Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8, Thomas Abell, Vt
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(3-1776)

[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Vt |Abell, Thomas|R.8|
[blank]|or Abel|[blank]|
[blank]|Eunice|[blank]|
[end of columns]

CONTENTS
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State of New York
Chautaugua County ss} On the 30th day of September 1837 before the Hon Benjamin Walworth one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chautaugua and State of New York (the same being a court of Record) personally appeared Eunice Abell of the Town of Pomfret in said County aged eighty  five years on the 20th day of April last, who being first 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 4th, 1836.
That she is the widow of Capt Thomas Abell who was an officer in the War of the Revolution and served more than two years, part of the time as Sargent and part of the time as Lieutenant, in the Militia of Vermont. That he served a part of the time under Col Samuel Robinson of Bennington - That he was stationed at Castleton with Col Warner and that he was a Lieutenant is Col Warners Regiment. 
And she further declares that he left home (at bennington) early in the season of the year 1777. & that he was at the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St Clair, that he was in the battle at Hubberton Vermont, that he was in both of the Bennington battles and was present at the taking of Burgoyne - and that he was also in the winter present at the taking of Sir John Johnson on the Mohawk River. But she cannot recollect the year. That in the year 1776 he was absent in the service, but does not recollect where, & that he returned in the following winter having taken the small-pox. She also says that, on the account of the absence of her Husband, two or three weeks after the Bennington Battle her Father came for her from Norwich Connecticut, & that she returned with him to Norwich where she remained about six months, - and that her Husband, the said Thomas Abell was a minute-man & obliged to be always in readiness when  his services were required - and being in the service near home often came home on a furlow & remaining but a short time, returned to the army - in consequence of which she cannot recollect distinctly the dates of the different times, and the length of time he was absent & engaged in the service. But she has no doubt he was in actual service more than two years. There is no documentary evidence by which to obtain proof of his services as his papers ['were' crossed out]
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relative thereto were destroyed by her late husband before his death he believing them of no further use and an incumbrance. And she further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Abell at Norwich Connecticut by the Rev Mr Ellis a Presbyterian clergyman in April 1771 - but that that  she does not recollect the day of the month on which she was married. And she says that there is no other memorandum of record of her marriage to her Knowledge save one which was written in an old account book, which she knows to have been im his possession Ever since their marriage. A copy of said memorandum of her marriage with the memorandum of the births in the family is hereto annexed - Marked  "B" - 
And she further declares, that the said Thomas Abell (her late husband) died at Pomfret in the County aforesaid on the 14th day of October 1814, and that she has remained a widow ever since that Period. And for further proof as to all the matters aforesaid she refers to the papers & proofs hereto annexed.
/s/Eunice Abell
Subscribed and sworn to before me September 30th 1837
/s/B Walworth Judge Chautaugua Common Pleas

I certify that I have been many years acquainted with  Eunice Abell who made and subscribed the preceding declaration that she is apparently of the age of (85)  eighty five years and that from her great age and bodily infirmities she is unable to attend a court of record that she is a woman of a reputable character and that full credit is due to her said declaration 
Dated at Fredonia Chautaugua Co. N.Y. September 30th 1837
/s/B Walworth
Judge Chau, Com, Pleas
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Thomas Abell Born at Norwich yl 21 October 1749
and was married to Eunice Griswold in the 22nd Year of my age and she aged 19 Years
Parnel was born yl 5th July Sabbath 1772
Levi Born 10th February thursday 1774 & died March 21st 1774
"ayz" Eunice was born 29th January Sabbath 1775 Died 31st August 1777
Henry Born yl 8th February Satur 1777
Lydia was Born yl 4th January Mo'n 1779
Mosley Born yl 26th February Satur'y 1781
Dice was Born yl 3d October fri'd 1783
Eunice Born yl 3d February. Tue'd 1789
Thomas Born 15th April fri'd 1791
Clarrissa Born 18th November mon'd 1793
Fanny Born yl 20 July friday 1798
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State of New York
Chautaugua County ss} Thomas G Abell of the Town of Pomfret County of Chautaugua, and State of New York, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, That he is the Son of Thomas Abell and Eunice his wife, that he was born in the Town & County of Bennington in the State of Vermont, on the fifteenth day of April seventeen hundred and ninety one (1791) and was forty six (46) years of age on the fifteenth (15) day of April last. He heard his father say that he was in the battle of Bennington, & has heard many others who were also in the battle say the same. Has been on the Bennington battle ground with his father. Has heard his father say that he was in the Army & present at the surrender of Ticonderoga, at the taking of Burgoine, and also at the taking of Sir John Johnson, ['at Castleton.' crossed out]  and also at Castleton Knows (from having heard his father frequently mention the fact,) that at the Battle of Bennington he was an orderly sergeant, and in other particulars his knowledge of the services of his father, in the War of the Revolution, obtained from his father while living corresponds with the statements in the affidavit of his mother Eunice Abell.
the words "and also at Castleton" interlined before signing /s/Thos. G Abell
Subscribed and sworn to before me December 18th 1837
/s/B Walworth Judge Chautaugua Com Pleas

