Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4516, for John Space, New Jersey
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SERVCE NUMBER
New Jersey Space, John W.4516
Abigail
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3706
Pennsylvania
Abigail Space
widow of John Space, decd.
who died on the 16th September 1813
of Luzerne Co. in the State of Penna.
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Lure of the Regt. commanded
by Colo [Illegible] in the N Jersey
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna. (Philadelphia)
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of April
1842 & sent to Honble. B. A.
Bidlack, House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of March 1842 $880.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 40.00
$920.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836,}
{Section the 300}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol 1st Page 159
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reported
let: 22 April 1842
to H. Wright.
Letters to [Illegible] Auditor and
Harrison [Illegible] 
Penna Septr 24th 1842
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Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefits of the 3d Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
State of Pennsylvania}
Luzerne County Ss}
On this 27 day of February 1837 personally appeared in open court, before the Honble the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Luzerne County Abigail Space a resident of Fairmount township in said County aged Seventy Seven 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 July 4th 1836 That She is the widow of John Space who was a private in the Continental troops - That he Enlisted at Hackettstown in the State of New Jersey for the Space of three years in Captain Lewis Company of Volunteers in the Commencement of the war the date She cannot precisely recollect but thinks it was in 1776 - He remained his term of three years with the exception of the time he was at home on furlough She frequently saw him in the Service during this time tho She was not then Married - and after his first term of three years, he was returned during the war and kept in the Service for a period of Seven years and Seven months - She cannot tell where
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he was principally - but She recollects of his being in Genrl Sullivans Army on his tour thro Wyoming - and that he [illegible] Some time gone to the South after her marriage She cannot tell what battles he was in but recollects of is Coming home on one occasion and Stating he had [illegible] very narrow chance - and exhibited a ball hole thro his hat - That he was discharged in writing and She frequently Saw it & it was kept in the family a long time and was finally destroyed or lots - That she is now very poor, aged, feeble and infirm
She further declares that She was Married to the said John Space on the 7th day of March 1780 - that her husband the aforesaid John Space died on the 16th day of September 1813, and that She has remained a widow Ever Since that period, as will [Illegible] fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Sworn to and Subscribed} her
in open Court on the} Abigail X Space
day & year above written} mark
Jno. Smith}
Feb 27th 1838 Prothonotary
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And at the same time and place the said Abigail Space being further Sworn States that She Knows of no person living who was present at her Marriage with the Said John Space and that She has no family record of it
her
Sworn and Subscribed} Abigail + Space
in open Court} mark
Feby 27 - 1838}
Jno Smith}
Prothonotary

Benjamin Bidlack - aged Seventy Nine being duly Sworn in open court, deposes and Says that he has been well acquainted with John Space the husband of the above applicant and was in the service with the Said John in Captain William H[illegible] Company of Contenintal troops Successively in the regiment commanded by Col. DeHart and Barber for a period of two years & More - this period was in the years 1781, 1782 and 1783 - That he was with him at the taking of Cornwallis at Yorktown - This deponent has no doubt but he was in the Service during the who war - This deponent now draws a pension under the United States - That Some time in the year 1782 he first became acquainted with the above Abigail Space and at that time She was deemed and reputed to be the wife of the Said John and
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And the lived and Cohabitated together that he Knew them for many years afterwards And they then lived and Cohabitated together as Man and Wife - This depont thinks the Said John Space died about the year 1813 - Deponent has no Knowledge that the Said Abigial has been Since Married
Sworn and Subscribed}
in open Court this} Benjamin Bidlack
27 Feby 1838}
Jno Smith}
Prothonotary

John Bennett and William Koons being duly Sworn in open court depose and Say that they are both well acquainted with the above named Abigail Space and Benjamin Bidlack - that they are both persons of truth and veracity - and they have full confidence in their respective Statements - and that from reputation they have no doubt but that the Said John Space husband of the said applicant was out during the whole war of the revolution 
affirmed
Sworn and Subscribed} John Bennet
in open court this}
27 Feby 1838} Wm Koons
Jno Smith}
Prot
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V3216
Abigail Space
Pennsylvania
on roll for the
war Col S[illegible] Capt L[illegible] Co. N.J
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State of Pennsylvania}
Luzerne County Ss}
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 John Space was a revolutionary Soldier, and Served as  Stated in the foregoing declaration And they further Certify that it appears to them that the Said Abigail Space the above named was and is the widow of the Said John Space that She was Married to him before the last term of his Service [illegible] in the Army of the revolution - and that he died about the time Stated in the declaration of the Said Abigail and that She has Since remained a widow - That it appears to them that the Said Benjamin Bidlack, John Bennet and William Koons are persons of Credibility and that their Statements Are Entitled to full faith and Credit - and that they are residents of the County 
I John Smith Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Luzerne County do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original procedings of the said Court in the Matter of the Application of Abigail Space for a pension -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this 28th day of Feby 1838 - at Wilkes-Barre in the County aforesaid - John Smith Prothonotary
By M.E. Jackson
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Hon. J.L. Edward
Com. of Pensions
Wshington
D.C.
