Individual Details
Major MERRITT
(Bet 1763 and 1764 - Abt 1 Dec 1826)
The line past Major and children other than Matilda is tentative, based on Mike Merritt's most-likely sent to me December 2011. He said that he could, though, be the Major Merritt from North Carolina referenced in a will. Also, Mike said that sons Fleming and Lewis are apparently known to be brothers but it is not proven they are Major's. They do fit in the right time to be his, though. NOTE: After looking at an image of the original will from North Carolina, it appears the abstract was wrong. Name looks like Magat, not Major. Mike Merritt agrees on that. So probably that is not my family.
NOTE: I have put Major Merritt and all other Merritts into a separate database for working purposes. Major and Pleasant Magann and Lewis Merritt have entries in both databases. The primary one has more complete information for those three men.
Following are notes posted by Mike Merritt at his ancestry tree on 3 Mar 2012:
Relocated in tree due to new research, Mar 2012 outlndr added this on 3 Mar 2012
While I had Major listed as a son of John Merritt who married Mary and lived in Amherst, that could not be right. John Merritt was in Amherst/Bedford no later than 1767. Major meanwhile remained in Essex until his date of enlistment in 1781. Major certainly -DID- end up in Amherst by 1786, and appears with a deed with John SR. However, I think it very unlikely that John SR would have left a seven year old boy behind in Essex when he left for Amherst in 1767. Therefore, I have moved Major to a more likely position as John's brother, not father. Note, lots of good stuff to support this placement, but it is not yet proven! Treat any of my linkages of this time and era for this family with care! Interesting to note that a grandson of John Merritt SR (a John L Merritt, son of John JR) appears to be the administrator of Major's pension as late as 1858. MFM - Mar 2012
Who is Major, and who are his kids? outlndr added this on 3 Mar 2012
I used to believe that Major was son of Joseph of Henrico Co VA and NC. I now believe that there are two Majors, and very different, one from NC, the other from Essex. In support of this, we know that when the Major of Bedford County died, the one from NC seems to continue to live on. So two different men. This Major of Bedford, since he appears in a deed with John SR of Amherst, was placed here as his son originally, but is more likely a brother. I have assigned two boys to him, Lewis SR of Bedford and his brother Fleming from Tennessee. Census data for Major, Lewis SR and Bedford, all uploaded here, supports this conclusion, although DNA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS. [Per Mike, what he means is that he doesn't have DNA from a proven male descendant of Major Merrit]
MY NOTE: If Major belongs to John and Ann Covington, John would have been at least 60 when Major born and wife would have been giving birth for over a 30-year period. Possibly longer if Major was 17 when he enlisted in 1781.
1810 Bedford Co., VA, Major Merrit [ancestry indexed Merret]
0-1-1-0-1 0-1-0-0-1
1 m 45 and over (Before 1765)
1 f 45 and over
1 m 16 thru 25 (1784-1794)
1 m 10 thru 15 (1794-1800)
1 f 10 thru 15
Note that in 1820 in Bedford County, northern district, is a Cornelius Merrit, 0-0-0-1-0-0 0-0-1; Winifred Merrit, no males, 0-0-0-0-1; John Merrit, 2-0-0-0-1-0 2-2-0-1
Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants Awarded by State Governments, digitized at ancestry.com:
"Merritt, Major. Va. Private. 17 Sep 1793. 200 acres."
Major Merritt Revolutionary War Pension File - transcription of docs digitized at Footnote.com. [Footnote has since become Fold3]
Documents numbered in the order they appear at footnote.
1.
Service in Va. - Merritt, Major Number S38213
2. Certificate of pension
17,001
Virginia R
Major Merritt,
Of Bedford Co. in the state of Virginia who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bland of the Virginia line, for the term of 4 years of War
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26th of May 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th of May 1820 and Sent to Col. Samuel Hancock, Hendricks Store, Bedford County.
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1820 - $170.32
Semi-anl. All'ce ending 4 Sep 1820 48.00
21 mo 9/31 $218.32
On the left side of the paper, folded with the above on the right side, written sideways is this:
Notification sent December 18, 1820 to ??? Elijah Brown, Richmond, Virginia
In a different hand, on the line below is: John Tillurrell July 22,1853.
3.
