PrenticeNet

Declaration.

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7^th of July 1838, entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows,”
State of New York
of Tioga County

On this 27^th day of May 1839, personally appeared before me, Elisha P. Higbe, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Tioga, Elizabeth Prentice, a resident of Newark in the said county of Tioga, aged seventy two years and eleven months, 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 7, 1838, entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.”

That she is the widow of Jesse Prentice, who was a Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, and according to her best knowledge and belief her late husband served as follows in the War of the Revolution for two years and over, and he frequently informed her that he served as she verily believed in the years 1775, 1776, & 1777, most of which time as a Lieutenant, that she had often heard her neighbors assert that her husband served two years and upwards in the Revolutionary War, that he served as Lieutenant, that they saw him in his Regimental suit often, that her husband informed her that he was in the service as Lieutenant in New York when the British troops took possession of that city and drove the American troops out, that he was then on service there, and that he was one that was driven out at that time. She knows of no living withess to prove further the services of her late husband,

that she knows of no further evidence to sustain her claim, but that which is hereunto annexed.

She would respectfully refer the Commisioner of Pensions for further evidence (if any there be) to the War Department.

That she had no documentary evidence. And that she was never afterwards married.

She further declares that she was married to the said Jesse Prentice on the 29^th day of March 1792, in the town of Preston in the State of Connecticut, by the Rev. Levi Hart, that her husband aforesaid Jesse Prentice died on the 6^th day of July 1812, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before

Elizabeth Prentice

E. P. Higbe Judge of
Tioga Common Pleas
 

State of New York
Tioga County

I certify that the above named Elizabeth Prentice is totally unable to attend the Court by reason of disability. Berkshire, May 27^th 1839

E. P. Higbe Judge

Comptroller’s Office

Hartford March 4(?) 1839

I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Jesse Prentice who claims service in the War of the Revolution as a Sergeant under Maj. Samuel Prentice in 1775 and as a Lieutenant under the same in 1776 that I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this office and find his name in a Pay Roll of the 3rd Co. 6 Regt. raised by of General Assembly Court of 1775 where he is entered as a Sergeant in Cap. Eldridge Co. May 5 discharged on Dec. 10 making 7 mos. 6 days

Sergeant Jesse Prentice Seven Months Six Days /

No Pay Roll of Maj. Saml. Prentice Henry Gibbons, Comp.

to be found in this office for the year 1776

H. Gibbons(?) ?

State of Connecticut
County of New London Griswold October 30^th 1838

I William K. Jewett of the town of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, of lawful age Depose and say that I am pastor of the First Congregational Church in said Griswold, and that I have in my possession a record of the Marriages which have been solemnized by the several Pastors of said Church from the organization thereof down to the present time, and I do there find that, on the twenty- ninth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety two Jesse Prentice of Stonington and Elizabeth Belcher of Preston were united in Marriage by the Rev. Levi Hart, then Pastor of the Second Congrega- tional Church in Preston, now the said First Congregational Church in Griswold, and that the record of said Marriage is in the then usual form and is in the words and figures following (viz.

“Marriage Records”

“March 29, 1792 Jesse Prentice of Stonington & Elizabeth Belcher of Preston” and further the Deponent sayeth not(?) Wm. R. Jewett Pastor of the

1^st Cong. Church in Griswold)

Sworn before me this 30^th day of October 1838.

Daniel Huntington Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Wm. R. Jewett is Pastor of the 1^st Cong. Church in Griswold, that he sustains fair moral character, and is in regular standing in the Ministry. Daniel Huntington

Griswold Oct. 30^th, 1838. Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
New London County

I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court for said New London County, do certify that Daniel Huntington before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been taken, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of New London, and that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.

Witness my hand and seal of said New London County of

November A.D. 1838.

John DeWitt Clerk

State of New York
Tioga County

On this 27^th day of May 1839 personally appeared before Elisha P. Higbe one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Tioga Elijah Belcher, a resident of Berkshire, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, depose and say, that he was present at the marriage of Jesse Prentice to Elizabeth Belcher, that it took place at the time and place as set forth in her declaration, that the said Jesse Prentice died on the 6^th day of July 1812, that the said Elizabeth Prentice is now his widow and was never afterwards married.

