Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 5343, for Henry Massey, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Md.
Massey, Henry
Frances

NUMBER
W 5343
B.L.Wt.27677-160-55.

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of page:]
Cir C. Shannahan Dec 8 / 55

Vol M1. page 19

[right side of page:]
99.039 Act 3 March
April 25  '55

Frances Massey, widow of 
Henry Massey decd
Private

Capt Thomas
Col. Smallwood

Pensioner
Revolutionary War

Mich Feby 53-639
AW:160 AC, Mar 21/56
[illegible]

M

C. Shanahan
Cassopolis
Cass Co. - 
Mich.
Page 3

637
MIchigan
Frances Massey
widow of Henry Massey
Md.
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 96 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence 
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 
6th day of June 1853
and sent to 
C. Shanahan
Cassopolis
Mich
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
February 3, 1853, Page 202 Vol. [illegible]
Page 4

[page divided vertically into thirds:]

[left side:]
see let
his [illeg]
for
[illegible]
know

to all=
-certifies
Silver
dward
14

[center]
2890
Michigan 
[Maryland crossed out]
Henry Massey
private
Maryland Line
In the army of the United Stated during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland-
at the rate of 8- Dollars per month, to commence on
the 5th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st of Sept. 1818 and sent to sent to Thom Bailey, Esq
Baltimore, Maryland.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 5 mos.  40-
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Mar 1819 - 48-
$:88 00
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
'76
one year

City of Baltimore

[third section:]
March 25/34
to him, retur g
-formal app.
transfer
May 27'34. see let
Delaware [illegible]
when last paid
June 13. 1834, transfer
-chigan fr: 4 Sept:'33
sent to himself care of B.F.
[illegible] being [illegible]
Cassopolis
Page 5

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore SS
On this twenty fifth day of April in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen personally appeared before me the undersigned, Henry Massey residing in the City of Baltimore, aged about sixty seven years, an applicant for a pension, under the Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," and then and there made the following declaration on Oath by me administered, "that he enlisted in April 1776 at Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, Maryland into Capt. Allen Thomas Company of Col. Smallwoods Regiment, Maryland line, joining said Regiment at Annapolis, then marched to the Northward, was at the battle of "white plains" - serviced the term of twelve months agreeable to enlistment, after which time, was placed in the Command of the "Amelia, States Look out Boat of 4 Guns" - continued the Command of said Boat, in the Service for two years when the Boat being sold, deponent
Page 6

left the service, being a term of three years and upwards. - that his name hath never been enscribed on any pension list therefore hath none to relinquish - and from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support.
Subscribed & Sworn)    Henry Massey
to before me -          )

N Price Chief Judge
Balt City Court

City of Baltimore SS
On this twenty second day of April in the year of Our lord One thousand Eighty hundred and Eighteen personally appeared before me the undersigned, William Cox, hereby of the City of Baltimore, and who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that Henry Massey now ????? served in the Revolutionary War, that he and Deponent enlisted in the same regiment and served together until after the battle of "White Plains."
Subscribed & Sworn to before me
Page 7

City of Baltimore Sc
I hereby Certify, that from the aforegoing declarations, made before me this day, on oath, it appears to my satisfaction that Henry Massey, served in the Revolutionary War, against the Common enemy, in the continental establishment, for the time therein stated and is entitled to a pension under the late Act of Congress.
N Brice Chief Judge Balt.
City Court
25th April 1818

Baltimore County SS
On this 25th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen personally appeared before me the undersigned, William Coe of the City of Baltimore, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he well knows Henry Massey, now present to have served in the Revolutionary War, that they enlisted in 1776 in the same company and Battalion, that they served together until Henry Massey left the said Company, and joined the "United States look out Boat, and that the said Massey remained in the service for the time mentioned in his aforegoing declaration. This deponent's company were stationed at Annapolis from whence the ????? in which Massey served. 
Subscribed & Sworn  )      Wm Coe
to before                    )
N Brice Chief Judge
Balt City Court
Page 8

City of Baltimore Sc.
I Thomas Harwood Clerk of Baltimore City Court, do hereby certify that the Honorable Nicholas Brice Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were taken and certified and who has thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of taking and certifying the same, and still is chief Judge of Baltimore City Court duly commissioned and qualified and to all his acts and such full faith and credit is and ought to be given. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty fifth day of April Eighteen hundred and Eighteen.
T. Harwood Clk
Baltimore City Court

Honored Sir
When the Pension Certificate comes please direct the same to be forward to the care of Thomas Bailey Esq., Port office of Baltimore Henry Massey
Page 9

Henry Massey
Revy Pensioner
$8.00




2890
March 1819
Page 10

SCHEDULE
United States of America
Maryland, district SS:
On the fourteenth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court, in the District Court in and for the District of Maryland

Henry Massey aged about seventy years, resident in the City of Baltimore in said District who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on is oath, declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: That he enlisted at a place called Leonard Town in St. Marys County and State aforesaid sometime about the year 1776 in Capt Allen Thomas' Company, and served in the Regiment commanded by Col. Smallwood in the Maryland Line, that he never was in any other principal engagement than that of white Plains and at Long Island, where the Company of Capt. Thomas were mostly killed and he with the remains of the company returned to Annapolis where the Capt. resigned his com, and deponent was ordered to take command of the Look out Schooner "Amelia" in which service he continued as he supposes about one year, when the Boats were ordered to be sold and he discharged at Annapolis aforesaid, having served out the period of his enlistment faithfully and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Page 11

Schedule referred to within, viz:
No real or personal property, except one bed and bedding and some trifling articles which he hath in his chamber at the house of his son, where he principally stays as a boarder having no family valued at $20. That his occupation was that of a waterman when able to pursue it, but is now incapable of labour & much afflicted with disease & debilitated by old age. No dependence but his pension and the kindness of his sister & other friends, for support. That he hath been placed on the Revolutionary Pension Role of the Maryland Agency at the rate of $8 per month commencing from the 5th of April 1818, as will appear by Certificate from the Department of War, dated 25th Sept. 1818 and numbered 2,890
Henry Massey

Sworn to and declared of the 14th day of June Before
 I, Philip Moore Clerk of the District Court aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty dollars and ____Cents.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said court, on this 1st day of August 1820.
Philip Moore Clerk of the District court for the District of Maryland
Page 12

Application For a Transfer.

County of Sussex   ss. State of Delaware

On this Twenty first day of November 1825, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Sussex personally appeared Henry Massey who, on his oath, declares that he ... same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Allen Thomas in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wm Smallwood, in the service of the United States, that his  name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Maryland, from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state of Delaware where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future; and that his reasons for removing to the state of Delaware was that part of his family Connections Resided there & that it best suited his convenience to Reside in the State of Delaware
Henry Massey

Sworn and subscribed to before }
me the day and year aforesaid   }
Wm. A. Elligood

NOTES. -- The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, setting forth that the person taking the testimony is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also have the authentication
as above required.
Page 13

Sussex County SS The State of Delaware
I Wm. A. Elligood, one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that before me came Caleb Ross and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, that he well knows Henry Massey to be the same person described in the written affidavit. And I further certify that the said Caleb Ross is a person of veracity.
Sworn Nov. 21st 1825

Sworn before me
Wm A. Ellligood

For Transfer
Recd. 3 Dec. 1825
Page 14

The State of Delaware )
Sussex County to wit   )
 I, Ishee Stockley Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the State aforesaid, in and for Sussex County aforesaid, Do hereby certify that William A. Elligood Esquire by whom the within Certificates appears to have been subscribed, was at the time of subscribing the same, and now is, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned, and sworn and to all his official acts as such full faith and credit ought to be given. And the signature of the said William A. Elligood to the said Certificate is of the proper hand writing of said William A Elligood.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas, at George Town in the County of Sussex aforesaid this twenty second day of November one thousand eight hundred and twenty five.   
Ishee Stockley
Page 15

State of Michigan )
County of Cass     )  ss.

