Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3781, John Bliss, Conn.
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SERVICE  Conn.
Bliss, John
NUMBER R. 3781
Freeman, Mary former widow
CONTENTS
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10489
Mary Freeman
Vt
Act 7 July '38
Married before 1794

Died and left no children says John Bedel of Bath N.H.
3781
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State of Vermont 
Bradford District ⎬ 

At a Probate Court holden at Bradford within & for the district aforesaid on the 12th day of August AD 1843 Personally appeared Mary Freeman widow of Otis Freeman and who claims a pension by virtue of the services of her former husband John Bliss, deceased, who on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 & any subsequent act applicable to her case. she declares that she is 80 years of age in October next that she was married to the said John Bliss at Fairlee in the County of Orange by Parson Richards then of Piermont New Hampshire. that her said husband the aforesaid John Bliss was a private of the army of the Revolution and served as this declarant is informed and verily believes part of the time as a Sargent under Col Ledyard at New London Connecticut and perhaps at other places and under other officers amounting, as this declarant always understood and now believes to about three years in all. That she was married to said John Bliss the 24 day of October 1784 and that her husband the said John Bliss died on the 19 day of April 1793 at Bradford in said Orange County. That after the decease of said John Bliss on the 21 day of April 1795 she was married to Dan Shaw who died at said Bradford on the 14 day of November 1814 and she was married to said Otis Freeman on
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the 24 day of March 1816- and said Herman died on the 15 day of December 1832. That she was not married to the said John Bliss, her first husband, previous to his leaving the service but was married to him previous to the 1st day of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit on the 24 day of October 1784. She further declares that she is still a widow-- and that her maiden name was Mary Aspenwall
Mary Freeman [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written - Before me
W. D. Parker Judge of said Probate Court

Also on the same day and in the same Court comes Irene Aspinwall of said Bradford aged 72 years and being sworn does depose testify and say that she removed into this country from Massachusetts about 5 years ago soon after became acquainted with Mr. John Bliss and his wife now widow Mary Freeman who were then living together as man and wife and continued to do so until the death of said Bliss in 1793. Mrs Freeman was a sister to my late husband Samuel Aspinwall - after the death of said Bliss his widow the said Mary Freeman intermarried with Dan Shaw and lived with him several years and after his death she was married to Mr Otis Freeman with whom she lived several years and then he died and the
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has since been & still is his widow
Jane X Aspenwall her Mark [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court before me this 12 day of August AD 1845 and I hereby certify that the said Jane Aspinwall is personally known to me and that she is a credible witness
W. D. Parker Judge of
said Probate Court

State of Vermont
Bradford District -

I, W D. Parker Judge of the Probate Court in & for said District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Freeman widow of John Bliss for a pension. And I hereby certify that said Mary is personally known to me and that she is a credible witness

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Probate Court this 12 day of August 1843
W. D. Parker Judge
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State of Vermont
Orange County ss. 

At Bradford in said County on this 1st day of November AD 1843 personally appeared before Seth Austin a Justice of the peace within and for said County,  Mary Freeman a resident of said Bradford in said County aged Eighty years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the 3 March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war that she is now the widow of Otis Freeman to whom she was married on the 24th day of March AD 1816 and who died on the 15th day of December AD 1832. She further States that she was married to Don Shaw on the 21st day of April 1795 who died on the 14th day of November 1814 and that she was married to John Bliss of Farlee on the 24th day of Oct 1784 a resident of said Bradford, who was a solder in said war who sent from Hebron in the State of Connecticut some part of his services were under Col Ledyard and a portion of his said services he served a Sergeant. she further says that she has remained a
widow since the death of her husband Freeman
Mary Freeman {signature]

State of Vermont
Orange County ss 
At Bradford on the day of the above date May Freeman who has subscribed  to the above declaration and who is known and reputed to be and to have been the widow of the said Bliss Shaw and Freeman of the truth of which I have no reason to doubt
Before me Seth Austin
Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF VERMONT
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, November 25th 1843

I certify that Seth Austin Esq. whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate, 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, at Montpelier, this the 25 day of November in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Ferrand F Merrill
Deputy Secretary of State
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Lancaster N.H. February 20th 1844

I hereby certify that in the month of October in the year 1784 my Sister Mary Aspenwall was
married to John Bliss then of Bradford Vt, formerly of Hebron Connecticut at my Fathers
house in Fairlee Vt and that I was present at the wedding. They were married by Mr
Richardson. I was knowing to their living together as Husband and wife until they were separated by death.
John Aspenwall {signature]

