Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,256, Reuben Blake, Conn.
Page 1


SERVICE                                  NUMBER
Conn        Blake, Reuben       W. 25,256
                          Eunice         73 LMt2484-160-55
Page 2

 [Left page]

                          4,338 
Connecticut Roll
                                                            Lt
 [ Ink blot on first letters]  Reuben Blake
                                  Private
                  Connecticut Line
In the army of the United State during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of Eight Dollars per month to commence on the 26 of March 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 of Nov 1818 and forwarded to Pierpont Edwards 
Bridgeport Fairfield, Ct

Arrears to 4th Sep 1818 5 mo {last word inserted] 6 .   4          $ 12.60
              32   30            48.00
                               __________
                                  $ 90.60
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819
 
5 mo      6/31    4/30   
   { Revolutionary claim,
     Act 18th March, 1818}

Apr. 79 till June, 83
Continue
Derby   Cont
New Haven

[Right Page, written vertically]

Notification sent the 26th June 1820, to David
Burr Esqr [sic]
Fairfield
          Connt.
Page 3

   823
Connecticut
Eunice Blake
widow of Reuben Blake
Con
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inc. from $80
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
$90 Dollars
Cents [deleted] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, [last four words deleted] 1848.
   1 July 
Certificate of Pension issued the
17 day of Jany 18 __ [illegible
and sent to Isaac Sherman
    Bridgeport
Ct.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 9, 1848, Page 260  Vol. 1
Page 4

15.520 Act March 3, 1832
                March 26, 133-

Eunice Blake widow of
Reuben Blake     Priv
Rank
enl:  Zebulon Butler's Regts
       Ct. Continental line.

Enl                                   { Revolutionary 
Dis

Rev. Pensioner
Certificate Dated Jany. 12 1837  no 823
[writing on last two  lines is illegible, second line appears to be a signature]
Page 5

                                  Reuben Blake
                                        pvt
Page 6

District of Connecticutt [sic]  Js
On this 26th day of March said Reuben Blake of the Unite States for the District of Connecticutt Derby in said District and in oath declares before District ....port E. Evans District Judge of in said District and more than thirty years last past hath reside [word inserted] the Declarant now residesd. That in the month of March or April in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine he enlisted into the service of the United States for the term of the continuance of the
War of the Revolution as a private in Captain Elijah Humphrey's Company in the fourth Connecticutt Regiment on the continent  as establishment then commanded by Colonel Meiggs and continued from the time of his said enlistment in said service on said establishment as a faithful soldier until the termination of said war when in the month of June in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & eighty three he was from said service honorably discharged by a discharge and on the hand of his Excellency General George Washington which discharge the declarant hath by next two words intelligible] last
And the Declarant from then maketh oath that he now is and ever since the declaration of Independence had been a resident Citizen of the United States
                  [Signed] Reuben Blake

And the said Reuben Blake [next two words are illegible] make oath  nearby reasons {rest of sentence illegible].
Page 7

The [illegible] Conn & this county for support
              [Signed]  Reuben Blake

District of Connecticut Js March 26th AD 1818 the aforementioned Reuben Blake came before me & in my presence subscribed the aforesaid declaration & made Oath that the same is true
          [Signed] Pierpont Edwards
             District Judge of said District
Page 8

District of Connecticut Js
On this 25th day of March AD 18 before me Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the United States in said DIstrict [last three words inserted] came Ashbell Ohmsted of Bridgeport in said District a respectable citizen thereof and Isaac Northrop of Woodbridge in said District also a respectable citizen who being duly sworn do
depose & say that they are well acquainted with Reuben Blake the aforementioned declarant and his circumstances in life and are of the opinion they they are so reduced that he is in need of assistance from his Country for his support
And the said Blake served the United States in
the war of the Revolution agreeable to his declaration foregoing the said Northrop of being all this time in service in the same Regiment with him  the said  Blake

At the same time also came Jose Smith of said
Woodbridge who being also duly sworn doth depose & say that he well knows the [illegible] of the said Reuben Blake set forth in his declaration foregoing and also his discharge there from in manner as by him declared are here he the said Smith having served as a Sargeant in the same company with him the said Blake during all the said term of his said service
March 26th AD 1818  [Signed]  Isaac Northrop 
                                                  Jesse Smith
Sworn before me   [Signed]  Pierpont Edwards 
District Judge of the District of Connecticut
Page 9

