Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3539, Simon French, Mass.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

French, Simon 
Betsy

NUMBER
W,3539

CONTENTS
Page 2

1125
Vermont, Montpelier
Betsy French, dec
widow of Simon French
Mass
who served in the Revolutionary 
war as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
20 Dollars 33 
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March 1848. of Cong
19th August 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 
13th day of April 1854 
and sent to 
Richard M. Young
Present

Recorded on roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 27 Vol. A,
Page 3

Betsey French
Daughter of Simon and Betsey 
French was 
Born 
at Corinth November 26th 
1797

Polly French was born 
at Corinth 
November 24th 1799

(illegible) A French was born
(illegible) 1902
Page 4

THE NEW
TESTAMENT
Of our Lord and Saviour
JESUS CHRIST,
Newly translated out of the 
ORIGINAL GREEK;
And with the former 
TRANSLATIONS
Diligently Compared and Revised,
By His Majesty's Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in Churches
Edinbur
Printed by the Assions of Alexander
MDCCLX

this leaf torn from the Bible by me at this date (illegible) January 16th 1854 Alva Button Justice of the Peace
Page 5

State of Vermont
County of Orange

On this Sixteenth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Mrs. Susan Eaton a respectable and intelligent resident of the Turnbridge in the county of Orange & State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law does testify and say: that she has been acquainted with and well known Betsey French for more than fifteen years, that she has resided during all that period in the adjoining town of Strafford with the exception of an occasional residence with her youngest son - Clark French of this town - Turnbridge that during all this time she was a widow and the reputed widow of Simon French deceased.  That in the summer of the year 1850 she saw said Betsey French and heard her say that her husband Simon French was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.  that said Betsey French was there more than three years ago, wishing "that somebody would help her obtain the pension to which she was entitled"; that she said Betsey French then showed her old Bible on the only remaining blank leaf of which was recorded the birth of her oldest three children.  Said Betsey French then told her "that all her childrens births were once written on that & other leaves but were all torn out but one leaf"; That said bible was then in the possession of said Betsey French and the leaf hear with presented on which is written as follows "Betsey French daughter of Simon and Betsey French was born "at Corinth November 20th 1797."  
"Polly French was born at Corinth November 24th 1799" and part of the name of Hermon A. French with part of date of birth, is the leaf now torn from the identical bible of Mrs. French and appears precisely as it was then.  She further states that from her long acquaintance with said Betsey French and four of her children she believes what remains of the
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record to be true and genuine.
That in the spring of 1853 said Betsey French went from Turnbridge to Strafford when she died in the month of August last.
Susan Eaton

Sworn to and subscribed before me | Alva Button Justice of the Peace the day and year first before written.  And I hereby certify that Mrs. Susan Eaton the foregoing deponent is a credible witness, is disinterested and capable of judging on the genuineness of the record.
Alva Button} Justice of the Peace
 
I further certify that the leaf of bible of which she testifies I have torn from said bible myself at this date 16th Jany 1854.  I also certify that I have no interest in the claim of the heirs of Betsey French for the pension.
Alva Button} Justice of the Peace


State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, Mar. 3rd. 1864.

I hereby certify that Alva Button, Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand-writing, both to the forgoing certificate, and to the certificate on the accompanying leaf, is and was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Orange, duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are, and ought to be given.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of this office, this the 3rd day of March, A.D. 1854
Daniel P Thompson
Secretary of State
per Geo. R. Thompson  
Deputy.
Page 7

State of Vermont}
County of Orange} ss.

On this second day of February, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Israel Bacon, a respectable and credible witness now residing in the Strafford, who being just duly sworn according to law, doth testify and say, that he was well acquainted with widow Betsey French in her lifetime:  that she was the widow of Simon French, who for many years resided in Corinth Vt. and who died at Washington, Vt. about the year 1814:  that said Betsey French had a family of children, three of whom her daughters, Mary Brown, wife of Levi Brown, Roxana Richardson wife of Jaramiah Richardson and Sarah Paine the divorced wife of Joseph Paine, all of adult age, now reside in this town of Strafford; that the said Betsey French died at Strafford, in the State of Vermont, on the nineteenth day of August A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty three; that she was a widow at the time of her death; that she had remained a widow ever since the death of her husband Simon French, about the year 1814, to the time of her death here at Strafford, on the 19th day of August 1853. that he had knowledge of their facts from his acquaintance with her and her family, continued more than twenty five years past; that the said Betsey French had, for the last two years of her life, resided a part of the time with her youngest son, Clark French of Turnbridge, Vt. and came here to Strafford and died at her daughter's, Mrs. Jeremiah Richardson's in on the 19th day of August 1853, as above written; and that he, the said Israel Bacon
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has resided in the said town of Strafford, for more than fifty years past.
Israel Bacon

