Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 41,964, for Elijah Pratt, Massachusetts
Page 1

Mass.  Pratt, Elijah   S41964
Page 2

11.483  R
Vermont
Elijah Pratt
of Franklin in the state of Vermont who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bailey of the Massachusetts line for the term of Three years 1780
Inscribed on the Roll Vermont at the rate of 8 dollars per month to commence on the 2 of July 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of June 1819 and sent to Seth Wetmore, Esq. St. Albans, Vermont
Arrear to 4th of March 1819  8 3/31  64.77
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819 6 mos. 48.
$112.77

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818}
Continued

(left side)
Notification sent to Horace Janes 7th
September 1822 St. Albans Vermont
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Elijah Pratt
Declaration
Copy of Record

11.483
Franklin Cy
St. Albans

com.
 J. L. E.

(faded)
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Revolutionary Claim, under Act of Congress, May 1, 1820
State of Vermont,
Franklin County SS Supreme Court July, tdy. Term 1920
On this Eleventh day of July 1920 personally appeared in open Court, being the Supreme Court, for the County of Franklin and a Court of Record for said County having the power of fine & Imprisonment Elijah Pratt aged 62 years, resident in Franklin in said County who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: I enlisted during the war on fall of the year before Majr. Andre was hung but the year i donot recollect under Apt. Abner Howard in Col. Baileys Regt. in Learnards Brigade in Massachusetts line and served untill the fall or winter of the next year, when I had a furlough to go home where I got here and was not again called for. I was with Genl. Sullivan on Rhode Island. That my original declaration is dated July 2 1818 and my pension Certificate is Numbered 11483.
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congres, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed One hundred forty acres land purchased of Saml. Hubbard Esq. for 560 dollars and mortgaged to him for the same sum and Nothing paid. Two horses 40 dollars 2 hogs 8 dolls. one calf 3 dolls. one 3 paid kettle 3 dolls. one spider 67 cents one tea kettle 1 doll. and owe about eighty five dollars have about eight or nine dollars due me. I am by occupation a carpenter but am not able to work at my trade my wife is aged 62 years she has been weakly for 20 years one daughter of 16 years old that is healthy another of the same age that is a cripple and one aged 28 years that is a cripple and helpless.
Elijah Pratt
Sworn to and declared on the 11th day of July 1820 Before the court Attest Horace Janes Clerk

State of Vermont
Franklin County, ss. I Horace Janes Clerk of the Supreme Court do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, id Fifty five dollars free from debt nothing
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 18 day of July 1820
Horace Janes Clerk

(seal)
Page 5

(left side)

Elijah Pratt, Pri
Franklin County, Vermont
Colo. Baileys regiment, Mass line
14 months Nov. 80 War
2d July 1818

Arnold deserted in the year 80
On Rolls
admitted

1 Nov 1779 for (illegible)

Bailey 1d Mass. Regt.

Seth Wetmore 
judge
St. Albans, Vermt.