[Written vertically along the left side of page:]

For certain persons engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War about the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have

[Written horizontally on right side of page:]
 Reuben Blake
              (cond)
      (4288)
   March 1819  
    Continued
Page 10

State of Connecticut  {2 initials illegible]
County Court of Fairfield County

 On this 14th day of June AD 1820 [?] personally appeared before me in open Court being in Court [last three words inserted] record for Fairfield County in said State of Connecticut, Reuben Blake [name is underlined Aged fifty five in years now resident in the township of Fairfield in said County of Fairfield and a pensioner under the Act of Congress of the 18th day of March AD 1818 who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows to wit- that about the forepart of March AD 1779 he enlisted into land militia ... service of the United states in Capt. Elijah Humpreys Company Col. Return Jonathan Meigs ,Regiment, in the Connecticut line, on the continental establishment for and during the continuance  of the was att [sic] which time he faithfully served out and that in [last two words inserted] June 1783 at West point [sic] he was honorably discharged but which discharge by time& accident lost and that the date of his original declaration for a pension [next half line, full line and half line are crossed out] is the 20th day of March 1818 and that his certificate from the War office for his Pension is number 4338.-
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March AD 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it so [inserted] as to bring my self within the provision of the Act of Congress entitled an act to provide
Page 11

for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval Service of the United State in the revolutionary War [two words illegible] the 18th day of March 1818 and I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or security, 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. And I do further declare that my occupation is that of a sailor in the coasting trade, but some times I work on land at husbandry on hire by the day and that by reason of a gunshot wound in my right leg a Ball being shot through the calf thereof between the bones in a Battle between white Plains and Kings Bridge in the summer of 1781 under the command of Genl. Lincoln   I am afflicted with a  rheumatism in that leg which often renders me wholly [last word inserted] unfit for [word service crossed out] labour for a fortnight together and always is very troublesome to me and that my family living with me and for whom, I provide are a wife, named Eunice Blake aged fifty four .... and infirm and out of health and has been so for eight or nine years last part and can do but little for her support. One daughter named Minerva, aged fifteen years, and very weekly [sic] and infirm And unable to support her Self. One son aged twelve years and one grandchild named William Shipman aged three years all dependant [sic] on me for support having no one else [word inserted] to whom they can look for [balance of line and half of next line are crossed off]it who can be compelled to afford it
                                 [Signed] Reuben Blake
Page 12

                    State of Connecticut and
       County Court for Fairfield County
[next line obliterated by page overlap]
A Schedule of the property of Reuben Blake the aforementioned declarant for a continuance of his pension [illegible]  
One old chest with drawers of the value   $1.00
One old low chest of the value ----             1.00
Six kitchen chairs worth each 25 cents ---   1.50
One shovel & tongd [?] old ----                   1 --
One pair of iron fire dogs -----                       .75
One iron spider ................................                     .50
One Pridiron --..................................                     .75
One Iron Tea kettle ........................                      .67
One old axe and one old hoe both worth....   .70
1/2 dos. old ... knives and forks........                .50
1/3 dos earthen plates ..................                    .25 
1 earthen tea pot 6 C. tea cups & saucers .... .50
 One candlestand worth five shillings........      .83
                                                               _________
                                                                $ 10.00    
                                                               ________
Subscribed and sworn to in open Court as aforesaid June 14th 1820       Reuben Blake

Sworn to and declared in the Court aforesaid and Whereupon said Court is, on satisfactory proof made in Court, of opinion that the total amount in value of the property described in the foregoing schedule is ten dollars, - and doth order that these proceedings be entered in the records of said Court
             Attest  David Burr  Clerk
Page 13

State of Connecticut, ss Fairfield County

I David Burr, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in the said State,  do hereby certify that the doregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and I do further certify that itis the opinion of the said Court that the total amount of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule of Reuben Blake is ten Dollars
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Fairfield, this 14th day of June AD 1820.
     [Signed]  David Burr  Clerk of the County Court for said County of Fairfield.
 
