Pension:Winthrop Fifield, 1833: Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. Submitted by: Rick Giirtman rickman@worldpath.net Date: October 3, 2000 **************************************************************************** This abstract is from a book called "New Hampshire Revolutionary Pension Papers, abstracted & prepared by Mrs. Amos G. Draper 1917-1922 It is available at the New Hampshire Historical Society. Revolutionary War Service S.#10672 Navy and New Hampshire Service April 24, 1833 "Capt. Winthrop Fifield of Franklin, Merrimac County, New Hampshire," aged 71 years last November," deposed: that he was born in Kingston, New Hampshire, Nov. 16, 1761 "as appears from a record kept in my Bible;" that in September, 1779, he enlisted under Capt. Ebenezer Webster of Salisbury, being then a resident of Salisbury into the New Hampshire Militia; that by direction, he together with John Rowe, Nathan Tucker, Benjamin P. Ingalls and others, went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. "On our way I received a wound on my head, occasioned by the stumbling of the horse which carried myself and a part of our equipment. I applied to Dr. Mac Carrigan, an eminent physician, who observed that if the fracture had been one inch lower it would have terminated my life; he dressed the wound and after paying him his fee, we proceeded to Portsmouth;" where they joined Capt. Benjamin Cyrus' Company; a detachment was called for to join the Continental service at Fort Sullivan; John Rowe, deponent and others volunteered, and proceeded to the fort which was then under Edward Dame's command; served two months when they were verbally discharged, their time being up, and reached home in November; that in January, 1780 he was again enlisted by Capt. Webster and with Stephen Bohonon, William Morey, Peter Whittemore, William P. Ingalls and others were directed to go to Haverhill, New Hampshire; passed through Plymouth and were joined by several others; on arrival at Haverhill were joined by Capt. Peter Kimball's Company; drew a week's provisions from Col. Bedel; crossed the river to Newbury, Vermont and then went on snow shoes to a block house called Cabot near the head waters of the river La Moille which empties into Lake Champlain, where they remained six or eight weeks. Scouting parties were sent out but no Indians killed or captured; then went back to Haverhill, were discharged and returned home; that in July, 1780 he again enlisted under Capt. Webster; Sherburn Fifield, Jonathon Fifield, Benjamin P. Ingalls, Benjamin Eastman, Stephen Bohonon, and others enlisted at same time; marched to Amherst where they were mustered and Elias Abbot was appointed their first Sergeant and Winthrop Carter our Lieutenant; marched to Worcester, Massachusetts where they drew provisions; thence to Springfield, Mass. where we again drew provisions; thence to Great Barrington, Massachusetts where they drew provisions; thence to Claverack, about 16 or 18 miles from Albany, New York where they remained eight or ten days, sleeping in the barns; then marched down the North river to Fishkill, drew provisions and were attached to Col. Nichol's regiment where they remained in barracks one or two weeks; the regiment then marched to West Point, New York. "This was the hottest day, I think that I ever experienced." remained at West Point several weeks when the regiment was called on to go down to Gen. Arnold's headquarters. "Stephen Bohonon and myself were on guard at the time Arnold made his escape. After his desertion the Regiment was called together and put under arms. I had no sleep for nearly 36 hours, Rumor said that the British were coming up the river, a detachment of volunteers was called for to join a continental company at the North Redoubt. Myself, Bohonon and some others were among the volunteers and we marched under the command of Capt. Whitcher, leaving our Capt. Webster behind; we joined a Continental Company at the Fort and there staid some time "--------" I was frequently on guard and on patrol parties down the river to Peekskill. Some time after this myself and others told our Capt. Whitcher that our time had nearly expired; that we wanted some money and provisions (having none except what we begged of the Continentals) also our discharges. Capt. Whitcher went over to West Point for the purpose of obtaining these things for us, but I never saw him afterward. We then told our Lieutenant that our times had expired; that we lived on the mercy of the Continentals, and were desirous of returning home. The Commanding officer, who was a Continental, said he had no power to discharge us, nor had he any wish that we should tarry any longer. On which declaration myself, Stephen Bohonon, Kias Varnum, Sargant Moore and others set off for home, without money or provisions, with ragged clothes and in a manner shoeless. We had hard fare until we got into the state of Connecticut, where the inhabitants were more hospitable. On our way we overtook our former Captain Webster on foot, and we proceeded together, living upon the hospitality of the inhabitants, and arrived home some time in the month of November, 1780 Winthrop Fifield Rev. Ebenezer E. Cummings, of Concord, New Hampshire, formerly of Salisbury, New Hampshire and near the residence of Winthrop Fifield, and Edward Blodgett Esq. of Franklin, New Hampshire, certified to their belief in soldier's statement. Ebenezer E. Cummings Edwd. Blodgett April 20, 1833, John Rowe of Andover, New Hampshire, testified that he was enlisted by Capt. Peter Wyre in Andover, in September, 1779; marched to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, met Winthrop Fifield and served with him for two months at Fort Sullivan when they returned home together. John Rowe April 5, 1833 Elias Abbott of Northfield, New Hampshire, testified that he enlisted in July, 1780; passed muster at Amherst, New Hampshire where he was made Orderly Sergeant; served at West Point with Winthrop Fifield but does not remember the length of time. Elias Abbott April 24, 1833 Peter Whittemore of Salisbury, N. H. testified that he enlisted from Pembroke, New Hampshire in Jan. 1780; marched to Haverhill, N. H. where he became acquainted with Fifield and served with him until April 1780 when Fifield and others returned home and deponent staid at Newbury, Vermont. Peter Whittemore August 7, 1833 Winthrop Fifield in an additional declaration deposed: that "in September, 1781 he enlisted under Capt. John Dixey of Marblehead, Massachusetts as a carpenter on board the armed ship Queen of France, 20 guns, being 9 lb guns; sailed from Marblehead; then touched at a port in Portugal thence on the coast of France, thence returned to Spain up the river Belboe, thence cruised on that coast for a time and returned to America; served five months; said vessel was first built in Baltimore; was taken by the British and was then called Queen Charlotte; was subsequently taken by the French and was named "The Queen of France." Said ship was purchased by Capt. John Dixey, our Capt. at Cadiz. Whether he was employed by Congress as agent or whether he purchased it in his own private capacity, or for individuals I cannot state. Salmon of Marblehead was 1st Lieut. William Poor (or Billy Poor) was 2nd Lieut. I recollect when I enlisted on board ship I was obliged to swear, or take three different oaths." Winthrop Fifield In letter of transmittal George W. Nesmith of Franklin, N. H. stated that Fifield also "sailed a three months cruise in the ship Cicero, from Salem, Massachusetts, but as he thinks this was a privateer I made no mention of it." Claim allowed and Certificate 21592, N. H. Agency, was issued September 28, 1833, Act of June 7, 1832.