Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,066, for Richard Spear, Massachusetts
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Mass|Spear, Richard|W. 20,066|
[blank]|Polly|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
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Spear, Richard
Mass W20066
Richard Spear
2 Day May
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State of Vermont
County of Chittenden} On this ['first' crossed out] second day of May AD 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Assistant Judges of Chittenden County Court for the said County; personally appears Richard Shear, aged about sixty one years, resident in Huntington in said County, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war; That he the said Richard Spear, enlisted some time in the year 1776 at Braintree in the State of Massachusetts into Captain Isaac Thayer's Company, the exact time not recollected, nor the name of the Colonel, who commanded the Regiment but it was in the Massachusetts line. - for nine months, that he continued to serve in the said corps or in the service of the United States untill he was honorably Discharged, but received no written Discharge - That he afterwards enlisted into Captain Stephen Penniman's Company he thinks for four months - in the Massachusetts line and continued the full period of his enlistment. - that he again enlisted into Captain John Wild's company, the exact period for which he enlisted he does not recollect, that he continued untill Honorably discharged, - that he recollects to have been in service at the time Burgoyne was taken - but from the lapse of time and being old and infirm, can not give dates - that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. 
/s/Richard Spear
[receipt stamp: THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES]
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid} 
/s/Truman Chittenden
I Truman Chittenden Assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court do certify that ['Richard Spear' crossed out] it appears to my satisfaction that the said Richard Spear, did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress, Huntington May 1. 1818. 
/s/Truman Chittenden
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State of Vermont
County of Chittenden} County Clerk's Office Burlington Vermont
I Nathan B. Haswell, Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify that Truman Chittenden, before whom the within Declaration and Certificate is given is an Assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court, duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name set thereto, is his own proper signature
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court to these presents, this 2d day of May 1818
/s/Nathan B. Haswell
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11.528
Vermont  B
Polly Shear deceased widow of Richard Spear who died on the [blank] of [blank] in the State of [blank] who was a Private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] line for Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Ending 11. Nov. 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of July 1853 and sent to T R Wise present
Arrears to the 4th of [blank] [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by R. McRae Clerk, 
Book D Vol. 1 - Page 141
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THE NEW TESTAMENT of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, Translated out of the ORIGINAL GREEK; And with the former TRANSLATIONS Diligently Compared and Revued, By His MAJESTY's Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in Churches. 
[logo: NEMO ME IMPUNE LASESSET (LACESSIT)]
EDINBURGH: 
Printed by the ASSIGNS OF ALEXANDER KINCAID, His Majesty's Printer. 
MDCCLXXXIX.
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Eli Spear was Born in the year february the fourth 1784
Barnabas Spear was Born in the year August 8 day 1785
Joseph Spear was Born in the year november 14 1786
Bety (Betsey) Spear was Born in the year july the 13 1788
Elijah Spear was Born in the year may 24 1790
Moses Spear born in the year July 7, 1793
[illegible] Spear [illegible]
Polly Spear [illegible]
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by acts of congress 9th July 1855.
State of Vermont
Chittenden County}ss.
On this 27th day of January, 1847. before the Probate Court holden at Burlington, in and for the District of Chittenden - in said State, in open court, personally appeared, Aaron Spear of Burlington in said State aged fifty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of 7th July 1838.
That he is a son of Richard Spear, the identical person who made oath to the old declaration, herewith forwarded, and who died on the 1st day of November 1829. & that he left a widow viz Polly Spear, whose maiden name was Polly Thayer, and that they were married as this deponent has always understood. in ['about' crossed out] the year 1783 but he cannot state the month when the  marriage was said to have taken place, that at least they were married previous to 1794, as will more fully appear by reference to the old record hereto annexed which shows the date of the truth of this, - children, whose names are recorded thereon, which is the true record, & is in the identical old original record which has been in use for more than fifty years, that it is the hand writing of Eli Thayer, brother of said Polly that Polly Spear widow of Richard Spear, this deponents mother did not intermarry
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after his death, but remained his widow untill her death which took place on the 11th day of November 1839, that she left the children her surviving, whose names are given in the certificate of the court hereto annexed all of which are of twenty one years of age - 
/s/Aaron Spear
Sworn and subscribed before the court the day and year before mentioned, for said Aaron Spear, who the court certifies is a credible witness} 
/s/Wm Weston Register
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certificate of heirship
(Special)
M Lauck
T. R. Wise, Present
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State of Vermont
District of Chittenden}ss.
