Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21011, John Durfey, Conn. Privateer
Page 1

[typewritten form with handwritten entries]

(3-1778)

SERVICE
Conn.
Privateer

Durfey, John
or
Durfy
Mary

NUMBER
W 21011

CONTENTS
Page 2

[typewritten form with handwritten entries]

8590 New York
John Durfey
at Union in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Baldwin of the Rgt. commanded
by Col Ely in the Connecticut
line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 20 Dollars __ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Apl.
1833 and sent to G Park
Binghamton NY

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $40.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 33 10.
$50.

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 17
Page 3

[typewritten form with handwritten entries]

6176
New York albany

Mary Durfey
widow of John Durfey
Conn.
who was a Private
in the New York Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars ---
Cents per annum, to commence on the [4th day of March, crossed out] 10th October, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
24th day of September 1844
and sent to Wm. Ellis
Dedham 
Mass

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 74

Repd.
No. 209 May 1st 1845

Certificate issued under
Joint Riso: of 23d January
1845, at $20 per annum
Commg. on the 4th March
1843 & ending 11th October
1843 and sent to J. F. Curtis
Union
New York
Set to Revd. Calvin Durfee
June 11th 43

August 23rd 1845 Certificate
issued as above in lieu of
one returned for correction
and sent [taking crossed out] to 
Geo. Park
Binghamton
New York
Page 4

[handwritten]

I, Calvin Durfee#, of Dedham in the county of Norfolk, and
State of Massachusetts, clerk, being forty six years old, hereby
depose and say, that in the fall, I think October, of 1831, I visited
my father and mother, John Durfey and Mary Durfey,
who resided at that time in the town of Union, Broome 
County in the State of New York; and while at their residence
on that occasion, I made a full record of the 
marriages, births and deaths, which had then occurred 
in our family. In making this family record, I took extracts
from the family words which were entered in
the old family Bible in the possession of my parents,
and a part of my record was made from the verbal
statements of my Parents. Among these entries was 
one, I think, in the precise words following, vis; -

"John Durfey and Mary Peck were married in
Dalton, Mass. - December 20th, 1786, by the Rev Thomas 
Allen of Pittsfield." -

Birth of the first child, was entered thus: -
"Sarah Durfey, born August 8th, 1787.".
Calvin Durfee. [signature]

State of Massaschusetts}
County of Norfolk SS.} May 8th 1844. Then personally appeared the above
named Calvin Durfee a respectable Clergyman of Dedham Masstts
and known to the subscriber to be a credible witness, and who subscribed to, and
made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed
is true - . Before me, Wm. Ellis Justice of the Peace

[along left margin]

# Hon William Ellis, Sir, When I came, dozens years ago, to reside in this part of the State
I altered the spelling of my name from Durfey to Durfee. The latter, I find, is the original way of spelling
the name.
Page 5

[handwritten]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston May 16. 1844

I hereby Certify that at the date of the within attestation
William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the County
of Norfolk in the said Commonwealth duly constituted
and commissioned, and to his acts as such full faith and
credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court
Witness the Seal of the
Commonwealth the date above written
Wm Tufts Depy Scy
of the Commonwealth

[along left margin]

Rev. Calvin Durfee
Deposition
Page 6

[handwritten]

John Durfey's application
Page 7

[handwritten]

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7. 1832
State of New York}
Broome County ss.} ss.
On this 30th day of August 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court
of Common pleas no setting John Durphy
a resident of Union in the County of Broome and
State of New York aged Seventy years, who being
first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his 
oath make the following declaration in order to 
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June.
7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under
the following named officers and sedrved as herein 
stated - he Enlisted at Lisbon in the County of New London, State of Connecticut on the first of July 1777
into Capt. Baldwin's Company Col. Ely's Regiment of 
State troops, immediately after his enlistment he marched
with his Company to New London, for the purpose of
guarding that place as it was understood that some
British shipping were in the sound - he remaind
at New London about two months when his regiment
was ordered to Rhode Island here he remained about 
4 Weeks, then returned with his Company to New
London where he stop'd about three Weeks, and then
was marched to White plains here he stayed until
the twenty fifth day of December '77 when he was 
taken sick with the measles [where he was crossed out] discharged
and returned home. - In the Spring afterwards he 
again enlisted for three months in a company raised
for the defence of th esea ports (officers name not recollected)
and marched to New London & thence
to Hadlyme where he remained until a few days before
his enlistment expired when the Company to which
he was attached were dismissed and he returned
One Week} home. - he afterwards Volunteered his services and
entered a Company Commanded by Capt. Hunt
and performed a short tour again to New London -
entered
Page 8