(right side)
Declaration of
Elijah Pratt
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State of Vermont
Georgia District SS
On this second day of July 1818 before me the subscriber Judge of Probate within and for the District of Georgia in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont personally appeared Elijah Pratt aged fifty nine years resident in Frankin in said District of Georgia and State of Vermont 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 and 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 Elijah Pratt at Albany in the state of New York in the month of October or November the year does not and cannot recollect but says that it was the fall before General Arnold deserted & went to the British army he enlisted for & during the war in a company commanded by Capt. Abner Howard in Col. Bailys Regiment in the Massachusetts line as he believes and on the Continental service and immediately within a few days marched to West Point in the State of New York. He continued to serve in said troops or in the service of the United States untill the latter part of the fall or beginning of the winter after Maj. Andre the British spy was executed. He says that the time he served was fourteen months and a few days. he further states that he was unwell and not able to do duty. he says that he being & by Col Baily gave him a permit to return to his Father's house & to lay there untill he obtained his Health
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or should be sent for or words to that effect-which permit he says he has lost. He further says he returned to his Fathers House in Cant. Town in the State of Massachusetts by the permit of Col. Bailey. That he was weakly & did not recover his health and never being sent for he did not again join the army. That he received an injury by a (illegible) after he arrived to his Fathers House. He was not in any important battles. he was in a skirmish near Orange Town in the State of New York that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support. That he has no other evidence in his power of his said services.
Elijan Pratt
Sworn and declared before me the day & year aforesaid
Seth Witman Judge of Probate
I Seth Witman Judge of Probate in & for the District of Georgia and State of Vermont do certify that that it appears to my satisfaction that Elijah Pratt did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months and served one period of service and that the said Elijah Pratt is in reduced & indigent circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support and the Court over which I preside is a Court of Record and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Hon. Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the direction of the aforementioned act of Congress. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at St. Albans in said district on this 18th day of January A.D. 1819. 
Seth Whitman Judge of Probate
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State of Vermont
Georgia District SS
I Luther Brigham Clerk of the Court of Probate in & for said District of Georgia do hereby certify that Seth Witman Esq. before whom the annexed declaration of Elijah Pratt was made and the Certificate by him subscribed was at the respective dates thereof and now is Judge of Probate in & for said District of Georgia duly qualified for that purpose acting under the authority of this State & his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature and the Court over which he presides is a Court of Record. In testimony I have hereunto affixed the seal of said court & subscribed my name at St. Albans in said District this 19th day of Jan. 1819
Att. Luther Brigham Clerk

(attached document)
I the subscriber do hereby certify that Elijah Pratt the bearer o this is a man of need circumstances the most (illegible) man within my knowledge and I verily believe that he justly comes within the limits of an act entitled and act for the relief of poor officers and soldiers.
Samuel Peckham
To the Hon. Judge Farnsworth
Franklin 7th April 1818
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Honorable Six
We the Select men of Franklin have ben personally aquainted with the bearer Mr. (Benjamin-crossed out) Elijah Pratt for many years and he always sustained the charactor of an honest man and we have every reason to beleave that he was in the Armey in Revolutionary war and we do believe that he comes within the Act of Congress giving Compensation to soldier for there service.
And am six your Humble Servant
Franklin April 7th A. D. 1818
Samuel Hubbard
Hezekiah Wead
William C Felton
Selectmen of Franklin
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Franklin June 18th 1818 Then personally appeared Hezekiah Wead & William Felton selectmen of Franklin & solem oath made that the within instrument to which their signatures are affixed contain the truth according to the best of their knowledge.
Before Samuel Peckham Justice of the Peace
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41964
Revy INVALID

Fil No. 41.864
Elijah Pratt
Rev War Pri

Act 18th March 18
Index: Vol. 5, Page 402

[Arrangement of 1870]
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St. Albans August 20

25

Hon. J. L. Edward
Pension Office
City of Washington
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St. Albans (Vermont) August 20, 1822

