Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3332, Henry Hull, Conn.
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(8-1776) Service
Conn [Connecticut]               Hull, Henry   
                                              Blakeslee, Rebecca  
                                                     Former widow

Number: W. 3332
B. L. Wt. 2470-100

Contents;
Mar. [Marriage] 1st Henry Hull
M. [Marriage] 2nd John Pearsow
M. [Marriage] 3rd Samuel Blakeslee
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1617
Pennsylvania Ph [torn page]   
Rebecca Blakeslee widow of Henry Hull, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a sergeant Connecticut line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars [no] cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31. day of August 1848 and sent to 
Henry H. Martin
Albany N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, page 204 Vol. 2

Reported
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                           Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the acts of
Congress of the 7th July 1838 and the 23rd August 1842.
 
State of New York
County of Monroe  ss.

On this 20th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty three [1843] before Frederick Whittlesey Vice Chancellor of the Eighth circuit of the State of
New York in the Court of Chancery appeared personally Rebecca Blakeslee a resident of the town of Clarkson in said County of Monroe aged seventy eight 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 acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838, and the 23rd of August 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.

That she is the widow of Henry Hull who was a sergeant in the Army of the United [States] of America during the Revolutionary War - That his services in said army commenced in February 1777, and terminated on the 9th day of June 1783, as she believies - That the evidence which she has of his services is contained in his discharge which was delivered to her by him after her marriagge to him as hereinafter mentioned, a copy of which + of the endorsement thereon is hereto annexed and to the original of which she refers to confirm this declaration.

She also declares that she was married
to the said Henry Hull on the fourth day of
January in the year Seventeen hundred and
Eighty five [1785], at Schenectady in the State of New
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York -  That her husband the aforesaid Henry
Hull died on the first day of January in
the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight
at Duanesburgh in the County of Schenectady
and State of New York; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz. at the time above stated.

She further declares, that after the death
of the husband aforesaid she was married to John Pearson, on the fourth day of January in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty nine and that he died on the twenty third day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twelve.

She further declares that after the death
of her second husband John Pearson she was
again married to Samuel Blakeslee on the
Eleventh day of December in the year
Eighteen hundred and fourteen and that
he died on the twelfth day of July in the
year Eighteen hundred and thirty four -  and
that she is still a widow.

    She further declares that she has no
record evidence of the date of any of the
above mentioned marriages. Except in her
family bible - and from that record as well as
from her own recollection the dates above
mentioned have been given - both of her -
marriages, and of the death of her several
husbands- That the bible which now contains 
the said record, is not the one in which the
entries in relation to the said marriages and deaths were originally made - except the entry as to the death of Col. Samuel Blakeslee her last husband- That the bible in which the said
original entries were made at, or near the times
when the several events took place, became
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from time, and use, some fifteen or sixteen years ago, so much decayed, or worn, as to be incapable of much longer preservation. That she at that time (which was not less than fifteen years ago) procured a new bible and had the family record, contained in the old bible before mentioned, copied or transcribed therein by Mrs. Grace B. Pearson, her daughter in law_ That the same was so transcribed not less than fifteen years ago, and she believed was correctly transcribed and such new record has ever since remained and still is in the possession of this declarant and has not been altered. That the following is a true copy of said record so far as related to the marriages of the declarant and the death of her several husbands.
"Marriages."
"Married in Schenectady Rebecca Waterous
"to Henry Hull Jan [small y] 4th 1785."
"Rebecca former wife of Henry Hull
"married to John Pearson Jan(uar)y 4th 1789."
Married third time to Col. Samuel
"Blakeslee Dec. 11th 1814."
 "Deaths"
"Henry Hull first husband of Rebecca
"Waterous died Jan [small y] 1st 1788. [AE - age?] 29"
"John Pearson 2nd husband of Rebecca "Waterous died Dec. 23rd 1812. [AE - age?] 47"
"Samuel Blakeslee 3rd husband of Rebecca
"Waterous died July 12th 1834."
and the said.
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Rebecca Blakeslee further says that her first and only child by the said Henry Hull, Harriet B. Hull (now Harriet B. Martin) was born, as she recollects distinctly, in less. than one year after the time of the her marriage to the said Henry Hull_ that the date of the birth of said child, was soon after it occured entered in the family bible first above mentioned. and was transcribed there from by Mrs. Grace B. Pearson, (small type indicated by an arrow between son and with)... or by some other hand she is not positive which.
with the residue of the said family record as above mentioned- That the following is a correct copy of said record as to the birth of said child- "Harriet B. Hull born Salsbury" Nov. 20th 1785."  She further says that the said twentieth day of November Seventeen hundred and Eighty five. was as she believed the date of the birth of the said Harriet B. Hull_
And the said Rebecca Blakeslee further says that the record of the death of Col. Samuel Blakeslee her third husband a copy of which is above given was made by, and is in the hand writing of Mrs. Vashti M. Stoors- a daughter of said Rebecca Blakelee- and that (small writing indicated by an arrow and very large writing below also indicated with an arrow) She Rebecca Blakeslee is since deceased-
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above written before Frederick Whittlesey Vice Chancellor of the Eighth Circuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of New York- In Witness whereof the said Vice Chancellor hath hereunto set his hand and caused to be affixed the seal of said court at the city, of Rochester in the county of Monroe aforesaid-
Frederich Whittlesey 
Vice Chancellor 8th Circuit
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Copy of Discharge
By his Excellency George Washington Esq: General and Commander in chief of the Forces of the United States of America. These are to certify that the bearer hereof Henry Hull a sergeant in the Third Connecticut Regiment having faithfully served the United States from February 1777 to the date hereof and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby discharged from the American Army. 
Given at head quarters of the ninth day of June 1783.
Geo Washington
By his Excellency's command
J. Trumbull Inn Secty

