Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,800, James Hooker, Conn.
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Hooker, James
Mary

NUMBER
W. 25, 800
---------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

9688
Connecticut
========================
Mary Hooker, decd
widow of James Hooker
Con
who was a Military or Hospital Store Keeper
in the Revolution
=========================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of march, 1843 and end 7th October 1846
===========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Mar 1857 and sent to Hon. Eyra Clarke Jr. Hartford Ct
===========================
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844] and special act March 3d 1857

Recorded n Book H
Vol. 1 page 157
Page 3

I Roswell Miller of the Town of Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut a
Revolutionary pensioner aged eighty one years & upwards do testify and say I enlisted to serve as a guard to guard the Continental Stores then in the care and charge of June & Horace Hooker of this Town on the 12th day of March 1778 and continued in that service for the time of two years, for which service I now receive a pension of 80 Dols per annum -- During all the time I served  as a guard, James & Horace Hooker, acted as Store-Keeper, to receive & deliver Stones to the Continental Army-
James Hooker was the oldest of the Brothers and was the active sufficient person to take charge of 2nd Stores and have & deliver them as aforesaid-- the 2d James Hooker died
in this town as near as I can recollect about thirty five years since, and his widow Mary Hooker still survives him, & is now residing in Bloomfield formerly a part of this
town) Horace Hooker & his wife died more than twenty years since in the State of New York as I credibly informed
Roswell Miller


State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} Windsor July 28 1841
Personally appeared before me Roswell
Miller a near neighbor & with whom I am well acquainted & Subscribed to the above & made solemn oath to the truth of the same & I further certify that he is a respectable & credible witness. I further certify that I am well acquainted with Mary Hooker widow of James Hooker decd & is now residing in the Town of Bloomfield
formerly a part of this town
Giles Ellsworth Justice of the Peace
Page 4

James Hooker and Mary Chaffee were Married November Seventh one thousand Seven hundred and eighty four
I hereby certify that the above is a true and exact copy from the Town Records of the Town of
Windsor in the County of Hartford & State of
Connt with the exception of the date which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures as follows Novr 7th 1784 Wm Howard

I William Howard Town Clerk of the Town of Windsor in the County Hartford & State
aforesaid do testify & say that I hold the office
of Town Clerk in the Town & State aforesaid, and
that the above is a true extract from Tr records
with exception of the above named as certified by me
Wm Howard Town Clerk

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford}  Windsor July 28th 1841
Personally appeared before me Wm Howard
with whom I am well acquainted & know to hold
the office of Town Clerk as aforesaid, and subscribed to the same & made solemn oath to the truth of the same & I further certify that he is a credible respectable witness
Giles Ellsworth Justice of the Peace
Page 5

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} Hartford County

On this twenty ninth day of July in the year AD one thousand eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before Seth Terry Esqr Judge of Probate for the district of Hartford Mary Hooker a resident of the Town of Bloomfield in the County of Hartford
and State of Connecticut aged eighty one years and upwards 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 of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows: That she is the widow of James Hooker who served as Storekeeper to the Army of the United
State in the Revolutionary war in the medical
department. She further declares that she was married the said James Hooker on the Seventh day of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and that her husband the aforesaid James Hooker
died on the tenth day Decr one thousand eight hundred and five; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place before the first of June One thousand seven hundred and Ninety four viz at the time above stated
Mary Hooker
Sworn to & subscribed the day and
year first above written
before me
Seth Terry Judge

State of Connecticut, Hartford County
I Seth Terry Judge of the Court of Probate
Page 6

for the District of Hartford certify that the foregoing and annexed contain the proceedings before said Court in the matter of the application of the Widow Mary Hooker for a pension - that the subscribing Magistrate Giles Ellsworth is a Justice of the Peace for Hartford County duly qualified by law to administer oaths & entitled to belief under oath - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 29th day of July AD 1841
Seth Terry Judge
Page 7

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} Ss
Be it known that before me George Robinson a Notary Public in and for said county and State duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Henry Sill and Rhoda Simmons both residents of Windsor in Hartford County, and made oath that they personally knew Mary Hooker, the widow of James Hooker deceased late of said Windsor and that to our knowledge the said Mary Hooker died on the seventh day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six, and the names of her children are Hannah A Yates, James Hooker, Horace Hooker, Henry T Hooker,  and Elira Hooker, who are her only surviving children.
Henry Sill
Rhoda Simmons
Sworn to and subscribed 
on this 14th day of March
1857 before me and 
I certify that the deponents
are credible witnesses
Geo Robinson
Notary Public
Page 8

State of Connecticut}
District of Hartford}
Hartford Probate District

I Henry Perkins Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford in said State do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court by the Deposition of Henry Sill and Rhoda Simmons hereunto annexed who are credible witnesses, that Mary Hooker widow of James Hooker decd late of Windor in Hartford County died on the 7th day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six and that her only surviving children, are Hannah A. Yates - James Hooker - Horace Hooker - Henry T Hooker, and Eliza Hooker.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the seal of 
said Court at Hartford this 16th da of March 1859
Henry Perkins
Judge of Probate
Page 9

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss Hartford:

On this 11th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Hartford, Eliza Hooker, a resident of Bloomfield, in the County of Hartford aforesaid aged 52 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, and the Act of the 3d of March 1843 and also of the Act of June 17th 1844. 
That she is the daughter of James and Mary Hooker deceased : that her Mother the said Mary Hooker, did in her life time make a Declaration, and claimed a pension under the Act of Congress of 1838 for the service of her husband as a Storekeeper; that the said Declarant now claims, that her said Father served as an Assistant to Doct. Isaac Foster who was Deputy Director General for the Eastern District and that her father the said James Hooker had charge
of an Hospital Magarine, at Windsor Connecticut, and for proof of the foregoing, she refers to the accompanying papers, and to the papers transmitted with the Declaration of her mother Mary Hooker deceased,
Eliza Hooker

Sworn & subscribed this 11th day of May A.D. 1850
William N. Matson Judge of Probate
Page 10

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} ss
Hartford May 11th 1850
I William N. Matson sole Judge of the
Court of Probate for the District of Hartford holden at Hartford in and for the District of Hartford, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that that James Hooker was a resident of the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut and died in the town of Windsor on said State in the year 1805 on the 10th day of December; that he left a widow whose name was Mary Hooker, who died at Schenectady in the State of New York on the 7th day of October 1846 leaving Five children whose names are Hannah A. Yates, James Hooker
Horace Hooker, Eliza Hooker and Henry J. Hooker who are now surviving, In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name at Hartford this 11th day of May A.D. 1850.
William N. Matson Judge of Probate

State of Connecticut Ss
P. Lester A. Roberts Clerk of the of Probate for the District of Hartford and keeper of the seal thereof, hereby certify that William N. Matson
whose name is subscribed to the foregoing is and was at the date thereof Judge of said Court, that I am acquainted
Page 11

with his handwriting and that the said name is his own genuine handwriting and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said  Court at Hartford this 11th day of May AD 1850
Lester A Roberts Clerk
Page 12

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,__________,19__
W.F. 25800

In reply to your request of ___________, received ____________________ for a statement of the military history of James Hooker a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Feb'y 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
Nov 1780
RANK
as Miliary and Hospital Storekeeper in Windsor Conn.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, July 29, 1841 claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, 
Bloomfield, Hartford Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, 
She was 81 yrs. old
Remarks: 
H mar. Nov. 7 1784 at Windsor Conn. Mary Chaffee and died at Windsor Conn. Dec. 10 1805. She died at Schenectady N. Y. Oct. 7, 1846 leaving five children. Hannah A. Yates, James, Horace, Eliza and Henry T
Respectfully,
Commissioner

brother Horace
6-2856
Page 13

James Hooker
Cont Coun. W. 25800
A return of stores delivered by
James and Horace Hooker for
the use of the Military Hospital
from Feb. 1778 to Sept. 1779.
An account between Isaac Foster
and James & Horace Hooker from
Oct. 1779 to Sept. 10, 1780
7 letters relative to supplies
2 receipts
22 Orders
have been removed from this
claim to be sent to the War
Dept
W.
Oct. 22, 1912
sent to War
Dept. Jan. 16, 1913.
-
Page 14

WIDOW, &c.