I certify that I and well acquainted with Thomas G Abell who subscribed the above affidavit and that he is a person of credibility and that full credit is due to his statement 
/s/B Walworth Judge Chau, Com, Pleas
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State of New York
County of Chautaugua } ss. I George W. Tew Clerk of said County, do certify that Hon. Benjamin Walworth above named, was at the date of the foregoing proceedings & now is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, duly commissioned & sworn - and that the several signatures "B. Walworth" subscribed to said proceedings, purporting yo be his are genuine - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 20. day of December 1837 - 
[court seal affixed]
/s/G. W. Tew Clark
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3078
Eunice Abell widow of Thomas 
NY
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State of New York, 
Chautaugua County ss.} I, Andrew Clark of the town of Sheridan in the County of Chautaugua & State of New York, born at Pelham, Massachusetts; a soldier of the Revolution & a Pensioner of Government, aged 76 years, do on my Oath, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Capt Thomas Abell in his life time, and have been acquainted with Mrs Eunice Abell his widow, more than 60 years - 
And I do further testify and say, on Oath, that in the Spring of 1777, I volunteered at Bennington, Vt. for six months as a Private and served my time out, under Capt. Samuel Robinson, (afterwards Col. Robinson) of the Vermont Militia - and that the said Thomas Abell was a Sergeant in said Company & served faithfully as such Sergeant the full term of six months, and was Sergeant at the taking of Burgoine & in the Battle there - And I believe he was in the Bennington Battles - I was not in those battles, being sick with the Measles - but I was present at the taking of Burgoine - The next year (1778) according to my best recollection and belief said Abell received a Lieutenant's Commission.
I know he had the Commission Lieut. and frequently had the command of a Company of minute men, as such Lieut. and was frequently out with his company on Scouting expeditions, &c. 
I was not in the  Company with said Abell after my six months' service under Capt. Robinson - 
About two years after the Surrender of Burgoine, I saw said Abell at Castleton, Vermont, commanding as Lieutenant, under Capt. Hutchinson, or Capt. Isaac Clark but which I cannot say - The Regiment at Castleton, was commanded by Col. Seth Warner - This I believe
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was in the fall of 1779 - I know that said Abell served six months as a Sergeant - How long he served as Lieutenant I cannot say - but think he served a considerable time - 
I know that the said Thomas Abell & Eunice his wife, lived together as husband & wife & had children before the year 1777 - I was not present, when they were married, but have not doubt of the facts - 
/s/Andrew Clark
Subscribed and sworn to before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Chautaugua in the State of New York, the first day of August, 1837.} 
/s/Jacob Houghton, J. P. 
I certify that I have been acquainted with Andrew Clark, above named, for several years - and that I believe him to be a man of truth & veracity - Aug't 1. 1837 - 
/s/Jacob Houghton, J. P. 

State of New York
County of Chautaugua} ss. I George Wilson Clerk of said County, do certify that Jacob Houghton Esq. above named, was on the first day of August last past, a Justice of the peace of said county, duly elected & sworn - and that the signatures "Jacob Houghton" to the foregoing proceedings, purporting to be his, are genuine - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal, this 20. day of December 1857 - 
/s/G. W. Tew Clerk
[court seal affixed]
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I Samuel Griswold of Ourwell County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age, being duly sworn do depose testify and sy, that I was present when the marriage and solemnized between Thomas Abel and Eunice Abel, then of Norwich, Windham County and State of Connecticut, which took place at said Norwich in the month of April A.D. 1771, the day of the month I am not able to ascertain - I further say that I am knowing to his the said Thomas Abel serving in the army of the Revolution in the year 1777. he went to Fort Ticonderoga when  it was evacuated and taken possession of ny Burgoyne - and retreated with the American army to Bennington and he was in the battle of Bennington - I am not able to state with certainty the precise time he served in said year 1777 - and further I say not.
The words, "the said Thomas Abel" interlined before signing - /s/Sam'l Griswold