Registered in the Books of the Regiment
Joseph Clark adjutant

The above Sergeant Henry Hull has been honored with the badge of merit for six years faithful service.
Sam B. Webb Colonel

Endorsed

Head Quarters June eighth 1783
The within certificate shall not avail the bearer as a discharge, until the ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which time, and until proclamation thereof shall be made, he is to be considered as being on furlough.
George Washington
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State of New York
Monroe County ss  Harriett B. Martin of the town of Clarkson in the said County of Monroe (formerly Harriett B. Hull) being duly sworn says that she is,
as she has been informed from the time of her childhood and believes the only child of Henry Hull and his wife Rebecca now Rebecca Blakeslee, who has made the declaration hereto attached. That she distinctly recollects the old bible referred to in said declaration and the record of the marriages of the
said Rebecca, and of the birth of this deponent referred to therein. That this deponent has always understood, from the earliest childhood to which her recollection on that subject extends that the time of her birth was the twentieth day of November Seventeen hundred and Eighty five, and that she
was born within less than one year after the
marriage of her parents, and she has always
counted her age with reference to that, as the
date of her birth. That she saw the record of
the time of her birth in the new bible above mentioned soon after it was transcribed from the old bible about fifteen years ago, and believes that the same was correctly
transcribed and that it has remained without alteration to the present time, and that the same is in the words and figures set forth in the foregoing declaration of Rebecca Blakeslee. This deponent further says that the entry in the said new record as to the birth of this deponent is as she believes in the
hand writing of Vashti M. Stons (formerly Vashti M. Pearson) the half sister of this deponent who died several years since.
That the Entries both before and after this one are in the hand writing of Mrs. Grace B. Pearson. That she has not seen the
old bible or old record above mentioned since
about the time when it was transcribed as afore said and believes it to have been destroyed. And
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Further says note subscribed and Sworn this 1st day of July 1843. before me } Harriet, B. Martin
JGreenleaf J.P.
State of New York Monroe County Clerks Office } I do hereby certify that at this date of the above affidavits
Joseph Greenleaf Esq, was a Justice of the Peace in and for Lewis County of Monroe duly qualifed according to law to take the sessions and further that I am well acquainted with this hand writing of law Justice and verly believe the regnations to this  land affidavit is genuine the testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this County of Common pleas of Lewis County this 6 day of July 1843
JW Smith Clerk
of Monroe County

9312
Rebecca Blackeslee formerly widow J. Hull
N. York
Act July 7th 1838
M 85 d 88-
admd
2 yrs Sgt

120$
HR Selden
Clerk on Monroe Co. N.Y.
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State of New York
County of Albany

Surrogate's Office
May 19: 1852.

I certify that satisfactory evidence has this day been addressed to me to prove that Harriett B. Martin a resident of Astoria in the county of Queens in the State of New York, the widow of Bradley Martin deceased is the only child and heir at law in fee of Henry Hull who was a Sergeant in the third Regiment of the Connecticut line of the Revolutionary Army, and served to the end of that war, and who died many years ago.

Given under my hand
and seal of office this nineteenth day of May
A.D. 1852.

