Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17662, William Corey, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
RI
Corey, William
Martha
NUMBER
W.17662
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Vermont 1465
Martha Corey
widow of William Corey
who died on the 4th October 1815, of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Spink of the Regiment commanded by Col. Olney in the R. Island line for R. Island
12 mos. pri [private] of Inf [Infantry]
12 {mos. pri of] Arty [Artillery]
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 90 Dollars - Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of October 1831 and sent to Hon W. Slade, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1837 $ 585.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '38 - 45.00
[Total] $630.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d}
Recorded by D. McCurdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 35.
[on right facing page]
Alvah Preston Jany 27 1857
Same, 20 May 1857.
Page 3

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
On this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before the Hon. William Hall, Judge of the Probate Court in and for the District of Rutland in said County, personally appeared Martha Corey, a resident of Danby in said Probate District, aged 93 years, who, being duly sworn, on her oath maketh the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836:
That she is the widow of William Corey, late of Danby aforesaid, deceased, formerly of North Kingston in the State of Rhode-Island, who was a private of Infantry, and Artillery, in the service of the United States, in the revolutionary war, and served as herein after is set forth, that is to say: In the latter part of November, 1775, the said William Corey then belonging to said North Kingston, entered a Company of minute men in that town, and served therein, until the first of March, 1776, a period of three months, under the command of Capt. Eldad Spink; but the applicant doth not recollect the name of the Colonel who commanded the Regiment, during that period or whether said Company was attached to any particular Regiment. The Company was stationed at a house called the Willson House on Aquidnesett Neck, near the shore; and their service consisted in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay, where an English Squadron then lay, and in protecting
[continued]
Page 4

the inhabitants and their property, from the ravages of the enemy.
In June, 1777, he inlisted as a private for nine months, in a Company of Rhode Island State troops, commanded by Capt. [crossed through: Christopher Dyer in Col. Topham's Regiment] Samuel Phillips in Col. John Topham's Regiment; and having served out the term, at Howland's Ferry, and other places, was dismissed on the 12th day of March, 1778.
The said William Corey thereupon immediately entered the service, again, as a private in said Topham's Regiment, or continued therein, under some other or former inlistment, until the month of December, 1779; but this applicant doth not know to what Company or companies he belonged, during that period; and for the determining of that question, [word crossed through] and also for the specification of his services during said term, she refers to the Muster Rolls and Regimental Books of said Regiment, now in the War Office of the United States.
On, or before the month of April, 1781, the said William Corey inlisted, again, as a private, for during the war, or served during the war, in some Company belonging to the Regiment commanded, on his joining the same, by Col. Green, and after his decease, by Col. Olney; and, for a more specific account of which service, and also the for the name of the Captain or Captains under whom he served, during the term, she also refers to the Muster Rolls and other Regimental Books of the same Regiment, now remaining in the said War Office of the United States.
She further declares, that she was married
[continued]
Page 5

to the said William Corey, on the tenth day of June, in the year, seventeen hundred and [and] seventy one; that her husband, the aforesaid William Corey, died on the ninth day of October, in the year eighteen hundred and fifteen; and that she has remained a widow, ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
[signature] Martha her X mark Corey
Witness to the signing
Wm Hall
Jesse Gove }
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me. And I do hereby certify, that the said Martha Corey, the applicant, is unable to appear in said Probate Court, by reason of her bodily infirmity, and hath therefor made and sworn to this her said declaration, before me, at her own dwelling house and, I do hereby further certify, that the said affiant is a person of credibility.
[signature] Wm Hall Judge
Page 6

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
I, Henry B. Towsler, Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Rutland in said County, do hereby certify, that the Hon. William Hall is Judge of said Probate Court; and, that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of our said Probate Court, and subscribed my name, at Rutland in said District, this twenty third day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
[signature] Henry B. Towsler
[faint circular stamp to the left: illegible]
Page 7

Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 17662
Martha Corey
Widow of William Corey
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: - Vol. A, Page 150
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 8

I, William Northrop of Danby in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged fifty seven years, do depose, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with William Corey late of Danby aforesaid, deceased, and know that he died at said Danby, on the 9th day of October, 1815 - That I am also well acquainted with Mrs Martha Corey, now residing in said Danby, and know her to have been the reputed lawful wife of the said William; that she is now his widow, and hath not intermarried since his said decease. Wm and Mrs Corey were formerly of Warwick in the State of Rhode Island, and emigrated to this State soon after the revolutionary war. I have heard my father often say (who is now also deceased) that he was knowing to said Corey's being a Soldier in various corps of the Rhode Island troops, throughout the war. I have also heard my father say that he was at the weding [wedding] when the said William and Martha were married and further say not
[signature] William his X mark Northrop
Attest. [signature] Seneca Smith
[signature] Daniel Lapham[?]
State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
Danby Sept. 5th 1837
Then personally appeared William Northrop signer of the above affadavit [affidavit] and made solemn oath that the same was in accordance with truth according to his best knowledge and belief before me
Ira Edmonds Justice Peace
Page 9

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for this County of Rutland certify that Ira Edmonds is a Justice of the Peace for Said County and that his Signature to the foregoing Certification I believe to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 25th day of September A D 1837
[signature] R. Pierpoint
Page 10

I, Israel Philips of Danby in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 77, do depose, testify and say, that I moved with my family into said Danby about 47 years ago, from the town of Scituate in the State of Rhode Island - That a few years afterwards, perhaps five or six years, William Corey, late of the same Danby, moved into said town, and became one of my neighbors; very soon after which I became acquainted with him. In various and repeated conversations with him, afterwards, and before his death (which took place at said Danby about 22 years ago, according to my best recollection and belief) I learned from him, that he had been a private in the Artillery attached to the same Regiment in which I myself served in the year 1777, in the Revolutionary War, which Regiment was commanded by Col. John Topham. The Company to which he belonged was commanded by Capt - Garcia. The Infantry post of the Regiment was stationed at Warwick, and the artillery was stationed at the head of a cove in that town, the particular name of which cove, if it ever had any, I have now forgotten. I was not personally knowing to said Corey being there in the artillery service, as above related; but from facts and circumstances related to me by him, that actually occured there, I was fully satisfied, and do verily believe, that he was in the service, as herein stated. I inlisted at that time, myself, for nine months; and for the reasons above stated, I believe that said Corey served the same time. And further the deponent saith not.
[signature] Israel Phillips
State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
Be it known that on this 11th day of August, 1837, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the said Israel Philips, who hath subscribed the
[continued]
Page 11

preceding affidavit in my presence and made solemn oath, that the facts stated in the said affidavit are true. And I do hereby certify, that the said affiant is a credible witness.
[signature] Rufus Bucklier Justice Peace
State of Vermont
Rutland County ss. }
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Rufus Bucklier Jr is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe his signature above is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 25th day of Sept A D 1837
R. Pierpoint
Page 12

2712
Martha Corey
Wid of William
[illegible]
Mar^d 1771
Died 1815
[illegible] Elliott [illegible]
Ad 12 mo for Inf 40.
12 mo Art^y 50
per ann. $90
conf 4 mar 1831
R I State troops
Hn W Slade
HR
Page 13

Peleg Card's &
Sylvester Johnson's Depositions for 
Martha Corey - 
[words crossed through]
Hon W Slade
HR
Page 14

