Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25848, William Ward, Conn.
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(8-- 1776)

SERVICE.     Conn.

Ward, William
Martha

NUMBER.     W. 25848.

CONTENTS
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[left half of page]

Connecticut    5070


Martha Ward 
widow of William Ward
Con
who was a Private in the Revolution


Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars. 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.



Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of March  1844  and sent to 
Ho. T. H. Seymour
H. Reps.



[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book. A.
Vol.  1.   Page 80.


[right half of page]

Reps.

Date of death not on L.B
J L. L.
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State of Connecticut
Probate District of Middletown
SS.
On the 5th day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the Probate Court holden within and for the District of Middletown aforesaid, Martha Ward, a resident of the town of Middletown in the County of Middletown and State of Connecticut aged 83 years, who having been first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." -- That she is the widow of William Ward who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and served at or near Boston about the time of the Bunker Hill battle, and was  absent at that time about eight months; -- That she does not remember the names of his officers, nor any other particulars of his service;  that he was afterwards in the sea service a considerable time, but that she does not remember whether in a public vessel or in a privateer;  that at the time of the said Ward's enlistment, he was a resident of the town of Middletown, and ever after continued to reside in that town until his death; -- that her maiden name was Martha Cornwell, -- that she was married by the Revd Mr. Benedict of Middletown but that she has no record of the date of her marriage, and is enabled to remember the time only by her own age at that time, which was twenty three, and [crossed out word] by the ages of her children; --
And she further declares that she was married to the said William Ward in the month of August or September, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine;  two or three months before she was twenty
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three years old; -- that she was eighty two years old on the 25th day of November last; - that her husband, the aforesaid William Ward died about thirty years ago, in this town and was here buried;  that she does not remember the precise time of his death;  that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four,  viz. at the time above stated.
Martha X Ward
her mark
Witnesses -
Melzar Gardner
Saml. Cooper

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before -
Saml. Cooper Judge

State of Connecticut
Probate District of Middletown
SS
I, Samuel Cooper, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in the County of Middletown and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the within and foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court of Probate, in the matter of the application of the widow Martha Ward, for a pension.__
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court to be affixed at Middletown aforesaid, this 5th day of September A.D. 1838.
Saml. Cooper Judge
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Comptroller's Office
Hartford, Connecticut
August 28th 1838.
On application for evidence of the Revolutionary service of William Ward, I have examined the Records and files in this office and find as follows__
On the pay roll of Captain Ebenezer Sumner's Company    Col. Wylly's Regt. at Roxbury &c [et cetera] in 1775, I find the name of William Ward as having commenced service, May 6th and discharged December 19th 1775 -- 7 months and 13 days service __
The name of William Sumner also appeared upon the same pay roll.
I certify that the above are true extracts and statements from the said Pay Roll, now on file in this Office.
Henry Kilbourn  Comptr
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I, John Cornwell of Middletown, in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut on oath depose and say --- that I am 78 years of age -- was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and am now a Pensioner of the United States; --- that I well knew William Ward who was formerly a soldier in the Revolutionary army and served at or near Boston in the year 1775 about eight or nine months; -- that said Ward at the time of his enlistment and for many years thereafter [three crossed out words not legible] lived in a part of the town of Middletown then and now known by the name of Newfield, where I now reside,  that the said Ward was married by the Revd. Mr. Benedict of the town to my Sister Martha Cornwell, in the year 1779.  and that I was myself present and witnessed the solomnization of the marriage;  that they continued ever after, until the death of the said 
William Ward to live together as husband and wife; in the same neighborhood where I now reside; that said Ward died about 28 or 30 years ago, and that since his death my said sister Martha removed to another section of this town where she is still living and has ever since the death of the said William Ward remained his widow; --  and further the deponent saith not.
John X Cornwell
his mark
Signed in presence of 
Melzar Gardner
Saml. Cooper
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County
SS
Middletown
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, -- John Cornwell, signer of the foregoing instrument, known to me as a person of truth and veracity who read and signed the same in my presence and made solemn oath to the truth of the matter contained therein, -- this 5th day of September, A.D.  1838 --  before me --
Saml. Cooper
Juste. of the Peace

