Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4639, Josiah Blake, Mass. R.I.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE     NUMBER
Mass.     Blake, Josiah   H.4639
R.I:                    Sarah    BL. Wt.3527-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

BLAKE, 
JOSIAH
Page 3

March 11-. 1835     
Maine, from 4?
March 26-. 1835   

Maine
Vermont xx 9461  
Josiah Blake   
of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a pr: & Sergt. in the Company commanded by Captain Hopkins of the Regt. commanded by Col. Walker in the Mass & R.I. Militia 

line for 
Private 12 months - 40.00
Sergeant 12 -"- 60.00
Mass & R.I. Line Records corrected $100.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of May
1833 and sent to 
Pensioner, Hartford, Vermont

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 50.00
                                                      $ 250.00

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by F.F. Franciori,
Book ?, Vol. 3rd  Page 5

 See Cir Tr.
 Transf to 
Sept. 1834 -
Page 4

2530
Maine.
Sarah Blake
widow of Josiah Blake
who served in the Revolutionary 
Mass&RI
war, as a private & Sergt

Mass and RI line, Records corrected 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
100 Dollars ----
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the
19th Day of October 1853
and sent to 
George B. Moody
Bangor
Me.
Recorded on Roll of Pensions under act (of)
February 3, 1853, Page 1 Vol. a

(32)
Page 5

Me
July 53-No 2530
Vol. B. 158

24738
Act (of) March 3/55 March 30/55

(strikethrough) Josiah Blake Pr
Sara Blake wid of 
Josiah Blake Pr
Capt: Benjn Hopkins,
Col: Christopher Sippett,
R.I. State Troops,
Revolutionary War

Husband & Wife both pensioned
Amount 100.00, Aug: 3d/55

352 of ifs aug 8/55
Geo B Moody
Bango 
Me
Page 6

Josiah Blake

Admitted
Mass Militia
Sergeant 12 Months
Private 12 mo
Page 7

State of Vermont}
County of Windsor} ss

On the twenty fifth day of July 1832 - personally appeared before the Court of Probate, holden at Hartland within and for the district of Hartford & State of Vermont - Josiah Blake, a resident of sd Hartland in the sd County of Windsor - aged seventy two years - who being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath, doth make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he enlisted at Roxbury near Boston in the State of Massachusetts in April or the First of May 1775. Into Capt John Perry's company, which was attached to Col. Walker's regiment & his  [illegible] names were Payne & Walker. & that at the time of his enlistment he resided at Seconch in the County of Bristol & State last aforesaid. & that he enlisted for eight months & had been at sd Roxbury acting in the capacity of a volunteer one month before his said enlistment. & that he continued to serve in sd company for and during the term of sd eight months & was discharged when sd company was discharged at sd Roxbury at the expiration of that period. That he believes he had a written discharge but if he had, it had been long since lost & is now out of his knowledge or control. The services which was rendered at this place were in building a fort at Roxbury and in guarding Dorchester Heights = that (he) inquired at Roxbury for proof of service but could not find any person or record to show it. That he again enlisted into the regiment commanded by Col. Christopher Lippett- in Capt Benjamin Hopping or Hopper's company [illegible] [illegible]. & John Bowers regiment in the Rhode Island line towards the first of February 1776. for the term of one year. & than he acted an an orderly Sergeant in sd company during sd year. & that he was spending a part of the time in building a fort at Newport in the State of Rhode Island - & that afterwards during the
Page 8

same year he went with sd company to New York & was at the battles of White Plains, Trenton & Princeton - & that he received, at the battle of Trenton one bullet through his hat & two through his [illegible] - that he was discharged at Morristown honorably & in writing as he believes - but does not now know where his discharge is.  That Lieut John Cowen served in sd company as his lieut or ensign during the whole of sd year as will appear by his deposition hereto appear.  & he further states that the time of his sd Leut mentioned enlistment 12 months at the time he entered the service, he resided at Providence in the State of Rhode Island.