I Peleg Card of North Kingston in the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island on solemn oath do say, that I am Eighty two years of age and served [illegible] as a Soldier in the Rhode Island Militia during the Revolutionary War - And I knew William Corey, the Son of Caleb Corey from North Kingston - He was married before the War began to Martha Peirce the Daughter of Benjamin Peirce of Warwick & after the War was over left this part of the Country and went to the West with his family - The last of the Month of November 1775 - I entered a Company of minute men as they were called, commanded by Eldade Spink and served in said Company until the first of March 1776, or period of three months.
And the said William Corey entered said Company at the same time with me and served with me, untill March first 1776. The English then had many ships of War in Narragansett Bay, and our duty was to guard the shores of the Bay, and protect the inhabitants and their safety from the landings and [illegible] of the Enemy - Our duty during the whole time [illegible] constant & unremitted we were stationed at a House called the Willson House, in Aquindesett Neck in this Town, near the shore & our wages were Fifty Cents per day. In the Fall of the year 1777, I was on duty in the Militia at Tiverton, in this State, in the time of General Spencer's expedition. and the said William Corey was there on duty in a Regiment of State troops sent to said Regiment & Company he [several words too faded to read] time he enlisted - [faded] he enlisted again, into the Continental Line or State troops as I understood served on Rhode island, after the English evacuated the same, this must have been in 1780 - He most of the time during the War was a [illegible] Soldier - 
[signature] Peleg Carr
Page 15

I Sylvester Johnson of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath do testify and say, that I am Eighty two years of Age - During the Revolutionary War I [illegible] as a Soldier, in the Rhode Island Militia and State troops and knew William Corey; the son of Caleb Corey - In January or February 1777, I enlisted into a Company of State troops of which one [Haminet?] was Captain, attached to a Regiment of which John Topham was Colonel - We [ordered] first at Howlands Ferry Bridge in Tiverton, in this State and there I saw the said William Corey on duty in said [Company crossed through] Regiment as a Private - But he did not belong to [illegible] Company that I did, and I cannot state what Company he did belong to, but I saw him often nearly every day - I enlisted myself for nine months and when my time was out for nine months more, and then nine months more. And I saw the said William Corey on duty with us at different times, [illegible] time of my enlistment in said Regiment, in February 1777 to March 1779 - We was stationed most of the time at Tiverton, [illegible] in General Spencer's expedition, in the Fall of 1777 and in Sullivan's on Rhode Island in the summer of 1778 - I do not know what Company he belonged to at the time, but part of the time, he was in an Artillery Company, commanded by Captain Garcia - 
[signature] Sylvester his X mark Johnson
Witness
Sylvester G Shearman
Washington ss. - In North Kingston July 22nd 1837 - 
Personally appeared before me the [illegible] or Justice of the Peace, for said North Kingston Peleg Card and Sylvester Johnson whose Names, are written to the foregoing deposition, and who after being by me duly examined, cautioned, & sworn, gave the foregoing deposition, which was by me, reduced to writing in their presence, and the said Peleg Card [illegible] his name, to his deposition, in my presence, and the said
Page 16

Sylvester Johnson, being unable to write his Name, made his mark in my presence & I wrote his Name, in his presence - And I further certify, that the said Peleg Card and Sylvester Johnson, are both well known to me, and that their characters for truth and veracity are good -
[signature]Sylvester G Shearman
Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island &c. -
Washington ss
I Nicholas N Spink Town Clerk of the Town of North Kingston in the County of Washington and Clerk of the Court of Probate of said North Kingston, do herby certify, that Sylvester G Shearman Esq. before whom the annexed and foregoing depositions were taken & [sworn?] to, is a Justice of the Peace, for said Town of North Kingston - Legally chosen by the General Assembly of said State, duly commissioned by the Governor thereof and legally engaged to said Commission, and in all [illegible], legally qualified to act in said [illegible], and fully authorized and empowered to administer oath - And I further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his signatures, are his true and genuine signatures in his own hand writing known to me as such - 
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office at said North Kingston, this 22 day of July, in the year 1837 - 
[signature] Nich. N. Spink Town & Probate Clk
Page 17

Martha Corey
Proof of Marriage
Job Shearman's &
Ebenezer Smith's
Depositions }
Hon W Slade
HR
Page 18