On this twenty third day of March A.D. 1853 personally appeared before the Probate Court for said County, Frances Massey a resident of said County aged sixty years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 29 1848 and amended February 3rd 1853, that is to say, that she is the widow of Henry Massey deceased, who was a private in the army of the United States, in the revolutionary war with Great Britain in Captain Allen Thomas Company of Infantry, in the regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Smallwood, as will appear by the muster rolls of said Company. She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Massey on or about the second day of November 1820, in the County of Sussex and State of Delaware by the Rev. Mr. Windsor a minister of the gospel of said County, according to the laws of said state of Delaware, that her husband, the said Henry Massey died on the third day of January A.D. 1839, at the town of Milton in the County of Cass and state of Michigan, she further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never been married since the death of the said Henry Massey, that her name previous to her marriage with the said Henry Massey was Frances Smith (commonly called Fanny) that she has no family or private record of said marriage or of the death of the said Henry Massey, and that she believes there is no public record of the same; and that she has never before made any application for a pension; that her deceased husband is the identical Henry Massey who drew a pension in Baltimore in the state of Maryland, from the fifth day of April 1818 until the fourth day of September 1825, and was then transferred from the
Page 16

roll of Maryland to that of Delaware, and continued to draw a pension in said state of Delaware, from the said fourth day of September 1825 until the fourth day of September 1833, at which time he was transferred from the roll of Delaware to that of Michigan, and continued to draw a pension in Michigan from the said fourth day of September 1833 untill the fourth day of September 1838, and who died on the third day of January 1839 aged about ninety years. She further says that she is the identical Frances Massey who drew the balance of the pension of the said Henry Massey, which was due to him from the fourth day of September 1838 to the time of his death, and that, at the time of drawing said balance she surrendered up the certificate of the said Henry Massey deceased.  
  Frances Massey
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of March 1853, in open Court.
And I hereby certify that I believe the said Frances Massey to be the identical person who is the widow of said Henry Massey deceased, and that she is of the age above stated.
Clifford Shanahan Judge
of the Probate Court for
Cass County Michigan
it being a Court of Record.

State of Michigan )
County of Cass     ) ss.
On this thirty-first day of March 1853 personally appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court for said County, Edward Shanahan, a resident of said County aged about forty-seven years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that Frances Massey is the widow of Henry Massey deceased, who was a private in the company of infantry commanded by Captain Allen Thomas in
Page 17

the Regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Smallwood, in the Revolutionary War, as he verily believes; that the said Henry Massey and Frances his wife removed from Sussex County, Delaware to Cass County Michigan in the year 1833, and settled near him in Ontwa Township (now Milton the town having been divided) in said County of Cass, and continued to reside and cohabit together as husband and wife in said township, from the year 1833, until about the 3rd day of January 1839, at which time the said Henry Massey died, and that his widow, the said Frances Massey still resides there; that during the time that they resided in said County of Cass, he frequently visited their house, and found them, living together as husband and wife, and that he verily believes that they were lawfully married, that he was acquainted with them for several years in Sussex County, Delaware, before they came to Michigan, that he visited their house frequently in said State of Delaware, and found them living together there as husband, and wife; sometime in the year 1820 or 1821, there was a common report in the neighborhood, of said Henry Massey that he was married to Frances Smith (now Frances Massey) and that he verily believes that said report was true, that on or about the third day of January 1839, he was at the house of said Henry Massey, and saw him die, and helped to lay him out, and one or two days afterwards he saw him buried; that his widow the said Frances Massey is still a widow, and has not been married since the death of her husband, the said Henry Massey, deceased, that the said widow Massey is commonly called (Fanny) but that her name is Frances.
E. Shanahan
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31st day of March 1833.
C. Shanahan Judge of Probate for Cass Co. Mich
Page 18