Let the claimant Major Merritt, make a declaration, agreeably to the enclosed form and, with the original declaration accompanying this blank, transmit to the War Dep. His name will then be placed on the Pension
4. A mostly printed form, with portions completed by hand
Henrico County, Virga
On this 15th day of December 1819, before me, the subscriber, one of the Judges of the General Court of Virginia & as such Judge of the superior court of law for said County, personally appeared Major Merritt aged 60 years, resident in Bedford County, State af'd, who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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": That he, the said Major Merritt enlisted for the term of the whole war on the blank day of February in the year 1779 in Essex County in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the first Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Anthony Walton White Lt. Colo. - _____
Bland Colo. In the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the army was disbanded 11th June 1783, when he was discharged from service on Santee (?) state of So. Carolina, that he was in the battles of Eutaw Springs, Hickory Neck church near Wmsburg Virga, and ag't the Indians & Tories in Georgia under Gen'l Wagner [or Weyen?],
And that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm. Breckenbough
I, Wm Breckenbough Judgs, & c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears, to my satisfaction, that the said Major Merritt did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months at one time, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support, as proved by the annexed Certificate of Saml Hancock who is proved to be a man of strict veracity by John P. Gray, a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia.
Wm Breckenbough.
5.
Bedford County Sept the 14th 1818
I do Certify that I live a neare neighbour to Major Merrit that he is a poor man & very Infirm and has an Expensive family & I don't think he is able from his own labour to Support them aught.
Sam'l Hancock
6. A mostly printed form, with portions completed by hand
Schedule
District of Virginia ss.
On this 10th day of November 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the County of Henrico Major Merritt aged sixty years, a resident in the county of Henrico in said district, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: In the 1st Virginia Regiment of Light Dragoon, commanded by Col. Bland in Capt. John Hughes Troop on the continental line in the Revolutionary war and that his original declaration was made on the 26th day of May 1818 and the Number of his Pension Certificate is 17011
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 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 18th day of 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; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed.
That he has no real or Personal Estate (Necessary clothing and bedding excepted) that he __an a Carpenter by Occupation but owing to his low state of health has not been able to Pursue it for Six years his family is a wife about sixty three years of age intirely [sic] helpless and the deponent further makes oath that he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Major Merritt
Sworn to and declared on the 10th day of November 1820 before the county court of Henrico.
William Price
Virginia Henrico County to wit: I Izard Bacon Whitlocke clerk of Henrico county do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is blank dollars and blank cents. [items not filled in on the form.] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 24th day of November,1820.
Signed I. B. Whitlocke
7.
In this case the Secretary of the War Department will return the papers to ____ Elijah Brown at the City of Richmond Virginia.
Below that, written sideways is:
Major Merritt
7.011
Sep ?20
8.
16,865
Old card
Major Merritt
Bedford Co. V?a
J. Steptoe, Clk of
Bedford Co.
Agt.
Liberty, Va
Sideways on this page is a postmark and addressed to The Honble The Secretary of War, Washington City
In a different hand from either of those and written below the first, is:
Col. Samuel Hancock
Hendricks Store,
Bedford County
?????
9.
Richmond, Dec'r 16th, 1819
Sir,
You will be pleased to enclose the certificate to which I shall be entitled on your receiving the enclosed paper, addressed to me at this place, as I expect to remain here until March next.
With high respect,
I have the honor to be
Yr obt Servant
Major Merritt
The Honble
The Secretary of War,
Washington City
It appears that the above may be Major Merritt's signature.
10.
Lynchburg, April 26th 1853
Dear Sir
I have written to the 3rd Auditor relative to a claim of the heirs of Major Merritt, a soldier of the Revolution, supposing that the proper office to apply too for a pension that has not been _____ for after a certain time, but I have not heard from the 3rd Auditor, have concluded to drop a line (?) the [sic] you on the subject, any information which you may, ____, on that subject will be thankfully recv'd by his heirs it appears he ______ a Pension, until, within 18 months of his death, which occurred about the year 1826. his wife Happey Merritt died, about 3 ½ years afterward say about the year, 1829.
I should take it as a favor if you will reply to this as early as possible.
Respectfully,
John T. (or L) Meritt
Mr. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
11.
The time and regiment in which the applicant served must be expressed.
The colonels name must be expressed.
The judge will please to certify to the reduced circumstances of the applicant.
12.
Virginia ____
At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 26th day of May 1818 ?
Major Merritt came into Court (aged fifty seven years) it being a Court of record and made oath that he enlisted as a private in the first regiment of light dragoons on the continental establishment on the army of the United States in the revolutionary war with Great Britain. That he enlisted in the year 1780 and served 'til the army was disbanded in 1783 that he never received any pension from the United States and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support, which was supported by the affidavit of Henry Boyer made before a justice of the peace & exhibited in court which states that he was a Lieutenant and adjutant in the first regiment of light dragoons on the continental establishment in the army of the United States ? That Major Merritt now a resident and citizen of the county of Bedford and state of Virginia enlisted in the said regiment for during the said war as the said Bowyer believes and that the said Bowyer served in the said regiment until the army was disbanded in the year 1783.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 28th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
J. Steptoe, ______
13.