[seal affixed]

District and State of Connecticut, ss Fairfield 
        June 14 1820
I Robert Fairchild, Chief Judge of the county Court for the County of Fairfield, in said State, do certify that DAVID BURR Esq. is the Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn; and that said Court is a Court of record. made so by the statute laws of said State; that it proceeds according to the course of common law, has a jurisdiction unlimited in point  of amount, with the power of fine and imprisonment, and keeps  record of its proceedings.
       [Signed}  Robert Fairchild
Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield.
Page 14

                           657
Eunice Blake
Wid of Reuben
   [illegible]
Act 7 July 1838
Married 1786
died 1831
Allow $80 [looks like $50] per annum


[Signed]  Isaac Sherman Esq
                         Bridgeport
                                     Ct
ct
Page 15

                                                [Stamp affixed, 
                                                upper right corner]

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} Js Bridgeport
On this 13th day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Stratford in said County Eunice Blake a resident of Bridgeport in said County  aged 69 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit made by the Act of Congress
July 7th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows"

That She is the widow of Reuben Blake who was a private in the Army of the Revolution on the Roll of the Connecticut agency under Act of 1818 and to his papers at Washington for a Pension under the said Act   She refers for proof of said Reubens Service in the Revolution.

She further declares that she was married to the said Reuben Blake on or about the 7th day of August about the year 1785 or 1786. (Seventeen hundred eighty five or eighty six).  (had no Record of her marriage) and that her husband the aforementioned Reuben Blake died at said Bridgeport on the 7th day of November AD 1831. has no record of his death which was by consumption but Refers to his  papers at Washington for correct proof of his death That she was not married to him



12-1788
Page 16

prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four [illegible]  at the at the time above Stated. - that She was married to Said Reuben in the Town of Derby New Haven County  State of Connecticutt [sic] as aforesaid by [next word crossed out] [first name illegible]Hotchkiss Esq a Justice of the Peace for said New Haven County at that time and that her maiden name was Eunice Baldwin
   {Signed]  X  her mark  Eunice Blake
Sworn to and Subscribed on this day & year first above written 
      Before Me [Signed] Manson Hamlin Judge
      Attest  [Signed] Ira Sherman Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the
& after putting the interrogatory [this line appears to have been inserted]
matter presented by the War department that the above named applicant is the Widow of Reuben Blake a Revolutionary Soldier as She States
            [Signed] Manson Hamlin Judge
Attest   [Signed] Ira Sherman  Clerk

I Ira Sherman Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court on the matter of the Application of the Widow Eunice Blake for a Pension

Seal affixed       In testimony whereof I have
lower left          hereunto set my hand and the
                         Seal of Office this 13th day of
                          August AD 1838.
             [Signed]  Ira Sherman Clerk
Page 17

I Ira Sherman Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford aforesaid hereby certify that Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the Peace in and for Said Fairfield County duly commissioned & qualified   That his Signature to the Depositions of Said Harriet Shipman be duly sworn [last word inserted] & [word illegible annexed are genuine and that his commission will expire on the 20th of June 1839

                                  Given under my hand
[Seal affixed]          and the Seal of said Court
                            this 13th day of August 1838.
                              [Signed]  Ira Sherman Clerk
Harriet Shipman of Bridgeport in the County of Stratford & State of Connecticut Testifies and saith that she Shall be 50 Years Old the 12 of September 1838 according to a Record She has in her Bible of her birth and that she had allways [sic] been told that She was the first Child of Reuben & Eunice Blake of said Bridgeport And she can remember that her said father and mother lived together as man and wife previous to the year 1794 and until said Reuben died at that her mother the said Eunice had Bridgeport in November 1831 and her mother had never been married since his death and that her father was a Pensioner of the United States

Signed in Presence of       Signed X  her mark
Henry R. Haight                 Harriet Shipman

State of Connecticut
County of Stratford} Js  Bridgeport August 13 1838 Personally appeared Harriet Shipman and
Subscribed & made an Oath to the Truth of this above Deposition before me which I certify is a credible witness well known to me and I certify that said Harriet Shipman exhibited to me her Bible from which the  following is a true extract
"Harriet Shipman was born September 3 12a 1788.
Page 18