[handwritten]

Subsequently he Volunteered as a marine on board
the private armed Schooner Eliza Capt. Leeds and
cruized about 2 months during which time the Eliza
captured a British Brig and brot her into New
[York crossed out] London The applicant further states that he was
2 Weeks} called upon frequently, and volunteered in short
excursions against the common enemy until the
Close of the War - That he was born at Lisbon 
the year 1762 and has no record of his age - That
since the Revolutionary War he lived about 50 years
in Pittsfield Berkshire County Mass. 12 Years in
the town of Berkshire, County of Tioga State of N.
York and that he now lives in Union, County of 
Broome and State of New York -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present and declares that his
name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of
[No discharge recd - in left margin] any state, he has no documentary or other evidence of his
services. - Sworn & to subscribed the day & year
aforesaid. - John Durfey [signature]
B. Marvin Clerk [signature]

[large double X drawn over remainder of document]

We Oliver Hill a Clergyman residing in the town of Union
and Olive Whitcomb residing in the town of Union
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John
Durphy who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; and that we believe him to be Seventy
years of age; that he is reputed and belived, in the
neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that
opinion. - Sworn & Subscribed the day and year 
aforesaid. - 

And the said court do hereby declare their 
opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and
Page 9

[handwritten]

[double X drawn over first paragraph of document]

after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department, that the above name applicant
was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears 
to them that who has signed the preceeding certificate is a resident
in the town of and that who 
signed the same is a resident in the 
and is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit. -

I Barzillai Marvin Clerk of the court of Common
pleas of the county of Broome do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said court in the matter of the
application of John Durphy for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this
30 day of August in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thrity two. -
B. Marvin Clerk [signature]
Page 10

[handwritten]

John Durphy's application
Page 11

[handwritten]

State of New York}
County of Broome S. S.}
On this thirteenth day of April ~ A. D. 1844, personally
appeared in open Court ~ before John R Dickinson [Judge of the Court of crossed out]
Surrogate ~ in and for, said County, Mary Durfey a resident of [Lisle crossed out] Union in said
County of Broome, aged eight-years, who, being first duly swron 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 July 7th A. D. 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and
Pension, to certain Widows" conformably to the joing Resolution adopted by Congress August 16th
A. D. 1842. and also, to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress, passed March 3d
A D. 1843 -.
Viz - I Mary Durfey of the town of [Lisle crossed out] Union in the County of Broome in 
the state of New York being eight years of age, hereby declare and
say that I am the widow of John Durfey, who rendered six months
military Service to the United States in the Revolutionary war in the
capacity of Private, and for this term of military service, the said John Durfey
was Pensioned under the U. S. Act of June 7th A. D. 1832, at the rate of
twenty dollars per annum during his natural life and I believe recieved the 
said Pension accordingly -.
That as I am unable to describe accurately, the places where, and the officers
under whom said John Durfey my late husband dec, performed the six months
military services aforesaid. I would respectfully request, that reference may
be had to the papers and Proofs adduced to establish said military services, at the time
said John Durfey was Pensioned as aforesaid -. and that I have no other proofs
or documents to offer in aid of my claim, then those herewith transmitted.

