claims mentioned in said declaration or the prosecution of it;
Thomas Rust Judge C.C. Pleas
The State of New Hampshire - County of Coos ss. Court of Common Pleas April Term A.D. 1853.
I Francis R. Choate Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas for said County hereby certify that Thomas Rust is a Justice of said Court; that said before written declaration was subscribed and sworn to in Open Court and that his signature thereto is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court this 26 th day of April A.D. 1853.
Francis R. Choate Clerk.
Rec. March 10. 1853

64172 Act. Mar 3/55-
Apl 12/55
Sarah Nichols wid. Joseph Reed, Pr.
Map. Cent. Pr.
Ent. Leis. Jp
5.14.7
Rev. Avar
Rev. Pensioner
Rev. July 55-60 3254
AD: 160 Reg. Oct 10 1855.
Blyth.
Rev. Avar
Gno. Peavey
Tartonborough No Fr.
Vol. 85. —

Sarah Nichols apricot
64172

Application for Bounty Land
State of New Hampshire County of Carroll ss.
On this thirteenth day of March A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me John Peasey a Notary Public in and for the state of New Hampshire duly authorized by law to administer oaths Sarah Nickols aged seventy eight years a resident of Ossipee in the state of New Hampshire who being duly sworn according to Law declares that she is the identical Sarah Nickols who is inscribed on the Pension list as the widow of Joseph Weed who was a private in the Revolutionary war at the rate of Ninety six dollars per annum commencing on the 3 d of February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry Said certificate dated the seventeenth day of December 1853 which Pension certificate she now has in her possession and by virtue of which she has drawn the aforesaid amount of Pension from the 3 d of February 1853 That on account of ill health inferior memory she is unable to tell when she was married to said Joseph Weed otherwise known after he returned from the Revolutionary service as William Nickols but that she knows that she was married to him said Weed in the Town of Dover in the state of New Hampshire by one Mahue Clark a Free will Baptist Minister and that her name before marriage was Sarah Briggs Brisswell and that said Joseph Weed or otherwise known as William Nickols died on the twelfth day of September 1858 in the aforesaid Town of Ossipee and that she is still a widow in proof which she refers the Commission of Pensions to evidence filed with her

Breswell and that said Joseph used or otherwise known as William Nickols died on the twelfth day of September 1838 in the aforesaid Town of Ossipee and that she is still a widow in proof which she refers the Commission of Pensions to evidence filed with her
aforesaid application for her aforesaid Pension that she does not know of any public or private record of her said marriage or of his death
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved the third day of March 1855. She also declares she has never applied for nor received under this or any other act of Congress any Bounty land nor does she know or believe that her aforesaid husband ever received a Bounty land warrant and that she desires that her said warrant may be sent to John Peavy of Tuftonborough New Hampshire who is hereby authorized to apply for the same
Sarah her Nickols
We Moses Merrill and Lois Merrill residents of Ossipee in the state of New Hampshire upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Nickols in our presence and that we know that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Moses Merrill
Lois Merrill
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons
that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
John Peavy Notary Public

I Mayhew Clerk of Auburn in the County of Rockingham over State of New Hampshire years aged sixty four I do hereby say that I am an ordained Minister of the Gospel and have been ordained over thirty years since by the Laws of this State am authorized to join people in Mar- riage and that eighteen or more years ago I joined in Marriage William Wedd a Revolutionary Pensioner residing in - Assipee and Sarah Buzzell of the same Assipee but have no record of the same
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County
Auburn February 23 d AD 1853
Then personally appeared the above named Mayhew Clerk and made Oaths to the truth of the above Affidavit by him signed in my — presence
Thos J Tibbetts
Justice of the Peace one of
And I further certify I have been acquainted with Elder Mayhew Clerk for more than thirty years as I always considered him a man of truth and so believe him to be at the present day
Thos J Tibbetts Justice Peace

