Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,899, John P Blake, N.H.
Page 1

Service
N. H.
Blake, John P.
Sally
Number
W. 4,899
Contents 
[blank]
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59[illegible]8
New Hampshire
John P Blake  of Cheshire in the Stateof N. H. who was a Sergt in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Wyman in the N. H. line for 4 mos 6 Days Sergt
3 mos Pvt.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. H. at the rate of 37 Dollars 49 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feby 1833 and sent to H, Hubbard [illegible] of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $56.23
Semi-anl. allowance ending 27 Mar 33  18.74
[total] $74.97
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by H. M. Blan Clerk
Book D. Vol 1st Page 144.
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560
New Hampshire Concord
Sally Blake widow of John P. Blake N H  who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private & Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 39 Dollars ans 49 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of June 1853 and sent to L. D. Stevens Concord, N. H.
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under the act July 29, 1848, Page 13 Vol. A
7832
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Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
COUNTY OF CHESHIRE. ss.
On this ninth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Aaron Matson Judge of [Probate - crossed out] the Court of Probate for said County for said County, now sitting
John P. Blake resident of Keene in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 73 years last October who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
That he was in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary army as follows,
1. In 1776 enlisted in Captain Wetherbees Company, in Col Isaac Wymans Regiment of N. H. Troops for for five months - marched, he thinks last of June, to Ticonderoga, was stationed on Mount Independence, remained through his term, and he thinks a week or two over, and was dismissed there the last of Novr or first of December, was waiter to Col Wyman before mentioned.
2. In 1777 enlisted or volunteered into the States Guard so called and went to Charlestown N.H. and remained there between thirty and forty days, was Sergeant Captain Isaac Flood commanded there.
3. In 1780, enlisted for three months in Capt Nehemiah Houghtons Compy in Col Moses Nichols N. H. Regiment marched to West Point in June remained through his term and dismissed there the last of September was orderly Sergeant in said company, while at West point was detached from the company and did duty as orderly sergeant in what was called General Arnolds life guard, saw Genl Arnold when he left his quarters to escape.
That he resided in said Keene at the time he went into each of the said several service, all of which were in the New Hampshire Militia.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] John P Blake
before me [signed] Aaron Matson Judge of Probate
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a
revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. Aaron Matson Matson Judge of Probate
I Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for sd County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John P. Blake for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of August A. D. 1832
[signed] Asa Parker Register of said Court of Probate

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. On this fourth day of December 1832 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County John P. Blake known to me as the same John P. Blake who has subscribed & Sworn to the above
declaration, who being now duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his second service in the aforesaid Declaration, but according to the best of his recollection he served therein not less than thirty five days. That he enlisted in this service for no definite period, as he recollects, but that he remained with said guard after joining it untill the guard was dismissed. That in all his said services in said declaration mentioned below & in the following grades according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned
below & in the following grades for five months I served as a private for three months & thirty five days I served as a Sergeant - and for such service I claim a pension.
That he was born in Wrentham Massachusetts
in 1758 - supposes there is a record of his age in
said Wrentham. - was a volunteer in all [illegible] recollects in his first service Genl Patterson, Col
Poor- Majr Cilley - Genl Stark - in his third service
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recollects, Genl McDougal, Col Verricks, & Major Franks, aids to Genl Arnold, - never recd any
written discharge.
[signed] John P. Blake
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Before me [signed] Thomas M Edwards Jus. Peace

Cheshire ss Dec 4. 1832
I Salma Hale; Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Thomas M. Edwards is a
Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior  Court of Judicature.
S. Hale Clerk