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.} Ourwell Sept'r 1st. 1837. then sworn to ['before' crossed out] and subscribed before Roswell Bottum Jr. Justice Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponent in the above affidavit, and that he the said Samuel Griswold is a man considered to be of truth and veracity, ad of the first respectability - 
Attest. /s/Roswell Bottum Jr. Justice Peace
State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Roswell Bottum Jr was on the 1st Sept 1837 and still is a Justice of the peace for said County and that his signatures above are genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed seal of said court at Rutland this 4th day of Nov AD 1837. /s/R Pierpoint
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State of New York
Delaware County} ss. I Luna Bartlett being duly sworn makes oath and deposes that she resides in the town of Franklin in the County of Delaware and State of New York. that she was acquainted with Thomas Abell and Eunice Griswold his wife. that his deponent resided in the then town of Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut at the time of the marriage of the said Thomas Abell and Eunice Griswold that this deponent was them of the age of fifteen years nearly, and that her name was then Luna Abell, That she was personally acquainted with the said parties and that the said parties both resided in the then Norwich in said County of New London and State of Connecticut, that the said parties were married sometime in the month of April in the year 1771; that the said marriage was  solemnized by the Reverend John Ellis then minister of the Parish in said town, that the said parties were married at the dwelling house & residence of Ebenezer Griswold, & that this deponent was present at said marriage and witnessed the ceremony. 
/s/Luna Bartlett
Sworn and Subscribed this 19th day of March 1838 before me}
/s/Beach Jennings Com'r of deeds and Justice of the peace
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State of New York
County of Delaware ss. I Crawford B. Sheldon Clerk of the County of Delaware do hereby certify that Enoch Jennings Esquire the person before whom the written affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace & also a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Delaware duly commissioned and Sworn, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the Said Justice and that his name subscribed to the within affidavit is genuine. 
[county seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County March 22d 1838
/s/CB Sheldon Clerk
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Thomas Abell Born at Norwich y'l 21st October 1749. and was married to Eunice Griswold in the 22nd year of my Age and she Aged 19 years - 
Parnel was Born y'l 5th July. Sabath 1772.
Levi Born 10th February, 1774, thursday & died March 21st 1774.
Eunice was born y'l 29th Jan'y Sabath 1775. Died 31st August 1777
Henry Born yl 8th Feb'y Satu. 1777
Lydia was Born yl 4th Jan'y Mo'n 1779
Mosley Born y'l 24th Feb'y Sat'y 1781
Dice was Born y'l 3rd October fri'd 1783
Eunice Born y'l 3d Feb'y. Tue'd 1789.
Thomas Born 15th April fri'd 1791 - 
Clarissa Born 18th November Mond 1793
[blank] Born 19th Dec thur 1793 
Fanny Born y'l 20 July friday 1798
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[blank] Ex'r. INVALID.
No. S 65
['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.' crossed out]
REJECTED
Eunice Abel 
P. O. wid Thomas of Vt. Ensign & Lt Colo Robinson Vt mil
Service: List of rejected claims printed in 1852, shows cause of rejection as follows: "no proof of service - name not on the ['Enlisted:' crossed out] rolls - claim disallowed.", ['18' crossed out]
1928 July 18 Photos to E. V. Martindale A.D.M.
Discharged: [blank] , 18[blank]
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It appears by the Army accounts that Tho's Abell served as a Sargent, & by the evidence of Clark, that he served six months, to his knowledge, & that he performed other service, but how long not remembered - Allow for six months
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Mr. Edwards will be pleased to return this Petition, with his reason for disallowance of the Pension claimed & oblige
/s/J: Talioferro