30. That he enlisted again, as a volunteer, into the company of Capt. Lamb some time in August 1777. Lists & names not recollected, & that he resided at the time of his enlistment & entering the the service the service in Leicester, in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts - that he marched forthwith with sd Company to Bennington in the State of Vermont  & arrived there the day after the battle at that place and before the dead were buried. He further says that he with Capt Lamb's company followed on after the enemy and was at the battle at Stillwater with the forces of Burgoine and followed the enemy until his final capture at Saratoga - & he then went with sd company who followed the enemy down to White Plains & was there discharged some time in December in the year 1777 - but he had lost his written discharge if he ever had one - that he has made some inquiry in Massachusetts but can find no person alive who can testify to the services rendered under sd last enlistment. & that his whole services at this time was about 5 months & that he was a minute man on Rhode Island & for 2 months in actual service at Howlands Ferry at about the time of the taking of Genl Prescott by Genl or Col Barton. & that for many months he was held as a minute man and ready for service when called - but that he has no documentary or other evidence living by which to prove these services. & that in the whole of actual service he says is twenty eight months. 

9 
12 
5
2
---
28
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he further says that he was born at Seconke in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1759 December 30th as they tell him & his birth is there recorded as they tell also him & that he resided after the Revolutionary War at Providence some years & afterwards resided some years in the State of Maine - But hes resided in Hartland Windsor County & State of Vermont for the last twenty eight years -- & he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity (except the present & declared) his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 

Josiah Blake

Sworn and Subscribed to the day and year [illegible] aforesaid

L. March, Register

An the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the [illegible] [illegible] by the war department. That the above named apparent was a revolutionary [illegible] and that he served on [illegible], and the Court further certifies that it appears to [illegible] that Samuel Delano, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Hartland and that Peter [illegible] who signed the foregoing deposition is a resident in Hartland and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit
Page 10

I Lyndon A. March - Register of the Court of Probate of the district of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Josiah Blake for a pension -

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of Office this

25th Day of July AD 1832

L. March, Register

6955 Sarah Blake

Admitted 
Mass Militia
Sargent 12 Months
Private 12 Months
Page 11

Widow's Roll
Claim -
2nd sec. Act 3 of, Feb. 1853

Geo. B. Moody
Agent
Bangor
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the 2nd section of the act of 3rd, February 1853 - 
State of Maine}
County of Aroostook }ss

On this twenty third day of May, A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the said county Sarah Blake aged seventy five years a Resident of Township no. 11. Range 5th Aroostook in said County who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath declare that she resides one hundred forty one miles from any place where a Court of Record is holden and that said Court is only holden at said place twice in the year - that she is too infirm to travel such a great distance - that no Judge of any Court of Record resides nearer to her than Bangor which is one hundred & forty one miles from her residence and it is out of her power to procedure that attendance of any such Judge at her Residence, wherefore she trusts that this her declaration before me the said justice will be received and acted upon as if it was before a Court of Record - and accordingly she makes the following declaration in order to
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obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3rd day of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Josiah Blake who was a soldier of the Revolution of the rank of Sargent and drew a pension from the United States at the rate of one hundred dollars per annum whereto was payable to him at the Maine agency - and for the particulars of his service she [illegible] fully refers to the proofs upon which he was pensioned.

She further declares that she was married to the said Josiah Blake on the Thirty First day of May in the year eighteen hundred and twenty - that her said husband died on the fourteenth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty.  That she was not married to him prior to the 2nd of January Eighteen hundred but at the time above mentioned. She further de-clares that she is now a widow.

Sarah Blake
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Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that the statements made in said declaration respecting the County, respecting her infirmity as disabling her from  a long journey and her inability to procure the attendance of a Judge of the Court of Record the nearest of whom resides the [illegible] stated from her residence are true according to my own knowledge - I also know the said Sarah Blake as the reputed widow of Josiah Blake a Revolutionary pensioner - & I  have no interest in the Claim nor concern in the prosecution of it.

Rufus G. Kelloch  Justice of the Peace
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Bounty land [illegible] 

Act of March 3, 1855
Revolutionary [illegible]
Sarah Blake
No 24738

Geo. B. Moody
respectfully
Bangor
Page 16

State of Maine, County of Aroostook SS.
On this twentieth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sarah Blake aged seventy four years, a resident of No. 11, 5th Reye in the State of Maine, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Josiah Blake deceased, who was a private in the war of the Revolution. [illegible] particulars of his service are not known to her & therefore she will not undertake to describe it, that she declares that her husband continued in actual service in said War for the term of two years or more and was honorably discharged as will appear by the Revolutionary Records, at Washington especially by the proof upon which her said husband was placed upon the pension roll at the rate of one hundred dollars per annum under act of 7th June 1832 and those upon which the said declare it was on the 19th day of December 1853 under 24 [illegible] of act of [illegible] 3, 1853 placed on the pension roll at some rate. She further states that she was married to the said Josiah Blake on the 31st day of May A.D. 1820, that her said husband died on the fourteenth day of July A.D. 1840 and that she is still a widow.
She further declares that neither she, nor her said husband have received Bounty Land under the act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1855 nor any other act and time made no application therefore.
And I hereby constitute and appoint Geo. B. Moody my Attorney for me, and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of the Interior, a warrant for the quantity of land due me as aforesaid, and I fully authorize and empower him to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes therein expressed.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled, under the Act of Congress passed the 3rd of March 1855 granting Bounty Lands to certain officers and soldiers, and their heirs or widows, who have been engaged in the Military service of the United States.
Sarah Blake
Witness D.G. Cook
J.H. Blake

