Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23137, John Gridley, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
continental Mass.
Gridley, John Anna
11. 23137
CONTENTS.

See Grilly's manuscript list of names in the collection Grilly family papers in the Library of Congress Bridley John Cost-Plus W2057

Received of Mr. 20th April for the sum of Five hundred pounds together in full payment by John Grant for Rent

529.3 New-York Albany
Anna Gridley
widow of John Gridley who was a Private
in the Massachusetts
for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 56 Dollars 87 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of June, 1843 and sent to
J Stanton Middleburgh, Schoharie County, New York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 106.

Ph. June 23
Date of death not on ob

B Middleburgh County of Schoharie and State of New York 12 th May - 1818
This is to certify, that I John Gridley of said Town, County, and State, aged 64 years, have served in the revolutionary war, and according to the best of my remembrance, as follows,
Viz. I being a native of the Town Roxbury, in Massachusetts State, and residing in that part of the country, after General Gage had arrived with his troops into Boston, and had shut the port, our people fearing the consequence began forming themselves into moment companies, to be ready at a moments warning. I residing in the Town of Medfield, in the year 1745, joined a moment company, under Capt. Mann, of said Town, on the 19 th of April about noon, an express arrived in said Town, informing us, the British troops were on their march to Concord, or Lexington, where our Magazine was kept, we started at the moment, and arrived at Cambridge at dusk in the evening, having marched 20 miles, but to our great disappointment, what were able to march of the British, had secured their retreat into Boston continuing our stay in Cambridge, & Roxbury, after our troops had arrived, and regiments being formed, I joined the company under Capt. Dyer (if I mistake not his name) in Gen. Heath, and Col. Greaton's regiment, both of Roxbury, after the action at Bunker's hill, I volunteered with the troops on the troops on the Quebec expedition, in Capt. Ward's company, of Rhoadesland, under Col. Arnold, and Maj. Muggs, marched to Newburyport, said to the mouth of Kennebec river, then took Batture for our provision and baggage, and proceeded for Quebec, continued up said river, and our carrying places, until our water craft was destroyed, with the loss of other articles, then proceeded by land, and after suffering every but death, arrived at Quebec, leaving many dead bodies to feed the beasts of the wilderness, altho' I did not arrive with the army, being left with three others of my unfortunate companions in the wilderness, to suffer the fate of many others then lying in the wilderness, but by the assistance of God, after so long a time we arrived at a small village in the vicinity of Quebec, called St. Rocks, where our army then lay, waiting for Gen. Montgomery, to arrive from Montreal with his troops, after his arrival and matters being arranged, on the 31 st December, orders were issued for storming Quebec, at night, with his division, and Col. Arnold with his, at the town, but the Genl being killed on his first attempt, and his division retreating precipitately, left us to their mercy, and being our power with numbers, and within the walls of the City, they shutting the gates upon us, demanded our surrender, but we being successful and not knowing our Genl was killed, nor the defeat of his division, would not resign, at last finding ourselves surrounded, and receiving a flag, which again demanded our surrender, or we should all be put to death by the sword, concluded best to resign, accordingly to make up the measure of our misery, we gave our values a new years Gift unto Genl Carlton of Canada, 1776 and was conveyed under a strong guard to the seminary because the old stone Goal was not ready to receive us, after some repare we were escorted to the dreadfull straw-proof prison, after remaining in this dolefull condition, not being content, but was still determined for Liberty, we planed a skem to send out to our army, which lay out one mile or two from the City, a man of ours with a letter, to acquaint the commander, he promising to assist, that on such a night he being ready, and would come and assist us, we would as yet try to take the City, accordingly a letter was sent, a man agreed to convey it, with our assistance, we then beat a hole through a very thick stone wall of the prison, cut our blankets in strips, and let him down, not expecting to hear from him again, but to our great surprise, we received a satisfactory answer, but having a number of British deserters with us, and the British finding out, sent a pardon to them, provided they would return to their duty, a Major drummer of the British, being with us, revealed our plan, he was taken from us, and returned to his duty, we were immediately confined in irons, handcuff and footlock, two and two together, and continued in that condition, until their reinforcement arrived from Halifax, and half starved, in the month of August, we were put on board their shipping, and conveyed into New York Harbour, in the month of September 1776 after arriving in York harbor, being then among their fleet, and they about laying siege to New York, were not allowed on shore, until they had completed their design, after they had taken York, we were put on our land of liberty, at Elizabeth Town, and had our unparalled rights.
over

enlisted in Capt. Ward's company Regiment Am. by Col. Grooton in Grooton's heath's brigade, this was before the battle at Bunker hill in the year 1775. in the Summer. served 17 months - was at the Battles of B. & H. X