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before

Elijah Belcher

E. P. Higbe Judge of Tioga County
 

State of New York

Tioga County

On this 27^th day of May 1839 personally appeared before Elisha P. Higbe one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, Joseph Prentice, a resident of Berkshire, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth depose and say that the above named Jesse Prentice died on the 6^th day of July 1812, that the said Elizabeth Prentice is now his widow, and that she was never afterwards married.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written, before

Joseph Prentice

E. P. Higbe Judge of Tioga County
 

State of New York

Tioga County

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Elijah Belcher, and Joseph Prentice, that they are credible witnesses, and that full faith and credit are due to their testimony. Berkshire May 27^th 1839

E. P. Higbe Judge

State of New York
Tioga County

I, David Wallis, clerk of the said county, do certify that Elisha P. Higbe before whom the preceding affidavits of Elizabeth Prentice, Elijah Belcher, and Joseph Prentice, purports to have been taken, and who signed the certificates of the inability of Elizabeth to attend Court, and of the credibility of Elijah Belcher and Joseph Prentice, was at the date of the same, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Tioga. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the
said affidavits and certificates, to be his proper hand writing and signature.

Witness my hand and seal this 30^th day of May 1839.

David Wallis Clerk

I William Stewart of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 88 years and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn according to law do Depose and say that I knew Jesse Prentice of that part of the Town of Stonington which is now North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut. He was Brother of Joshua Prentice Esq. & of John Prentice, of Stonington (now North Stonington) all now Deceased.

That Jesse Prentice aforesaid was a Sergeant in Maj. Samuel Prentice Company at Roxbury in 1775, and I served with him there for a term of seven months & some days at Roxbury aforesaid. The officers in said Company were in part as follows Maj. Samuel Prentice Commandant James Eldridge Lieut. Oliver Babcock Ensign; Samuel H. Parsons was our Col. at Roxbury.

That Jesse Prentice aforesaid Married Elizabeth Belcher of Preston in New London County (now Griswold) & resided in North Stonington where they resided for a number of years, and removed from Stonington to Preston where he died. I understood that his widow after his death moved to the State of New York.

I have even been from my youth up to this time well acquainted in the Town of Stonington & North Stonington and I never knew any other person by the name of Jesse Prentice except the Jesse Prentice above named unless the above said Jesse Prentice named one of his sons after himself.

William Stewart

State of Connecticut
Windham County Johnstown Dec. 20^th 1839

Personally appeared William Stewart who has signed the foregoing Deposition and who is known to the Subscriber as a witness whose Testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.

Before me,

Thos.(?) Stanton

Notary Public

I John Prentice of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 71 years the 29^th day of Jan.(?) 1840 being duly cautioned and sworn do Depose and say that I am son of John Prentice, (of Stonington, now North Stonington), late Deceased. My Father Had a Brother by the name of Jesse Prentice. I had a Brother by the name of Samuel Prentice who served in the War of the Revolution at Roxbury Massachusetts and at New York in 1775 and 1776 and my uncle Jesse Prentice above named was at Roxbury & at New York with my Brother Samuel Prenticce, who was called Samuel Prentice 2^nd. From the Fact that Col. Samuel Prentice was cousin to My Father and resided when at home in the Same Town with my Brother. My Brother Samuel served in Capt., Maj., or Col. Samuel Prentice Company as My Father after used to often tell me, and my Uncle Jesse Prentice above named served in the same Company with my Brother as my Father in his life time often used to tell me, and that my Brother Samuel after died while in the Service at New York. I can remember the time of his death, when the news came to my Father, when he died of his death. That Jesse Prentice aforesaid who was my uncle and the same identical Jesse Prentice above named, married Elizabeth Belcher of that part of Preston, that is now Griswold. That Jesse Prentice after always resided in That Part of Stonington North Stonington until within a few years before his death, when he moved to Preston where he died. That Jesse Prentice aforesaid died about Twenty Eight years ago. That after his death his widow, Elizabeth Prentice moved to the State

of New York, to that part of the State where her Friends and relatives resided.