Declaration of John P Blake of Keene Co of Cheshire N. H.
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9252
Jno P. Blake
Sergt. 4 mos & 5 days
Private 5 do
9 - 5
W. C. E.
Adm
The 2 tours of service not mentioned with precision
Nov 25 1832
Hon H. Hubbard
H R
$37.49
Th. M. Edwards
Keene Cheshire Cy
N H
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9252
BRIEF in the case of John P. Blakey Keene Cheshire Co in the State of New Hampshire
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
|76|
|77|
|80|
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
|-, *5, -|
|-, -, between 30 & 40|
|-, *3, 18|
Rank.
As a.
|Waiter to Col Wyman|
|Sergt.|
|orderly/Sergeant|
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
|Capt. Wetherbee /Col Wyman|
|Capt. Flood|
|Capt. Houghton / Col Nichols|
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Keene N.H.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no Clergyman's certificate
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signed] H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
*on Roll of service
*on Roll of service Sergt 3 mos 18 days
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Sally Blake
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, John L. Hadley, Secretary of the State aforesaid
do hereby certify that Larkin Baker is an acting Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Cheshire duly commissioned and
qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 12th day of November 1841 and will expire on the 17th day of September 1864 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State,
this 24th day of March 1853
[signed] John L. Hadley Secretary of State
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State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
March 24. 1853
I hereby certify, That at the dates of the annexed
attestations George F. Starkweather was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Cheshire in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his 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 State, the date above written
[signed] John Hadley
Secretary of State.
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State of New Hampshire County of Cheshire ss.
On this first day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three, 1853. personally appeared before me, the Judge of Probate for said County, Sally Blake a resident of Keene in said County aged Seventy three years, and being duly Sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed February 3d 1853. That she is the widow of John P. Blake, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, that at his death he was in receipt of a pension from the United States at the rate of 37.49 Dollars per annum, and that his name was on the Roll of the Portsmouth N. H. Pension Agency. She further declares that she was married to the said John P. Blake in Keene aforesaid on the twenty Seventh day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and six, 1806, that her said husband died in said Record on the fifteenth day of December A.D. 1834 & that her name before her said Marriage was Sally Ellis, that the was married to him at the time above stated. She further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for pension.
[signed] Sally Blake
Sworn to and subscribed on the first day of March A.D. 1853.
Before me the Judge of the Court of Probate, aforesaid, and in open Court, and I believe her to be the identical person she represents herself to be.
[signed] Larkin Baker Judge of Probate
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State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. November twenty seventh, eighteen
hundred and six. Then John Pray Blake and Sally Ellis, both of Keene in said County were lawfully joined in marriage, by me.
Samuel Dinsmoor Justice of the Peace
Recorded by John Prentiss, Town Clerk
Keene February 28th 1853
I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate of marriage is a true copy of Record, except the date (Nov. 27, 1806) which is written in fair legible figures, and the Titles are written in fair legible hand as follows "Just Peace" and "T. Clerk"
[signed] Albert Godfrey Town Clerk of Keene,
I Albert Godfrey above named depose and say
that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Keene
in said County and State, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
[signed] Albert Godfrey
Sworn to and subscribed before me, March 5, 1853.
[signed] George F. Starkweather Justice of the Peace
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I Charles Sturtevant depose and say that I have
lived in Keene New Hampshire, most of the time from boyhood. And that I was acquainted with the late John P. Blake a Revolutionary pensioner, of the U. S. That it has been my custom for many years past to note the deaths of people in said Keene and that I find by my Record the death of said Blake, as having occurred, December 15. A.D. 1834.
Further it so agrees with my recollection, I have
no doubt of its correctness.
I further testify that Sally Blake named in the foregoing certificate of the Town Clerk, is the
widow of Said John P. Blake, deceased.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me, March 22, 1853 and I certify that said Sturtevant is a credible witness and correct in his business  habits.
[signed] George F. Starkweather Justice of the Peace
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Revy
Widow, &c.
File No. 4899
Sally Blake Wid. John P. Blake Sergt. Rev. War
Act: July 29th /48
Index: [blank] Vol. A, Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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March 31 1853
Nory 63
Appl. of Sally Blake widow of John P.
N. H. 
5918
Act 3d Feby: 1853
$37.47 per annum
Commencing Feby: 3d 1853.
Revy.

S. D. Stevens
Concord N. H. 

Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business
Commissio[missing]
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Hon Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[stamp] Co[missing]rd [Concord] N. H. Mar 29
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I Luther Heaton of lawful age depose that I served in the Revolutionary War in the New Hampshire Militia, in Capt Nehemiah Houghtons Company, in Col Moses Nichols Regiment, the term of three months, in the year 1780, was
marched from Keene New Hampshire to West Point- That John P. Blake of said Keene, was a Sergeant in said Company, and served the whole time that I did and was discharged when I was at
West point. That in the year 1777- I knew the said Blake to be in the service, in Captain Floods Company of New Hampshire Militia, called the State guard. He was  then an orderly Sergeant and was stationed at Charlestown in New Hampshire.
[signed] Luther Heaton
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. . June 28. 1832
Subscribed & sworn to Before me 
[signed] Thomas M. Edwards
Justice of the Peace
I, Eliakim Nims of Sullivan in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 80 years, testify and say that John P. Blake of Keene in said County served five months in the year 1776 in the Revoly. War at Ticonderoga, in Captain Witherby Company in Col Isaac Wymans Regt of New Hampshire Troop's, that at that time we both lived in said Keene, marched together, were in the same company, were stationed
on Mount Independence, and dismissed there at
the end of our term about the first of December
said Blake did duty as waiter to Col Wyman.
[signed] Eliakim Nims
Cheshire ss. July 30. 1832
Subscribed  & Sworn to
Before me [signed] Thomas M Edwards
Justice of the Peace
I certify that Luther Heaton and Eliakim Nims the above deponents are credible witnesses.
[signed] Thomas M. Edwards Justice of the Peace
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Depo? for J. P. Blake
Cheshire ss.   Aug. 1 1832
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Court in said county certify that Thomas M Edwards is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and that his name three times within subscribed is in his own hand writing. In testimony whereof I here
unto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature.
[signed] S. Hale
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Concord N.H. March 28 1853
Sir
Herewith I send you application of Sally Blake widow of John P. Blake, for Pension under the Act of Feb 3d 1853.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
L .D. Stevens

Hon L. P. Waldo
Commr of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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252
Jno P. Blake

Th M Edwards
Keene Cheshire Co 
N H
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require
further proof or explanation. [signed Jno P. Blake] 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?[Yes - crossed out] No - 2d period of engagement
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? [no - crossed out]
XII. If the If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [no - crossed out]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
No as to all except 3 & 4
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [ blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days. I served as a [blank] For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] ;and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
 In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Brief in the case of Sally Blake, widow of John P.
Cheshire County and State of New Hampshire, act 3d February, 1853,
Claim, (original, [or for increase - crossed out].)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under act of 7 of June, 1832.
Marriage proved by certified copy of the Town record of the same, & parole proof certified to be credible.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [ blank]
[signed] S. D. Stevens Esqr.
Concord
N. H
Name and residence of Agent
S. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk.