Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25160, Benjamin Fry, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Fry, Benjamin
Stone, Esther
(Former widow)

NUMBER
W.25160

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Rejected

5167

Rhode Island
Esther Stone, forly
widow of Benj Fry
who was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of March 1844 and sent to B Cowell, Providence R.I.

[Act of March 3, 1843]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 95
Page 3

E Stone

Dn
Page 4

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence

On this eleventh day of August A.D. 1840 personally appeared before the municipal Court of the City of Providence, being a Court of Record, Esther Stone a resident of the City of Providence in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1834 and the amendment thereof passed March 1837 that on the 17th day of March seventeen hundred and eighty she was married to Benjamin Fry late of Foster in said county of Providence, deceased, that she continues his lawful wife until the 18th day of June one thousand eight hundred and six, on which day he died. That on the 11th day of October one thousand eight hundred and fourteen she was married to Jeremiah Stone late of Scituate -- deceased that she continued the lawful wife of said Stone until the sixth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, on which day he died and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will soon fully appear by the proof hereunto annexed--
Page 5

She further declares, that according to her best recollection and belief the said Benjamin Fry was a soldier of the revolution & served in served on various tours of duty, as a private in the Rhode Island militia, on alarms, drafts and as a substitute, and upon enlistments int he State troops, that he was stationed at different points at different times, some at Warwick some at Bristol, at Howland, Ferry, and Tiverton and some at Newport. She declares that she is satisfied that he served as much as four months in 1776 three months in 1777 nine months in 1778 two months in 1779 one month in 1780 and two months in 1781, all which was active services away from home quartered in buildings and tents and supplied out of the public stores. That she should have applied for her pension long ago, but had been told that her second marriage cut her off which she did verily believe was the case until recently informed to the contrary sometime in May last; that said Fry at the time of rendering said [illegible] resided in the town of Foster, formerly the west part of Scituate; that she now has not and never had any county, town, parish, church or family records of said marriage to said Fry.
her
Esther Stone
cross
Witness
Thomas Burgess

Municipal Court of the City of Providence, August 11th, 1840
Transcribed and duly sworn to by Esther Stone in  [ill] Court.

Albert G. Green, CCR.
Page 6

I, Lucy Stone of Cranston, in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, aged eighty three years on oath, do depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Benjamin Fry of Foster, and Esther Burlingame of Coventry. I was present and saw the said Benjamin and Ester married. She was married at her father's house in said Coventry by Elder Caleb Nichols. The said Benjamin and Esther were married before I was, and according to the best of my recollection in 1780. My oldest child, if he was now living would be fifty eight years old. After the death of said Benjamin Fry, the said Esther married Jeremiah Stone, and she is now his widow.

her
Lucy Stone
mark.

Witness to Lucy Stone's mark
Gamaliel L. Dwight

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence - In Providence on this third day of November, A.D. 1843, personally appeared Lucy Stone, subscriber to the aforegoing depositions and made oath of the truth of the same before me, and I do certify that said Lucy Stone is a credible witness.
Before me
Gamaliel L Dwight Public Notary
Page 7

I, Penelope Manchester of Providence, in the County of Providence, on oath do depose and say that I am forty-four years of age, that I am the youngest child of Benjamin Fry and Esther Fry now Esther Stone, widow of Jeremiah Stone. My mother had eight children by Benjamin Fry, of which I am the youngest living. Arnold Fry is the eldest and if living, is now over sixty years of age. The other children are Nancy Fry, Rhodes Fry, Susan Fry, Daniel Fry, Penelope Fry, Ezek Fry and Alfred Fry. The two last mentioned and Nancy, Rhodes, Susan are dead. My father never kept any record of the births of his children to my knowledge, and I know of none.
Penelope Manchester
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence
In Providence, on this third day of November, A.D. 1843, personally appeared Penelope Manchester, subscriber to the aforegoing deposition, and made oath of the truth of the same, and I do certify that said Manchester is a credible witness.
Before me,
Gamaliel Lyman Dwight
Justice of the Peace
Page 8