Virginia ________ _________
I Thomas Logwood, former (?) Justice of the Peace in and for the county afors?d do hereby certify that James Steptoe whose name is subscribed to the within (?) certificate _________ __ clerk of the afors'd county in the commonwealth afores'd & that full faith & credit are due & should be given to his official acts as such. I do hereby further certify that Major Merritt came before me a presiding magistrate in such court & in open court made solemn oath in due legal form of law to the facts set forth in the written affidavit which is certified by the afors'd James Steptoe clerk of said court & that I have full confidence in the facts which are set forth in sd affidavits also the one of Henry Bowyer exhibited in court in support of the same, all which I do hereby send and certify to the Secretary of War of the United States. This _____ day of ______ 1818.
Thomas Logwood
#14 - Appears to be an envelope
Hendricks Store 18 May 1820
To The Honorable Secretary of War
Washington City
15.
Bedford County May 17th 1820
The Honorable Secretary of War
Dear Sir, I
Have sent Two Certificates claiming my pension which were both sent back for further evidence. I then came on to Washington City myself and there proved my services in the land office by my claim to One Hundred Acres of land due me from the State of Virginia and two hundred acres from the United States which I think very hard of that with the aditional [sic] Testimony of Col'o Henry Bowyer of Botetourt [sic] County who serv'd as a lieutenant and Adjutant in the first regiment of light dragoons with me until the end of the Revolutionary War. When I was in Washington I obtained a printed certificate from the pension office and came on to Richmond while the assembly were in session and had it filed up according to law before Judge Brackenborough by having a certificate from Col'o Samuel Hancock stating my situation and getting Col'o Hancocks veracity certified by Major John P. Grey who was then a member of the assembly from Bedford County.
16.
These certificates are both sealed to mine & inclosed [sic] in a letter to your honour with a request to send my pention [sic] Certificate to me in Richmond but as I am now in Bedford County I will be Very Thankful if my proofs are Sufficient to obtain a pention, if you will be so kind as to send it on to Col'o Samuel Hancock of Bedford County as he is now the presiding judge, Maj'r Thomas Logwood being out of office and Your Compliance will Very Much Oblige.
Yours respectfully,
Major Merritt
17.
Treasury Department, Second Comptroller?s Office
July 21, 1853
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 third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the Pension agents,
The Adm'r of Major Merritt, dec'd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars and ___ Cents per month, under the law of the 18th March 1818 has been paid at this Department, from the 21 of March 1825 to the 1 Dec, 1826.
Respectfully yours,
M. Brodhead
Comptroller,
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
18.
38213
INVALID
File No. 38, 218
Major Merritt
Priv Rev War
Act 18 March 18
Index: Vol. 2, Page 269
19.
Envelope with partial postmark and stamped "FREE"
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
20.
Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business
Commissioner
April 28, 1853
In behalf of Major Merrit's heirs
John T. (or L) Merritt
Lynchburg, Va.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/s38213.pdf
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension Application of Major Merritt: S38213
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
[A printed form, with hand-written entries shown in Italic]
Henrico County, Virg'a, SS.
On this 15 day of December 1819, before me, the the subscriber, one of the Judges of the General Court of Virginia & as such Judge of the Superior Court of law for said County, personally appeared Major Merritt aged 60 years, resident in Bedford County, State afs'd, who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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:"
That he, the said Major Merritt enlisted for the whole war on the [blank] day of February in the year 1779 in Essex County in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the first Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Anthony Walton White Lt. Colo. Bland Colo. in the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the army was disbanded 11th[?] June 1783, when he was discharged from service on Santee [River] state of So. Carolina that he was in the battles of Eutaw Springs [8 Sep 1781], Hickory Neck church near W'msburg Virg'a, and ag''t the Indians & Tories in Georgia under Gen'l. [Anthony] Wayne and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
SCHEDULE
District of Virginia SS.
On his 10th day of November 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of
record for the County of Henrico Major Merritt aged sixty years, a resident in the county of Henrico in said district, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: (c) In the 1st Virginia Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Col. Bland in Capt. John Hughes Troop on the continental line in the Revolutionary war and that his original declaration was made on the 25th day of May 1818 and the Number of his Pension Certificate is 17011 and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 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 18th day of 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; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed (d) that he has no real nor Personal Estate (Necessary clothing and bedding Excepted that he been a Carpenter by Occupation but owing to his low state of health has not been able to Pursue it for Six years his family is a wife about Sixty three years of age intirely helpless and the deponent further makes oath that he stands in Need of the assistance of his country for Support.