I never knew any other person by the name of Jesse Prentice in the County of New London Except Jesse Prentice aforesaid named unless my Uncle Jesse after named one of his sons after himself.

That Joshua Prentice Esq. late of North Stonington decd. was Brother of My Father John Prentice, and of my Uncle Jesse Prentice decd.

Prentice

 
 
State of Connecticut
New London County North Stonington Dec. 30 1839

Personally appeared to his Prentice signer to the above and foregoing Deposition, who is known to the subscriber as a withess whose Testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me

Latham Hull Notary Public

I John Baldwin of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 67 years and upwards, being duly cautioned and sworn, do Depose and Say, That I used to be well acquainted with Jesse Prentice of the town of Stonington or that part of Stonington, which is now North Stonington. That Jesse Prentice aforesaid married Elizabeth Belcher of the part of Preston that is now Griswold. A few years before the Death of the said Jesse Prentice he and his wife Elizabeth Prentice removed from this town North Stonington.

That I never knew any other Person by the name of Jesse Pretnice except the Jesse Prentice above named.

I always resided in the town of Stonington (now North Stonington afore) from my childhood to the present time and was always acquainted with the Prentice Family.

Jesse Prentice aforesaid was Brother of John Prentice & Joshua Prentice Esq. Deceased, late of North Stonington.

John Baldwin

 
 
State of Connecticut
New London County North Stonington Dec. 30 1839

Personally appeared John Baldwin subscriber to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a Witness whose Testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me.

Latham Hull Notary Public

I Asa Baldwin of Stonington in the County of of (sic) New London and State of Connecticut aged 84 years Being duly Cautioned and sworn do depose and Say That I used to be well acquainted with Jesse Prentice in his lifetime. He used to live in that part of Stonington which is now North Stonington and in the time of the Revolutionary War I used to live within about one mile of Jesse Prentice aforesaid and we both attended the same meeting together.

I enlisted and served a term of duty at Roxbury in Summer of 1775 in Lattimores(?) Company and Samuel H. Parsons Colonel of the regt.

Jesse Prentice of Stonington (now North Stonington) as aforesaid Stated Enlisted in Capt or Maj Samuel Prentice Company and served a tour of duty, at Roxbury and in that vicinity, of seven months.

I saw Jesse Prentice aforesaid at Roxbury Mass. in 1775 as a Sergeant, and he served as Sergeant in Capt. Prentice’s Company, at Roxbury aforesaid in Col. Parsons Regiment. I knew that Jesse Prentice had enlisted in Capt. or Maj. Prentice’s Company, before I went to Roxbury on my tour of duty in 1775 and while I was there I often saw him on duty. Jesse Prentice above named was Brother of John Prentice and Joshua Prentice Esq. of the same town.

I enlisted in the war for one year after I returned from Roxbury in 1775. My Captain was James Eldridge, Lieutenant Oliver Babcock, Samuel H. Parsons Brigadier Gen. I went to New London and from there sailed to New York and we remained in that vicinity and about there during most part of the Summer; then we went to the Jerseys and remained a while, and after my time of enlistment had expired I was discharged and Came Home.

Jesse Prentice aforesaid named Enlisted (?) to go to New York and went on in the Same Regiment in which I served and after he

got to New York he was appointed or Launched (?) to fill the office of Lieutenant and served in the Same Brigade to wit, Gen. Parsons Brigade. I cannot tell what Company he was put into but I often saw him during my tour. When I was discharged I came home and when I came away from New York I left the afore Jesse Prentice at New York and a few days after I came home Jesse Prentice came home.

I cannot tell what Company he was in but I know he served as Lieut. in the Same Company in the Brigade in which I served as aforesaid stated in 1776.

I never knew any other Jesse Prentice but that Jesse Prentice aforesaid named.

Jesse Prentice aforesaid used to come in to our Barracks while at New York.