And I further declare and say, that my maiden name was Mary
Peck, that I was lawfully married to the said John Durfey at the town
of Dalton in the County of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts, on the twentieth
day of December A. D. 1780. and that the Rev. Thomas Allen of the adjoining
town of Pittsfield was the clergyman who solemnized our marrige, at the
time and place above mentioned -.
That my late Husband the said John Durfey, died at the aforesaid town of Lisle on the tenth day of October A. D. 1843, and that I have
remained a widow since that period. That I was not married to him 
the said John Durfey, prior to his leaving the military service aforesaid,
but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen
hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated -.
Mary Durfey [signature]

Sworn To, and subscribed, by the above named}
Mary Durfey on the day and year, first}
above written. ~ }
Before me
J R Dickinson [signature] [Judge of crossed out]
Surrogate

The words "Judge of the Court of" "Lisle" "Lisle" and "Judge of"
in the foregoing certificate and declaration, was I, and the
word "Union" was introduced, before the same was signed
and sworn to by the said Mary Durfey. -
J R Dickinson [signature]
Surrogate
Page 12

[handwritten]

State of New York
Broome County Surrogates Court
It is hereby certified that John R. Dickinson,
before whom the within oath and dclaration of Mary 
Durfey was taken and Subscribed, is the Surrogate of the
said County of Broome, and the person authorized by Cong
in virtue of his office as such Surrogate, to hold said court
which court has jurisdiction within said courth of the probate and wording of
wills, - the granting and recording of Setters testamentary and
of administration and auditing of settlements of the accounts
of Executors and administrators, - the appointment of Guardians
for minors, - the advancement of the down of widows -
&c. - and it is further certified that this oath and declaration 
of the said Mary Durfey aforesaid, now taken and subscribed by me in true form, in open court. -
Witness the Surrogates seal of the
said County, affixed unto this 13th
day of april A. D. 1844. - [seal affixed on left side]
J R Dickinson [signature]
Surrogate of
Broome Co.


[sideways on left margin from the bottom of the page to the center]

Please to report the result
of this Claim to the subscriber
at Dedham Masstt.
Wm. Ellis

10953
Mary Durfey,
declaration for a Pension
under the U. S. Act of 
July 7th 1838. Resolve of August
16th 1842, and Act of
March 3 A. D. 1843 -.

M86a.43
No. 6479
act 1843
Page 13

[handwritten]

Please to report the result
of this Claim to the subscriber
at Dedham Masstt.
Wm. Ellis

10953
Mary Durfey,
declaration for a Pension
under the U. S. Act of 
July 7th 1838. Resolve of August
16th 1842, and Act of
March 3 A. D. 1843 -.

M86a.43
No. 6479
act 1843
Page 14

[handwritten]

I Ashley Williams of Hadley in the Cunty of Hampshire
and State of Massachusetts being (then) Eleven years of age -
hereby depose and say, that I destincly recollect the
marriage of Mr John Durfey (then  Junior) and Miss Mary
Peck, at the Town of Dalton (and at the House of Captain 
Israel Peck) in the County of Berkshire Masstt. that -
according to my best recollection and confident belief,
the said marriage was consummated in the latter. -
part of the year, (and from Daybook accounts, I have 
in my possession it would not have been earlier than A. D. 1786
and the Revd Thomas Allen of Pittsfield was the Clergyman
who solemized the marriage, and the reason 
why I know the the part of sd Marriage [is because crossed out]
I was present and witnessed their marriage ceremonies
(as distincly as any transaction of my life) at Dalton
on that occasion. Ashley Williams [signature]

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampshire Feb 23 1844 Then personally appeared the above
named Ashley Williams a man of known impartiality
& credible witness, and who subscribes to, & makes oath
that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement
by him subscribed is true
Before me Wm Porter [signature] } Justice of the Law
Page 15

[typewritten form with handwritten entries]

Ocn
information as ontained in his (or his widow's) application for pe
Page 16

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 41.011
Mary Durfee
Wid. of
John Durfey
Priv. Rev. War

Act:  March 3rd 1843

Index:--Vol. A, Page 200

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

[illegible] 22/95 Hist. [illegible] Wm. F. Reed, M. El.
915 F. So. N. E. City
1911 Feb'y 14 Hist. to V.L.M.
John E. Stillman
Page 18

7265
New York
Mary Durfey
widow of John Durfey
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 10 d. October, 1843,
of [illegible] in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Baldwin of the Regt. commanded by Col Ely in the Conn. line for 6 months 

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 20 Dollars ___ Cents pr annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of May, 1843 and set to J. F. Curtis
Huron, Wayne, N. Y.