Subscribed and sworn to, before me, the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Sarah Blake to be the widow of the soldier above named, and that she appears to be of the age above written, and that I have no interest in the result of this application and no concern in the prosecution of it.
D.G. Cook, Justice of the Peace
Page 17

We, Josiah H. Blake and James Sutter of Plantation N. Eleven in the State of Maine, on oath depose and say that  we are well acquainted with Sarah Blake that she is well known to us as the widow of Josiah Blake and that she is the same person who executed the foregoing declaration.
We also depose that we well knew her and the said ____ during the life time of the latter and know that they lived together many years in the relation of husband and wife, were so universally reputed, and no one ever disputed their marriage to our knowledge.
We also know from personal recollection and from many facts and circumstances that the said ____ died on the ____ day of ____.
J.H. Blake
James Sutter

State of Main, County of Aroostook SS. March 20 1855
Subscribed and Sworn to before me, and I certify that the said J.H. Blake and James Sutter are well known to me and entitled to credit. Also that I have no interest in the result of the claim aforesaid, and no concern in the prosecution of it.
D.G. Cook, Justice of the Peace

State of Maine, County of Penobscot, SS.
I, Nathan Weston, Jr., Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that D.G. Cook Esquire, is and was, at the date of his certificate hereunto annexed, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Aroostook, that he is and was then duly qualified to act as such; and that the signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Nathan Weston, Jr. Clerk
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Wm. Levioll
[illegible]
Page 19

Extracts from the records of the town of Hartland County of Windsor and State of Vermont, found on the 49's page of the third volume of the town procedings of said Hartland and the records of marriages to wit.

State of Vermont Windsor County SS.
Be it remembered that at Hartland in said county this thirty first day of May in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and twenty Josiah Blake and Sarah Fergurson, both of said Hartland were duly joined in marriage by me.
Elihu Luce Chief Justice of Windsor County Court
Recorded May thirty first eighteen hundred twenty by S. Person, J. Clerk

State of Vermont Town Clerks Office Hartland July 8th 1855. I hereby certify that I am Clerk of the town of Hartland aforesaid and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town in my office, with the exception of the dates which are expressed and said record in fine legible word, and figures as follows.

State of Vermont Windsor County SS.
Be it remembers that at Hartland in said County this 31st day
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of May A.D. 1820, Josiah Blake and Sarah Fergurson both of said Hartland were duly joined in marriage by  me.
Elihu Luce Chief Justice of Windsor County Court
Recorded May 31st 1820
By S. Person T. Clerk

State of Vermont Windsor County SS
Town Clerks Office Hartland July 8, 1853. I hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the town records of the town of Hartland with the exceptions named in the above certificate.
Attest E.M. Stocker Town Clerk

State of Vermont Windsor County SS.
Hartland July 8, 1853
Personally appeared the above named E.M. Stocker and made oath to the truth of the above certificate. Signed by him before me. Albert B. Burk, Justice of Peace

State of Vermont, [illegible] County, SS.
I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Albert B. Burk was, at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds and that his signature foregoing is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 18 day of July A.D. 1853
Norman Williams Clerk
Page 21

4955
Josiah Blake
Hartland
Windsor Cy Vermont
Obj. 5 [illegible]
Letter May 11, 1833 to claimant Hartland Vermont
Admitted
Page 22

Brief in the case of Josiah Blake of Hartland of Windsor Cy. in the State of Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or  a Judge? In open Court
2. If before  a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72
4. [illegible] service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. Enlisted 1st May 1775
Duration of Service. 8 Months
Rank. private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Col. Walker, Capt. John Perry, Mass. troops

Period. Enlisted towards 1st July 76
Duration of Service. 1 Year
Rank. [illegible] Sergt.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Col. Christopher Lippett, Capt. Benjamin Hoppins or Hoppen, Rhode Island State troops

