Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 7718, for Elihu Norton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Norton, Elihu
R 7718
CONTENTS

33008
Elihu Norton
Me
Roles
Vol 37- 146- for 78- not 150 - 81 " 153 - 78 " 156 - 82 " 158 - 78 " 162 - 80 " 163 - 78 " 164 - 77-5th 165 - " - 6 166 78.

State of Maine County of Washington ss. On this fourth day of June, 1833, personally appeared in open Court of Probate, now held at Co- lumbia by Hon. John Dickinson Judge of Probate of said County. Elihu Norton of Pownesport in said County aged seventy three (nearly seventy four) years, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on his oath make the following decla- ration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers, & served as herein stated: viz.
As near as he can recollect in August seventeen hun- dred sixty seven he enlisted as Sergeant in a company a Regiment under command of Col. John Allan raised by Massachusetts for the defence of the Eastern Settlement; that he thereupon served until after the capture of the American naval force at Penobscot; that he was constantly during that period in the service & served in said capacity over two years; that while thus in the service he was some times placed by Col. Allan in the artillery under command of Lieut. William Atlee stationed in a block-house at Machias, part of the time in the infantry under command of Lieut. Louis T. Diderdemien, & part of the time on ex- cursions on the water, in the vicinity of Machias by order of Col. Allan, the object of which was to observe the Indians & keep them from rising against the United States as well as for defence in case of British aggression; that during that time the only engagement he was in was in repelling the British armed Brig. Hope commanded by one Dawson; that just before his discharge

he was in an expedition towards Castine, then called Bagaduce, and on arriving at Frenchman's Bay they learnt the success of the British in destroying our ships at Penobscot, upon which the troops with which he was, were either discharged there at a place called Bean's point, or sent back to Machias, & he was one of the discharged, his certificate of which he has lost & does not recollect by whom it was signed:
That prior to his services aforesaid he had served under Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien in capturing the Margareta, the first prize it is believed of the revolution; also as a volunteer under Col. Eddy the particulars of which he does not deem it material in this application to set forth:
That he resided at the time of his said enlistment at River so called Pleasant now Addison, & has resided there and at Ithaca to this day; that he has no documentary evidence of his services.
He hereby relinquishes all claims, whatever to a pension except the present, & declares that his name is not on any pension roll.
Elihu Norton
Sworn to and subscribed at a Court of Probate held at Columbia on the First Tuesday of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty- three.
John Dickinson

I William Albee of Machiasport (late of Machias) in the County of Washington & State of Maine, on oath certify & say, that I was a lieutenant, during the revolutionary war, in the Regiment raised by Massachusetts for the defence of the Eastern Settlement: that I am acquainted with Elisha Norton of Jonesport in said County, & recollect that he served in said Regiment at Machias & in that region between September 1777 & 1780 I should think from the best of my recollection as much as two years. During this time Col. John Allan, who commanded said Regiment & whose officers were Capt. Preble & Lieutenants Avery, Dikerson & myself, had from fifty to sixty men under his immediate command, & said Norton was one, but whether he was a sergeant or private my recollection does not enable me to testify.
Wm. Albee
State of Maine
Washington ss: On this first day of June, 1833, William Albee above named personally appeared and gave the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, & made oath in due form of law to the truth thereof. And I certify that the said Albee is a credible person, & his said deposition is entitled to credit.
Rufus H. Porter Justice of the peace in & for said County.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that William Albee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Machias in the County of Washington and State of Maine, and that he is a credible person; and that his statement is entitled to credit.
John Dickinson
State of Maine. Washington ss.
I Albert G. Sane Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Washington in the State of Maine, do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Elihu Norton for a pension, and that Rufus H. Porter who has signed the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of June A. D. 1833 —
Albert G. Sane Register

I, Elisha Norton, before named, further state, that since the foregoing application was made, I have looked for evidence from living witnesses of my services. I find witnesses of my services of which the proof accompanies this, — but of the capacity in which I served I cannot find evidence. The Secretary of Massachusetts, has informed me, on application to him, that the Rolls of Col. John Allan's Capt's or regiments are not in his office; and I know not where they are, nor whether they exist. I therefore submit it to the Hon. Secretary of War whether the pension, which I doubt not will be granted, shall be for a sergeant's or a private's pay.
Elisha Norton
(See E. L. Merrill, Mastering no Post office at Springfield)

Eliza Norton Died Oct 1832, clerical
A. H. Markland

State of Maine County of Washington
Be it Known, that on this Twenty Second day of December A. D. 185 2 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Abraham Norton and Jeremiah B. Norton residents of Winterport in said County, and made oath according to law that Ebenezer Norton who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4
That they are directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C. W. BENNETT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Ebenezer Norton for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Abraham & Jeremiah B. Norton to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Charles F. Barker Justice of the Peace
State of Maine County of Washington
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Washington that Abraham Norton & Jeremiah B. Norton the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, are the children of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Charles F. Barker Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Thirty first day of December 185 2 ,
Wm. Pickering Clerk of Sup. Jud. Court
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

January 20, 1927
Honorable Frederick Hale United States Senate
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter of the 18th instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 7718 it appears that Elihu Norton , while a resident of Jonesport, Washington County, Maine, applied for pension June 4, 1833, at which time he was nearly seventy-four years old, and stated that while living at Pleasant River (which was later Addison), state not named, he served under Captain Jeremiah O'Brien at the capture of the ship "Margaretta", and that he also served under Colonel Edy, no details given.
He enlisted in August 1777, served at various times as sergeant under Lieutenants William Albee and Louis F. DeLeesdornier in Colonel John Allan's Massachusetts Regiment in defence of the coast, was in an engagement with the British brig "Hope" and was in the Penobscot Expedition.
He was called upon to state how much actual military service was performed by him but did not comply with that

request, and his claim was never completed.
His sons Abram and Jeremiah B. Norton were living in Jonesport, Maine in 1852. There is no further data on file as to family. Dates of soldier's birth and death not given.
Yours very truly,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