File No. 25,800
Mary Hooker
wid. of
James Hooker
Milt. S. K. Rev. War

Act: Mrh. 3rd 1848
June 17th /44
March 3, /57
Index:--Vol. A Page 352

[Arrangement of 1870.]

opposite side of paper has black ink smudge the length of the page covering approx. half of the information

1914 Mch. 7 Histy
1917 Ap. 10 Mrs W. S.
been furnished
Page 15

11.853
Connecticut.
Mary Hooker decd
widow of James Hooker
who died on the
of _____ in the State of Connecticut
who was a Military or Hospital Store Keeper in the ______________commanded by Captain __________of the ____________commanded by __________in the Revolution line for

==========================
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annuum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
==========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of March 1857 and sent to Hon. Ezra Clarke Jr. M. C.
Hartford Ct.
==========================
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 7, 1838}
Speical Act Mar. 3, 1857
Recorded by G. T Getty Clerk
Book H Vol. 1 Page 132
Page 16

Mary Hooker
Con't


July 7 1838
Page 17

7951 
Mary Hooker,
Connecticut

Jesse Ives 23d Sep 1841
A Ray 16 Dec 1841 same
10 July 1845 D.D. Addiso
31 October 1849 Abijah Car
lin July 1850 claim
examined & disallowed by
Secretary Interior, see letter to
A Ray Jany 25 1851 Hon
Truman Smith May 30 185
Sect. Peugh 21 July 1856
Hon Ezra Clark July 11 185
Hon GW Jones Feby 10, 1857
Hae E Clark Jr 1 March 57

July 7 1838
Page 18

No. 7951
Mary Hooker
Conn

Let to Jesse Ives 23 Sepr 41
"    " A Ray 11 Decr 41
"    " Same 11 July 45
"    "  D D Addison 31 Oct 49
"    " Abijil Catlin July 23/50
Claim examined & disallowed by Secy  Ledles
to A Ray Jany 25 1857
Hin T Smith May 30/51
Act 7 July 1848
Page 19

No 7951
Mary Hooker
Conn.
-
Letter to
Jesse Ives 23d Sept 1841.
A. Ray 16th Dec. 1841.
A. Ray. 10th July 1845.
D. D. Addison 31st Oct. 1849
Abijah Catlin July 23d 1850
claim examined & disallowed
by Secretary Interior, see letter
to A. Ray Jany 25th 1851
Hon: Truman Smith, May 30th 1851
S.A. Pugh 21 July 1854

Act 7th July 1838.
Page 20

H, R, 532
Mary Hooker
Page 21

34th Congress,}
1st Session.}
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
{REPORT
NO. 311.

HEIRS OF MARY HOOKER.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 532.]

AUGUST 2, 1856.

Mr. WOODRUFF, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following REPORT.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the memorial of Mary Hooker, widow of James Hooker, praying a pension under act of 7th July, 1838, and subsequent acts, respectfully report:

That the widow claims that her husband was "military or hospital storekeeper from late in 1777 to the latter part of 1780, being more than two years." In support of this allegation, she introduces the evidence of Roswell Miller, Frederick Chapman, and Elijah Denslow, certified to be credible, who receive pensions for guarding the very store of which Hooker was keeper, and who swear to their knowledge of his having acted in that capacity more than two years. Return S. Mather was a school-boy during the Revolution, and well recollected the fact that Hooker was a keeper of the continental stores at Windsor.
There is a letter from Isaac Foster, deputy director general of the eastern department, to James and Horace Hooker, requesting them to act as storekeepers at the town of Windsor, and their reply, agreeing to do so on the usual terms. There is a requisition from them upon the governor of Connecticut, for a guard of a sergeant and twelve men to protect the public stores in their custody. There are various letters, running through a period of about three years, from public officers to James and Horace Hooker, in which their functions as storekeepers are spoken of, and in which they are sometimes addressed specifically by that title. Amongst others, she had exhibited original letters from Dr. Foster, Gen. Nehemiah Hubbard, Commissary General Holt, Surgeon General Turner, Daniel Jones, assistant commissary general of forage, and others, in which directions are given for disposing of the public stores, or requisitions made from them, or settlements regarding them. It is also shown that the government paid the rent of the house in which the stores under their custody were kept ; and in a communication addressed by General Washington to James and Horace Hooker, an extract of which is taken from the archives of the State Department, they are addressed
Page 22

2 HEIRS OF MARY HOOKER

specifically, "hospital storekeepers." (See paper A.) the date of the marriage is properly established.
It is admitted that storekeepers were a component part of the army, and many have been pensioned for their service as such, but the allowance of this claim has been resisted on the assumption that these parties were acting under a civil contract. But it is not shown that any officer had a right, or even pretended, to fill a military post with a civilian, and thus to dispense with the safeguards which Congress had thrown around the duties intrusted to its employees ; for every military storekeeper was subject to martial law, the penalty for embezzlement amounting to death ; and it is a violent presumption to suppose that the director general should pretermit this security, and substitute a civilian's responsibilities for the graver ones attaching to the military character, nor has your committee been able to find any authority for his so doing.
As the duties of military storekeeper at a post were not in consistent with the position of a merchant, the fact that the Hookers held the latter position at the time of their appointment, and possibly afterwards, does not in the least militate against the conclusion at which your committee have arrived.
Nor can there be perceived the significance of the fact that a commission was received on the amount of public money passing through their hands. During a considerable part of the Revolution all purchasing commissaries were paid only such commissions, and yet their military character has never been questioned.
Inn view, then, of the duties performed by them, confessedly identical with those of all other "military storekeepers," of the positive statute requiring them to be subject to martial law, and of their official character being recognised by the "commander-in-chief," your committee cannot resist the conviction that James Hooker was military storekeeper, and accordingly report a bill for the relief of the petitioner.
Page 23

W.63
Washington Decr 2 1850

Callier L Ray

ask for a re-examination of the case of Mrs. Mary Hooker widow of James Hooker. claiming under Act July 4th 1838
Page 24

As this case has been much wooted I will concerily state the groundd on which I humbly 
conceive it should be allowed.
The claim has at previous times been before the court & has been disallowed
There is no dispute as to the fact of service in the capacity, but whether that service was in a civil or Military capacity is the question
The journals of Congress 1777 approve
show that Dr Issac Foster was appointed a Deputy Director Genl of the Hospital department
(line of text crossed out)
& that he as such had power to appoint his subordinates page 117 118. 125
the papers in the case show that he Dr Foster did appoint Hooker to when [unknown word] or keep the hospital established by him at Windsor Connecticut
Now if he was serving in a civil capacity merely. It presents the singular fact that while all the subordinates were acting under the in a military capacity be the head of the concern in the absence of the Dep Div Gen was serving in a
different capacity
It is not likely that a mere civilian would have hac charge of such a
Page 25

2
a wit large concern as the military hospital & magazine at Windsor while Dr Foster himself and all the other subordinates were liable to the severities of Martial laws
The evidence in the case does not require so forced a conclusion. And I refer to the evidence before afforded as well as that now offered on the contrary I believe it to be the other way all that I have seen or of which I have heard is of this character.
The supplying of rations or forage for that horse -  all tend to show that he was acting in a military not civil capacity
I solicit a careful revision of all the evidence in the case
We show no commission we admit but show duties performed necessarily supposing such a commission or warrant 
c
Page 26

3
In this application we claim that he served as
an assistant Deputy Director in former applications it was set upon the ground of being
a store keeper

The resolutions of Congress page 118 prescribe
the duties of Assistant Deputy Directors "to superintend the Hospital committee "to their care & to assist in proceeding the "articles before specified under the control of "the director or Deputy Decter Genl"
There were the precise duties performed by James Hooker, Hence we are authorized to believe that he acted as an Assistant Deputy Director for which we now claim
I refrain from an extended examination of the evidence request only that the same may be carefully examined by the department & a decision had as soon as convenient
Yours respectfully
Abijah Caltin
at
care L P Waldo
M.C.
House Representatives
Page 27

Mary Hooker
widow of
James Hooker
praying pension for
services of her husband
in the Revolutionary War

July 19, 18556 Refd to the
Committee on Reve
Pensions

1854 Aug 2 Bill 532
Page 28

Brief in the case of Mary Hooker, widow of Jas Hooker, Hartford County and State of Connecticut
Act 7 July 1838 & Special Act 3 March 1857

Claim ("original,")

Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Allowed by special Act of Congress approved
March 3, 1857
Page 29

Mary Hooker, decd
widow of James Hooker
Military or Hospital Store keeper
Ct.
Special Act 3 March 1857 &
7 July 1838.
$600 per annum, com'g
4 March 1836 & ending
7 Oct 1846, (except two yrs)
payable to
Hannah A Tate
James Hooker,
Horace Hooker,
Henry T. Hooker &
Eliza Hooker, only surviving children
(Roll act 7 July 1838, March 3/43
& 17 June 1844)
Hon Ezra Clark Jr
MC
Hartford
Ct
Page 30

Pension Office,
March 7, 1857.

Sir:
Before the claim of the heirs of Mary Hooker can be adjusted, a certificate of some court of record must be furnished, showing the date of her death, and the names of her children

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yours Obt. Servt.
J. Cole
for Commissioner
Page 31

Pension Office,
February 10, 1857

Sir.
I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter of the 23d of July 185o to Abijah Catlin Esq, which will disclose the grounds upon which this office refused to allow the claim of Mary Hooker, widow of James, of Connecticut.
The papers in the case ae also returned
Very Respectfully
Yr obt Servant

Hoocoluting
frm pierre

Hon GW Jones
Ch Com on Pensions
U.S. Senate
Page 32

Washington D.C.
18th July 1854

Hon L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions

Sir
I respectfully request that you case an examination of the Case of Mary Hooker of Ct. a suspended case under act 1848 with a view to [illegible word] of Pension as "Hospital Storekeeper" The case has been rejected for want of evidence of his military claim. This evidence is in my possession & wen the case is called up I will produce.
Yours
S.A. Peugh
Page 33

Washington City CD
June 28/57

sir
the enclosed "An Act H.R. 332 For the relief of Mrs Mary Hooker" is herewith referred to your office for facts or papers such as your files may afford, and the case seems to demand
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Geo W Jones
Chr Com on Pensions
U. S. S.

