Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5286, Bezaleel Howe, N.H.
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N.H.  Howe Bezaleel, Catharine  R 5286 B.L.WA.901.200. Lieut.
                                                    Issued Fb.24, 1790
                                                    No papers.
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New York
2038
Bezaleel Howe, Lieutenant, New Hampshire Line In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th of Augt 1818 and sent to R Riker, Engr City of New York.
Arrearages to 4th Sept 1818. 5 Mar 2/31 4/30. $103.95
Revolutionary claims, Act 18th Mar 1818. 76
Six years. Cilley.
City and County of New York
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No 2
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State, City and County of New York ss.:
THE MEMORIAL OR PETITION OF MARGARETTA DUPIGNAC née HOWE, respectfully represents to the Honorable the Judges of the U. S. Court of Claims, as follows, to wit. :

BEZALEEL HOWE was a Chaplain in the service of the United States, in the army of the Revolution, and was afterwards a Captain in the same service, and the same army, as will appear from the following letter of instructions addressed to him by George Washington, Commander in Chief, to wit :

"INSTRUCTIONS FOR CAPT. HOWE"
"Sir,—You will take charge of the wagons which contains my baggage, and with the escort, proceed with them to Virginia, and deliver the baggage at my house, ten miles below Alexandria. As you know that they contain all my papers, which are of immense value to me I am sure it is unnecessary to request your particular attention to them ; but as you will have several ferries to pass, and some of them wide, particularly the Susquehannah and Potomac, I must caution you against crossing them if the wind should be high, or if there should be in your judgement, or the opinion of others, the least danger.
The wagons should never be without a sentinel over them, and always locked, and the keys in your possession.
You will make such arrangements for the march with Col. Morgan at this place, and Mr. Hodgsden at Philadelphia and Wilmington, thence by the head of the Elk to the lower ferry of the Susquehannah, then by Baltimore, Bladensburgh, Georgetown and Alexandria to Mount Vernon.
You will inquire of Mr. Hodgsden and Col. Biddle if Mrs. Washington left anything in their care to be forwarded by the wagons to Virginia. If she did and you can find room for it let it be carried ; if not, desire them to send it by some other good opportunity. The wagons and teams, after the baggage is delivered, are to be surrendered to the order of Col. Pickering, which has, I believe, been handed to Mr. Roberts, and he is to deliver them to Col. Fitzgerald, to be sold. 
The bundle which contains my accounts you will be careful of and deliver it at the financier's office with the letter addressed to him, that is to Mr. Morris. The other small bundle you will deliver to Mr. Cottinger in Chesnut street. Dr. McHenry's trunk and parcels you will, as I suppose he has already directed, deliver at his house in Baltimore. 
The seats occupied by the guard will be delivered to Col. Morgan, whose receipt for them will be a voucher for you to the Quartermaster-General ; the remainder of the guard, under the care of a good sergeant with very strict orders to prevent every kind of abuse in the inhabitants on the march, is to be conducted to their corps at West Point. 
Given at Becky Hill, this 9th day of Nov., 1780.
GEO. WASHINGTON."