[Written in the lefthand margin are the words]
[Illegible] May 25
[Illegible]
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Wilkes-Barre may 21, 1838.
Hon. J.L. Edwards}
[Illegible]}
I am the Attorney in Law and fact of Mrs Abigail Space - & any [Illegible] May be addressed to me - I Suppose I [illegible] to in my name [illegible] envelope inclosing this paper -
I am exceedingly Sorry for the result of Mrs Anne Myers - The Court [illegible] Satisfied of the Con[illegible] of her Statement in [illegible] to her family record & the Mistake Specifically explained & beside these is a living [illegible] where Evidence is on file in the war office that he went home with the applicants [illegible] during the war and that he was married at that time - If [illegible] matter can be reviewed & a favorurable result had in the case the [illegible] this given [illegible] very
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Much rel[illegible] the [illegible] that on one can [illegible], who have not had the Sordid hand of poverty heavily laid upon him - or of old age and debility without a hand to be extended for Relief - That he husband was in the Service - there is living Evidence & but for the Mistake in Making out a family record by the husband some twenty years afterwards She must pay the [illegible] of [illegible] & [illegible] - She States to me that the Moment after her husband made out the record as he Supposed Correct She told him & Convinced him of the Error & he [illegible] to Correct it [illegible] - He did not [illegible] & She [Illegible] that 20 yrs ago had a Copy taken [illegible] & at that time had it Corrected [Illegible] Certainly So long ago Could have been no Design - I do really hope the [illegible] may be re[illegible]
Your Resp [Illegible]
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Wilkes-Barre
Luzerne County
Penna.
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4516
Abigail Space
Wid.
John Space
Prv, N.J. line
Act: July 4th/36, Sec. 3a.
Index:-Vol. M, Page 233
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
[Written in the lefthand margin are the words]
Pa. Apl 21, 1842
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Wilkes Barre Apl 14, 1842
[Illegible] Sir
I have enclosed to Hon B A Bidlack, with Some other papers, the deposition of Benj. Bidlack, the father of one Representative, [illegible] & very respectable clergyman of one place, in the application of Abigail Space for a pension - In your letter of Jany 21 1842 you State, that "the proof of her Marriage, having been before the termination of the revolutionary Service of her husband is not Sufficient. Benj Bidlack States that Some time in the year 1782, he became acquainted with the claimant, & that She was then reputed and believed to be the wife of John Space. He should state from what circumstances, he is enabled to determine the period to have been in 1782, and it should be clearly proved that her husband Served after her marriage," &c
Mr Bidlack has gone on in his last examination to State circumstances, that I think will be Satisfactory on the point of Service after Marriage, Mr. B. thinks as you will discover that, it was 1781 - and he comes to this conclusion from a detail affects - this is the only defect pointed out in the testimony - and this being now Supplied - May I [illegible] you the Speedy dispostion of the Old Soldiers needs widow - She is in want, & I feel anxious for her
Yours Most Respectfully
truly
J.L Edwards Esqr H. [Illegible]ight
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Hon.
J. L. Edwards
Com Pensions
Washington DC
[In the lefthand margin is written]
PA. Apl 19 1842
[In the righthand margin is written]
Hon B.A. Bidlack
H. R[illegible]
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Washington DC
April 18 1842
Sir
Enclosed I send you [illegible] testimony in the case of Mrs. Space and [illegible], from John B[illegible] in relation to the Soldier who Served 
[illegible]
under Genl St Clair 
Most Respectfully
[Illegible] B A Bidlack
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Hon J L Edwards
Comm Pensions
Washington
DC
[In the lefthand margin is written]
Jan 21, 1842 
Pa
[In the righthand margin is written]
Hon. B.A. Bidlack
H.R.