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence, R.I.
I, Albert G. Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Gamaliel Lyman Dwight who has signed the two preceding certificates, was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within & for said City, and a Public Notary, within & for said County, duy elected & that in either of said capacities, he is by law authorized to administer oaths and that said two signatures are genuine.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & have affixed the seal of said Court, this 6th day of November A.D. 1843.
Albert G Greene,
Clerk
Page 9

Revy WIDOW, &c.    am

File No. 25160
Esther Stone formerly wid. of Benjamin Fry
Pri. Rev. War
Act. Mrh. 3rd 1843
Index: Vol. L, Page 250
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

5256
R.I.

see let Hon. J.L. Tillinghast
February 3, 1841
see let Hon. N. R. Knight
February 22, 1841

aet 4 July 36


9531
Esther Stone
R.I.
suspended

[illegible] to B Cowell Oct. 19, 1843

aet July 7th 38
Page 11

Rep 30 Jan
44

8054
Rhode Island
Esther Stone formerly widow of Benjamin Fry and who died in the month June 1806 of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by [blank] in the Revolution line for 12 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of January 1844 and sent to Benjamin Cowell, Providence, R. Island
Total amount, $200.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F. L. Swann, Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 115.
Page 12

No 5256
Esther Stone
Widow of Benj. Fry.
for Pension


Hon. J. L. Tillinghast
HR
Page 13

State of Rhode Island Providence Plantations
Providence
Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence, and State aforesaid & being a Court of Record./ December 29, A.D. 1840.
Be it remembered, that satisfactory testimony has been added to this Court, to proved, that Benjamin Fry late of Foster in said County of Providence, died on the eighteenth day of June A.D. 1806; that he left a widow, Esther, who now resides in said City of Providence, that said Benjamin and Esther were legally married in the month of March A.D. 1780, at Coventry in the County of Kent in said State; that after the death of said Benjamin Fry said Esther remained his widow and unmarried, until the eleventh day of October A.D. 1814 when she was legally married to Jeremiah Stone of Scituate in said County of Providence; and continued his wife until the sixth day of June A.D. 1827, when he dies; and that said Esther is now the widow of said Jeremiah Stone, and has so remained ever since his death.
And be it further remembered that satisfactory testimony has also been added to this Court, that said Benjamin Fry served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, at least eighteen months.
And the Court further order it to be certified that said Esther Stone who has signed the preceding declaration, is a credible person; and that Penelope B. Manchester, Arthony Tarbox, Lucy Wright, Oliver Arnold, James Howard, Samuel Kimball, and Stephen Young, who have signed depositions annexed a said declaration, are also credible persons.
I Albert G. Greene, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that the aforegoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application
Page 14

of Esther Stone, to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress of July 4th, A.D. 1836, and of the Amendment thereof passed in March, A.D. 1837.

And I do further certify that Daniel G. Chace, before whom said deposition of Anthony Tarbox was taken, was at the time of the date thereof, a Public Notary within & for said County of Ken, July elected; that Nathan H. Stone, before whom said deposition of Lucy Wright was taken, was a the time of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within and for said town of Scituate, July elected.
That Isaac Saunders, before whom said depositions of Oliver Arnold and Samuel Kimball were taken, was at the times of the dates thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said town of Scituate, July elected.
And that Eddy Walker, before whom said deposition of James Howard was taken, was at the time of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the town of Foster in said County of Providence, July elected.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty-ninth day of December A.D. 1840.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk
Page 15