[Act July 7, 1838,]
Recorded by Tho Lumpkin, Clerk,
Book D Vol 1. Page 153.
Page 19

3-871.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by A. [illegible] D. 10/2'/11
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier John Durfee
Service  Mass.
Additional Service   Rev.

No. ___ claim, State records____ 191_
No claim, combination records,  191_

REMARKS:

No wid. any service
" Rej. atall
There is
{Wed. F. 21011 {Conn. 
{                        {N.Y.
Durfey
No Rev. War Sur.
6-1914              Chief Division
Page 20

Whitneys                                18 3/4
Point 29 Jan
1844

Rev. Calvin Durfee
East Walpole
Norfolk County, Wash
Page 21

Andrew Squire &
Phebe Squire's
Deposition.
Page 22

Broome County       }
State of New York ss}

Mary Durfey being duly sworn saith that she is the widow of John Durfey who died the 10th day of October 1843 that she was married to the said John Durfey in the town of Dalton State of Massachusetts by the Rev. Thomas Allen that Daniel Loomis, Asa Story, Israel Peck and Nancy Peck were present all of whom are now dead except said Asa Story of whom this deponent has been nothing for the last twenty years, that this deponent is eighty years of age and is dependant upon her children for support and maintenance, and that her husband received a pension of twenty dollars yearly from government.
Mary Durfey

Subscribed and sworn January 19th 1844 before me 
Samuel M. Hunt, Justice of the Peace

State of New York}
Broome County   } ss
Andrew Squire & Phebe Squire his wife being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they have been intimately acquainted with John Durfey and Mary Durfey above named, [illegible] of fifty years ago and have known him to live together as husband and wife and their having reared a family of children and the said Phebe Squires further saith the she knew the said Mary Durfey before she was married to the said John Durfey and this deponent further saith she knew of the precise time when it was said that John & Mary were married although not an eye witness, and further saith she lived with the said John & Mary for some time after they were married and nursed the said Mary with her first and third child, [illegible] first child was born about fifty seven years ago, does not recollect the precise year when the said John and Mary were married, believes it was at least sixty years ago.  and further these deponents saith not.
Andrew Squire
Phebe Squire

Sworn and Subscribed
the 19th day of January 1844
before me James Stoddard Justice
Page 23

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York
Broome County} ss.

On this 12th day of March 1853 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Please, now sitting, John Durfey a resident of Union in the County of Broome and State of New York, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the Unites States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He enlisted at Lisbon in the county of New London, Connecticut on the 1st of July 1777 in Capt Baldwin's Company, Col Ely's Regiment of State troops as a private and marched to New London for the purpose of guarding that place, as it was then understood that the enemy's shipping were in the sound, he remained at N London two months, when his Regiment was ordered to Rhode Island where he was stationed one month, he then returned with Baldwin's Company to New London remained at the latter place three weeks thence to White Plains N.Y. where he remained on duty until the 25th December '77 at which time (Christmas) he was taken sick with the measles and discharged, having served during this enlistment 5 months & 25 days. In the Spring of the year 1778 (precise time and names of officers not recollected) he again enlisted for three months as Lisbon aforesaid in a Company raised for the defense of the sea ports and marched to New London & Hadlyme where he remained until two months before his term expired, when the company to which he belonged were dismissed and the applicant returned home, having served two months & a half. He afterwards volunteered his services and entered a Company commanded by Capt Hunt marched to N London, his term of service on this expedition was one week.
Page 24