Period. Enlisted August 16 1777
Duration of Service. About 5 months
Rank. private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt. Lumb

Period. And was in actual service
Duration of Service. 2 months
Rank. Minute Man on Rhode Island
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Stillwater
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Secouk Bristol Cy. Massachussetts, Providence R.I., Leicester Mass.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, & by a living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilcox, Examining Clerk.
24 Jany 1833
Page 23

21
Application of Josiah Blake pensioner on Vermont Roll for transfer to Maine Roll
Arrd Dec 18,1839
R.C. Vose 
Augusta, Me
Page 24

Application for a Transfer.
County of Somerset SS.
On this twenty second day of September 1834, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Somerset personally appeared Josiah Blake who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Hoppins in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Christopher Lippit in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resided in the State (District, or Territory,) of Maine where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Hartland, Windsor County, Vermont to Phillips, Somerset County, Maine, are that he may be near his children, & live with one of his sons.
Josiah Blake

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.}
Charles Church Jr. Justice of the Peace

> The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrates, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The county clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

> The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Page 25

I John L. Blake of Phillips, Somerset County Maine do upon oath testify+  say: that Josiah Blake who has subscribed [and]sworn to the within affidavit is the same person he has therein represented himself to be + that he now resides in said Phillips. He is my Father + now lives in my family.
John L. Blake

State of Maine
Somerset [?] Sworn + subscribed to before me this twenty second day of September 1934, the  deponent being well known to me as a highly credible witness.
Charles Church [illegible], Justice Peace

State of Maine
Mennebec [?] I the subscriber Clerk of thee Judicial Court, Mennebec County, hereby certify that Charles Church Jr, before whom the within  + above affidavits were sworn is a Justice of the Peace: + that the within + above signatures purporting to be his are genuine.  Witness my hand + the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State this 13th day of October [illegible] 1934. 
J. A. Chandler
Page 26

Appl of Sarah
Blake, minor [?]
of Josiah
W
Arontook Me

Act 1853

Rcv.

Allowed $100
per annum
Com Feb 3, 1853


Hon L P  Waldo
Commission of Pensions
Washington D.CO.
Page 27

3527
Med Acres
Page 28

This is a blank page
Page 29

Pension Office
October 14/83


Sir
Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioners:
Respectfully &C,
S Cole for Commission

F Burt Esq, & Aud Present

Josiah Blake Act 1832
$100 pr an  Died 14th July 1840 Paid to his death
F Burt 
Auditor
Page 30

U S Post Mark 
Pension Officer
Feb 21 1902

Rcd stamp dated Feb 26 1902
Page 31

H. Elay Evans
U S Commissioner Pensions
Washington, D.C.

My dear Dir

Will you kindly send me a copy of the Pension record of Josiah Blake a soldier of the Revolutionary war from Mass. He marched to the alarm of Apr 19th 1775 & did further service for his country

Thanking you in advance

I am sincerely yours
Mrs Lottie V. Comly
432-5th Ave
New York City,
N York

Feb 19th 1902.
Page 32

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE
MAR 25 1859[?] [/stamp]
Page 33

J. Kanuher[?] Lithe Co. Milwaukee

T. F. SPANGLER, President.
WM. J. ATWELL, Cashier.

DIRECTORS:
JOHN HOGE.
WILLIS BAILEY.
JAS. BUCKINGHAM.
W. T. PERRY.
C. STOLZENBACH.
ALEX. GRANT.
JOHN C. HARRIS.
T. F. SPANGLER.
WM. J. ATWELL.

THE PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK.
CORNER MAIN AND FOURTH STS.
CLARENDON HOTEL BUILDING.

Zanesville, Ohio, March 23d 1899,

The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

I desire to secure a copy of the pension papers and documents connected therewith, of one Josiah Blake, a Revolutionery soldier. The Service was notably from Mass. but about 1793 he moved to Farmington, Maine, where he died in 1840. Between 1793 & 1840 he lived for a time in Vermont. A letter written by his hand in 1878 in my possession states that he was a pensioner at the time of his death.

I should like to have a type written copy
Page 34

J. Kanuher[?] Lithe Co. Milwaukee

T. F. SPANGLER, President.
WM. J. ATWELL, Cashier.

DIRECTORS:
JOHN HOGE.
WILLIS BAILEY.
JAS. BUCKINGHAM.
W. T. PERRY.
C. STOLZENBACH.
ALEX. GRANT.
JOHN C. HARRIS.
T. F. SPANGLER.
WM. J. ATWELL.