Sworn to and subscribed before me, in the day and year first above written. and I hereby certify that Isreal Bacon is a credible witness, and disinterested in this case, and that I have no interest at all in the matter.
Chas. Barrett, Justice of the Peace.
Page 9

State of Vermont} 
County of Orange} ss.
On this second day of February eighteen hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Joseph N. Stiles, a credible person, residing in Strafford, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth testify and say, that he was well acquainted with widow Betsy French in her life time; that she was the widow of Simon French, who for many years resided in Corinth, VT. and who lived at Washington Vt. about the year 1814. That the said Betsy French had a family of children, three of whom, her daughters Mary Brown, the wife of Levi Brown, Roxana Richardson, the wife of Jeremiah Richardson. and Sarah Paine, the divorced wife of Joseph Paine, all of adult age, now reside in this town of Strafford, in the state of Vermont on the nineteenth day of August, A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty three; that she was a widow at the time of her death: that she remained a widow ever since the death of her husband, Simon French, about the year 1814, to the time of her death here at Strafford, on the 19th day of August 1853, that he had knowledge of these facts from his acquaintance with her and her family continued more than fifteen years; that that the said Betsy French had, for the last two years of her life, resided a part of the time with her youngest son, Clark French, of Turnbridge, Vt. but came here to Strafford and died at her daughters, Mrs. Jeremiah Richardson's, on the 19th day of August, 1853- as above written- that he , the said Joseph N. Stiles, has resided in the said town of Strafford, for the last fifteen years, and has
Page 10

been a practicing Physician in said Strafford for the last fifteen years, and that he attended upon the said Betsey French as her physician during her last sickness.
J.N. Stiles M.D.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year first above written, to wit, the second day of February S.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty four - and I hereby certify that Jaseph N. Stiles is a credible witness and disinterested in this case - and that I have no interest at all in the matter - 
Chas. Barrett, Justice of the Peace.
Page 11

STATE OF VERMONT.

Office of the Secretary of State,}
Montpelier,                        18,5}

I certify that Charles Barrett Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificates is and was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Orange duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are, and ought to be given.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of this Office, this the third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four

Daniel P. Thompson
Secretary of State.
Page 12

to Strafford in said Orange County, some time after her husbands death. and, as I now understand, died there, in which the said Simon French and the said Betsey French resided in said Corinth, and while I knew them there, they had a number of children: said they, treated each other in all respects as husband and wife and were so reputed, recognized and received in the community where they resided, and by their relatives and friends -
Mehetibell Ruter

State of Vermont}
Orange County ss.}  At Chelsia in said Orange County this (26th) twenty sixth day of January A.D. 1854. Mehitabel Rutter personally appeared and made solemn oath, that the foregoing deposition by her subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me.  J.B. Hutchinson Judge of Probate
                                         for District of Randoph
Page 13

I John Rutter of Washington in the County of Orange and the State of Vermont being seventy five years of age, depose testify and say; that I have resided in said County of Orange for the last fifty seven years and have lived in said town of Washington for the last forty eight years; that I was acquainted with Simon French late of said Washington, deceased as early as the year A.D. 1800 according to the best of my recollection: he the said French there resided in the town of Corinth adjoining said Washington- I was acquainted then, & have since been acquainted  with Betsy French the refuted wife of said Simon French as early as said year of 1800. I understood that said Betsy French was married to said Simon French in Canaan in the State of New Hampshire, and that she came from that place to reside in said Corinth, according to the best of my recollection said French died about the year A.D. 1814 at said Washington. It was the report in the neighborhood when he died, that he had been a soldier of the Revolution and had been wounded in
Page 14

some battle or in some other way in said Revolution- I knew the said Simon French and Betsey French, as far back as he year A.D. 1800, that they raised a family of children: that they lived together and treated each other as husband and wife and were so treated and received by their relatives and by the community in which they lived - John T. Ruter

State of Vermont}
 Orange County ss.}  At Chelsea in said County this 26th day of January A.D. 1854 personally appeared John Ruttter, the signer of the foregoing Deposition, and made solemn oath that the same contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth 
Before me   
J. B. Hutchinson Judge of Probate for the 
District of Randolph
Page 15

State of Vermont 
Secretary of State office
Montpelier, March 3rd, 1854

I certify the J. B. Hutchinson, Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his own proper handwriting to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof a Judge of Probate, within and for the district of Randolph in the County of Orange, duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations , as such, full faith and credit are, and ought to be given.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribed my name and the seal of this office this the 3rd day of March, A.D. 1854. 

Daniel P. Thompson Secretary of State
per Geo. R. Thompson Dep'ty
Page 16

I Mehitabel Rutter of Washington in the County of Orange and State of Vermont being sixty eight years of age depose, testify and say: that my father moved into Corinth in said County when I was about Seven years of age, when Tacy about ten years of age I first knew one Simon French who then resided in said Corinth: at the time I first knew said French, he had buried his first wife:  I knew the children, that he had by his first wife and have attended the same school with them.  The said French afterwards married again to a woman in Canaan in the State of New Hampshire, as I understood and moved his second wife to said Corinth, and into the same neighborhood where my fathers family then lived.  I cannot tell precisely, in what year they were married but think it would have been about the year A.D. 1795. - I understood that said Simon French died about the year or near the year A.D. 1814 according to my best recollection.  I also know Betsey French the wife of said Simon French, that she survived the said Simon French and that she went
Page 17

This is a duplicate page. It has been transcribed in Object 12(Image) Designator: Fold 3 File#21777319
Page 18

Declaration





Richard M Young atty
for Joshua Eaton admt. of
Betsey French decd. of Vermont.
Page 19

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the act of July 29,1848.

State of Vermont}
County of Orange} ss

On this eighteenth day of February, A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared before the Probate Court for the district of Randolph within and for the County and State aforesaid Joshua Eaton a resident of Turnbridge in the County of Orange and State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension due the heirs of Betsey French deceased, who was the widow of Simon French deceased, for services supposed and believed, to have been rendered the United States in the Revolutionary War. - Claiming said pension under the act of Congress passed July 29, 1848 and claiming the provisions of other acts by which the heirs of such soldiers as served during the Revolutionary war or the heirs of the widow of such soldiers may receive the unclaimed pension due their parents at their death. -

That he is administrator of the estate of Betsey French late of Strafford deceased, who was the widow of Simon French deceased.  That it is reported and believed that said Simon French soon after the Revolutionary War or not far from the close of said war removed to Vermont from the State of Massachusetts, that during the time of said war he resided in the town of Salisbury Massachusetts: that he verily believes from statements of aged people who were sometime the neighbors of said Simon French that he was the identical soldier of that name who enlisted from said Salisbury and served as private in Capt Huse company of Col Gerrish Regt. of Guards, and also on board the Ship Vengeance in the Penobscot expedition and is supposed to have rendered other services in the Revolutionary war. that there is a tradition that he was severely wounded in that war the scar of which remained on his person till his death that one Abel Jackman served with him.

That he believes said Simon and Betsey French were lawfully married in the town of Canaan in the State of New Hampshire on
Page 20

the twentieth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and ninety five, and that said Simon French died at Washington in the State of Vermont on the 20th day of March AD eighteen hundred and fourteen.

That the said Betsey French was the mother of six children which she bore to the said Simon French between the years 1795 and 1814, the eldest of whom was born at Corinth Vt Nov 20th, 1797 and the youngest at said Corinth in the year 1811 as evidence herewith will show.  The names of said children and their residences are as follows. 

Betsey French now Mrs. ___ Reed resides at Londonderry in the State of New Hampshire. - The 2nd child Polly (sometimes called Mary) is now Mrs. Levi Brown of Strafford Vt. the 3rd Herman a. French is gone to parts unknown and has not been heard from by his friends for many years.  Sarah French the 4th child now resides at Strafford Vt. single, being the divorced wife of Joseph Paine. Roxy French the 5th child is now the wife of Mr. Jermiah Richardson of Strafford Vt.  The 6th child is Clark French now residing in the town of Turnbridge Vt.  These are the only surviving children of said Betsey French. - 

Said Betsey French was a widow at the time of her death, and she died at Strafford in the State of Vermont on the nineteenth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and fifty three.