Hon Geo. C. Whiting 
Comr Pensions
Page 34

House of Rep
Washington July 11. 1856.
Received from Hon Josiah Minot Comm
of Pensions, the papers in the Suspended case
of Mary, Widow of James Hooker, of Connt
under act of July 7th 1838
Ezra Clark
Page 35

Ms Clarks receipt for the papers of Mary Hooker widow of Jas of Con't

July 7 1838
Page 36

12 Feb 1853

Letter from A Ray filing evidence showing that James Hooker was only a merchant & held no military rank. Mr. Ray abandons therefore the claim
Page 37


Washington
February 12/50

Jas E. Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Washington
February 12 /50
As far back as 1841 I was engaged as attorney in the case of Mary Hooker late of Connecticut decd in a claim then pending under act July 7. 1838. On account of James Hooker Services as Hospital Storekeeper, being a partner of the firm of James & Horace Hooker as Merchants.
The Correspondence in the case will doubtless show from 1841 to 1845, I was the acknowledged agent in the case. during its time, I made diligent examinations of all military records at Hartford Connecticut, pertaining to appointment and pay of military staff officers, with the view to ascertain the character of James & Horace Hooper StoreKeepers; but without any success.
In 1850 Mr Catlin (former Comptroller of Connecticut) obtained a new power of attorney in the case from the of the heirs, in his own name, and with a mass of testimony collected from the Historical Societies of Connecticut and Massachusetts, which he presents in support of the claim, to show the
Military capacity of the Hookers. Your reply dated July 23, 1852, indicated a full consideration of all the new proof. But it produced no change in the decision of the Office.
After this Mr Catlin engaged with us, to draw up an agreement in the case, and to submit the question for the consideration and decision of Secretary of the Interior, claiming at the same time, that Mary Kingsbury widow of Andrew had been pensioner on account of her Husband's Services as Hospital StoreKeeper. On an examination of the papers filed in her application (in connection
with Mr Evans late Chief Clerk) we formed the evidence in her case to be of the most conducive character in regard to her husband's appointment, and pay
Page 38

as Hospital Store Keeper Connecticut line. But formed no application nor precedent for the case of James Hooker.
The argument presented to the Secretary of the Interior was dated Dec 2/50, and his decision was made Jan 25 following. sustains the opinion from your office, and a copy I transmitted to the parties interested. Since which, Mrs Mary Hooker has written once or oftener upon the subject of her claim, and having understood she has appointed another agent and not wishing to embarrass the claim by my association, nor withdraw from any further connection with it in any way.
I herewith endow several old letters sent to me by the claimant they property belong to the papers filed in the case, They only show that  Dod. Isaac Foster Dep D. New'd a'd communicated with James and Horace Hooker's as Merchants. they (crossed out replaced with and) cannot effect the opinion expressin in you letter of July 23.1850. nor disturb the decision of the Secretary of the Interior of the 25 Jan 51 in the case.
I remain Sir
Yours non other
Alex Ray

First a letter fron JS & Hor Hooker dated
Windsor Jan 11 1778 to Docr Foster offering for sale 3000 coffee
2nd Docr Foster reply dated sanbry Jan 30 1778 directed to Mags JW & Wm Hooker Merchants
3rd J W & Hor Hooker letter dated Windsor March 1 1778. sending an invoice of good sold to Doc foster stating they wanted money, as they was engaged in Navigation
My other letters from Doc Isaac Foster dated Boston Jany 3 and Dec 21 1780 to Mag JW & Horace Hooker Merchants Windsor Connt
Page 39

Department of State
Washington. May 20th, 1832.
D. D. Addison, Esqr.
Washington
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 11th
instant, I have to inform you, that in
the Washington Letter Books Vol: 13:9:
page 125, there is a letter addressed by
General Washington, to "Messrs: James
"and Horace Hooper, Hospital Storekeepers",
dated "Head Quarters, New Windsor, June
26th 1779."
Your enquiry relates particularly to 
the name of James Hooker, but the name of
Hooper as above furnished, being found
in the connection mentioned in your
letter
Page 40

letter, it is presumed that the identity
of the person may be established from
some other source.
I am, Sir, respectfully
Your obedient Servant
W. Hunter
Acting Secretary
Page 41

Washington City Jany 18/51
Hon A. H. H. Stewart
Dear Sir Will you please
communicate the information which will enable
me to respond to the Enquiry of my friend
Mr Catlin. It seemed to me on looking ┃
at the papers that the case of Mary
Hooker ought to be favorably entertained
with much [illegible] I am faithfully
Your Friend
Truman Smith
Page 42

p.76
March 3d. 1857
Washington [illegible]
Jany 18. 1857
Hon Truman Smith
Enc: letter from A Catlin
Relative to the claim
of Mary Hooker for
Revolutionary Pension [illegible]
Recd 2 March
Immediate attention
[illegible]
[illegible] Triplett 
Referred to Comr of Pensions
for his attention & reply
Dept Int.
[illegible]/57 [51?]
Page 43

Hon G. W. Jones
Chm Com on Pensions
U. S. Senate
Copy of a letter of the 23d
July 1850, showing why
the claim of Mary Hooker
could not be allowed by
the  Pension Office.
Page 44

Copy
Pension Office
July 23, 1850,
Sir,
The several transcripts from the records of the Historical Societies of Connecticut and Massachusetts transmitted by you, in t he care of Mary Hooker, widow of James, does not remove the objections to the admission of her claim.

We can discern nothing in these papers showing either t he appoint or the service of the Hooker's husband as Military store Keeper. They all refer to James & Horace Hooker as merchants, and not to James Hooker as a military store keeper. In all the memos and communication to them, they are address to Messrs. James & Horace Hooker. No commission or other paper showing the appointment of James Hooker as Hospital store keeper have been provdied and the fact of James & Horace Hooker having been allowed a commission of 2 1/2 per cent upon the amount purchased by them, in addition to t heir accounts for storage, labor &c. show clearly that they were acting as merchants and not as officers of the line or staff of the Continental Army or state troops.
Page 45

The position, heretofore, taken by this office, that James & Horace Hooker were merchants and partners, doing business under that style & name, at Windsor Connecticut, that Dr. Isaac Foster, Depy Director Genl, employed them in December 1777 to provide store room & to take charge of the Hospital stores there about to be removed from the East and that they continued the agents of Dr. Foster until Nov 26, 1780, when they rendered their account for expenses & services attending the same! That the certificate of Dr. Foster approving their account, shows conclusively that the whole transactions, were nothing more than the fulfillment of a private contract and that Mrs. Hookers husband never performed any military service whatever, has not been weakened, at all, by the papers you now present.
The service of Mrs. Hooker's husband was not such as to entitle her to a pension, her claim can not be allowed.

Signed by the Commissioner

Abijah Catlin Esq
Care of Hon L. P. Waldo
H of R
Page 46

Pension Office
July 23, 1850
Sir,
The several transcripts from the records of the Historical Societies of Connecticut and Massachusetts transmitted by you in the case of Mary Hooker, widow of James Hooker does not remove the objections to the admission of her claim.
We can discover nothing in these papers showing either the appointment or the services of Mrs. Hooker's husband as military store keeper. They all refer to James and Horace Hooker as merchants and not James Hooker as a military store keeper. In all the orders and communications to them they are address to Messrs James & Horace Hooker. No commission or other paper showing the appointment of James Hooker as Hospital Store Keeper have been produced, and the fact of James & Horace Hooker having been allowed a commission of 2 1/2 per cent upon the amount purchased by them in addition to their accounts for storage labor &c shows clearly that they were acting as merchants and not as officers of the line or staff
Page 47

of the Continental Army State Troops.
The position theretofore taken by this office that James and Horace Hooker were merchants and partners doing business under that style and name, at Windsor, Connecticut, "that Dr. Isaac Foster, Depy Director General employed them in December, 1777, to to provide store room and to take charge of the Hospital stores then about to be removed from the East and that they continued the agents of Dr. Foster until November 26, 1780, when they rendered their account for expenses and services, attending the same, that the certificate of Dr. Foster, approving of their account shows conclusively that the whole transactions were nothing more than the fulfillment of a private contract, and that Mrs. Hooker's husband never performed any military service whatever, has not been weakened at all by the papers you now present.
The service of Mrs. Hooker's husband was not such as to entitle her to a pension. Her claim cannot be allowed.
I am very respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Abijah Catlin Esq.
Care of Honl L. P. Waldo
House of Representatives
Page 48

State of Connecticut
District of Hartford}
At a Court of Probate holden at Hartford within & for the District of Hartford
Present. Henry Perkins Esq. Judge
Satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the Court that Mary Hooker late of Bloomfield in said District, deceased, an applicant for a pension died upon the 7th day of October 1846 and that she left the following children who now survive her viz. Eliza Hooker in said District, Hannah A Yates of Schenectidy in the state of New York, James Hooker of Poughkeepsie, Henry Hooker of Rochester & Harry T. Hooker of Syracuse in said state of New York.
In testimony whereof I Isaac C. Perkins Clerk of said County Probate Court hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this 2d day of December AD 1850.
Isaac C. Perkins, Clerk
Page 49

Woodbury Connt.
Oct 24th 1849

Sir
In my letter to you of the 22nd Inst., I requested you to withhold an action on the James Hooker case until you heard further from me.
My reason for so doing was that I had addressed a letter to Mr. Addison some two or three weeks since, requesting information on the subject of the claim, and had rec'd no answer. I have just rec'd a letter form him apologizing for his neglect to reply to my enquiries, and that he had asked you for an action on the claim and to furnish him with objections, if any. You will now please act upon it as if I had not written you on the subject, and I now withdraw my objections to his agency in the matter.
I am very respectfully
yr obt servt
Benjn. Colton

J. L. Edwards esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 50

Washington City, D.C.
Oct 10th 1849

Dr. Sir,

I am authorized, as you will perceive from the enclosed letter of Mr. Benjn. Colton of Ct, to request of you the favor of a re-examination of the claim of Mrs. Hooker, widow of James Hooker, decd. under the act of July 4th 1836, now suspended and on file in your office. You will therefore greatly oblige me, if you will cause the examination to be made at an early day and the objections to its admission, pointed out, that I may endeavor to remove them.