J: L: Edwards esqr
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Abel of Philo Orton & others
Petition in behalf of Mrs. Eunice Abell of N.Y. the widow of a Revolutionary Soldier Thomas Vermont for a Pention
ensign & Lt
Feb 4. 1839
Ref 3 to Com'r Rev. pensions 
Jan. 4. 1840
Ref'd under Resol to Comr Rev pensions
Mr. Marvin
30 [encircled: 8]
Rev Pens - 
Rept advisor
Rendered very little service
Mar. 5. 1840
Com'r disch'd to lie
AC - Co AG
26th
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To the Congress of the United States
The Petition of the Subscribers, inhabitants of Fredonia in the County of Chautaugua & State of New York, in behalf of Widow Eunice Abell, respectfully represents 
That your Petitioners are informed & believe that the said Eunice Abell was married to Thomas Abell at Norwich, Connecticut a short time before the commencement of the Revolutionary war and lived with her said husband, Thomas Abell, till his death, which took place in October in the year Eighteen hundred of fourteen at Fredonia, aforesaid; And that the said Eunice Abell has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband, Thomas Abell. - 
And your Petitioners further represent that they are informed & believe that the said Thomas Abell served his country in the Armies of the Revolution for the space of about two years, a part of the time as Ensign, a part of the time as Lieutenant & for a part of the time your Petitioners are not informed in what capacity: That during said service he was actively employed, was at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, at the taking of Sir John Johnson, at Ticonderoga & at Hubbardton, and at the battle of Bennington. - 
And your Petitioners further represent that they are informed & believe that proof of the facts above stated has been procured & forwarded to, & now remains in, the war department, and that from some cause, to you Petitioners unknown, no pension has as yet been adjudged to the said Eunice Abell. Your Petitioners therefore respectfully request that you will cause the facts in her case to be properly investigated, & that such pension may allowed to here, as she shall be deemed equitably entitled to. - And your Petitioners &c. 
/s/Phila Brton
/s/Godfrey Grosvenor
/s/Daniel Douglass
/s/D F Forbes
/s/S. B. Chase
/s/Chas Chittenaux
/s/Thomas P. Grosvenor
/s/John 
/s/JD Edson.
/s/Wm H. Abell
/s/JP. Armstrong
/s/John B. Santee
/s/L Barker
/s/H C Frisbee
/s/Francis H. Ruggles
/s/B. Walworth
/s/E. A. Lester
/s/Barna Robbins
/s/A. Ben Ringhand
/s/A. F. Taylor
/s/Chas. H. Williams
/a/Chancy Winsor
/s/D. W. Douglass
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[handwritten letter]

Fredonia April 12. 1838

Hon J. L. Edwards

Sir
I have just been able to obtain the affidavit of Mrs [blank] which was for a long time expected. It proves the marriage, & the time of this marriage of Thomas Abell and Eunice Griswold. I may be superfluous, but as additional proof can do no harm I send it. 
I am sir respectfully Your obt Servt
/s/H. A. Tucker
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[handwritten letter]

Fredonia March 29. 1838

Hon J L Edward
Sir
From your communication to the Hon R P. Marvin I infer, that Mrs Eunice Abell is refused a pension on these grounds - "That the rolls of Vermont furnish the best evidence of services, rendered in the Vermont Militia, in the State of Vermont, during the Revolutionary War." And that " it appears, after searching through every roll for the name of claimants late Husband, he is only found twice in service, for about 10 days each in 1780 & 1781 as a sergeant."
First you have the positive, unqualified, testimony of Andrew Clark, a soldier in the Revolution, that he served as a private, Six months under Capt Samuel Robinson of the Vermont State Militia. And that during the whole of the said term of six months, Capt Thomas Abell served as Sergeant in the same company. This was in 1777 - 
Second - Mr Clark, Testified that although after the said six months service he was not in the same company with Capt Abell, he knows he held a Lieutenants commission (which would certainly imply some subsequent service) & that he saw the said Abell at Castleton, commanding as Lieutenant. He also testifies as to his belief, that he was in the Bennington and other Battles - 
The affidavit of the widow, Eunice Abell, supports the foregoing. But you will then perceive, that the greater part of his services, were rendered in the State of New York. And we did not expect to find a record of his services in Vermont, for any great length of time. Supposing the
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[handwritten letter]

the Records to be perfect. But the Treasures letter, which you have with the other papers, intimates that it is not probable they are so. And you will recollect, the State was not organized, or a constitutions adopted until 1793 & until that time they had neither Treasurer or State Records. The affidavits also show that he was a minute man & consequently his services were desultory & irregular - being subject at any & all times, to be called into Service. And that he was often absent six or eight weeks at a time, & then allowed to return Home. 
Will all these facts, I cannot see how the conclusion can be deduced - that he served but 20 days, 10 days in 1780 & 10 in 1781 - in indefendant circumstances. There was no necessity of his applying for a pension, and an honourable pride prevents his doing so. But now his widow stripped of her property & dependant upon charity for her support, wishes to take advantage of the liberality of congress, who anticipating cases of this kind, have provided means of relief from poverty & want, in old age. I have no doubt it is the wish of your department, to do justice to all. and I mention this, in hopes it may secure to the subject a more thorough attention & investigation
I am very respectfully Your Obt Servant
/s/Hiram A Tucker
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[handwritten letter]

