Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17387, Jonathan Hale, Conn.
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SERVICE                                            NUMBER
   Conn.          Hale, Jonathan          W. 17387
                       Button, Mary
    
                                     Former widow
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                                            940.
   Connecticut
   Mary Button, formerly
widow of Jonathan Hale
who was a Fifer Major
in the Conn. line
     for 7 months.


Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
   36  Dollars & 45
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
17th day of July, 1843, 
and sent to 
  J. H. Charlton

            [Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. A    page 62.
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                       No   5667
       Mary Button
             Cont.
    Act 4 July '36.
   m 78. last service 77.
Page 4

State of Connecticut
Hartford County} Ss. Enfield

On this 23rd day of September AD 1842, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield in said Hartford County,  Mary Button, a resident of said County aged Eighty six years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress, on the 4th of July 1836; and the joint resolution of July 7" 1838.
      That she is the former Widow of Jonathan Hale, formerly of Chatham, in Middlesex County Connecticut; who was a Fife Major in the Army of the Revolution.
    That he was in the service near Boston, in the year 1775, as she has heard but of which she had found no full proof;  And further, That in the month of May, he joined Coll Sages Regiment of State troops, as fife Major
   That in June 1776, he marched with said Regiment to New York: That he continued to serve in said Regt;  in said capacity, until Decr 25, 1776;   when he was dismissed & returned home , having served between Six & Seven months.
        And again, in the Spring of the year 1777, he, the said Jonathan Hale, again entered the Army, and marched to the vicinity of the North River;  That in the month of July 1777, he returned home on a Furlough to said Chatham, and
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was married to her while he was at home on this Furlough; as they were engaged to each other before he went away.  He Maiden name was Mary Clark, we were married by the Revd. Ephraim Strong, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Chatham, in the County of Middlesex, & State of Connecticut in July Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven; and a few days after our marriage, the said Jonathan Hale returned to the army.  He again returned, I believe in November & staid a short time, and then went back to the army, and staid until the following Spring, viz the Spring of 1778: when he returned, and did not go into the army any more.

  If the length of this period of service, which she believed was not less than nine months, is not satisfactorily proved, She requests that for so long a time as is fully proved by the testimony sent, she may now be allowed;  and that the time allowed for Stephen Clark, when he was pensioned for his service, may  be referred to: if the proof of his services after  he returned with said Clark should be Judged in any respect defective, as she knows now now how she can add to the proof.
    She further declares, that her said husband, the said Jonathan Hale, died in Enfield in Hartford County, on the .... day of October 1807;
     And that she was Married to Elijah Button of the town of South Wilbraham in Med Septr 10th 1815;  And that the said Button died at said South Wilbraham September 20th 1840, and that she has remained a Widow ever
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since that period, and she is now a Widow: 
all which will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
   [Signed]  Mary Button

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, Before the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield in the County and State aforesaid
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court at said Enfield  in the County and State aforesaid
     [Signed]  Hiram S Belcher Judge

[Seal 
affixed 
here]
Page 7

I Amos Clark of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut being Eighty five years of age do depose and say that in the Spring of the year 1776 I enlisted into Capt. Churchill Company as a soldier in the Revolutionary service - Colo. Sages Regiment, went to New York and that Jonathan Hale of Chatham was in the same Company went to New York when I did and was discharged at the same time that I was, which was the twenty fifth day of December - and that the said Jonathan Hale was fife Major in Colo. Sages Regt all of which I well recollect and further the deponent saith not-
          [Signed] Amos Clark

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} SS 
           Chatham September 25th AD 1841
personally appeared Amos Clark the above named deponent, and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed -
          Before me   
[Signed]  Nathan C. Smith Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above deponent named is a person of truth and veracity -
     [Signed]  Nathl C. Smith Justice of the Peace
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          for
Jonathan Hale
in Sages Regt
               1776
Fife Major
      C Mo
Page 9