I Samuel Kimbell of Scituate in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged [blank] years do say upon oath, that during the revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Benjamin Fry late of Foster in this county, deceased. He has been dead about thirty four years; said Fry deservedly had the reputation of being much in the service; in the Rhode Island militia and State troops - I served at Warwick a month in April and May 1777 in Capt Coms Smith's company & the same month said Fry served a month as a private in Capt Jeremiah Davis company & I believe he was in Col. Wm West's regiment; in September 1777 I served a tour of one month in said militia in Col. Chas Brown's regiment, at that time said Fry was on duty in Capt. Jeremiah Davis company in same regiment as a substitute for his brother Rhodes Fry who had been drafted he served out a month as such substitute & informed me that he had served the previous month at same place for himself in Capt Samuel William's company, in Col John Waterman's regiment.
In January & February 1778 he and I served one month together stationed at Howland Ferry under Capt Jonathan Knight in Col John Cooke's regiment.
In April 1778 he enlisted in Col Crary's regiment
Page 16

regiment of State troops for a tour of nine months which he served out, stationed mostly at Howland Ferry, in Capt. Caleb Carr's company & we were both in Gen Sulivan's expedition which [illegible] that year;
In March 1781 he served a tour of one month stationed at Newport in Capt Jonathan Knight's company with Kimbell's regiment. I saw him often during this tour, and had conversations with him. I knew of his being then married and we had several conversations on that point - as he married a girl quite young as I had been told, this was what let to the conversations the first time. He has told me of being drafted in July 1781, but I did not see him on duty at that time, but do not doubt the fact. I was with said Fry in Col. Crary's regiment during the whole nine months. From all I have ever heard said about Mrs Esther Stone formerly the wife of said Fry, she is a worthy woman. Said Fry has mentioned to me several times about serving three months under Capt. James Williams in the fall of the year of 1776 and it was the common understanding that he so did. he was very forward in support of the war.
Samuel Kimbell
Page 17

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
August 11th 1840
Thus personally appeared Samuel Kimbell, signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated: I also certify he is a credible witness in the [illegible]
Before me Isaac Saunders Justice of the Peace
Page 18

I Stephen Young of Scituate in the county of Providence and Sate of Rhode Island aged 83 years do say upon oath that during the revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Benjamin Fry formerly of Foster in the county aforesaid deceased;
In July 1779 he and I served a tour of one month in the Rhode Island militia stationed at Bristol in Capt Jonathan Knight's company in Col Chas Brown's regiment. he was a private. he was 35 miles from home & he served upon a draft. this tour ended the first of August. In November 1779 we served a tour of one month together stationed at Warwick in Capt James Wills company in Col Tho Holden's regiment this tour ended the first of December. In March & April 1780 he was stationed at Warwick in Capt John Edwards company in Col Chas Brown's regiment & I served a tour of one month as a private. I was at same place in Capt Howland's company. This tour ended the last of April. In March 1781 said Fry enlisted into Capt Jonathan Knight's company & was marched to Newport where he was stationed & served out his enlistment which was for a month under Capt Knight in Col Stephen Kimbell's regiment. he served as a private through the war.
Page 19

In the year 1778 said Fry was on duty in Colonel Crary's regiment in Capt Caleb Carr's company. I should think for as much as nine months, I learned at the time from him & others that he had enlisted for nine months into said regiment. He also performed some service in 1776 in the  fall of the year & fore front of winter at Newport & Howland's Ferry in Capt James William's company. I have no doubt he was at least three months in this tour. He was forward in support of the war.
Stephen Young
Municipal Court of the City of Providence
August 11th 1840
Subscribed and duly sworn by
Stephen Young, in open court,
Albert G Greene,
Clerk
Page 20

I James Howard of Foster in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 81 years do say upon oath, that I was well acquainted with the late Benjamin Fry in the revolution, when at home he was my nigh neighbor; on the alarm in January 1776 he was marched to Bristol where he served a month in Capt. Stephen Sheldon's company in Col Colwell's regiment as a private. in 1777 the said Fry served threw several tours of a month at each tour as a classman in said militia at the town of Warwick in said State, the first of said tours was in April in Capt Jeremiah Davis' company in Col West regiment. The second was in August in Capt Samuel Williams company in Col John Waterman's regiment as a private both said last tours on draft. The third was in September as a substitute for his brother, Rhode, in Capt Davis' company in Col Chas Brown's regiment; in the year 1778 he served with me in Col Archibald Crary's regiment of State troops stationed mostly at Howland Ferry nine months upon an enlistment. I was in Capt John Carr's company and he in Capt Caleb Carr's company; he was a private; in July 1777 he served a month with me at Bristol on a draft  in Capt Jonathan Knight's company in Col Chad Brown's regiment; in the year 1780 he served with me one month at Warwick in said militia on draft in Capt John Edward's company in Col Chas Brown's regiment. this was in March & April in July 1781 he served with me upon a draft
Page 21

