Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14850, Farnham Hall, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Hall, Farnham Sarah
No. 14850
CONTENTS

Dead. See letter Aug. 27. 1828 to C. Minot
15092 Massachusetts Surnham Henry of Wrentham in the State of Massa who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Allen of the 1st  Regt. commanded by C. S. Fitch in the Massa line for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of May 1833 and sent C. Minot Waverly Massachusetts
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 66.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th  March " 16.67 $83.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M. G. Adams Clerk, Book E Vol. 20 Page 32

Massachusetts - 3063
Sarah Hall,
widow of Harkham Hall,
who died on the 14 th May 1834. of Essex in the State of Massachusetts who was a P.W. in the Campy commanded by Captain Davis of the Reg t commanded by Genl. Putnam in the Mass s line for 10 months Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834. 15 th May 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Sep r 39, and sent to Charles Merrill Haverhill Mass s
Arrears to the 14 th of Sep r — $176.85 Semi-annual allowance ending — 16.60
Due in favor of } Richd W. Massie } $193.45 Heirs of } { Revolutionary Claim, { Act July 4, 1836, { Section the
Recorded by R. D. D. Clerk, Book A Vol. 1- Page 5-2

13. 018

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, Harnham Hall , a resident of Haverhill , in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 50 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration 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 named officers, and served as herein stated:
That in February, he enlisted as a minute man and on the 19 th day of April 1775, he actually went into the service as a volunteer in Capt. John Davis' company in Lieut. Col. James Foyes  Burickett regiment, and marched from Methuen to Cambridge Mass. and was there stationed till January 1776, when he was dismissed at the expiration of his time which was eight months: James Brickett of Haverhill Mass. (afterwards General) was Lieut. Col. of the Regiment, and Thomas Poor then of Andover Mass. was Major: Nathaniel Herrick then of Methuen was 1 st Lieut. and Eliphalet Bodwell also of Methuen was 2 d Lieut. of his  our company.
Also in the month of September 1777 at said Methuen he enlisted as a volunteer in Capt. David Whettin's (of Methuen) company, Major Smith of Rowley was Major of the Regiment he marched in September aforesaid from Methuen to Saratoga N.Y. then to Fort Edward and thence again to Saratoga 2 or 3 days after the battle, and surrender of General Burgoyne: he marched in the rear of the prisoners till they crossed the Connecticut at Old Gladly and Northampton Mass. and then we marched in front till they arrived at Winter Hill in Charlestown Mass. where we were dismissed - the last of November 1777 - he served this time a little over two months.

He further states that he served both the above times as a private soldier; that he was born at said Methuen June 17. 1752 that he has a record of his age in the town books of Methuen; that he resided at Methuen when he entered on each service and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided in Salem Mass. 5 years, in Salem N.H. 8 years, and the remainder of the time in Methuen and Haverhill: that he never received a written discharge from service and that he has no documentary evidence. The following persons will testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in his service as a soldier in revolution viz Rev. Abijah Cross of Haverhill Mass. Capt. Isaac How of Haverhill and Phineas How.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Witness Charles Minot
Farnham Hall
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
JUDGE OF PROBATE.
We, Abijah Cross a clergyman, residing in Haverhill aforesaid, and John Gage Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Methuen aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Farnham Hall who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to before
Abijah Cross John Gage

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Elijah Cross who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Haverhill and that the said John Gage who has also signed the same is Magistrate resident at Methuen and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. I David How Judge Probate
I David How of Haverhill Mass aged 75, on oath testify and say that I know Farnham Hall of Methuen above named, that April 19. 1775 I was doing duty as a soldier at Cambridge in Capt Poors company (Capt Farnham commanded it the last of the time) and served there 8 months at that time in that company, and sage Farnham Hall was a private in Capt. Davis company in the same Regiment and served in said company , till about January 1776 when he left the service, he served from April 19. 1775. Also in September 1777 the said Farnham Hall volunteered as a private to go to take Burgoyne and marched in Essex September to Saratoga N.Y. and served there and near there, till the prisoners marched for Charlestown Ms. and then he guarded them to Charlestown, where he was soon dismissed having served over 2 months; I was a Sergeant in the same company.
David How
Essex ss. September 25 th 1832 Then David How who is well known to me to be a credible person, appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me.
Stephen Minot, Justice of Peace.
I, NATHANIEL LORD Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Farnham Hall for a pension.
Stephen Minot above named who has subscribed a certificate of having administered an oath to David How is a justice of the Peace and the Quorum for the County aforesaid, and this signature is his genuine signature
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of September, A. D. 1832.
C Nath. Lord Jr.

