Something new is coming to Footnote soon…very soon.

You can create your own Story Page like ldrew did.

Watch Bookmark iconBookmark

Abiel Chandler - History of a Revolutionary War Veteran

Captain Abiel Chandler, my 4th great grandfather was born on 20 Oct 1765 in Andover, New Hampshire. He fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War and enjoyed a large family and happy married life after the war was over.

Created 26 Nov 2007

Abiel Chandler's Tombstone

5 Mar 1854

Where: Bristol, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Chandler Abiel headstone.jpg

Abiel Chandler is buried in the Sanborn Cemetery which is located northeast of the town of Bristol, New Hampshire. His tombstone is still in perfect condition and a beautiful rural atmosphere continues to offer peace to the inhabitants of this burial ground.

Updated 26 Apr 2008 (Created 09 Apr 2008)

You must sign in to add your comment

Sanbornton Cemetery Map

2008

Where: Bristol, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

New Hampshire Sanborn Cemetery USGS Map 2.jpg

The Sanborn cemetery is a little out of the way and is hard to find if you aren't familiar with the area.  To add to the confusion of those trying to locate it, there are several other 'Sanborn' cemeteries within a 30 mile radius.   

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 09 Apr 2008)

You must sign in to add your comment

Early Life

1785

Where: Bridgewater, New Hampshire

Abiel enlisted to serve during the Revolutionary War when about 16 years of age; and after continuing in the service of his country for about two years, was discharged in 1783. During his Revolutionary War military service, he was at White Plains, West Point and Saratoga.

He settled in Sanbornton, New Hampshire and later moved to Bridgewater, now Bristol, New Hampshire in about 1796, where he was Captain of the militia.

In about 1820, Abiel moved his family north to Stewartstown, New Hampshire, which is located adjacent to the Vermont and Canadian border in far north New Hampshire.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 09 Apr 2008)

You must sign in to add your comment

Life and the golden years

Where: Stewartstown and Bristol, New Hampshire

Most of Abiel's children grew up in Stewartstown, New Hamphire.  They either married and stayed in that area or moved farther south seeking improved economic opportunity.

When his wife, Abigail died in the late 1840's, his health had significantly declined due to crippling arthritis and he moved back to Bristol to live by his oldest son.

He had a farm in the hills in the north east part of the town that sustained him through most of his later life until he was totally incapacitated by arthritis.

He died at his son's home in Bristol on 6 May 1855 and is buried nearby.

His pension application papers help chronicle his life story and also supply significant family history information for his descendants.

Many details in Abiel's story unfold in the pages of his Revolutionary War pension application as seen below.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 09 Apr 2008)

You must sign in to add your comment

Military Pension File Number

Where: Washington, DC

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 1

Abiel's military pension file number.

 You can see the full story about Abiel Chandler by clicking here.
 

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Bounty Land Application and Power of Attorney

Where: Canterbury, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 4.jpg

Not having the capital to engage an attorney to secure his pension, Abiel traded his claim to war bounty land as payment to Abiel Foster of Canterbury, New Hampshire to act as his attorney. This action is shown in this document as well as detailing power of attorney authority to Mr. Foster. See the two page document below

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Submission of Documents

20 Nov 1802

Where: New Castle, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 6.jpg

Abiel submitted his pension claim to the government on this date.  He appeared before Peter Stuper, a Justice of the Peace in New Castle, Rockingham county, New Hampshire to prove his identity and intent.   This proof was received and noted by Hazen Kimball in Washington D.C. on 28 Nov 1802 as seen at the bottom of the document.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Deed of Power - Chandler to Foster

23 Dec 1807

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 3

Abiel's bounty land claim was delivered as payment to Abiel Foster on 23 Dec 1804 through Samuel Tenny, a former member of Congress.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Application Cover in Federal Files

4 May 1810

Where: Washington D.C.

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 7.jpg

It is evident that the federal government did not respond any faster to claims in the early 1800's than we witness today. Eight years after submitting his pension application, the federal government finally put the package together for processing. Here is the cover sheet they affixed to that package.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

A Second Claim Letter

4 May 1818

Where: Strafford County, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 8.jpg

Nothing changes when requesting claims to the government.  Ten years after his initial application for a pension, Abiel had to provide another supporting document that detailed his military service.  He states that he served in Captain Ellis' Company who was under the regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Dearborn of the New Hampshire line.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Proof of Intent and Identity

4 May 1818

Where: Strafford County, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 9.jpg

To support his second proof of military service letter, Abiel appeared before John Mooney, a judge in Strafford County, New Hampshire.  Subsequently, the judge provided a letter supporting the purpose of his letter and proof of his identity. 