I David V Seeley of the Town of  Bridgeport in  the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 47 years of Age Deposeth  & Saith that he married a daughter of Reuben & Eunice Blake and that said Reuben Blake died at said Bridgeport on or about the 9 day of November AD 1821 of Consumption and that he left a Widow by the name of Eunice who is now a resident of said Bridgeport and has not married since the death of said Reuben and that said
Reuben was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of 1818 on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency.
     [Signed]  David V. Seeley

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} Js  Bridgeport August 13, 1838
Personally appeared David V. Seeley and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who  I testify is a credible Witness well known to me
   [Signed]  Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
Page 19

I Charrana Hardger [letter d crossed out in original} age Sixty nine years and Sarah Tomlinson Fifty Eight years both of Derby in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut depose and say that the said Sarah was an own sister to Eunice Blake of Bridgeport (Con.) the widdow [sic] of Ruben [sic] Blake decd and the present at the Marriage of Ruben Blake said Clavana an indifferent person ware both present at the Marriage to said Eunice in the Town of Derby aforesaid about the year 1784 in the month of August and saw them Married by Elipha Hotchkiss Esqr who was a Justice of Peace for Said County at that time Dwelling in Said Derby that said Ruben was a Pensioner at the time of his death which took place in aid Bridgeport several years ago and ghat the said Eunice is now his widdow
         [Signed]  Charanah Uproat
                        Sarah Tomlinson
Page 20

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven T Derby  July 25th 1838
Personally appeared Clarrana Harger and Sarah Tomlinson and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the within Depposition [sic] before me who I certify are both credible Witnesses
The within erasures were made before signing
     [Signed]  Isaac  Gilbert Justice of Peace
Page 21

[Line 1, first four words are off page]  & have examined the records of the Town of Derby with a view of finding recorded thereon the marriage of Reuben Blake to Eunice Baldwin and that no such record can be found  I further certify that I have examined the records ... in said Town and that I have found the name of Elipha Hotchkiss   signed as justice [sic] of the Peace in taking the acknowledge intent of  Deeds in many places upon said records from the year 1783 to 1793 in each and every of sd years also before and afterwards
Derby County        Sheldon [illegible]                      
July 28th 1838.     Town Clerk

The following is a list of Justices of the Peace  appointed (for New Haven County) [last for words inserted] a the late Session of the General Assembly for this State for the year 1838 agreeable to the ... made by the Secretary, and on file in this office to wit.  Sheldon Smith, Isaac J. Gilbert, Ezekial Gilbert Sheldon Bassett, Alford Blackman, Lyman Osborn, ..... Upson. Joel White, Lyman Smith 3d, Ephraim Smith, Amon Smith, Henry Smith
        Attest.   Sheldon Bassett Town Clerk

Derby County
Page 22

State of Connecticut
Js New Haven County     Derby Aug 19th 1838
Personally appeared Sheldon Bassett Town Clerk for sd Town of Derby and made oath to the truth of the within Certificate before me & I certify that he is a credible witness
      [Signed]  Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of Peace

[The following is written vertically in the middle third of this page]:
                      637
Eunice Blake
dcd
Act 7 July 1838
Married  1786
Died  1837

Allow  $80 per annum

Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridgeport
Cont.

[The following is written upside down in the lower third of this page]:

David V. Seely of the Town of Bridgeport the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 40 years of Age Deposeth & Saith that he married a daughter of Reuben & Eunice Blake and that said Reuben died at said Bridgeport in  [next three words illegible] said November AD 1831
Page 23

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
COUNTY OF Fairfield} SS, Bridgeport
On this 22nd day of March AD 1835 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, Eunice Blake aged about[ inserted] 86 years, a resident of Said Bridgeport in the State of Connecticut who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Reuben Blake of Said Bridgeport deceased who was a private Soldier in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and who was a pensioner of the United States under act of Congress passed March 18th 1818 at the rate of Ninety Six dollars per Annum and for proof of his Service in Said War She  refers  to his application under Said Act at the Pension office in Washington City and that the Said Eunice is now a pensioner of the United States as the widow if Reuben Blake on the Roll of the Connecticut agency at the rate of Ninety Six dollars per Annum that she is now a pensioner under Act of February 2d, 1848 - that her pension certificate under which she now draws her pension is dated 7th January 1851. No. 823 and She refers to her pension applications at Washington City for proof of his death and of her marriage to him & that his pension has been raised from 80 per Annum to 96 dollars per Annum - and that she believes he and [crossed out] continued in actual service actual service in said war for the term of Several years, and was honorably discharged  [on the day of A.D.  all crossed out]
She further states that she was married to the said Reuben Blake in Derby Conn; on the 7th day of August A.D. 1785 or 86 by one Esq [name illegible] a Justice of the Peace sd [sic] Town of Derby [last four words inserted]  and her name before her said marriage was Eunice Baldwin that her husband died at said Bridgeport on the 7th day of November A.D. 1831 and that she is now a widow.

