Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14912, Merick Hitchcock, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass
Heitchcock, Merick Abigail
W. 14912
CONTENTS

Massachusetts - 5460.
Abigail Hitchcock Da widow of Merick Hitchcock, deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 21 st of August, 1820 - Franklin co. in the State of Mass. etc. He was a fifer in the company commanded by Captain Ball of the ————— commanded ————— in the Mass. etc. for 8 months 1 day fifer.
Enscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts - at the rate of 29 — Dollars 45 — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836, & termi- nate 15 Feb y 1840, time of her death, & payable to children, as per enrolment.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of May 1840 and sent to Hon. O- myn Baker, House of Represen
Arrears to the 15th of Feb y 1840 $116:
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th —————
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk. Book 9 Vol. 1 Page 96.

Certificate made payable to Elijah, Merrick, Dexter, Luke, & Lin= coln Hitchcock, Abigail Billings, and Roxana Day= ton, children of Abigail Hitchcock, deceased -

1899 87  1782 Nov 27
1830 1782  1820 0 0 66 3 6  1784 7 24 April 14
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May 27 1820
By your soon — 46
Account of Deaths & Births
Father Hilkiah Dyer August the 5th 1777
I was married April 15 1797
Elijah was born Jan'y 16 1798
Isaac was born Dec. 27 1779
Horace was born March 27 1782
Abigail was born May 12 1784
Brother Charles Dyer May 2 1785
Lincoln born March 22 1786
Luke was born Monday Sept. 29 1788
Deborah born Feb. 31 1791
Roxanna born Friday August 26 1796
Horace Hilkiah Dyer June 28 1820
Rachel Hilkiah Dyer August 21 1820
Aged 66 years four months and six days

131 Rufus Bone D 6
June 1777 to Side Sole Leather 18:12,02
June 1777 to 1019 16 Sole Leather
July 1777 to 17 16 8 on Sole Leather
Feb 1777 to 18 16 1/2 Sole Leather
Oct 1777 to 11 16 8 on Sole Leather
Nov 1777 to 1/2 sides of Sole Leather
wt 44:4 on
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

April 1774 Peter Gibling Jun L ✓ L to A Bullet Pouch — 2 —
Samuel Stiles L 6 April 1775 to A Saddle with Backhles — 6 6 and Mole Straps —
47 8241 5881
87 4441 5881

Z. Bullinger Dep

I Lebin Billings of Greenfield in the County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say that I am the son in law of the late Merick Hitchcock, deceased and that some three or four years ago his widow Abigail Hitchcock, came to live with me. When she came to live with me, she brought with her the annexed sheet of paper containing a record of the marriage of said Merick Hitchcock to his wife Abigail, and also the births of his children. Most of the record aforesaid is in the hand writing of said Merick Hitchcock, all as I believe down to the death of Horace Hitchcock. It has been kept by Mrs. Hitchcock while she has been with me as the family record. I have always understood that the leaf herunto attached came out of the account book of said Merick Hitchcock, and is this day attached by me to this my deposition. Mrs. Hitchcock is still living and has never married since the death of her husband (the said Merick Hitchcock). The said Merick Hitchcock died on the twenty first day of August in the year eighteen hundred & twenty. I further depose and say that this record aforesaid is in the hand writing of said Merick Hitchcock, as I believe, from the fact that I have heretofore frequently seen his hand writing and have corresponded with him by letters. I further depose and say, that long time ago, and before the decease of the said Merick Hitchcock, the said Hitchcock was reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution, among his neighbours. I have myself heard him say that he was in the service as a revolutionary soldier.
Lebin Billings
State of Massachusetts? Franklin County — 5
Greenfield Dec. 31-1839
Personally appeared Lebin Billings above named, who is a credible witness, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me Almon Brainard Just: of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss.
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Almon Brainard is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified, and that the within signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfield in said county this seventeenth day of February A. D. 1840.
E Alvord Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss
I Elijah Alvord, Register of Probate for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that at a Probate Court held at Charlemont in and for said county on the nineteenth day of May instant, it was proved to the satisfaction of the Judge of said court that Abigail Hitchcock, widow of Merrick Hitchcock deceased, died at Greenfield in said county of Franklin on the fifteenth day of February now last past, that her children who survive are the following Elijah Hitchcock supposed to be of Fairhaven in the state of Vermont - Abigail Billings, wife of Lebina Billings of said Greenfield - Merrick Hitchcock, Dexter Hitchcock, Roxanna Dayton, widow of Mansford Dayton deceased all of Grandville in the state of New York, and Luke Hitchcock of Syracuse in the state of New York and Lincoln Hitchcock of Middletown in the state of Ohio, all being of full age.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Greenfield this twenty first day of May A D 1840.
E Alvord Reg. Prob

Abigail Hitchcock Declaration
6742
Abigail Hitchcock widow of Merick
Mass.
Act 7 July, 1838.
m 77. d 20
see 14:46 fife 8mo. 18
adm
8mo 1840 fife
$ 29:45
no deduction
from 4 march '36 to 15 Feby 1840. the day of her death - to Elijah Merrill Dexter - Luke & Lincoln Hitchcock - Abigail Billings & Roxana Dayton children of } H. Oslyn Baker Abigail } with deed - }
H.R.