I, John S. Adams, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Chittenden aforesaid, do hereby certify, that it has this day been proved to the satisfaction of said Court, that Polly Spear, widow of Richard Spear, a soldier of the Revolution, died at Burlington in said District on the Eleventh day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty nine. 
And that there are now living four children of said Polly Spear, namely; Moses Spear, Aaron Spear, Barnabas Spear and Elijah Spear. - And that these four are the only children of said Polly now living. 
And that this certificate is based on the evidence contained in the affidavits of Aaron Spear and Abijah Warner, (both of Burlington aforesaid,) hereto attached and marked by the signature of Wm H. French, judge of the court. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 23d day of July AD 1853. & I have no interest in this claim and am not concerned in its prosecution.
/s/J. S. Adams, Register
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I, Aaron Spear of Burlington in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged 60 years, depose and say that, Richard Spear of said Burlington, ['and' crossed out] was my father, and that Polly Spear, wife of said Richard, was my mother. The said Richard was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and died at said Burlington, on the first day of November AD, 1828. And the said Polly Spear, my mother, died at said Burlington, on the Eleventh day of November, in the year Eighteen hundred ad thirty nine (Nov. 11th A.D. 1839). I lived with my said father and mother at the time their respective deaths as aforesaid. 
And I further state, that the death of said Polly Spear is entered in our Family Record in our Family Bible, in the words and figures following: viz: - 
"Polly Spear, the wife of Richard Spear, died November 11th 1839."
And that said entry in said record is true and correct, and was made
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by me on or about the time of the death of said Polly, and is in my hand writing. 
And I further say that Moses Spear, Barnabas Spear, Elijah Spear, and myself are the only children, of said Polly Spear, now living That Moses and myself are residents of Burlington, Barnabas of Colchester and Elijah of Charlotte, in the county of Chittenden and state of Vermont. 
/s/Aaron Spear
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23d day of July A.D. 1853, and I certify that said affiant is credible and that I have no interest in the result of this claim & am not concerned in its prosecution. 
Before me /s/D. French Justice of the Peace
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I, Abijah Warner, of Burlington in the county of Chittenden and state of Vermont, aged 72 years, depose and say, that Richard Spear and Polly Spear his wife, deceased, of Burlington aforesaid were both well known to me, and that I lived a near neighbor to them for many years previous to their deaths. and was often at the house during the last sickness of said Polly. 
The said Polly Spear died in the month of November in the year eighteen hundred and thirty nine. My own daughter died 5 or 6 weeks after said Polly died, and my daughter died in December A.D. 1839. 
I further state that I have known and resided near, said Spears and the family, for some 46 years last past, and that the only children now living, of said Polly Spear, are Aaron Spear, Moses Spear Barnabas Spear and Elijah Spear and that the said Aaron, Moses, Barnabas and Elijah are the
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the children of said Polly Spear deceased, and are now living and all residents of the county of Chittenden aforesaid
/s/Abijah Warner
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23d of July AD 1853. 
/s/D. French Justice of the Peace
/s/W. H. French Judge
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Poly (Polly) Spear widow of Richard
act 7 July 1838
Vermont Case
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 26th 1853
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto attached Charles M Fogg was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 
[commonwealth seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, l the date above written. 
/s/E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk Town of Braintree (a)one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. May, Fourth, Richard Spear [illegible] of this Town & Mary Thayer of Templeton} Intend Marriage
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows: - (b) "1782. May 4"
/s/Samuel D. Hayden
I, Samuel D. Hayden above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, county, and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me. 
/s/Samuel D. Hayden }Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this Seventh day of May A.D. 1853. 
/s/Chas. M. Fogg Justice of the Peace
[obscured] transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full. [obscured] exactly as it is in the record.