She also declares hat she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any application therefor. 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855."
   [Signed]  X  her mark Eunice Blake

WE Isaac Blake and Eliza Morris residents of Bridgeport sd County in the State of Connecticut upon our oath declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Eunice Blake in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identiacal person she represents herself to be.
                            [Signed]  Isaac Blake
                                           Eliza Morris
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affidavit to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

   [Signed]  Isaac Lord  Justice of the Peace
Page 24

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} Js  Bridgeport March 23rd 1835
We Isaac Blake & Andrew Morris, both of said Bridgeport of lawful age do depose and Say that we are well acquainted with widow Eunice Blake of sd Bridgeport who is now applying for Bounty Land That She is now the widow of Reuben Blake dec who died at Said Bridgeport in the Autumn of the year AD 1831. That said Eunice is now a pensioner of the United States and that we know that said Reuben & Eunice lived  and Cohabited as man and wife until his death and was allways [sic] reputed to be man & wife and that we have no doubt that they were lawfully married as She has Stated in her application for Bounty land hereto annexed [next word crossed out] that her said husband died in the year 1831 as She States, in her application for Bounty land hereto Attach _
                    [Signed]  Isaac Blake
                                   Andrew Morris

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} Js  sd Bridgeport March 23rd AD 1835
Personally appeared before me a Justice of Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for Said County Isaac Blake & Andrew Morris both well known to me to be
Credible persons who I certify that  they Subscribed & made oath to the above deposition before me [last two words inserted]- and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the application of Said Eunice Blake for Bounty land hereto attach  -

                 [Signed]  Joshua Lord
                            Justice of the Peace
Page 25

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD
COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE} Ss.
  I, Amos S. Treat Clerk of the County Court, within and for Fairfield County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify - THAT
Joshua Lord Esquire, was on the 29th day of March 1855 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and know that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature;  and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Bridgeport, in said County and State, on this 23rd day of March A.D. 1855
     {Signed]  Amos S. Treat  Clerk

                                      15:520



IN TESTIMONY WHEREOG&lt; I hereby set my hand and affix the Sea; of said COurt
Page 26

 Conn [written horizontally]
 Information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  Reuben Blake

[Column titles and information entered:]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
      Mar or Apr 1779
LENGTH OF SERVICE   June 1783
RANK      Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED   
       CAPTAIN   Elijah Humphreys
       COLONEL   Return Jonathan Meigs
STATE      Conn.

Battles engaged in, wounded in calf of right leg at battle between White Plains & Kingsbridge in Service of 1781.

Officers under whom
Page 27

ct
Page 28

REPRESENTING 
GOETCHIUS & SMITH
NEW YORK AND HAVANAH, CUBA


                            JOSEPH L. PARRAGA
                            STOCKS AND BONDS
                   BRIDGEPORT TRUST CO. BUILDING

   P.O. BOX 665
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.,    Feby  12   1907

Commissioner of Pensions
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.c.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly send meparticulars for record in the Society of the Sons  of the American Revolution. of the pension record of the following pensioners,
   Reuben Blake - Derby Conn.
   Benjamin Evert - or Benjamin Evert  Jr. 
Stratford, Conn.
   Abraham Morehouse of Fairfield County
  Jan 23, 33
1886                     
                              obliged -
                                Yours Truly
JL. Parraga
Registrar
                                                          
                       
Conn.
Page 29

REPRESENTING 
GOETCHIUS & SMITH
NEW YORK AND HAVANAH, CUBA


                            JOSEPH L. PARRAGA
                            STOCKS AND BONDS
                   BRIDGEPORT TRUST CO. BUILDING

   P.O. BOX 665
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.,    Feby  12   1907