He still further declares that he has no record of the marriage of said Simon and Betsey French and that he knows of none either public or private.  That he cannot furnish the record of the birth of all their children but that the record of the birth of the first three of them as appears on the blank page of a leaf from Mrs. Frensh's old bible furnished as evidence herewith he believes to be genuine; that he saw the same while it was in the bible & in the possession of Mrs. French in her lifetime. that if the same is received as evidence in the claim it will show that the marriage must have been before the
Page 21

year eighteen hundred.

He states that said Betsey French never applied for her pension: that she made some effort to obtain the evidence of her husbands services and died without completing her application:

He makes this declaration for the purpose of receiving for the heirs of said Betsey French the amount of pension which may be found due her at her death.  She having lived a widow more than five years after the passage of the act of 1848 which entitled her to Pension.

And he declares that he has no interest in said claim for pension other than to apply for the same at the request of the heirs of said Betsey French, who are only directly interested.  
Joshua Eaton


State of Vermont}
Randolph District ss.}  At Turnbridge February 18. 1854, personally appeared before me, Johua Eaton and made oath in due form of Law, that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and I further certify that the said Joshua Eaton is the Administrator of the Estate of the said Betsey French, duly commissioned and qualified, and has given Bonds for the faithful performance of his duties. - that the said Betsey French was, previous to and at the time of her decease a resident of the County of Orange and State of Vermont.  And proof to the satisfaction of this Court, that the said Betsey French was the widow of Simon French and that said children were the children of the said Betsey and Simon as stated in said declaration and evidence that the said Betsey French deceased in this County, has been furnished before this Court of Probate within and for the District of Randolph, this 18th day of February AD 1854. - 

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court the 18th day of February AD 1854.  And I further certify I have no bitterest in the aforesaid claim - 
John B. Hutchenson Judge
Page 22

State of Vermont.
Secretary of States Office
Montpelier, Mar. 3rd 1854.

I certify that John B. Hutchinson, whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand-writing to the forgoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof a Judge of Probate, for the district of Randolph, within the County of Orange, duly elected and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given

Given under my hand and seal this the 3rd day of March, A.D. 1854.

Daniel P. Thompson
Secretary of State
per Geo. R Thompson
Deputy.
Page 23

WIDOW, &c.
Revy

File No. 3539
Betsey French
Widow
Simon French
Pri Rev War,

Act:  July 29. 1868.
Index: - Vol. A, Page 252

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

V   No.1,339.

Betsey French decd.
widow of Simon,
Vermont.

Letter to,
R.M. Young 24th March 1854.








Act 29th July 1848.
Page 25

Betsey French, deceased,
widow of Simon,
Orange Co. Vermont

Admitted - Act July 29. 1848 - 
6 months and 3 days private - 
Infantry - at rate of $20.33/m per
annum, commencing 4th March 
1848, and ending 19th August. 1853.
when her died -

Marriage in 1795 
widow died 19th Aug. 1853.

Pay to Joshua Eaton, Administrator
in trust for - 
Betsey Redd,
Polly Brown
Hermon A. French,
Sarah French (illegible)
Roxy Richardson, and
Clark French, - 
or such children of said Betsey French as may be now living

Certificate to
Richard M. Young Esqr.
Present
Page 26

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 26, 1853.

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 Simon French is borne on rolls of Capt. Saul Hues's Co. Col. Gerrish's Regt. of Guards as private from Nov 10. 1777 to Feby 3. 1778.  2 months 24 days. & from Feby 3. 1778. 1 month & 9 days.  Abel Jackman on the same rolls - 

On pay book of officers & men of Ship Vengeance on Penobscot Expedition, as private - at (pound sterling sign)2 per month - 2 months -

Order for the pay dated at Salisbury Nov. 29, 1785 -

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

E. M. Wright,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

4.03            2.24
                    1  9
                   _____
                    4.3             
4.3
2.          
____
6.3 = (illegible)

$20.33
Page 27

Application for Certificate of Revolutionary Services, made by the widow of the party who rendered the Service    

State of Vermont
County of Orange Town of Turnbridge

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the Services of Simon French in the War of the Revolution.

He was a native of the Town of Salisbury in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts.  He enlisted from the town of Salisbury or Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts about the year 1780 and served nearly or quite to the close of the War.  He served a part of the time on the water.  Was in some battles, was wounded in his right shoulder:  It is thought Abel Jackman from Salisbury served with the said Simon French.  It is thought that Simon French served a part of the time in rack a Sargeant.