Major Merritt
Sworn to, and declared, on the 10th day of November 1820 before the County Court of Henrico
Note that the above is not in the pension documents digitized at Footnote.com. Transcription of the balance of the file follows:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/pensions/vapen_m.txt
MAJOR MERRITT
BEDFORD COUNTY
PRIVATE
VIRGINIA LINE
$96.00 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE
$554.57 AMOUNT RECEIVED
MAY 19 1820 PENSION STARTED
AGE 74
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.figuras.miniatures.de/continental-light-dragoons-1775.html
Light Dragoons, Legionary Corps, and State Cavalry
Cavalry played an important role in the war, providing scouts, patrols, escorts, mounted and dismounted skirmishers. Mounted troops were difficult to raise, and very expensive to maintain, and there were rarely more than 1,000 Continental Light Dragoons available at any time during the war. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Light Dragoons were amalgamated in 1780, following heavy losses. The mixed unit had four troops, and it was later designated the 3rd Legionary Corps. Officers and NCOs of the 1st and 4th regiments subsequently reformed their units. All four regiments of Continental Light Dragoons were converted to Legionary Corps in 1781, composed of mounted and dismounted troops.
Continental Light Dragoons 1777-1781, Legionary Corps 1781-1783
Regimien to
Col. Bland's Virginia Horse, 1776
1st Continental Light Dragoons
1st Legionary Corps, 1781
Coat
brown,
brass buttons
Facings
green
Waistcoat
green
Headgear
black cap,
green turban,
yellow tassel
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800, Vol 1,
AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. XXIV.
page 388
NOVEMBER, 1788 (D to Z).
Robert Stuart vs. John Patterson.--Writ 24th October, 1786. Debtor, United States, in account with Major Merritt: 1782, to pay as Dragoon, 12 months, $100; 1783, to pay as Dragoon, 10 1/2 months, $84.75; gratuity, $80; total, $167.45. Contra--By certificate, $100; by one horse, $87.77; by 4 months' pay, $33.30; by certificate, $46.28; total, $167.45. A true copy of an account as settled with me while Commissioner for Army Claims. (Signed) A. W. Dunscomb, March 8, 1787. Delivered certificates to Mr. Murchie. One for $100; one for $46.28; total, $146.28, A. D.
Mike Merritt has this: 1800
Age: 40 Residence
Bedford County Virginia Major Merritt listed in Bedford County Personal Property Tax List B.
NOTE: I have put Major Merritt and all other Merritts into a separate database for working purposes. Major and Pleasant Magann and Lewis Merritt have entries in both databases. The primary one has more complete information for those three men.
Following are notes posted by Mike Merritt at his ancestry tree on 3 Mar 2012:
Relocated in tree due to new research, Mar 2012 outlndr added this on 3 Mar 2012
While I had Major listed as a son of John Merritt who married Mary and lived in Amherst, that could not be right. John Merritt was in Amherst/Bedford no later than 1767. Major meanwhile remained in Essex until his date of enlistment in 1781. Major certainly -DID- end up in Amherst by 1786, and appears with a deed with John SR. However, I think it very unlikely that John SR would have left a seven year old boy behind in Essex when he left for Amherst in 1767. Therefore, I have moved Major to a more likely position as John's brother, not father. Note, lots of good stuff to support this placement, but it is not yet proven! Treat any of my linkages of this time and era for this family with care! Interesting to note that a grandson of John Merritt SR (a John L Merritt, son of John JR) appears to be the administrator of Major's pension as late as 1858. MFM - Mar 2012
Who is Major, and who are his kids? outlndr added this on 3 Mar 2012
I used to believe that Major was son of Joseph of Henrico Co VA and NC. I now believe that there are two Majors, and very different, one from NC, the other from Essex. In support of this, we know that when the Major of Bedford County died, the one from NC seems to continue to live on. So two different men. This Major of Bedford, since he appears in a deed with John SR of Amherst, was placed here as his son originally, but is more likely a brother. I have assigned two boys to him, Lewis SR of Bedford and his brother Fleming from Tennessee. Census data for Major, Lewis SR and Bedford, all uploaded here, supports this conclusion, although DNA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS. [Per Mike, what he means is that he doesn't have DNA from a proven male descendant of Major Merrit]
MY NOTE: If Major belongs to John and Ann Covington, John would have been at least 60 when Major born and wife would have been giving birth for over a 30-year period. Possibly longer if Major was 17 when he enlisted in 1781.