O.H. Chittenden
Surrogate
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State of New York
County of Livingston}ss.
Josiah Waterous of the town of Avon in the said County of Livingston being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is the brother of Rebecca Blakeslee, the declarant named in the annexed declaration. That he was seventy five years of age on the twelfth day of May last past. That he was present at the marriage at the said Rebecca Blakeslee so the said Henry Hull named in the annexed declaration & that according to the best of this deponents recollection & belief that the said marriage took place on the fourth day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty five at Schenectady in the state of New York. That the said marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Romain the preacher at the time of the said marriage of the Derele reformed church in Schenectady aforesaid. That this deponent does not recollect the Christian name of the said Romain. That the said Henry Hull according to the best of this deponents recollection & belief died on the first day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty eight at Duanesburg in the county of Schenectady and state of new York & that this deponent was present at the death & internment of the said Henry Hull.
And this deponent further saith that the said Rebecca was married to John Pearson mentioned in the annexed declaration according to the best of this deponents
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recollection & belief on the fourth day of February in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty nine & that this deponent was present at the said marriage. & that the said John Pearson died on the twenty third day of December in the year eighteen hundred & twelve according to the best of this deponents recollection & belief & that this deponent was present at the death & internment of the said John Pearson.
And this deponent further saith that he was not present at the time the said Rebecca was married to Samuel Blakeslee mentioned in the annexed declaration & that the said Samuel Blakeslee died according to the best of this deponents recollection & belief are the twelfth day of July one thousand eight hundred & thirty four & that this deponent was present at the death & internment of the said Samuel Blakeslee & further this deponent saith not.
Josiah Waterous

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21st day of June 1843
L. W. Beecher Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Livingston ss} I Saml P. Allen Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Lewis W. Beeker before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the time when the same purports to have been sworn a Justice of the Peace of the said county of Livingston duly commissioned & sworn and authorized to take said affidavit. Also that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice of the Peace and believe the signature tot he jurat to said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this third day of July 1843.
Saml P. Allen, Clerk
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O. W. & N. Division.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

W. 3332

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Henry Hull, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column titles]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
STATE.
He first entered the service in February 1777 and was discharged finally on June 9, 1783; was commission as a Sergeant in Col. Samuel B. Webbs 3d Connecticut Regiment on January 1 1783 to date from April 1, 1780.

Battles engaged in, None mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Town not stated
Date of application for pension, by wid June 20, 1843.
Resident at date of application, of wid Clarkson N.Y.
Age at date of application, of wid 78 yrs.
Remarks: He married Rebecca Waterous Jan 7 1785 and died January 1, 1788.
No record of Bradley Martin
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

H. M. Rochester
1320 18 st
_____ city
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5189
Albany, N York

Rebecca Blakeslee, who was widow of Henry Hull who was a Sergeant in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of April 1844 and sent to H. R. Selden
Clarkson, N. York

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 259

Repd.
Let to W. H. Martin July 9 1844
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New York 7943
Rebecca Blakeslee, who was widow of Henry Hull and who died on the 1st January 1788 of Monroe Co. in the State of N. York who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain ~ of the ~ commanded by ~ in the 3d Connt Regt line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 120 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Nov 1843 and sent to H. R. Selden Monroe Co. N. Y.

Total Amount $600

(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 149

Repd
Let to Hon. W. Hunt Feb 7 48
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Salisbury
Tuesday [illegible] 8-7
Rosemary, [illegible] N.Y.
Page 17

SAMUEL B. WEBB, Esquire, Colonel of the Third
Connecticut Regiment, in the Service of the United States:

To: Henry Hull

BY VIRTUE of the AUTHORITY Vested in ME, by the United States Congress Assembled, I DO by these PRESENTS CONSTITUTE and APPOINT You to be a Serjeant in the Regiment under My Command, to take Rank as such from the , First day of April, 1780.
You are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as You shall from Time to Time receive from ME, or other Your superior Officers; and diligently to Execute the Duties of a Serjeant for which this shall be  Your SUFFICIENT WARRANT.

GIVEN under My Hand, in the GARRISON of WEST-POINT, this First Day of January, 1783
Samuel B. Webb Cot 3 Conn. Regt.

REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment
Joseph Clark Adjutant
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Albany May 28.1852.
Hon. Timothy Jenkins,
Dear Sir,
I beg leave to trouble you with the application of Mrs. Harriet B. Martin for the bounty land to which she is entitled as the only Heir at Law of Henry Hull, a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Martin is the mother of Henry H. Martin Esq. Cash. of the Albany City Bank, & the mother-in-law of Anthony Blanchard Esq. formerly surrogate of this County. Mr. Blanchard having failed to obtain an allowance of the claim, has requested me to undertake it, which I do in the fullest confidence that it is a just one, That this proof to sustain it, is clear and decisive.
The facts stated in the enclosed letter of Mr. Blanchard  to the Court of Pensions (Which you will present or send to him) I know to be correct, having myself seen this Certificate of Gen. Washington, of which this enclosed is a copy.
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and the name of Henry Hull in the Report made to the senate of the U.S. in 1828, to which Mr. Blanchard refers.
that which Mr. Blanchard Calls a Report [underlined], is a List [underlined],
printed by order of the Senate Jany 16. 1828) must have been founded on a report [underlined] from the Bounty land Office,
then a Bureau connected with the War Department,
Genl. Washington's Certificate was once on file, as I am informed, in the Pension office, with the papers of Mrs. Blakesley, Henry Hull's widow but on the application of Mr. Martin, his Grandson was delivered to him & is now in his possession; a copy of which will probably be found on file with Mrs. Blakeslee's application for a pension, under the act of 7 July 1838.
Mr. Martin attaches considerable value to Genl. Washington's Cert. as an honorable memorial of his Grandfather's revolutionary services, & is unwilling to part with it, but if the Court wishes to see & Judge of to its genuineness, by a personal inspection, I will
obtain & forward it for that purpose merely, as to
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Martin will require it to be returned.
If you can give this matter your personal attention before you leave Washington, you will much oblige Mr. Blanchard & myself--
As I deem the Certificate of Genl. Washington
& the report made to the Senate, conclusive evidence of the validity of the claim, notwithstanding Mr. Hull's reason (as alleged by the cont. in his letter to Mr. Blanchard) is not returned on the Records of the Connecticut Continental line, I shall offer no arguments, at present, in support of the claim. Should it become necessary to appeal, (I hope it will not) from the decision of the
court, to the Secretary of the Interior, it may then be proper to make remarks, which appear to be un-necessary now
---
I am, Dear Sir, with great
respect, your Friend
& obt Sevt 
Lemuel Jenkins
I sent herewith the certificate of the Surrogate of this County, that Mr. Martin is the only heir at law of Henry Hull.
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Albany N.Y.
Nov. 22, 1857
Sir
Yours of 1st instant is recd and I am forced to believe that there has been some oversight in the examination of returns in your office relating to the claim of Henry Hull deceased who was a soldier in the Third Connecticut Regiment of the Revolutionary Army. I have seen his original discharge given 9th June 1783 signed G. Washington. It is now in the possession of Hull's grandson. The discharge of which I send you a copy speaks for itself, that Hull enlisted for the required term of during the war and served from Feby 1777 to 9 June 1783 he was honorably discharged, with a badge of merit for six years faithful service from his Colonel Samul B. Webb.
I find also his name in "a list (furnished the Senate of the United States pursuant to a Resolution passed Jan. 16, 1828,) of such officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary Army as acquired a right to lands from the United States, and who had not yet applied therefore"
I find this list in Senate Documents now in the Secty of State's office of this State (N.Y.)
by reference to the above resolution passed-
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July 16, 1848 see the list which follows-
under Webb's Regiment will be found the name of this service Henry Hull +
  
     Besides, there can be no mistake about it, as his widow is now a pensioner as such a widow and receives her pension annually- with regularity, and all the parties are on file in Washington. The name of said widow is Rebecca Blakesly, pensioner under the act of 7 July 1938.  and continued under the act of 3. March 1843- 17 June 1844, and 22 Feby 1848.

               Very respectfully Yours, 
                       A. Blanchard


Vide-Senate documents 1st Sess. 20 Congress
Document 42 page 29

to/ James E. Heath Esq
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 23

V No  9312.
Rebecca Blakeslee
N York

Suspended
Set to H. R. Selden Sep 25 1843

Act July 7th 1838
Page 24

5567
March 19 1844
M
Rebecca Blakeslee
3 March 1843
CLERKS  MAR 13 [illegible in stamp]

$120 per an
-
H. R. Selden
Clarkson
N. York

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington
Page 25

Clarkson Monroe Co.
New York Mch 13, 1844.

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir
I enclose the declaration of Mrs. Rebecca Blakeslee to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of March 3rd, 1843.
The declaration, by accident, had remained a long time in my office, when I supposed it was in your hands. I hope it may receive an early examination.
Please advise me of result
and oblige.
Your obt sevt
H.R. Selden
Page 26

Henry Hull
N. 2470

Hon. Tim Jenkins
Ho. of Reps
Page 27

Hon. James E. Heath

Dear Sir
I send you the enclosed papers in regard to
the case of Harriet B. Martin.
Washington
31 May 52

Your obt Svt
Timothy Jenkins
Page 28

By His Excellency
George Washington - Esq
General and Commander in chief of the forces of the United States of America
These are to certify that the bearer here of Henry Hull a Sergeant in the Third Connecticut Regiment, having faithfully served the United States from February 1777 to the date hereof and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby discharged from the American Army.
Given at Head Quarters the Ninth day of June 1783.
Geo Washington

By His Excellency's Command,
J. Trumbull Int Secty

Registered in the Books of the Regiment,
Joseph Clark, Adjutant

The above Sergeant Henry Hull has been honored with the Badge of merit for six years faithful service.
Sam. B. Webb Colonel
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Head-Quarters June Eighth 1783
The within certificate shall not avail the
bearer as a discharge, until the ratification
of the definitive treaty of peace - previous to
which time, and until proclamation thereof
shall be made, he is to be considered as being
on Furlough.  George Washington

I do hereby certify that I have compared 
the within, Discharge with an original 
Discharge certificate & now in the possession
of Henry H. Martin Esq of the City of
Albany, (a grand son of the said Henry Hull)
and the same is a true copy thereof, and
whole of said Original.
Given under my hand and
official seal at the City of
Albany this 7 day of November
AD. 1857.
[Seal]
Chas L. Garfield
Notary Public
for the City & County of
Albany, State of New York
U.S.A.
Page 30

Sept 4, 1863
Addl tes care of
Rebecca Blakeslee
J. L. Edwards Esq 
Com. of Pensions 
Washington 
D.C.
Page 31

Clarkson Monroe Co
New York Aug 26, 1843

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com. of Pensions

Dear Sir

I enclose a further
affidavit in case of the application of
Rebecca Blakeslee (formerly widow of Henry
Hull) for a Pension. Showing from 
the records of the church in Schenectady 
the fact and date of her marriage.

