Pension No. W23,262
Selected documents from Series M804,
Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files,
National Archives
Transcribed by Bob Oliphant, 28 February 2003
Note: Documents placed in chronological order, dates in brackets added after transcription
 

 

BY THE HONOURABLE
MAJOR GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the American Forces on Hudson’s River.
Oliver Heald, Corporal   in
The   7^th Massachusetts   Regiment,
Being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from
the Service of the United States
                             Given in the State of New York,
                                     The   23d   Day of
                                   December    1783
By the General’s Command,  [signed] HKnox MGl
Registered in the Books of the Regiment,
[signed] C A Tupper  Adjutant

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I Oliver Heald aged sixty years, a citizen of the U. States, born in Westford Massachusetts, now of Solon in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare that I served as a private soldier in the war of the revolution, upon the continental establishment, the first eight months’ the year’s and the first three years’ service.  My discharge from the first three years’ service, I have since lost, and it is not now to my knowledge in existence.

 In June 1780 I again enlisted as a private soldier for the term of three years in the war of the revolution against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment in Capt. Lord’s company and Col. Sprout’s regiment of the Massachusetts line.  Under this last enlistment I served until December 23d 1783 when at West Point I took my final and honorable discharge from the service as a corporal.  My discharge is herewith forwarded.  I was at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, in both the battles at the taking of Burgoyne, in the battle of Cherry Valley, in the expedition against the indians under General Sullivan and at the taking of Cornwallis.  From my reduced circumstances, I need the assistance of my country for support.  And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U. States, if any, but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension list whatever.  I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine.

      [signed] Oliver Heald
 
 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Somerset SS

 On the twenty second day of April AD 1818, Oliver Heald above named, after having been carefully examined made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
 Before me  [signed] Nathan Weston Sen [?] Chief Just. C. Court c.

       Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I William Hilton of Solon in the District of Maine of lawful age upon oath testify and declare that I am well acquainted with Oliver Heald above named.  From his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.  He sustains the character of a man of truth.

      [signed] William Hilton
 
 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Somerset SS

 On the twenty second day of April AD 1818, William Hilton within named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed.  Before me

[signed] Nathan Weston Sen [?] Chief Just. C. Court c.

       Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit

 

State of Maine

Somerset  COUNTY, SS.

 ON the  twenty ninth   day of  June  1821 personally appeared  in open Court before  the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment,  Oliver Heald  aged sixty three  years, resident in  Solon  in the County of  Somerset  within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Ballard  and Regiment commanded by Colonel  Alden afterwardsCol^o Brooks  of the line of the State of Massachusetts  upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of  three years, that he was at the taking of Burgoyne; and at Cherry Valley; and in various skirmishes with the Indians on the Mohawk river; and with Genl Sullivan up the Susquehanna river; and afterwards for three years under Col^o Sprout in the Company commanded by Capt. Drew; and was at the taking of Cornwallis  that his original declaration was made before Judge  Weston  on the  twenty second  day of  April  1818; that he is now on the Pension  Maine  Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered  6049.  And I, the said  Oliver Heald  do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to 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 service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

      [signed]  Oliver Heald

 The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:  Two heifers value $6 Dollars each  one axe $1–  one chain $1–  Old articles $5.–
 I have no debts due to me and owe as much as one hundred and fifty dollars.  I have no income derived from any property, trade or profession.  My occupation is that of a farmer, but from age and infirmity am unable to labor, my family consists of myself and my wife Esther aged sixty years incapable of performing labor and my daughter Joanna aged fourteen years.  Except the foregoing I have no other estate or income whatever.

      [signed]  Oliver Heald

Somerset SS. C C C Pleas June Term 1821
 Subscribed sworn to and declared both the oath and schedule in open Court on the 29th day of June AD 1821.

      [signed]  Ebenr Thatcher one of the Justices

of the C C C Pleas 2d Eastern Circuit State of Maine [signed] W^m Allen C Clerk

 

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled “An Act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows”.

State of Maine
Washington County SS.

         On this Fifth day of December February AD 18389 personally appeared before the Hon. Daniel Libbey  Judge of Probate in and for The north Probate District in said county of Washington at a special Probate Court holden at Houlton in said county district  Esther Heald  a resident of Hodgdon in said county aged seventy eight years who being first 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 pensions to certain widows”.  That she is the widow of Oliver Heald a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States late of Madison in the county of Somerset State of Maine formerly of Pepperell in Massachusetts deceased –  That she has always understood that her said husand [sic] was a Revolutionary soldier & That he served during the whole of the war; has heard him say that he first enlisted at Cambridge in Massachusetts in 1775 & served eight months in Col^o Prescotts, Regiment & then for one year in Col^o Aldens Pallersons [?] Regiment and in the spring of 1777 for three years in Col^o  Alden’s Pallersons [?] Regiment and in the spring of 1777 for three years in Col^o  Alden’s Regiment and in 1780 that he enlisted for three years as a Corporal in Capt. Aldens company in Col^o  Sproots Regiment and served till Decr 1783 when he was discharged, all the above services were in the Massachusetts line or troops; that in consideration of the above service he was placed on the pension list of the Maine Agency in January 1819 under the Act of Congress passed March 18, 1818 and remained a pensioner and received eight dollars a month as long as he lived; and for a more particular account of her said husbands services she refers to his declaration sent to the war department and to the rolls of the army.