Your Memorialist would respectfully state that the foregoing letter, with a copy of the commission of BEZALEEL HOWE, as captain, accompanied the petition of your Memorialist, which petition was presented to the Senate of the United States by Hon. Senator Seward from New York, and referred to the Senate Committee on Revolutionary Claims, in the custody of which Committtee said petition and papers now remain. 
Your Memorialist for further, full and more certain proof of the services of Captain BEZALEEL HOWE, would respectfully make reference to the Revolutionary Rolls and Records of the Department of War, and asks a report from the same.
Your Memorialist respectfully represents, under oath, that she is the daughter of the aforementioned BEZALEEL HOWE, and CATHARINE his wife, and that she is now aged fifty-two years. That her father, the said BEZALEEL HOWE, died A. D. 1825, and her mother, the said CATHARINE HOWE, died A. D. 1849, and, by the rules of the Pension Bureau, your Memorialist is debarred from receiving any pension, arrears of pension, or allowance, because of the dates of the decease respectively, of her said father and mother. It appears from a communication of the Commissioner of Pensions, that if her father, the said BEZALEEL HOWE, had lived after the year A. D. 1831, your Memorialist would have been entitled.
Your Memorialist respectfully submits her claim to the EQUITY of this honorable Court, and prays such allowance as may seem to it to be just and proper for the apparent valuable and important service
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State, City and County of New York SS:
Margaretta Howe Dupignac, being duly sworn
according to law, deposes and says that she 
is the daughter of the foregoing memorialist
Margaretta Dupignac, and grand daughter
of Captain Bezaleel Howe of the Revolutionary
Army. That she resides with her said mother
in the City of Brooklyn New York, and has
so resided for the last past three years.
That on the 23 day of October AD 1855,
she made a transcript of the records in the
family bible from the original in the words
and figures following to wit: Bezaleel Howe
married to Catharine Moffat 15 Feb 1799.
Bezaleel Howe died Sept 3d 1825.
Catharine Howe died Dec 3d 1849.
Deponent further declares upon best
information and belief that albeit her grand-
father Bezaleel Howe may have been
placed upon the pension roll, he never
received any pension whatever, nor did
his widow ever receive any pension
whatever from the government of the United States.
Margaretta H Dupignac
Sworn and subscribed before me
me this 24 day of Oct 1855, and
I certify the credibility of the
deponent.
Wm Grandin
Notary Public
U S Commissioner
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In the matter of Bezaleel Howe an Applicant
Captain
Officer
app and paper and Certificate
Correct out cem is inclosed
Apl 18 1818
E B
New York roll
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State of New-York, ss
To the Hon Richard Riker, Recorder of the City New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New-York.
The Declaration under Oath of Bezaleel Howe formerly an officer engaged in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth That the said Bezaleel Howe sometime in the 1775, towd 20th April 1775 he entered the service against the British and marched from
Amherst, State of New Hampshire to Cambridge in Massachusetts. That as soon as the Army was organized he enlisted as a private Soldier in Capt Crovleys Company in Col Reeds regiment, Genl Sullivans brigade.
That on the 8th day of November 1776 the said Bazaleel Howe was appointed a Lieutenant in the army of the United States on the Continental establishment and served the whole War.
In 1777 he served in Capt Monells Company, Col Cilleys Regiment General Poors Brigade afterwards Genl Starks. At the close of the war he commanded the guard of his Excy General Washington, appointed to escort his baggage to Mount Vernon. He was twice wounded in battle and never received any pension - some of his Commission he has Cost He annex the orders.
And the declaration further sheweth that the said Bazaleel Howe is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New-York, and is, by reason of his reduce circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support He is Sixty three years of age-
Therefore the said Bazaleel Howe conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the
United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit
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the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, the said Bazaleel Howe refers to the deposition of Captain Cyrus De Hart hereunto annexed- + the certificates referred to in the Statement of the Recorder of the City of New York --
City and County of New-York, ss.
Bazaleel Howe of the City and County of New-York, being duly sworn, saith, that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.
Sworn before me this 3d day of April 1818, R Riker Recorder of the City of New York
Bazaleel Howe
City and County of New-York, ss.
Cyrus De Hart late a Captain in the Revolutionary army of the U. S. now of the City of New York being sworn, saith that he is well acquainted with the above applicant Bazaleel Howe, that he served in revolution army of the Continental establishment as a Lieutenant more than a year + he no doubt of the whole statement being true in every respect
Sworn before me this 3d day of April 1818 Cyrus D Hart
R Riker Recr etc.
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City and State of New-York, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this Third day of April in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record, personally appeared the aforesaid Bazaleel Howe who being by me duly sworn to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing Declaration and having shewn to me original orders, certificates + vouchers some signed by Genl Washington - Gov. Clinton, the annexed certificate of General Knox- the affidavit of Capt De Hart The evidence is conclusive
WHEREUPON I being satisfied that the said Bazaleel Howe did serve in the army of the United States on the Continental establishment in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and longer, to wit: for the term and the manner stated in the Declaration of the said applicant; and that the said applicant is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the Act aforesaid. THEREFORE I DO HEREBY CERTIFY and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said Court, in the City of New-York, this third day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred eighteen R Riker
Attest Benj Ferris Clerk
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No 1.454
Catharine Howe @ "
wid of Bezaleel
New York
July 29, 1848
I have xamined the Family Record,
Mid H[?], not [?]
5286
C W Bennets,
Presct
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State of New York County of New York SS.
Be it remembered that on this the 29 day of October in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-five, before the Judge of the Marine Court a court of Record, held within and for the said County, and in open Court, personally appeared Margaretta Dupignac, aged 52 years, a resident of Brooklyn in the County of Kings and State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of the 2d February and 29th July 1848. That she is the [crossed off word-only] child and heir at law of Bazaleel Howe, deceased (who was a Lieutenant and Captain in the war of the Revolution, and who, as she has been informed and believes, entered the service in 1775 and served until after the close of the war) and of Catharine Howe, also deceased, his widow, that the said Bazaleel Howe and Catharine Howe, her father and mother were married on the fifteenth day of February in the year seventeen hundred and ninety nine (1799). That her father the said Bazaleel Howe, deceased, was a pensioner of the United States, and as she has been informed and believes, under the act of 1818 at the rate of Two hundred and forty Dollars per year, and that from the year eighteen hundred and eighteen up to the third of September (1825) Eighteen hundred and twenty-five, he resided in the City and County of New York in said State, and that he died on the said third day of September, eighteen hundred and twenty-five. That he left surviving him, deponents mother the said Catharine Howe, as his widow, who continued his widow, never having again intermarried until the Third (3d) day of December, eighteen hundred and forty nine (1849.)
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on which day her mother said Catharine Howe died, leaving surviving her the following named child or children and none other viz: John M, Catharine Spellman, Bezaleel, Margaretta Dupignac.
And deponent further states that the marriage of her father and mother took place as aforesaid on the fifteenth day of February seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, and that her mothers name before her said marriage was Catharine Moffat, and that there is no public record of said marriage in existence as deponent verily believes. That there is a private record contained in the family bible, and is in the word and figures following viz:
Bezaleel Howe married to Catharine Moffat 15th Feby 1799-
and which will be submitted for the inspection of the Pension Office.
And further, that she hereby appoints C. W. Bennett her true and lawful attorney, with power of substitution, to prosecute her claim, to receive the certificate when issued, and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises Margaretta Dupignac
Witness Wm Grandin.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Margaretta Dupignac and believe her to be [page cuts off]
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 and year first above mentioned, and I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Margaretta Dupignac, and believe her to be the person above named and of the age above stated; and further that I am not interested in this Claim as attorney or otherwise.
Florence McCarthy Justice x
Witness my hand and the seal of the said Court, affixed by order of said Court now in session.
Moses D. Gale Clerk.

State of New York County of New York SS.
On this 29 day of Octr A.D. 1855 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, Maria Howard a resident of said County to me well known as a credible witness, and who being by me first duly sworn, doth on her oath state that she was acquainted with Mrs. Catharine Howe, deceased and above named, that he knew her forty five years before her death, that she has examined her family record- that she believes the same to be genuine, that it is contained in a Book purporting to be the "family bible' and printed in the year 1818: and that the said record as far as the same relates to the marriage and death of the said Catharine and her husband, and the names and dates of the births of their children is as follows viz:
The record on the family bible 1818, has been sent to the pension office, and there are at hand no means of filling this blank without the record to copy from, as it was inadvertently omitted.
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that the foregoing is a correct copy of the same, and that deponent is not interested in this claim. Maria Howard
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above written, and I certify that I am in no way interested
Florence McCarthy- J. Peace

State of New York County of New York SS.
On this 29 day of Octr A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly authorized to administer oaths: Maria Howard aged 71 years a resident of New York City and Mary Houston aged 45 years, a resident of New York City, both of whom are to me well known, and whom I certify to be credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, depose and say, that they were each well acquainted with Mrs Catharine Howe, that they knew her for at least twenty years, before her death: that they were also well acquainted with her husband Bazaleel Howe, having known him for at least twenty years, before his death, that they the said Bazaleel and Catharine lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be, and that deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned. That the said Bazaleel Howe, was a pensioner of the United States, and that he died on the 3d day of Septr in the year Eighteen hundred and 25 :and that the said
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Bazaleel Howe, was a pensioner of the United States, and that he died on the 3d day of Septr in the year Eighteen hundred and 25 : and that the said Catharine Howe, his widow, died on the 3d day of Decr in the year Eighteen hundred 49 :and that the following named are the only surviving children of the said Bazaleel or Catharine Howe, viz: John M, Bezaleel, Catharine Spellman, Margaretta Dupignac. and further that deponents are disinterested. Maria Howard Mary Houston
Witness to signatures W Grandin

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 29th day of October A. D. 1855 and I certify that I am not in any manner interested herein.
Florence McCarthy - J. Peace.