Commissioner of Pensions
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.c.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly send meparticulars for record in the Society of the Sons  of the American Revolution. of the pension record of the following pensioners,
   Reuben Blake - Derby Conn.
   Benjamin Evert - or Benjamin Evert  Jr. 
Stratford, Conn.
   Abraham Morehouse of Fairfield County
  Jan 23, 33
1886                     
                              obliged -
                                Yours Truly
JL. Parraga
Registrar
                                                          
                       
Conn.
Page 30

                              3-595.
O.W.AND N. DIVISION
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Feb. 18  1907
Searched by Gill
Original No.....
Certificate No.......
Claimant ......
Soldier,   Reuben Blake
Service,  Conn. Service
               Rev. War

Remarks:  no claim as above except wid. 25, 256

Chief of Division.
23266b5m6-06
Page 31

Stamped over address below:   PENSION 
                                                       MAY 
                                                        18 
                                                      1894
                                                     OFFICE
Bridgeport Ct
May 15/94
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir - Please send m a copy of the record as proof on which the pensioner was allowed to Eunice Blake [name underlined] of Bridgeport Conn, who was the widow of Reuben Blake as soldier of the Revolution - The pension covered from March 4 1841 which appears from a copy of account enclosed herewith -
                    Respectfully yours
                      H. T. Norcross
                        Bridgeport
  38 West Liberty Street}      Conn
Page 32

[Word on left illegible]

[Stamp reads:]
  
         PENSION
              23                              
            MAY 
      U     18     S  
            1894
          OFFICE.
Page 33

1838
Aug 22 To getting your pension Established 
                                                                    10.00
            "  Drawing money                             1.00                       
            "   Probate fees                                 1.00   
                                                                   ______   
                                                                   12.00 
1839
March 18  "   cash balance                       226.00
                                                  $ 240.00
                  
                      [ILLEGIBLE]
1839   By your Pension from March 4th
March 18     1836 to March 4th 1839
     @  $80. per year

paid Sept 4' 1839
             1/2 yearly pension
Eunice Blake paid Mar 4. 1840
Eunice Blake, paid Sep 4. 1840
     ......            paid Mar 4 / 41
           
      [Signed]     X   her mark Eunice Blake
     WIT

      


               
 
                                                             




























_____
Page 34

Rastus S. Ransom, President  HENRY L.WADE, Vice Pres'.   JOHN B DOHERTY, Secy   GLOVER A. HASTINGS, Ass'. Secy   CHARLES S, RODMAN, M.D., Medical Director
                                          [Stamp overlays next 
                                          two lines, right side]:
                                                    PENSION
                                                       NOV
                                                         24
                                                        1897
                                                     OFFICE

                   Chartered 1887
The Connecticut Indemnity  Association 
                 of Waterbury, Conn
Deoartment of the INterior
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D C
Dear Sir  

   Will you please Send me a Statement of the military history Reuben Blake a Soldier of the Revolutionary War Who inlisted [sic] from Conn Mar 17 1779
You will greately [sic] Oblige
Yours in F C & [illegible]
H.W. Paquet
781 Chapel Street

NOTE:  There is an vertical illegible notation on the upper left and a large capital letter B  superimposed on the beginning of the body of the letter, right side
Page 35

Reported            823
Connecticut
Eunice Blake
widow of Reuben Blake
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private.
Inscribed on the Roll at a rate of 
80 Dollars -
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1948.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of July 1848
and sent to 
           Isaac Sherman
                  Bridgeport
                              Ct

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1818  Page 259, Vol. 1
Page 36

Reported
            Connecticut   415
                  Eunice Blake
widow of Reuben Blake
who was a Private in the Revolution

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

Certificate of Pension issued the
      day of June 1843
and sent to Isaac Sherman, Esq.
     Bridgeport, Connecticut

            [Act of March 3, 1843.]
recorded in Book A.62
Vol 1   Page
Page 37

                              2184


            Abr  [Second word illegible]
Page 38

   [Postmark:]   Bridgeport  MAR 28  FREE

    L.P. Waldo Esq
     Coms of Pensions
     & Bounty Land     
         Washington

[Vertical note;]  15-5-20
Page 39

AD:  Feb, 48, C; 
          Boynton
Page 40

    Connecticut    399
Eunice Blake
widow of Reuben Blake decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 7th November 1831
of Fairfield Co in the State of Ct.
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Humphreys of the Regt  commanded by Col Meigs in the Cont 
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Connt.
at the rate of -80- Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued 20th day of Sept. 1838 and sent to Isaac
Sherman  Bridgeport CT