He also served two weeks in different excursions as a volunteer against the common enemy subsequent to the terms of service above set forth but from the infirmities of age is unable to recollect the times, or the names of his officers. The applicant service in each [unk] was as a private he never received a discharge & has no documentary or other evidence of his services and knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure to testify to his service. He was born at Lisbon in the county of New London Conn. in the year 1762, he has no record of his age. Since the Revolutionary War he lived 30 years in Pellsfield Berkshire Co Mass- 12 years in Tioga Co N.Y. and that he now resides in Union Broome Co. N.Y.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

John Durfey

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

B. Marvin Clerk

We, Nahum Gould, a Clergyman, residing in the town of Union, and Daniel Locke residing in Union, Broome Co, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Durfey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Nahum Gould
Daniel Locke

B. Marvin Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary War Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nahum Gould who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Union, Broome Co, and that Daniel Locke who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town.
I, B. Marvin Clerk of the Court of Common Please, of said County of Broome, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Durfy for a pension.
In testimony, whereof, I have hereinto set my hand and seal of office, this 15 day of March 1833.

B. Marvin Clerk
Page 25

John Durfy
Declaration






Geo. Park Agent
Binghamton N.Y.
Page 26

State of New York
Broome County ss.}  I B. Marvin Clerk of Broome County do hereby certify that Thomson Lewis Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been taken was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for this county also I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of Thomson Lewis is genuine.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of September 1832.

B. Marvin Clerk
Page 27

John Durfey's
Declaration

7435

admt
6 mo priv.
$20

Geo. Parks Agent
Binghamton N.Y.
Page 28

State of New York
Broome County ss.

Oliver Hill of Union in the county of Broome and State of New York a clergyman and Oliver Whitcomb residing in the same town hereby certify and make oath that we are well acquainted with John Durfy of Union in said county that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we the said Oliver Hill & Oliver Whitcomb do severally concur in that opinion.

Oliver Hill
Oliver Whitcomb

Broome County ss.

On this 3d day of September 1832 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of said County personally appeared Oliver Whitcomb and Oliver Hill a clergyman residents in the county of Broome aforesaid who known to me and who are credible persons who being by me duly sworn make oath & say that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true.

Thompson Lewis Justice Peace
Page 29

Mary Durfey
under joint resolution of 23d
Jany: 1845 & act of
July 7, 1838

Admd: $20 per ann:
from 4 March 1836 to
4 March 1841- and also
under act 3d March 1843,
from 4 March 1843 to
10 October 1843

John F. Curtis Esq:
Huron, Wayne County,
New York


Answer to John Hunts [unk] and [unk]
Page 30

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Resolution of Congress of the 23d of January 1845.
State of New York
County of Broome ss.}

Whereas the act of the 30th of April 1844 prohibited me from drawing for the same period during which my husband was a Pensioner. I now make the following statement, under oath to obtain the benefit of the Resolution above named.

I am the widow if the late John Durfey who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. I have drawn a pension at the rate of twenty dollars per annum from the 10th day of October 1843 to the 4th day of March 1845, and now ask for the amount due to me from the 4th day of March 1836 to the 4th day of March 1841 and also from the 4th day of March 1843 to the 10th day of October 1843, not having drawn a pension for those periods.

Mary Durfey her mark X

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of April 1845.

Samuel M Hunt Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.

Samuel M Hunt Justice of the Peace

I Geo Burr Clerk of the County of Broome do hereby certify that Samuel M Hunt who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Broome in the State of New York and that the above is his signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 8th day of April 1845 at Binghampton in the State of New York.