State of New York County of New York SS.
I so hereby certify that Florence McCarthy Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavits were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal as Clerk of the County Courts of said County this 29 day of Octr A. D. 1855.
Moses D. Gale Clerk
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State of New York
County of New York SS.

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before the Marine Court of New York City and County, a Court of Record, held in aforesaid County, and in Open Court, which said evidence is hereunto annexed, that Bazaleel Howe was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $240.00 per annum and that he died on the third day of Septr eighteen hundred and twenty five leaving surviving a widow named Catharine Howe, who also died on the 3d day of Decr A.D. eighteen hundred and forty-nine and that Margaretta Dupignac, John M, Catherine Spellman, Bezaleel are the only surviving children of the aforesaid. Bazaleel and Catharine Howe,
Florence McCarthy, Justice Marine Court and J. P.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this twenty-ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, by order of the said court now in session
Moses D Gale Clerk
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O. W. and N. 2038
[stamp] & N. Div. Files Oct 23 1906

Hon. Vespasian Warner Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
May I beg the favor of information from the records of the Pension Office in regard to Lieutenant Bezaleel Howe- my ancestor, who I believe applied for a pension in March, 1818, on account of services in the Revolutionary War.
The point I wish to verify is, whether he was commissioned a Captain before the close of said war. A reply in due course will greatly oblige
Very respectfully your's
J Morgan Howe
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5286. Rejected
 P. O.
Catharine Howe
Service: widow of Bezaleel
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank].
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank].
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank].
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
[right hand side of page]:
Nov. 5/[18]98. Geo R. Howe Newark, N. J.
1906 Nov. 1- History to Dr. J. Morgan Howe.
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I certify that Lieutenant Bezl How[e] was appointed a Lieut in the first N Hampshire Regiment on the eighth day of November 1776 and has from that time to this ever borne the Charactor of a Vigilant faithful and good Officer.
Given under my hand in Garrison West Point this 17 day of Sept 1783.
Geo Reid Lt Col Comdt
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In Pursuance of and Act of Congress Of the Thirtieth Day of September, A. D. 1783 Bazaleel Howe Esquire is to Rank as Captain by Brevit, in the Army of the United States of America.
Given under my Hand, at Princeton the Tenth Day of October 1783-
Elias Boudinot [illegible]
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This is to certify that the bearer Captain Bezalel Howe was an Officer in the New Hampshire line in the Service of the United States during the late War, and that he served with reputation, as an Officer and a Gentleman.
Given at the War Office
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R.1.404
Catherine Howe
wid. of Bezaleel
N. Y.
July, 29, :58
[bottom half too dark to read]
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State of New-York
City and County of New-York, SS.
I, Benjamin Ferris, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said City and County, Do hereby certify, That Richard Riker, Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavits were made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affidavits were made and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further, that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New-York, and that the signature of R. Riker subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand writing of the said Richard Riker.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this thirteenth day of April- 1818
Benj. Ferris Clerk
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70 Franklin [illegible]-
New York 21 May
Dear [illegible]
I arrived here on Monday noon. Inasmuch as you cannot reopen the case of Margaretta Dupignac daughter of Capt Bezaleel Howe of Washington's body guard, -she desires The return of her family Bible to No 5 Skillman Street, Brooklyn, S. Island, New York.
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It is hardly necessary to say that the dates in the Bible correspond to those in the papers filed before the Bible was forwarded. It would appear to be a somewhat arbitrary decision of Commissioner Minot or Col Niles to assume fraud without proof.
Your friend,
W Grandin
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P.S. On July 1st take a position here of $3000 per an.- which will not prevent my devoting a sufficiency of time to my professional and editorial duties:
Yours W. G.
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Willard's
Washington D. C.
Sept 17, 1856
Dear Sir,
In case you find yourself unable to come to a favorable decision in case of Mrs Margaretta Dupignac, daughter of Bezaleel Howe of the Revolution, for a pension, please send to her, No 5 Skillman St Brooklyn, her Bible.
Your's Respy,
W. Grandin
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Penns Office
May 23, 1857
Sir
I have this day, in compliance with your request, forward the Family Bible filed by you - this office in support of the claim of Catharine Howe and who was the widow of Bezaleel under the Act of July 29, 1848, to the address of Mrs Margaretta Dupignac, No 5 Skillman Street, Brooklyn, Long Island, New York and request that its receipt my be acknowledged.