I am, very respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
D. D. Addison

To
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 51

Revolutionary
J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commr of Pensions
[the following is written vertically from bottom to top on the left half of the page]
[illegible] 17/69
W Allison
Page 52

Woodbury Litchfield Co Connt.
Augt 15th 1849

Sir
I sent to your Dept some six or seven years since, the claim of the widow of James Hooker for the services of her husband as a military storekeeper in Windsor Connt., and in recently looking over Hinmans history (a copy of which I left at your office in Feby last) I notices that James & Horace Hooker of said Windsor, stated to the council of safety in Connt., that they had been appointed by Doct I. Fostor Depy Director Genl and asked of the Govr & council of safety for a military guard to protect their military store, and 12 soldiers with an officer granted to them for the purpose and object asked for.
I have the impression that the Honl. H. L. Ellsworth then of the Patent office, by my suggestion, took some agency in the claim and presented some proof in support of it to your office, as he was a native of the same town, and was well acquainted with the claimant & Hooker family.
I have not authorized and requested D. D. Addison Esqr of Washington City, to call up the claim, and ask your candid and impartial examination of the claim with the additional proof and arguments that he may exhibit before you.
You will find the entry in Hinman's Book Page 523 under the head of Feby 1778.
I am very respectfully
Yr obt servt
Benjn. Colton

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Page 53

Hartford July 14th 1846

Sir

I addressed you some weeks since in behalf of the widow of James Hooker whose application, under the act of 1838, for a pension, in right of her husband's services as Hospital store keeper, is pending before you.

Permit again briefly to call your attention to some of the leading facts in the case -

1st After the burning of Danberry in 1777, the principal Depot of Hospital stores, from which supplies were constantly drawn for the American forces at West Point & vicinity was established at Weullser Connecticut & continued there [until[ the close of 1780.
2d Although the position was so far interior, as not to be exposed to any sudden incursion of the enemy, yet so important was the Depot, that a guard of some twenty men was enlisted from year to year & bounties paid on their entertainment to guard the large amount of public property from incendiaries of the enemy who might be secretly sent to destroy it
Page 54

3d It is probable that this Post was without a military commandant, and who was the commander if not Capt. James Hooker? It is absolutely certain that there was no other and that the stores were under his care & superintendence and the guard subject to his orders.
4th So far as traditionary evidence may be relied upon, no man in the vicinity who has any intelligence upon the subject entertained the slightest doubt that Capt. James Hooker was Hospital or Military Store Keeper dully appointed & commissioned & that he served several years in that capacity. The Commr. has before him the affidavit of Col. Richard Niles & others to that affect, the public men of the town of Wenden, men of large possessions & great aggregate wealth, no way commuted or associated with the applicant or her family. Men who would guard the public coffers against an unjust or inequitable claims as scrupulously as the Commr. himself or any other man connected with the administration of the government.
5th In the absence of documentary evidence lost or destroyed without fault of the claimant
Page 55

is nothing due to traditionary evidence drawn from so high a quarter and so full to the point.
6th But this traditionary evidence is corroborated and supported by the deposition testimony of several living witnesses contemporary with the case and by every scrap of documentary evidence which has been found relating as all to the matter.
It is claimed that he was an officer in the General Hospital Department and the principal of that Department designates him such and disbursements are made to him as such and of such a character as clearly & unequivocally to establish the military character of the man to whom they are made.
And what is there that comes up in the examination of this case to throw a shadow of doubt upon it? Nothing but that the name of the old mercantile firm. James & Horace Hooker appears in the correspondence.
Horace was the younger brother of James without capital or credit, [illegible] for his services, some small share of the [profits] of the [illegible] had carried on before the war. Nothing was more
Page 56

common than a sort of perpetuity of the name of a commercial known and established.
It is perfectly apparent that the use of the name of James & Horace in the correspondence was as unmeaning as any other "nom de guerre"
But we find that whenever disbursements are made it is to James Hooker Hospital Store Keeper &c.
As to the younger brother Horace, he never from first to last had one farthing's interest in the concern - through life he continued a dependent on his brother James - his name as in many other cases, was intruduced into the concerns as a harmless gratification of the veracity of a favorite.
If this matter of the name of Horace coupled with James in the correspondence is deemed material by the Commr, I would refer him to Judge Niles of the US Senate who was a townsman of the Hookers & who knows perfectly well that the use of the name of Horace was the must matter of favor [illegible]. But I have [illegible & only add that I pray in behalf of my client an early review of her case.
Your obt servt
L. T. Pease

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commr &c
Page 57

Hartford Ct. May 26th 1846

Sir
At my last interview with you at Washington I had the honor of addressing considerations appealing to your sympathy in favor of prompt action in the case of Mary Hooker widow of James Hooker late of Windsor deceased.
you will believe me incapable of appealing to your sympathies in behalf of claimants otherwise than as demanding prompt action. In this case the widow cannot survive many weeks and although she has children to take the arrearage after her decease, yet her principal solicitude is to obtain the arrearage during her life time to make a small provision for an unfortunate daughter, her other children being well provided for.
I think on a full review of the case, with the new evidence filed on my last visit at Washington all doubt of the justice and [illegible]
Page 58

of granting this application will be removed.
 You admit that James Hooker- the husband of the applicant was during the greater part of the war a Military & Hospital store keeper but seem to doubt his serving in a military capacity.
   In the early part of the war, I have no doubt that the superintendent of military and hospital store was committed to men acting under civil contracts but on a thorough examination of the minute history of this branch of the service it will be found that as early as the beginning of 1779 military & hospital store keepers in order to serve a main purpose responsibility had been duly appointed and commissioned at all the principal depots it having been found that the public interests could not be [unknown] subserved without subjecting them to the law martial.
  The depot of Hospital stores was established at Windsor soon after the burning of Danbury stated for greater security from sudden encursions of the enemy it was the principal depot for hospital stores, where in addition
Page 59

to design & medius (chests of which over continually being perhaps for the army) large quantities of groceries of any description our stored for security and transported to headquarters when needed for immediate consumption.
  This depot was established of I rightly recollect in the early part of 1778 & Continued until after the surrender of Cornwallis in the Autumn of 1780 for more than the year a Sergeant guard was kept then for the security of the public property several person are now in receipt of pensions for this service above.
 This was an independent part, that is to say it was detached from and not under the commandants supervision of any DQMG or APDQMG.
 Who superintendence & commander how & most surely it was not left without a responsible and trustworthy officer in Command. Tradition says that Capt. James Hooker was military & Hospital store keeper here.
This whole Community of sufficient age to be acquainted with the reputation of said Hooker will testify to an unqualified belief that
Page 60

he was duly appointed a military and Hospital
Store Keeper & that he served in that capacity for
several years-
You have before you the affidavits of several citizens
of the town of Windon [Windsor?], men of sixty years
and upwards selected as the public men of
the town to that effect-
That these are men of high character who
would [illegible] themselves to
countenance an unfounded claim- You
have the Certificate of Judge Niles of the
US Senate who also expresses his concurrence
with these men so for his own knowledge
extends (he being a native of that town
but having removed from it at the age
of twenty one years or thereabouts)
You have before you also the depositions
of several of the guard and others of an age
to recollect the events, testifying to his service.
In addition you have important documentary
evidence fully recognizing him in service
in that capacity but
I have [illegible] and
submit the [illegible]
L. T.  Pease
Atty for applicant
Page 61

Pension Office
September 23. 1841
Sir,
I have examined the claim of Mary Hooker, widow of
James Hooker, decd. and have placed her papers on our files. The widow claims for the
services of her late husband as Hospital Store Keeper at Windsor, Conn. An examination of the papers furnished as proof in support of the claim, presents the
following facts, James and Horace Hooker were merchants and partners, doing business
under that style and name at Windsor, Conn. Dr. Isaac Foster, Depy. Director General,
employed them in Decr. 1777 to provide storeroom and to take charge of the Hospital
stores then about to be removed from the East, and they continued as the Agents of
Dr. Foster until Nov. 26. 1780, when they rendered their account for the expenses and ┃
services attending the same. This account was examined and approved by Dr. Foster
and his certificate shows conclusively that the whole transactions were nothing more 
than the fulfillment of a private contract, and that Hooker never performed any
military service whatever. The certificate alluded to is as follows: "This may certify that
Mr. James & Horace Hooker, of Windsor, in the State of Conn. have this (day) rendd. their
"accts. which have been duly examined and find due them from the United States of America L [English pound sign] 626.19.2 lawful money of the new emission it being for Rent of
Store, services done and sundries supplied the Hospital Depart." The claim
is therefore disallowed.
I am respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards
Mr. Jesse Ives
Hitchcocksville
Litchfield Co.
Connecticut
Page 62