V 3812 Sarah Ball widow of Garmen Massachusetts
act 4 July 36
adm'd
10mo pri
$33.33/100
Died 14 May 34 hen: Com: 15 May 34
Chas Minot Haverhill Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss. PROBATE OFFICE.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that
the honorable Daniel A. White, before whom the declaration hereto annexed of Ruth W. Messer pur- ports to have been taken, is the judge of pro- bate for said county; and that his name, sub- scribed to the certificate thereon, is his genuine signature; and that Charles Minot esquire, before whom the several affidavits hereto annexed of Mary Messer and Ruth W. Messer, and of Jonathan How, purport to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county; and that his name, sub- scribed to the certificate on each, is his genuine signature.
as appears by the records in said office
Given under my hand and seal of office, this eleventh day of September, A. D. 18 38.
Nath. Lord Jr.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss. PROBATE OFFICE.
I Nathaniel Lord junior , register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that on this eleventh day of September , A. D. 1838,
Ruth W. Messer , of Haverhill in said county, singlewoman, has been appointed guardian of
Sarah Hall
(a person non compos mentis)
minor of Haverhill in said county, widow ; _____ having given bond according to law for the faithful discharge of his said trust; as appears by the records in said office; and that it does not appear by said records, that said Ruth W. Messer has become disqualified to act in her capacity of guardian as aforesaid.
Given under my hand and seal of office, this eleventh day of September , A. D. 1838.
Nath. Lord Jr.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 5th of July 1836
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County ss. On this eleventh day of September A. D. 1838 personally appeared before the Hon. Daniel A. White Judge of Probate for the said County at a Court of Probate
Ruth W. Messer of Haverhill in said County Guardian of Sarah Hall a resi- dent of said Haverhill in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain for said Sarah Hall the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 5. 1836. That said Sarah Hall is the widow of Mannum Hall late of said Haverhill who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7. 1832.
She further declares that to the best of her knowledge & belief (she being only the Guardian & so cannot swear positively) said Sarah Hall was married to said Mannum Hall on September 13th A. D. 1776 (September the thirteenth in fourteenth in the year eighteen hundred and seventy four) that her husband the said Mannum Hall died on the fourteenth day of May A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty four; & that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Ruth W. Messer
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before.
D. A. White Judge of Probate

We Mary Messer and Ruth W Messer both of Haverhill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age on oath depose & say, that we well knew Farnum Hall late of said Haverhill, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 1832, & we know that said Hall died May 14. 1834: we lived in the same house with him at the time of his death. We know also his widow Sarah Hall, who now lives in Haverhill: said Sarah Hall has remained his widow & unmarried ever since
Mary Messer
Ruth W Messer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss Sept 6. 1838 Then the above named Mary Messer & Ruth W Messer whom of certify to be credible witnesses made oath that the above deposition by them subscribed is true Before me Chas Merrill Jus. Peace.

I Jonathan How of Methuen in the county of Essex a Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 85 years, on oath depose & say that I always knew Fanny Hall of Lowell in Essex County who was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832. I always have known Fanny Hall his widow who now survives him. I knew her & him from their boyhood & girlhood.
Said Fanny Hall was married to said Sarah Hall (her maiden name was Sarah Bailey) in the year One Thousand Seven hundred and seventy four. Her first child was born in 1775 I think in March; I cannot positively state the month in which they were married but am certain that they were married in 1774.
I have always known both of them since the war; they have always lived together till his death in 1834.
Witnesses Chas. Minch Chas. H. Burners.
his Jonathan H. How mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex ss Sept 10. 1838. Then the above named Jonathan How made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed in my presence by his mark is true. Before me. I certify that said How is a credible person and a man of truth & veracity. I further certify that the letters "um" were written over the words "him" & the figure "2" over the figure "8" before signing.
Chas Minch Jus Peace

I, Moses Merrill of Methuen in the county of Essex & commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age on oath depose & say, that I hold the office of Clerk of said Town of Methuen, that I have examined the records of said Town & do not find the marriage of Farnum Hall to Sarah Hall therein recorded.
But I find therein recorded the births of eleven of their children with the dates of the same. The births of the two first are recorded as follows viz.
"Molley Hall, Daughter of Farnum Hall and Sarah his wife was born on Tuesday the 13 Day of June in the year 1775"
"Farnum Hall, Son of Farnum Hall and Sarah his wife was born on Monday the second day of February in the year 1778."
The above births are fairly & fully recorded on said books with the dates as above; & the above are true copies Moses Merrill Town Clerk.
August 10. 1839 Essex County ss.
Sworn to before me
Chas. Minot Jus. Peace.