William Grandin Esq
Franklin St
New York
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Penns Office
May 14, 1857
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 28th ult, you are informed that you have not been correctly informed as to the view of the testimony filed in the case of Catharine Howe as she was the widow of Bezaleel Asked of the District Attorney of New York the Hon John McKeon. He did not express the [illegible] had unintended by any one- but not however doubtful was the
appearance of the alteration in the Family Record, so legal evidence to sustain a criminal prosecution could be obtained. Under the accusations we cannot reopen the case.  
W. Grandin, Esq
of New York
Now present
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G
Cole

Catharine Howe
Bezaleel N Y
Sus 29 [illegible]
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Washington, Apl 28, 1857
Sir
Some months ago I filed the papers of Mrs Margaretta Dupignac, daughter of Capt Bezaleel Howe of the Revolutionary Army- for a pension.
The claim has been suspended on account of alleged fraud in the entries in the family Bible. Hon John McKeon investigated the matter and examined all the parties and the witnesses to the papers under oath, on one or more occasions. He is satisfied that no fraud has been intended by any one, and that the claim is just. The entries in the Bible correspond with the which were forwarded a month before hand.
I shall feel myself under great obligations to you for a personal examination and liberal decision of this case at your earliest leisure and convenience. Respectfully, W Grandin
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W. Grandin
Sept 23/[18]56
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Penns Office,
Sept 23, 1856
Sir
In reply to your note of the 17th inst you are informed that, under the p[illegible] circumstances of the case, I cannot consent to [illegible] the Rule of this office by returning the Family Bible filed a testimony in the case of Catharine Howe, [illegible] widow of Bezaleel.
W. Grandin, Esq
Present
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Pension Office
Dec 26th 1855
Sir
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter returning to this office papers sent you Nov 24 last for investigation with reference to an intended  fraud in the case of Catharine Howe decd.
From the terms of your letter I infer that in your opinion sufficient evidence could not be procured to prove the guilt of any particular party even if an offence had been committed. There are however some suggestions in it which indicate a misapprehension on your part of some of the material points in the claim. You suppose it to be made under the Act of Feby 3d 1853- But the widow under whom the claim is made, died in 1849, and therefore there could be no pretence for a claim under the subsequent Act of '53. The claim is made under the Act, July 29th, 1848 which being prior to the death of the widow would entitle under it provided the claim can be properly established otherwise. But for this purpose it is necessary to prove a marriage prior to 1800. Hence the date of the marriage becomes most material, and the alteration in the record from 1800 to 1799 is most and directly important, because if the marriage was prior to 1800 the claim may be established,
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but if after, it cannot be.
I mention these points for your consideration as perhaps your conclusions may have been influenced by the misapprehensions you had in these respects. If you have no further occasion for the Bible sent you, you will please return the same to this office.
Very Respectfully -
Hon John McKeon
U. S. Dist Atty
New York City
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John McKeon
U. S. District Attorney
New-York December 16 1855.