Fredonia February 27 1838

Hon R P. Marvin

Sir
I  take the liberty again to trouble you with affts &c to procure a pension for Mrs Abell. We can give no further proof of her marriage than has been given (which I think abundantly sufficient), Except the original family Record, mentioned in the Enclosed Communication of JL Edwards Certificate of Allen Wardner Vermont State Treasurer. I enclose the whole letter that he may himself explain why his service for a longer time does not appear.
The proof of his services are all positive & sufficient - I wrote to you in preference to Mr Edwards that the matter may be brought to a close as soon as possible Col Abells property has vanished during the last two years & his mother relies much on the success of this application of Support. Please take notice that he was an Ensign & Lieutenant. this is important
I am very respectfully Your obt Servt
/s/H. A Tucker
P.S. Col Abell wishes me to say, that his Mother wishes to have the original record of her marriage & the birth of her children (which is the only one she has) sent Back to her is possible. There is no particular necessity - but she is aged & you will at once appreciate her anxiety to preserve it
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I Silas Walbridge of Bennington in the county of Bennington & State of Vermont, being in my 79th year, & being duly sworn, depose, testify & say - That I was norm in the town of Norwich in the State of Connecticut - that I emigrated from Norwich with my father, to Bennington, Vermont, & in this town I have resided for the last 75 years. - 
I further say that I knew Thomas Abell about the first year of the revolutionary war, & that he came to this town to reside about that time, and I was well acquainted with him, until his removal from this town some few years previous to his death - The year of Capt. Abel's removal from this town I cannot remember - 
I further say, that in 1777, I believe Thomas Abell was an Ensign in Capt. Samuel Robinson's company of militia Moses Robinson was colonel, and Nathaniel Brush was Lt. Colonel of the Regiment - and that said Thomas Abell was an ensign in the detachment which marched to Ticonderoga, This detachment marched about the 15th day of June, we remained at Ticonderoga, as I think 5 or 6 days when we relocated & fell back to Castleton where we staid a few days, and then were marched to Manchester, in Bennington county, and this militia detachment, and most of this Regiment, were under arms & in actual service until after the capture of Burgoyne which was in the following October - my belief is as much as four months. - 
It is my belief that Thomas Abell was out every year of the war as much as any of that Regiment, for he was a prompt & forward officer, and that part of the time he did duty as a LIeutenant, to which he was promoted - My memory does not enable me to state particularly his tours of duty in the years of the revolutionary war, nor the length of time, and station where he did duty. 
And further saith not. - 
/s/Silas Walbridge
State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} Bennington, February 10, A.D. 1838 -
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Personally appeared, Silas Walbridge, to me well known, and subscribed his name to the within & foregoing deposition, and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true according to his best recollection, information & belief - before me 
/s/O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that Silas Walbridge is a credible and respected person, and that his statements & evidence are entitled to credit. -
/s/O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace.

State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court hereby certify that Orsamus C. Merrill Esqr whose Signature appears to the foregoing Deposition, was, at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bennington afores'd duly qualified by Law as such, & that his above Signature is genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of Our said County Court & subscribed my name at Bennington this Twelfth day of Feby. AD. 1838 - 
Fees 50¢. /s/Henry Robinson
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[addressed envelope]

[postmark: [illegible] VT. FEB 5]

25

H. A. Tucker Esq
Fredonia Chautaugua Co.
St. of New. York
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State of Vermont Treasurer's Office Windsor
Feb. 5. 1838