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Richard Spear - twelve months & 16-days
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[commonwealth seal]
Secretary's Office, Boston:
November 7 1846.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Richard Spear, is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Eliphalet Sawin's Company, in Col. Joseph Palmer's Reg't, assembled, March 4, 1776. as a private, 15 days - Upon a Pay roll of Capt Isaac Thayer's Company in Col Thomas Marshall's Reg't as a private of Braintree, from June 1 to August 1. 1776. [margin note: 2-1] 2 months and 1 day. Upon another a Pay Roll of said Capt Thayer's Company, in said Col Marshall's reg't, as a private of Braintree, from August 1 1776 to January 1, 1777, 5 months [margin note: 5] - Upon a Muster roll of  Capt Stephen Penniman's Company, in Col. Nicholas  Dike's Reg't
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as a private of Braintree, taken for the months of January and February 1777 enlisted January 1, 1777 - 
[margin note: 2-] Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Nathanial Belcher's Company in [margin note: 3-] Col. Andrew Symm's reg't of Guards as a private from February 26 to May 26 1778. 3 months. Said Capt Belcher belonged to Braintree as appears from records in this Office. 
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and y clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contains all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case. 
[commonwealth seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Sea of the  Commonwealth, the date above written. 
/s/John G Palfrey
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Reproduction
Application for certificate of Revolutionary Services by the 
State of Vermont
Chittenden} Town of Burlington
The Secretary of the commonwealth of a Massachusetts, is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his Office of the services of my late father Richard Spear, who was a native of Braintree, in the State of Massachusetts, he done service some three years or more. 
He died 1st Nov 1829 - He was married to ['my' crossed out] Polly late my mother about the year 1783. She died a widow on the 11th November AD. 1839. 
On account of the length of tie since my parents' death, I am unable to give further particulars, relative to his service. 
I have empowered W. G. Wade of Rose New York to act in the premises as my attorney.
/s/Moses Spear per W. G. Wade 
Signed in my presence by said W G Wade who appears from documents, exhibited to me to be the authorised attorney. October 13th 1846 - 
/s/C. B. Collins Justice of the Peace
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V 13.246. 
Polly Spear, dec'd Vt.
Let. W. G. Wade, mar. 12, '47
T R Wise July 16 1853
Act 7 July '38
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20066
Polly Spear Widow of Richard Spear Priv. Rev War
Act July 7" 1738
Index: - Vol. M, Page 235
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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13246
Polly Spear, dec'd Vt. 
Act 7 July '38
W. G. Wade
Rose, N.Y.
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County} ss I Charles Russell Judge of Probate Court in and for the district of Chittenden in said State, do hereby certify that at a Probate Court holden at Burlington - in said District, satisfactory evidence was adduced before said court, that Richard Spear, who was formerly a resident of Chittenden County Vermont, who made an application for a pension on account of his Revolutionary services, died on the 1st day of November 1829. That at his death he left a widow viz Polly Spear whose maiden name was, Polly Thayer, to whom he was married about the year 1783 in Braintree Ma. That after his death she did not intermarry but remained his widow untill her death which took place on the Eleventh day of November (1839) One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. that at her death she left the following named children which are her only children her surviving, Viz Eli, Barnabas, Joseph, Elijah Moses & Aaron Spear all residents of Vermont, and Betsey Spear, also a resident of Vermont, and that each are of the age of twenty one years, and upwards and that ['each are of' crossed out] the old record which is hereto annexed is the true record, of the events recorded therein. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of Jany 1849. and impressed the seal of ['Office' crossed out] said Court
/s/Charles Russell Judge
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POWER OF ATTORNEY. 