Arrears to the 4th of September 1838   $200.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '39  40.00
                                                                ________
                                                                $240.00
                                        {Act July 7
                                           1838}
Recorded by D. Addison Clerk
Book etc.   Vol. 1st   Page 166
Page 41

       5-5-20

[NOTE:  There appears to be a very faint  "1" 
before the first 5, therefore this could read 15-5-20]
Page 42

Stateof Connecticut
County of Fairfield
Bridgeport  March 23 1855

L.P. Waldo Esq
Comm of Pensions
& Bounty Land

  Sir    I Send you the application of the widow Eunice Blake for Bounty Land under act if Congress  approved March 3 1855   Please 
send her certificate to me

                         Yours Respectfully
                                Isaac Sherman
Page 43

Payment to be made at Hartford 
Feb 9th [illegible]  $80
                                         by
       [Signed] Horace Goodwin 2d Esq
[illegible] 1 July 1848

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the 
Agency of Connecticut

Payable on the 4th September and 4th 
March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the 
Roll of Pensioners under act February
2nd, 1848, Page 259, Vol. 1
         [Signed]  Leo Jenkins Clerk

   Isaac Sherman
         Bridgeport,               
                      Ct
Page 44

                  WAR DEPARTMENT
                  WIDOW'S PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848,
Eunice Blake
widow of Reuben Blake
who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed in the pension list at the rate of Eighty 
dollars [and __________ cents  crossed out] per annum commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, 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 War Office of the United
      States this 24th day of July
   one thousand eight hundred and
       forty eight.

    [Signed]  E. (H ?) L. Marcy
           Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned
     J. S. Edwards
     Commissioner of Pensions
      JP  H. S. Evans
Page 45

 State of COnnecituct
Bridgeport
J.L. Edwards Esq    November 12 1850

Sir I sent you the application of Widow Eunice Blake for an increase & back pay for a pension together with her Pension certificate please send her new certificate to me-
                            Yours Respectfully
                               Isaac Sherman

P.S.  you will find on referring to her[inserted] Pension application under Act of July 7. 1838
that she was pensioned for the service of her husband Reuben Blake who was a Pensioner under Act of 1818. at 96 Dollars per annum
Page 46

                             State of Connecticut
                                    County of Fairfield
                                       Bridgeport

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
        Sir   I sent you the Pension application of Eunice Blake you will please send her certificate to me.
                                              Yours Respectfully
                                                 Isaac Sherman
Page 47

                           State of Connecticut
                                  Bridgeport
J.L.  Edwards Esq              May 18, 1845

Sir I send you the Pension application of the widow Eunice Blake of Bridgeport  please send her certificate to me
                                          Yours Respectfully
                                           Isaac Sherman
Page 48


[Horizontally written:}
The 
Honorable John C. Calhoun 
Secratary [sic] of the Department of War
Washington

[Note:  the following was written over the above information]

Reuben Blake
private-
Connecticut line-
26th March 1818
________

Admitted 
on Connecticut roll
_________

Pierpont Edwards Esq
Bridgeport, Connect
________
 Recd 27th May, 1818
Page 49

I Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the District of Connecticut do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that Reuben Blake who made & Subscribed the declaration contained in the annexed schedule did serve in the Revolutionary War against the common Enemy as stated in his said declaration & I now transmit the  proceedings and testimony taken & had before me in his  case to the Secretary of the department of War pursuant to an Act of Congress in such case made and provided said proceedings & testimony are contained in the annexed Schedule May 20th 1818
   [Signed]  Pierpont Edwards -
Page 50