I Allen Wardner, Treasurer of said State, do hereby certify that there is on file in this Office a paper purporting to be "A Payroll of Capt Samuel Robinsons company of militia in Col. Sam'l Herrick's Regiment for service done the State of Vermont an alarm which commenced the eleventh day of October 1780" - I further certify that the name of Thomas Abel, as Serg't appears upon said Roll with an allowance for Ten days Service at one Shilling, [margin note: 10] seven pence per day annexed - It further appears that on the 11 June 1781 said Roll was sworn to before Thomas Chittenden Gov'r & that on the same day was examined, approved & ordered to be paid by Thos. Chittenden & Tim'o Brownson, Committee - It appears also that o said 11 June the Treasurer paid said Roll to Samuel Robinson Captain - 
I further certify that there is another paper on file in this office purporting to be a "Pay Roll of Cap't Joseph Safford's Company of Militia in Col. Ebenezer Walbridge's REgiment on an alarm commencing 2d August AD 1781 and ending the 8th both days included" - and I further certify that the name of Thomas Abel as Seg't appears upon said Roll with an allowance for  three days service at one shilling & seven pence per day annexed - It also appears that said Roll was sworn to by said Cap't Safford om the 14 Dec. 1781 before Isaac Tichenor, Jus. Peace. & that on the 20th of said Dec'r said Roll was Examined, approved & ordered to be paid by Isaac Tichenor & Amos Fasset Committee, - It likewise appears that subsequently on the 3d Jan'y 1781 that the Treasure paid said Roll to Joseph Safford, Captain. 
/s/Allen Wardner, Treasury of Vermont
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[handwritten letter]

Windsor Feb. 5. 1838

Dear sir, 
I was obliged to inspect nearly all the Rolls (230) in order to be certain as to the services of Mr. Abel. I can find his name on two Rolls only, as you will see by certificate forwarded - If Mrs. A is wealthy, or in easy circumstances, it would be right that I should be paid for my labor, as the State makes me no allowance for these extra services - My Charge, if anything, will be Three Dollars, which however, if Mrs. A. is poor & does not succeed in getting on to the Pension list, I do not expect, nor I wish to be paid. It is not likely that the Rolls in the Treasurer's Office contain the records of all the services of the Vt. militia during our Revolution Struggle

Very Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt
/a/A. Wardner

H. A. Tucker Esqr.
Fredonia &c. N. Y.
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[handwritten letter]

War Department
Pension Office
January 12, 1838

Sir, 
The papers of Mrs. Eunice Abell, widow of Thomas Abell, referred to in your letter of the 1st. inst. have been examined and filed. The evidence in regard to the claimant's marriage is not satisfactory. If no record of it can be found in the Church of the Town where it took place, the leaf containing the original family record, of which a copy is produced, should accompany the papers. If the claimant's husband served as a alleged, evidence of it may be had by application to Allen Wardner Esqr. Treasurer of the State of Vermont.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Obt. Servt. 
/s/J L. Edwards

Hon. R. P. Marvin
House of Representatives
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[handwritten letter]

House Rep. Jany 1. 1838

Sir
I have just rec'd a letter from one of my constituents from which the following is an Extract
"Mrs Abell the mother of Col. Thomas G. Abell has sent an the necessary affidavits to the court of pensions to obtain the benefit of a provision made by act of Congress & for the widows of the officers and Soldiers of the Revolution."
And I am desired to ascertain what is the State of the business. The letter does not give Mrs Abell's Christian name It states that the papers were sent to you. 
They ['would' crossed out] were sent from Fredonia N. Y. 
Respectfully yours
/s/R P Marvin

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com'r Pens
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[handwritten letter]

Fredonia Dec 23, 1837

JL Edwards Esqr

Dear Sir - 
Enclosed are affidavits and papers sent to your department for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress for the Widows of the officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary army for Mrs. Eunice Abell They are as full & complete as could be obtained here. There who who were his associates while in the army, if living reside in Vermont, and his papers as shown by one of the affidavits were all destroyed  before his death - Supposed to be useless. Will you have the kindness to give it as early attention as possible and answer
Your Obt Servant
/s/H. A Tucker
Fredonia Chautaugua County CM.
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Eunice Abell
Petition of Eunice Abell for a Pension

R.P. Marvin

Feb'y 5 1840
Ref to the Committee on Rev'y Pensions
Page 32

To the Honorable, The Senate & House of Representatives - of the United States of America. - 
The petition of Eunice Abell of the town of Pomfret in the County of Chautaugua and State of New York humbly and respectfully sheweth:
That your petitioner is over eighty-seven years of age and the widow of Thomas Abell deceased who was a soldier, and served in the War of the Revolution. - That she was married to the said Thomas Abell at Norwich in the State of Connecticut, by Mr. Ellis, a Presbyterian clergyman in April, in the year, 1771.
And your petitioner further represents that after her said marriage with the said Thomas Abell, she removed to Bennington, in the State of Vermont. together with her said husband, That in the year 1776. the said Thomas Abell was absent in the service, somewhere but where she does not recollect. that he returned to his home at Bennington the following winter sick with the Small Pox. That early in the Sporing of 1777. he again entered the service and continued in it for a great length of time. That he was at the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St. Clair in the battle of Hubberton in the state of Vermont in both the Bennington Battles, and at the taking of Burgoyne. That he was also present at the taking of Sir John Johnson, on the Mohawk River, but in what year your petitioner does not remember. That he was during the war or most of the time thereof a minute man, and obliged to be always ready. that he was often absent on duty six or seven weeks at a time; and when stationed near Bennington would come home for a few days & then return to the army in consequence of which your petitioner cannot remember distinctly the different times and length of time he was in
Page 33