1810 Bedford Co., VA, Major Merrit [ancestry indexed Merret]
0-1-1-0-1 0-1-0-0-1
1 m 45 and over (Before 1765)
1 f 45 and over
1 m 16 thru 25 (1784-1794)
1 m 10 thru 15 (1794-1800)
1 f 10 thru 15
Note that in 1820 in Bedford County, northern district, is a Cornelius Merrit, 0-0-0-1-0-0 0-0-1; Winifred Merrit, no males, 0-0-0-0-1; John Merrit, 2-0-0-0-1-0 2-2-0-1
Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants Awarded by State Governments, digitized at ancestry.com:
"Merritt, Major. Va. Private. 17 Sep 1793. 200 acres."
Major Merritt Revolutionary War Pension File - transcription of docs digitized at Footnote.com. [Footnote has since become Fold3]
Documents numbered in the order they appear at footnote.
1.
Service in Va. - Merritt, Major Number S38213
2. Certificate of pension
17,001
Virginia R
Major Merritt,
Of Bedford Co. in the state of Virginia who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bland of the Virginia line, for the term of 4 years of War
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26th of May 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th of May 1820 and Sent to Col. Samuel Hancock, Hendricks Store, Bedford County.
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1820 - $170.32
Semi-anl. All'ce ending 4 Sep 1820 48.00
21 mo 9/31 $218.32
On the left side of the paper, folded with the above on the right side, written sideways is this:
Notification sent December 18, 1820 to ??? Elijah Brown, Richmond, Virginia
In a different hand, on the line below is: John Tillurrell July 22,1853.
3.
Let the claimant Major Merritt, make a declaration, agreeably to the enclosed form and, with the original declaration accompanying this blank, transmit to the War Dep. His name will then be placed on the Pension
4. A mostly printed form, with portions completed by hand
Henrico County, Virga
On this 15th day of December 1819, before me, the subscriber, one of the Judges of the General Court of Virginia & as such Judge of the superior court of law for said County, personally appeared Major Merritt aged 60 years, resident in Bedford County, State af'd, who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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": That he, the said Major Merritt enlisted for the term of the whole war on the blank day of February in the year 1779 in Essex County in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the first Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Anthony Walton White Lt. Colo. - _____
Bland Colo. In the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the army was disbanded 11th June 1783, when he was discharged from service on Santee (?) state of So. Carolina, that he was in the battles of Eutaw Springs, Hickory Neck church near Wmsburg Virga, and ag't the Indians & Tories in Georgia under Gen'l Wagner [or Weyen?],
And that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm. Breckenbough
I, Wm Breckenbough Judgs, & c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears, to my satisfaction, that the said Major Merritt did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months at one time, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support, as proved by the annexed Certificate of Saml Hancock who is proved to be a man of strict veracity by John P. Gray, a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia.
Wm Breckenbough.
5.
Bedford County Sept the 14th 1818
I do Certify that I live a neare neighbour to Major Merrit that he is a poor man & very Infirm and has an Expensive family & I don't think he is able from his own labour to Support them aught.
Sam'l Hancock
6. A mostly printed form, with portions completed by hand
Schedule
District of Virginia ss.
On this 10th day of November 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the County of Henrico Major Merritt aged sixty years, a resident in the county of Henrico in said district, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: In the 1st Virginia Regiment of Light Dragoon, commanded by Col. Bland in Capt. John Hughes Troop on the continental line in the Revolutionary war and that his original declaration was made on the 26th day of May 1818 and the Number of his Pension Certificate is 17011
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 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 18th day of 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; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed.
That he has no real or Personal Estate (Necessary clothing and bedding excepted) that he __an a Carpenter by Occupation but owing to his low state of health has not been able to Pursue it for Six years his family is a wife about sixty three years of age intirely [sic] helpless and the deponent further makes oath that he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Major Merritt
Sworn to and declared on the 10th day of November 1820 before the county court of Henrico.
William Price
Virginia Henrico County to wit: I Izard Bacon Whitlocke clerk of Henrico county do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is blank dollars and blank cents. [items not filled in on the form.] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 24th day of November,1820.
Signed I. B. Whitlocke
7.
In this case the Secretary of the War Department will return the papers to ____ Elijah Brown at the City of Richmond Virginia.
Below that, written sideways is:
Major Merritt
7.011
Sep ?20
8.
16,865
Old card
Major Merritt
Bedford Co. V?a
J. Steptoe, Clk of
Bedford Co.
Agt.
Liberty, Va
Sideways on this page is a postmark and addressed to The Honble The Secretary of War, Washington City
In a different hand from either of those and written below the first, is:
Col. Samuel Hancock
Hendricks Store,
Bedford County
?????
