ISRAEL HUNNEWELL (My Great, Great, Great Grandfather)

My great, great, great grandfather, Israel Hunnewell, Sr. was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1703, long before Pleasant Ridge existed. Israel and his twin, Richard, Jr., were born out of wedlock to Richard Honeywell and Johanna Nason. Richard Hunnewell, a noted Indian fighter, built this house in 1684. It is Scarborough's oldest house and made of hand hewn, wooden pegged timbers. A trap door in the house leads to a shallow dugout said to have been used as a hiding place during the Indian raids.

This is the story told to me many years ago about Richard Hunnewell and his twin boys, Israel and Richard,

The year is 1645 and a man by the name of Richard Honeywell was born in probably Devonshire, England. I am not sure what year he migrated to the United States, but I do know he was married and had four children; however, in 1703 being a military hero who set feminine hearts aflutter, met Johanna Nason in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Richard Honeywell and Joanna Nason became the parents of a set of twins. The twins were Israel and Richard, Jr. and in September 1703, one month after the twins were born, the Selectmen bound both twins, Israel and Richard, Jr. to George Vaughn, Esq., for 24 years, by advise and consent of Johanna Nason as she alone was haled to Court. The twin's father, Richard, Sr. died one month later in October of 1703.

Over the years, Israel moved from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Berwick, Maine and settled in Pownalborough (now Wiscasset, Maine).

Israel Sr. had nine children, Benjamin, Richard, John, Lydia, Sarah and William, Israel, Thomas and Daniel. These children were born between 1737 and 1758.

Richard (Israel's second born) married Sarah Rowell in 1759. He was a High Sheriff in Hancock County in 1790.

William (the sixth child) was born in Pownalborough. He married Rebecca Snell in 1779. William and Rebecca moved to Solon in the spring of 1783 and became the second white settler in this settlement. The only other white settler living there was William Hilton who had moved to this settlement in 1782. Of interest, William Hilton had also lived in Pownalborough.

When William and Rebecca Hunnewell settled in Solon they lived on a hundred acre lot that later became the property of Zina Norton.

In March of 1777, before William married Rebecca, he enlisted in the Revolutionary War and was on board the Continental Ship Hancock Commodore John Manley when the enemy took it. In 1818 William filed the following Declaration.

I, William Hunnewell, aged sixty-four years, a citizen of the United States, born in Wiscasset, Massachusetts, now a resident in Solon, Maine, upon oath testify and declare that in March 1777 at Boston, I entered on board the Continental ship Hancock Commodore John Manley of thirty two guns, as a marine for the term of twelve months. I served till June 1777 and then was put on board the British ship Fox, which had been taken by the Hancock, and which was ordered for Boston, afterwards, before our arrival at Boston, I was retaken by the enemy's ship Flora and sent to Halifax where I remained about seven months, was then put on board the enemy's ship Royal Bounty and ordered for Newport. After two attempts we succeeded in taking the ship and came into Marblehead, where we arrived in February 1778 and went to Boston where we rec'd our wages. I took no formal discharge but was paid for the twelve months. From my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claims to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United 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.

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William X Hunnewell
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The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:

No real estate 0.00
1 old horse 18 years old worth 25.00
10 sheep @ $2 20.00
1 case of draws $5 5.00
4 chairs 50 cents each 2.00
2 pigs worth $4 each 8.00

Before me Nathan Weston, Jr. Chief Just C Court C Pleas Second Eastern Circuit

In those days it was necessary to have someone witness that you were the person applying for the pension and in William's case, Jacob Savage was William's witness and attested to the following.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

I, Jacob Savage of Anson, District of Maine, of lawful age, upon oath testify and declare that I was a marine on board the Continental Ship Hancock in the cruise above mentioned with the above named William Hunnewell, with whom I am well acquainted. I know that he served, was taken prisoner, and returned and was paid off at Boston, as is by him above stated. From his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support; he sustains the character of a man of truth.

Finally on June 27, 1820 William appeared before the Circuit Court for hearing on his pension.

STATE OF MAINE

Somerset County, ss.

On this twenty-seventh day of June 1820, personally appeared before Ebenezer Thatcher, a Justice of 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 imprisonments, William Hunnewell aged nearly 70 years, resident of 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 Navy of the United States upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of twelve months, on board the ship Hancock Commodore John Manly, that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the 22nd day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6025. And I, the said William Hunnewell, do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred eighteen; and that I have not, since that time by gift or sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to dimish, as to bring myself within the provision 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.

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Attest: Ebenezer Thatcher William X Hunnewell
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William Hunnewell died on August 23, 1820, two months after filing his application for pension.

Eighteen years later Rebecca (William's widow) applied to the State for "half pay and pension". This application reads:

DECLERATION

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

Somerset County, ss.

On this third day of December, A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the Hon. Drummond Farnsworth, Judge of Probate for said County of Somerset, Rebecca Hunnewell, a resident of Solon in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"; that she is the widow of William Hunnewell who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States under Act of Congress of March 18, 1818 upon the Maine Roll and she refers to the evidence furnished the War Department of his service in the War of the Revolution by her late husband, for the purpose of establishing her claim to a pension under said act of March 18th 1818. Her said husband served one year in the United States Navy on board the Ship Hancock Com. John Manly and her said husband served at least one year in the forces cannot recollect the officers.

