Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38661, Elisha Dillingham, Mass.

SERVICE
SERVICE Class.
NUMBER _____
Dillingham, Elisha
S. 38661
CONTENTS

To
20,350
Rhode Island for Massachusetts
Elisha Dillingham
Suffolk Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Handley of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jackson in the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years. from 1780 to 1783
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th day of August 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th of August 1831 and sent to Benjamin Charlestown, Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1831 $ 4.67 Semi-ann. all'ce ending
$ 4.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March, 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820.
Rec: Book D. Vol: 2. fol: 45
papers copied & sent to Hon. U. F. Doubleday H. R. Dec. 28. 1831
Transf. to R. Island 10 Oct. 1832 from 10 Sept  March 1832, and notf. sent to Benjamin Bowell, Provi- dence, R. I. — letter Dec 24 1833 to Hon. J. Burges H. R. — do. to Hon. E. Everett & Pensioner, Jan. 22. 1835 — see letter to Pensioner, 7 Nov. 1835. do. to Hon. J. L. Tillinghast, Nov. 8. 1838

County of Suffolk. S.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On this ninth day of May A.D. 1831. Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the City of Boston, Elisha Dillingham, resident in Charlestown in the County of Middlesex, aged Sixty Nine 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; that he the said Dillingham enlisted for the term of Three years on the day of December in the year 1780, in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Bendley in the Regiment commanded by Colonel M ch Jackson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said Caps until December 1783 when he was discharged from the Service at West Point in the State of New York; that he hereby relinquishes every Claim, whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the pension roll of any State, except Massachusetts; and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension; his ignorance of the mode of doing so until 1820, when he did apply but his application was returned for want of sufficient documents, which until now he has not been able to avail himself of.
And, in pursuance of the act of 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 my property, or any part thereof, with intent

thereby so 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 services of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th 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 of any kind whatever, and am and have been since 1812 constantly dependent on my daily labor for subsistence; that I have a wife named Abigail, and daughters named Abigail, Eliza, Charlotte & Sophia who are not able to render me any assistance but require my aid for their support Elisha Dillingham Sworn to and declared on the ninth day of May A.D. 1831 before me
Peter Oenbridge Tracher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston for the County of Suffolk.
I Tho s W. Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Elisha Dillingham did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for a term of nine months, under one engagement, on the Continental establishment. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, the said Elisha Dillingham is in no way possessed of any property whatever, said Municipal Court is a Court of Record, having the power of fine imprisonment. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this ninth day of May A.D. 1831.
Thomas W. Phillips,
Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.

County of Middlesex State of Mass.
In addition to the forgoing Statement, I Elisha Dillingham resident in the town of Charlestown, Massachusetts, do hereby under oath, solemnly declare, that, whereas, in said Declaration hereto annexed I have stated that I enlisted in the Company Commanded by Capt. Henley in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Michael Jackson in the Line of the State of Massachusetts, on the Continental Establishment; and that I continued to serve in the same Corps until December 1783, I deem it proper to explain that my meaning as to the word "Corps" in the aforesaid Declaration was that parts of the Continental Army composing the Massachusetts Line; and further, to declare that on the Regiment in which I enlisted being broken up I was transferred from the 9th to the 3d Regiment of the same Line. —
And further, that in regard to property, I never since 1812 have possessed or disposed of any, of any nature whatever excepting for necessary wearing apparel and provision; that I have no property productive or unproductive in possession or expectation except necessary wearing apparel, nor has any one in trust for me; that I am dependent on my hands' labor and temporary public aid for daily support and have ever been since 1812. —
Witness. A. H. Bryant
Elisha Dillingham
MD. In possession or expectation before signing
August 13. 1831. Middlesex ss. State of Mass.
Then personally appeared before me the said Elisha Dillingham and declared on oath that the above declaration was true in all its parts. —
William Austin Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify, that William Austin Esq. who has signed the within certificate of verification as a Justice of the Peace, is personally known to me as a Magistrate for the County of Middlesex; that he is a gentleman of the highest respectability; and that full faith may be reposed in the truth and correctness of the official act to which his signature is attached.
Further certify that it is personally known to me, that the said Elisha Dillingham is unable to attend before the Municipal Court of this City to make any further declaration in the premises.
Boston August 13. 1831.
Peter O. Thacher
Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
14017 Bsc.
Elisha Dillingham

Application for a Transfer
County of Providence ss.
On this _____ day of August 1832. before me, the subscriber John Pitman Judge of the District Court of the United States within and for the Rhode Island District personally appeared Elisha Dillingham. who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Sumner in the regiments commanded by Colonels Jackson & Grayton in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Massachusetts from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state of Rhode Island and in the city of Providence where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, were that he had two daughters married in Providence and his wife chose to live with them.
Elisha Dillingham
Sworn this 22 d of August A. D. 1832
Before me
John Pitman
District Judge U. S.
for R. I. Dist.