The words "the said Ward" were erased from the deposition before signing --
Saml. Cooper
Juste. of the Peace
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I, William Sumner, of Middletown, in the County of Middlesex, and state of Connecticut, being first duly sworn according to law, on oath depose and say -- that I was a soldier in the army of Revolution, and am now a pensioner of the United States; -- That I very well know William Ward who formerly [insert begin] lived [end insert] in this town in a part or district known by the name of "Newfield;" -- that I do now distinctly remember that said William Ward was once a soldier in the same Regiment and Company with me -- to wit, in Col. Wyllys Regiment, and Captain Ebenezer Sumner's  Company; - that he enlisted in that Company [crossed out word "and"] in the spring of the year 1775, and served in it about eight months, at Roxbury near Boston and that I was with him during the whole of that period; -- that said Ward died about 25 or 30 years ago, and that I have understood and do verily believe that the widow of the said Ward is now living in this town -- and further the deponent saith not ---
William Sumner
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County
SS  Middletown. __
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, -- William Sumner, signer of the foregoing deposition who is also known to me as a person of truth and veracity, who read and signed the same in my presence, and made solemn [insert begins] affirmation [end insert] [crossed out word illegible] to the truth of the matters contained therein, -- this 27th day of August A.D. 1838, __ before me, __ the word "oath" being first erased and the word 'affirmation" interlined   J. B.  J.P.
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace

The word "lived" was also interlined in the body of the deposition before signing by the deponent.
J.  Barnes
J. P.
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I, Mary Jones, of Hartford, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, on oath depose and say __ That I am 67 years of age, was born and for about 19 years lived in the town of Middletown in the County of Middlesex, __ that I have a brother John and a sister Martha, both of whom are now living in Middletown aforesaid -- that my maiden name was Cornwell; __ that my said sister Martha was married when I was about eight or nine years old, to one William Ward who is since dead; __ that I was myself present at the wedding, and witnessed the solemnization of the marriage __ that I do now distinctly remember many circumstances connected with that event, and am confident that I have correctly stated the time of said marriage,; __ that I have always understood and believed that the said William Ward had been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, __ that he died about 30 years ago, and that my said sister Martha is now living in Middletown aforesaid, and has ever since the death of the said William Ward, remained his widow; and further the deponent saith not ___
Mary Jones
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State of Connecticut
Hartford County. ss. Hartford Sept. 8th 1838.
Here, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared, Mary Jones who read and signed the foregoing deposition in my presence, and made solemn oath to the truth of the matters contained therein, before me
Benning Mann Justice of Peace
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1127
Martha Ward
widow of William
Con
Act 7. July 38
5 years.
Married in 79

admd
7 mo. 13 days pri
$24:76
no deduction

Hon Isaac Toucey
Hartford
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I, Royal R. Hinman, Secretary of the State of Connecticut and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, That Samuel Cooper Esq. is and for more than [crossed out word illegible] three months last past has been a Judge of Probate, within and for the Probate District of Middletown in this State, duly appointed and commissioned, as appears on record in this office, with power to settle estates of deceased persons, testate or intestate, and to certify any official acts in said Probate Office by his seal of office and signature, to which full credit is to be given in court and country.
In testimony whereof, I have in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said State at the Office of the Secretary of said State, in Hartford, the 13th day of September __ A. D. 1838.  
And I certify that the signature of Samuel Cooper is his genuine signature. 
[circular, jagged-edged seal in upper left side of page]
And I do further hereby certify that Samuel Cooper, and Jonathan Barnes are severally Justices of Peace in and for the County of Middlesex, and that Benning Mann, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford, and that their signatures as they appear on the annexed documents are severally true and genuine.  And that they have held their said offices since the 20th day of June last  Royal R Hinman  Secretary of State
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[type written letter]
Miss Elizabeth R. Wightman
307 East High Street
Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

BA-J/ILL
William Ward
W. 25848

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Abra ham Wightman and William Ward, both of whom served from Connecticut.

A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of an Abraham Wightman.  Such pension and bounty land claims made to the United States are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office.