THE PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK.
CORNER MAIN AND FOURTH STS.
CLARENDON HOTEL BUILDING.

Zanesville, Ohio,

of all the papers in the case, and will gladly pay the cost of same when informed of the amount.

Very Respy Yours
T. F. Spangler
Page 35

Ex'r. INVALID.
REJECTED
No. 915[?]
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873

Josiah Blake
P.O. 1818 declaration not on file on June 22, 1911 and[?]
Papers transmitted to Honr
Service: H. Everett July 7, 1832 & do not appear to have been retd
Page 36

May 9 '99
TF Spangler
Zanesville, Ohio

Mch. 7, 1902
Mrs. Lottie V Comly
N.Y. C.5[?]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 4639
Sarah Blake
Widow
Josiah Blake
Sergt. Rev. War
Act: Feby. 3, '53
Index:--Vol. A, Page 66

[bracket] Arrangement of 1870. [/bracket]
Page 37

No. 24738

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mch 30th., 1855

Sarah Blake wid. of Josiah Blake pri.
Capt. Benj. Hoppin
Col. Christopher Lippett
R. I. State troops Rev. War

Warrant 35 27 160[?]-53

Geo. B. Moody
Bangor
Maine,
Page 38

19921
Josiah Blake
Revo. Vermont.

Rejected. See letter 31st March & 28th Aptil 1826 to Hon. G.E. Wales, H.R.
7 July 1832 to Hon H Everett

915
Page 39

State of Maine.

PENOBSCOT,

I, NATHAN WESTON, Jr., CLERK OF ALL THE JUDICIAL COURTS in said County, certify that Rufus G. Kelloch Esquire, is and was at the date of his certificate an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for our County of Aroostook, as appears by the paper hereto annexed, that he is and was duly commissioned and qualified to act as such; and that the signature to the paper annexed purporting to be his is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT for said State, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three

Nathan Weston Jr.
Clerk.
Page 40

recd. Apl. 27. 1826.

[sideways] J.L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office. [/sideways]
Page 41

House of Representatives
April 27, 1829.

Sir,

I am requested again to call your attention to the application of Josiah Blake for a pension. My informant writes that the year which Blake served was in a Regt commanded by Col. Lippet, and says "that Lippet was Lieut Col. part of the time and part a Col"

John Cowan the witness who proves Blakes service my informant adds "has drawn a pension six or seven years on account of services rendered in the same company at the same time for which Blake claims it now"--He further adds that Cowan is stricken off "on account of a property of about $4000, which fell to him from his father said his first application"--

I hope you will review Blakes case. If Cowan has recd a pension for the same service on which Blake claims I cannot well understand why Blake is not also entitled.

Yours very respectfully
George E. Wales

J. L. Edwards Esqr, Pension Office.
Page 42

Brief in the case of Sarah Blake widow of Josiah
Aroostook County and State of Maine
act of Feb 3 1853

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under the act of June 7 1832 at $100 per annum
I[?], Private in the Massachusetts militia twenty four mos.
Pension paid to his death July 14. 1840
Allowed $100 per annum
Com.[?] Feb. 3. 1853

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by public record
Death by auditor's report
Identity & widowhood, by credible witnesses & certificate of subscribing officer

Name and residence of Agent
George B. Moody
Bangor
Maine

Examining Clerk.
JL Gray
Page 43

Widows Claim
act of 3 Feb. 1853
2d Section
Sarah Blake
with letter of Geo. B Moody
Agent
Bangor
Page 44

Bangor  Sept. 3, 1853
Sir
It will be seen that the enclosed Declaration of Mrs Blake was made before a Justice of the Peace-  It should have been before a Court of Record [but crossed out] or a Judge of such Court but for difficulties well nigh insuperable-  141 miles distant from any Court of that kind & equally distant from any Judge with of facilities of Rail Road or Steam Boat with a degree of infirmity which precludes her from travelling at all & not having it in her power to offer to any Judge any inducement in the way of pay for him to make so long experience a testing journey-  I cannot doubt that you will allow the Rule to give way in consideration of these difficulties-  whenever it seems a practicable thing I will in all cases trusted to me conform in all respects to your Regulations-  The Rule of June as to attesting witnesses was adopted subsequently to the making & signing of the said Declaration-
I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
Geo. B. Moody
Hon L. P. Waldo
Commr of Pensions
Page 45