I Job Shearman of Exeter, in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath do testify & say that I am Eighty years of age, During the Revolutionary War, I served as a Soldier, in the State line & Continental line - In the Month of January 1781, I enlisted [two words crossed through] in North Kingston into a Company of Continental troops of which one William Humphreys was Captain, one [Margery?] whose Christian name I have forgotten was Lieutenant and William Ennis was Ensign, The Company was attached to a Regiment of which one Greene was Colonel - I was not called on to join the Regiment untill the Month of April 1781, when I joined the Regiment at a place called [illegible], on the North [illegible], almost thirty or forty miles from the City of New York near Stoney Point - When I joined the Regiment, William Corey of North Kingston, whom I well remmber, belonged to the Regiment, and was on duty as a soldier - We remained encamped in that vicinity untill August 1781, at that time, the Regiment was commanded by Col Jeremiah Olney, Colonel Greene having been killed in a skirmish, soon after I joined the Regiment, as we [illegible] skirmished with the Enemy - In August 1781, we broke camp and moved through, New Jersey to Philadelphia City, from there to Brandy Wine, and the head of the Elk River, to Yorktown in Virginia, where we joined the main army, then engaged in [illegible] Yorktown - The said William Corey was on duty in the Regiment all the time - After the surrender of Yorktown, we returned to Philadelphia, in the Winter, we remained there, until the 29th of Aug 1782, when we marched to the Highlands in the State of New York where we remained as [illegible] the North, we then removed to a place called [Verplanck's?] Point, where we remained through the summer, in the Fall of the year we removed to Saratoga, and I continued with the Regiment there, untill December 1783, when I was discharged with the rest of the army, the time for which I enlisted three years,
continued]
Page 19

being [illegible] - The said William Corey I knew well, and he served in said Regiment with me, from the time I joined the cause in April 1781, to May 1783 when he was discharged he having enlisted as I understood for during the war & all those who enlisted during the War in our regiment being then discharged.
He did not belong to the same Company to which I did and I am not able to state, to what Company he did belong, but I remember him well - 
[signature] Job Shearman
North Kingston
Washington sc - September 7th 1838 - 
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said North Kingston - Job Shearman whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deposition and made solemn Oath, to the truth of the same - Which said Deposition was by me reduced to writing in his presence - And by him signed in my presence And I further certify that the said Job Shearman is well known to me & that his character for truth & veracity is good - 
[signature] Sylvester G Shearman
Justice of the Peace
Page 20

I Ebenezer Smith of South Kingston, in the County of Washington, on Solemn Oath do testify & say that I am Eighty years of Age, and [illegible] as a soldier in the war of the Revolution - In the Month of June 1777 I enlisted as a Soldier, in the Company of State troops commanded by Captain Christopher Dyer, attached to Colonel Topham's Regiment - The Regiment was organized at Howland's Ferry in Tiverton in this State and when we met there, I saw William Corey of North Kingston, he belonged to a Company commanded by Captain Samuel Phillips, he enlisted for nine months as I understood as I did myself - And I know that he served out the nine months with us [illegible] at Howlands Ferry and [illegible] We were dismissed on the twelfth day of March 1778, at Howlands Ferry in Tiverton - I remember the said William Corey well, and he was [remained?] the time I served with him, as I understand - 
[signature] Ebenezer his X mark Smith
Witness
Sylvester G Shearman
Washington sc - September 15th 1838 
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Washington - Ebenezer Smith whose Name is subscribed to the above and foregoing Deposition and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same - Which Deposition was by me reduced to writing in his presence & read to him by me & being unable from old age to write his name, made his mark in my presence & I wrote his name in his presence & I further certify that the said Ebenezer Smith is well known to me & that his character for truth & veracity is good - 
[signature] Sylvester G Shearman
Justice of the Peace
Page 21