Witness to this his
Mark of Asa Baldwin Asa --------- X ------ Baldwin
Asa Baldwin Jr mark
Thankful Baldwin

 
State of Connecticut
New London County Stonington Jan. 1 1840

We the undersigned Notaries Public in and for the State of Connecticut do hereby Certify that we have been called upon by Wm. H. Moore Esq of Berkshire Tioga County State of New York to take the deposition of sundry persons in Connecticut in relation to the service of Jesse Prentice in the war of the Revolution, and among the Deponents is the person signing (by his mark) the above and foregoing Statements taken or written in usual form of a Deposition, to wit Asa Baldwin.

We were both present and Mr. Baldwin was examined by Latham Hull and the deposition written out by Wm. B. Stanton and we do hereby further Certify that the Statements as Mr. Baldwin made them to us are written out at full length in the foregoing Deposition

and we believe that his statement as made to us relative to the services of Jesse Prentice afore are entitled to Credit
and Belief but a man so much broken down and informed as he appears to be we do not consider it our duty nor that it is right to administer an oath to believing as we do, that he does not now understand fully, the nature of an oath, as he now is, yet he seems to have clear and conceptive views of things that transpired in his youthful days, but cannot relate things that took place but a few weeks or months since.

We would further respectfully state that the character of Asa Baldwin aforesaid has always been unblemished and his Standing in Society has ever been as good as any man’s.

Latham Hull Notary Public

Wm. B. Stanton Notary Public

I Joseph Baldwin of Lisbon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 89 years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jesse Prentice of Stonington in his life time. That the said Jesse Prentice Enlisted for a Term of 7 months in May 1775 and served at Roxbury & vicinity in the State of Mass. as he used to tell me.

That when his time was out for the 7 mos. at Roxbury or soon after the term expired he enlisted to do another tour of duty. He enlisted before he left Roxbury and was marched to the State of New York where he served his enlistment out. I do not know how long he served in this tour but I had two brothers in the same Regiment and they was (sic) not discharged until last of December 1776. My Brother Nathan Baldwin was a Sergeant in the same Company with Jesse Prentice. I think Mr. Prentice was an Ensign during this tour. I enlisted under Capt. Ebenezer Witten(?) at New York. I was in the orchard fight * so called & Prentice & my brothers were in the same engagememt. I frequently saw them while in this tour of duty. I was not in the same Regiment but we encamped near each other. I served in Col. T(?)eldens Regiment. I cannot now tell the name of the Colonel that commanded the Regiment Samuel Prentice was an officer in the Regt. in which my brothers & Jesse Prentice served.

* The Orchard Fight was part of the battle for Trenton, NJ fought at the end of Dec. 1776. This was when Washington famously crossed the Delaware in the dead of winter and defeated the Hessians.

I served seven months in this Tour and my impression is that Jesse Prentice and my Brothers served one year in this Tour to wit in 1776.

Joseph Baldwin

 
State of Connecticut
New London County Lisbon August 28 1839

Then personally appeared Joseph Baldwin signer to the foregoing Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me.

Wm.(?) B. Stanton

Notary Public

I Isaac Williams of Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 81 years & upwards being duly cautioned & sworn do depose and say that I used to be well acquainted with Jesse Prentice of that part of Stonington which is now North Stonington in his life time & I used to attend the same meeting that he did. That Jesse Prentice aforesaid was Brother of Joshua Prentice Esq. of the same town.

I well recollect that after the troops in 1775 were enlisted to go to Roxbury Mass. that they assembled (those from this section of the town) at the Fishers(?) Meeting House in this town all equipped, the day before they marched to Roxbury and Rev. Joseph Fish preached to them. I was there and attended the meeting and Jesse Prentice aforesaid was there with the troops & was equipped with the rest of the troops. He was called, at that time, Sgt. Jesse Prentice. Jesse(?) * Prentice’s Father was a Deacon and of that Church and was at the meeting above named. The next day after the Rev. Joseph Fish Preached to them the Troops marched on their Tour. In his discourse to them, he told them that they were engaged in a “good cause” and urged them to be faithful.