State of New Hampshire Coos Ss
Lancaster Feby 20th 1844

Personally appeared the above named John Aspenwall and made solemn oath that the above affidavit is true.
Before me
Reuben L Adams Justice of the Peace

Lancaster Feby 20th 1844

I hereby certify that the above named deponent is a man of truth and veracity and a credible witness
Reuben L Adams Justice of the Peace

I James M Rix, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Coos in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Reuben L. Adams is a Justice of the
Peace within and for said County as above, and that the signature purporting to be his genuine

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
James M Rix Clerk
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REJECTED
3781
P.O.____
Mary Freeman
Service: ____

Enlisted: _____
Discharged: _____
Application Filed _____

Alleges : _____
Re-enlisted: _____

Attorney: _____
P.O.: _____

_____ Recognized  _____ Contract
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Certificate ret. to Mary Freeman
file with Conn Pensions

T.L. & A.T. Smith
Aug 19 '45
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I, F.W. Kimball of Barton County of Orleans and State of Vermont depose & say that I was at Bradford Vermont on the third day of June last and that
I the saw Mary Freeman who has apply for a pension for the service of John Bliss alive and in her usual though feeble health
J.W. Kimball  [signature]

Sworn before me this 29th day of July 1845
A Tho Smith

Washington Co
District of Columbia
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John Kimball Esq. 
Barton Vermont
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State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford 29" Dec 1843

On application for evidence of the service of John Bliss, alleged to have been a soldier of the revolution for about three years, a part of the time as a sergeant under Col Ledyard of New London, I have searched the files & record of the Pay Roll, & find and certify as follows, are

There is on file a pay abstract signed by "Ens  P. Wyllys Maj Command 9th Connt. Regt", and among the names of the "St Infantry Co" appears the following "John Bliss, Lebanon, commencement of service July 23 (1779) Expiration of service, Decr 4th - in service 4 months 11 days"

There is also on file a "return of Levies who served in the 3d County Regt part of the year 1782", on which in this entry "John Bliss, commencement of Pay May -1 Expiration of Pay Decr 29th Service 7 Mo. 29 Days

I further certify that I do not find Col Ledyard's PayRoll, nor any service of John Bliss except as above
Gideon Willis Comptroller
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Satisfactory to have the marriage before 1794
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I, Andrew B. Peters of Bradford County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 81 years depose and say that I was well acquainted with John Bliss deceased that I was acquainted with him before his marriage with Mary Aspinwall that I was not present at their wedding but I will know that they lived together as husband and wife from the year 1784 or 85 to the time of his death and I was intimately acquainted with them as I  married the sister of John Bliss for my second wife in the year 1789 and they lived together several years previous and I further say that I have often heard John Bliss &
others speak of his serving in the Revolutionary war and that he was formerly from Hebron Connecticut and that I went with him to his fathers in that place in the year 1790,
but whether he enlisted from Hebron or from Lebanon, the adjoining town. I cannot say as I never heard him or any one else ever say-

I further say that Mary Freeman of this town is the same Mary Aspenwall formerly married to John Bliss & who lived with him as his wife as before stated and further I say not
Andrew B. Peters [signature

State of Vermont 
Orange County Ss⎬  

At Bradford in sd County on this 2 day of June 1845 personally appeared Andrew B. Peters above named and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed contains the
truth and nothing but the truth before me 
J. W. D. Parker Justice Peace

I hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible witness as I am personally acquainted with him
attest
W. D. Parker Justice Peace
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I Olive Putnam of Hartford County of Windsor & State of Vermont aged 80 years depose & say that I moved into Bradford in Orange County fifty seven years ago last winter and that I lived in the same neighborhood with John Bliss and that he lived with the same woman at that time who is the present Widow Mary Freeman and that I understood at that time that they had been married by Rev. Mr
Richards and I know that they ever after that time lived together and bore the relation of Husband & wife to the time of his death
Olive X. Putnam her mark
Sarah M. Andrews

State of Vermont 
Orange County SS ⎬ 
At Bradford in sd County on this 2d day of June 1845 personally appeared Olive Putnam above named and made oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed contains the truth
Before me Thomas R Andros Justice Peace

