Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1252, Thomas Edwards, Continental Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776) 
SERVICE: Continental   Mass.
Edwards, Thomas
Polly

NUMBER:  W. 1252
{B.L.Wt. 650-200. Lieut.
Issued Oct 26 1789.
No Papers.

CONTENTS
Page 2

1107

Maine
Polly Edwards
widow of Thomas Edwards
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Judge Advocate
Massachusetts Reg
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 600 Dollars ~
Cents per annum to commence on the 
3 February 1853
___________
Certificate of Pension issued
the 30th day of July 1853
and sent to 
W. E. Edwards
Portland, ME
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act
[Feb 2 1846 is crossed out] 3 Feb 1853 Page 3 Vol. A.

[Next Page]
Notification with the case with order
in case of Sarah Harman delivered
from Post Office & sent again 30 Oct 1855
Page 3

United States of America

On this thirteenth date of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifth three, personally appeared before the Hon. Asher Ware Judge of the United States for Maine District, Polly Edwards, a resident of Portland in the County of Cumberland, and State of Maine, aged Eighty four years who upon oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, March 3d, 1843, 17th June 1844, 2d February 1848 and 3d, February 1853.
And this declarant states that she is the widow of Thomas Edwards, late of Boston in the State of Massachusetts deceased, She states that her husband was a resident of Boston in the time of the Revolution, and enlisted at Boston as she believes as a Lieutenant, and was promoted to Judge Advocate and at the close of the service was Judge Advocate General. That she recollects of hearing him state he was in the service with Doct. William Eustis as a sergeon in the Revolutionary War. 
She is unable to give the particular time of her late husbands Thomas Edwards service but she thinks her husband aforesaid served for the period of seven ears. The she is unable to state in what company
Page 4

or Captain or Captains but refers the Commission of Pensions for the proof hereunto annexed and more particularly the proof on file in the office of the Secretary of War
She further states that her name was Polly Jerrett prior to her marriage to Thomas Edwards and that she was married to said Thomas Edwards on the nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred + two, at Boston in the State of Mass. 
She further states that her late husband Thomas Edwards died at Boston on the fourth day of August 1806
She further states that she is still a widow and has not intermarried since the death of her late husband Thomas Edwards.
She further claims a pension under the act aforesaid and adduced the annexed proof of her late husband Thomas Edwards testimony in support of the claim

Polly Edwards her X mark

witness
Ashur Ware

Signed & sworn to before me the day & year above named
Ashur Ware
Page 5

Maine District ss:
Office of the Clerk C.C.U.S.
J Geo F. Emery Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for Maine District hereby certify that Ashur Ware who signed the foregoing certificate was at the time of signing the same and still is judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine, duly commissioned and qualified and full faith and credit are due to his acts as such, and his signature thereto is genuine.
I further certify that Joseph Isley who signed the preceding certificate dated "[illegible] April 6, 1853" was at that time a Justice of the Peace within + for the County of Cumberland duly authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, and his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Circuit Court this thirteenth day of April 1853
Geo. F. Emery
Clerk Circuit Court
U.S. for 
Maine District
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Suffolk. City of Boston. 
Thomas Edwards Esq. + Polly Jerret, married by the Rev. John Lathrop, D.D. nineteenth June One thousand Eight hundred two

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: -
"19th June 1802"
Artemas Simonds

I, Artemas Simonds above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of City Registrar, in the City, County, and Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records fo said City, with the exception above named, as certified by me. 

Artemas Simonds City Registrar.

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this twenty third day of April A.D. 1853 + I certify that I have no intent in the [illegible] or result of this claim

WM Palfrey Justice of the Peace.
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston, April 23 1853,

I hereby Certify, That at the date hereof William Palfrey is a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Suffolk 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

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written
E M Wright [signature]
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
[seal]
Page 8

Hon. L.P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 9

Mary Edwards
Page 10

No 1242
Polly or Mary Edwards
widow of Thomas
Maine

Let to. W G Edwards
29th June 1833

Act February 3 1803
Page 11

May [illegible] 

Appl. of Polly (or Mary Edwards wid. of Thomas.

Cumberland Co. Maine 

was Judge Advocate 

Act 3d Feby 1853 
$600.00 per Annum 
Commencing 3d Feby 1853 
Revy [Revolutionary]
Judge Advocate 

Wm E. Edwards 
Portland Me - 
Present 

Stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business
Page 12

Rev
Widow, & c.

File No. 1252
Polly Edwards
Widow
Thomas Edwards
Judge Advocate Rev. War
Act: Feb. 3, 1853

Index: - Vol. H, Page 209

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Brief in the case of Polly Edwards, widow of Thomas
Cumberland County and State Maine
act 3rd February, 1853

Claim, ("original," or [crossed out illegible]")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or support by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Original case, record evidence of service, marriage of Thos. Edwards death,

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Wm. E. Edw
Page 14

Hon L. P. Waldo 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 15

Portland, Me. July 11, 1853 
Hon. L P Waldo 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir - Please receive the accompanying documents which I trust will furnish the additional testimony required in the case of Mary Edwards who claims a pension as widow of Thomas Edwards. The affidavit of Mr Davies it is hoped will be sufficient to establish the official character of James W. Sever who signs one of the papers in her case, as Recorder of the Cincinnati Society of Massachusetts.