Moses Merrill & Eldon Mayhew Clerk
Rec d May 10. 1853

I Moses Merrill of Ossipee in the County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire Age thirty nine years Afore and say that I was well acquainted with William Wedd who was a resident of this Town and a Revolutionary Pensioner and drew Ninety six dollars per Annum I distinctly recollect that some years before his death he married Widdow Sarah Russell and I understood then and have always understood by his Widdow Sarah Wedd and others that they were married by Elder Mayhew Clark an ordained Minister of the Gospel of the order called Freewill Baptist And I do under the solemnities of an Oath say that I knew them to live together as Man and Wife until his death and never thought or heard or intimated any thing to the contrary — She alone survived William Wedd died on the twelfth day of September AD 1838
Moses Merrill
State of New Hampshire Carroll County Ossipee February fifth day 1853
Then personally appeared the above named Moses Merrill and made Oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him signed in my presence And I do hereby certify that the above named Moses Merrill is a Man of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Thos J Tibbets Justice of the Peace for the District throughout the State of N.H.

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss I Gannett D. Carter Register of Probate for said County of Grafton hereby certify that Thomas J. Tabbett is a Justice of the Peace and Quorum through- out the said State of New Hampshire xxxix that said Thos. J. Tabbett was duly commissioned as a justice of peace on the 29 th day of July A.D. 1857, that said commission expires on the twenty seventh day of June A.D. 1856. I further certify said Tabbett's signature hereto annexed is his true and genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourth day of May A.D. 1858
Gannett D. Carter Regr

Tuftonborough } free Pension Bussn. } About 3 }
64172
Hon L. P. Waldo Comm of Pensions Washington City DC

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5420
Sarah Nickols
Widow
Form Joseph Reed
Print Rev War
Act: Feb 3 d  1858
Index:—Vol. 86 , Page 85
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 2419
Mrs Sarah Weed widow of William
Set Sept 10/53 Gray
Set to T. J. Settler Sept 23/53 Set to same Nov 14/53

No. 64172
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 12, 18 5 55.
Joseph Seed Rev. Star
Warrant 8147-100-55
Jno. Pravy Fulton Forerugh N. H.

5 8147
S Noe Aug

App t of Sarah Leeed. widow of William.
N.H.
Name not on R. Hamlin Roll of Pensions Act 3 d Feb y 1853
Rev d : allow d $96 per an to Com Feb 3 d 1853 Thos. Tibbets
North Bedfordborough N.H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Taftonborough April 3 1855-
Hon L P Waldo.
Deader
I herewith send you the application of the widow Sarah Nitelal, for Bounty Land.
Very Respectfully your obed Servt
John Peasey

Phm. act 53. N. H.
B. W. H. W.

No. 110. W. Florence St. N.Y., Dec. 12th 1853.
Sir
I herewith inclose the Affidavits to put the matter right in relation to Maria, Sarah Wace Chace & now State the fact that when I called on the Maria in relation to a Pension she says to me you cannot get it by the name of William Nicholas you must get it by the name of William Wace & since to her how happen this she then went on to State the cause to me as she has now stated it in her Affidavit Chace supposing her Statement to be correct I prepared the papers accordingly Chace & Maria appeared to your Honor for the correctness of my cause Chace & further believe that what the Deponents have stated to be correct John Wright Esq. would be believed as much as any man in the County.
I Again Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient & humble Servant
Wm. Com. of Pensions Thos J. Sibley

North Wolfborough N.H. Nov r 3 rd 1853
Sir
On receiving your last letter of Sept r 23 rd 1853 in relation to the Name of William Wood I wrote to the Pension Agent at Portsmouth N.H. he wrote me that the Name of William Wood was Not on his books but might possibly be found I then wrote to Esqr. Jennings the former P l Agent once he sent me the enclosed letter And from the fact that Joseph Joseph W. Duenles was a resident of Ossipee as I well knew I became convinced that the Widow once all that had testified in the case had made a mistake some way in relation to Wood's given name accordingly I went to Ossipee And there learned from the Deponents the facts as they appear in the Affidavits And I hope they will appear satisfactory to And sufficiently explanatory to the Department for to my certain knowledge there is no deception in the case if the within is not sufficient the Hon. Department will please to give me directions
I Am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant S. Merrill
Hon. Comm r of Pensions
Thos. J. Tibbetts
Sarah Wood