Relative to a supposed fraud in the case of Mrs Margaretta Dupignac
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Southern District of New-York,
U. S. District Attorney's Office.
December 17, 1855
Sir
I have fully investigated the case of Mrs Dupignac as requested by Your favor of 24th November 1855. I have had interviews with all the parties from whom I could obtain knowledge of the matters and have arrived at the conclusion that however doubtful the appearance of the alterations in the dates in the family Bible, yet no legal evidence of any kind to sustain a criminal prosecution for an offence against the Laws of the United States can be obtained. Permit me to suggest that if the act of Feby 3, 1853 Chap 41. 2. be at all applicable that then no motive for a fraudulent alteration can be supposed to exist. I return the papers forwarded to me.
Very Respectfully your obt serv John McKeon US Dist Att
To J Minot Esq Commissioner of Pensions.
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Penns Office
Nov 24, 1855
Sir
On the 5th of November inst. Charles W. Bennett, Esq the aty, or the Agent of William Grandin, Esq of New York (see Grandin letter, paper No 1) transmitted to this office, on application from Margaretta Dupignac, a daughter of Bezaleel and Catharine Howe, claiming the arrears of pension due to the said Catharine for the service of said Bezaleel, who was a Lieutenant in the Continental Line of New Hampshire, under the Act of Congress passed on the 29th of July 1848. Under that act it is [illegible] that the widow claiming, and to when [?]ight a claim is set up, should from when married to the party for when service she claims is [illegilble]. prior to the year 1800-
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2
as there is no claim. The declaration of the said Margaretta alleges that her parents, the said Bezaleel and Catharine Howe were married on the 15th of February 1779 , and was accompanied by the affidavit of Margaretta H Dupignac daughter (paper no. 2) which purports to contain a true extract from the original Family Record; and from which it will be seen that the date of the marriage is set down as [illegible] occurred as alleged by declarant, as on the 15th Feb 1799. I further proof of the date of the marriage under the [illegible] we cannot receive as evidence a copy of a private Record when the original is acceptable) Mr Grandin removed to this office the Family Bible containing the Record of when the deposition of Margaretta H. Dupignac contains a transcript, referred to in the letter to Mr Bennett on Oct 29, 1855.
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3
(paper No. 1). Taken an examination of the Record in the Family Bible, where is herewith [illegible] for your inspection, it is very apparent that the date, [illegible] not [illegible] the date of the marriage of Bezaleel Howe to Catharine Moffat, the mother of the party by whom the claim is operated, has been altered- but also the marriage of the said Bezaleel to Hannah Merritt, who was apparently, his first wife. The alterations are, probably, a near date-  but that which is [illegible] material is Rest of the date of the marriage of Bezaleel Howe to Catharine Moffat, then was, doubtless, originally entered as having occurred on the 15th of February 1800, and not on the 15th of February 1799. Independent of the [illegible] when [illegible] upon the [illegible] from an examination of the entry, it is, I think confirmed by the entries of the births of the children of the parties on the
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next page for, it will be seen that Eliza Howe, who was [illegible], the first date [illegible] of the marriage, was born on the 19th of November 1800, and which date [illegible] case the usual period of gestation. It is possible that the alteration in the Record may have been made in good faith; has there on circumstance connected with them which under the belief that they from the [illegible] with the news of [illegible] this offer- and I will be obliged if you ever came the matter to be investigated at your earliest convenience. [crossed out]: Should you in the course of your examinations, deem the presence of a office of the Deponents necessary, we will be [illegible] sent to you. [written between lines of previous and repeated at bottom]: with reference to proper proceedings against any known who shall appear to have guilty of any offense therein. The results you will please communicate to me.
Hon John McKeon
U. S. District Attorney
New York.
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Penns Office
Nov 17, 1855.
Sir, 
Please call at Room No. 87, at your earliest convenience in reference to some [illegible] filed by you in the case Catharine Howe, [illegible] who was the widow of Bezaleel.
C. W. Bennet, Esq
Present
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Brooklyn December 4th 1855.
To the Com of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
If any Pension be granted To Margaretta Dupignac, Daughter of Capt Bezaleel Howe, let the monney be forwarded personally to me and
Oblige very Respectfully
Margaretta Dupignac
No. 5 Skilman St between Myrtle and Park Aves
East Brooklyn 
L. I.
an answer if you pleas
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Washington Nov 5 1855
Hon. J. Minot
Comr. of Pensions. 
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith the declaration and proofs of the heirs of Catharine Howe decd, widow of Bazaleel Howe deceased, for benefits of Act of 29th July 1848.
Very Respectfully Your Obt Sevt
C. W. Bennett