The record of only one soldier named William Ward of Middletown, Connecticut. has been found and is furnished herein. The  data given regarding that soldier are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 25848, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

William Ward resided both before and after the Revolutionary War in that part of Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, known as Newfield.

He enlisted May 6, 1775 and served about eight months as private in Captain Ebenezer Sumner's company, Colonel Wylly's Connecticut regiment, stationed in the vicinity of Boston.  He enlisted late in 1779 and served until the spring of 1780, specific dates and names of officers not shown; it was stated that this service was rendered "in the sea service".

William Ward married in August, or September 20, 1779, in Middletown, Connecticut, Martha Cornwell.  She was born November 25, 1755,
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[type written letter continued]
and her family resided in Middletown, Connecticut; the names of her parents are not shown.

On September 5, 1838, Martha Ward, the widow of William Ward, applied for pension and stated then that her husband "died about thirty years ago and was buried in Middletown, Connecticut", but she did not give the date of his death. Her claim for pension was allowed.
Following the death of the soldier, Martha Ward moved to another section of Middletown, and was residing there in 1844.

There is no reference to children in this claim for pension.
 
In 1838, John Cornwell of Newfield, Middlesex County, Connecticut, and Mary Jones, of Hartford, Connecticut, brother and sister of Martha Ward, stated that they were born in Middletown, Connecticut, and were both present at the wedding of their sister and William Ward. In  1843, William Cornwell, aged seventy-eight years, stated that he was born in said Middletown, lived there during his lifetime and was present at this same wedding, but he did not state any relationship.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
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State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex 
ss Middletown Jany. 30  1844

On this 30th day of January in the year 1844 personally appeared before Samuel Miner a Justice of the Peace in Said County +[and] State  Martha Ward a resident of the town of Middletown aged 88 years who being first duly Sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War:  That she is the widow of William Ward who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and that she was pensioned under the Act of the 7th. of July 1838 at the rate of Twenty four Dols. +[and] 76/100 per annum ___
She further declares that She is Still a widow and remained So ever since the death of her husband
Martha Ward 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day +[and] year first above written +[and] I certify that the declarant is personally known to me +[and] is the widow of Wm. Ward as She has Stated +[and] that She was a pensioner under the act of the 7th of July 1838 +[and] is a respectible +[and] credible person  ___
Samuel Miner Justice of the Peace
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State of Connecticut
Office of Secretary of State

I certify that Samuel Miner Esq. is +[and] on the 30th day of January last past was, a Justice of the Peace within +[and] for the County of Middlesex in said State duly appointed +[and] commissioned, as appears of record in this office __ and that the written signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said State this 23rd day of February 1844.
N.A. Phelps
Secretary of State
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B. Coltin
Nov. 1s 1843
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Pension Office
Novm 6  1843.
Sir
In answer to your letter dated Septr 7th 1840 claiming [three words crossed out] a pension under the act of July 4th '36 in the case of Martha Ward a pensioner under the Act of 7th July '38 I have to state that the only proof of the service of her late husband is the Comptroller's certificate showing that he commenced service May 6th  1775 and was discharged on the 19th of December in the same year making 7 months and 13 days service. Where the best evidence is required, the deposition of Benjamin Gilbert can avail nothing [ten words crossed out and replaced by the foillowing] as it does not set, forth any specific term of service. The increase prayed cannot be allowed. The claimant's declaration does not indicate any specific service subsequent to the date of the marriage 
No  358   Act of 7th July 38
Benjamin Colton
West Hartford Cont.
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West hartford
Conn't
Sept. 7th 1843
Sir
I forw'd to your Dept. some three or four Months since ( I think it was in May ) the Claim of Martha Ward the widow of William Ward who was pensioned under the Act of 1838 and Now Claims She is entitled to the Act of 1836   I beg leave to apologize for the form or shape in which the papers referred to was presented to you.  The Old Lady resides about fifteen miles from here and I gave to the person that applied to ME for assistance in the case, a form for a declaration for the Old Lady to make before the Judge of Probate and Supposed he would copy it and put in a different Shape and it was returned to me on the small piece of paper that you have in your Dept.  As it would be attended with a considerable trouble and Some expense to obtain another one and as the Claim appeared to me to be some what doubtful I concluded to send it on in the Shape it was and abide your honest and candid decision in the matter
I now Send you the deposition of Benjn. Gilbert who appears to be confident that William Ward Served in the Rev:  War after his Marriage to the Said Martha.  The proof in your Dept. will undoubtedly Show whether it extended beyond the period of Marriage Stated by the deponents and
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if So, the Old Lady will be entitled under the act of 1836 ---
As the claim has been in your Dept. sufficient lenghth of time for to have its turn or action upon it, I hope you will give me an early reply
I am very respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
Benjn. Colton