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent and that she is a very credible witness
Attest
Thomas R Andros Justice Peace
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I, Rebecca Fisk of Bradford County of Orange and State of Vermont aged sixty eight depose & say that I have lived in this town since I was born & that I went to school to Mary Aspinwall the summer before she was married to John Bliss that I was a child at the time but I will remember the circumstances as they lived in the same neighborhood of my Father and so continued to do to the time of Mr Bliss death and I well know that they were publicly considered as legally married more than sixty years ago-
Rebecca Fisk  [signature] 

State of Vermont
Orange County ss
At Bradford in sd County on this 2d day of June 1845 personally appeared Rebecca Fisk above named and made oath that the above affidavit by her signed contains the truth
before me Thomas R Andros Justice Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent and that she is a credible witness
attest Thomas R Andros Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier June 21st 1845

I hereby certify that J. W. D. Parker Esq and Thomas R. Andros Esq whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificate are, and were at the date thereof, Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Orange in sd State, duly appointed and qualified, and that full credence is due to their acts and attestations as such

Given under my hand at Montpelier this 21st day of June A D 1845, and the seal of this Office
Ferrand F. Merrill
Deputy Secy of State
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Washington DC
29 July 1845

Sir,
We have the honor to enclose the additional evidence in the case of Mary Freeman, formerly widow of John Bliss, who claims pension under the act of 1838, being the affidavits of Andrew B. Peters, Olive Putnam and Rebecca Fisk, which evidence is required by your letter to F.W. Kimball Esq of Barton, 
Vermont, dated 7 September 1844.
We are very resp
yr obt svnt
J L & A Tho Smith


J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
-
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10689 Feby 29, 1844
Mary Freeman
7 July 1828 & 3 March 14?

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Barton Vt. Feb. 1844
Col J. L. Edwards

Sir
Enclosed are the papers of Mary Freeman for a pension under the act of July 7. 1838
also her declaration under the act of 3 March 1865

It would be a favor if you could act upon this case and Jane Aspenwall's at about
the same time as they live the same house-- and they being aged and it would be a great satisfaction to them to receive the pension at the same time
Respectfully yours
John Kimball

P.S. I have sent Mary Freemans declaration to Bradford in order to obtain the Registers certificate endorsed upon it but Mr Thomas, the Register of Probate had gone a journey and the man by whom I sent brought it back without obtaining the desired certificate and as I am anxious to send this claim in company with Mrs Aspenwall I have not time to send again to the Register - But if this certificate is indispensable you will of course 
return her declaration soon as convenient and will obtain the certificate although it will be attended with considerable expense as the Register lives over 30 miles from me and no direct mail route-
John Kimball
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10.689
Mary Freeman
formerly widow of John Bliss Vt

Suspended
Let to F.W. Kimball Sept 7 1844-
Let to J.L. & A.T.. Smith Augt 27 '45
to Jno Bedel 24th apl 46

Act 7th July 38
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Apl 18th '46
DG
Rec to cases of
Mrs. Aspinwall &
Mrs. Freeman

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D. C
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Bath N.H. April 13th 1846
Sir,
On the 8th inst. I saw the widow of Samuel Aspinwall and the Widow Freeman formerly the Widow of John Bliss both of Bradford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont at the dwelling house of William Jones

I had been requested by the Widow of James Dow who saw me at the town of Piermont on the 16th or 17 day of April 1845 to go and see Mrs Aspinwall. But before I had a convenient opportunity to do so I learned that Mr F. W. Kimball of Barton in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont a Son of John Kimball Esq late of Barton deceased, was engaged for her, & therefore I concerned myself no further about the matter, until the 8th Inst. when passing from Fairlee to Haverlate by their door I thought I would call and see what success Kimball had in those cases and accordingly did so-

I learned from Mrs Aspinwall that John Kimball Esq before his decease a short time had come to their house & desired to undertake for her & the Widow Freeman on these conditions that Mrs Aspinwall should give him one quarter part of the first money the should obtain, & that the widow Freeman should give him one third part of the first money she should draw & so the cases stood until his decease - and that after his decease his son F.W. Kimball came to their house and proposed to go on in the cases if Mrs Aspinwall would give
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him one half of the first five years pension from 1836 to 1841 and one quarter part of the remainder whenever he should obtain it, and in the case of Mrs Freeman if
she would give him one half of the first money she should draw - I also ascertained that F.W. Kimball had obtained Mrs Aspinwall's pension and obtained the money since the 4 March 1846 - 8 years $320 and paid Mrs Aspenwall $190. leaving him $130, for proving the Marriage-
-
Mr Aspinwall thinks that she has been deceived in this case intentionally, and that evidence was obtained in the outset that was purposely withheld until similar evidence was retaken at a late day in order to delay the pension-- with how much propriety these views are entertained by her I know not, but you will allow me to suggest that it would appear that at least pains had been taken to increase the fee in both these cases from even the agreement that John Kimball Esq himself made