I am informed that the "family record" has been sent to your office recently by Wm Grandin, Esq, of New York.
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Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
Novr. 16th 1833.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 13th inst enclosing the papers in the case, I have to inform you that the pension of Bezaleel Howe, New York Roll at $20.00 per month under act 18 Mar 1818, was paid to 4 March 1820, and dropped under Act 1st May 1820. The papers are herewith returned.
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
Robt J Atkinson Auditor

J. Minot Esq
Commr of Pensions.
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Wm. Grandin
No. 1.
[illegible] Oct 31/[18]55 and returned papers for corrections
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New York Oct 29, 1855
C. W. Bennett Esq-
Dear Sir
I send herewith the papers in case of Mrs Dupignac. I also mail at same time the Record (family) to Pension Office-
I hope you will expedite the case.
Pray let me hear from you upon the other matters-
See Union of 28th Inst for a New York letter signed G.
Yours &c
W. Grandin.
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Copy
New York, Oct. 29, 1855.
C.W. Bennett, Esqr.,
Dear Sir,
I send herewith the papers in case of Mrs Dupignac. I also mail at same time the Record (family) to Pension Office.
I hope you will expedite the case.
Pray let me hear from you upon the other matters.
See Union of 28th inst. for a New York letter signed G.
Yours &c
(Signed,)
W. Grandin
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State of New York SS.
To the Honorable Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York and one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New York which is Court of record of the State of New York. The declaration of Bazaleel Howe under Oath is as follows Viz That he entered in the service on the 20th day of April 1775. That on that day, he marched with about One Hundred Men from the town of Amherst, State of New Hampshire, to Cambridge, in the State of Massachusetts. That as soon as the Army was organized he enlisted as a private Soldier in Capt Crosby's company, Col Reeds regiment Genl Sullivans brigade.
That on the 8th day of November 1776 the said Bazaleel Howe, was appointed a Lieutenant in the Army of the United States.
That in 1777 he served in Capt Morrells
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company, Col Cilley[']s Regiment Genl Poor[']s brigade, in the New Hampshire line, which brigade after General Poor[']s death, was commanded by General Stark, and in which brigade he the said Bazaleel Howe served until the close of the Revolutionary War. And that during the greater part of  the year 1783, the said Bazaleel Howe commanded his Excellency General Washington's guard, and escorted his Papers and baggage to Mount Vernon, his seat in Virginia, and on the last day of December, in the year last mentioned, he was honorably discharged at West Point.
And that the said Bazaleel Howe is now a Citizen of the United States, resides in the City of New York and is by reason of various misfortunes in life, and having a large family To support is in need of assistance from his Country and that he hath never
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received or been allowed any pension whatever by the laws of the United States. Therefore the Bazaleel Howe conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the act of the Congress of the United States entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" approved the 18 March 1818 and requests that your Honor will examine into the truth of the matters aforesaid, certify and transmit this testimony in this case and the proceedings had there onto the Honorable the Secretary of Department of War to the and that such relief may be had in the promises as is by law in such case provided
Bezaleel Howe

Sworn to before me this 30th day of March 1818- R Riker
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State, City and County of New York, SS:
Margaretta Howe Dupignac, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that she is the daughter of the foregoing memorialist Margaretta Dupignac and grand-daughter of Captain Bezaleel Howe of the Revolutionary Army. That she resides with her said mother in the City of Brooklyn, New York, and has so resided for the last past three years. That on the 23d day of October, A. D. 1855, she made a transcript of the records in the family bible from the original in the words and figures following, to with: Bezaleel Howe married to Catharine Moffat, 15 Feb 1799. Bezaleel Howe died Sept 3d 1825. Catharine Howe died Dec 3d 1849. Deponent further declares upon best information and belief that albeit her grandfather Bezaleel Howe may have been placed upon the pension roll, he never received any pension whatever, nor did his widow ever receive any pension whatever from the Government of the United States.
(Signed,) Margaretta H Dupignac.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 24th day of October, 1855, and I certify the credibility of the deponent.
(Signed,) Wm Grandin, Notary Public,- U. S. Commissioner.
Seal. Wm Grandin, Notary Public,- State of New York.