This record shows the time of the marriage
to have been a month & two days
later than the time fixed by Mr. Blakeslee.
an error which must have occurred
when the family record of Mrs Blakeslee
was transcribed as mentioned & the papers
accompanying her application.  The
words Jan-y & Feb-y abbreviated as they
appear to be in that record. & the figures
4 & 6 as frequently written, might very
easily be mistaken one for the other in
an ancient worn out record, as no
doubt was done in this case.

The error which has occurred will I
think be regarded as confirming rather 
than throwing doubt upon the good faith
& honesty of the application.

Mrs. Harriet B. Martin, the daughter
of Mrs Blakeslee, and whose affidavit
accompanies the application, is an
acquaintance of the present Secretary of
Page 32

of the Treasury ( Mr Spencer) who will if necessary confirm her high character - and probably also that of her mother, but of this I am not sure.  As she resided in another Co. and may not have been known to him ~
Please advise me when the application shall have been passed upon.
and oblige   Yours Resp ~
H. R. Selden
The old lady is very anxious to learn the result of her application - and I hope to hear from you soon - H.R.S.
Page 33

Place on Pennsylvania Roll
Page 34

James Edwards Esq

D [Dear] Sir
I enclose you papers in the case of Mrs. Rebecca Blakeslees pension of whose case I spoke to you this morning desiring her name to be put on the roll at Albany N.Y.
I do not know whether she is required to take any steps to continue her pension under the new law but if so I suppose the enclosed will suffice.

In trust,
Henry Nicall

Wash
May 3 1848
Page 35

July 15 44
Reb Blakeslee
Ny Role
file
————
Page 36

Albany  July 12, 1844
Hon. J.L. Edwards 
Your letter of the 9th inst 
in closing the discharge of Henry Hull decd from the American Army, used in processing the pension for his widow, Mrs. Rebecca Blakeslee was duly received ~
I feel much indebted to you for your polite and prompt attention to my request to have this paper returned-
I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully,
Your obt sevt.
H.H. Martin
~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 38

Clarkson Monroe Co. New York 
July 28th 1843-

J.L. Edwards Esq. [Esquire]
Commissioner of Pension 

Sir

I send here with the declaration of Rebecca Blakeslee an applicant for a pension under the adr [address] of July 9, 1838 and of Aug 23rd, 1842. 
Also the affidavit of Harriet B. Martin attached to such declaration- the affidaviti of Grace B. Pierson and Josiah Waterous on separate sheets- Also the duplicate of Gideon Wells Esq. comptroller of the State of Connecticut and the original discharge of Henry Hull from the army of the United States in 1783. Showing the time of his service- 
I think the comptroller certificate and the discharge together show that Henry Hull served in the Revolutionary War as a private soldier from Feb. [script contains elevated "y" as abbreviation for February] 1777 to January 1st 1780- and from Jan. [script contains elevated "y" as abbreviation for January] 1st 1780 to June 9th 1783- as a sergeant
and that the other papers show that Henry Hull was married to Rebecca Waterous. (the present applicant). Jan. [script contains elevated "y" as abbreviation for January] 4th 1785. That he died Jan. [script contains elevated "y" as abbreviation for January] 1st- 1788- and that his then wife having been twice married since his death is now a widow. 
I believe the papers are duly authenticated [end paper]
Page 39

According to the instructions from your office. The enclosed discharge was obtained from Henry H. Martin Esquire of Albany. A descendent of Mr.  Hull who values it very highly and desires me to request that after it has been examined at your office it may be returned to him. If consistent with the practice of your office, please after examination enclose it to him at Albany - a copy is annexed to the declaration. When the papers have been examined, please advise me of the result and oblige. Yours with respect H. R. Seldern
Page 40

[Envelope with black pen]

[Vertical writing: handwritten]
July 8 [18]44
forthwith Reb Blakeslee 
N York

To the charge of him

[Horizontal writing: handwritten]
Free
Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commander of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
 
[Stamp description: Circular with faded black ink  writing " ALBANY  July 6 N.Y]

[Background has faded/erased pencil handwritten on right which reads: "And be Discharged and in kind for accepting for it"]
Page 41