BRIEF in the case of  James Mance  of  Haverhill  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 80 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     19 th April In 1775 8 Private Gen. Lord Howe Col. Fry   Sept 1777 2 " W. H. Threlkeld Col. Smith  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wethersfield Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Michael Coffey  Examining Clerk.

Sept 6/66 Maf. Good friend Sarah Hall
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington D. C.

Haverhill Mass Sep 10. 1839
J L Edwards Esq
Sir
I now enclose the affidavit of the Town clerk of Methuen to be used in the case of Mrs. Sarah Hall widow of Farnum Hall for a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836. The affidavit proves the births of the children & the deposition of Jona. How already filed proves the marriage. I trust this will be satisfactory
Very Respectfully
Your obt servt
Chas. Minot

3812 M rs Hall 4 July 1836 S pt 17 PETERBOROUGH
FREE
M rs Hall
L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

FREE
L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Havehill Mass. Sept r 11. 1838
J. S. Edwards, Esq.
Sir Enclosed I send you the application of Sarah Hall for a Pension under the Act of July 4. 1836.
As her husband was a Pensioner under the Act of 1832, & the papers proving his services are on file, I trust that this case will receive early attention. The widow would have applied before, but she did not know of the existence of the Law till within a few weeks.
If any further proof of his marriage or his death is desired; It can be found at Washington, as it was furnished by the widow to enable her to draw the arrears due her husband at his decease. Please forward the certificate to me
Respectfully
Your obed t serv t
Chas. Minch.

I Ruth W. Messer of Haverhill in the county of Essex & commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age on oath testify & say that I have made diligent search & enquiry for the records of the church under the care of Abner Bailey in Salem N. H. and can find no records of any marriages on the church books, as they were supposed never to have any marriages recorded on them. I also made diligent search & there are no records of any marriages of any persons recorded before the year seventeen hundred & seventy six, in said town of Salem N. H. where Farnum Hall & Sarah Bailey were married, by said Abner Bailey.
Ruth W. Messer
commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. January 12th 1839 Sworn to before me, & I certify said Messer to be a credible witness.
Chas. Minot Jus Peace.

Garnum Hall son of Benj. Hall and Rebekah his wife was born in Nethun June 17 th 1752 as appears from the Book of Records for the town of Nethun
Attest M rs Mary Merrill S. Clerk.
Nethun July 27 1832.

1888 I have been thinking of you and your kindly words and how much I should like to see you again
John W. Foster
1882
Rev. Mr. Phelps
1851-1852
origins of
卷之二
卷二
Ms. A. 9. 2. 21
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.]
at
18
Se
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
1872 July 22
卷二
1842
Ms. A. 9. 2. 22
Kunst
S. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
3812 m. al.
1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
1000000000
November 25 1828

3812 Oct 26 Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Rev. Mr. Miller

Haverhill (Mass) Oct r 22 1838
J S Edwards Esq.
Sir In the case of Mrs Sarah Hall widow of Farnum Hall, which is suspended for evidence from the records, of the marriage, I have to state that diligent search has been made, and there are no records existing either in the Town of Salem N. H. where they were married or in the church of the minister who married them, so far or extending so far back as the time of the marriage as stated, so I sent the best evidence existing to prove the marriage
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
Chas. Minot
P.S. Agreeably to your rules when no record proof exists I have established the fact by the testimony of respectable persons whose credibility I have certified to. C. M.

Jan. 17. 1839
FREE
Fanny
add proof
Sarah
ms of
Howards Esq Com r of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Haverhill Mass Jan 12. 1839
Sir
Enclosed I send you the deposition of R W Messer to complete the evidence in the case of Sarah Hall's application for a Pension, under the Act of July 4, 1836.
Resp ly Your obt servt Chas. Minch

Warren Hall Map. Act 7 June 1832 to what time paid?
Pen: Office
Due 14 May 1834, 5% interest
Oct 15. 3-8
SH

Sarah Hall Massachusetts
Suspended
for let 15 Oct '38 Chl Minot
do - do - Oct 29 '38
do - do - Oct 29 '38
11. '39 - let 19 June 1839 C. Minot
Act 4 July 1836

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14850
Sarah Hall
Widow of
Farnham Hall
Briv. Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 310
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Fareham Place
Wm d 10 months Private
C Minot Esq Grosvenor

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samson Steele  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? x III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.