I Samuel Delano a clergiman [clergyman], residing in Hartland in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont- hereby certify, that I am well acquaint[ed] with Josiah Blake, who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration-  that I believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution; & that I concur in that opinion.
Samuel Delano
Sworn & subscribed, this 10th day [crossed out & year aforesd] of August 1832.}
Walter Palmer
Justice of peace
State of Vermont}
Windsor County ss}  
Woodstock County Clerks Office August 18, 1832 
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Do hereby Certify that Walter Palmer is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County and that above is his Signature--
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name the day & year last above-
Benjn. Swan
Page 46

State of Vermont}
Windsor County-} SS.
On the 25th day of July 1832- personally appeared Peter Gillson of Hartland in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont- a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that I have been acquainted with Josiah Blake of sd. Hartland for nearly thirty years:  that I have lived his near neighbor during that period that I have always understood, & have never heard it contradicted, that sd Blake was a revolutionary soldier:  [& that he is crossed out] during the war of the revolution:  & that he is a man of truth & that his declaration is entitled to full credit-  & further deponent saith not-
Peter Gilson
Sworn & Subscribed to Before me-
Ira Raymond, Judge of the Court of Probate
Page 47

19,921
Josiah Blake
Windsor County
[Crossed out  Rejected - See letter to Hon. G. E. Wales, 31 Mar. 1826]Benjn Swan Esqr
Woodstock, Vt
March 20, 1826
Page 48

I John Cowen of Tolland in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut of lawful age testify and say that in the month of March 1776 Josiah Blake then of Providence State of Rhode Island service of Hartland in the County Windsor in the State of Vermont, who had enlisted some time before into the Company of of [sic] Capt Benjamin Hoppins of Providence belonging to the Regiment commanded by Capt Christopher Lippet Joined said Company at sd Providence and continued faithfully to serve therein from sd month of March until on or about the 20th of Jany 1777 when he was honorably discharged as this deponent verily believes at which time the Deponent was Ensign & sd Blake was Sergeant and farther the Deponent saith not.
Tolland July 8th 1825.
John Cowen
Tolland County ss Tolland  July 8th 1825
Personally appeared John Cowan the above named Deponent and made Solemn Oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth-
Before me
Calvin Willey  Justice of Peace.
I certify that the above named John Cowen sustains a fine character
C. Willey.
Page 49

Tolland County ss}
County Clerks office}
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the County Court for Tolland County in the State of Connecticut do certify that Calvin Willey Esqr before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and authenticated is duly inrolld [enrolled] as a Justice of Peace in and for said Tolland County duly appointed and legally authorized to discharge the various duties of said office.
In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affix'd the public seal of said Court at Tolland in said County this 8" day of July AD 1825
Jeremiah Parish  Clerk
Page 50

I, John S. Blake of Farmington, in the county of Franklin and State of Maine, of lawful age depose and say, that Josiah Blake, late of Phillips in the county and State aforesaid deceased, was my father; that he died at my delling house in the said town of Phillips, on the fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, leaving a widow, who still survives him; and I further state that my said father resided in my house in said Phillips, for about six years next preceding his death, prior to which time, he had resided in the State of Vermont for many years-
John S. Blake
Franklin ss.  August 29, 1853.  Subscribed and sworn to, before me.
J. A. Linscott, Justice of the Peace.
I, John Toothaker of Phillips, in the county of Franklin and State of Maine, of lawful age depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Josiah Blake, late of said Phillips, deceased, while he was a resident of said Phillips; that he died at the house of his son, John S. Blake, in said Phillips, on the fourteenth day of July A. D. 1840, and that during his life, I lived a near neighbor to him.
John Toothaker
Franklin ss.  august 29 1853.  Subscribed and
Page 51

Sworn to before me
J. A. Linscott Justice of the Peace.
State of Maine}
County of Franklin} ss.
August 29th, 1853.  Subscribed and sworn to before me, and I certify that the said John S. Blake and John Toothaker, are well known to me, and are entitled to full credit-  I have no interest in the result of this claim and no concern in the prosecution of it in any way whatever.
J. A. Linscott, Justice of the Peace.
State of Maine
Penobscot ss
I, Nathan Weston Jr Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that J. A. Linscot Esquire, is and was at the date of his certificate an acting Justice of the Peace in and for our County of Franklin, duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, and that the signatures to this paper purporting to be his are genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, this third day of September A. D. 1853
Nathan Weston Jr.
Clerk