State of Rhode island &c.
County of Washington sc.
Town Clerk's Office of the Town of North Kingston - 
I the Subscriber Town Clerk and Clerk of the Court of Probate, for the Town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington - Do hereby certify that Sylvester G. Shearman, before whom the annexed Depositions and Affidavits, were made & sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, for the said Town of North Kingston - Legally chosen, by the General Assembly of this State, duly commissioned, by the Governor thereof and duly engaged to said Commission and in all respects duly qualified to act in said Office - And I also further certify that the signatures annexed to said Depositions and Affidavits, purporting to be the signatures of the said Sylvester G Shearman, are his true & genuine signatures in his own hand writing, known to me as such - And that full faith & credence, ought to be given to the same & to all his official Acts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this Sixteenth Day of September 1837 at said North Kingston - 
[signature] Nich. N. Spink Town & Probate Clerk
[seal and ribbon affixed at left]
Page 22

North Kingstown June tenth, seventeen hundred and seventy one. These may certify all persons it may concern that William Corey of North Kingstown Son of Caleb and Martha Pearce of Warwick daughter of Benjamin were lawfully married in s^d. [said] North Kingstown By Rob^t. Hall Justice Peace
Recorded September fourteenth seventeen hundred and seventy one
[per?] Geo Northup T. Clk
State of Rhode Island
County of Washington sc.
Office of Town Clerk and Court of Probate of the Town of North Kingstown, I Nicholas N. Spink Town and Probate Clerk of the Town of North Kingstown do certify that the above marriage certificate is a true copy of Record with the exception of the date of the marriage which is expressed on the Record in fair and legible figures as follows June the 10th A.D. 1771 and also the date of the Record which is as follows. Recorded September 14th 1771
Geo Northup T. Clk
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fourteenth day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Nich. N. Spink Town & Probate Clerk
[seal affixed to the left]
Page 23

Washington sc. - In North Kingston
September 14th 1838 -
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, for said North Kingston Nicholas N. Spink, the Town Clerk of said North Kingston and made solemn Oath to the truth of the annexed Certificate of Marriage by him signed - And also [illegible] the same in my presence - 
Sylvester G. Shearman
Justice of the Peace
Page 24

Rutland Vt. 26 Sept. 1837
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith for your consideration, the accompanying documents and declaration of Mrs Martha Corey, for a pension under the act of Congress of July 4, 1836.
To the declaration are attached the deposition of William Northrop, proving the death of William Corey, &c. - and, the deposition of Israel Phillips, relative to a portion of the service, which is more distinctly proved by the other depositions, detached, of Peleg Card, and Sylvester Johnson; the latter of which proves 3 successive terms of service, of nine months, each, commencing in February, 1777, and ending, according to the witness' account, in December, 1779. I suppose the Rolls (which I learn from W. Brown, Sec^y of Rhode Island, are already in the War Office) will show what portion of the service was performed as an artillerist under Capt. Garcia or other Artillery Officers. The deposition of Ebenezer Smith must, it would seem, allude to one portion of the time deposed to by [Misters] Card and Johnson.
The deposition of Job Shearman covers another period of service: from the month of April, 1780, to May, 1783 - over 24 months.
The proof of marriage was sent me by W. Shearman, in lieu of a previous copy; for reason, as near as I can make out from his difficult hand, that the dates were required to be written out, instead of Arabic numerals used in the other copy. That copy is therefore detached from the depositions of Card & Johnson, as unnecessary surplussage.
Submitting the papers, I am desired by Mrs Corey to request that you will be pleased to communicate your decision, through me.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Sir
Your obt. servt
Jesse Gove
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
City of Washington
Page 25