in Capt Peter Peirce's company in Col Stephen Kimball's regiment stationed at Bristol; he did three services as I have been told especially in the fall of 1776 at Newport. I heard tell of it in his day.
his
James Howard
mark
State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
in Foster on this 20th day of July 1840 personally appeared James Howard signer of the foregoing affidavit and make oath to the truth of the facts therein stated. I also certify that he is a credible witness in the [illegible]
Before me
Eddy Walker
Just Peace
Page 22

I Oliver Arnold of Foster in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 80 years do say on oath, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Fry formerly of said Foster deceased in the time of the revolution; In September 1776 he and myself enlisted into Captain James Williams' company for the span of three months services. We were ordered to Newport, forthwith where we were stationed till the British landed we were then marched to Howland's Ferry where we were continued on duty in said Capt. Williams' company in Col. John Cooke's regiment till the three months expired - which was soon after the British landed - said Col Cooke had command of our company for the whole three months which commenced in September and ended in December of 1776. We were paid by the captain in paper money, we had ten dollars bounty & ten dollars a month for our time -
Oliver Arnold
State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
August tenth A.D. 1840 personally appeared Oliver Arnold signer of the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated; I also certify that
Page 23

said Oliver is a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit.
Before me
Isaac Saunders Justice Peace
Page 24

I Lucy Wright of Scituate in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 67 years do say upon solemn oath that I was present when Benjamin Fry and Esther Burlingame were married and saw the ceremony of marriage performed by Elder Caleb Nichols. they were married in Coventry at the house where my father then lived and where Samuel Franklin now lives; They were married in March in (the seventeen hundred and eighty) 1780. Said Esther was at the time of her said marriage, sixteen years old, & in her seventeenth year. This fact I well remember & she had no child till she had been married several years, and Arnold Fry is her first child. Said Benjamin Fry has been dead thirty four years, this present from 1840 said Esther about twenty six years ago married Jeremiah Stone, they were married by my husband, who was then a Justice of the Peace and I saw him marry them; said Jeremiah Stone died in this town thirteen years ago this June, since which time said Esther has continued single and unmarried. said Esther is aunt to me on my father's side - and now resides in the City of Providence.
Lucy Wright
State of Rhode of Rhode Island
County of Providence
In Scituate on this third day of July 1840 personally appeared Lucy Wright signer of the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of all the facts therein stated; I also certify that she is a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit.
Before me -
Nathan. K. Stone Just Peace
Page 25

I Anthony Tarbox of Coventry in the county of Kent and State of Rhode Island aged 48 years do say on oath that I am the town Clerk of said town of Coventry and have been since the second day of November 1840, that I am keeper of the records of marriages and births, by virtue of said office in and for said town. That I have carefully examined said records and do not find the marriage of Benjamin Fry and Esther Burlingame, though I examined from 1760 to 1820 on said records nor do I in the same period find recorded any births of any children of said Benjamin Fry and said Esther; either prior to or after 1794. I further say that I am well satisfied that many marriages and births have taken place in this town which are not on record - the records no being full in my judgment on that subject - but very deficient.
Anthony Tarbox T. Clk. of Conventry
State of Rhode Island
County of Kent
On this fourth day of December 1840 personally came Anthony Tarbox Town Clerk of Coventry in said County & State and made oat that the facts stated in the above affidavit are all true.
Daniel G. Chase P. Notary
Page 26