9.
Richmond, Dec'r 16th, 1819
Sir,
You will be pleased to enclose the certificate to which I shall be entitled on your receiving the enclosed paper, addressed to me at this place, as I expect to remain here until March next.
With high respect,
I have the honor to be
Yr obt Servant
Major Merritt
The Honble
The Secretary of War,
Washington City
It appears that the above may be Major Merritt's signature.
10.
Lynchburg, April 26th 1853
Dear Sir
I have written to the 3rd Auditor relative to a claim of the heirs of Major Merritt, a soldier of the Revolution, supposing that the proper office to apply too for a pension that has not been _____ for after a certain time, but I have not heard from the 3rd Auditor, have concluded to drop a line (?) the [sic] you on the subject, any information which you may, ____, on that subject will be thankfully recv'd by his heirs it appears he ______ a Pension, until, within 18 months of his death, which occurred about the year 1826. his wife Happey Merritt died, about 3 ½ years afterward say about the year, 1829.
I should take it as a favor if you will reply to this as early as possible.
Respectfully,
John T. (or L) Meritt
Mr. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
11.
The time and regiment in which the applicant served must be expressed.
The colonels name must be expressed.
The judge will please to certify to the reduced circumstances of the applicant.
12.
Virginia ____
At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 26th day of May 1818 ?
Major Merritt came into Court (aged fifty seven years) it being a Court of record and made oath that he enlisted as a private in the first regiment of light dragoons on the continental establishment on the army of the United States in the revolutionary war with Great Britain. That he enlisted in the year 1780 and served 'til the army was disbanded in 1783 that he never received any pension from the United States and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support, which was supported by the affidavit of Henry Boyer made before a justice of the peace & exhibited in court which states that he was a Lieutenant and adjutant in the first regiment of light dragoons on the continental establishment in the army of the United States ? That Major Merritt now a resident and citizen of the county of Bedford and state of Virginia enlisted in the said regiment for during the said war as the said Bowyer believes and that the said Bowyer served in the said regiment until the army was disbanded in the year 1783.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 28th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
J. Steptoe, ______
13.
Virginia ________ _________
I Thomas Logwood, former (?) Justice of the Peace in and for the county afors?d do hereby certify that James Steptoe whose name is subscribed to the within (?) certificate _________ __ clerk of the afors'd county in the commonwealth afores'd & that full faith & credit are due & should be given to his official acts as such. I do hereby further certify that Major Merritt came before me a presiding magistrate in such court & in open court made solemn oath in due legal form of law to the facts set forth in the written affidavit which is certified by the afors'd James Steptoe clerk of said court & that I have full confidence in the facts which are set forth in sd affidavits also the one of Henry Bowyer exhibited in court in support of the same, all which I do hereby send and certify to the Secretary of War of the United States. This _____ day of ______ 1818.
Thomas Logwood
#14 - Appears to be an envelope
Hendricks Store 18 May 1820
To The Honorable Secretary of War
Washington City
15.
Bedford County May 17th 1820
The Honorable Secretary of War
Dear Sir, I
Have sent Two Certificates claiming my pension which were both sent back for further evidence. I then came on to Washington City myself and there proved my services in the land office by my claim to One Hundred Acres of land due me from the State of Virginia and two hundred acres from the United States which I think very hard of that with the aditional [sic] Testimony of Col'o Henry Bowyer of Botetourt [sic] County who serv'd as a lieutenant and Adjutant in the first regiment of light dragoons with me until the end of the Revolutionary War. When I was in Washington I obtained a printed certificate from the pension office and came on to Richmond while the assembly were in session and had it filed up according to law before Judge Brackenborough by having a certificate from Col'o Samuel Hancock stating my situation and getting Col'o Hancocks veracity certified by Major John P. Grey who was then a member of the assembly from Bedford County.
16.
These certificates are both sealed to mine & inclosed [sic] in a letter to your honour with a request to send my pention [sic] Certificate to me in Richmond but as I am now in Bedford County I will be Very Thankful if my proofs are Sufficient to obtain a pention, if you will be so kind as to send it on to Col'o Samuel Hancock of Bedford County as he is now the presiding judge, Maj'r Thomas Logwood being out of office and Your Compliance will Very Much Oblige.
Yours respectfully,
Major Merritt
17.
Treasury Department, Second Comptroller?s Office
July 21, 1853
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 third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the Pension agents,
The Adm'r of Major Merritt, dec'd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars and ___ Cents per month, under the law of the 18th March 1818 has been paid at this Department, from the 21 of March 1825 to the 1 Dec, 1826.