I Stephen Clark of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, Aged Eighty seven years, do depose and say that in the fall of the year 1777 I was a soldier in the Militia at Fishkill, that I marched to Rhinebeck under Capt. Hubbard, James Bill of Chatham was an Officer at this time. While at Rhinebeck an express informed us of the Surrender of General Burgoyne. Staid at Rhinebeck three or four days, when the British shiping [sic] went down the river I returned to Fishkill. Staid there some time and was discharged. The length of time I was at all the above named places I cannot recollect. I further depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Hale then a resident of Chatham that he was fife Major and in actual service at the time and place above spoken of and was discharged about the time I was, that on my return to Chatham I came in company a part of the journey with the said Hale and went to his Fathers house in said Chatham with him.  I further depose and say that I was present at the Mariage [sic] of the said  Jonathan Hale and Mary Clark in July 1777 & further the deponent saith not.
    [Signed]   Stephen Clark
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex  County} Js  Chatham September 29th 
On this 29th day of September 1841 personally appeared before me the subscribing authority Stephen Clark a resident of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut a credible person who then and there made Solemn Oath to the truth of the within and foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed
                     Before me
    [Signed] Elijah Clark Justice of the Peace

[Written vertically, below the above text]
            Stephen Clark 
                       for 
             Jonathan Hale
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I Sparrow Smith of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut Age Eighty one years do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Hale and his wife [last word inserted] that in the summer of  1777 he came home from the service as I suppose and so understood at the time, and was married and was about home with his military uniform on sometime , and went away again into the Service that in October 1777 I saw  the said Jonathan Hale in the Service on the North river but how long he was there I am not able to say and further the deponent saith not
    [Signed]   Sparrow Smith

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} SS 
            Chatham September 25th AD 1841
Personally appeared Sparrow Smith the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed -
    Before me   
 [Signed] Nathl. C. Smith Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named deponent is a person of truth and veracity
  [Signed]  Nathl. C. Smith Justice of the Peace
Page 12

Sparrow Smith
for Jonathan Hale
             1777
Saw him at Chatham
in July on North River
in Oct 1777
Page 13

Lucy Griswold now a residant [sic] of St. Johns Ville in the County of Montgomery & State of New York aged seventy nine years last October Do hereby Depose and say that in my younger days I lived in the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut that I lived there through the whole of the Revolutionary war and I further say that Jonathan Halle then of said town went into the army in the Spring of 1777 to the best of my recollection and think he went into the army for one year and in the month of July he came home on a Furlough & staid a week or two,  the  exact number of Days I can not remember but not long.  that while he was at home on the Furlough he was married to my sister Mary Clark of said Chatham in the month of July 1777 by the Rev Cyprian Strong of said Chatham - after a few Days he returned back to the army and staid until his time was out or til spring when he returned home my sister Mrs. Hale Boarded at home at Fathers until Jonathan came home in the spring    the next spring after he was married   I slept with her all winter and during the absence of her husband, the said Jonathan Hale and remember her hearing from him while he was gone in the service and further sayth not.
    [Signed]  Lucy Griswold
Witness  [Signed] John G. Waterman

State of New York County of Montgomery Js-
on this 18 Day of August 1841 personally appeared befor me subscribing authority Lucy Griswold a credible person and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed
   Before me    
             [Signed]  George Lake Justice of Peace
Page 14

               For
Jonathan Hales
                  Widow
Lucy Griswolds
           Deposition




[Written vertically , lower right side of page]
      H Cook Clerk of
the Court of County of Mont
gomery
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State of New York
County of Montgomery} Js
    I Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas in the County of Montgomery 
& State of N. York do hereby certify 
George Lake Esq. before whom the foreg.. deposition of Mrs Lucy Griswold was ta..
was at the time of taking the  same
is now a lawful Justice of the Peace
said County of Montgomery - and therein
his signature to said certificate is his
genuine signature well known to me
     In testimony whereof I do hereunto
subscribe my name & affix the seal 
said Court at Fonda in the County of Montgomery and State of New York on
this 18th - day of August 1841 -