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County}  Js  Bridgeport
On this Second day of November -  AD 1850 personally appeared before me the Court of Probate for the District of Bridgeport in Said County & State aforesaid Eunice Blake of said Bridgeport aged nearly 81 who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an increase of her pension from Eighty dollars per Annum (the sum for which she was last pensioned under Act of February 2, 1848) to the Sum of  ninety six dollars per Annum  that being the Annual Allowance for a pension under act of  1818 to her husband Reuben Blake of said Bridgeport decd - for which She now claims to be allowed as the Widow of said Reuben Blake a Pension under the said act of Feb 1848 and all other acts or Resolutions of Congress, on construction of said acts or Resolutions together with all arrearages of her said pension at Hartford Connecticut etc to September 4 1850 when she deserves to draw it hereafter - that She herewith returns her pension certificate for the purpose of receiving a new certificate for the Sum that She is now entitled to together with her back pay for Pension - and that She is now the widow of said Reuben Blake     
  [Signed]    X    her mark  Eunice Blake
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day & year above written before  
   [Signed]  Elisha L Abernathy  Judge of the Court of Probate for Bridgeport District
Page 51

I E.B. Goodsell Clerk of the aforementioned Court 
do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the Matter of the application of Eunice Blake for an increase of her Pension -
In testimony whereof  I have herewith set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office this Second day of November AD 1850.  
[Signed]  E. B. Goodsell Clerk
Legrand Parrott of Bridgeport aforesaid deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Eunice Blake aforesaid. That she was at the time of signing the foregoing declaration and now the Widow of Reuben Blake dec that sd Deponent is 45 years of age -
    [Signed]  Legrand Parrott
Sworn to & Subscribed before
Said Court this 11th day of
November AD 1850   
[Signed S. Abernathy Justice of the Court of Probate for Bridgeport District
Page 52

         Admitted


              Isaac Sherman
                    Bridgeport
                                 Ct.
Page 53

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2nd of February, 1818, entitled "An Act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution:

State of Connecticut,
County of Fairfield} Js Bridgeport
On this 16th day of June 1818 personally appeared before me,  Magistrate in and for the County aforesaid, Eunice Blake a resident of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2nd of February, 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War:
That she is the widow of Reuben Blake who was a private Soldier in the Continental Army in said War who received a pension under the act of March 18th 1818 at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per Annum, was a resident of said Bridgeport  at the time of his decease - and
for proof of the Regiment or Corps in which he served in said War  She refers to his pension application at Washington City -
  That she received a pension under the act of June, 17th, 1844, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum.   
     [Signed]   X  her mark  Eunice Blake

She further declares that she is still a widow   Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year before written before me,
   [Signed] Isaac Sherman

Witnesses}  [first signature illegible]
                   Isaac Sherman
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above declarant and know she is the widow of said Reuben Blake and the same individual who drew a pension as stated in the foregoing declaration.
     [Signed]  Isaac Sherman Justice of the Peace

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
County of Fairfield} Js
I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman Esq was on the 12th of June 1848 [last seven words inserted] a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified:  that his commission was dated on the 14 day of June 1847, and that his signatures above written are genuine, that said commission expires with the 14th of June 1848

Seal affixed            Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court [last word inserted] this 12th day of May 1848
[ first two words illegible] on the 12th of June 1848" first underlined
           [Signed]  Thomas Robinson Clerk
Page 54

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County}Js  Bridgeport
On this 9th Day of May AD 1843 personally appeared before me Isaac Sherman a Justice of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County -  Eunice Blake a Resident of said Town of Bridgeport aged 75 years who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passes on the 3 of March 1843, granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War  That she is the widow of Reuben Blake of said Bridgeport dec who was a private [word inserted] Soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary war And the Annual amount of Pension that She received as his widow under Act of July 7 1838 was Eighty Dollars  She further declares that She Still remains the widow of sd Reuben Blake
In presence of     [Signed] Eunice X  Blake  
Isaac Sherman               her mark
  Jas.  Rushpen
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that said Eunice Blake is personally known to me to be the Widow of sd Reuben Blake dec - and that the scratch in the word Fairfield County in this instrument was done before execution.
                  [Signed] Isaac Sherman
                                Justice of Peace
Page 55

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} Js  Bridgeport
I Mark Moore Clerk of the Probate Court within and for Bridgeport in said County do  hereby certify that Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified and that his Signature to the written Declaration of Eunice Blake is genuine.  Given under my hand & the Seal of said Court this 10th day of May AD 1843.

[Seal affixed lower left.]
        Attest Mark Moore Clerk