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Abiel Chandler's Tombstone
5 Mar 1854
| Bristol, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 09 Apr 2008
Early Life
1785
| 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 borders in Coos County, New Hampshire.
Created by ldrew 09 Apr 2008
Revolutionary War Soldier
Apr 1781 - 1783
| New Hampshire
Enlisting in the Army at age 16, Abiel served in Captain Ellis' Company which was part of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Dearborn of the New Hampshire line for a little over two years during the Revolutionary War. He was at White Plain, West Point and Saratoga during the war.
Because of his age, he served as a drummer in the Contiental army during his service although he carried a rifle and was expected to shoot and perform like the rest of privates in the company.
There was more than one Abiel Chandler in the Revolutionary War. Below are two facts that I think belong to the second Abiel:
Upon enlishtment, he joined Benjamin Whitcomb's Independent Rangers in place of J. Rosebooks. See: http://www.whitcombsrangers.com/UNIT%20HISTORY.htm
Chandler, Abiel. "Revolutionary Journal Kept by Abiel Chandler of Andover, from December 2, 1776 until April 1, 1777, During Service on the North River, New York." Essex Institute Historical Collections, 47 (April 1911), pp.181-186
Created by ldrew 25 Oct 2008
Life and the golden years
Stewartstown and Bristol, New Hampshire
The family moved to Stewartstown, New Hampshire and lived a while on North Hill and afterwards on the David Kent place. In Stewartstown, Abiel was the chorister in church.
Most of Abiel's children grew up in Stewartstown. 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.
Created by ldrew 09 Apr 2008
Sanbornton Cemetery Map
Bristol, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 09 Apr 2008
Military Pension File Number
Washington, DC
Abiel's military pension file number.
You can see the full story about Abiel Chandler by clicking here.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Bounty Land Application and Power of Attorney
Canterbury, New Hampshire
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
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Submission of Documents
20 Nov 1802
| New Castle, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Deed of Power - Chandler to Foster
23 Dec 1807
Abiel's bounty land claim was delivered as payment to Abiel Foster on 23 Dec 1804 through Samuel Tenny, a former member of Congress.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Application Cover in Federal Files
4 May 1810
| Washington D.C.
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
A Second Claim Letter
4 May 1818
| Strafford County, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Proof of Intent and Identity
4 May 1818
| Strafford County, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Pension Claim - Payout Terms
4 May 1818
| Washington D.C.
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Supporting Testimony of Nathan Hoyt
22 Apr 1819
| Northampton, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Supporting Testimony of Jacob Thomas
22 Apr 1819
| Northampton, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Declaration of Schedule
Sep 1819
| Washington D.C.
Declaration of Schedule cover sheet dated Sep 1819 and Jul 1820.
Created by ldrew 26 Nov 2007
Disabled
7 Jul 1820
| Stewartstown, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Property Value Verification
11 Jul 1820
| Coos County, New Hampshire
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.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Invalid File Cover
18 Mar 1818
| Washington D. C.
Abiel's Invalid File cover page provides the document reference location, date as well as his rank and service in the Revolutionary War.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Authorization To Release Information
Washington D. C.
Samuel Tunney wrote a letter authorizing the release of military records in the investigation of Abiel Chandler's pension claim.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Exercising a Power of Attorney
Washington D. C.
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.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Did Congress Approve His Pension?
Washington D. C.
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.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Certificate of Military Service
Washington D. C.
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.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Military Pay Record
7 Feb 1781
| Exeter, New Hampshire
Abiel Chandler received $25 for service in the Revolutionary Army in the Whitcomb Corps.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Military Service - Town Records
Sanborntown (Sanbornton), New Hampshire
Abiel Chandler was recorded as a soldier in the Revolutionary War on the Sanbornton, New Hampshire town records.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
Military Pay Record - 1781
1781
Abiel Chandler received $62.40 in military pay for serving in the Sixth Company, 1st Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteers under Colonel Cilley.
Created by ldrew 27 Nov 2007
17 Sep 2008
11 Apr 2008