Hitchcocks Villa
Litchfield Co. Con.
July 30th 1841

Sir

Herewith I enclose the application of the Widow Mary Hooker, for a Pension, under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, with the evidence & Exhibits in Support of the claim - when examined, you will please to notify me of the result.
With much respect
Your Obedt. Servt.
Jesse Ives

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 63

Washington March [illegible] 1845
Sir,
Since your letter to me of the 16th Decr 1841, in the
case of Mary Hooker widow of James: I have received additional
evidence in the case, which is respectfully submitted.
In your letter to Mr Ives of Connecticut of the 23rd
Sept 1841, you quote a certificate given by Dr Isaac Foster Deputy
Director General, to shew [show] that Mr James & Horace Hooker were only
engaged as private contractors &c.
It is admitted that, before James & Horace Hooker
took charge of the United States Hospital under Dr Foster in
Decr. 1777, they were Merchants as you allege, but it does not follow
on that account, they were not subsequently appointed and 
performed the duties of Hospital Store Keeper from Decr. 1777, up
to Novr 1780. Nor does it appear to me, to be at all prejudicial
to their claim, because as you reason, they "never performed any
Military service whatever: Hospital Store Keepers were among the
class in the Hospital Department that were not required to 
perform Military service in the line but like the Surgeon and Commissaries of the
revolution, they had specific duty assign them in the staff.
It appears to me, therefore, your objection to the claim on that
ground is in no wise conclusive. The claim then rests I conceive,
upon the single point, whether James & Horace Booker did, or
did not serve in a Military capacity.
In regard to the item of Store Rent, charged in the approved
account. It is but reasonable to view it as a proper one, or it would
not
Page 64

not have been allowed by Dr. Foster who was competent to decide
at the time when the a/c [account?] was approved. The United States required a place of deposit for the Military Stores, and as the
Hospital Store Keepers furnished the necessary building, and
were paid for the use of it, the fact goes far to establish the
Store Keepers were employed in a Military capacity by the U. States
and paid for their service as well as for their Store: Had they have
acted in a civil capacity a charge for rent of the store would not
have been admissable
That they did not transact business in their private ┃
capacity, will be shewn [shown] by the enclosed letter and orders they severably shew [show], that returns were required, that money was advanced,
that orders were given, not only by Dr Foster, Dep: Director General,
but by other high officers. Neh: Hubbard Dep: [illegible] General,
Peter Colt Depty. [illegible], General A P. Turner, Surgeon Genl. stating
"Congress has of late ordered the Establishment of a Hospital at, or
near New London which is immediately to be furnished &" and ordering
Messrs. Hooker" to furnish certain goods to said Hospital, thus causing
a transfer from one W.S. Hospital to another, and to ensure a strict
compliance to all orders given. It was then, as it now is, essentially
important that the Store Keeper should be under Military orders, to
fulfil [fulfill] the object and intention of Congress in creating Hospital
Departments. Among the papers is a receipt by Isaac Foster
D.D.G.E.D. dated 26th Novr. 1780 (when Hookers service as 
Hospital Store Keeper seems to have terminated) for all the proper vouchers
for Hospital stores which is conclusive he was the Hospital Store Keeper
for the
Page 65

for the governments. Had their service been civil there would have been no necessity for such a receipt: There are many other evidences in the form of Order & Letters from different Military Official, some of which are enclosed all going to show that the Hookers were drawn upon for large supplies: which no civil co-partnership could with certainty have supplied and it was not the policy of the government at that time, to have relied on contingencies for the necessary subsistence of the Army. I think moreover it is conclusively shown their appointment had a military one, from the Continental Book, accompanying this communication. Wherein it is shown that large amount was paid out to conductors of Teams for transportation, and the United States charged for the Amt. and for the receipt and delivery for large supplies of provisions. 
     It is not necessary for me, to go further into the merits of the claim in this case. And in submitting the subject matter, the hope is entertained you will give. it ---- due consideration; when I saw some you will be satisfied of the Justice and propriety of allowing the widow a pension for two years; on account of her husbands Jas. Hooker 's service as a Hospital Store Keeper.
                             Very Respectfully
                              Your most obl. Servt.
                                     Alex Ray (signature)

James S. Edward Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions

into the book being a lay one and be presented when the claim is [unknown] 
                               A. Ray
Page 66

Comptrollers Office
Hartford July 29 1841
This may Certify that I find on the Records of the Governor
 & Council of Safety the following entry'
At a meeting of the Governor
& Council of Safety holders at Hartford on the 28 day February 1778
Voted upon the application of James & Horace Hooker shewing [showing]
to this Board that they have been appointed by Isaac Foster Esq
Deb [illegible] Genl & to Recieve and store a large Quantity of Hosbital [Hospital]
Stores for use of the United States, part of which has already arrived
at Windsor and the rest dayly [daily] expected and that they have orders
from said said Foster to apply to his Excellency for a Guard, praying
for a proper Guard as per application on file
Resolved, by this Board that Col
Roger Newbury be and he is hereby directed to furnish and supply
from the Regiment under his command in such manner as he
show Judge most Convenient to James Hooker and Horace Hooker
a proper Guard of One Sergeant of Twelve Men for the present,
and in case he shall Judge necessary that he increase said guard
to the number of Eighteen Men to Guard said stores till further orders
and that proper Pay Rolls be made up and presented to the
Committee of Pay Table for Payment who are directed to Liquidate 
the same and draw on the rest for the service that shall appear
to be due thereon and charge the same to account of the United States
Henry Kilborn Comp
Page 67

                                Schenectady March 17, 1846

Know all men by there presents that I Mary Hooker of Bloomfield in the County of Hartford, State of Connecticut have Constituted & appointed and do by these presents constitute and appoint L.T. Pease of Hartford Con. said County and State my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my application for a pension under the pension act of July 7th 1838. Now pending before the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington for and in right of the Services of my husband James Hooker late of Windsor in said County and State deceased as a Military Store Keeper in the Revolutionary War and I hereby revoke all former powers by me granted in the premises.
   In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of March 1846.
                                   Mary Hooker (signature)
       In Presence of Hannah A. Yates
                    Anna E. Yates
Page 68

Know all men by these presents that I Rachel Childs of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire State of Massachusetts Widow of Timothy Childs deceased have constituted & appointed  & do by these presents Constitute & appoint L.T. Pease of Hartford in the State of Connecticut my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to make application at the Pension Office at Washington City for an increase of my pension and also for arrearages due me for the services of my deceased husband as a Lieutenant and Surgeon in the Army of the Revolution, hereby satisfying and Confirming the acts of my s'd attorney done in pursuance of powers herein granted revoking all  others.
     In witness, whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of March, 1846.
                                   Rachel Childs (signature)
In Presence of 
Anne D. Childs
Page 69

Transcripts from a Book belonging to the Connecticut Historical Society.
                 ~~~~~~~~~~~
Hartford State Connecticut, July 4th 1780
------------------------------------------
Commisary General Forage                             Dr.
  To paid James Hooker & bill and receipt 
For forage for his home from March 1 to June,
1, 1780, 92 days at the usual allowance.
   11.2.0 Hay.            @ 8.0.0       L 92.0.0
   23 Bushels Oats  @ 4.16.0       103.10.0
                                                 = L 195.10.0

------------------------------------------
Daniel Jones Apt.  D.Q.M.G
   To cash paid James Hooker for your certificate
                                   per receipts L. 205.17.6

-----------------------------------------
Commisary General Forage.                      Dr.
For sundry expenditures at the 8 out of Hartford Viz:
  x            x              x            x            x            x
To paid James Hooker for home keeping  
                       L 205.17.6.
 x           x            x             x             x            x
--------------------------------------------
                              Pension Office, May 5, 1946
I certify that the foregoing extracts are truly copied from and compared with a book, now in this office, belonging to the Connecticut Historical Society.         E.W.Robinson, Clerk
Page 70

                [.Copy.]
                     Hartford April 21st / 80
 Commissary Genl Forage.                Dr.
 To Paid Danl Jones A.D.C.G.F for bill & rec't
1780 For Sundry expenditures at the post of Hartford Vir't
    [Here follow sundry entries numbered 
         from 1 to 3 inclusive, No. 33 being thus
         written]
33 ditto James Hooker or horse keeping 205.57.6


              [.Copy.]
     Hartford State Connecticut July 4th 1780.