Mrs Freeman formerly the Widow of John Bliss of Hebron Con. desired me to write to you, asking as full a statement of the standing of her application as the regulations of your Department will admit, as it is now presented, as she knows nothing at all about
the progress if any that has hear made in her case the last that she heard from F. W. Kimball was that he could not do anything further unless she still remained disposed to give him one half as he had partly agreed with some Gentleman in Connecticut
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to give him one half of what he might yet if he succeeded

I understood from her that she has got the impression that sufficient service of her first husband has been proved to entitle her to a pension but she, as yet, is wholly ignorant how much -

I would suggest that it might be nothing more that proper that she should at least have a full knowledge of these matters in the first place and then if she feels disposed to abide any arrangement that she may have made, well & good

I remain Very Respectfully
Your Obed, servt [illegible]
John Bedel

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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STATE OF VERMONT
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, September 13. 1845

I certify that Adams Preston Esq whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate, 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, at Montpelier, this the 13th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three,
Ferrand F. Merrill
Acting Secretary of State.
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I Andrew B Peters of Bradford County of Orange and State of Vermont certify that I am Town Clerk of said Town of Bradford and have the Custody of the records of said Town in my possession, and that upon a careful examination of the same, I can find no record of the Marriage of John Bliss and Mary Aspinwall
Bradford Augt 12th 1843  And'w B. Peters Town Clerk

I Andrew B Peters do further certify that I am now Seventy nine years of age and was well acquainted with John Bliss and Mary Aspinwall, that our acquaintance commenced about sixty years ago and I well remember of their being married but not being present I cannot tell the precise time. I well remember that in the year 1794 said John Bliss was engaged with a company in Lumbering and I was clerk of the Company and I know they were married several years previous to that time
And'w B. Peters

State of Vermont
Orange County
Bradford Augt 12th 1843

Personally appeared before me Andrew B. Peters the Signer of the foregoing certificate and affidavit and made oath that the same is just & true and that he now is town clerk and known to me to be a respectable man
Adams Preston Justice of Peace
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I, Benjamin P Baldwin of Bradford County of Orange & State of Vermont, Depose and say that I have lived in sd Bradford over sixty eight years that I am well acquainted with the widow Mary Freeman formerly the widow of John Bliss, that I was acquainted with the said John Bliss and Mary Aspenwall before they were married which was nearly sixty years ago, that I was often at their house and had dealings with the sd Bliss to the time of his death which was caused by the falling of a Bridge which was fifty years ago last April according to my best recollection, that they were lawfully married I know only by common report, but I know that lived together for a number of years before his death to all outward and common appearances as husband & wife-- and I further say that I know that the present widow Mary Freeman is the same person who was formerly the widow of the said John Bliss and that her maiden name was Mary Aspinwall

I further say not --- Benj'n P. Baldwin
---
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31 day of January AD 1844 - and I hereby certify that the above named Benjamin P. Baldwin is personally known to me and that he is a credible witness
J. W. D. Parker Justice of the Peace
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I, Joseph Clark of Bradford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont depose & say that I was acquainted with John Bliss and Mary Aspenwall and I know that the said Mary Kept school in my fathers barn the summer before they went to keeping house which I know by my own age was fifty nine years ago last fall and common report was that they were married at sd time and I know that they always lived together as husband & wife to the time of his death--

I further say that I lived in the same neighborhood with the said John Bliss from the time of his marriage to his death and I always understood and fully believe that they were lawfully married Joseph Clark

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31 day of January AD 1844. and I hereby certify that the said Joseph Clark is personally known to me and that he is a credible witness
W. D. Parker Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF VERMONT
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, February 1st 1844

I certify that J. W. D. Parker Esq whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate, 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, at Montpelier, this the 1st day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four,
F. F. Merrill
Deputy Secretary of State