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Washington
Jany 20 42
Sir
please at your earliest Convenience Examine the within papers & [illegible] know the [illegible]
Most Respectfully
Your obt Svt
B A Bidlack
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S1212 Mch 8, 1838
3
Pension Office
Pa
4 July '36
3d Sec
[Illegible]
Mr. Allison
[Written upside down are the words]
The Honble
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FREE
Hon B.A. Bidlack
M.C.
Washington
D.C.
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Hon B. ABiclack
My Dr Sir
In answer to a letter of yours to the pension office [Illegible] out by one from me, J L Edwards, Esq, Says - that the [illegible] Should be Some circumstances mentioned by Benj Bidlack to [illegible] it was that he [illegible] that he Saw the wife of John Spence in 1782 on 1781 - I have made out a detailed Statement of facts, which I am Sure will be Satisfactory to the Department - I hope you will give this Matter an [illegible] Consideration as Old Mrs Space is in very needy circumstances, and I feel anxious that the old Lady may be able to get Some thing - the husbands Services would really seem to Entitle her to assistance - The link now Supplied by the testimony of your Father, is the only one pointed out by Mr Edwards; and may I ask your to lay the paper before the Department at once, and use your influence in the old widows behalf - Let me know her fate at once
Yours Most truly
H. [Illegible]ight
Wilkes Barre Apl 13' 1842
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3216
Abigail Space
of John
Pennsylvania
Admitted
Private 2 yr $80-
Cap. Sure Col Shreve N.J
died 16 Sept. 1813
Act 4 July 1836
Hon: B.A. Bidlack
H.R.
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V
Abigail Spence
Pennsylvania
Suspended
See let 29th May
1838 N B Wright
let: 21 Jany 1842 Hon
B. A. Bidlack
Act 4 July 1836
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Hon B.A. Bidlack
HR
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Commonweatlh of
Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Ss
Be it known that on the fifteenth day of April AD 1842, in Open Court during the Sittings of the Common pleas of Said County personally Came Rev Benjamin Bidlack aged eighty one years & upward, and being duly Sworn according to Law doth depose and Say, that he enlisted in the early part of the year 1776 in the revolutionary army & marched to Boston. and Served one year; and after the expiration of that year he came to Luzerne County to visit his parents, and again enlisted in Carlisle, Penns in in the Pennsylvania line in 1778 1779, and served at that time the period of his enlistment three years - And then Started on a visit to the New England States, got as far as the Sussex Court house in New Jersey, and found a recruiting officer and there enlisted in April 1781 during the War, and that during this Service he first became acquainted with John Space who was a private in the Same Company with him, under the Command of Capt Holmes, in Col. DeHarts regiment That during the Summer of 1781, deponent was with Said Space and four or five others on a recruiting party, and that one evening the party Stopped at a Tavern in Sussex County, near the residence of the Said Space, and he left the party to go and Stay with his wife. And in the morning his wife returned with him, this was the first time deponent ever Saw Abigail Space, and among the residents
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in and about the Tavern the said Abigail was taken and reputed to the the lawfull wife of the said John; that in the evening when the Said John left to go and Stay with his wife, the Said deponent and others of the said Johns fellow Soldiers, asked him to bring his wife with him in the morning which, he did and this deponent verily believes that She was his lawful wife - And that the Said John Served in the [the word Army is crossed out] revolutionary Army int he Same Company with this deponent - was at the taking of Cornwallis - and Served untill the close of the war, and Served in the regular army for upwards of two years after deponent first Saw the Said Johns wife - And that the deponent did not again See the Said Abigail untill about the year 1786 or 1787, when the Said John and his wife Abigail Came to this County, where they lived together untill the death of the Said John, that they lived together as lawfull man and wife, and were so reputed and taken to be by all who knew them The deponent Served for upward of two years with the Sasid John, and he was a brave and good Soldier
Sworn & Subscribed in open}
Court this 13 day of April} Benjamin Bidlack
AnoDi 1842 before me}
John N Conyngham}
P[illegible] Judge}
and I the said John N Conyngham do further certify that the above named Benjamin Bidlack it to me well known and is a man of respectability and credibility and that in [illegible] opinion the above statement and deposition is entitled to credit and belief
John N Conyngham
[Illegible]
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Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania
Luzerne County
I Andrew Bedford Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Said County, do hereby Certify that the Signature purporting to be John N Conyngham's is genuine, and that he is President of [illegible] Said Court of Common Pleas, and that the Said Benjamin Bidlack was duly Sworn & Subscribed his Name to the foregoing affidavit in open Court - Witnesseth my hand & the Seal of the Said Court this 13th day of April D 1842
A Bedford Prothry
By Geo W Smith