   Commissary General Forage.             Dr.
    To paid James Hooker for bill & rec't.
  For Forage for his horse from March 1st
  to June 1, 1780.   92 days at the usual
 allowance.
    11.2.0 hay  @   L8.0.0        L.92.0
  23 bushels oats 4.10.0.      103.10 L 195.10

  Quarter Master General                    Dr.
 To paid James Hooker for bill & rect.
For 12 cords wood for use of the Hospital
Margarine & Guard Horse during the 
last winter. }                    360.0

Daniel Jones Aft. D.Q.M.G                     Dr
To cash paid James Hooker for your certif-
   icate for rec/t.           } L 205.17.6
Page 71

State of Connecticut. }
County of Middlesex  }. Ss. Middletown

I Henry S. Ward of said Middletown being duly sworn, depose and say that I am administrator with the will annexed of Nehemiah Hubbard late of said Middletown, deceased ^who was a Deputy Quarter Master General in the war of the Revolution as I have understood and believe; that the foregoing copy is a true copy  of entries in a Book purporting to have been kept, and I have no doubt was kept by said Hubbard while acting as such Deputy Quarter Master General; and that I have compared said Copy with the original entries in said Book and found the same to be correct this 11th day of June A.D. 1850. 
                               Henry S. Ward (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed
this 11th day of June
A.D. 1850, Before me,
                Jonathan Barnes
                  Justice of the Peace

  I further certify that the said Henry S. Ward is a credible witness.
                Jonathan Barnes
                 Justice of the Peace
Page 72

State of Connecticut }
County of Middlesex } SS. I Elihu Spencer, Clerk of the County Court in and for said County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Jonathan Barnes Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified (as by commission on file in my office). Also that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Barnes and verily believe the two within written signatures of his name to be his genuine handwriting.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County Court this 11th day of June A.D. 1850
Elihu Spencer
Clk of said County Court.
Page 73

Copy from the Original
                                        Hartford, July 1st 1779
Dear Sir,
     I have this day receiv'd your several fabors of the 27th & 28th list. The letter from his Ex'g to J. & H. Hooker have. I know send them by your experts & requested them to make in a Return of the Rum they have in Store, that I might be able to write you with certainty in that head. The 27th inst. Capt. Force before before this for Danbury, with 24 Hhd.'s Rum for 2638 galls. I shall send Long back by way of Dandbury and order that Rum directly on to Fresh Hills. Mr. Hall has now in store about 12 hhd's that he will send forward immediately. Mr. Jones tells me he can procure a gang of teams from the East side to go on with the Rum from the Hospital stores, if there is any there- which we shall know this night. Mr. Jer'h Platt has written a few days repeatedly offered me Rum. he has about 30 hhd the best of Sr. Kitts Rum. Yesterday he offered it at 27 Dolls. for Gall. which I thought it was too high but shall now offer him that price in case we do not get 50 hhds., at least, at Windsor. I believe we have some Rum at Woodstock, or somewhere on the way from Boston. Shall write Miller & Tracy for more. Your order respecting the Rums being sent directly to lowest point shall be punctually attended to. By your manner of Exsersion . I should suppose that Mr. Southwick had been complaining to you of the want of Flour. We send it on as fast as teams can be had about 700 bar's.  went forward in June, besides some corn and I hear no complaints from that Quarter. From the Enemy's withdrawing their Troops from Rhode Island, I should suppose over consumption in that quarter would rather lessen than be augmented.
    Capt. Watson will write you particularly of the
Page 74

Flour at Barrington. The Board of War at Boston pretend to claim the most of it, and I much fear the Com'd will deliver it back again in that acct.

 July 2. The Express is returned. They have in Store at Windsor, exclusion of the 30 hhd ordered to be reserved,
       90 hhd & 2 Tierces Jamaica Spirits & Rum
       41 hhd 26 Tierces & 2 Barrels N. E. Rum, but as they have never been filled up since they came into the care of the Mr. Hookers, it will doubtless take several hhd's to fill them up. They will probably be able to deliver 135 or 140 hhd's which shall take measure for forwarding immediately.
                                Yours,
                                 (signature) Peter Cold
 Col. Wadsworth                      D.C.Gen. P

I, Charles Hosmen Recording Secretary of the "Connecticut Historical Society" do certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the original document, now in the possession of said society.
                Cha's Homer , Rev. Secy.
               Connecticut Historical Society
               State of Connecticut
                Hartford  County S.s.
                Hartford May 10, 1850

Personally appeared Charles Hosmen of the city and county of Hartford, and made solemn oath that the foregoing Certificate is true before me.
                       Geo. Robinson, Justice of Peace
Page 75

Copy                                    March 3rd. 1779
   The Hon'bl Major Gen'l Gates,
      Sir,
        I have read yours Letter to Mr. Cold of the 27th ultimo, and here inclose you a Letter from Mess'r Hookers who keep the Hospital Magazine in Windsor and I know of no Rice but what they report, if such quantities as Doctor Foster mentions are any where in New England, the Deputy Com'y. General of Issues for the Eastern Department will be able to say where it is but am very certain no such quantity is in New England, unless in the State of Massachusetts. Early last fall directed ten thousand Cash of Rice to be bought at South Carolina and shipped for Boston and other Eastern Ports, some of which I know has been long since shipped, and maybe hereby expected the most of it was bought by the first of this year and waited for vessels to transport it. I have reason to fear a want of Bread for our armys, of which I long since informed Congress, and have taken every measure in my power to obtain sufficient quantities. Of other provisions I have no fear of wanting. I hope shortly to be in Boston, when I will do myself the Honor of waiting on you, and give the fullest information respecting every matter that relates to the supplies of provision for the Army. In the interim  I have the honor to be your  
               Most Obedient Humble Servant
 (signature) Jere'h Wadworth, Com'y Gen'l P.

Personally appeared Charles Hosman Recording Secretary of the "Connecticut Historical Society" and made solemn oath, that the foregoing is a true copy of the original copy of the letter as it appears in the letter book of the late Jeremiah Wadsworth, Commissary General of Purchases, and which  Letter Book is now deposited with the said Historical Society, this 10th day of May A.D. 1850, before me. 
           (signature) Geo. Robinson, Justice of the Peace
Page 76

Copy.
Camp, Smiths Clove, June 27th, 1779
Gentlemen,
The enclosed Letter from his Excellency directs your delivering all the Hospital Rum in your stores to my order, except thirty hogsheads. Please to deliver it to Mr. Peter Colt's order. Your assisting to dispatch the Rum in good order will much oblige.
Gentlemen, your most Humble Servant,
Jere Wadsworth
Messr. James & Horace Hooker, Windsor}

Copy.
Camp, Smith's Clove, June 27th, 1779
Dear Sir,
The enclosed Letter is from his Excellency Genl. Washington, containing an order on Messrs. James & Horace Hooker for all the Rum in the Hospital Stores at Windsor, except thirty Hogsheads. I wish no time may be lost in sending on this Rum; let it come directly to Flesh Kill. The casks should be filled up, and well coopered - it is designed for the Garrison at West Point, and must be directed to be immediately shipped from Fish Kill, no time must be lost, we are really distressed for want of Rum, send on all you can. I am, Dear Sir,
Your very Humble Servt.
Jere Wadsworth.

Peter Colt, Esq. }
D. C. Genl. P. }
Personally appeared, Charles Hosmer, Recording Secretary of the Connecticut Historical Society, and made solemn oath that the foregoing is a true copy of the original copy of the letter, as it appears in the letter book of the late Jeremiah Wadsworth, Commissary General of Purchases, and which Letter Book is now deposited with the said Historical Society, before me this 10th day of May 1850.
Geo. Robinson
Justice of the Peace
Page 77

I Fredrick Chapman of Windsor in Hartford County and State of Connecticut aged Eighty nine years depose and say that I enlisted as a member of the Guar raised and established to protect the Hospital magazine located in said Windsor in the year of 1778 or 1779 and Continuence to serve as a member of said Guard one or two years that I was very well acqainted with James Hooker Late of Windsor deceased. That I was born and have ever since lived within half a mile of the place where s'd magazine was established and also within half a mile of the place of residence of the said James  Hooker. 
That I was well acquainted with the mode and manner of receiving  all the goods at the magazine and the delivering of them from the magazine that said James Hooker was the Assistant and the Superintendent  of the magazine  and of the deposits his building was used for ^storing the goods and actively deposited. He was applied to as an assistant and did take charge and direction of the magazine. 
The word storing was understood before signing  and further the deponent saith not
           (signature) Frederick Chapman

State of Connecticut  } 
County of Hartford.    } S.S Windsor 
May 13, 1850
Personally appeared Frederick Chapman the aforesaid deponent with whom I am well acquainted that he is considered a person of strong truth and veracity and for our of his age is possessed of a remarkable clear and distinct more on That he signed the above in my person and made solemn oath to the truth parts contained on the above deponent Before me.
         (signature) Henry Sill Justice of Peace
Page 78

State of Connecticut
Hartford County SS I William N. Matson Assistant Clerk of the Court Court for Hartford County hereby certify that Henry Sill & George Robinson are Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hartford apresd. duly commissioned & qualified that the signatures to the foregoing instruments purporting to be theirs are the genuine handwriting & signatures of Sill & Robinson respectively.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said County Court this 15th day of May A. D. 1850.
William N. Matson Assistant Clerk of the County Court for Hartford County
Page 79