[Written vertically, lower left of page]
   Feb
Jonathan Hales
      Widow
Lucey Griswold
                Deposition
       [Signed]       H Cook Clerk of
                           the Court & County of Mont
                           gomery
Page 16

I Rhoda Hale of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut Aged Seventy eight years do depose and say that I was present at the Mariage [sic] of Jonathan Hale and Mary Clark of Chatham in July 1777 and well recollect seeing them married and further the deponent saith not                    her
                                     Rhoda     X      Hale
                                                  mark

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} Js  
            Chatham September 30th AD 1841
On this 30th day of September 1841 personally appeared before me the subscribing authority Rhoda Hale a resident of Chatham in the Cunty of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut a credible person who then and there made Solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed
  Before me 
[Signed]  Elijah Clark  Justice of the Peace
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Rhoda Hale
        for 
Jonathn Hales
        Marriage
    July 1777
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Comfort Sage Esq; Colonel of the 3d Regiment ordered to be raised in the Colony of Connecticut to join the Continental Army---
    To Jonathan Hale Greeting
Reposing special trust and Confidence in your Fidelity courage and good Conduct. I do, by virtue of Authority in me Vested, Constitute and Appoint you the said Jonathan Hale to be Fife Maj. in the Eighth Company in Said Regiment and, I do, hereby Authorize and impower you to exercise your said Office in the due Discharge of all the Duties of which you are faithfully and Diligently to Attend... and .. this shall be your sufficient Warrant ...
  Given under my Hand at Philipsborough in the Colony of N. York
      Decm. 4th A. Domm. 1776
    [Signed] Comfort Sage Colo.
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Unis Cooly    Lyda

[Written vertically below the above line]
Warrant 
Dec 1776

[Inverted, bottom]
       For
Jonathan Hale
    widow
Lucy Griswold
Page 20

I Hervey Talcott, a resident if Portland, formerly Chatham, in Middlesex County; Connecticut, do hereby depose & say; that I am now Pastor of the Congregational Church in said Portland, which was under the pastoral care of the Rev. Cyprian Strong from the year Seventeen hundred & sixty seven to the year Eighteen hundred & eleven; & I have now the custody of the Marriage Records made & kept by him; & I further depose & say, that in the said Records there is a record as follows: viz.
  'The following were joined in marriage A.D. Seventeen Hundred & seventy eight, viz. July Seventh Jonathan Hale & Mary Clark both of Chatham."
    ANd I further certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which  in the original is entered, as to its dayes, in fair &legible figures, as follows:
    " The following wer joinded in MArriage
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ally appeared before me the subscribing authority, the Rev. Hervey Talcott, who subscribed the foregoing deposition, & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, & he is a credible person, & is at this time pastor of the Congregational Church in said Portland.

[Signed]  Archibald Kinney  Justice of the Peace
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I. Florinda Davis, a resident of Enfield in Hartford County Connecticut do hereby depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Hale, formerly of Chatham, in Middlesex County Connecticut, and last of said Enfield, I am well knowing to the fact that the said Jonathan lived with the present Widow Mary Button many years, & that they brought up a family of children together, as man and Wife.
And I am well knowing to the fact, that the said Widow, Mary Hale, was married to Elijah Button of South Wilbraham in Massachusetts in Sept 1815.  I was not present at the wedding but heard of the day they were married (I saw her the next day. She came to Our house with the said Elijah Button as her husband: & she lived with him as his Wife, until the time of his death: which took place, on the 20th day of September 1840. two years ago this day, and the said Widow Mary Button, has never again married, but still continues the Widow of the said Elijah Button.  
    [Signed]  Florinda Davis

State of Connecticut
Hartford County }  Js Enfield

On this 22nd day of September AD 1842, there personally appeared, before me the subscribing authority, Mrs Florinda Davis, a resident of said Enfield, a credible person, who then and there made Solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition written in her presence & by her subscribed.
Before me
[Signed]  Jesse Charlton   Notary Public
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State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office