Albany July 6th 1844

Dear Sir

Enclosed I send you the appt of
my grandfather as Sergant, by Col. Webb,
which I wish to exchange for the certificate
of discharge signed by Gen. Washington, for,
as I explained to you some weeks since
in person at your office. The certificate
which I wish to get back is with the
papers of Mrs. Rebecca Blakeslee
of Clarkson Monroe Co. N.Y. the proof
was ample without the certificate, but
you served to think it served more
clearly to identify the pensioner as the widow
of Henry Hull-- the enclosed paper will
do that quite as well I hope, and if so
Page 42

I understood you as yielding to my
whim, I suppose you would call it, and
let me have the certificate of discharge.
I acknowledge that I regard with
feelings of ancestral pride this testimonial
of Revolutionary service, and I must
plead this as my apology for troubling you
with a matter which I fear you
will deem trifling, but I do so
partly under the Encouragement
which you gave me in the
interview which I had the pleasure
to have with you.
-
I have the honor to be
very respectfully yours
H. W. Martin

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 43

5187-43  N.Y.
Rebecca Blakeslee 
N.Y. ?? Bu?

[faded circular stamp]_  BANY
Hon J.L. Edwards
Commission of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 44

OLD WAR & NAVY
MAY 15 1894
Page 45

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE 
O. W. & N. Div.
[stamped] MAY 15 1894
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
[end of stamp]
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Henry Hull
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Connecticut 
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
?
Date of death (as near as possible):
?
Christian name of widow:
[blank]
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
[blank]
Remarks:
Henry Hull was a sergeant in the 3rd Conn. Regt. (8th Co.) and served from Feb. 1777. to 9 June 1783
Your name and address:
H. M. Rochester
1320.  18th St. nw
Washington
D.C.
6—870
Page 46

REV.
WIDOW, &c.
25               File No. 3332  
Rebecca Blakeslee
Widow 
Henry Hull 
Sgt. Rev. War
Act: Feb 2, 1848 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 66 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1894 June 7 
Hist 
H. M. Rochester
City
Page 47

[illegible]
N  C    

Rebecca Blakeslee
5189-14

[illegible]

James Edwards Esq
Com. Pensions
Washington DC
 

Hon. Henry Nicoll9
Page 48

Feb 6. 1844 
pt paps Alder that will be 
Reb Blakeslee NY  will [?]
Pension Office 
Act 38
No 79 US
Hon W, Hunt
H.R.

[written sideways]
W. Hunt
H. of Rep.
J.L. Edwards
Pension Office
Page 49

House of Reps.
Feb 5, 1844 

Will Col. Edwards do me the favor to read the enclosed letter from H. H. Martin Esq of Albany, and send me the document to which it refers

W. Hunt
Page 50

Mr. H. H. Martin 
Albany 
NY
Page 51

State of Connecticut 
Comptrollers Office Hartford 17 May 1843 

This may certify, that on application at this office for evidence of the service of Henry Hull a soldier of the Revolution, I find the following be In bolt(bold?) of the "Connecticut Line" "settlement with the 6th Regiment, Return J. Meigs Esqr Colonel before January 1780 in this entry at page 74 Henry Hull, private, commencement of service Febry 12 1778, Time of this settlement January 1780 or 1 year 10th month 19 days" 

I also find in the same volume same service, page 223 this entry "Henry Hull Sergt commencement of service January 1st 1780 - time of this settlement January 1st 1781 on 1 year 

Gideon Welles Comptroller
Page 52

Sir

I send herewith a certificate of the service of Henry Hull for 2 years 10 months $19 days, one year of which was in the capacity of Sergt. The service you will [illegible] was in the 6th Regiment and not in the 3rd and under Col. Meigs instead of Col. Webb. The 3rd Regt of the Line was not commanded by Col Webb but by Col Samuel Wyllys. Webb’s Regiment was the 9th. I find no record of earlier service than that mentioned in the certificate. The account of the Connecticut Line [illegible] the 1st of January 1781. If, as is very probable, there was subsequent service, the [illegible] is [illegible]

Very Respectfully 
Gideon Wells
Page 53

[Description: Envelope flattened but originally folded so writing is upside down on the top and backwards and upside down on the bottom]

[Top writing handwritten upside down]
H. R. Selden
Clarion N.Y. 

[scribbled ink above address]

[Middle writing: handwritten]
J.L. Edwards Esq. [Esquire]
Com. of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 

[Bottom writing handwritten upside down and backwards]
Oct. 9, 1845
Rebecca Blakeslee

[Stamp description: circular postmark faded black ink with initials N.Y. visible. The remaining stamp information is too faded]
Page 54

Clarkson Monroe Co. 
New York Oct. 6, 1843

Dear Sir
[Yours] of the 25th Wlt [with] in relation to the application of Rebecca Blakeslee for a pension is 
rec- [recorded] you say "There should be church record a documentary proof at command. Sharing the relation of husband and wife prior to January 1st 1794"- On the 26th of August I enclosed to you the deposition of the Rev. Jacob Van Vechten of Schenectady containing a copy of the marriage record of the church there and sharing that Mrs. Blakeslee was married to Mr. Hull in February 1785- I supposed this entirely sufficient on this point and from its not being referred to in your letter I am apprehensive it did not reach you. If it was not rec.d please do me the favor to inform me as early as convenient so that another may be obtained If it was overlooked or has been rec.d  since please examine it and inform me whether it is sufficient and oblige. 

