Archive Pertaining To Asher Merrell, Soldier Killed During American Revolution, To Ensure Payment For His Service

(CONTINENTAL ARMY SOLDIER). This archive consists of the following three items related to a Continental Army soldier, Asher Merrell, who was killed: a. DS. 1 pg. 4” x 6”. January 12, 1781. Hebron. Document signed “Sam Gilbert Jus Pea” and addressed “To the Committee of Boy Soldiers”: “This may certify that Asher Merrell of Hebron is Natural Guardian & Parent to Asher Merrell Jun of Hebron a Soldier in the Continental Service Deceased he was a Minor and Under Age at the Time of his Death”. b. DS. 1 pg. 4” x 6”. January 12, 1781. Hebron. This is a document signed by two Selectmen of Hebron: “This may certify that Asher Merrell Jun. Served in Connecticut Line in the Continental Army in Col. Chandler’s Regiment before the fifth of Jany 1780”. c. DS. 1 pg. 6” x 8”. March 10, 1781. Hartford. A printed document indicating payment “of Nine Pounds eight shillings & five pence” as the payment due since January 5, 1780 to “Asher Merrell Junr Deceased” and “Paid to Asher Merrell Parent”. These three documents reflect the documents certifying the death of Asher Merrell and his payment for his service in the Continental Army. Ensuring timely payment for casualties of war has long been a difficult task, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries with limited records and overwhelmed governments. So, a positive resolution in 14 months was relatively fortunate for Merrell’s family. Additionally, Merrell fighting as an underaged soldier reflected a common occurrence in an era before verifiable birth certificates, and the existence of a Committee of Boy Soldiers reflected such regularity. All three documents are in very good condition and unique windows into wartime bureaucracy during the American Revolution. Included with the archive is a typed page with additional contextualization.