 She further declares that she was married to the said Oliver Heald at Westford, Mass on the in day of February Seventeen hundred and eight six by the Rev. Mr. Scribner; That her husband the aforesaid Oliver Heald died on the thirty first day of July eighteen hundred and thirty eight; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four viz. at the time above stated; that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to her proof hereto annexed.
Witness                                                her
[signed] Collins Whitaker      Esther + Heald
[signed] Jabez Daggett                    mark

 Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me and I certify that the declarant is an intelligent credible witness

      [signed]  Daniel Libbey  Judge

State of Maine, Washington County SS:  I Isaac W. Labor the subscriber Register of Probate of the county District aforesaid hereby certify that the Hon. Daniel Libbey is a Judge of Probate for said North District of said county of Washington, that the above proceedings were had before him; I also, certify that this sheet and the annexed papers contain the original proceedings of the said Judge in the matter of the application of Esther Heald for a pension  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this Fifth day of February AD 1838 1839
{Seal}

                              [signed] Isaac W. Labor Register

---

I William Walker a resident of Madison in the County of Somersete and State of Maine aged seventy years depose on oath and say that I was well acquainted with Oliver Heald a revolutionary pensioner late of Madison deceased and know that he died in July thirty first 1838 and I have also been well acquainted with Esther Heald the widow of said Oliver Heald and know that she has remained unmarried ever since the Death of the said Oliver Heald. –

      [signed] William Walker

State of Maine
County of Somersete

Be it known that before me Eusebius Weston a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid personally appeared the above named William Walker and made solemn oath that the Deposition by him signed is true – Febry 16 AD 1839
“Intentioned [?] with Walker”  [signed] Eusibeus Weston  Justis paxus [?]
 

I Susan Walker a resident of Madison in the County of Somersete and State of Maine thirty three years depose on oath and say that I was well acquainted with Oliver Heald a revolutionary pensioner late of Madison deceased and know that he died on the thirty first day of July 1838, and I also have been well acquainted with Esther Heald the widow of said Oliver Heald and know that she has remained unmarried ever since the death of said Oliver Heald.

      [signed] Susan Walker

State of Maine
County of Somersete

Be it known that on the sixteenth day of February AD 1839 before me Eusebius Weston a Justice of the peace within and for said County personally appeared the above named deponent Susan Walker & made Solemn oath that the deposition by her signed is true –
    [signed] Eusebius Weston  Justis paxus [?]
 

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE.
March 31st, 1843

Sir:
 Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled “An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,” and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents,  The widow of Oliver Heald, decd…  a Pensioner on the Roll of the  Maine  Agency, at the rate  Eight  Dollars and   Cents per annum month  under the law of the  18th March, 1818,  has been paid at this Department, from the  4^th of March  to the  31^st July 1838,

Respectfully, yours,
[signed] Kllioss [?] H. [?] Parris
Comptroller,

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
                                                Present.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th
July, 1838, entitled “An Act granting half pay
And pensions to certain widows.” And An Act to
Amend the same approved August 20, 1842.

STATE OF MAINE.

Aroostook  County, SS.
 On this  nineteenth  day of  June  A. D., 1843  personally appeared before the  at her residence, she being unable to leave home on account of old age & infirmity
             Esther Heald
A resident of  Moluncus  in the Count of  Aroostook  and State of Maine, aged  Eighty two  years, who, being first 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 7th, 1838, entitled “An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;” That she is the widow of  and an Act to Amend the same approved August 23^d, 1842; That She is the Widow of Oliver Heald who was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Maine Agency Under the Act of March 18, 1818 -- That he was paid at that Agency up to the 4^th March 1838.  She refers to the evidence furnished by him of his service in the Revolutionary War, at the time of his application for a pension supposed to be in possession of the War Department --

She further declares, that she was married to the said  Oliver Heald  on the  twenty sixth  day of  December  in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty Six  ; that her husband, the aforesaid  Oliver Heald  died on the  thirty-first  day of  July A. D. 1838, at Madison, Me.,  ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated,  that her name before her marriage was Esther Fletcher; that she was married to the said Oliver Heald in Westford, Masstts by the Rev. Mr Scribner, Minister in that place the 26th December 1786 as above Stated; and that she has remained unmarried ever since his decease. ?

her          
Esther  X  Heald
mark          

Witness
Gustavus B. Jenkins
[illegible] Jones [?]

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before  me

      [signed] Saml C. Tuck    Judge of Probate
         for Aroostook County  

I hereby certify that it is my opinion that Mrs. Heald is unable to appear in court, (it being 45 miles distant) in account of the infirmities of her age.

      [signed] Saml C. Tuck    Judge of Probate

---

STATE OF MAINE.

Aroostook  SS.
 I the subscriber                     hereby CERTIFY, That                        before whom the proceedings were had, is                                  .  I also CERTIFY, That the                        contains the original proceedings of the said                               in the matter of the application of  Esther Heald  for a pension

 In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this                         day of                           A.D., 1843