Rhode Island District
In Providence Aug 23 d 1832
I certify that the signature of "John Pitman" affixed to the preceding instrument is the true signature of John Pitman Judge of the United States within for the Rhode Island District —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Dist Court at the day & year above written
Benjamin Russell Clerk

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Elisha Dillingham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
File 38661
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec 1780 to Dec 1783 Henley Michael Jackson 9 th Mass   Sumner Creighton 3 rd Mass.   Williams Michael Jackson "  
Battles engaged in, /
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hanover - Plymouth Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, May 9. 1831. All.
Residence at date of application, Charlestown Mass. Dec. 1831.
Age at date of application, 69 yrs.
Remarks: Ref. to wife Abigail + ab. Abigail - Eliza - Charlotte - + Sophia
To aud. for date of death

31 17 24 3.61 106 67

I Noah Burrell of Scituate in the County of Plymouth Massachusetts Yeoman, of Lawful Age do testify and say That Elisha Dillingham of Hanover in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts, enlisted into the Army of the Revolution, in 1780, for three years. (My father James Burrell and my Brother James Jun r enlisted at the same time for the same service,) And I well recollect seeing the said Elisha (in his uniform) when he returned from the Army at the expiration of said time.
And afterwards heard Elisha Summons of said Hanover declare that he purchased of said Elisha Dillingham his final settlement securities.
And further your deponent saith not-
Plymouth So December 13 th 1825. Then personally appeared the above named Noah Barkell and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and true.
Before me no collar nor justice of the peace

Middlesex County (Massachusetts) Charlestown. February 1 st 1838
Personally appeared before me Robert Ells Esquire and declared under oath that he personally knows the within named Noah Bannell of Situate Massachusetts and that he is worthy of full faith & belief under oath, in testimony whereof he hereto subscribes his name
Robert Ells William Austin Justice of the Peace

Hon. John H. Eaton Secy of War Washington D.C.

Charlestown Mass ts
May 13. 1831.
Hon. John H. Eaton Secretary of War Washington D. C.
Sir
I herewith transmit the accompanying Documents in order to sustain my claim to a Pension under the act of 18 th March 1818. - The reasons for so late an application are set forth in my declaration which will however show that in 1820 an application was made, but which was unsuccessful owing to the omissions of the Magistrate before whom witnesses were examined and sworn. - Since which, it has not been in my power, until the date of the Documents, from various adverse circumstances, to conform to the Provisions of the Act. - If under these circumstances the Rules of the Department will justify the granting a Pension from that period (1820) I should be grateful for such a manifestation of generosity.

If, however, the Law will not permit the exercise of such liberality, please do me the honor to grant me a sufficient Certificate at as early a date as Circumstances will allow; - and in either case having served my Country faithfully in its struggle for independence, I shall be grateful for the provision that is made for the support of declining age, and the wants of those who have done so. - Please cause any communication to me to be addressed to this place.
With most profound Respect Yr. obt. humble Servt. Elisha Dillingham

I Rhoda Morris of Scituate in the County of Plymouth, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Widow do testify & say that in the year Seventeen hundred & eighty one, I attended my Husband William Morris who was a Soldier in the Continental Army & stationed at West Point, that during the time I was at West Point I was acquainted with Elisha Dillingham of Hanover in the said County of Plymouth, who was a Soldier in the Continental Army, & as I was informed enlisted for three years. During the time I was at West Point, which I believe was eighteen months, I had frequent opportunity to see him the said Dillingham he continued in the service, until discharged by General Knox in December 1783. at which time my Husband was also discharged, & we returned to our home in Scituate.
Rhoda Morris
Norfolk Jan. 15 th 1829.
Then the above named Rhoda Morris swore that the above declaration by her subscribed was true
Before me Elisha Daise Justice of Peace

Ms. S. B. No. 114617 p. 149. Vol. 1 =
J. L. Edwards Esquire Pension Office War Department
Here

Charlestown, Mass. July 19 th 1835
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Dear Sir,
Washington.
Sir
(of May 18 th )
Your reply to my
appeal for a pension was received in due course of Mail and caused all that mortification and anguish, which a mind sensitive to every thing connected with the honor of revolutionary Services, and awake to impending poverty, can be supposed to feel. You state that my testimony is not satisfactory, and that the army rolls contain no evidence of my service. What evidence can the rolls of the army afford, but the record of my humble name, & which I have the vanity to think will be found inscribed on it, if reference is had to the Third Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col. Gration, into which I was transferred on the "breaking up" of the Massachusett's ninth and tenth regiments, and incorporating them

with the other eight Regiments of the Massachusetts line. In that regiment (the thirteenth ), I was attached to the 8 th company, commanded by Captain Sumner, who was succeeded on promotion (to Major), by Captain Williams; Let me ask your indulgence & beg you to cause a reexam- =ination of my papers, and the rolls of the army, with a reference to the above facts, and that you will exercise all the liberality toward an unfortunate old man, that the laws & the nature of the case will admit of. - It is my misfortune that I have not been able to procure better testimony, and that so few survive to give force & validity to my appeal. I beg herewith, to trans- =mit a favorable notice from the Hon. Edward Everett, and to add with great respect, the name of your Obt. Servant.
Elisha Dillingham