I am now 78 years old and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully then above states

Witness my hand this    day of April 1853
          her
Betsey X French
          mark

Signed by said Betsey French}
in my presence Martha French}
before me Alva Button Justice of the Peace
Page 28

Richard M Young atty
for Joshua Eaton of Vt.
Page 29

Know all men by these presents that as Joshua Eaton and Samuel Cleveland of Turnbridge in Orange County and State of Vermont are holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto the Probate Court for the District of Randolph in the state of Vermont in the penal sum of one thousand Dollars, current money of the United States; for the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we the said Joshua Eaton and Samuel Cleveland do, jointly and severally bind ourselves our heirs, Executors and administrators firmly by these presents.  Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals.  Dated at Chelsea the 24th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounder Joshua Eaton who has this day been appointed administrator of the Estate of Betsey French late of Turnbridge in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, deceased, shall make , or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all & singular the goods, chattels, rights, credits and estate of said deceased, which have or shall come to the possession or knowledge of the said Joshua Eaton or into the possession of any other person or persons for him and the same return or cause to be returned to the Register of the Probate Court for the District of Randolph on or before the 24th day of March next ensuing: and the same and all other the good, chattels or rights credits and estate of the said deceased at the time of her death which at any time after shall come into the possession of the said Joshua Eaton or into the possession of any other person or persons for him, administer according to Law, and of the same pay and discharge all debts and charges
Page 30

chargeable thereon, or such dividends thereon as shall be ordered and decreed to be paid by said Court and a true and just amount of his administration return to said Register on or before the 24th day of January AD 1855 and perform all the orders and decrees of said Court by him to be performed in the premises there the above obligation to be void otherwise in force. 
Joshua Eaton L.S.
Samuel Cleveland L.S.
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence of} 
J.B. Hutchinson}

State of Vermont - Randolph District ss.
I John B. Hutchinson Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Randolph hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the original Bond of Joshua Eaton now on file in the registry of this Court and is considered good and sufficient and to the satisfaction of this Court - I hereby further certify that the said Administrator of the Estate of the said Betsey French represents to this Court that the said Betsey French died without estate other than her claim to a pension, and that her pension would be of small amount.  No inventory of any other estate of said Betsey French has ever been returned to this Court.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Wet Randolph in said District this 4th day of April A.D. 1854.
John B. Hutchinson, Judge
Page 31

(Sideways on page)
Betsey French
Vt    Ius 29048

Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 32

Washington City
April 10.1854.

Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions

Sir,
Enclosed I send you the copy of the administration bond for Joshua Eaton administrator of the estate of Betsey French dec. as directed by your instructions, which you will please file with the papers in the case of the application of Joshua Eaton of Turnbridge, Orange County, Vermont, for arrearages of Pension in adm. of Betsy French dec. who was the widow of Simon French dec. for service s in the Revolutionary war - under act of Congress of July 29. 1848.

The papers were filed in the Pension office March 18th or 19th.1854.

You will please send the Certificate for payment to my care when ready for delivery.

Very Respectfully &c
Richard M Young atty
for Joshua Eaton of Vermont
adm. of Betsey French dec.
Page 33

Washington City     March 18 1856.
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions

Sir,
Enclosed I send you the declaration of Joshua Eaton administrator of the estate of Betsey French (widow of Simon French) of Vermont, for arrearages of Pension under act of Congress of July 29. 1848 - You will please send the Certificate to my care when ready for delivery.
& oblige
Richard M Young atty
for Joshua Eaton (adm. of
Betsey French) of Vermont.
Page 34

Brief in the case of Betsey French, deceased, widow of Simon French
Orange County and State of Vermont
act 29th July 1848-

Claim, ("original,"[or "for increase." crossed out])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband's service of 6 months and 3 days
as private of Infantry shown by Certificate of
Secretary of State of Massachusetts
Marriage, in 1795, proved by date of births
of children of private record, and parol testimony witnesses certified to be credible

(If for increase. crossed out)
(Has advice been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? crossed out)

Death of Widow, (19th Aug. 1853) shown by
Certificate of Court as is the death of husband
(in 1814) and names and number of children
administrator regularly appointed - to whom amount has been ordered to paid - at rate of $20.33 per annum from 4th. March 1848 to death of said widow.

R. M. Young
Name and residence of Agent
Present
R Geddis
Examining Clerk.