State of Michigan )
County of Cass     ) SS.
Probate Court      )
I, Clifford Shanahan Judge of said Court and keeper of the seal thereof
do hereby certify that the Probate Court for said state is a court of record, made so by statute, and that the judge of every court of record in said state has power and authority to administer oaths for general purposes, and that said Court has no Clerk, but that the Judge is his own Clerk.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cassapolis this 31st day of March 1853
C. Shanahan Judge of the Court of Probate for Cass County Michigan
Page 19

State of Michigan )
County of Cass     ) SS.
On this nineteenth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared in open court before me, Clifford Shanahan Judge of the Probate Court for said County, Frances Massey, a resident of said county aged sixty-two years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Henry Massey deceased, who was a private in the army of the United States in the revolutionary war with Great Britain in Captain Allen Thomas Company of Infantry in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Smallwood, as will appear by the muster rolls of said Company. She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Massey on or about the second day of November 1820, in the County of Sussex and State of Delaware, by one Windsor a minister of the gospel, that her husband, the aforesaid Henry Massey died on the third day of January 1839 in the County of Cass and State of Michigan. She further says that she is now a widow, and that her name previous to her marriage with the said Henry Massey was, Smith, she further declares, that her deceased husband, is the identical Henry Massey who drew a pension in the City of Baltimore from the 5th day of April 1818 until the 4th day of September 1825, and was then transferred from the rolls of Maryland to that of Delaware, and continued to draw a pension in said state of Delaware from said 4th day of September 1825, until the 4th day of September 1833, at which time he was transferred
Page 20

to the rolls at Detroit Michigan, and continued to draw a pension at Detroit from the said 4th day of September 1833 until the 4th day of September 1838, and who died on the 3rd day of January 1839. She further says that she is the identical Frances Massey who drew the balance of the pension due to the said Henry Massey from the said 4th day of September 1838, to the 3rd day of January 1839, that being the time of his death, and that, at the time of drawing said balance, she surrendered up the certificate of the said Henry Massey deceased. She further declares that she is the identical Frances Massey who made a declaration on or about the 31st day of March 1853, for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3, 1853, and that upon said declaration she obtained a certificate of pension __________________ dated June 6 - 1853, for ninety-six dollars a year and now draws a pension on said certificate, at Detroit in the state of Michigan. 
She further declares that she has not received any Bounty Land under any act of Congress nor made any application therefor, except the one now presented, and that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act, of Congress approved March 3? 1855. & she refers to her former declaration for proof of her marriage, her husband's death etc. 
Frances Massey
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day
Page 21

and year first above written and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in the said claim.
C. Shanahan Judge of Probate
for Cass County Michigan

State of Michigan )
County of Cass     )  SS
On this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me the Judge of the Probate Court, in and for said County, Wm. Pollock and H. C. Pollock residents of said County, who being duly sworn according to law, declare that they are personally, and well acquainted with Mrs. Frances Massey, that they saw her sign her name to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented, and that she is now a widow, and they swear that they are disinterested witnesses.
William Pollock
Harriet C. Pollock

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of April 1855, and I certify that the said William Pollock and Harriet C. Pollock are credible and respectable citizens of said County.
C. Shanahan Judge of
Probate for Cass County
Michigan
Page 22

State of Michigan)
County of Cass    )  SS.
Probate Court      )

I, Clifford Shanahan Judge of said Court and keeper of the seal thereof do hereby certify that said Court is a Court of record, made so by statute, and that the Judge of every Court of record in said state has full power and authority to administer oaths and take acknowledgments for general purposes, and that said Court has no Clerk except the Judge thereof who is his own Clerk.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cassapolis this 19th day of April 1855
C Shanahan Judge of
Probate for Cass County 
Michigan
Page 23