Wm Corey revolutionary soldier or [teamster?] His Widow Martha Corey who obtained his Certificate [illegible] 1831 at rate 90$ per year down to her death - His last place residence when he died was in Danby Vt R [Rutland] Co Vt Her last place of residence as I understand was in Danby R Co Vt
I am informed that his Widow when she obtained her Certificate would go back to his death if so he died 5th march 1831 - I can not tell yet what Month or day of the Month she died will find out if possible & claim for the two surviving children whatever belong to them from the Government for the service performed by their Father Wm Corey in the revolutionary War whatever amount May be due - whether as [teamster?] or as a soldier as will appear on the old rolls of [teamsters?] & the balance due his Widow after his death if she has not had it as will appear from the record when she [illegible] at said Pention office & increase of pention she ought to had in the pay if he was a [teamster?] instead of soldier as will appear on s^d Roll claiming nothing from the the Government but what is fair honorable as they were old & never the same
Hannah Harington Place Residence Danby R. Co Vt
Charls Cory. Place residence I am informed is in Tinmouth R Co Vt
The two surviving children
A [Portion?] for Hannah Harington daughter of Wm & Martha Corey.
Page 26

I claim full pention [pension] from 1818 down to March 1831 to the time His Widow began to draw at whatever rate he was entitled to whether a soldier or teamster will depend on the old roll if found & whatever increase of pention she ought to had while she drew if he was a teamster instead of a soldier or [illegible] nothing more of the Government than what they ought to had in the day, I have heard my Grand father say in his day he never had any pay accept [except] poor continental [illegible] services I [illegible] exam carefully & report to Me the result or if any more testimony is needed in the [illegible] then write me a [illegible] letter if obtained [illegible] the bounty land & bounty money is to be had or they never had any in the day
[Alvah?] Norton Atty for Hannah Herington & I put in Charles Corey the other child of Wm & Martha Corey deceased, She is our Aunt & he our uncle to Me My Mother having died a good while ago 
I [illegible] the children cannot draw if so you can tell If all the pension has been received that Martha Corey ought to had in her day. When I claim for the two surviving him the 13 yrs from 1818 down to [illegible] 1831 as [illegible] he soon been had of the the government for Wm Corey that she ought to had in his day
A Norton atty, [illegible]
Page 27

Pittsford 15 May AD 1857
Sir I am Ingaged in a good many important cases for the Subject of Pentions & want to send them to Persons that understand the  [illegible] of the pention Department Solomon Foot [illegible] informed Me you was a worthy In the men to examine such business
I have before me your letter whom you wrote me in relation to My grand Mother Martha Corey pention you wrote Me her Certificate was obtained in the year 1837 to run from 4th March 1831 at 90$ per year till she died I am not able yet to learn when she died I do not know as any one Set down when She died her daughter is quite old above 70 years old cannot tell certain when She died nor can I be able to prove any Morning But I have consulted Senator Foot he tells Me it is not necessary to prove any Marriage that question was [illegible] when She commence drawing her pention what become of her [illegible] I do not know - Seneca Smith of Danby [illegible] out of Danby need to  [illegible] for his support till she died [illegible] R R Ihsoll[?] took it whether they got the sum [illegible] after her death to her if anything [illegible] then I do not know you can tell the last [illegible] from the record Mr Foot informs Mr Sheboyan to draw from his death having obtained her Certificate in 1837 then written a letter to Arad Joy [?] sometime I have his [illegible]
Page 28

