Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 1241, Benjamin Hunt, U.S. Navy Mass. Residence Of Widow In 1831
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Hunt, Benjamin   Number R1241
    Eunice 
U.S. Navy 
Mass. Residence of widow in 1831
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No. 1 41
ACT OF [MARCH 3, 1855.][Crossed out]
Received
187
Navy
Eunice Hunt
Widow of
Benjamin Hunt
Quarter Gunner
"Constitution"

11-0
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Eunice Hunt
case not embraced
by act of 1817 - Hunt
having died May 1811
anterior to the war
[illegible]31 Augt 1831
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Boston, August 22, 1831
Sir,
Your letter of May 30 was duly received.
Since that time I have been making inquiries for the necessary evidence to prove that Widow Eunice Hunt is entitled to a pension, on account of her husband. I fear I shall be under the necessity of giving up the case, as so long a time has passed since his death, that all the physicians who attended him during his illness are dead, and there are no records at the Hospital at Chelsea of so early date as the time he was there. He died in May, 1811. The only persons I can find who recollect the circumstances of the case are his widow, and her daughter, who was about 20 years old at that time. They have a distant recollection of the facts, and would certify to them on oath,
if such evidence could be of any use. Dr Jarvis, who was then physician to the hospital, Dr. Limmedore[?], (or some similar name,) who was surgeon on board the Constitution, and Dr. Bean, of Boston, attended him. Dr Bean has left a certificate that he opened the body after his death. This will perhaps be proof enough that he is dead. I have also her certificate of Marriage with Mr. Hunt. I do not know where to apply for proof that she has not since been married (she has not) without it he to her neighbors who have known her as beein Mr Hunt's widow for years. If there is in existence any journal of the second cruise of the Constitution in existence, I presume it is in the Navy Department. Perhaps some light might be thrown on the subject by such
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a document. If there is none, and such evidence as I have above stated can be procured is not sufficient. I must give up the case, though I am anxious that she should receive the pension if possible, for she really needs it.
Respectfully yours,
Henry J. Howland
Everard Hall, Esq.
Sec'y N. P. Fund,
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Eunice Hunt
case not embraced
by act of 1817 - Hunt
having died May 1811
anterior to the war
[illegible] 31st Augt 1831.

20283
Aug 27
[illegible]
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Mrs. Eunice Hunt
Widow of 
Benjamin Hunt
Quarter Gunner
"Constitution"
"U.S. Navy"
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Boston, Mass. May 21, 1831.
To the Secretary of the Navy of the U.S.
Sir,
I have been requested by Mrs. Eunice Hunt, of this city, to inquire for some papers which were left at the Navy Department some years since, by Mr Brisney. She is the widow of Mr Benjamin Hunt, who, after serving 6 years and 6 months in the American army, when struggling for our Country's independence,
went out in the U.S. frigate Constitution, as Quarter Gunner the second voyage made by that vessel. While in that service, he, in
company with a whole boat's crew, were in some manner poisoned. But two or three survived, of whom the Hunt was one. But
the poison had so far disabled him as to render him unfit for service, and he was sent home. After lingering a long time, part of which was spent at the Marine Hospital, and
in part with his own family, - but he was under the care of the hospital physicians all the time, - he died. His widow is very poor, and considering that her husband died in the
service of his country, made some efforts to obtain the pension allowed to widows in such cases. She procured the papers which she was told were necessary, and as Mr Brisney was about going to Washington, the entrusted
him to his care, and he promised to attend
to the business for her But, either because she was unable to offer him sufficient inducements,[underlined] or from some other cause, he could not find time [underlined] to attend to it; but said he had left the papers at the Naval Department, and they would be returned to her whenever she applied for them. From her poverty, and consequently want of [word crossed out] proper friends to advise her, the affair has rested in this situation till the present time. She mentioned the circumstances to me a [crossed out] short time since; and asked whether I thought
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there was any prospect that she could receive a pension. I thought there could be no harm in enquiring, and volunteered to do so.
If you can find the papers above alluded to in your Office, please inform me what measures are necessary secure the money for her. - If you cannot find them, please let me know what new papers must be procured. - As soon as convenient. 
She requests me to refer you to Commodore Hull, who was on board the Constitution at the same time with Mr Hunt, was well acquainted with him, -and frequently visited him while sick; and knows the circumstances of his case.
Yours respectfully,
Henry [illegible]Howland.
Hon. L. Woodbury.
Secretary of the Navy


N.B. If you wish to inquire respecting my character, &c. I beg leave to refer you to Nathaniel Greene, Esq. Postmaster of Boston, now Washington[?] who though I have said nothing to him about it, I am confident he will be willing to testify to any thing he knows respecting me, or my character. He has known me 6 years. 
Please direct your answer to "Henry J. Howland, care of True & Greene
Boston, Mas"
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Hon Levi Woodbury,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington city
D. C.