April 9th

Appl. of Frances Massey widow of Henry

No. 870

Cass Co.
Mich:
M 19

Act 3rd Febry 1853
Admitted for $96.00/100 per annum
commencing Feb. 3 1853
Revy:

Department of the Interior
Pension Office, Official Business
C. Shanahan
Cassapolis
Mich.
Page 24

Official Business                Free

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Apr 20
Cassopolis
Mich
Page 25

[possibly  a small "v"]
27.677
[possibly the letter S or a squiggle]
[two words, both illegible]
Page 26

Official Business                       Free
Present

Hon. J. Minot
Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Boynton

99039
Frances Massey
widow
Henry
Page 27

Additional                        Official Business
Evidence                           Free

99039
Francis Massey
widow
Henry


Hon. J. Minot
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Cassopolis
Mich.
Apr
26
Page 28

[document is an envelope]
[ink stamp in upper left corner]
C A S S A P O L I S
APR
1

Hon. J. E. Heath
Court of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.

[illegible, possibly initials in ink, written sideways]

S Maya [in pencil, written sideways]
Page 29

Revy WIDOW, &C.
File No. 5343
Frances Massey
Wid.
Henry Massey
Pvt. Rev. War

Act: Feby. 3rd/53
Index:-Vol. M, Page 3

{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 30

Hon. H Waldro
C. Shanahan
Mch 14, 1837

637
Michigan
Frances Massey
widow of Henry
who served in the Revolutionary
war as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
96 Dollars ad
Cents per annum, to commence
the 3rd February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued
6th day of June
and sent to 
C. Shanahan
Cassapolis Mich
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
3d Feb. 48 Page 202 Vol.
Page 31

Michigan
see let to him
25th March 1834
ret informal appl
for transfer
Henry Massey
18 Mar 18__ Delaware
Cassopolis M.I.
Feb.-10-1834

Free
To the
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
City of Washington
Dist. of Columbia
Page 32

Edwardsburgh Cass Co. M.I.                183

Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War

Sir,
By transferring my Pension from the George Loman Agency State of Delaware to the Detroit Agency in the Territory of Michigan and apprising me of the same at the place of the date hereof you will much oblige
Your Obedient Servant
Henry Massey
Page 33

Edwardsburgh M.I. 28 Sept 1834

Sir
Enclosed is the returned Papers with Andrew Jackson's certificate affixed.
Yours Respectfully,
B. F. Silver
for
Henry Massey

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 34

Cassopolis Cass County
Michigan April 25 1856

Hon. J. Minot Court

Dear Sir
I see by the newspaper reports that an amendment has been made to the Military bounty Land Act of 1855, so as to admit parole evidence, if so, then in the case of Frances Massey widow of Henry Massey died, who served in the revolutionary war, as set forth in her application of April 19, 1855, no. 99.039, you have the evidence in your office upon which said Henry Massey obtained a pension in 1818, and also the evidence upon which said Frances Massey obtained a pension in 1853, and the evidence that she is still a widow as set forth in her application of April 19 1855 No. 99.039 as above, which, I suppose is all the evidence you will require, and if so please forward her warrant to me at this place and much obliged.
Yours truly,
C. Shanahan
atty. for Applicant
P.S. I suppose it would be impossible to prove the services now, by living witnesses the services having been rendered some seventy-five years ago.
C. Shanahan
Page 35

Cassopolis Cass County
Michigan Dec. 14 1853

Hon. J. Minot
Dear Sir
Yours of the 8th inst is received, in which you state that "the claim of Frances Massey for bounty land under the act of the 3d of March 1855 No. 99.039 has been examined and suspended.
The revolutionary service of Henry Massey the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office."
Now sir you will find by the records that this identical Henry Massey drew a pension of $96.00 per annum from the 5th of April 1818 up to the 4th of Sept. 1838, and that he died in January 1839, this pension was for services in Captain Allen Thomas' company of Infantry, in the regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Smallwood, and if my memory serves me he established in some way 3 years and 6 months services in said company.
Now, can it be possible that he served three years and six months in the revolutionary war, and yet his name not appear, either on the muster roll or pay roll of said company, -
Page 36

his widow Frances Massey now draws a pension of $96.00 per annum, as your records will show.
I have been personally and well acquainted with the said Frances, for the last fifty years, and with the said Henry Massey, from the year 1820, to the time of his death, and know him to be the person who drew the pension as aforesaid.
Surely the Clerk or Auditor who examines the rolls must have over looked his name. Please let me hear from you again.
Yours truly,
C. Shanahan
Page 37