Porti, Oct. 20, 1853
My Dear Sir,
Yours of the 14 th is rec d . I have examined the receipts of Revolutionary Pensions so far as I could find them - I have been able to find no Roll of them & consequently there is nothing else but the receipts to examine & of these only now & then a year or so, & I do not find the name of William Weed. - I find that Joseph Weed was paid Sept 18, 1826 through his Agent or Attorney Joseph W. Lewis, I can find no other name of Weed among the receipts. - - I have been able to find no receipts later than 1830. - The papers are in great confusion & if Mr Weed got on to the list later than 1826, of course I should not have found his name. - It is a work of considerable time to go through the files & books for the infor- mation you desire & it might be well for you to ascertain the year Mr Weed was originally placed on the Pension roll & then I will aid any person you may send here for the examination
Thos. J. T. H. Esq.
Yours Respectfully O. R. Jennings

North Wolfborough N H, Sept r 17 th 1853
Sir
Your Letter of the 10 th Inst nt has been duly received in relation to William Smith Weder Widow of William Weder
In answer to your enquiry I would state that William Weder was a resident of Ossipee N H at the time he was first pensioned & always lived and still in Ossipee N H & the presumption is that he was there at the Agency at Portsmouth N H I am very much blamed by the friends of the Old Lady for not obtaining the pension - Certificate & therefore hope the Department will be kind enough to give this case particular attention and having it to a close as soon as possible
I Am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient & humble Servt
Hon d L. Waldo Commissioner
Thos J. Sibbet

Hasco  Harville Efficient
87.
North Wolfborough N.H.
May 5. 1853
Thomas J. Tibbetts-
Enclosing application of Sarah Weed widow of Wm. Weed dec d for a Pension -
Respectfully referred to the Commission of Pensions Deps. Int. May 11/53 G. H. Whiting Chf. Clk. Smith refer
Refer to Com of Pen
Mayo 1853
Rec d May 10. 1853

North Walsworth N. H. Ely 8, H 1853
Sir
I herewith inclose the papers of Sarah Wild for a pension hoping the Department will be able to attend to this and my former business at an early day
I have the honor Sir to be Your humble Servant
Thos J Tibbets
Hon Secretary of the Interior

South Wolfborough N.H. May 6, 1853
Sir
I herewith inclose the papers of Sarah Will for a pension hoping the Department will be able to attend to this and my former business at an early day
I have the honor Sir to be Your humble Servant
Thos J Tibbetts
Hon Secretary of the Interior

Brief in the case of Sarah Nichols widow of Joseph Ured Carroll County and State of New Hampshire act of February 3 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of 1818 at $96 per annum
Allowed $96 per annum to com. February 3 1853
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by Thomas Pease & John Wingate residents of sd Co. and certified to be credible Death proved by Auditor's report. Identity & widowhood by Cr. notices
Name and residence of Agent
Thos J. Tibbetts North Wolfborough N. Hamp.
Examining Clerk.
J. L. Gray

State of New Hampshire
County of Coos
I Samuel B. Carter Register of Probate for said County of Coos do hereby certify that Moses Merrill of Ossipee in said County of Coos before whom the annexed affidavits were made and who has therunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature to the same is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Office this fourth day of November A.D. 1853.
Samuel B. Carter Register of Probate for Coos County