Yours Respectfully, 
H.R. Selden

J. L. Edward Esq. 
Com. of Pensions
Washington -D.C.
Page 55

Albany August 5. 1848 [date of letter]
Hon. J. L. Edwards [Addressee of letter]

Dear Sir
I forwarded papers in the case of Rebecca Blakeslee, widow of Henry Hull, to Hon. Henry Nicoll M.C. [see also Fold3 File #24083520 for Henry's signature] to have him see you, and if possible get her name again placed on the books for payment in this City, although at present she resides in Crawford County, Pennsylvania--as it would be a saving of expense to her & more convenient in all respect. This I regret to learn cannot be done, the rule being inflexible that payment must in all cases be made in the district where the pensioner resides. Will you please inform me where the pension office is located, at which she will be entitled to receive her pension - and also whether the papers I sent are sufficient as I am not very well versed in these matters.

v [illegible - very? // yours ?] respectfully 
Henry H. Martin [signature]
Page 56

[BLANK PAGE except for number in top right corner] 5367
Page 57

State of New York
County of Monroe ss. [scilicet / Latin  statement of venue]

On this twenty seventh day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the town of Clarkson in said county of Monroe personally appeared Rebecca Blakeslee a resident of the town of Clarkson in said county aged Seventy Eight years and upwards 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, passed on the 3rd of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.

That she is the widow of Samuel Blakeslee deceased and was the widow of Henry Hull who was a sergeant in the Revolution, and died on the 1st day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight.

She further declares she was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 and that the annual amount of the pension which was granted to her (but which she has not yet received) under the said act was One hundred and twenty Dollars.

She further declares that she is still a widow.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me

Rebecah [Rebecca] Blakeslee [signature]
 Saml. Mead J. Peace [signature]

I certify that the above declarant is personally known to me.   Saml. Mead Justice of the Peace [signature]
Page 58

State of New York, 
Monroe County ss. [scilicet / Latin  statement of venue]     

I Charles J. Hill Clerk of the County of Monroe do hereby certify that Samuel Mead before whom the within declaration purports to have been made was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of the the town of Clarkson in said county of Monroe, and as such duly authorized and empowered to take such declaration and I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Samuel Mead and believe the signature of his name to said declaration to be his genuine hand writing

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and official seal at the City of Rochester in said county this second day of January in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty four 
Charles J. Hill, clerk [signature]
Page 59

State of Penhttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngnsylvania
County of Crawford ss [scilicet / Latin  statement of venue] : On this thirteenth day of July 1848 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, Rebecca Blakeslee a resident of Meadville in the said county of Crawford aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Henry Hull who was a sergeant in the third Connecticut Regiment on account of whose revolutionary service she received a pension at the rate of one hundred & twenty dollars per annum under the act of 17th June 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.

Rebecah Blakeslee [Deponent signature]

Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before
Wm D. Tucker J P [signature - Justice of the Peace]

I hereby certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual who ??? [sees or recs (short for receives?)] a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit or declaration.
Wm D. Tucker J P [signature - William D. Tucker Justice of the Peace]
Page 60

State of Pennsylvania
County of Crawford  ss [scilicet / Latin: statement of venue]  I, James E. McFarland clerk of the said county of Crawford do hereby certify that Wm D. Tucker was, on the day of the date of the written certificate a justice of the peace in and for the said county duly appointed, and qualified, and that the signature within purporting to be his, is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 13th day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty eight
 
Ja. E. McFarland [Signature James E. McFarland - Clerk]
Clerk, & c. [&c an abbreviation for "et cetera,"] 
 
admitted

H. Nicoll [signature]
M.C. [initials post signature of H. Nicoll]
Page 61

State of New York
County of Oswego ss
 [scilicet / Latin - "statement of venue"]
Grace Pearson of the town of Clarkson in the County of Monroe and State of New York (now at Oswego in the County of Oswego aforesaid) being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that; Either fifteen or sixteen years ago last winter; she is not positive which, she thinks however that it was fifteen years ago last winter, at the request of her mother in law Rebecca Blakeslee, then a resident of East Avon in the County of Livingston, but now of the town of Clarkson above mentioned, she transcribed from an old bible which the said Rebecca Blakeslee then had to a new bible. What appeared to be an ancient  family record containing a statement of the marriage of the said Rebecca (formerly Rebecca Waterous) to Henry Hull on the 4th of January 1785- to John Pearson on the 4th of January 1789- and to Samuel Blakeslee in the 11th of December 1814-also a statement of the time of the death of the said Henry Hull and John Pearson- and of the birth of the several children of the said Rebecca-    That this deponent as she believes transcribed the said record correctly, into the said new bible - and that the same remained, when she last saw it, which was about three weeks since, exactly as transcribed by her fifteen years ago, without any alteration as she believes that the said record so written by this deponent. So far as it relates to the marriage of the said Rebecca and the death of her two first husbands was when written by this deponent; and when she last saw it as above mentioned in the words and figures following. Except that the dates as written out in words and included
Page 62