in actual service but your petitioner is positive that her said husband served over two years.
That a part of the time he served as a sergeant in Col. Samuel Robinson's Regiment, and part of the time was Lieutenant that he was a Lieutenant in Col. Warner's Regiment, and was stationed for a time with Col. Warner at Castleton, Vt.
And your petitioner further represents that her said husband died at Pomfret aforesaid on the 14th day of October 1814. an that ever since that period she has remained a widow. That she is poor and wholly dependant on her children for her support. That Thomas Abell, her son, with whom she has resided since the death of her said husband is in low circumstances as to property & in consequence thereof illy able to sustain the expense which in her feeble state of health & declining years she must necessarily incur.
And your petitioner further represents That in 1837. She made application to the Commissioner of Pensions of the War Department. for the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. allowing pensions to the widows of Revolutionary officers & others And your petitioner is informed that her said application was rejected on the ground that the time of the service of her said husband in the War of the Revolution, was not proven sufficiently definite to entitle her to receive a pension under the provisions of the said act. - And for further proof of the facts & circumstances above set forth your petitioner begs leave to refer your honorable body to the affidavits & papers in relation thereto, now on file, in the pension office of the War Department.
And your petitioner confiding in the patriotic liberality. which the General Government has ever manifested toward those & the relicts of those who shared in the toil, privation and peril, for the War of the Revolution, Prays that her name be entered on the Pension list of the United States, and that she be entitled to receive such sum per annum as your  honorable body may deem equitable & just and your petitioner will ever pray &c. - Dated Nov. 20. 1839.
/s/Eunice Abell
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[copied from previous page: begs leave to refer your honorable body to the affidavits & papers in relation thereto, now on file, in the pension office of the War Department]

And your petitioner confiding in the patriotic liberality, which the General Government has ever manifested toward those & the relicts of those who shared in the toil, privation and peril, of the War of the Revolution, Prays that her name be entered on the Pension list of the United States, and that she be entitled to receive such sum per annum as your honorable body may deem equitable & just and your petitioner will ever pray &c. - Dated Nov. 20. 1839.
/s/Eunice Abell

State of New York
Chautaugua County ss} Eunice Abell the above named petitioner, being duly sworn doth on her oath depose and say that the facts set forth in the above petition are true according to the best of her knowledge, recollection, information and belief
/s/Eunice Abell
Subscribed & sworn to November 20. 1839. before me /s/B Walworth 
Chautaugua Common Pleas
Page 35

[addressed envelope}

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Jan 13, 1840 
N.Y. case E. Abell
Hon. Jno Carr.
H.R.
Page 36

[addressed envelope}

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Jan 13, 1840
N.Y. case E. Abell
Hon. Jno Carr.
H.R.
Page 37

8 3078

Eunice Abell of Thomas N.Y.
Act 4 July 36
Page 38

[handwritten letter]

Washington City January the 9. - 1840

James L. Edwards Esqr
The petition of Eunice Abell has been ref'd to the Com'r of Rev'y Pensions & have been placed in my hands. & examined from the petitioner it appears that some evidence of the Claim is of file in your dept will you be so kind as to examine and inform me as soon as convenient
Very respectfully your obt servt 
/s/John Carr
Page 39

[handwritten letter]

War Department
Pension Office
January 15, 1840

Sir, 
In answer to the inquiry in your letter of the 9th inst. respecting the claim of Mrs. Eunice Abell, widow of Thomas Abell, I have the honor to state that this claim, as set forth in the declaration jand proof accompanying it, is for service rendered in the Vermont militia in 1777, 1778, & 1779, part of the time as a Sergeant and a part of the time as a LIeutenant, in a company of minute-men. 
The claimant was referred to the Treasurer of Vermont for proof. By the certificate of that officer it appeared that all the service rendered by Thomas Abell, a Sergeant, was 13 days. Minute men, though engaged to hold themselves in readiness to serve at a minute's warning, for 6 months, or a year at a time, were not in actual service except in case of alarm or invasion, and were dismissed as soon as the particular occasion for calling them into service had subsided; and it would appear from the records in the Office of the Treasurer of Vermont, that the claimant's husband rendered very little service of that description provided for by the act. Mrs. Abell's petition is herewith returned. 
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Obet. servt. 
/s/J. L. Edwards