I Gideon Wells Comptroller of Public Accounts fr the State of Connecticut do hereby certify, that in the Books of state Pay Table of the War of the Revolution I find the an acct, from which I make the following Abstracts
   Col.Comfort  Sages Regiment.
1777 Jan. 17    Pay Rolls  Bills AD
April 17th
Capt Churchills bill  Hospital Escp   L       26.125
Arms and Baggage taken or destroyed 
                                                             L 379.4.7
Oct 3rd                                                 ________
                                                             345.17=     
   Capt Churchills Do
    Enlisting                                               267
    Equipping                                              84-6
   Arms & Baggage taken or destroyd     12-14
   Expence after Deserters  5=12"8     
   Commissions                   8    7  2
                                                      ______________
                                                           377"19-10
29h Septr 1842     
    [Signed]  Gideon Welles  Comptr.
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State of Connecticut
Office of Secretary of State
Hartford Sept. 29th 1842
  I Noah A. Phelps Secretary of State for the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the following are true Abstracts from the Colony Records of Connecticut.
   Under date of June 14th 1776. 'This assembly do appoint the persons hereafter named to the respective offices herein  after mentioned, to take command of the six Battalions orderd by this Assembly to be raised and marched directly to New York, & there to join the Continental Army in that place, and His Honor the Governor is hereby desired, authorized & empowered to give commission according to the form provided & ordered for each respective office according to  his office and rank, and warrants to such as are appointed on the staff" - which said Battalions by an Act passed at the same session were to be "holden in service until the 25th day of December next unless sooner discharged.
   "This Assembly do appoint Fisher Gay Esq to be Colonel of the second Battalion"
    "This Assembly do appoint Simon Wolcott Captain of the 6th Compy in said Battalion"
     "This Assembly do appoint Comfort Sage Esq to be Colonel of the third  Battalion."
     "This Assembly do appoint Joseph Churchill Captain of the 4th Compy in said Battalion."
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  And I further certify that Nathaniel C. Smith Esq before whom the deposition of Amos Clark and Sparrow Smith were taken, was at the time of taking the same, and before and after, a lawful Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in this State, and I am satisfied that his signatures to said certificates are his genuine signatures.
   I further certify that Elijah Clark Esq before whom the deposition of Stephen Clark, and of Rhoda Hale were taken was, at the time of taking the same, & before & after, a lawful Justice of the Peace for said Middlesex County, and I am satisfied that his signatures to said certificates are his genuine signatures.
    And I further certify that Archibald Kinney Esq before whom the certificate of the Revd. Hervey Talcott was taken, and at the time of taking the same, and before and after, a lawful Justice of the Peace for said Middlesex County, and I am satisfied that his signatures to said certificate is his genuine signature.
                      In testimony whereof I do
                      hereby subscribe my name and 
                      affix the seal of said State at
                      Hartford aforesaid this twenty      
                      ninth day of September 1842.
                     [Signed]   Noah A. Phelps
                                          Secretary of State
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
                         3-525
        DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
               BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
                  Washington, D.C.    Nov. 21,   1821

In reply to your quest of ......................, received ......... for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Hale 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.  W 17387

[A chart with five columns follows]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Length of Service
Rank
Officers under whom service was rendered.
    Captain   Colonel
State.

1775          Captain Goodrich went to
                  Cambridge      Conn.
June 20, 1776    Dec 25, 1776   Fife Major        
        Captain Churchill   Colonel Comfort Sage             
        Conn
Spg, 1777     9 months    Fife Major  
         Captain Hubbard

Battles engaged in,.......   None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, .....Chatham,
             Palz, Portland, Middlesex Co Conn
Date of application for pension, .... Sept. 23
            1842   et al
Residence at date of application, .... Enfield, 
             Hartford Co Conn
Age at date of application, ......  she was 86 
             years old

Remarks:   Sol mar. July 7 1777 ot 1778 [last two words inserted]  in Chatham, Conn. Mary Clarksd both of sd pl   A fam of children is referred to, number and names not stated.  Sol d in Oct. 1807 in Enfield Conn & she mar. Sept 10 1815 Elijah Button of So Wilbraham Mass who d Sept 20, 1840.