Should any further evidence be required in this case, please draft a note to James L Edwards, Esq. of your City and he will provide the same [illegible] it to be furnished [illegible].
Yrs very respectfully 
Wm. E. Edwards [signature]
Page 16

Washington, May 4th 1853

Sir
I herewith enclose the papers in the case of Mrs Polly (or Mary) Edwards, widow of the
late Thomas Edwards, deceased. She claims a pension under the act of February 3d 1853. As her husband was Deputy Judge Advocate and Judge Advocate General two years and upwards, as the Journals of the old congress will shew, she is entitled to an allowance of $600 per annum. Please to send
the Pension Certificate to William E. Edwards, Esq of Portland, Maine.
I hand you these papers in compliance with the request of a relative. I am not an agent in this, nor any other case, in your Office
I am, respectfully,
Your obt Ser.
J.L. Edwards [signature]

L. P. Waldo, Esq
Commissr. of Pensions
Page 17

STATE OF MAINE.

CUMBERLAND. SS.

Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND July 11th A.D. 1853

I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Charles B Merrill and Edward H Davies, Esqs are and at the dates their certificates to the papers thereto annexed, were 
Acting Justices of the Peace.
within and for [blank the county of Cumberland as appears by the papers hereto annexed: that they are DULY COMMISSIONED and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid -- and that the following SIGNATURES purported to be theirs are GENUINE. 

IN TESTIMONY WEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, for said State, the day and year first above written,

CC Harmon, Clerk.
[seal]
Page 18

State of Maine 
Cumberland ss;

 On this eighth day of July AD 1853 personally appeared before my A Justice of the Peace & Quorum within and for the County & State aforesaid, John Merrill a resident of Portland, who being duly sworn according to law declares that he has Known for many years Polly or Mary Edwards of Portland, that he knows her now, and that she is the widow of Thomas Edwards formerly of Boston, Mass.  He further states that the said Mary Edwards now resides at Portland with her son William E. Edwards, and that she is the widow of Thomas Edwards, as he knew her prior to the decease of the said Thomas and has known her ever since 
He further states that he is not interested in any way in the claim of the said Mary Edwards for a Pension-
J Merrill, M.D. [signature]

June 8th 1833. Cumberland ss.   Personally appeared the above named John Merrill, who subscribed & sworn of the above statement and I certify that he is a credible Witness- Charles B Merrill Just. Peace [signature]
Page 19

I Charles S. Daveis of Portland,
State of Maine declare that I am
and have been personally acquainted with
Mary Edwards, widow of Thomas Edwards,
for a number of years. Her husband was a 
member of the Massachusetts Society of
Cincinnati, of which he was Secretary,
His name is borne upon the original roll
or list of subscribing members, who were
officers of the Revolutionary Army belonging
to Massachusetts. His rank was that of
Lieutenant and Judge Advocate. Mrs. 
Edwards has been recognized and received
regular releif as his widow in the annual
grants of the Society. John Edwards, her
eldest son, has been admitted a member
of the Society in place of his deceased father.
I am President of the Society, James W. Sever,
is assistant Secretary and recorder, His style
is Recorder.
C.S. Daveis.
Page 20

State of Maine,
Cumberland Ss.
Personally appeared the within original
Charles S. Daveis and made oath that
the within statement is true
before me
Edward H Davis
Justice of the Peace
Page 21

At a meeting of the Standing Committee
of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
on Tuesday, the 4th of August, 1806-
Voted, That as a mark of respect to the
memory of our deceased friend and brother,
Thos. Edwards Esq, our Secretary; and 
Judge Advocate General of the late 
Revolutionary Army; the Society be requested
to attend his funeral on the morrow, Wednesday
the 6th August, from his late 
dwelling house in Middle Street, at half past 5 o'clock P.M.
Per order of the Committee
C.P. Sumner
Recorder
Page 22

Boston April 27th 1853

I hereby certify that the within vote is a true copy from the record and that it was ordered to be printed in the Centinel and Democrat (the two papers printed on the day of the funeral) and signed by  C P Sumner the Recorder.

James W. Sever Recorder [signature]
Mass. Soc. of the Cincinnati.
Page 23

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
[seal]
Secretary's Office, Boston:
April 20. 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 Thomas Edwards is borne on the continental Army Books, Col. Henry Jackson's Regt from May 31. 1777 to Dec. 31, 1780. 43 months. 
Lieut & Adjutant 34 mos & 9 days   & as Lieut. & Advocate 8 mos. 21 days   Endorsed below his account: "By resolve of Congress Sept 21. 1781. Judge Advocate." 

On a return of Officers of 2d Regt Col. E. Sproat Apl. 16, 1783 as Lieut. & "Judge Advocate to the Army." 

On various muster rolls of Lt. Colo Co. Col. H. Jackson's Regt for Oct. 1779. Apl. May, June + July 1780, in which Co. he was Lieut.
Page 24

To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sir, The undersigned, Mary Edwards, 
a resident of Portland in the county of Cumberland
State of Maine, aged 84 years requests the Secretary
of State of Massachusetts to furnish evidence of the
service of her late husband, Thomas Edwards,
in the War of the Revolution from the rolls and
other documents in your possession.
My said husband entered into the service
as I have often heard him say at the beginning
of the Revolutionary war as Lieutenant
and served in that capacity and as Judge Advocate
and Judge Advocate General until its
close, but knowledge of his particular
service. I request therefore, that the Secretary
will make search for all the service that may 
be found upon the rolls and other documents in
your possession and direct the same to 
Wm E Edwards, Portland, Maine.
May her X mark Edwards

Witness Wm. E. Edwards
Portland April 6, 1853
Signed in my presence and before me
Joseph Illsley Justice of the Peace
Page 25

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 my clerks alone; and that said
application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts 
and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

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

EM Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.