J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commr. of Pensions
Washington  D.C
Page 22

I Benjamin Gilbert of the town of Middletown in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut a Revolutionary Pensioner aged 84 years do on oath testify and Say that I was well acquainted with William Ward late of the aforesaid town decd. and I also well recollect of his serving as a Soldier in Said war.  I also am well acquainted with Martha Ward widow of the Said William, who is Now residing in the aforesaid town, and I recollect about the time they were married, which was as Near as I now can recollect some time in the year 1779
I recollect (and am confident in my recollection) that the Said William Ward went into the Revolutionary Service after his marriage to the Said Martha, and I left the Service in the Spring of the year 1780.  
It was generally reputed and believed in the neighborhood where the Said Ward resided that he Served in the Said War after his marriage to the Said Martha.  
Further this deponent sayeth not.
Benj. Gilbert


State of Connecticut
Middlesex County     ss   Middletown [word August crossed out] September 1st 1843

Personally appeared before me Benjamin Gilbert with whom I am well acquainted and Subscribed to the above and made Solemn oath to the truth of the Same and I further certify that he is a very respectable and credible person
Edw Savage Just of the Peace
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State of Connecticut ss.
Office of Secretary of State

I do hereby certify that Edward Savage Esqe. is +[and] on the 1st day of September instant was, a Justice of the Peace within +[and] for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed +[and] commissioned, as appears of record in this office __ and that the within signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand +[and] affixed the Seal of the said State this sixth day of September Eighteen hundred +[and] forty three
Noah A. Phelps
Secretary of State
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Peter B Gleason
May 27. 1843
Page 25

Pen Off
May  27   '43
Sir
The application of Martha Ward a pensioner under the act of 7 July  38 for the benefit of the act of 4 July  36  has been examined +[and] disallowed _  Her husbands military service expired in Decr.  75 +[and] her marriage took place in 79 --- His subsequent engagement in the Privateer service affords no ground for a pension ___


Peter B. Gleason Esqe
Hartford 
Con:
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Hartford Connt  19th April,  1843
Sir
I send you herewith the claim of Martha Ward, the widow of William Ward, who states, that she was pensioned under the Act of 1838;  and she now claims she was married before the expiration of the last period of her husband's service, and consequently, that she is entitled to the Act of July 4,  1836. -- The proof in your Department showing the service of William Ward, will determine whether he performed any service after the 20th of Septr.  1779.
I have the honor to be Your Obedient servant
Peter B. Gleason


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County    ss Middletown
Be it remembered that on the Seventh day of March AD 1843, personally appeared William Cornwell and deposes and says that he's about Seventy five years of age in that he was born in said Middletown where he is now an inhabitant, and where he now resides.  that he was well acquainted with William Ward in his life time, since deceasd. of said Middletown, and that he was married to Martha Cornwell, on or about the 20th day of Sept  AD 1779 -- that he was at their marriage and saw the ceremony performed by the Revd. Mr. Benedict, then pastor of the Church in the Society of Middle[unintelligible] in Said Middletown
William Cornwell

Sworn to, on the date and day aforesaid written Before me.
Danl J. Griswold 
Juste of Peace