                              Respectfully,
                                                            Commissioner
3-2856
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                                 5667
             Connt.
rejected
Let to Jesse Charlton  Oct 3, '42
 "    "     "          "             " 20, '42
 "    "   Sec. War        Nov. 14, '42

Act 4 July '36 -
Page 28

                             8517
List to Jesse Charlton Nov.22, 1842

                             24,125:  
                        29/   875   (36.45
                                72
1100     (46          ______ 
  96                        155
                              144
                           _______
                            1100
  
         Act 7. July   1838
Page 29

Comfort Sage Esq: Colonel of the Twenty third Regiment of
Militia in the State of Connecticut in America
To Jonathan Hale  Gentm Greeting.
I do by those Presents
Page 30

                     No. 8517
Declaration
       of
 Mary Button
   Acts 7 July '38
   & 23  Aug - 42
    m 78 - admd
"76 - 5 mo Fife Major
 77 2 -        do
   ______________
       7 mo FIfe Major
     ________
          $ 36.45

Jesse Charlton
     E. Windsor
        Conn
Page 31

State of Connecticut
Hartford County} Js Enfield

On this 9th day of November AD 1842 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Enfield in said County now sitting and in open Court;  Mary Button, a resident of said  Enfield aged 86 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838; and the 23rd of August 1842, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she was the Widow of Jonathan Hale, formerly of Chatham, in the County of Middlesex in the State  of Connecticut . That he served in the War of the Revolution in two campaigns, viz, in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six, in Coll Sages Regiment at New York, in the capacity of Fife Major, from about the 20th of June to the 25th of December 1776; a period of not less than Six months.  And again, in the year 1777, he served for several months at various places, on the North river, the exact amount of time she cannot determine, and therefore asks that it may be determined by the amount allowed to Stephen Clark her witness for this period of his services:    Tho she has the best reason to believe that the said Jonathan Hale served several months longer in this tour than said Stephen Clark did; yet as she cannot obtain any more precise proof of the length of the second period of his services, than she sent with her application September 29th 1842, Under the act of July 4 1836 & its amendments;
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in the second tour he served as a Fife Major
She also declares that she was Married to the said Jonathan Hale, at said Chatham by the Reverend Cypryan Strong, pastor of the Congregational church as said Chatham, in the month of July, in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy seven, or Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight, as a copy from the church records will show.  She verily believed when she made her application under the act of 1836, that it was in the year 1777; and her family record, made by her husband, bears that date, but she has since learned from the Commissioner of Pensions [last five words inserted] that Mr. Strongs Pastoral record states that it was in July 1778 if this is so, she must only plead the common infirmity of her age, a decayed memory: and hopes it will be viewed by the Department with indulgence.
She further declares that her said Husband Jonathan Hale, died at said Enfield in the month of October 1807.  And that she intermarried with Elijah Button of Wilbraham in Massachusetts, in 1815, And he the said Button died in Sept. 1840.and she has remained a Widow ever since that period.  That the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time about stated: and that she is still a Widow;   And for proof of her foregoing declaration she begs leave to refer to the proof on file in  the Pension Office sent with her declaration in September 1842.
         [Signed]  Mary Button
Sworn to and subscribed before the Court
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of Probate aforesaid, on the day and year first written.

   In testimony whereof, I do hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court on the aforesaid day, in said District and County, and I further certify that after the 12th line from the top the following words were interlined  Viz. "from the Commissioner of Pensions"


Seal
affixed       [Signed]  Hiram S. Belcher Judge
here
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                                                       Reported

Connecticut  6885
     Mary Button
widow of Jonathan Hale
who was a pensioner under the Act of .........
and who died in the month of Oct, 1807,
of Hartford in the State of Connecticut
who was a Fife Major in the Company
commanded by Captain ........... of the
Regiment commanded by ............. in 
the Conn. line for 7 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 36, Dollars 45
cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued 1 day of
Dec. 1842, and sent to Jesse
Charlton Esqr,  E Windsor, Conn.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841
Semi-annual allowance ending
Act 23 Aug 1842                        ___________
                                          $        182,25
                                                   ___________
                       [Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Theo. L. Moody Clerk
Book A    Vol 1    Page 168
Page 35

                                               Jesse Charlton
                                                   appeal
                                             in the case of
                                                Mary Button
                                               act of July '38
                                                   23  Aug '42
     Hon John C. Spenser
          Secretary of War
              Washington, D C
     
              C329   Rec  Nov 10/12
                   Pension Office
                 report recd Nov
Page 36

               East WIndsor Hartford County
                              Connecticut  Nov 10=1842
To the Honorable Secretary of War

Sir.
   I beg leave to bring before your Honor a question in regard to the right conscription of "An Act to amend the acts of July eighteen hundred and thirty six, and eighteen hundred and thirty eight allowing pensions to certain Widows"   Approved August 23rd 1842.

   In an application I made in behalf of Mary Button, former Widow of Jonathan Hale, late of Enfield in Connecticut, for the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838 and the 23rd of August 1842 Mr Edwards the Commissioner of Pensions has expressed his opinion in his letter of October 20th 1842 that such a claim is not admissible; on the ground that the woman was not a widow at the time of the passage of the act of July 7, 1838.

The Widow and her friends desire that this question may be brought before the Honorable Secretary of War, for his examination and decision. I do it with some diffidence because I hold the opinions of Mr Edwards on pension questions in great respect: but in this instance I fully believe that a different construction will ultimately be given to the Act of August 23rd 1842.
    It appears to me very plain that it is the design and scope of this Act, to remove all technical and grammatical
Page 37

objections which had heretofore been interposed; and leaving but three things necessary to be substantiated by a Widow claiming the benefit of the provisions of the Pension Acts of July 7th 1838; and of August 23rd AD 1842.    Viz
   That in her husbands services, as a Soldier of the Revolution, be legally, and satisfactorily proved;   That the Marriage of the Widow to the Soldier be proved to have been a lawful Marriage, and to have taken place within the time proscribed by the law of July 7th 1838.  And that the Woman, be  a Widow, at the time she makes her application.   And are not these, all the requisites founded in reason and justice.
    And the expressions of the act of August 23rd AD 842, appears to me as plain as language can make it, that nothing shall be required, more than the three things above stated, to entitle a Widow to the benefit of the provisions of those Acts.
     That the marriage of the Widow after the death of the husband for whose services she claim as a pension under the Act of the 7th July Eighteen hundred and thirty eight, shall be no bar to the claim of such Widow to the benefit of that Act she being a Widow at the time she makes application for a Pension.
   If it had been the intention of Congress to have still required that the applicant should have been Widow at the time of the passage of the Act of July 7th 1838, I think they would so have expressed it; but they have not.  The expressions of the Act are as sweeping and general as possible, requiring but one thing in regard to the period of her Widowhood
Page 38

Viz, "She being a Widow at the time she makes her application for a pension".  I think Sir I need add nothing further

            I am Sir, with sincere respect
                              Your Obedient Servant.

                             [Signed]  Jesse Charlton.

Hon. John C. Spencer
              Secretary of War
                        Washington   D.C.
Page 39

                       East Windsor    Hartford County,
                                          Connecticut
                                      November 10th 1842
Honble Sir.
    I herewith transmit the application of Mary Button, former Widow of Jonathan Hale, formerly of Chatham and last of Enfield in Connecticut for a Pension, under the Acts of July 7th 1838, and of August 23 AD 1842.
   And as your letter of October 20th 1842 has expressed an opinion of the inadmissibility of a claim of this description, I wish to have the question laid before the Hon. Secretary of War: and for this purpose, I have enclosed an open letter to him; which having read, will you have the goodness to send him, or to lay before him.
    With great respect Sir,
   I remain your Obedient Servant
   [Signed]  Jesse Charlton

Hon. J L. Edwards
        Commissioner of Pensions
                 Washington D. C.
Page 40

    East Windsor    Connecticut   Oct 12
                                                    1842
Hond Sir.
     I have before me yours of the 3rd inst in answer to the application of Mary Button, former Widow of Jonathan Hale:  You say, That the record shows She was Married July 1778

I have now before me the Family Record of the Hale family, for a century past, beginning in 1741    In which it is fairly entered in its regular place Jonathan Hale was Married to Mary Clark July1 AD 1777.
  I wish you Sir to look again at the record, it seems to me that the examining Clerk id mistaken in the date#.   I will send the family record if it is wished.  The Clerk may have by mistake looked at the record of Dorothy Phillips Marriage with Moses Pellon, that was under examination at the same time - that marriage was in 1778
And Sir, permit me to make the enquiry whether the Act to ament the Acts of July 1836 and 1838 does not entirely wave the objection   That they were not Widows on the day when the Act was passed.   [The words "day" and "Act was passed" are underlined]
Viz
"That the Marriage of the Widow, after the death of her husband, for whose services she claims a pension under the act of the seventh of July Eighteen hundred and thirty-eight shall be no bar to the claim of such Widow to the benefit of that Act   She being a Widow at the time she makes application for a Pension."

It is not as plain as language can make it, that the legislature is passing this amend
Page 41

ment meant that no stress whatever should be laid on the circumstance of the time of the husband's death, provided the Woman is a Widow at the time she makes application for a pensions.

     Have the goodness to let me hear from you again in the premises, when convenient. for I am persuaded that the understanding I have of the intention of the amendment is the one founded in reason and Justice.

             With very sincere respect
                      I am Sir
                            your Obedient Servant
                       [Signed]   Jesse Charlton

Hon J L Edwards
                  Commissioner of Pensions
                             Washington, D.C.
Page 42

    Letter to Commis
Page 43

            East Windsor     Sept 29    1842

Honrd Sir
   I herewith transmit the application of Mary Bottom of Enfield Hartford County Ct under the 3rd Section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836 and the joint resolution of 7th July 1838
    I apprehend that the case will be perfectly clear in all respects except as to the exact amount of time which Jonathan Hale served in 1777 & 1778 leaving
Page 44

There is no evidence in the Comptrollers Office showing the precise number of days that Col Sages Regiment served.  In the Pensions heretofore granted on that service you have called it exactly Six months.

Coll Gays Regiment of the same Brigade commenced service on the 20th June.  In the application of Sarah Mason Act of 1836 [last three words inserted] of the State of New York Widow of Isaac Mason  I sent Capt Simon Wolcotts Roll of his Company in Coll Gays Regiment which the Hon Orrin Holy copied and certified & left with you, with Mrs Masons papers where this fact will be seen.
                I am Sir   most respectfully
                     your Obed Servant
                               Jesse Charlton


Hon J.L. Edwards
        Commissioner of Pensions
                                    Washington D.C.
Page 45

            East Windsor, Hartford County   Conn
                                   November 28th   1842

Hond Sir.
     Yours of the 24th was received this morning. in relation to the application of Mary Button, to which the letter refers; you Say Sir;
     Her claim may therefore be allowed for 5 months 15 days as Fife Major, in Sages Regiment in 1776; and two months in 1777 in N York as a private [Last two words underlined.]
    It is the full belief of the Widow and so she meant to claim, that said Jonathan Hale, served in 1777 as a Fife Major [both words underlined] for he was not only a Fife Major in one of the Eight Battalions in 1776, but he was also Fife Major of the 23rd Regiment of the Connecticut Militia, appointed the 8 of April 1777 [last two words underlined] as his Warrant presented to me from the Widow clearly proves.
   And being such, & having had experience, is it not far more probable that he performed his duty in that capacity that as a private soldier
Page 46