Cassapolis Cass County
Michigan Feby 25 1857

Hon Comm of Pensions
Dear Sir
Inclosed please find additional application, and Power of Attorney to draw back pay or pension of Mrs. Frances Massey widow of Henry Massey deceased. If she is entitled to a certificate of Pension from March 4, 1848 to February 3 1853, you will please forward the same to me as her attorney; But if the money is to be paid at the Treasury Department or at any other Department of the Government, without an additional certificate, then will you please hand these papers to the officer or agent of the proper department for payment and much oblige Yours  Truly
C. Shanahan
Page 38

Brief in the case of Frances Massey widow of Henry 
Cass County and State of Michigan,
act 3rd February 1853

Claim, ("original,")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 18th March, 1818 & cont.

Marriage proven by parole proof, certified to be credible.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Page 39

[Right side of paper]
House of Reps.
12th [July?] / 54 [or 56?]

Hon.
Henry Waldron.
Recd. [illegible] 13th/54 [or 56?]
[illegible] 17th March '56

Henry Massey
Capt [illegible] Co.
[illegible]

Respectfully referred
to the Commissioner of
Pensions, and Mr
Waldron, so informed
[illegible] Office
March 17/ 56
[illegible]
[illegible]
Mr.  [illegible]

[left side of paper illegible]
Page 40

House of Representatives
12 March 1856

Dear Sir.
May you do me the favour to advise me whether the name of Henry Massey appears on the rolls in your office.
His widow is a Pensioner and claims that her husband served three years in a Company of Infantry under Captain Allen Thomas and Colonel William Smallwood in the Revolutionary War.
If his name does not appear in the rolls, please advise me in what state Col. Smallwood operated during the War so that she may know what State Records to search.
She wishes to obtain Bounty Land under the Act of 1855 and to find the necessary record evidence, by which her claim can be sustained.
Your truly,
Henry Waldron
Hon the Third Auditor
of the Treasury.
Page 41

State of Michigan  ) SS:
County of Cass      )    On this thirty-first day of March 1853, personally appeared, before the Judge of the Probate Court, within and for said County, Joseph Hirous a resident of said County, aged about forty-seven years, who being duly sworn according to law declares that Frances Massey is the widow of Henry Massey deceased, who was a private in the Company of Infantry, commanded by Captain Allen Thomas in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wm Smallwood in the revolutionary war, as he verily believes; that the said Henry Massey and Frances his wife removed from the state of Delaware, to Cass County in the State of Michigan, in the year 1833, and that he came in company with them; that when they arrived in Cass County Michigan he settled near the said Henry Massey, and that he visited his house frequently, and found them residing and cohabiting together as husband and wife in said county of Cass, and that they continued to cohabit together, untill about the third day of January 1839 at which time the said Henry Massey died, that by common reputation the said Henry Massey and Frances Massey were legally husband and wife and that he verily believes, that they were legally married. That he had been at the house of the said Henry Massey and Frances Massey, while they resided in Delaware and found them living together as husband and wife; and that he never heard any person express a doubt, as to the legality of their marriage; that they raised a son by the name of Robert D. Massey who was a volunteer in the war with Mexico, and served untill the close of the war; that the said Henry Massey died
Page 42