Hon. J. L. Edward
From the peculiar & distressed situation of Elijah Pratt a revolutionary soldier once placed on the pension list of the Vermont Agency under the Act of 1818 and by his urgent request I address this to you requesting that you would if consistent with the (illegible) of your office examine his papers & that a decision by the Hon. Secretary of War be had prior to the 4 Sept. next. should he be continued on the pension list that he may be enabled to obtain his money the coming September. From my personal acquaintance with his family I with confidence (illegible) that they an object of Charity-his wife about non compus one daughter an Ideot & himself feeble as to Health & I believe destitute of property.
in behalf of Elijah Pratt
respectfully yours
Seth Witman
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Exemplification in cause
Samuel Hubbard
vs
Elijah Pratt
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State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
The Undersigned Cheif Judge of the County Court within and for the County of Franklin aforesaid hereby certifies to all whom it may concern that Horace Janes Esquire of Saint Albans in the County of Franklin whose Official signature is annexed to the copies of Record hereto appendant is Clerk of said County Court legally appointed and sworn that full faith and entire credit may and ought to be given to his Attestations as such.
That the foregoing attestation of said Clerk is in his own proper hand writing and by him subscribed that it is in due form in Conformity to the law and usages of said state. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the seal of said Court to be affixed to these presents this 18th day of March Anno Domini one thousand Eight hundred and twenty two.
Joseph d. Farnsworth
50
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State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
To all persons to whom these presents shall come or may concern Greeting-
(seal)
Know ye that we having inspected the files and Records remaining in the Clerks Office of the County Court within and for the County of Franklin aforesaid do find there a certain original writ process record and Judgement in the words and figures following--that is to say--
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State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
To the Sherriff of Franklin County his deputy or eith of the constables of Franklin in said Cou0nty Greeting
By the Authority of the State of Vermont you are hereby commanded to attach the goods chattles or estate of Elijah Pratt of Franklin in the County of Franklin to the value of one hundred dollars and him notify thereof according to Law and for want thereof to take the body of the said Elijah Pratt if he may be found within your precinct and him safely keep so that you have him before the County Court next to be holden at St. Albans within and for the County of Franklin on the second Monday of March next. Then and there in said Court to answer to Samuel Hubbard of Franklin in said County in a plea that to the said Elijah Pratt defendant render the seizen and peaceable possession of a certain tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances lying and being in Franklin aforesaid and described as follows (to wit) lot no. six in the second range of lots lying and being in Franklin containing one hundred and forty acres be the same more or less of which tract or parcel of land the said Samuel on the first day of Jany 1822 was well seized and possessed in his own right in and so continued thereof possessed untill the second day of January 1822 when the said
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Elijah without Law or right and contrary to the will of the said Samuel thereinto entered and ejected expelled and amoved the said Samuel therefrom and ever since hath and still doth keep out the said Samuel from the premises taking the whole profits to himself which is to the damage of the said Samuel Hubbard as he says the sum of three hundred dollars for the recovery of which and the quiet and peaceable possession of the premises together with Just costs the said Samuel brings suit. Thereof fail not but of this writ with your doings thereon make due return according to law. Dated at St. Albans in the County of Franklin on the third day of Jany. in the  year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
Horace Janes Clerk
Seth Wetmore Recognized to the defendant in the sum of fifty dollars as surety for costs of prosecution as the Law directs. 
Before Horace Janes Clerk.
January 21st 1822 I hereby confess service on this writ the same as though served by a proper office.
Elijah Pratt
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Samuel Hubbard   Franklin County Court
vs                           March Term, AD 1822
Elijah Pratt             Action of Ejectment for the
Seizen and peaceable possession of a certain tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances lying and being in Franklin aforesaid and described as follows to wit number six in the second range of lots lying and being in Franklin containing one hundred and forty acres be the same more or less as per writ and declaration on file dated the third day of January AD 1822 demanding in damages three hundred dollars
This action was commenced at the present Term of this Court the Plaintiff appears in Court by his Attorney Seth Wetmore, the defendant being three times solemly called to come into Court does not appear but makes default. Whereupon the Court do consider that the Plff. recover of the defendant the seizen and possession of the premises demanded in his declaration with one cent damages and his cost here taxed at Six dollars fifty cents whereof the Plff. may have his writ of possession and execution.
A True Record
Attest Horace Janes Clerk
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All which we have caused by these presents to be exemplified and the seal of our said Court to be hereunto affixed
Witness the Hon. Joseph D. Farnsworth Esq. Cheif Judge at St. Albans in said County of Franklin this 18th day of March AD 1822
Horace Janes Clerk
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St. Albans July 18          Free
   75

Hon. J. L. Edwards
War Department
Pension Office
City Washington

(noted on side)
Copy of Mortgage rec'd 25 July 1822
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S Albans (Vermont) July 18th 1822