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Pension Claim - Payout Terms

4 May 1818

Where: Washington D.C.

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 2

Finally, the value of Abiel's military service pension is issued by the government.  The pension is to start on this date in the amount of $8  per month.  However, on the bottom of the same document, we read that the payments didn't occur.  $80.25 was due up to Mar 1819 and another $48 was due between March and September for a total of $128.25 in arrears.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Supporting Testimony of Nathan Hoyt

22 Apr 1819

Where: Northampton, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 10.jpg

Nathan Hoyt wrote a letter of testimony stating that Abiel Chanlder served in the same military unit with him during the Revolutionary War.  He states that he had seen the land bounty warrant given to Abiel for his military service and that the document was signed by Thomas Jefferson.  Nathan's testimony was supported by a brief identity testimony by William Kelly.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Supporting Testimony of Jacob Thomas

22 Apr 1819

Where: Northampton, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 11.jpg

Jacob Thomas supplied supporting testimony of Abiel's service in the Revolutionary War, stating that they served in the same unit together.  He also states that he has seen Abiel's bounty land warrant that was signed by Thomas Jefferson as well as James Madison.  At the bottom of the page, William Kelly, Justice of the Peace, wrote a note supporting the identity and testimony given by Jacob Thomas.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Declaration of Schedule

Sep 1819

Where: Washington D.C.

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 12.jpg

Declaration of Schedule cover sheet dated Sep 1819 and Jul 1820.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 26 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Disabled

7 Jul 1820

Where: Stewartstown, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 13.jpg

Abiel wrote an explainitory letter in support of his military benefit request. He was ill with rheumatism and his wife and children were unable to support the family. The document details the names and ages of himself, his wife and the children who still lived at home. Additionally, he listed the town where they lived and the meager value of their possessions. The documents add color to his life story as well as delighting family history researchers with these details.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Property Value Verification

11 Jul 1820

Where: Coos County, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 15.jpg

John Willson, Coos County Clerk, wrote a supporting document that confirmed the land value statement Abiel Chandler made in his 7 Jul 1820 letter to the military pensions office.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Invalid File Cover

18 Mar 1818

Where: Washington D. C.

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 16.jpg

Abiel's Invalid File cover page provides the document reference location, date as well as his rank and service in the Revolutionary War.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Authorization To Release Information

Where: Washington D. C.

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 18.jpg

Samuel Tunney wrote a letter authorizing the release of military records in the investigation of Abiel Chandler's pension claim.  

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Exercising a Power of Attorney

Where: Washington D. C.

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 19.jpg

Abial Foster exercised the Power of Attorney granted him by Abiel Chandler by requesting the transfer of Abiel's bounty land into Foster's hands.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Did Congress Approve His Pension?

Where: Washington D. C.

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 21.jpg

Abiel Chandler's attorney wrote a letter to the military claims office asking if Abiel's pension had been approved. Abiel's old commander, John Dearborn, was the Secretary of War at the time but his report to congress did not specifically reference Abiel Chandler.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Certificate of Military Service

Where: Washington D. C.

PreviousNext 1 of 2:

Page 23.jpg

George Washington signed the certificates of those who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Abiel Chandler's certificate is a perfect example of these certificates.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Military Pay Record

7 Feb 1781

Where: Exeter, New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 4_service.jpg

Abiel Chandler received $25 for service in the Revolutionary Army in the Whitcomb Corps.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

1 comment You must sign in to add your comment

Military Service - Town Records

Where: Sanborntown (Sanbornton), New Hampshire

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 6_service.jpg

Abiel Chandler was recorded as a soldier in the Revolutionary War on the Sanbornton, New Hampshire town records.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment

Military Pay Record - 1781

1781

PreviousNext 1 of 1:

Page 7_service.jpg

Abiel Chandler received $62.40  in military pay for serving in the Sixth Company, 1st Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteers under Colonel Cilley.

Updated 09 Apr 2008 (Created 27 Nov 2007)

You must sign in to add your comment