She further declares, that she was married to the said William Hunnewell on the day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-three; that her husband, the aforesaid William Hunnewell died on the twenty third day of August eighteen hundred and twenty; 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 she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. That her maiden name was Rebecca Snell and that she was married to the said William Hunnewell at Woolwich in Maine by Josiah Winship a Congregational Minister of said Woolwich. She cannot recollect the day of the month the marriage took place.

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John Hamblet Rebecca X Hunnewell
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Israel, Jr (Israel's seventh child) paid his father ten pounds for land in Pownalborough. This could be good or bad. On one hand Israel had a roof over his head for the rest of his life, but it also meant that Israel, Jr. had to work the land for the rest of his life. This is Israel's deed to his son, Israel, Jr.

Know all men by these presents that I, Israel Honeywell of Pownalborough in the County of Lincoln, in consideration of the love and affection I have for my son Israel Honeywell, as also in consideration of ten pounds paid me by him, the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm to my said son, Israel and his heirs the farm I now live on, bounded as follows, viz: beginning at an hemlock tree on Monswegue River between where Honeywell and Sloman now live, then north eighty-seven degrees East one hundred and six poles and a quarter to a stake twenty-two poles to the end of the neck to high water mark, thence Northerly by the shore to the first mentioned bounds, containing eighty-six acres with the privileges and appurtenances thereof.

To have and to hold the same to him, the said Israel Honeywell, Junr. his heirs and assigns to his and their sole use forever. And I hereby covenant and agree with the said Israel, Junr. his heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises, that they are free of all incumbencies, that I have good right to dispose of them same as above, and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Israel Junr. his heirs and assigns forever against the claims of all persons. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the thirteenth day of July A.D. 1775.

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Israel x Honeywell
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Lincoln Ss July 13, 1775, then the said Israel Honeywell acknowledged this instrument to be his act and deed before me Tho. Rice Justice of Peace.

Israel's eighth child, Thomas, (my great, great grandfather) was born in Pownalborough in 1756 and like William, the Wiscasset area became too crowded for him and he moved north and settled in 7 Mile Stream, a few miles from Solon where William lived.

THOMAS HUNNEWELL (My Great, Great Grandfather)

Thomas, my great, great grandfather enlisted in the Revolutionary War in April 1777 where he became a prisoner of war for seven months. Thomas married Molly Dean in Pownalborough in 1781. Molly Dean was the daughter of Ebenezer Dean. The following are Thomas and Molly's 10 children:

Patience 1783 m. Abner Trowbridge Mills
Ebenezer D 1785 m. Abigail Thompson
Minda (Mindwill) 1786 m. Elisha Young
Daniel 1787
Ellen 1789
John 1791 m. Mary Jones (1810)
m. Rachel Briggs (1840)
Eunice Harding Wentworth (m after 1863)
Mary 1794 Mills or Miles
Ann 1796 Elisha Young
Sarah 1797
Herman 1800 m. Martha Jackman (1823)
m. Malinda Smith (1831)

Thomas and Molly moved from Wiscasset (formerly Pownalborough) to Madison (formerly 7 Mile Stream), which is now known as North Anson. Nine of the children were born at 7 Mile Stream and at some point after 1797 Thomas moved to Solon to be nearer his brother, William. Thomas and Molly's last child, Herman, was born in Solon.

In 1818 Thomas, filed a Declaration to be placed on the Pension List. This Declaration reads:

Pension Cert. #6036 THOMAS HUNNEWELL
(Service Mass) #S-33452

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

I, Thomas Hunnewell aged fifty two years a citizen of the United States born in Wiscasset District of Maine, now a resident of Moscow said District of Maine upon oath testify and declare that I enlisted in the month of April 1777 for the period of three years into the United States Army during the Revolutionary War upon the Continental Established against the Common Enemy into the Company Commanded by Capt. John Willey and Regiment Commander by Col. Michael Jackson of the Mass Line. I served in said Regiment until Dec. 1777 when at Darbytown, New Jersey I was taken prisoner by the enemy in a Skirmish. I remained a prisoner seven months. Five months of the time in prison in Philadelphia. I was taken from there to New York where I was exchanged and afterwards rejoined by Regiment at White Plains and served in said Regiment until February 1780, and then took my Honorable Final Discharge from the Army at West Point. My Discharge I have lost and is not in existence to my knowledge. I was in both of the Battles at the taking of Burgoyne.

From my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support. I hereby relinquish all claims to any pension heretofore allowed me by the law of the United States if any, but I am not to my knowledge born of any Pension list what ever. I request that I may be placed upon the Pension List for the District of Maine.

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Thomas X Hunnewell
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(Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

Upon oath testify and declare that I am well acquainted with the above named Thomas Hunnewell. I am knowledge to his serving from the period above dates by him as I belonged to the same Reg. during the same period. From his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from the country for support, he being a man of truth. Obadiah Witherall.

Two years after filing the Declaration, Thomas filed a schedule of his estate in order to be placed on the Pension list.

This Schedule reads:

State of Maine

Somerset County, ss

On this twenty seventh day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court before the Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Please, 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 the proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Thomas Hunnewell aged fifty four years, resident in Moscow 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 ware as follows, viz, in the Company commanded by Captain Willey and Regiment commanded by Colonel Michael Jacksons of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment for the period of three years and was in the battles of the taking of Burgoyne and was taken prisoner near Valley Forge that his original declaration was made before Just Marston (sic) on the twenty second day of April 1818 that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6086. And I, the said Thomas Hunnewell do further solemnly swear that I was a resident 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 eighteen 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 that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

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Attest: R.C. Vose Thomas X Hunnewell
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