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Pension Office
Department of War

Charlestown Mass.
23 July 1831
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir,
I have been requested to make a representation to You in behalf of Elisha Dillingham, now a resident in this place, who is an applicant for a pension as a revolutionary soldier. — I have not seen his papers, and cannot, of course, speak of the character of the Evidence produced in support of his claim. I understand, however, that a satisfactory solution is proposed by him of the objection taken by You, that his name does not appear on the rolls of the army, in the regiment, when it might have been expected. — I have conversed with Dillingham myself, and find his statement so circumstantial and minute, that I cannot believe it to be fabricated. I understand the substantial parts are confirmed by competent testimony, & Capt a Austin, who interests himself in Dillingham's claim , informs me, that he has this day seen a gentleman, from the neighborhood where Dillingham was born, enlisted, & has since lived, who expressing a decided conviction of the justice of his claim. — Capt a Austin himself, I may add — who has had the means of

a thorough acquaintance with the claimants character is fully persuaded of the truth of his statements.
I am, Dear Sir, very respectfully Yours Edward Everett.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office War Department Washington D.C.
pen: to com: Aug. 18. 1831.

Charlestown, Massachusetts
August 13. 1831
Sir.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 27 th July. - And I herewith beg leave to return my Declaration with such amendments as I understand you to require; - and to flatter myself that at an early date you will cause to be transmitted to me in this place, a Pension Certificate by which I shall receive that support so long sought for and so much needed. And for which I shall not be less grateful to my Country than to yourself. -
With profound respect
I have the honor to be Y rs H ble Servt
Elisha Dillingham
J. L. Edwards Esq Washington D.C.

Transfer
p d to 4 March 18 m 2. Dillingham's identity satis- factory. His signature genuine.

Providence Aug 23 o 1832
Sir
I have the honor herewith to enclose the application of Elisha Dillingham for a transfer of his pension from Boston to Providence. He wishes it done before the next payment if it can be with convenience as it would save him a journey to Boston —
I am respectfully your obedt servt Brayer Ladd
To
Hon. L. Clegg Secy of War

Census Office May 17. 1831
Hon. John H. Eaton Secy. of War Washington D.C.

I have with have the Honor to enclose the petition of Elisha Dillingham, with the accompanying Documents. By an early attention to this subject you will much oblige him and yr. obedt Servt
Hon. John H Eaton. Washington.
William Austin

107
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by a, mws D. 22/11/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Elisha Dillingham
Service Mass.
Additional Service Rev.
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS:
No Fm. any service from 39,000 " Wid. " " " Rej. at all No Rev. below 39,000 except S. 38661.

SAW.
3 Wabon St., Roxbury, Mass. Nov. 20, 1910
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Sir
Will you please send me copy of information on file in your office, relative to birth, marriage, death, family service , etc. of
Elisha Sillingham ; of Massachusetts, who removed to and died in Rhode Island, about 1846. I am informed that he served in a Mass. regiment in the Revolution .
Very respectfully
Winthrop Alexander
Information desired for genealogical purposes.

38661
1910 Nov. 28. Hist. to Mr. Winthrop Alexander
Rev INVALID.
File No. 88,661
Elisha Dillingham
Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Elisha Simmons of Hanover in the county of Plymouth, commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the sixty second year of my age do testify & say that I well knew Elisha Dillingham formerly of said Hanover, who did enter & the final settlement which I purchased of him with the said Dillingham's name to them, soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, do believe that the said Dillingham did serve as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, for about two, or three years. Elisha Simmons
I John Curtis of Hanover in the county of Plymouth commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the forty ninth year of my age, do testify & say, that I well knew Elisha Dillingham formerly of said Hanover, & from the common report then in circulation, & from his own statement at the time, do believe that the said Dillingham did serve as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, for about two, or three years. John Curtis
Plymouth ss. Hanover Dec. the 9 th 1820
Then the above named Elisha Simmons made solemn Oath that the above Deposition by him signed, is true in all its parts.
At the same time the above named John Curtis made solemn Oath, that the above Deposition by him signed is true in all its parts. And I do hereby certify that the above named Deponents are worthy of credit.
Meber Curtis Justice Peace

Middlesex County Massachusetts. Charlestown Feby 1 st 1835.
Personally appeared before me. Robert Eells Esquire a Representative in the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts. For the Town of Han- over, within named. and Declared on oath that he personally knew the within named. Elisha Simmons, & John Curtis and that they were at the time of their declarations, worthy of full faith and belief under oath; and in testim- ony whereof he hereunto subscribes his names.
Robert Eells William Austin Justice of the Peace
The Depositions of E. Simmons & J. Curtis