I Thomas Peavy of Ossipee in the County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire Age Sixty Years of Age and say That I have well acquaintance with a man in this Town living a neighbor to me who drew a pension of Ninety Six Dollars per Annum which drawn his pension by the name of Joseph H. Hove to my certain knowledge but he went here once was known among the people by the given name of William this fact I am also certain of he died on the twelfth day of September 1838 he left a Widow with whom he had lived with a number of years she is still living and rema- ins his Widow her given name as Sarah she has made application for a pension through the agency of Thos J. Libby Esq. of Wolfborough N.H. Thomas Peavy
State of New Hampshire Carroll ss Then personally appeared Thomas Peavy the Deponent above named and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him signed in my presence And I hereby certify that the foregoing above named is a man of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief Given October 31, 1853 Moses Merrill Justice of Peace

I Sarah Weed of Ossipee in the County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy Six Years Depose and say
That I am the identical Widow of William Weed who has made application for a Pension through the Agency of Thos J Sibbet Esq of Wolfborough That I married the said William by that name and have no recollection of ever knowing or hearing that he drew his pension by the name of Joseph Weed That I was married to the said William Weed in the Town of Dover by Elder Matthew Clark then a resident of Dover aforesaid I was married sometime in the Month of April AD 1830 And lived with the above named William Weed as his Wife until he died he died on the twelfth day of September AD 1838 after his decease I obtained the balance of the pension that was due him at his death on his Widow through the agency of Clement Garent Esq I have no documentary evidence of the marriage
Attest Lucia Wood
Lewis Merrill
her Sarah X Weed mark
State of New Hampshire Carroll ss Ossipee October 31 st 1853 Then personally appeared Sarah Weed the Deponent above named and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by her signature in my presence And I hereby certify that the Deponent above named is a woman of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill, Justice Peace

I John Wingate of Ossipee in the County of Carroll once State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that I was acquainted with a Man in this Town who drew a pension of Ninety six Dollars per Annum by the Name of Joseph Meder that was the Name on the Pension Certificate this fact I distinctly recollect for I made out his pension on a former occasion several times to obtain his Semiannual payments he was paid out the Agency at Port- smouth & the given Name that he went by here was William his Widow is still living her given name is Sarah I knew them while living together as Man and Wife The above named Joseph Meder has been dead several years his Widow Sarah Meder is still living and remains his Widow to my certain knowledge for I am now living a Neighbor to her Signed John Wingate
State of New Hampshire Carroll ss
Ossipee Oct r 31 st 1853
Then personally appeared the above named John Wingate and made oath to truth of the above Affidavit by him signed in my presence That I hereby certify that the above named is a Man of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill Justiciary

State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss
I Samuel P. Carter Registrar of Probate within and for said County of Grafton hereby Certify that Moses Merrill of Ossipee in said County of Grafton before whom the annexed affidavits were made & who has thereunto subscribed his name at the time of so doing was a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Grafton duly commissioned & sworn, and that his signature is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of December A.D. 1853.
Samuel P. Carter Registrar of Probate for said County of Grafton.

I John Mingate of Opique in the county of Carroll and state of New Hampshire aged sixty eight years depose and say, that I was well acquainted with a man who lived in this town by the name of William Nichols since deceased, who was a Revolutionary pensioner inscribed on the pension list Roll of the N H Agency and drew his pension at Portsmouth New Hampshire; acting as a justice of the peace I made out his pension papers a number of times, in his pension certificate he was known by the name of Joseph Weed; The first time I made out his papers I asked him why it was so? he told me he was quite young when he entered the Army, that he was an apprentice and ran away from his Master and enlisted in the Army by the name of Joseph Weed to escape detection, that he went by that name while in the Army which was four or five years, when the war was over and he came home to his friends, he then and ever afterwards was known by the name of William Nichols, When he applied for a pension under the law of 1878, the application was made over the name of Joseph Weed, as he knew that name could be found on the Roll of the Army, he obtained his

pension certificate in that name and be a pension of Ninety six dollars a year till his death —
The widow Sarah Nichols who is the applicant for this pension, was the second wife of the above named William Nichols She is now between seventy five and eighty years of age I should think I am well acquainted with her
No fraud or deception is intended in this business I very well know, the above is a true simple statement of facts so far as I know
John Weingate
State of New Hampshire Carroll Co November 25 th 1853 Then personally John Weingate the deponent above named and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed in my presence And I further certify that the deponent above named is a man of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill, Justice of the Peace