Geo Burr Clerk
Page 31

Mary Durfey
under joint resolution of 23d
Jany: 1845 & act of
July 7, 1838

Admd: $20 per ann:
from 4 March, 1836 to
4 March 1841- and also
under act 3d March 1843,
 from 4 March 1843 to
10 October 1843


John F Curtis Esq:
Huron, Wayne County,
New York


Answer to John F Curtis Huron Wayne Co
Page 32

East Walpole, Massachusetts, Nov 29, 1843

To the Honorable Secretary of War;

Sir, The undersigned, Pastor of the South Congregational Church in Dedham, Mass., begs leave to anyone, whether the widow of a recently deceased pensioner can continue to draw the pension of her deceased husband. My father, Mr John Durfee of Lisle New York, has for some years past drawn a pension of about twenty dollars annually. This was all that he could draw as the law stood, though not all that he [unk] to have received. He was in the service about two years, but a part of the time as a privateer. He has recently deceased, (the 10th Oct past). That small sun afforded him a considerable relief; and was very greatfully received. Now, cannot my aged Mother, who is wholly dependent on her children for support, (and they are all poor) continue to receive the same sum from year to year during her life. She is now post eighty years old. I have no doubt it will be done, if it can be legally. And as I do not understand the pension law in relation to widows, the Hon. Secretary will excuse the liberty I take to make the above enquiry.

Very respectfully yours,

Calvin Durfee
Page 33

Walpole Mass Nov 29. 43
Calvin Durfee
Pension for his mother
D128 Res Decr 4/40
Pension app

Arnd Dec 4. 1843
Jno Durfee
NYub 32


The Hon. Mr. Porter
Secretary of War
Washington
District of Columbia
Page 34

East Walpole, Mass. Dec. 11, 1843

Hon. J. L. Edwards,

Sir,

Your letter dated the 4th instant was received last [unk]. In it you state that "before it can me [unk] determined whether the widow of John Durfee, deceased, is entitled to a pension the date of the marriage should be given." Now I am happy to say in reply that I have the family record in my possession. My mother the widow of the said John Durfee, was married to him in Dalton, Massachusetts, December 28, 1786. Is further proof necessary?- and if so, will you inform me what.

Very respectfully,

Calvin Durfee, Pastor of the 
South Congregational Church in Dedham, 
Massachusetts
Page 35

Walpole East
Mr Dec 11

Hon J.L. Edwards.
(Pension office)
Washington,
District of Columbia

Dec 16 1839
Jno Durkee
Map
Page 36

Dedham, Massachusetts May 8, 1845
(East Walpole, Post Office)

Hon. William L. Marcy,
Sir,

You will excuse the liberty I take to enclose to you the first leaf of a letter, which I have just received from the Hon. William Ellis of this town. Mr Ellis, who has been extensively engaged in the Pension business is confident, as appears from his letter, that my Mother is lawfully entitled to a pension from 1836 to 1841. A glance of the letter led me to the conclusion that I had better send you his letter than to attempt to make any [unk] of it.

He suggested that I had better write to some personal friend in Washington. I am personally acquainted with Mr Bancroft. I fell too [unk] acquainted with Mr Marcy. In 1839, when Mr Macy was Gov. of N. York a dominative friend introduced me to your acquaintance on board a steam boat on the North River; and Mr M then informed me that when a youth he taught a district shoal in this town.
Page 37

But the inclosed letter deserves no consideration on the ground of personal or political friendship. My Mother is dependent on her children for support; but no request is made for any thing but legal compensation.

Will Mr Macey do me the favor to let me know his opinion as to the validity of her claim?

Moist respectfully and truly yours,

Calvin Durfee #

# Since I come to Dedham at the suggestion of Mr Ellis, I altered the spelling of my name, from fey to fee. Permit me to ass- though not at his request- that if Mr Marcy should need the services of any man to attend to any business of the War Department-here is Mass-I know of no man more capable and honest, than Mr Ellis.
Page 38

Hon William L Murry
Sec. of War
Washington,
D.C.

Walpole East
[illegible] May 
J
Dedham Mass.
May 8/45
Calvin Durfee
Eve Letter of Wm Ellis
in support of Wm Durfee's
pension claim
DM dec May 12/45
Pension Office
Mr. Stewart
Page 39

Dedham Mass
May 8/45
Calvin Durfee
Enc. letter of Wm Ellis
in support of Mr. Durfee's
pension claim.
DM. lec May 12/45
Pension Office

Wm Stuart
Page 40

Binghamton N.Y. Aug 18 1845

Sir,

The enclosed certificate to Mary Durfey was sent to Albany accompanied with the proper vouchers and returned unpaid by the Agent for paying Pensions with his reasons for so doing noted on same, to which I beg leave to refer the Commissioner.
Will the Commissioner please inform the widow (in a communication to my care) what is to be done in the premises.