Respectfully yours,
M. Brodhead
Comptroller,
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
18.
38213
INVALID
File No. 38, 218
Major Merritt
Priv Rev War
Act 18 March 18
Index: Vol. 2, Page 269
19.
Envelope with partial postmark and stamped "FREE"
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
20.
Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business
Commissioner
April 28, 1853
In behalf of Major Merrit's heirs
John T. (or L) Merritt
Lynchburg, Va.
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http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/s38213.pdf
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension Application of Major Merritt: S38213
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
[A printed form, with hand-written entries shown in Italic]
Henrico County, Virg'a, SS.
On this 15 day of December 1819, before me, the the subscriber, one of the Judges of the General Court of Virginia & as such Judge of the Superior Court of law for said County, personally appeared Major Merritt aged 60 years, resident in Bedford County, State afs'd, who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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:"
That he, the said Major Merritt enlisted for the whole war on the [blank] day of February in the year 1779 in Essex County in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the first Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Anthony Walton White Lt. Colo. Bland Colo. in the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the army was disbanded 11th[?] June 1783, when he was discharged from service on Santee [River] state of So. Carolina that he was in the battles of Eutaw Springs [8 Sep 1781], Hickory Neck church near W'msburg Virg'a, and ag''t the Indians & Tories in Georgia under Gen'l. [Anthony] Wayne and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
SCHEDULE
District of Virginia SS.
On his 10th day of November 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of
record for the County of Henrico Major Merritt aged sixty years, a resident in the county of Henrico in said district, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: (c) In the 1st Virginia Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Col. Bland in Capt. John Hughes Troop on the continental line in the Revolutionary war and that his original declaration was made on the 25th day of May 1818 and the Number of his Pension Certificate is 17011 and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 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 18th day of 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; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed (d) that he has no real nor Personal Estate (Necessary clothing and bedding Excepted that he been a Carpenter by Occupation but owing to his low state of health has not been able to Pursue it for Six years his family is a wife about Sixty three years of age intirely helpless and the deponent further makes oath that he stands in Need of the assistance of his country for Support.
Major Merritt
Sworn to, and declared, on the 10th day of November 1820 before the County Court of Henrico
Note that the above is not in the pension documents digitized at Footnote.com. Transcription of the balance of the file follows:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/pensions/vapen_m.txt
MAJOR MERRITT
BEDFORD COUNTY
PRIVATE
VIRGINIA LINE
$96.00 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE
$554.57 AMOUNT RECEIVED
MAY 19 1820 PENSION STARTED
AGE 74
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http://www.figuras.miniatures.de/continental-light-dragoons-1775.html
Light Dragoons, Legionary Corps, and State Cavalry
Cavalry played an important role in the war, providing scouts, patrols, escorts, mounted and dismounted skirmishers. Mounted troops were difficult to raise, and very expensive to maintain, and there were rarely more than 1,000 Continental Light Dragoons available at any time during the war. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Light Dragoons were amalgamated in 1780, following heavy losses. The mixed unit had four troops, and it was later designated the 3rd Legionary Corps. Officers and NCOs of the 1st and 4th regiments subsequently reformed their units. All four regiments of Continental Light Dragoons were converted to Legionary Corps in 1781, composed of mounted and dismounted troops.
Continental Light Dragoons 1777-1781, Legionary Corps 1781-1783
Regimien to
Col. Bland's Virginia Horse, 1776
1st Continental Light Dragoons
1st Legionary Corps, 1781
Coat
brown,
brass buttons
Facings
green
Waistcoat
green
Headgear
black cap,
green turban,
yellow tassel
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CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800, Vol 1,
AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. XXIV.
page 388
NOVEMBER, 1788 (D to Z).
Robert Stuart vs. John Patterson.--Writ 24th October, 1786. Debtor, United States, in account with Major Merritt: 1782, to pay as Dragoon, 12 months, $100; 1783, to pay as Dragoon, 10 1/2 months, $84.75; gratuity, $80; total, $167.45. Contra--By certificate, $100; by one horse, $87.77; by 4 months' pay, $33.30; by certificate, $46.28; total, $167.45. A true copy of an account as settled with me while Commissioner for Army Claims. (Signed) A. W. Dunscomb, March 8, 1787. Delivered certificates to Mr. Murchie. One for $100; one for $46.28; total, $146.28, A. D.
Mike Merritt has this: 1800
Age: 40 Residence
Bedford County Virginia Major Merritt listed in Bedford County Personal Property Tax List B.