in the town of Milton (formerly Ontwa) is said County of Cass, on or about the third day of January 1839, that he saw him die and helped to lay him out, that he dug his grave and saw him buried and that his widow, the said Frances Massey is now a widow, and that she has not been married, since the death of the said Henry Massey; that she is now of the age of about sixty years, and that the said Henry Massey, at the time of his death, was of the age of about ninety years, as he verily believes.
Joseph Hirous
Subscribed and sworn to before me this thirty first day of March 1833, and I hereby certify that the said Joseph Hirous is a creditable witness and that I believe him to be of the age above stated.
C. Shanahan Judge of the Court of Probate for Cass County Michigan
Page 43

that the Probate Court in said state is a Court of Record.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cassopolis this 31st day of March 1853.
C. Shanahan Judge of the Probate Court for Cass County Michigan

{seal}
Page 44

Cassopolis Cass County
Michigan March 31 1853

Hon. J. E. Heath Com. of Pensions

Dear Sir
Inclosed you have the Declaration of Frances Massey widow of Henry Massey deceased, for a pension. - I have been acquainted with her a long time and from the general good character she has sustained, I have no doubt of the truth of the statements in her Declaration when her certificate issues you will please forward tome at this place.
Yours Truly
C. Shanahan

N.B. we expect that she is entitled to five years back pay, but we want your decision of the matter.
The act of July 29 1848, was retrospective, and made the pension commence back to the 4th of March 1848, the last clause of the first section of said act, provides that no widow married after the first day of January 1800 shall be entitled to pension under that act - the act, of Feby 3 1853, is virtually a repeal of said last clause, leaving the balance of the section as it was, - the late act, fixes no time of commencement, and therefore we think that a fair construction of the law will make the pension commence on the 4th of March 1848, you will please let me have your decision on this point.
Yours tr,
C. Shanahan
P.S. Mr. Massey was pensioned at $96 per year.
C. Shanahan
Page 45

Revolutionary Pension
Frances Massey widow
of Henry Massey Died.

Additional 
Application for back
pay or Pension 
from Mar. 4/48 to Feb. 3/53.  

C. Shanahan Attorney,
Cassopolis Cass
County, Michigan
Page 46

State of Michigan )
Cass County         ) SS  
Be it known that before me Andrew J. Smith - a notary public, in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments for general purposes, personally appeared Frances Massey widow of Henry Massey deceased, and made oath in due form of law, that she is the identical person named in an original certificate in her possession of which (I certify) the following is a true  copy.
Department of the Interior
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Frances Massey widow of Henry Massey who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of ninety-six dollars per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. Given at the Department of the Interior this Sixth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
R. McClelland
Secretary of the Interior
{ Seal   L. S.}
Examined and countersigned
L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

That she has not inter married but continues the widow of the above mentioned Henry Massey deceased, and that she now resides in said County of Cass and has resided there for the space of twenty-three years last past, and that previous thereto she resided in Sussex County in the State of Delaware, and that she has received her pension regularly, from the 3d day of February 1853, to the 4th day of September 1856. But that she has not,
Page 47

received her back pay or pension from the 4th day of March 1848 to the 3d day of February 1853, or any part thereof; and therefore she makes this, renewed application for the purpose of obtaining said back pay or pension, or a certificate thereof from the proper department of the General Government.
Sworn to and subscribed         )
this 25th day of February 1857)Frances Massey
before me                                )
Andrew Smith                          )
Notary Public

State of Michigan  )
County of Cass      )  SS.
I, Ezra B. Warner Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, in and for the County and state above mentioned, do hereby certify that Andrew J. Smith whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration is, and was at the time of signing the same a Notary Public in and for the County and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith, and credit; and that the aforesaid Circuit Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Cassopolis this 26th day of February 1857.
E. B. Warren Depty Clerk
Page 48

Revolutionary 
Pensions-
Frances Massey widow
of Henry Massey Decd
To.
Clifford Shanahan
Power of Attorney
Page 49