State of New York.
Schoharie County ss. On this seventh day of October A.D. 1889 personally appeared before Harvey Watson a Judge of Schoharie County Courts Anna Gridly a resident of Middleburgh in said County aged seventy seven years. Who first being 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 John Gridly formerly of Medfield Massachusetts & late of Middleburgh in the State of New York deceased who rendered military service as a soldier to the United States in the revolutionary war, which according to my own recollection & the best evidence within my knowledge were performed as follows -
vi. that said John Gridly marched from said Medfield on the nineteenth day of April A.D. 1775 as a minute man, to the scene of action at or near Lexington & there rendered service for ten days - also eight months service as a soldier in Capt John Boggs company (I think) and Col John Greaton's Regiment - at Cambridge near Boston, that this service began the latter part of April A.D. 1775 and ended in December the same year - also nine months service as a soldier in a tour of duty to Quebec in Lower Canada in Capt Wards Company & Col Benedict Arnold's & Major Miffy's Regiment. Was at the storming of Quebec & taken Prisoner in that conflict. That according to the best information I can obtain, this tour of service began near the close of the month of December A.D. 1775 and ended near the first of October 1776. That she believes the said John Gridly her late husband performed the above described services as a volunteer & never received any pension or gratuity from the United States nor from any state. That the said John Gridly resided at said Medfield

when the Revolutionary war began & afterwards for a time at Petersham in Mass t & some years at Middleburgh in the state of New York till his death and all the proof in her power to obtain of the service aforesaid are herewith transmitted. And said Anna Gynidley further declares that her maiden name was Anna Rexford, that she was lawfully married to the said John Gynidley at Petersham Mass t on the twentieth day of August in the year 1798 & that her late husband the said John Gynidley died at Middleburgh aforesaid, on the fifteenth day of September 1824 & that she has remained a widow ever since that period and that she was not married to him the said John Gynidley prior to his leaving the service aforesaid but the marriage took place prior to the first of January 1794 in at the time above stated. her I have subscribed on this day { Anna Gynidley & year first above written } X mark
Harvey Watson a Judge of Schoharie County Courts
I certify that owing to the infirmities of age and sickness. I conceive the above named Anna Gynidley unable to attend the sitting of the court. Dated 7th October 1839
Harvey Watson a Judge of Schoharie County Courts

6445
Susa Gridley
Marr'd 20 August 1780 Husband dined 15 Sept 1824
Col. Groom } Mp Capt Boyd } 8 yrs
Gn Arnold } Capt Ward } 9 yrs
Admitted Private 17 months
Hm. Vanderpoel H K

State of New York } Schoharie County } I Martinus Mattie of Middleburgh in County aforesaid being of lawful age hereby testify and say that I have personally be acquainted with John Gridley and Anna Gridley his wife. some years before his death that said John Gridley died at Middleburgh aforesaid on or about the fifteenth day of September 1824. That I am knowing to the fact that Anna Gridley his widow has not intermarried since the death of her said husband + remains the widow of said John Gridley at the present time and resides in Middleburgh aforesaid -
sworn to and subscribed September 3. 1839 by the above Martinus Mattie a credible witness.
Martinus Mattie
Before me Harvey Watson, a Judge of Schoharie County Courts
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
State of New York County of Schoharie ss. I William M. Wolton Clerk of the said County. Do certify that Harvey Watson, before whom the preceding Affidavits purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, a Judge of Schoharie County Courts, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 25 th day of November 1839
William M. Wolton Clerk.

April 28, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
DA-S/ENL John Gridley-S.43639 John Gridley-S.23137
Norman G. Gridley, M.D. 106 South Main Street Horseheads, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Captain John Gridley, of Colonel Crane's Regiment of Artillery, who settled at Fishkill, New York; and of John Gridley, who served as a private from Medfield, Massachusetts, both soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
The records of those soldiers are furnished herein.
John Gridley S.43639
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.43639, based upon the military service in that war of John Gridley.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of John Gridley are not shown.
John Gridley was commissioned, April 21, 1780, captain lieutenant, to rank from January 1, 1777, served in Captains David Bryant's and Henry Burbeck's Companies, Colonel John Crane's 3 d Regiment of Continental Artillery; he was in the battle of Brandywine, where he received a wound the nature of which was not stated, and where Captain Bryant was killed, and in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth; in October, 1783, he was commissioned captain by brevet and continued to serve until the end of the war. His place of residence at the time he entered the service was not shown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 30, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, and gave his age as sixty-six years. In 1822, he stated that he was aged seventy-six years.