He informs Me he has an agent at Washington who has long been an agent & clerk. I do not know but you are the [Gentleman?] if so you [illegible] me or if I May depend upon you to examine [illegible] important cases if obtained Shall be well rewarded if not I shall not be able to [illegible] anything however there is no Doubt but what cases I shall send are worthy of an important examination I have 7 or [illegible] important cases as soon as I can git a letter from you if you are Arad Joy agent & clerk write me if he is or not if I can depend upon you [illegible] I understood Mister Foot you was Clerk & was worthy of the place you occupy. I will therefor send you this case for examination and as soon as you git this write Me back whether you will assist Me through all the cases that I may send you if so I will send you immediately [illegible] that are now read then I can send them or I git them ready. I have practiced here in Justice Courts for 27 years [illegible] 7 years under a [illegible] man was agoing to be sworn in in 1853 but I met with an accident fall on the ice in Feb 1854 been unable to go about Much, write a good [illegible] but [illegible] tumble so I can not write a very good hand but I have some you can read it being [illegible] of my back so bad for any time I could hardly git about but am so I can do some business there on a good many important claims in this section of Country a great many [illegible]. I therefor want to employ some persons that are well versed in the department & wrote a letter to Arad Joy [Jay?] to the town of Ovid Seneca Co NY. Had no answer whether he lives there now I do not know also Have written two letters to Washington [illegible] to its ad I am agent who was or is clerk of the War Department I have had as yet no return Should there be no such Man there or I [illegible] to you  [illegible]
Page 29

the two letters & examine them the two cases was on of Myoura[?] & Zenos Holbrook for [illegible] United States troop or you will see all described in our affidavits. I though often [illegible] I ought to get the Clerk of the County & Supreme Court to put on the [illegible] of the Court that the Justice that administered the oath was a Justice of the Co County & I can send that now if we can [illegible] of the [illegible] & in confidence
Alvah Norton Counsillor
I will [illegible] & tab you the case of My grand father & grand Mother.
Wm. Corey
Martha Corey his widow that are [illegible] & while I understand he never drew any portion in his day He was a poor man he died when I was about 12 or 13 years old I can just remember him he [illegible] tell me he drove team in the army [illegible] but tell if you find his name or a [illegible] on soldiers Mr Foot tells me the heirs can draw a back pention from 1818 down to 1831 9th March when his pention began you lack [illegible] if he was a teamster or soldier the living children of this is only two that I know of
Hannah Herington
Charles Corey } They [illegible] in life Hannah Herington is own [illegible] to Me & [illegible] I should try to git the pention due from the government to her [illegible] the Wm Corey My Mother is dead
I [illegible] on her children cannot draw according to the law laid down in the Circular [illegible] the surviving children there is but two that I have found you can inform me whether any can draw but the two heir viz [illegible] tell me whether he ever drew & whether those two can draw [illegible] to 1818 from his death what he ought to had in his day [illegible] Hold shall be [illegible] said for it yet [illegible to end of line] the old lady aunt Hannah sent to Me by My son who was then the last member wanted I should try & git it [illegible] be well paid for it so I put in [illegible] & his brother Uncle Charles the only surviving child that on [illegible] that I [illegible] of [illegible] [illegible]  exoneration of the case
Page 30

need not hurry this case if any  [illegible] the two living ones I have Mentioned or [illegible] you write me some [illegible] the grandchildren [illegible] part that would go to the children that soon did I do not so understand that so in reading over the circular it say the surviving children before it [illegible] the surviving children now living so you know if it is so.
Hannah Herington Danby Rutland Co Vt
Charles Corey of [illegible] Rutland Co Vt
now as I understand the only surviving children of Wm & Martha Corey could tell you all of the children that were ded [dead?] and gone but I refer it is not important you [illegible] she last drew her semiannual payment I understood Mr  Nuth[?] in a letter from Danby that he [illegible] the certificate to [illegible] after her death but never learned whether he ever got the cost semiannual payment or not you can tell by looking in your record if it [illegible] [illegible] any [illegible] with the roll semiannual payment of her death I will try & find out when she died write me as soon as you git this upon the subject I first requested you to enform part of this letter so I can forward the cases that soon ready for examination if it [illegible] is there & you are his agent or clerk write me but I wont [illegible] & him together if you [illegible] together if he is there [illegible] each other & write if he is not there and you [illegible] not his agent or clerk then your examine this case as I am [illegible] you were [illegible] Soon as you get this letter wright me [illegible] post office [illegible] as I live on the [illegible] of the town Rutland  [illegible] Pettsford [illegible] Munden post office is nearer to Me than any one of the others of the highest respect and in confidence - 
Alvah Preston for Hannah Herington & Uncle Charles Corey I put him in [illegible] by aunt Hannah
13
90
$117
[illegible]
[illegible]
$1910 [illegible] after her death if a soldier if a lieut[?] 20 [illegible]
though the time from 1818 down to her death [illegible] for the old lady if obtained inform me you shall be well paid the old lady wanted I should git it for her I [illegible] put in Charles Corey his is her own brother and old man I have not seen him but I have seen Henry her only son of aunt Hannah [illegible] or sent My Son Martin to Boston town to Danby she sent word back by him wanted I should try and git it She is old & forgetful over 70 if obtain write and I will send full authority from her & uncle Charles to settle with you for the sum.
A Norton for aunt Hannah Herington & Charles Corey put in the other [illegible] all in confidence I have a [illegible] [illegible] to me & I will to you
Page 31

