Archelus Merritt, the above named soldier, applied for a pension on July 13, 1821 in Jefferson County, Kentucky and made declaration that he is 61 years of age.  He enlisted in service of the United States in the spring of 1781, and soon afterward marched toward the Point of Fork and marched into Virginia, till the Fall when the company took up quarters at Cumberland Court House.  Soon afterward, he entered the company of Captain Lovely, who left it when Captain (afterward Colonel) Samuel Finley took command, and in a short time Captain Abraham Kirkpatrick took command of the company and commanded till the deponent was discharged at Cumberland Court House in the Fall of 1782.  He served eighteen months.

The field officers were Major Poulson, Colonel Gaskin, Colonel Pasley, and Colonel Christian Teiberter who commanded at that time of this deponent's discharge.  The service was on the Virginia Line of the Continental establishment.  He received a discharge signed by General Peter Muhlenburg.  He further stated that he is by occupation, a farmer and has done a little work as a wagon maker.  The woman with whom he has been living for twenty-eight year is still living and she is about forty-eight years of age.  He has had seven children among whom are three sons, and four daughters, none of whom are now living with him for about four years.  He was never married to the woman.

Archelaus Merritt of Jefferson County, Kentucky who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Garkin of the Virginia Line for 18 months was inscribed on the Pension Roll of the Kentucky Agency to commence on July 13, 1821.  Certificate of the pension was issued on November 27, 1821 and sent to R. C. Anderson, Esquire, Louisville, Kentucky.