Events
| Birth | Bet 1763 and 1764 | Essex Co., Virginia |  | ||
| Military | 10 Apr 1781 | Enlisted at Essex - 1st Regiment Light Dragoons, Essex Co., Virginia | | ||
| Occupation | 10 Apr 1781 | Millwright - Essex Co., Virginia | | ||
| Battle | 8 Sep 1781 | Battle of Eutaw Springs - Eutawville, Orangeburg Co., South Carolina | | ||
| Witness | 15 Oct 1786 | Witness to Deed from Jno. Goodwin, AC, to Geo. Goodwin, AC, 90 acres on James River. - Amherst Co., Virginia | |||
| Tax List | 1788 | B list; 1 tithable male, no horses. Richard Merrit and Margaret Merit also on B list, not same day. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Marriage | Bef 1789 | Happey | |||
| Tax List | 1791 | B list; 1 tithable male, 1 horse. Thomas Merrit also on B list, not same day. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 9 Jun 1792 | B list. 1 tithable male, 1 horse - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1793 | B list; 1 tithable male, 2 horses. John Merrit next to him, same day, only 1 tithable, no horses. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Miscellaneous | 13 Apr 1793 | Rev. War Bounty Land Warrant Voucher issued |  | ||
| Tax List | 1794 | B list; 1 tithable male, 1 horse; John Megann listed next to him. Thomas Merritt on same list. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1795 | 1 tithable male, 1 horse. Pleasant Megann next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1796 | B list 2 tithable males, 3 horses. Pleasant Megann next to him and Archy Megann next to Pleasant. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1798 | 2 tithable males - Major Merritt & W Grant;, 2 horses. Pleasant Megann and Archy Megann next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1799 | B list, 1 tithable male, 2 horses. Pleasant Megann and Archy Megann next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1800 | B list, 1 tithable male, 1 horse. Thomas Merritt on same page. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 18 Jul 1801 | A list, 1 tithable male, 1 horse - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 13 Aug 1802 | A list, 1 tithable male, 1 horse - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 2 Apr 1809 | 1 horse - Montgomery Co., Virginia | | ||
| Census | 1810 | Bedford Co., VA. See notes for detail. | |||
| Tax List | 1811 | 1 tithable male, 1 horse. Lewis Merritt listed above him & Pleasant Magann just below. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1812 | 2 tithable males, no horses. Lewis Merret listed next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1813 | 1 tithable male, no horses. Lewis Meritt & Nancy McGan (Megann) listed next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1814 | 1 tithable male, no horses. Lewis Meritt next to him. - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Occupation | Bef 1815 | Carpenter | | ||
| Tax List | 1815 | Tax List A, 1 tithable male, 1 horse, 3 cows. Nancy McGan next to him.Lewis Merrit still in Bedford, near Winfred Merrett, not Major. - Bedford Co., Virginia | |||
| Tax List | 1816 | 1 tithable male, 1 horse - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 14 May 1817 | 1 tithable male, no horses - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1818 | 1 tithable male, no horses - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Residence | 26 May 1818 | Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Pension | 1819 | Applied for pension for Revolutionary War Service in Henrico Co., Res. of Bedford - Bedford Co., Virginia | |||
| Tax List | 1819 | 1 tithable, 1 horse - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Residence | 1820 | Henrico Co., VA | | ||
| Tax List | 1820 | 1 tithable, no horses - Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Tax List | 1824 | Bedford Co., Virginia | | ||
| Death | Abt 1 Dec 1826 | | |||
| Reference No | 12081 |
Families
| Spouse | Happey ( - 1829) |
| Child | Lewis MERRITT (1788 - 1861) |
| Child | Matilda MERRITT (1791 - 1866) |
| Child | Fleming MERRITT (1795 - 1854) |
| Father | Unknown Placeholder MERRITT (1730 - ) |
| Mother | Unknown Placeholder mother ( - ) |
| Sibling | Tapley MERRITT (1751 - 1783) |
| Sibling | Archelaus MERRITT (1759 - 1824) |
| Sibling | William MERRITT (1762 - 1841) |
Notes
Miscellaneous
Land awarded as bounty was in the present-day states of Ohio and Kentucky, according to the Library of Virginia on the page with the link to the voucher index card.Endnotes
1. Pension file.
2. "Size Roll of Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Virginia,'" Accession number 24296, Virginia Continental Line, Library of Virginia, Library of Virginia.
3. ",'" , Virginia Continental Line, Library of Virginia.
4. ",'" , Virginia Continental Line, Library of Virginia.
5. Pension file.
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23. Pension file.
24. , "," , ; , .
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27. Pension file.
28. , "," , ; , .
29. Pension file.
30. , "," , ; , .
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32. Pension file, #17,001.