State of Massachusetts Franklin County } ss.
On this day personally appeared before the Hon. Richard E. Newcomb Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Franklin. Abigail Hitchcock a resident of Greenfield in said County of Franklin aged Eighty Eight years, who 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 th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain widows." That she is the widow of Merick Hitchcock who was a Soldier of the Revolution, That her said husband served in the Revolutionary War Eight Months in year 1775 at Roxbury, and in the vicinity of Boston, That he served, as she believes under Capt. Sebbens Ball of Grandville, Massachusetts. That she has been informed, & that she believed her said husband was a fife-Major in the Service aforesaid; That her said husband, resided at the time he entered the service aforesaid at Grandville aforesaid. That she has always understood her husband was a Minute man - and at the alarm in the aforesaid year, 1775 he went to Boston, and there enlisted for and served out the the aforesaid term of Eight months. That she does not distinctly recollect the regiment he served in, but according to her best recollection it was in Col. Porter's, or Robinson's Regt. That her said husband also served in the fore part of the year 1777 at Ticonderoga about three months, as she believes - under Capt. Coe of said Grandville, in the Regt of Col. Robinson of Springfield Ms. and Maj. Ely of West Springfield Mass. That she has no documentary evidence of her said husband's services, but refers the Department to rolls & records in the War Office for the proof of his said services. That her maiden name was Abigail Strickland and that she resided in said Grandville.
She further declares that she was married to the said Merick Hitchcock on the fifteenth day of April in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven; That her husband the aforesaid Merick Hitchcock died on the twenty first day of August in the year eighteen hundred and twenty; That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of February seventeen hundred and ninety-four - to wit, at the time above stated.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Abigail Hitchcock
R. E. Newcomb Judge of Probate

And the said Judge of Probate doth hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the said Merick Hitchcock was a soldier of the United States in the Army of the Revolution and served as alleged in the within declaration; that the said Abigail Hitchcock, the applicant aforesaid was married to the said Merick on the fifteenth day of April A.D. 1777 as within declared; that the said Merick died on the twenty first day of August A.D. 1820; and that the said Applicant has ever since remained a widow.
And the said Judge also certifies that the said Abigail Hitchcock, the said Applicant, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in court and that she therefore appeared before him at the place of her residence in Greenfield and there under oath made the within declaration
R. E. Newcomb
Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss.
I Elijah Alvord Register of Probate for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Richard E. Newcomb Esq. is the Judge of Probate in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified, and the within and foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the Probate Court for said county at Greenfield this tenth day of January A.D. 1840 E. Alvord Reg. Prob.

Mass.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14912 Abigail Hitchcock Widow of Merrick Hitchcock Wife Rev. War
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. a , Page 335
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6742
✓ 26m Let. to Osmyn Baker
March 24, 1840.
To same May 11, 1840-
Act 1838

Winick Hiltcock a.
Abigail M. Apr 77
75 8 mo. Pau.
77 3 " Coe.
Vol 14 p 40
fifa 29 Apr 75 on
Coa Sep 77 nd on

Charles H. Bates Dep.

I Charles F. Bates Clerk of the Town of Granville being of lawful age Depose and say; that I was Clerk of the Town of Granville for the year 1839 and for the current year. That I have within three months past made diligent search among the Records to find the marriage of Herrick Hitchcock and Abigail Strickland I can find no evidence of any such marriage on the Records nor any birth of their children. The Records do not appear to have been regularly kept throughout though some years they have.
I have searched the Records at various times and to day for several hours & presume no such Record exists. Further the deponent saith not
Jany 13 th 1840
Charles F. Bates
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampden, ss.
I, JOHN INGERSOLL, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that James Cooly Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said James Cooly and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this 14 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty
John Ingersoll Clerk.