Know all men by these presents that I, Frances 
Massey of the County of Cass and State of Michigan widow of Henry Massey deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute 
and appoint Clifford Shanahan of Cassopolis, 
in the County of Cass and state of Michigan, 
my true and lawful Attorney for me, and in my
name, to receive from any agent, of the United States for paying Pensions in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, or in the City of Detroit in the state of Michigan of elsewhere, my Pension from the 4th day of March 1848 to the 3d day of February 
1853, and to receive from the proper agent, or
commissioner of the United States at the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, any certificate of pension or other paper or instrument, necessary to be received, going to show the establishment of such Pension, and to do generally all lawful acts and things whatsoever, tending the premises; and 
I further authorize and impower him for the purposes aforesaid to make, constitute and appoint an Attorney or Attorneys under him, and to revoke the same at his pleasure, hereby confirming, all, and whatsoever my said Attorney shall, in my name legally do, or 
cause to be done, in and about the premises, as fully and absolutely as I could do and perform the same if I were there present in my own proper person:
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal this 25th day of February 1857. 
signed sealed and delivered)
in presence of                      )Frances Massey
                                            )     { Seal}         
Margaret H Shanahan         )
A J Smith                             )
over
Page 50

State of Michigan ⎬ SS.
Cass County

Be it known that on the 25th day of February
1857, before the subscriber, a Notary Public
in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments for general purposes, personally appeared Frances Massey above
named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand the day and year last above mentioned
Andrew J Smith
Notary Public

State of Michigan  )
County of Cass      ) SS.
I, Ezra B. Warner Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, in and for the County and state above mentioned, do hereby certify, that Andrew J. Smith whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Power of Attorney, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a Notary Public, in and for the County and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid Circuit Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Cassopolis this 26th day of February 1857.
E. B. Warner Depty Clerk
Page 51

Territory of Michigan
Cass County
Before the subscriber a Justice
of the Peace in and for the said County personally
appeared Edward Shanahan and made oath in due
form of Law that he was personally acquainted with
the within named Henry Massey while he resided in
Sussex County State of Delaware and that he knows
him to be the identical Henry Massey named in the within
mentioned certificate; that he drew a Pension as a
revolutionary claimant while in said Sussex County
and that the within mentioned certificate is now in
his possession
Sworn and subscribed this}
28 day of December A.D.  }
1833 before me             }Edward Shanahan

Andrew Jackson Justice of the Peace
Territory of Michigan
Cass County
I do hereby certify that the above
named Edward Shanahan is a person of veracity and respectability
Andrew Jackson

Territory of Michigan
Cass County

I Martin C. Whitman Clerk of the court of the County and Territory aforesaid do
hereby certify that Andrew Jackson is a Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 31st day of July 1833 and will expire on the 28th day of Feb. 1834 and that his signature above written is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said County this 8th day
of February 1834
Martin C. Whitman
Clerk Cass County
Page 52

Michigan Territory
Caaa County          ⎬
Be it known that before me Andrew Jackson a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid
personally appeared Henry Massey and made oath in due form of law
that he is the identical Henry Massey
named in an original certificate in his possession of which (I certify) the following is a true copy
War Department.
Revolutionary Claim

I certify that in conformity with the Laws of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, Henry Massey, late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List Roll of the Maryland Agency at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the fifth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
L. S.
Given at the War Office of the United States
this twenty first day of September, one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen

S. Calhoun
Secretary of War.
That he is entitled to a Pension of Eight Dollars per month on account of wounds and disabilities received
or of services rendered to the United States during the
Revolutionary War; that he served in Captain Alan Thomas' Company of Infantry in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Smallwood; that he now resides in the County of Cass and Territory of Michigan and
has resided there for the space of three weeks past and that previous thereto he resided in the County of
Sussex and State of Delaware; that he has removed to County of Cass M.I. for the purpose of benefiting his family and improving his condition in life.    Henry Massey
Sworn and subscribed this 28 day
of December A.D. 1833 before me
Andrew Jackson
Justice of the Peace