Very respectfully your obt servt

Geo Park

Hon J L Edwards
Page 41

Aug 23d 45

6176-43
Mary Durfee
NY roll

Hon. James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 42

I, Henry Ferre, Dalton in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify that I have examined the Books of Records of the Town of Dalton in my possession, and that there is no Record on said Books of Record showing the marriage of John Durfee with Mary Peck and that the earliest record of any marriage on said Books of Record is in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty seven.

Attest, Henry Ferre{ Town Clerk of the town of Dalton

I Henry Ferre above named depose & say that I now hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County, & State aforesaid & that the above is a true statement as certified by me.

Henry Ferre { Town Clerk of Dalton

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire ss. February twenty ninth, eighteen hundred and forty five.

Then personally appeared the above named Henry Ferre Clerk of the Town of Dalton in said County & State, and subscribed to & made oath, that the matter by him certified & set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is just and true.

Before me
John Chamberlin { Justice of the Peace
Page 43

Henry Ferre's
Deposition &
Ashley William's
Deposition
Page 44

COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS

Secretary's Office, Boston, March 27th 1844

I hereby Certify, That at the dates of the annexed attestations William Porter was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampshire- and John Chamberlin was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Berkshire, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to this acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John C Palfrey
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 45

Dedham, Mass. May 24, 1845

Revd Sir

In answer to your enquiries in relation to the pension claim of Mary Durfey, you worthy mother, I would briefly state, that towards the close of the year 1843, or early in the year 1844, I was required and made out a declaration for said Mary Durfey as the widow if John Durfey, your late father decd, who was a Pensioner of the U.S. under the Act of Congress of July 7th 1832, at the rate of twenty dollars per annum and who died at the town or Parish of Lisle, Broome County, state of New York October 10th 1843.
That in her declaration said Mary claimed a five years pension under the Act of Congress of July 7th 1838, and an one years pension under the Act of Congress March 3d 1843, this declaration was forwarded to said Mary Durfey then resident at the town Lisle or Union, State of New York, and said Mary duly authenticated her sd declaration before what is called a Surrogate Court on the thirteenth day of April 1844, and which I received back by mail a few days afterwards, and after procuring the requisite proofs of Marriage &c from the town in Mass where your parents formerly resided, I forwarded said declaration and proofs to the U.S. Pension Department, on the 17th of May 1844, and a short time afterwards, I received from Mr Edwards of the Pension Department, a certificate granting a pension to said Mary at the rate of twenty dollars per annum, under the Act of March 3d 1843 only; to commence on the 10th day of October 1843, and to terminate on the 4th day of March 1844. This certificate was directly forwarded to said Mary the claimant in Broome County, State of New York, who probably had long ago received the small allowance this extended to her, I have heard nothing from her since.
I will just add here, that the reason why no allowance was granted to said Mary under the five years Act of July 7th 1838, nor under the Act of March 3 1843.- from March 4th 1843, to October 10th 1843; was by the apperation of a prohibitory provision in the appropriation Act of April 30th 1844, viz that "no widow shall hereafter receive a pension for the same time which her deceased husband had received such allowanc."
But it appears by the public journals, that near the close of the late session of Congress, a joint Resolution was adopted by the two Houses, state the prohibitory provision in the Act of April 30th 1844, shall have no effect on the claims of such widows as authenticated their declaration before a competent court; prior to sd April 30th 1844, and were received at the U.S. Pension Office, in a certain time afterwards.
Therefore Sir, I should judge that your mother the said claimant, is justly and lawfully entitled to a pension allowance, as arrearages, from the 4th day of March 1936, to the 4th day of March 1841, under the Act of July 7th 1838, and
Page 46