33,008
Ebenezer D. Dyer.
Marie. ~
Infra de d
Act May 35 Clamworth
" Act 38 R. K. Porter.
1771.8
act 7 th June 1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
1910 Sept 20. Hist. 15 Miss Lillian D. Norton 1925 Jan 20 - Hist. taken Frederick - Vale - M.W.F.
7718. REJECTED
P. O.
Elihu Norton
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
1852 list of Reg. Sus. Claims gives as cause of dis- Alleges: pension: "He did not serve 6 mos."
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

FREDERICK HALE, ME., CHAIRMAN GEORGE WHARTON PEPPER, PA. CLAUDE A. SWANSON, VA. TASKER L. ODDIE, NEV. PETER G. GERRY, R. I. PETER NORBECK, S. DAK. PARK TRAMMELL, FLA. SAMUEL M. SHORTRIDGE, CALIF. EDWIN S. BROUSSARD, LA. OVINGTON E. WELLER, MD. ROYAL S. COPELAND, N. Y. JESSE H. METCALF, R. I. EDWARD I. EDWARDS, N. J. THOMAS D. SCHALL, MINN. C. C. DILL, WASH. ROBERT B. HOWELL, NEBR.
RODNEY E. MARSHALL, CLERK CARL H. SCHMIDT, ASST. CLERK
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS
January 18, 1927.
Hon. Winfield Scott Commissioner of Pensions Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Scott:-
Can you give me any information on  Elihu Norton who served in the War of the Revolution under Col. Benjamin Foster and Captain John Hall's detachment? I understand he received a pension and was a resident of Jonesport, Maine at the time of his death. I should like to get the date of his birth and the date of his death.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
C.

10 10 10
PENSION U. S. OFFICE. SEP 13 1910
RECORDS DIVISION SEP 14 1910

1949 Biltmore Street
Washington, D. C., September 12 1910
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly advise me if you have any record of the Revolutionary service of Elihu Norton of Addison and Jonesport, Maine, and if he applied for a pension. Tradition says that he was also in the War of 1812.
He was born in Edgartown Mass., Oct. 31, 1760 and married Lydia Beal. I believe his record is given in the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the American Revolution.
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Lillian A. Norton

Am at New Bedford
25-
W. L. Edwards Esquire Commission of Pensions Washington. D.C.

Sir
Manchester, April 1. 1838
M c . Elisha Norton of Lonsdale, formerly Lonsborough, in this County, requests me to write to you upon the subject of his application for a pension under the Act of the M.L. of 7 June 1832: which application was made three or four years ago & to which he received from you a letter, not denying the pension but asking explanation.
I assisted him in making his application, and supposed the evidence of his services was sufficient; but detained the papers quite a length of time in hopes to get testimony to show the capacity in which he served. He is quite an aged man, feeble & living remote from any person able to assist him in this matter. Hence the matter has been suffered to remain so long without being followed up.
I trust that on receiving the case you will grant him a pension certificate. Of course repeat in his

vicinity is to be traced, he served in the war of the Revolution not only two years in regular companies, but in those & various other services nearly the whole war.
It was expected that evidence of his having served in Col. Allen's Corps would be found in the rolls in the office of the Secretary of Massachusetts. But on applying to that officer he said the rolls for that claim were not found in that office. I would inquire whether the rolls of Col. Allen's Corps, on its being placed upon the Continental Establishment by a resolve of Congress of Feb. 15. 1781, were not placed upon the files of the War Office of the U.S.; and if so whether they may not now be found at Washington?
However believing the evidence already forwarded will, with this explanation, be sufficient to support his claim, we shall hope for an early & favorable answer.
Very respectfully,
Yr. m c . obedt Servt
Rufus H. Porter
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington.

Ms. May 13 May 6
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Ms. 29. 1. 28
Washington -

Eliza Charlton.
12 May 1835
A.C.
See vol 32 Page 311

Manuel
P.O.
May 12-1855-
hi
Your papers the papers of of other other papers perfect to have been authenticated on the 4 th June 1833. They were not re- ceived here until the 13 th inst. Some explanation of such unusual delay should be made
Upon the declaration it is impossible to ascertain how much actual damage was performed, or in what grade. If was  you entitled, to  on what state in what company and for what term. If you  you deemed as leg l you to want state legislation to appointed to account for the evidence of  your rules.
Mr Boston alleges that he has  you have been informed by the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts that no rolls of Col Allen's company are on file in his office. As this is not correct, unless they have been recently des- troyed, Mr Bangs' letter should be transmitted with the foregoing explanation.
The papers remain entire with Elisha Norton, Jonesport Shelburn P.O. Maine

Mrs K Porter Esq
16 April 1835
OC

War Dep
Pen: off Apr. 16. 38
Sir
In reply to your enquiry respecting the case of Elisha Norton I have to inform you that his claim has been re-examined with the benefit of the rolls of Moul rec d since the former examination and disallowed.
He alleges upwards of two years service in the Coast defence in Capt. Preble's company of Col Allen's corps - which was enlisted in each year from summer of '78 to spring of 1783 for terms of various duration. The rolls of that corps for each year are numerous and claimant's name is not found on any one of them. He is found on the militia roll of Capt. John Hall for 6 days in June 77. & 5 days in Aug 77 -
His papers are placed on our files Rufus K. Porter Esq. Machias ME