Washington December 2nd, 1850

Hon. A. H. Stuart
     Secretary of the Interior

Sir, 

I have the honor to submit for your consideration and decision, the case of
Page 80

and responsible an office Doctor Foster in his official character addressed a communication to James and Horace Hooker (Merchants at Windsor Connecticut) on the 22nd December '77 informing them that a Hospital Magazine was to be established at Windsor, and, having been advised to place it under their care, asked if they would accept, and on what terms. On the 28th of the same month Doct. Foster was informed they concluded to accept, prepared to rent their store house, and further remarked. " as to compensation, whatever was given to others will satisfy us."  This reply certainly shows they were wholly uninformed in regard to the pay or allowance to Hospital Store Keepers. But entering upon the duty, they received large amounts of money and Hospital Stored, as is shown by their account book; and this is not all, for it appears by a document (filed with the application among the original above referred to) What Doctor Foster "ordered Hooker to apply to the Governor and Council for " a guard to protect the public stores. a guard of one Sergeant and "twelve men were ordered, with an increase to eighteen men if necessary" that a proper pay roll be made out and presented to the pay table, "for payment at the Treasury, and charged to the United States. 
   Still further, there is an original and formal order on file, dracon by Doctor Foster upon Nehem'a Hubbard Esq. Dept. Q't Master General, for forage for one horse for James Hooker, store keeper to the Hospital, eastern Department, it being necessary for him to discharge his duty. There are, also, other letters and orders on file going to the same result. 
 Now I ask if Hooker had acted (as is contended by the commissioner of Pensions) under a civil contract as an agent or merchant. Would a military guard have been ordered out and paid, and a horse foraged at public expense, to aid a mere civilian to fulfill a private contract? I think not. Indeed, to my mind it cannot admit of a question for it is shown, in connection with other facts, that Hooker was in public
Page 81

employ and really under Military orders. This is acknowledged in his application for a guard in these words "James and Horace Hooker" stated to the Governor and Council that they had been appointed by  "Isaac Foster Esq. deputy director General &c, and had received orders "from said Foster to apply to the Governor and Council for a guard" &c... 
This evidence is also filed. Now can it be presumed that Hooker would have represented himself to be under orders if he had not been so?
   Again- The Commissioner takes the ground (see his letter marked No. 2) that James Hooker "having been allowed a commission of 2/2 per cent on the amount of his pure hoses, shows conclusively that he "acted as a Merchant, and not as an officer of the line or staff".
   I will endeavor to show that this reasoning is not conclusive in matter of fact, nor in the spirit of the pension laws. Under a resolution of Congress July 19th 1777 Joseph Turnbull was appointed a commissary General of Stores and provisions, and, in the final settlement of his accounts with the United States, Congress resolved March 11th 1779, thathe be allowed a commission of 2 1/2 per cent on such sums as may have been laid out by him in a purchases &c.
  General Nath'l Green, while acting as Quarter Master Gen'l, received a commission on his purchases and resigned the office under the new regulation of the Quarter Master Dept. of July 15th 1790 fixing pay per month. 
  COl. Nehem'a Hubbard, Quarter Master Gen'l in the settlement of his accounts was also allowed a commission. Will it now be reasoned that these officers were not of the "line or staff of the Army." because they were allowed a commission for their service? One remark may settle that question. Neh'a Hubbard survived the passage of the Act of 7th June 1832; made application and was admitted to the benefit of the act from Connecticut.
         The Principle of the enactment of the pension
Page 82

laws was not upon the abstract question of pay. bur for service. We may suppose an officer served for two years, or any given time, during the War of the Revolution, and for his service he received no pay. Would he be excluded from the benefit of the pension laws on that ground? Certainly not, he would be pensioned for his services. The same reasoning should govern a staff office who may have received a commission or per contage for his services.
   The question may here arise, is Hospital Store keeper recognized as a military appointment, and has a pension ever been granted for such service? The answer is in the affirmative. Anderson Kingsbury, late of Connecticut, deceased, during his life time, aported a claim for his revolutionary services as Hospital Store Keeper. His claim was examined and admitted at the rate of $480.. per ann. Act 7th June 1832.
    In a Summary view of the case it is contended that James Hooker Performed the service and duty of Hospital Store Keeper for more than two years' that the official letter from Doctor Foster, deputy director General, tendering the appointment as Hospital store keeper at Windsor, Connecticut, Was tantamount to an appointment on Hooker's accepting the office, and performing the duty under that investment of writing. That he was recognized and acknowledged to have been the Continental Store Keeper" is shown by many original letters and orders filed in the case. With these facts in view, and the service having been performed the allowance of a commission or per outage on purchases, as pay ^ (which does not however, in fact appear) should not in my judgement militate against the claim, as the period of marriage brings it under the Act of July 7th 1838.
   In submitting the case with great defense, 
          I have the honor to be 
           Your Most Obt.
                                              Abijah Callier
                                              & Alex Ray 
                                        Attorney in Pact.
Page 83

                                     Boston, May 22, 1850.
 This may certify, that I, the subscriber, am the Librarian, of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and that the letter; to which this certificate is annexed is a true copy , verbatim at literation, from the original, contained in the 13th Volume, number 221, of the Trumbell papers, in the Library of said Society and that the said papers  were presented to the said Society by heirs of Governor Trumbell of Connecticut, by letter dated April 15, 1794. 
                                 Joseph B. Felt (signature)
                                       Librarian 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk Ss. Boston 22 May 1850. Then Personally appeared Rev. Joseph B. Felt, Librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, well known to me individually and as a competent and credible witness and made oath to be certificate above written and subscribed by him.      Before me
          Nath'l B. Shurtleff (signature)
        Justice of the Peace
Page 84

           Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
                =====================
 
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 22d 1850.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Nathaniel B. Shutleff was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court. The attestation is in due form, and by the proper officer.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed  the  Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written. 
                             W. B. Calhoun
                        Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 85

Windsor Decr 14th 1780.
May it please your Excellency.
Col Newberry has shewn [shown] us a 
Copy of a Resolve of Assembly desiring your Excellency
with the Advice of your Councill [Council] of Safety to Send to 
Congress a true Representation of the Stores at Windsor
and the Conduct of the Dirtr Genl Relative thereto to 
prevent any Imbezzlements [embezzlements] &c.-- We Conclude the 
Representation from Col Newberry is the grounds of sd 
Resolve, and as he had but a partial knowledge of the
Matter, beg leave to State the Matter in its proper Light
Doctr Foster when he Established a Hospl. Magazine
in this Town, put it under our Care, and Ordered us to
Deliver no Stores but by his Express Orders in Writing,
and from time to time has given us Orders to Deliver to
the Orders of Sundry persons - but on finding in the
New Arrangement of the Hospl. Dept. himself 
intirely [entirely] left out, Wrote us Revoking all his former Orders,
and forbiding [forbidding] us to Deliver Except to his Special Order.
giving us for a Reason, that his Own private Credit
was Largely Engaged for the payment of many of
the Stores, & Likewise for a Large Quantity of Medicines,
& that he was Determined to hold them as a Deposit
untill [until] he was Enabled to pay for them and a 
Settlement Made with him-- and as it was Necessary
for him to make a Settlement with those he had 
imployd [employed] for the publick desired us to have our Acts Settled
as Soon as we Could, Accordingly we have done it, and
given him proper Vouchers for all the Stores Delivered
from the Magazine, & taken his Rect. for the Same--
he then told us he had Recd Orders to Deliver over
the Stores to Doctr. Shiping [Shifring?] who is
Turn over
Page 86

at the Head of the Hospl. Dept. and Shewed [showed] us the Coppy [Copy] of
a Letter to Congress, & One to Doct Shiping, Representing
that his Own Credit was a stake for the Goods & 
informing them he should not Deliver them untill [until] he was
inabled [enabled] to pay for them-- he then said that as the Stores
were Small & he intended to hold them as above would
have us discharge the Guard, Accordingly we Applyd [Applied]
to Co.l Newberry for that purpose we think it our Duty
Likewise to inform your Excellency that we had not
the Least Reason to think by any thing he had Wrote
us, or by any thing that ever passed between us, that he
had any Design to imbezzle [embezzle] the Stores. We think 
ourselves bound in Justice to the Doctors Character, to
Say, that in the Whole Course of our Acquaintance
with him in the publick [public] Business he has ever 
Appeared to have the Publick [public] Interest at Heart--
If your Excellency has any Desire to know
any Other particulars Relating to the Above shall
be Happy to Attend and give all the information in
our power--
We are your Excellencys
Most Obt. Humble Servts
James & Horace Hooker.
6 Hogsds [Hogsheads?] West India Rum, 12 Bars Sugar, 2 Cask Barley
1 Bar Ginger, 3 Bars Oatmeal, About 3000 Coffee, 6 or 7 Cask Damaged
Raisons 24 Cask Rice. The above is as near the Amount as I
can Rember of the Quantity of Stores now in the Magazine.
Test. James Hooker.
Page 87

Endorsed,
Mess Hooker de Doct Foster
Page 88

Adolf'ff
Mary Hooker



L T Pease
Preyt
May 1 46
Page 89

Washinton May 1 1846

Additional evidence is herewith submitted in support of the application of Mary Hooker widow of James Hooker late of Windsor in the State of Connecticut deceased.
This is a claim under the widow's act of 1838 Hooker served as Military & Hospital store in the town of Windsor Connecticut for several years during the revolutionary war perhaps from the early part of 1778 to sometime in 1781
I have not as yet examined the evidence before filed in this case but I herewith submit evidence which seems to me to be of itself evidence
To wit 1st the depositions of several persons who served as privates in the guard kept as store and who are now in the enjoyment of full pensions as privates for said service alone
2d the depositions of the leading or public names of said Windsor fully bearing witness to the reputation of said Hooker for that service
3 The certificate of Senator Niles to the high character of the witnesses
4 documentary evidence though not full yet conclusive for the time the said Hooker was service in a Military capacity this is contained in one of the Hubbard books and the
Page 90

original will be submitted to the Pensioner
With great respect
Your most 
obdt Servt
L T Peace

Hon J.L. Edwards
Comm Pensions
Page 91

Copy of the documentary evidence referred to
1780
July 4 
Commissary General of Forage Dr 
To paid James Hooker per bill d Rupe
For Forage for his horse March 1th 
to June 1th 1780 92 day at the usual 
allowance
11:2:0 Hay a £8.0.0     £92.0.0
23 Bushel oats at £4.10    103 10
                                     £195.10.0


Quarter Master General   Dr
To paid James Hooker per bill & Repe
To 12 Cords of Wood for the use of the 
Hospital Magazine & guard house
during the last winter                    £360.0 
     

Daniel Joes Apl D.2. M. 9            Dr
To cash paid James Hooker for
your certificate       Rupl     £205.17.
Page 92

United States of America
State of Connecticut
I David P Tyler Secretary of the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the seal thereof do hereby certify that Gideon Welles Esq was on the 27h day of Feb 1846 and for a long time before that day bad been a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Hartford in said state and that Sidney Bower Esq was on the 13th day of April 1846 and for a long time before that day had been a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hartford both duly appointed Commissioned and sworn and by the law of this state authorized to administer oaths and that the signatures of the said Justices to the depositions hereto annexed are their genuine official signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said state this 27th day of April 1846

David P Tyler
Secretary of State
Page 93

I, Return S Mather of Hartford, Connecticut
aged seventy five years & upwards, depose and 
say that I was born and lived in Windsor in this
state until I was thirty five years of age, a near
neighbor of Capt James Hooker late of said Windsor deceased. I well recollect that sd Hooker was a military Store keeper in the Revolutionary war, and a guard of several soldiers was posted to guard said store. This
guard was continued for four or five years.
I was at the time a school boy, attending
school nearby opposite Hooker Store. and further this deponent saith not
Return S Mather
Sworn & Subscribed this 79th day of
February AD 1846, before me 
Gideon Welles Just Peace

The above Deponent Return S Mather is well known to me. He is a citizen of the first reputability and of unimputable veracity
Gideon Welles
Page 94

I, Roswell Miller of Windsor in the County
of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Eighty
six years and upwards, being first duly sworn
according to law depose & say, that I was born
in the town Granby in sd County & State, as I am 
informed, but came to Windsor to live with my grandparents before I was two years of age.  I have ever since resided in said Windsor. I was well acquainted with Capt. James Harker late of said Windsor deceased from a period before the revolutionary war to the time of his death, for a period of several years during the war of the revolution said Hooker was Military and Hospital
Store keeper in said Winder. I served as a private in the guard at the store for two years,
according to my best recollection I enlisted and first entered upon said service on the 4th day of March 1778, my enlistment was for one year and at the expiration of said year I again enlisted for a year & served untill the 4th of March 1780- during this period three or four buildings in the neighborhood were used for the military stores and the store which Capt James Hooker & his brother Horace had, before the war, used as a dry goods store was at this time used for drugs & medicines belonging, as I understood, to the General Hospital Department in this store chests
of Medicine for the army, as I thus understand
were constantly being put up & carried away
and further the deponent said not

the words "to live" "grand" & "of age" interlined before signing
Roswell Miller
Page 95

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County} Ss
On this 13th day of April 1846 personally appeared Roswell Miller who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition and made oath in due form of law that the same is true Before me
and I further certify that said Roswell Miller is well known to me. that his character for truth is above suspicion & his statements are entitled to full credit
Sidney Bower Justice of the Peace
Page 96

We the undersigned residents of the Town of Windsor in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, being first duly sworn according to law, depose and say, that we are well acquainted with the reputation of Capt. James Hooker late of said Windsor deceased, that said Hooker was & is reputed to have been a military or Hospital store keeper during the war of the Revolution and from that reputation we entertain no doubt that said Hooker was duly appointed and served several years during the War of the Revolution as military, or Hospital store keeper
Richard Niles
James Loomis
Job Drake
Wm Howard
Chester Hayden
Geo Howard
---
Allen Ellsworth
Giles Ellsworth
Henry Sill

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County} Ss Windsor
On this twelfth day of April A.D. 1846 Personally appeared Richard Niles, James Loomis, Job Drake, William Howard, Chester Hayden, George Howard, Allin Ellsworth, Giles Ellsworth & Henry Sill, And made oath in due form of law that the foregoin affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Before me,  Sidney Bower Justice of the Peace
Page 97

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with most of the persons who have signed & made oath to the foregoing statement in relation to the late James Hook, and know them to be men of the first standing and character in the town of Windsor, and who would not be likely to make any statement affecting the public interest which they did not know or believe to be true; I further certify that I have some recollection myself of the reputation of Captain James Hooker & so far as that extends I concur in the statements made & sworn to by the aforesaid persons
Washington May 1st 1846
John W Niles
Page 98

I Elijah Denslow of Windsor in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut aged Eighty wo years & upwards being first duly sworn according to law depose & say that I was born and have always resided in said town of Windsor. That I was well acquainted with Capt. James Hooker late of said Windsor deceased from a period prior to Revolutionary War to the time of his death. that I well recollect that said Hooker was a military or Hospital Store Keeper for several years during the said war that I served two years as a private in the guard at said store, for which service I am now in receipt of a Pension and further the deponent said not
Elijah Denslow

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County} Ss
On this 13th day of April 1846 personally appeared Elijah Denslow who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition & made oath in due form of law that the same is true before me and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Sd Denslow and that is character is good & his statements entitled to full credit.
Sidney Bower Justice of the Peace
Page 99

Mary Hooker
Con Sus 38


May 1852
S  Peugh
Page 100

Know all men by these presents that I Eliza Hooker of Bloomfield in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut daughter of Mary Hooker deceased who was the Widow of James Hooker of Windsor in said Hartford County do hereby constitute and appoint Henry Fowler of Hartford my true and lawful Attorney and Agent to prosecute the claim of the Children of Mary Hooker deceased for any amount of Revolution any Pension that may be due, and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Departments at Washinton City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim, to appoint one or more substitutes under him, for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present, hereby revoking all former powers made by me in relation to this claim, and ratifying and confirming all that m said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises
Witness my hand and seal at Bloomfield
this 4th day of May AD 1832
Eliza Hooker

Signed & sealed in presence of
G. S. Robinson
C. A. Robinson

State of Connecticut Hartford County} SS
on this 4th day of May AD, 182 before me the Subscriber a Notary Public in & for the State aforesaid personally appeared Eliza Hooker above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney.
As be her act & deed for the purposes therein mentioned
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name the day and year above written
Geo. Robinson
Notary Public
Page 101

State of Connecticut.

By his Excellency THOMAS H. SEMOUR, Governo of said Rate. TO ALL WOM IT MAY COCERN:
Know ye, that George Robinson was at the time of subscribing the foregoing attestation, and now is, a Notary Public, in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his acts and attestations as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court: that the within attestation is in due dorm and by the proper office; and that I believe the signature of said George Robinson thereto, to be genuine? In testimony whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed the 6th day of May, A.D. 1832, and in the seventy sixth yea o the Independent of the United States of America.

By his Excellency the Governor,

J,o. P. C. Mather
Secretary of State
Page 102

H.R. 532.
A Bill
For the relief of the heirs of Mar Hooker
August 3, 1856.-Read twice, and committed to Committee of the White Hose.
Page 103

An Act
For the relief of Mary Hooker.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Unites States of American in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and required to place the name of Mary Hooker, widow of Janes Hooker, who was military of hospital storekeeper in the State of Connecticut, during the war of the Revolution , from February, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, to November, seventeen
hundred and eighty, on the pension roll of said State, under act of seventh July, eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, and subsequent acts, at the rate of pension due for said service; and the amount so found due to be paid, to the children of said Mary Hooker, deceased,
Approved March 3, 1857
Dept of State
March 6, 1857

a true copy carefully collated with the original vote

W Hunter
Chief Clerk
Page 104

945 Genesee Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
February 25, 1914

Gentlemen:
If my inquiry should not be addressed to you, will you kindly send it to the right department, or notify of the place to send it.
I wish to secure the war records of the following people:
Page 105

1. Thomas Willet, Captain, 1st Mayor of New York City,
2. Nathaniel Hooker, 1710-1763 Hartford, Conn. Captain of Militia
3. James Hooker, 1742-1805 Windsor, Conn. Commissioned Captain.
Please address
Mrs. W. S. Humphrey,
945 Genesee Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
Page 106

The Battle Creek Sanitarium (letterhead)
March 28, 1917
Gentlemen:
Can I secure from your office records of the military service of the following men:
Captain Thomas Willet (Plymouth, Mass-1st Mayor of New York-
Captain Nathaniel Hooker 1710-1763- Hartford Conn.
Captain James Hooker 1742-1805- Windsor, Conn.
Governor Joseph Talcott- Hartford, Conn.
Ensign or Capt. Joseph F. Foster. N.H. War of 1812
I very especially wish to learn the names of the father & mother of Joseph F. Foster.
Resp.
Mrs. W. D. Humphrey
Page 107

Rev. War Section.
April 10, 1917,
Mrs. W. S. Humphrey,
Battle Creek, Michigan.
Madam:
In response to you letter dated the 28th ultimo, you are advised that the record of James Hooker W. File No. 25,800 Revolutionary War was forwarded you March 7, 1914, and it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish the same statement more than once to the same person. 
The records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Thomas Willet and Joseph Talcott in the War of the Revolution, or Joseph F. Foster in the War of 1813. 
This Bureau has no records of services rendered prior to the Revolution.
Very respectfully, 
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.