and from March 4th 1843, to October 10th 1843, under the Act of March 3 1843. But as Mr Edwards was not seen fit to give us any instruments as to the course to be pursued by claimants thus situated, I am not informed whether the claimant will be required to send forward some additional declaration, a certificate of identity, or otherwise, to being such claim to a find settlement.
Kindly Sir, under these circumstances, If you have personal acquaintance with some gentlemen, resident as Washington, who you think would be disposed to enquire and inform you on the point sought, I should advise you to write him. and briefly state your mothers case, and request to be informed, what further acts are necessary on her part, to ontain her just due under the two Acts aforesaid, and after you receive the information sought, I will give such aid as I am able to bring this matter to a favorable close.

I am Sir, very respectfully your obt servant

Wm Ellis

Recd Calvin Durfee
Dedham, South Parish
Page 47

WAR DEPARTMENT
Widow's Pension

I certify that in conformity with the resolution of Congress, of the 23d of January, 1845, Mary Durfey of New York, widow of John Durfey, who was a private in the Revolution, is entitled to receive a pension at the rate of twenty dollars and ---- cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March 1843, and terminating on the 10th October 1843, from which last date she has been paid under the act of March 3d 1843.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 1st day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Examined and Countersigned}


[all writing on sides is illegable]
Page 48

Payment to be made
at Albany by
J. W. Olcott Esq
Agent for paying pensioners,
in the Agency of Albany,
New York
Payable on presentation.

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A, Vol 2
Page 14 by Tho Lumpkin,
Clerk
Page 49

Dedham Mass May 4th 1844
Mr Edwards
Sir

Herewith is transmitted the application of Mary Durfey the widow of John Durfey dec of Broome County in the State of New York, for a pension under the Acts of Congress of July 7th 1838 and March 3 1843, and as most of the evidence in this case was obtained here in Massachusetts, the claimant requested the claim to be sent from here and to be answered and the result thereof to be transmitted here so that her son Revd Calvin Durfee could aid in her behalf. This claim I Believe to be just. Ashley Williams also has testified in this case is a man of known respectability and for many years has sustained an honorable rank among the first characters of Massachusetts, the Revd Calvin Durfee is well known to the subscriber from personal acquaintance, and deemed to be a man of undoubted veracity, his deposition is also among the evidence in this case. The deposition of Andrew Squire and Phebe Squire are forwarded to you in the same shape they were sent to me a distance of near four hundred miles, and not having a certificate of Magistracy attached; I would respectfully request, that the signature of Mary Durfey to her affidavit on the same paper with the depositions of Andrew and Phebe Squire, be compared with her signature to her declaration before the Surrogate Court, and such consideration or weight given them, as they may be found justly entitled to, and no more. Please to report the result of this claim as usual, to the subscriber at Dedham Mass.
If any further explanation be necessary in this matter, it will be promptly forwarded to your Department when known.

I am sire very respectfully your obt servant,

Wm Ellis

James L Edwards Esq
Washington City
Page 50

James L Edwards Esq
U.S. War Office
Washington City
Page 51

10933
Mary Durfey
widow of John
N.Y.

act 7 July 1838

Rejected husb died 1843

act 3 March 1843
admd 6 mo. private
commencing on 10 Oct 1843
and [unk] on 3 March 1844
$2 pr ann

No 6479
act 1843

Wm Ellis
Dedham
Mass
Page 52

John E. Stillman, President
Wm. H. Knowles, Vice-President
Henry M. Yonge, Secretary
Knowles Hyer, Treasurer

Pensacola Investment Company,
Incorporated
Paid up capital $300,000
Real Estate and General Investments

Pensacola, Fla. Feb. 7th, 1911

The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

I would like to ascertain the record of John Durfee, whom I believe was from Massachusetts and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I am informed that his wife received a pension after his death. The War Department at Washington has referred me to you. Any information you could supply on this subject will be greatly appreciated. I have been informed that he was at the battle of Bunker Hill.

Yours very truly,

John E Stillman