Some time in the month of August or September 1775 I was at Roxbury in Masssachusetts where a part of the American Troops were stationed and when I was there, I saw Jesse Prentice aforesaid at said place and

* handwriting unclear – could not have been Jesse’s father because he died in 1773, two years before the meeting described

on duty. He was quartered with the Sergeants at that place and was called Sergeant while I was there.

In 1776 Jesse Prentice aforesaid was called Lieutenant Jesse Prentice, and I know the fact, that he was missing from the society where he & I attended meetings in that year & it was said he was in the army, and when he returned he was called Lt. Prentice.

I never knew any other Jesse Prentice except the aforesaid

Jesse Prentice.

Isaac Williams

 
State of Connecticut
New London County Stonington, Jan. 1. 1840(?)

Personally appeared Col. Isaac Williams signer to the foregoing Deposition and is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & Belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me.

Latham Hull Notary Public

Jesse Prentice aforesaid. He and I was (sic) always intimately acquainted and we both attended Rev. Joseph Fish’s meetings and I never knew any other Jesse Prentice except Jesse Prentice aforesaid named.

David Maine

State of Connecticut
New London County North Stonington Jan. 9 1840(?)

Personally appeared Capt. David Maine signer to the above deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entiteld to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.

Latham Hull Notary Public

I Polly Prentice of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 71 years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I am widow of Joshua Prentice late of North Stonington who was brother of John Prentice and Jesse Prentice Deceased. I was well acquainted with Jesse Prentice often in his life time and I have in the life time of my Husband & of Jesse Prentice his brother often hear them tell of being in the service in the time of the Revolutionary War. It has always been reputed that Jesse Prentice afore named served in the Revolutionary War.

Jesse Prentice aforesaid married a girl, in that part of the town of Preston that is now Griswold, by the name of Elizabeth Belcher. After the marriage of Jesse Prentice to Elizabeth Belcher afore, I lived in the same house with them. From North Stonington the afore Jesse Prentice & wife a few years before the death of afore Jesse Prentice moved to Preston at which place they resided until he Died. After the death of her husband Jesse Prentice afore the widow Elizabeth Prentice moved from Preston to that part of the State of New York where her relation lived.

I never knew any other man by the name of Jesse Prentice, except the identical Jesse Prentice afore who married Elizabeth Belcher afore Except his the said Jesse Prentice’s youngest son whose name I think was Jesse, yet I will not be too positive as to this fact.

Polly Prentice

I Lucretia Billings of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 90 years next April, being duly cautioned and sworn according to law, do depose and say, that I used to be well acquainted with Jesse Prentice of Stonington in the County & State aforesaid. He was a cousin of my husband’s. Jesse Prentice aforesaid served at Boston or Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts in 1775, as I used to hear my husband Elisha Billings in his lifetime often say, and in the same company in which my husband served, to wit, in Captain Samuel Prentice Company.

I have always resided in Stonington or that part of Stonington now North Stonington, since I was a child, and I never knew any other Jesse Prentice but Jesse Prentice above named and the same identical person who served as above stated with my d. husband Elisha Billings, and the aforesaid named Jesse Prentice married a girl by the name of Belcher who then resided in that part of Preston that is now the Town of Griswold in the County of New London and State aforesaid.

Jesse Prentice aforesaid named, was brother of John Prentice and Joshua Prentice, Esq., with whom I was also acquainted. They too used to live in Stonington aforesaid and there resided until the time of their Deaths.

Witness to Deponent’s Her
Mark Lucretia X Billings
Thos. Stanton Mark
Latham Hull

State of Connecticut
New London County North Stonington Dec. 30^th1839

Personally appeared Lucretia Billings who has subscribed to the foregoing Deposition by her Mark and is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entiteld to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me.

Latham Hull Notary Public

(sideways)

Additional testimony in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Prentice for a Pension. Hon. S. B. Leonard HR(?)