I Susannah Peavy of Ossipee in the County of Carroll And State of New Hampshire Aged Fifty Six years Orphan and Say That I Am a Daughter of William Nichols who lived in this Town on the twelfth day of Sept r 1833 That he drew a pension of Ninety Six Dollars per an- num by the name of Joseph Wedge That being the Name he enlisted and served by The reason why he enlisted by that Name was when a boy he was put out a prentice his Master Not using him well he ran away from him and enlisted into the United States Service by the Name of Joseph Wedge And was known and served by that Name his Object in changing his Name was to prevent his Master finding him he served more than five years in the Revolutionary War After the War was over he returned home and re- sumed his right Name William Nichols And always went by that Name except for the purpose of drawing his pension he then resumed the Name he enlisted by and called himself while in the Service Joseph Wedge and  that And I further Orphan and Say
That Sarah Wedge as she calls her Name is the identical Widow of Joseph Wedge above named Also the identical Widow of William Nichols also named her
Attest Mose Merrill
Susannah x Peavy
State of New Hampshire Carroll ss ss
Ossipee November 30 th 1853
Then personally appeared Susannah Peavy She Dependent above named and made oath

to the truth of the within affidavit by her signature in my presence And I further certify that the deponent within named is a woman of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill, Justice Peace

I Thomas Peavy of Ossipee in the County of Carroll And State of New Hampshire Aged Sixty Years of age and say that I was well acquainted with a Man in this Town who was a pensioner of the U.S. for services he drew it by the name of Joseph Wexler to my certain knowledge Now the facts in the case are these The above named Joseph Wexler right name was William Nicholls once when he was a Boy he was put out as a prentice and his Master Not using him kindly he ran away from him and enlisted into the U.S. Service by the name of Joseph Wexler once was known and served by that name his object in changing his name was to prevent his Master from finding him he served more than five years in the Mex. War After the War was over he came home to his friends and resumed his right name William Nicholls and always went by that name except for the purpose of drawing his pension he then resumed the name he enlisted by once called himself while in the service Joseph Wexler And I further depose and say That Sarah Sarah Wexler as she calls her name is the identical Widow of Joseph Wexler above named Also the identical Widow of William Nicholls above named
Thomas Peavy
State of New Hampshire Carroll ss Ossipee December 30 th 1853
Then personally appeared Thomas Peavy the deponent above named and made oath

to the truth of the within Affidavit by him signed in my presence And I further certify that the deponent Thomas Peavey within named is a Man of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Carroll Co. ss. December 30 th 1853
Then personally appeared the said in Wannine Sarah Nichols and made protests to the truth of the within Affidavit by her signed in my presence
And I further certify that Sarah Nichols the deponent within named is a woman of truth whose testimony is entitled to full belief
Moses Merrill, Justice of Peace

I Sarah Nichols of Ossipee in the County of Concord and State of New Hampshire Age Sixty Seven Years of Age and say that I am the the identical Widow of the Man who drew a pension by the Name of Joseph Weed Still I have no recollection as I have before stated that he ever had any other given Name than William I was Married to him by the Name of William Nichols And I suppose he drew a pension by the government of William The reason of his drawing his pension by the Name of Joseph Weed is
When a Boy he was put out a parochial and his Master Not using him well he ran away from him and enlisted into the United States Service by the Name of Joseph Weed as it now appears and served most of the time during the Revolutionary War by the Name of Joseph Weed his object in changing his Name was to prevent his Master finding him And I further State that when I made application for a pension I supposed I must assume the Name my husband went by when he drew a pension Still he always went here by the Name of William Nichols except for the purpose of obtaining his pension as above stated
Attest Merrill Cram Moses Merrill
Sarah her K Nichols Mark