John Gridley died December 1, 1830, place not shown.
In 1830, the soldier stated that his family then residing with him consisted of two sons, John, Junior, aged fifteen years and George E., aged twelve years. No names of any other children are shown and there are no data in regard to soldier's wife.
*****
John Gridley W.23137
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.23137, based upon the military service of John Gridley in that war.
John Gridley was born at Roxbury, Massachusetts. The date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
In 1775, while residing at Medbury, Massachusetts, John Gridley joined a company of minute men, commanded by Captain Man or Mann, and on April 19, 1775, upon receipt of news of the battle of Lexington and Concord, marched in said company to Cambridge, Massachusetts; shortly after his arrival there, enlisted in Captain John Boyd's Company, Colonels Heath and John Crotch's Massachusetts Regiment; was in the battle of Bunker Hill; volunteered for the expedition to Canada, served as a private in Captain Ward's Company, Colonel Benedict Arnold's Regiment, marched to Quebec enduring many hardships on the journey, and was in the attack on that city, December 31, 1775, when he was taken prisoner and held in confinement, a part of the time in irons, until August, 1776, when he was placed on board a ship and taken to New York, and in September, 1776, was released.
After the Revolution, he resided at Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, for a while, then moved to Middleburg, Schoharie County, New York, where he died September 15, 1824, aged about seventy years.
The soldier married August 20, 1780, in Petersham, Massachusetts, Anna Rixford. Both were then of said Petersham. The date and place of birth of Anna and the names of her parents are not stated.
On old papers in cl. she was referred to as Mrs. Anna Rixford. But as she stated that her maiden name was Anna Rixford was old custom sometimes called maiden ladies Mrs.

Anna, widow of John Gridlay, was allowed pension on her application executed October 7, 1939, at which time she was aged seventy-seven years and resided in Middleburgh, New York.
No reference was made to children.
* * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

The first of these is a letter to his mother, dated March 1762. The second is a letter to his father, dated March 1762. The third is a letter to his mother, dated March 1762. The fourth is a letter to his father, dated March 1762.

Ref  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23137
Annie Grisdley Widow of John Grisdley Roxbury Mass
Act: Mar 3rd 1843
Index:—Vol. A Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1936-Apr 28-Visit to Dorman & Findley letter in case of John Wiley P. 43639- E.F.

Albany 4708
Anna Gridley widow of John Gridley
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 15. Sept. 1824 of Schoharie Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Boyer of the regt. commanded by Col. Groat in the Mass. line for 17 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of Dec. 1837 and sent to Hon. A. Vanderpool, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '39 198.31 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th March 40 28.33 $226.64
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book A. Vol. 2. Page 77

Admit, private p 56. 66. Albany Agency Send to H. Stanton Middleburgh Schoharie County N. York.

State of New York } Scholane County } ss. on this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty three personally appeared before me, Henry R Briggs a Justice of the Peace of the town of Middleburgh County aforesaid, Anna Gridley a resident of the said town & county aforesaid aged fifty years of age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the third of March A D 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Gridley who was a Private in the war of the Revolution and died on the fifteenth day of September 1824. That the amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7 th A D 1838 was at the rate of Fifty six Dollars & sixty six cents per annum - and further declares that she is still a widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the } day & year above written before
Anna X Gridley Mark
Henry R Briggs Justice of the Peace And I further certify that the said Anna Gridley the above declarant is personally known to me - Henry R Briggs Justice of the Peace

State of New York Schokarie County } ss:
I. Thomas McArthur Clerk of the said County, do certify that Henry R. Briggs, before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, and whose name also appears to the within certificate of identity, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit, and also to the Cer- tificate of identity, to be his proper hand writing And Signature.
Witness my hand and official Seal the 6th day of April A.D. 1843.
Thos. McArthur Clerk.

369
Midalburgh April 10 th
Free
My Mar 3 rd 1843 Anna G. G.
L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Middleburgh Schoharie Co. N. York April 8. 1843.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dr. Sir,
I herewith enclose the Widow Anna Gridley's declaration, to obtain for her the benefit of one Years pension which she supposes she will be intitled to under the Act of 3 d March 1843, in addition to the five years Pension. She has received, heretofore
Very Respectfully Yours Fremant Stanton

6448 Dec 12
My sin att
July 1838
Commencement of Pensions
Pension office Washington
Am. Alexanderpool P.R.

Home Rep 11 Dec 1899
Dear
Will you permit me to call your early attention to the within case - I do me the favor to address me in relation to it & oblige
Yours,
A Vandapool