N. York

Elizabeth Prentice

let. to Mr. N. Moore 13 Sept. 1839
to same 13 Nov. 1839
To Hon. S. B. Leonard 15 Jan. 1840

1st July 1838

Re WIDOW, &c

File No. 26,608

Elizabeth Prentice

wid. of

Jesse Prentice

Serg. Rev. War

Act March 3d 1843

Index: Vol M, Page 142

[Arrangement of 1870]

Letter to Hon. J. B. Leonard
20 Feb. 1840
same Feb. 24, 1840
 

Albany 4904

Elizabeth Prentice

widow of Jesse Prentice
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 6. July 1812
of Tioga Co. in the State of New York
who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded
by Captain Eldridge of the regt. commanded
by Col. Parsons in the Conn. line for 7 months and 6 days

Inscribed on the roll of Albany
At the rate of 36 Dollars ---- Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4^th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of January

1840 and sent to Hon. S. B. Leonard

N. R.

Arrears to the 4^th of Sep. 39 126.00

Semi-annual allowance ending 6 March ’40 18.00

___________

144.00

Act July 7,

1838

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk

Book A, Vol. 2, Page 98

Berkshire Tioga Co. N. Y.
Oct. 2, 1839

Sir,

Enclosed is the affidavit of Elijah Belcher, certifying to the identity of Elizabeth Prentice as connected with the service in the Revolutionary War, of Jesse Prentice deceased her late husband, and as certified by the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut.

She now knows of no other proof which she can adduce which would benefit her application.

I am Respectfully,

Your Obt. Servt.

Mr. W. H. Moore

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington
D. C.

Berkshire Tioga Co. N. Y.
June 17, 1839

Sir,

I enclose you the application of Elizabeth Prentice for a Pension. She has not been able to prove the actual service of her late husband Jesse Prentice as a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution either by the records of the State of Connecticut or by the testimony of living witnesses. She can prove by one witness that he frequently saw Jesse Prentice her late husbend in the War of the Revolution in his regimental dress as Lieutenant the year that the British took possession of that City. She also can prove by witnesses that verily believe that he served as Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War that he came home in his regimentals, and that the neighbors did not doubt the fact of his actual service, but she has not been able to find any proof as to the time he did so serve. She is strongly in hope that some records may exist at the War Department, to which she respectfully referred in her declaration.

But if none can be found there she would request that a pension certificate be forwarded for the seven months and six days which her husband served as Sergeant, for which record evidence is adduced.

I am very respectfully

Your Obt. Serv.

W. H. Moore

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Com. of Pensions

Berkshire Tioga Co. N. Y.
Sept. 6, 1839

Dear Sir,

I enclosed to you about three months since the application of the widow Elizabeth Prentice for a Pension. I have not learned whether you have received it. Please have the goodness to inform me whether it has been received at your office, and if so, when it will probably be acted on.

I am Sir,

Respectfully your

Obt. Servt.

W. H Moore

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Com. of Pensions

Comptrollers Office

Hartford Dec. 26 1839

Sir,

I have examined the Pay Rolls remaining in this office for the name of Jesse Prentice and I find his name in the 6 Regt 3 Company Capt. Eldridge as Sergeant 7 mos 6 days and that none other by the name of Jesse Prentice appears in the books or papers in this office for the year 1775 or for any other year to my knowledge.

Yours Respectfully,

Elijah Belcher Esq. Henry Wilburn Comp.

Ho. of Reps.

Jan. 16, 1840

Hon. J. S. Edwards

Sir,

Your note of yesterday relative to the claim of Mrs. Elizabeth Prentice, is before me. Last evening’s mail brought me some further testimony in that case, which I have the honor of herewith transmitting. I also enclose Mr. Moore’s letter for your perusal.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

Yr. ob. svt.

S. B. Se (?)

Berkshire January 10, 1840

Dear Sir,

I enclosed you on the 7^th ult. the Comptroller’s certificate of the state of Connecticut of the service of Jesse Prentice as Sergeant in the War of the Revolution of 7 months and 6 days in 1775, and the identity of his widow Elizabeth Prentice so far as we were then enabled to prove.

I now forward you further identity, which I think will obviate every doubt at the Pension Office.

In the declaration of the widow, a further claim was set forth for a pension of her late husband’s service as Lieutenant in the year 1776 for one year and over.