STATE OF Vermont
COUNTY OF Chittenden}ss: Be it known that before the subscriber, a Master in Chancery, duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Aaron Spear aged fifty nine years, who, being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states, that he is the son of Polly Spear, late of Burlington Vt, deceased who was the widow of Richard Spear, late of said Burlington, deceased and that he believes that he, with the other children of said Polly is entitled to whatever is due, and that the United States are still indebted to them, under the laws of Congress, for the pension that was due to said Polly Spear at the time of her death and that for the purpose of investigation and establishing her claims as aforesaid, he appoints TULLY R. WISE, of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, with ['irrevocable' crossed out] powers, to examine all papers on file, and to do whatever he might do were he personally present to establish said claim. A power of Attorney was given to one Wade some years since, to procure the pension due to said Polly Spear, since her decease but what was done by him under said power I do not know 
In witness whereof, I have on this 22nd day of November, 1852, hereunto my name, and affixed my seal.
/s/Aaron Spear
[facsimile 'SEAL' affixed]
[facsimile 'SEAL' affixed]
Witness:/s/Wm Weston}
Witness:/s/Carolus Noyes}
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that said Aaron Spear has always by the community been known as the son of Polly Spear, deceased 
Dated on this 22nd day of November 1852. 
/s/Wm Weston, Master in Chancery J.P. 
STATE OF Vermont
COUNTY OF Chittenden} to wit:
I hereby certify, That Wm Weston Esq., before whom the foregoing power of attorney was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a ['Justice of the Peace' crossed out] Master in Chancery in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and, that his signature above written is genuine. And that by law he is authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of deeds. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County Court, this 22nd day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty two. 
/s/Daniel B. Buckley Clerk. 
*State whether an applicant or a pensioner.
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss.} I, Judy Thayer, of Colchester, in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged ninety years on the eighteenth day of April, 1853, testify and say that prior to and during the revolutionary war, I resided in Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. About the close of the Revolutionary war I became acquainted with Polly Thayer who then resided in Braintree, Massachusetts. She was the sister of my late husband Caleb Thayer, and she married Richard Spear, then of said Braintree, as I believe, though I was not present at the marriage. I have often heard her and the said Richard say, that they were married at said Braintree, and I think the marriage must have taken place before the year seventeen hundred and eighty four. My reasons for this belief are these. My first child, Susan Thayer, now the wife of James Austin, was born in Boston, on the twenty ninth day of March, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, and while Susan was a baby, my husband and myself removed from Boston to Templeton, Massachusetts, where the said Richard Spear and Polly, his wife, were then residing and living together as husband and wife, in her father's house, and her first child was born while they were living at her father's. The said Richard Spear and my husband immediately after we moved to Templeton, built a log house together, in said Templeton, in which the two families resided together, in the same house, for some eight or nine years, at the expiration of which time the said Richard sold out his interest there, and removed, with his family, to Burlington, Vermont, where he, and the said Polly continued to reside, until their respective deaths.
My husband and myself came to said Burlington to reside more than thirty years ago, and I resided a near neighbor to said Richard and his wife, Polly, in said Burlington, until they died. They lived together as husband and wife, from the time of their reputed marriage in said Braintree, until he died, and they had a family of eight children,
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four of whom are dead and four, viz, Moses, Aaron, Barney, and Elijah, are living. The said Richard Spear was reputed to have served in the revolutionary war. I have heard him say frequently that he served in that war. For the last  five years I have resided with my son, in Colchester, Vt.
/s/X her mark Judy Thayer
Witness, /s/Wm Weston
/s/John Thayer
Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty sixth day of April, 1853, and I certify that I have been acquainted with the affiant for more than five years last past, and that she is intelligent, and her mental faculties quite good for a person of her years, and that she is a woman of truth and credibility. 
/s/Wm Weston, Justice Peace
State of Vermont
County of Chittenden} ss I, Daniel B. Buckley Clerk of the County Court within and for the county of Chittenden aforesaid hereby certify that Wm. Weston, Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit, was sworn to and subscribed and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, and still is a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Chittenden duly qualified by law to administer oaths; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and that the signature to the above written certificate purporting to be his, is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office as Clerk of Said County Court this 30th day of May A.D. 1853. 
/s/Daniel B. Buckley
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Brief in the case of Polly Spear dec'd widow of Richard [blank] County and State of Vermont 
act July 7 1838
Claim, ("original," or ['"for increase."' crossed out])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is is documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Record evidence of service, 
Record of marriage,
Certificate of Court of death and heirship
(if for increase.) Has additional evidence been Filed since the admission of this claim? If so, what? [blank]
/s/Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Name and residence of Agent
T. R. Wise Esq Present
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[handwritten letter]
Washington D.C.