I Penelope B. Manchester of the City of Providence in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 41 years do say upon oath that I am the daughter of Esther Stone who is an applicant for a pension. She has no records of her marriage to said Fry nor do I know or believe there is any record of said marriage anywhere in existence. Soon after the pension law for widows was passed some thing was said about her applying for a pension. It was thought that having had two husbands would prevent it - but last Mary information was obtained that the second marriage was no objection & Mr Thomas Parker agreed to see about it. Jeremiah Stone her second husband died thirteen years ago last June since which time she has continued a widow and unmarried.
Penelope B. Manchester
Municipal Court of the City of Providence
August 11, 1840
Subscribed, and duly sworn to by Penelope B. Manchester in open court.
Albert G. Greene
Clerk
Page 27

[paper one]
Kimball witnesses
77. May. Davis.
78 Jany. Knight, Cook,    Howlands Ferry
78 Apl. Crarys
81. March Knight Kimball - 1    Newport



[paper two]
76 Oct. Williams - Cook -    Newport - Howlands Ferry.
76 Jany. Shelden, Caldwell    Warwick   Hon [paper torn]
77. Apl, Aug. & Sept. Davis, West. Williams -    Warwick - Kimball & a [paper torn]
78. Carr. & Crary....    Kimball & a [paper torn]
79. July - Knight Brown    Bristol Kimball Young
- Nov. Wells Holden    Warwick Young
80. March. Edwards    -- Howard Young
81. -- Knight Kimball.    Newport Kimball & Y 
- July Pierce Kimball.    Bristol Howard
Page 28

9531
Esther Stone
R. Island
Act July 7, 38
admd
12 mo pri
40


Benjn Cowell
Providence
R Id
Page 29

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 25 day of July A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me Josiah Westcott [illegible] Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County Esther Stone was resident in the City of Providence aged 79 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of July 7 1838 & August 23 1842 granting pensions to certain widows. And she further declares that on the 17 of March 1780. She intermarried with Benjamin Fry formerly of Foster in said county as will appear by evidence annexed to her declaration now in the War Department made to obtain a pension and the act of Congress of July 11th 1836, to which she refers & she lived with the said Benjamin Fry as his wife until he departed this life June 1806. She then lived a widow until she intermarried with Jeremiah Stone late Scituate October 11, 1841 & lived with him as his wife until he departed this life June 6, 1827 & since that period she has remained a widow. And the said Esther further declares that her first husband the said Benjamin Fry was a soldier of the Revolution & served in the war of the Revolution as a private
Page 30

and she made a declaration under the Acts of July 4, 1836 & March 3rd 1837 to obtain a pension for his services which as set forth in said declaration & a greater part of which was allowed by the Pension Department but no services after the marriage having been found to the satisfaction of the Department here application, as she was informed, was disallowed. The evidence of her marriage with her first husband & the proof of his services are now in the Pension office & to which she refers. She now claims a pension under the Acts of July 7, 1838 and August 23rd, 1842 for said services and says she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but to marriage to said Benjamin took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit at the time above mentioned.

Esther "X" Stone
mark

Albert Josiah Westcott

Providence In the City of Providence 
July 25th [illegible] personally appeared before me the above named Esther Stone and made oath to the truth of the preceeding Declaration by her signed and I further certify that from old age and infirmity she is unable to attend court and also certify that her statements are entitled to full credit.
Josiah Westcott, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 31

I Penelope R. Manchester of the City & County of Providence on oath do testify & say that I am now 44 years of age that I am the daughter of Benjamin Fry formerly of Foster by Esther his wife, now the widow of Jeremiah Stone. That after the death of my father, my mother married said Jeremiah & lived with him as his wife until he departed this life in June 1827. Since the death of said Jeremiah my mother has remained a widow.
Penelope R. Manchester
[illegible] in the City of Providence this 30th day of August A.D. 1843 personally appeared Penelope R. Manchester and made oath to the truth of the above statement by her signed. And I further certify that she is a credable witness.
Before me Josiah Westcott Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence
I Albert G. Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence, in the County of Providence and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Josiah Westcott who has signed the aforegoing certificates, was on the days of the dates thereof, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Providence, duly elected.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Municipal Court, this 31 day of August, A.D. 1843.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk
Page 32