She was not then enabled to forward any proof of the last named service, but she now forwards some in the hope that it may be found on the records of the War Department, that he was at New York and there transferred to Gen. Pierson’s Brigade as Lieut. Ensign was then marched into New Jersey, was there some part of his time and a part of the time in New York in the year 1776.

We hope you will do what you can for the poor widow. I do hope, my dear friend, that by my often calling on you, I may not

weary you, but if I do, you have simply to certify the fact to me, and I will promise a reformation.

Perhaps you may think that my importunity may weary somewhat, and yet after all, you will readily agree with me, that we ought to do all the good in the world that we can, and especially so, to the fathers of our country and their lone widows which are still surviving. But few of the latter class, are still in existence, and that few, who are entitled to the liberal views entertained by Congress, should not surely be disappointed in this, their last cheering hope.

If no records are to be found at the War Department of the services of her late husband, and the proof not satisfactory as to the service as a Lieut. or ensign, a certificate of Pension is requested for the 7 months and 6 days in 1775 as desired by the widow. She is a lone needy widow depending altogether on the charity of her friends for support.

I know her application is a deserving one, but no one can blame the Pension Dept. for being for being cautious in all their deliberations. Please remember me to my old friend, Judge Dana, and accept my best assurances for your welfare.

Respectfully yours,

Hon. L. B. Leonard W. H. Moore

State of New York
Tioga County

On this 30^th day of September 1839 personally appeared before me Eli B. Gregory one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Tioga, Elijah Belcher, a resident of Berkshire, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath , depose and say, that he was present at the marriage of Jesse Prentice, to Elizabeth Belcher, that the said Elizabeth Prentice is now, the widow of Jesse Prntice, that there was no other person by the name of Jesse Prentice of the town of Stonington of the State of Connecticut where he enlisted in 1775 in the Revolutionary War, and that he has not a rational doubt, that the said Elizabeth Prentice is the identical widow of Jesse Prentice who did the service in the War of the Revolution as set forth in the Certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut.

Elijah Belcher

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written.

E. B. Gregory J. Peace

State of New York
Tioga County

I certify that I am well acquainted with Elijah Belcher the above named deponent, that he is a credible witness, and that full faith and credit are due to his testimony.

Berkshire September 30^th 1839

E. B. Gregory J. Peace

State of New York
Tioga County

I David Wallis, Clerk of the said County of Tioga, do certify that Eli B. Gregory before whom the preceding affidavit of Elijah Belcher purports to have been taken, and who signed the certificate, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Tioga. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signatures.

Witness my hand and seal this 2^nd day of October 1839.

David Wallis Clk.

Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y.
April 13, 1843

Dear Sir,

Enclosed is the declaration of Elizabeth Prentice, to entitle her to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3^rd, March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838.

Respectfully yours,
W. H. Moore

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions

480

Declaration

of Elizabeth Prentice

to obtain a Pension

Admit Sergeant $ 36

Albany Agency

(?)

Send to W. H. Moore

Berkshire

Tioga County

N. Y.

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3^rd March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838.

State of New York
Tioga County

On this 11^th day of April 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber of the said County of Tioga a Justice of the Peace for the same, Elizabeth Prentice a resident of Berkshire, in the county of Tioga, aged seventy-six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3^rd March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Jesse Prentice, who was a Sergeant and Lieutenant in that war, that he served in the capacity of Lieut. in New York at the time the American troops were driven out. She cannot tell the regiment or corps in which he served. She would most respectfully refer the Commissioner of Pensions to the testimony adduced in granting her the five years pension; and that the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7, 1838 is thirty-six dollars.

She further declares that she is still a widow.

Sworn to and subscribed on
the day and year above written before Elizabeth Prentice
W. H. Moore J. Peace

State of New York
of Tioga County

I hereby certify that the above named declarant, Elizabeth Prentice, is personally known to me. April 11^th 1843.

W. H. Moore J. Peace

State of New York
Tioga County

I David Wallace, Clerk of the said County of Tioga, do certify that W. H. Moore before whom the preceding affidavit and certificate purports to have been taken, and who signed the same, was at the date, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature.

Witness my hand and seal this 12^th day of April 1843.

David Wallace Clk.