Google Books took me to a publication titled “Town papers. Documents Relating to Towns in New Hampshire” compiled by Isaac Weare, 1883 where I found a few interesting documents relating to Edward Sr.
Another juicy bit of data comes from a similar publication titled “State Papers. Documents and Records Relating to the State of New-Hampshire During the Period of the American Revolution, From 1776 to 1783 …, Compiled by Nathaniel Bouton, 1874”
My readers can view these documents by following this link to the Marden Family Tree and selecting the “Edward Marden Sr. Document Package” Sorry – this is no longer available. Please contact Ne-Do-Ba by e-mail and request the “Edward Marden Sr. Document Package”.
Page 364, Volume 12 of the “Town Papers” has the following
[R. 2-176] \Landaff claims Edward Marden, Soldier.] State of New Hampshire—
To the Hon” General Court of said State to be Convened at Portsmouth on the first Day of Feb7 next by adjournment— The Petition of the Inhabitants of Landaff humbly sheweth— That when the Requisition for soldiers was made to the State said Inhabitants being inform’d that they ware cal’d on to furnish one man for three years or during the war at great expence hir’d one Edward Mardin then lately come to Town, to serve and answer for their Proportion of said Requisition.— That through some mistake said Mardin was returned for Northumberland, without the knowledge of said Mardin, Landaff, or Northumberland,—That said Mardin was never an Inhabitant of Northumberland. * * * * Landaff Jany 21″ 1786.—
[The town presented a sworn statement of Marden’s, certifying that he was hired by Landaff and paid £30; was never an inhabitant of Northumberland. The committee reported in favor of Landaff, which was adopted. Marden served in Whitcomb’s corps.—Ed.]
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin was “lately come to town” in Landaff, NH at the time he enlisted.
- Landaff, NH hired Edward to serve for their town
- Edward was paid £30 for enlisting
- Edward was never an inhabitant of Northumberland according to his own his own sworn statement
Page 406-407, Volume 12 of the “Town Papers” has a petition from the inhabitants of Concord (now Lisbon), NH dated 12-Jan-1786 asking for leniency in taxes and penalties imposed as a result of the war. (Things never really change when it comes to governments and taxes!) It is an interesting read, demonstrating some of the hardships suffered by a small frontier town as a result of the war. It is signed by 20 inhabitants including Edward Mardin and his former commander, Major Benjamin Whitcomb.
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin was an inhabitant of Concord, NH (now Lisbon) in January of 1786.
- Edward stayed close to Major Whitcomb after the war.
Page 407-409 of Volume 12 is another petition from the inhabitants of Concord dated 12-Jun-1787 discussing their establishment of a government and other hardships they endured. It is signed by even more inhabitants including Edward Mardin.
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin was an inhabitant of Concord, NH (now Lisbon) in June of 1787.
Page 172-173 of the State Papers publication mentioned above has a petition dated 26-Jun-1776 from the inhabitants of Northumberland, Upper Coos expressing their concern for their safety and a possible invasion from Canada. Among the 32 inhabitants that signed the petition is the name “Edward Marden”.
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin was an inhabitant of Northumberland, NH in June of 1776.
On page 86 of the “History of Coos County” I found another petition concerning safety issues. This one dated 6-Jul-1776 from the inhabitants of Lancaster, Northumberland, Guildhall & Stratford. Only 20 men signed the petition and Edward does not appear. It does mention “some of our neighbors have Quit the ground” meaning they have moved away. They also mention building a fort which was almost complete.
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin may have left the region of Northumberland, NH by July 1776.
The “History of Coos County” has a payroll list of soldiers operating under Capt. Jeremiah Eames dated 12-Oct-1776 at Northumberland in which Edward does not appear. Since most able bodied young men of the region should be members of the local militia, this may be significant.
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin probably was not at Northumberland in the late summer and early fall of 1776.
I just remembered a CD I purchased years ago “New Hampshire Revolutionary War Rolls” so I dug it out and what do you know – I found yet another petition concerning Edward.
[10-61] [Lisbon]
To the Hono. Senate & House of Representatives to be Convened at Portsmouth the first Wednesday of June next, Humbly sheweth the Petition of Edward Mardin that he inlisted into the service of the United States, and Continued in sd service untill June 1783 at which time he received his discharge, — that while he was in service (and unbeknown to him) he was returned as a soldier for the Town of Northumberland, and as I was then a transient Person, but now an inhabitant of the Town of Concord in the County of Grafton, I think it reasonable that He should have liberty to be Returned as one of their Quota as they are ready to give a Reasonable sum for his being thus Returned for them, and as your Petitioner Never Did belong to sd Northumberland nor never knew of being thus Returned for them, until very lately would pray that he may have liberty to be Returned for Concord aforesaid or have a Day of hearing Concerning the matter, – or any other way your Honours in your wisdom shall see fitt, and your Petitioner will ever pray &c
Concord 26th May 1785 Edward Mardin
Dismis’d
What does this tell me?
- Edward Mardin was an inhabitant of Concord, NH (now Lisbon) in May 1785.
- Edward was discharged from service in June 1783
- Edward did not have a permanent residence at the time he enlisted according to his own testimony
- Edward never was an inhabitant of Northumberland
- Concord is willing to pay him a reasonable sum
It certainly appears Edward was a popular guy, with towns fighting over who was to be credited with his service. This was a big deal for the towns. Each town had a quota to fill during the War. Most of the men came from within the town. If the town didn’t have enough men, they resorted to hiring men from other towns to serve for them. As the war ground on, supplying men was a great hardship for many towns. After the war, the government charged (taxed) towns that had not filled their quota. The towns were already impoverished by the absence of so many menfolk during the war. Needless to say, towns squabbled for years over which men served for them.
Before moving on to Edward’s military records, I think it is time to review my findings for Edward Sr. by creating a timeline and examining a map of the region.
Do you have any questions about this material?
Canyon Wolf
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