5599
Esther Stone


$40 per an


B. Cowell
Providence
R.I.
Page 33

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
County of Providence
On this sixth of February A.D. 1844 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in said County Esther Stone now resident in Providence in said County, aged Eighty 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 3d, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, viz: That she is the Widow of Jeremiah Stone and formerly the widow of Benjamin Fry deceased, who served in said War as a private. That she received a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838 August 34, 1842 at the rate of $40 per annum, payable at the Agency for paying pensions at Providence.

Esther Stone
mark

Atten
Franklin Greene

Providence Sc. In Providence July 6th A.D. 1844
Personally came before me the above named Esther Stone and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her signed. and I further certify she is personally known to me & is a credible person.
Franklin Greene
Jus Peace
I certify also that said Esther Stone was a pensioner under the Act of 7th July 1838.
Franklin Greene
Jus. Peace
Page 34

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence
I Albert G. Greene Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said State, so hereby certify that Franklin Greene who has signed the within written certificate, was, on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace, within & for said City, duly elected.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 13th day of February A.D. 1844.
Albert G. Greene,
Clerk
Page 35

Providence Nov 6 1843
Sir
I received your letter of the 19th together with a copy of one to the Hon J. L. Tillinghast respecting the claim of Esther Stone formerly widow of Benjamin Fry for a pension - In answer to which I herewith enclose further testimony as respects the marriage which I presume will be satisfactory. Mrs. Lucy Stone who is a very respectable witness was present & saw them married & she testifies they were married before she was & her eldest child would if living be fifty eight years of age. Here an circumstantial occurence which must corroborate the evidence as to the date of the marriage - It appears by the affidavit of Penelope Manchester a daughter of Benjamin Fry that, her father never kept any record of the births of his children. Her oldest brother is now, if living, over sixty years of age. This also confirms her statements. Believing the evidence will now be satisfactory I have to request that a pension may be granted to the amount of the services admitted, 12 months.
I am respectfully
your obt sert
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
Page 36

Providence August 31, 1843
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs Esther Stone formerly widow of Benjamin Fry for a pension under the Acts of Congress of July 7, 1838 & Aug 23, 1842.
I understand Mrs Stone made an application for a pension a few years since under the Act of July 4, 1836 & March 3, 1837 but not being able to prove service after the marriage it was not allowed. The service before her marriage was admitted as well as her marriage with her first husband said Benja Fry. The evidence of the above facts are in your office to which she refers. I have therefore to request that a pension certificate may be granted for the amount of service allowed.
I am respectfully
your devt sert
Benja Cowell

J.L.Edwards Esq
Page 37

Feb 17.1842
R.I.
Stone


Hon. N. R. Knight
Senate U.S.


The Commis. of Pensions
Pension Office
Page 38

The Commis. of Pensions
Sir
I am requested to make enquiry at your office what decision has been had on the declatation of Mrs Fry alias Mrs Stone, who as the widow of Benjamin Fry & afterwards married a Stone & was now left a widow. Her claim as I am informed was for services rendered by her first husband, Mr Fry of the Town of Foster in the State of Rhode Island.
Respectfully yours
N. R. Knight
Feb'y 17. 1841
Page 39

Jas. L. Edwards, Esq
Commis. of Pensions.
Page 40

Washington Jany. 22. 1841
Dr Sir,
I enclose with this the application of Mrs Esther Stone for a pension as the widow of Benjamin Fry, with the accompanying papers and depositions proving the marriage, & the service & death of her husband. The service appear to have been twenty one months and the testimony I trust is entirely satisfactory as to the nature & actual performance of it. Allow me to commend this case particularly to your early & favorable attention, & to hope that I may soon transmit to the highly reputable applicant a certificate to the amount of her claims.

Respectfully I am your obdt. servt
Joseph L. Tillinghast

Ja. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commis. Pensions