Mrs Godeys Pension papers
note Hon Mr VanDyke
Hon Aaron VanDyke M C Washington City

Middleburgh Scho Co NY Dec 2, 1882
Hon A Van Gaspel.
Dear Sir, I take the liberty of sending you the enclosed pension papers in the case of W m Gridley. You will see by the papers that her husband entered the service 19 th April 1775 for 8 months and that the 10 th of June 1776 he was in the Army. This is all we have been able to procure. The Militia Records show Mr Gridley in the service at least 14 months. I send you the aff s that she is the widow of John Gridley and also the int ns of marriage & certificate of marriage & also Town Clerk's certificate of int ns at Petersham Mass. & aff s of the death of John Gridley.
In addition I send you a history written by John Gridley a short time before his death, he states all the circumstances of his soldier life & says upon the back of said paper, containing the history, that he served 17 months. This the old lady thinks much of & would like to have it sent back if it is of no use. It is a document displaying much intelligence & if true (& it is not to be doubted) shows

If there should be any additional proof waiting please write me at Middleburgh N.Y. Co. & I would like to have my name placed upon your list in "Old Schokan" & receive some "Pub Doc" this winter. Most respectfully,
Peter J. D. Ainsworth

I Jared Weed, of Petersham, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of said Town of Petersham; that I have the care and keeping of the books, public documents and Records of said Town; that I have made search for the record of the marriage of John Gridley and Anna Rixford, and that there is no record of such marriage on the Town Books.
I further depose and say, that the record of marriages between the ninth day of October, seventeen hundred and sixty nine and the fourth day of November seventeen hundred and eighty, is very defective and imperfect; and that during that period of time, there are but seven marriages upon the Records.
I further depose and say, that I find the following entry on the records of the intentions of marriage under date of the twenty first day of November, seventeen hundred and seventy nine viz.
Copy this only. ("John Gridley entered his intention of marriage with Anna Rixford both of Petersham, Novm 6 th 21 st 1779 — David Sanderson, Town Cl k ?")
And further the Deponent saith not.
Nov. 2 d 1839 -
Jared Weed, Town Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. November 11 th 1839 Personally ap- peared Jared Weed and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed. and I certify that he is reputed to be a person of veracity.
Before Aaron Brooks Jr. Just. Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Joseph L. Kendall, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, the same being a Court of Record, within and for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Aaron Brooks Jr. Esq. above named, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County - and that his signature to the above certificate appears to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Worcester, this fourth day of Novem- ber, in the year 1839. —
Esq. G. Kendall, Clerk

John } Fredy Anna }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 8 th 1839
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the within attestation, William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

2
I Charles Orson of Medfield in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age hereby certify and say that I hold at this time, the Office of Town Clerk of said Medfield and have the Custody & keeping of the Books & Records of said town and that at page 8 of the Book headed "Medfield Militia Records" I found in the "Training Band list" dated 10th June 1775 at the bottom thereof, the following entry in the exact words and form viz.
  Nathan Bullard 1 Now in the Army   Rufus Clark 1   Saber Clark 1   Joseph Cole 1   Samuel Cole 1   John Gridley 1   Thomas Trott 1   Jonathan Townsend 1   Scotland Wood 1   Spencer Wood 1   Simeon Clark 1 
And I further certify, that at page 28 in the same book I find an entry in the exact words, figures, & form following, viz. "Those who enlisted into the Service for 3 Months the 19th of April 1775 when Capt. Cheney had the command, are as followeth and is accounted to them as one term; as also those who enlisted for 6 Weeks and two Months, which I as yet, can give no credit for &c"
   Numbers Names of Men Months in Service Month Pay Amount Remarks     1 Lieut. Ezekiel Plimpton 3   1 Lieut. James Gisdale 3   1 Joseph Plimpton 3   1 Elphalet Fisher 3  

   Number Months in Service Month Do. Month Di. By     1 Thomas Armsby 8   1 Simeon Clark 8   1 John Fuller 8   1 Moses Haws 8   1 Ebenezer Lyon 8   1 Nathan Bullard 8   1 Rufus Clark 8   1 Joseph Cole 8   1 John Gidley 8   1 Thomas Hot 8   1 Rolland Wood 8   1 Spencer Wood 8   1 Saber Clark 8   1 Jonathan Townsend —   1 Samuel Cole 1776 12   1 Joshua Haws 8   1 James Articles 8  
a true Copy of Record
Chas. Onion Clerk of the Town of Medfield
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss.
June 20 th 1839 - Then Charles Onion Clerk of the Town of Medfield and a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the whole matter by him certified in the foregoing statements, is just and true.
Before me - W m Ellis Justice of Peace