I hereby certify that said Wm. Cornwell is considered a man of truth and veracity, and having known him for about 30 years I believe him to be a man of truth and veracity.
Danl J Griswold
Juste of Peace
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Middlesex County, March 14. 1843.  I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court for Middlx. County do hereby certify that Daniel J Griswold Esq was on the 7 of March 1843 +[and] now is a Just. of the Peace within +[and] for the County of Middlesex _  +[and] that his name subscribed to the preceeding of Certificate is his proper hand +[and] writing +[and] signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand this 13th day of March AD.  1843
Jno.. Fisk Clk
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County   ss    Middletown
On this 14th day of March  1843 personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Middletown Martha Ward who being first duly Sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th.  1836.    That she is the widow of William Ward who Served in the War of the Revolution and that She was pensioned under the Act of the 7 of July  1838 and that She Now claims that She is entitled to the provisions of the Act of July 4th. 1836     That she was married to the said William on the 20th. day of September in the year Seventeen hundred and 79 ---  and after their marriage her husband the Sd. William Served in the Privateer Service
Martha X Ward
her mark
In presence of  
Linus Cox
James Hurlbert 2d
Sworn to before me this 14th day of March AD. 1843
Linus Cox Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown
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State of Connecticut
Office of Secretary of State
I do hereby certify that Linus Cox Esq is, +[and] since the 20th of June last past has been the Judge of the Court of Probate within +[and] for the Probate District of Middletown in said State duly appointed, commissioned +[and] qualified, as appears of record in this office.  I further certify that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand +[and] affixed the Public Seal of the said State this twentieth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred +[and] forty three
Noah A. Phelps
Secretary of State
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Hartford Ct. Sept. 13th.  1838

I send you the pension papers of the widow Martha Ward of Middletown in Middlesex County.  An early examination of them will oblige.
Sir
Very Respectfully
Your obed:  serv.
J Toucey


J. L Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions 

[there are two arithmetic additions of numbers shown on the right upper and lower sides of page; top is : 23.33 + 144 = 24.77; bottom is 1.43 + 23.33 =24.76]
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[page divided in half vertically]

[left half of page]
1933 - Sept. 8 -- Hist. to Miss Elizabeth Wightman -- J.L.L.

[right half of page]
Revy
WIDOW, &c [et cetera]

File No.  25848
Martha Ward
wid of William Ward
Pri   Rev. War

Act March 3d. 43
Index:  Vol. W.,   Page  313

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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307 E. High St.
Mt. Pleasant, Mich.,
August 27, 1933.

Sec'y
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
I have the following records of two ancestors of the revolutionary period, which I should like to have confirmed, and any further information you may have regarding them will be appreciated.

Abraham Wightman [word "no" written above name], born in Colchester, Conn., died in Canada in 1826.  Served under Capt. Nehimiah Waterman in the same company with his three  brothers, George, James, and John.  Is on the roll of honor of the D. A. R.  You will notice the last entry date of birth, also the name of the place was Canada where he died, also what

[the following writing was on the left side of page written vertically from bottom to top of page]  Wm Ward on reverse side

[a circular date and time-received stamp was on top left of page with numbers 1 through 12 printed on the inside edge of the stamp; The RECEIVED arrow is pointing to about 3:45; Also is printed "AUG 29. 1933, MAIL SUB-DIV., READER 12, VETS. ADM."]
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placed him on the roll of honor of the D. A. R.

The second is Wm. Ward, [written above line is "only Conn. sol."] Middletown, Conn., said to have served as drum major in the revolution, and to have died before 1793.
Thanking you for this favor, I am,
Very truly,
(Miss) Elizabeth R. Wightman
Page 35

[page divided in half vertically]

[left side of page]
let to P. B. Gleason, May 27, 1843
  "   "  B. Colton.       Nov 4.       "

[right side of page]

Connecticut. --  358
Martha Ward
widow of William Ward

[cross out begins] who was pensioner under the Act of [cross out ends]
and who died [crossed out words "in the"] in 1808 of Middlesex in the State of Connt. who was a Pri in the Compy commanded by Captain Sumner of the Regt. commanded by Wyllys in the Cont. line for  7 mos +[and] 13 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 24 Dollars 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sepr. 38 and sent to Hon. Isaac Toucey, Hartford County

Arrears to the 4th of Sept.    $ 61.90
Semi=annual allowance ending  12.38

$ 74.28

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by  R.  Burdine     Clerk
Book. A. -  Vol.  1. -   Page 217