Menden Nov 29th 1856
Sir I now wish to inquire whether Seneca Smith of Danby in the county of Rutland ever drew a back portion for Wm Corey who was a Revolutionary soldier who died a good many years ago after the death of Wm Corey quite a number of years the heirs of Wm Corey Wished to know of Mister Smith if he could git the back pention for Wm Corey Widow & the heirs The widow of Wm Corey is dead & has been for quite a number of years his heirs say that a number of years ago Seneca Smith told them he drew a back portion coming from Wm Corey to the heirs then living he [illegible] not tell how much he drew but paid [illegible] of the heirs about thirty dollars a piece & he refused to pay any more to them & would not pay anything to the rest. The heirs living at the time Smith got the back pention was Hannah Corey & Charles Corey & Nancy Corey the Married Daniel Preston. The Widow is dead of Wm Corey. The heirs now living are anxious to know the amount of money Smith drew from the government for the benefit of Wm Corey heirs. I am one the grandson of Wm. Corey. the heirs wished me to write to Washington to inquire what amount Reuben R Thrall or Seneca Smith drew and also what time it was that it was drawn [illegible] years ago. I wrote a letter to Seneca Smith inquiring whether he ever drew any back pention of Wm Corey or any portion he wrote me he never got any pention at all I see Smith afterward & talked with him he tolt me he never got any pention I also see R.R. Thrall & talked with him he says Smith left some papers with him some years ago & he never got any pention nor did he do any thing about But I see the other day a Son of Hannah Corey & grand Son of Wm. Corey that Smith did as he was informed quite a number of years ago draw a large amount of back pention after the death of grandfather W, Corey but refuses to tell at this time anything about it.
Page 32

The heirs of Wm Corey are anxious to learn what amount of Money was drawn & When the last was drawn & whether R. R. Thrall or Seneca Smith ever drew any pention money of Wm Corey as a revolutionary soldier if there is any way to asertain whether there is any thing due to the heirs now living they were some of them poor and need the money if any thing is due as they the heirs are [illegible] Smith & R R Thrall have got a [illegible] amount of money at any rate it looks [illegible] with Smith to  deny gitting the money & then paying a little some years ago to the heirs & refusing to talk with or pay the rest. I wish you [illegible] examine the subject & let me know whether Seneca Smith of Danby Vermont in the county of Rutland ever drew any pention money for Wm Coreys heirs & if so when &  what amount & whether there is any probability of the now living heirs of Wm Corey being entitled to any thing at this time please exam the subject & write me to Menden post office Vermont Rutland County } The heirs of Wm Corey live most of them in Rutland County Vermont
The young man son of Hannah Corey told me that some years ago Seneca Smith paid them of the heirs about $30 a piece & refused to let him see what had been done on [illegible] with him upon the subject he says Smith is  [illegible] call if has been  [illegible] informed soon as convenient wright [write] me what has been done
Alvah P Norton grandson of Wm Corey