I have not a copy of the deposition of Stephen Clark: If he says that he [two words inserted: sd , illegible] performed the duty in 1777 as a private soldier I have no more to say: but if he does not say I claim that if there are no Rolls in the Pension office showing his name among the private soldiers, that there is the very highest probability, that he performed his duty in 1777, as a Fife Major [last two words underlined]. And that the evidence is so strong that it ought to prevail, unless it should be rebutted by something stronger, which is wholly unknown to me.
                I remain Sir, with the highest 
                        respect
                             Your Obedient Servant.
                      [Signed]     Jesse Charlton

Hon. J.L. Edwards
                   Commissioner of Pensions
                                       Washington
                                                        D.C.
Page 47

                    1383
Mary Button


$36.45 per

Send cert, to
   J.H. Charlton
       East Windsor
           Conn.
Page 48

State of Connecticut Hartford County} Enfield

On this 20th day of May - 1843 personally appeared before me the subscribing authority, Mary Button a resident of Enfield in the County of Hartford State aforesaid aged 87 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed March 3rd 1843, granting pensions to widows of person who served during the Revolutionary War.
  That she was the former widow of Jonathan Hale, formerly of Chatham in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut, who served in the army of the Revolution, first at Cambridge under Capt Goodrich, in the year 1775 for a period of time she has not been able to ascertain: and again he served under Col Comfort Sage, at New York & in the vicinity as fife major, of sd Regiment, in the year 1776, from June to Dec., a period of not less than six months: and again, he served in the year 1777 in the State of New York for several months for which services she received a pension under the Act of July 7th AD 1838, at the rate of Thirty Six dollars & forty five cents per annum.
   She further declares, that she is still a widow,

                                  [Signed]  Mary Button
                      Sworn to and subscribed
Page 49

before me, on the day and year first written before me and I certify that the declarant is personally known to me.  In testimony whereof I set my hand & Seal the day & year first named
   Attest Jesse Charlton  Notary Public

State of Connecticut
I
do hereby certify that  .......................... Esq, before
whom the foregoing declaration of Mary Button was taken, was at the time of taking the same a lawful Justice of the Peace for said  ................ County, and I am satisfied that the signature to said certificate purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.

In testimony whereof, I do hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said ............. at Hartford aforesaid on the ..... day of ........1843.
Page 50

James H Charlton P M, of East Windsor CT
Atty for Declarant
Page 51

                     WIDOW, etc.

No.   17387
Mary Button
  Former widow of 
   Jonathan Hale
  Fifer Major Rev War
Act:-   March 3d 43
    x:- Vol. 1  , Page 105
   [Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 52

                                           Suffield Conn.
                                              August 14, 1922
Bureau of Pensions
   Dept. of Interior
Dear Sirs:-
            Will you kindly send me 
Pension Proof Papers of Revolutionary 
War  of
Jonathan Hale           Hampton Ct.
    wife
Mary Clark                Glastonbury or Portland
                      and
Stephen Clark           Hampton Ct.
    wife                          more data called for
Prudence Hall               cannot identify

       Thank you            [Pension Office stamp                                   
                                     dated Aug 15, 1922]

                            Sincerely,
                                  Mrs. E.W.H. Pierce
R.F.D. #2.
Page 53

Department Interior   Pension Office Stamp here
Bureau of Pensions        dated Nov 4 1921
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
  Please send full information in regard to Mary widow of Jonathan Hale -served from Chatham, Conn  - died in Enfield Conn.
  This information required to complete my papers to become a member of the D.A.R.
   Please advise charge for looking up this information and will remit on receipt of your reply.
                      Yours very truly 
             [Signed]  Mrs. Tudor Goudy
Nov 3rd 1921         Thompsonville, Conn