19th April 1853

To, Hon L. P. Waldo.
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir - 
The case of Polly Spear, widow of Richard, a Vermont case suspended under act of 7 July 1838. appears to me to be good. 
I ask that it be reexamined and allowed
I am very respectfully
/s/Tully R. Wise
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Polly Spear died 11 Nov 1839 
Moses, Aaron, Barney & Elijah Spear living
Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Present
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[handwritten letter]
Rose New York
February 3d 1847.

Sir, 
Permit me to present the enclosed application for the arrears of pension, due Polly Spear, late widow of Richard Spear - whose original decclaration is herewith forwarded.
I have the honor to be, very Respectfully Your Obt Serv't
/s/W. G. Wade
Hon J L Edwards
Com'r of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
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Polly Spear dec'd Widow of Richard Vt
adm'd Act July 7 1838
12 mos pri $40 per annum from 4 March 1836 to 11 Nov 1839 when she died
Pay to Moses Spear, Aaron Spear, Barnabas Spear and Elijah Spear, - only children, 
cert to T. R. Wise, Esq Present
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County} I Nathan B Haswell of Burlington in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont having duly sworn depose and say that Richard Spear late of Burlington appeared before the Honorable Truman Chittenden a Judge of Chittenden County Court on the 2d day of May AD 1818. and made his declaration of Revolutionary service for the purpose of attaining a Pension. - that the declaration was drawn up by the deponent, and placed in his hands to be forwarded to the Secretary of War. - that the same declaration was so forwarded, and returned from the Pension Office for further evidence of service- and has remained in my charge from the time to the present period, when being called upon by Miss Betsey Spear, daughter of the said Richard Spear. it now accompanied this affidavit. - this deponent further says that for more than ten years previous to said declaration being made, he was well acquainted with Richard Spear, who until the time of his death sustained the reputation of a man of integrity, and was highly respected as a citizen of Burlington. - that he signed the declaration herewith attached in the presence of this deponent, who was at the date thereof, Clerk of Chittenden County - this deponent further says that he has made inquiry and finds that Betsey Spear, is the oldest daughter of said Richard Spear. 
/s/Nathan B. Haswell
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2d day of January AD 1847 and I hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible witness}
/s/John N. Pomeroy Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss} I Elisha F. Mead Deputy Clerk of the County of Chittenden do hereby certify that John N Pomeroy Esquire was on 2ond day of January 1847 a Justice of the peace within and for the county of Chittenden duly commissioned and Sworn that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and know his signature to the within certificate ['was know' crossed out] to be genuine
[court seal affixed] In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of Chittenden County Court this 2d day of January A.D. 1847
/s/Elisha F. Mead
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County} Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace for Chittenden County, Abijah Warner, Aaron Spear and Moses Spear, who being duly sworn, say that they were well acquainted with Richard Spear and Polly Spear his wife. - that the said Richard and the said Polly are both dead, - they further state on their oath that they were each of them at the funeral of the said Richard and Polly, - that Richard Spear died the first day of November 1829. - and Polly Shear died the 11th day of November 1839. at Burlington in the State of Vermont. - they further state that Betsey Spear is now living, and was the oldest female child of the said Richard and Polly Spear
/s/Abijah Warner
/s/Aaron Spear
/s/Moses Spear
Sworn and subscribed before me this second day of January AD 1847 and I further cite that the above deponents are credible witnesses
/s/Wyllys Lyman Justice of the Peace -
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss} I Elisha F Mead Deputy Clerk of the County of Chittenden do hereby certify that Wyllys Lyman Esquire was on the 2d day of January Ad 1847 a Justice of the peace duly commissioned & sworn, within & for the County of Chittenden. That I  am well acquainted with his hand writing and know his signature to the within certificate to be genuine
[court seal affixed] In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Chittenden County Court this 2d day of January AD 1847 - 
/s/Elisha F. Mead