Hon. John Carr
House of Representatives
Page 40

[typewritten letter]

Pen. Off.
Apl. 15, 1840

Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that the following claims have been examined:
* * * * * * 
Eunice Abel asserted a claim under the Act of July 4, 1836, for alleged services of her late husband as Sergt. and Lieut. in the Vermont Militia. The terms of service with the names of officers, stations and other regular particulas of the service are not set forth with the requisite precision, but the principle objection is that after a search of all the pay rolls in the Treasury of Vermont, his name is credited with ten days service as Sergt. in '80 and a like term in the same grade in '81. The testimony of Andrew Clark as to his receipt of a Lieutenancy at an earlier period and of his service in that grade, is contradicted by those rolls, and the suggestion that he probably served in Colonel Seth Warner's Battalion of Rangers, is not borne out of the muster rolls of that corps from Spring of '76 to 1780.
The papers in the foregoing cases are herewith enclosed.
Hon. John Taliaferro, H. R.
Page 41

[handwritten letter]

Washington - Jany. 31st 1850.

Sir:
I would request the favor to be informed as to the situation of the case of Eunice Abel, widow of Thomas Abel under act of 4th July 1836 - 
Application has been made to me to investigate the matter, and as a preliminary stop I would like to know what action has been had in the care - 
A copy of your decision in the case. will I presume furnish all the information desired.
I am very respectfully Your Obt Servt.
/s/L. M. Drury.
Page 42

L. M. Drury
Feb. 16/50
Page 43

[handwritten letter]

446
Pension Office
February 16th 1850

Sir, 
In reply to your letter of the 31st ult. in the case of Eunice Abel widow of Thomas Abel under act 4 July 1836, I have to state that her ['pension' crossed out] claim has been disallowed for the reasons stated in my letter to Hon. John Talliaferro, of the 15th April 1840, an extract from which is herewith enclosed. 

L. M. Drury Esqr
Washington City
Page 44

1-681
SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE. PHONE Branch 476
Requisition for Duplication, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON

[margin note: See receipt in Henry Abbot. W. 1347.]

July 6, 1928
CHIEF, Division of Publications, 
Room G 137.
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033
[receipt stamp: DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS DEPT OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED JULY 7 1928]

(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE. EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copy of 1 page from Rev. War pension claim of Thomas Abell, R. S.
No. of copies [blank] Shall be kept standing? [blank] [blank] days
For further information see [blank] [blank] Room No. [blank] Phone No. 
Approved: /s/A.D. Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau. 
/s/MMH Finch Chief of Branch or Division

NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
_______
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate 
Multigraph single or double space? [blank] Facsimile signature? [blank]
Mimeograph one side or both sides? [blank] Facsimile signature? [blank]
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End? [margin note: 4.35]
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? [blank] Dated? [blank]
Addressograph from lists [blank]
Envelopes, size [blank] |Cards, size [blank]
Proof list [blank] |Pay rolls [blank]
Labels (submit sample) [blank] |Corrections [blank]
Fill in letters [blank] |Tabulation sheets [blank]
Photostat x Size actual Official use? [blank] Repay yes $ .15
Blue Print Size [blank] Official use? [blank] Repay? [blank] $ [blank]
Remarks [blank]
(OVER)
Page 45

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
[blank] 192[blank].
(Date)

INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

口 Make new addressograph plate}
口 Change present addressograph plate} On list [blank]
口 Destroy present addressograph plate}
as follows:

Now reads 1 [blank]
2 [blank]
3 [blank]
4 [blank]
5 [blank]

Should read 1 [blank]
2 [blank]
3 [blank]
4 [blank]
5 [blank]

FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made [blank] 192[blank].
Operator [blank]

MULTIGRAPH
Operator [blank] Date [blank] Type set by [blank] Date [blank]
Remarks: [blank]

MIMEOGRAPH
Operator [blank] Date [blank] Cut by [blank]
Remarks: [blank]