I Charles F. Bates Clerk of the Town of Granville being of lawful age Depose and say, that I was Clerk of the Town of Granville for the year 1837 and for the current year. That I have within three months past made diligent search among the Records to find the marriage of a Merrick Hitchcock and Abigail Strickland I can find no evidence of any such marriage on the Records nor any birth of their children. The Records do not appear to have been regularly kept throughout. Though some years they have.
I have searched the Records at various times and to day for several hours & presume no such Record exists. - Further the deponent saith not 13 th 1840 Charles F. Bates Clerk of the Town of Granville Co. of Hampden, Mass.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. 13 th January 1840 Personally appeared Charles F. Bates Esq te Clerk of said Town of Granville and made Oath to the truth of the fore- going Affidavit by him subscribed - Before James Woolley Justice of Peace

Declaration
R. Hastings dip.

I Rachel Hastings of Greenfield in the County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, being seventy eight years of age on the Thirtieth day of August last, depone and say, that I am the sister of the Widow Abigail Hitchcock, and recollect the fact of her being married to Merick Hitchcock in the town of Granville Massachusetts, by the Rev. Mr. Forwood. I can not state the year, nor the month of the year, it is so long time ago. I was at the time of the marriage, fifteen years of age, and in my sixteenth year, I have always so recollect the fact of my age at that time. I was not present at the marriage, but I will recollect, the fact, that my sister went from my father's house to one Mr. Stiles' house, as it was said, at the time, to be married. I recollect of assisting my sister in the preparation for her marriage and know that they lived together as husband and wife and brought up a large family of children. My sister and myself have lived in this town for fifty years past - and perhaps more, and I know that my sister has never married since the death of her said husband Merick Hitchcock.
Rachel Hastings
State of Massachusetts, Franklin County ss
Greenfield Feb. 3 rd 1840 Then personally appeared Rachel Hastings above named who is a credible witness, and made oath, that the foregoing deposition by her subscribed is true.
Before me Almon Brainard Just. of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss.
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Almon Brainard is a justice of the Peace for said county; and that the above signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Greenfield in said county, this seventeenth day of February A.D. 1840.
E. Alvord Clerk

I Jeremiah Barm of Granville in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, beget Eighty Nine Years Depose and say that I was well acquainted with Merrick Hitchcock who formerly lived in said Granville, — that in the month of April 1775 myself and the said Merrick Hitchcock enlisted as Private Soldiers in the service of the United States under Captain Libbens Ball to go to Roxbury for the Term of Eight Months — I did not go myself, but sent a substitute who served Five Months, and at the expiration of said five months (viz) on the first of October 1775 I went myself to Roxbury and took the place of my substitute, and served three months which concluded the Term of Eight Months — When I got to Roxbury I found the said Hitchcock in the service, and he continued therein during said term of three months when we were dismissed, and I have no doubt said Hitchcock served the whole period of said Eight Months —
Jeremiah Barm

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Hampden County Ss. - 5 th March 1840 Then personally appeared Jeremiah Banns to me well known as a man of truth and veracity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Disposition by him subscribed - Before Danny Cooley Justice of the Peace
I am well acquainted with Mr. Cooley and believe the above to be his handwriting, and have no doubt that he is a justice of the Peace.
H. J. R. March 10. 1840
W. H. Calhoun
J. Banns per

House of Reps May 27. 1840.
Sir.
I am requested to notify you that Wid. Mary Handy recently applied to the Pension agency in Boston for payment of her Pension, and was told that her name had not been returned to that agency as entitled to a pension - and that if it had been they could not have paid before the 4 th of Sept r next. Will you please see that Mrs H.'s name is returned and notify me, if you can, whether she can get her money before September.
I am also desired, on behalf of Widow Polly Farley, who rec d a pension certificate dated Feb. 7. 1840, issued under the act of 1838 - to say to you that she thinks her Attorney made a mistake in making out her application under that law, & that it ought to have been made under the law of 1836. She says that the depositions of Martin Lawrence and Mr. Crotthendun will show a sufficient service done by the husband after the marriage, to entitle her to the benefits of that law. May I ask you Sir to look at the papers in her case and inform me whether her suggestion is correct and whether she can be permitted to file a new application under the law of '36 and receive a new certificate upon the surrender of the one she now holds. I ask you to do this supposing that it would give you

less trouble than it would to have me make the examination personally.
I also enclose to you a certificate of the Reg. of Probate for the County of Franklin, concerning the death of Mrs. Abigail Hitchcock of Greenfield. Her death has taken place since the filing of her application and before the issue of a certificate.
I have the honor to be, with great respect
Your obedt servant Olmyr Bales

Washington City Mar. 18. '40
Sir
I herewith transmit to you the application of Wid. Abigail Hitchcock of Greenfield Mass. for a pension, with the accompanying papers. If you find the evidence sufficient to warrant the granting of the certificate you will please send it to me, or if otherwise to inform me in what respect the testimony is insufficient or defective —
With great respect Your Obedt Servant Osmyn Baker.
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pensions