in brackets in this deposition are not in the original-

"Marriages"
"Married in Schenectady Rebecca Waterhouse
"to Henry Hull Jan. 4th 1785"- (January fourth Seventeen hundred and Eighty five)

"Rebecca former wife of Henry Hull 
"married to John Pearson Jan. 4th 1789"- (January fourth Seventeen hundred & Eighty Nine)

"Married third time to Col. Samuel Blakeslee. Dec. 11th 1814" (December Eleventh Eighteen hundred and fourteen).

"Deaths"
"Henry Hull first husband of Rebecca Waterhouse  died Jan.1st 1788. AE.29." [at the age of 29]  (January first Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight AE. [at the age of] twenty nine).

"John Pearson. 2nd husband of Rebecca
Waterhouse died Dec. 23 1812. AE. 47-[at the age of 47] " (December twenty third Eighteen hundred and twelve AE [at the age of] forty seven)

This deponent [Grace B Pearson] further says that this statement is made from a copy of said record taken from the original copy in the new bible. When she last saw it about three weeks since as above stated.
     That the old bible from which the said record was transcribed by this deponent as above mentioned appeared at the time when it was so transcribed to have been very long in use and was so much injured by time and wear, as not to be capable of preservation without much difficulty.  That this deponent never saw it after about that time, and believes it
Page 63

was destroyed soon after she copied the record as before stated, and further this deponent says not.

Subscribed and sworn                             
Grace B Pearson [Signature - deponent]
this 6th day of July 1843 before me
John M Casey [Signature JP]
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Oswego. ss. [scilicet / Latin - statement of venue]
of the County of Oswego

I Andrew Z. McCarty clerk do hereby certify that John M Casey before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the time when the same purports to have been sworn a Justice of the Peace of the said county of Oswego duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized to take such affidavit. And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said
Justice --- and verily believe that the  - [word certificate is written and crossed out] signature to the certificate at the foot of said affidavit is his hand writing-

     In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county this Eighth day of July 1843.
A.Z. McCarty CLK [signature of Andrew Z McCarty - clerk]
Page 64

State of New York,
County of Schenectady

Jacob Van Vechten of the City of Schenectady being duly sworn says that he is Pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the said City of Schenectady, and as such Pastor has the custody of the records of said Church.

That he finds in the ancient records of / manuscript in [inserted above word records]  said church an entry in the words and figures following viz. [videre licet / Latin = to wit]

"Henry Hull geboren te [born in / Dutch] Killingsworth [city: Killingworth] Connecticut en wonaglig [old dutch to dutch = woonachitg] [residing / Dutch] in Nobleton

Rebecka Waterhouse geboren [born / Dutch] in Connecticut en wonaglig te [and living in / Dutch] Schenectady."

"Bevestight [confirmed / Dutch] Feby 6 - 17 [date: February 6, xx17]"

That the said entry is at the bottom of the page of said records and a part of the date being near the corner of the leaf appears to have been worn off. That the dates of entries upon the said records immediately preceding and subsequent to the entry copied above bear date in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty five (1785) and this deponent has no doubt that the date of the entry copied above was originally "Feby 6 -1785 -" [date: February 6, 1785] and that the entry was made at that time - and he further says that Doct. Derick Romeyn [Doctor of Divinity Theodoric  Romeyn AKA  Dirck Romeyn] was as he is informed and believes at that date Pastor of said Church - 

This deponent further says that the substance of said entry in English is as follows viz. - [videre licet / Latin = to wit]  

That Henry Hull born at Killingworth Connecticut & dwelling in Nobleton was married
Page 65

to Rebecca Waterhouse born in Connecticut dwelling at Schenectady on the 6th day of February 1785 and further this deponent says who subscribed and sworn this 17th day of August 1843, before me, Roswell Perry [Signature], Justice of the Peace for the City and County of Schenectady State of New York, County of Schenectady, Clerk's Office /  Jacob Van Vechten [Signature of deponent]


I, Archibald Campbell, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, That Roswell Perry, before whom the foregoing Affidavit is subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signatures to said Affidavit and Certificate are genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, this 18th day of August 1843.

Arch.d Campbell Clerk. [Signature Archibald Campbell]