Sir
Yours of the 1st inst. duly received, enclosing the document purporting to ber the copy of a mortgage from Elijah Pratt to Samuel Hubbard Esqr --at the request of Mr. Pratt I have procured another copy & the same property authenticated.
I have (illegible) that our County & Supreme Court are not by law certifying officers for Town Clerks and they have not the appointment of Town Clerks deposited in their office. Justice of the peace residing the same Town with the Town Clerk and the certifying officer of Town Clerk. The Justices having the (illegible) of knowledge by inspecting the Town records. Justices of the peace have no seal of office-therefore a Justice has certified in the usual way that Samuel Hubbard is Town Clerk and the Clerk he certified under his seal of office that Mr. Peckham is a Justice of the Peace.
I would further 
Adm. in behalf of Mr. Pratt that from his (illegible) and distressed situation he is anxious to have the Secretary as I am as is consistent with the duties of his office to (secretary -crossed out) examine (sentence crossed out) his claim & dockuments and that a determination may be made as soon as consistent.
Respectfully your obd. sevt.
Seth Wetmore

Hon. J L. Edward
Page 23

To the Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of the Department of War at the City of Washington
June 21st 1821

We the Selectmen and level authority of Franklin are personally acquainted with Elijah Pratt your petitioner and his family he agreed with Mr. Hubbard in 1819 for land in that Town. Hubbard gave a Deed Pratt gave a mortgage. (illegible) back has not paid one Cent in interest or principle and we veryly beleave that he (illegible) can for he is very poor and a large family and expencive and 2 of them not Compos mentus and the family are absolutely deprived of the necessarys of life and except the General Goverment will allow him a pention for his past revolutionary services  we are of opinion that the family will suffer except the Town intearfears and --
Samuel Hubbard      Selectmen
Gardner Droinell           of
Ruben Tower            Franklin

Civil Authority
Joshua Peckham
Samuel Peckham
Wm. Felton
Page 24

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
 Franklin County Clerks Office June 22 1821
(seal)
I Horace Janes Clerk of said County of Franklin do hereby certify that Samuel Hubbard, Joshua Peckham, Samuel Peckham, William Felton & Reuben Towle whose names are signed to the foregoing Petition are Justices of the Peace in Franklin in said County duly appointed by the legislature of this State and that I am personally accquainted with each of them and believe them to be men of truth.
In Testimoney whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Public Seal of said County.
Horace Janes Clerk
Page 25

St. Albans Augt. 21st
50


J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Pension Office
War Department
Washington

(side notes)
Elijah Pratt's
copy of Mortgage
rec'd 27 Aug. 1821

See letter to Seth Wetmore 1 July 1822
Page 26

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
Sur. Court Clerks Office Augt. 20th 1821

Dear Sir
Your of Augt. 4th relating to the claim of Elijah Pratt is Rec'd and I now enclose an authenticated Copy of the mortgage deed properly certified by the Town Clerk who is the proper certifying officer in such cases.
Yours respectfully
Horace Janes Clerk Sup. Court

The copy of the mortgage enclosed in this envelope was not authenticated as stated above and was returned to Seth Wetmore, Esqr. at St. Albans, Vt for the purpose of being properly authenticated on the 1st July 1822 (see letter to S. W. 1st July 1822)
Page 27

Know all men by these presents that I Elijah Pratt of Franklin in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont for & in consideration of five hundred and sixty dollars current money to my full sattisfaction of Samuel Hubbard of Franklin State aforesaid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained sell alien released conveyed and confirmed unto the said Samuel Hubbard his heirs and assigns forever lot no. six in the second range of lots in Franklin containing one hundred and forty acres be the same more or less.
To hand and to hold the above granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances thereof & thereunto belonging to him the said Samuel Hubbard his heirs and assigns to his and their own proper use benefit and behoof forever and I the said Elijah Pratt do for myself my heirs executors & administrators covenant to and with the said Samuel Hubbard his executors and administrators and assigns that at and untill the ensealing of these presents share good right and lawful authority to bargain
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and sell the same in manner and form as is above that they are free and clear of all incumbrances whatever and that I will warrant and defend the same against all lawfull claims of any person or persons whatsoever.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Franklin this fourth day of July AD 1818.
Provided nevertheless and be it further understood that if I the said Elijah Pratt my heirs executors or administrators or assigns shall well and truly pay to Samuel Hubbard three notes of hand give by me equal date one payable on the 7th day of September AD 1820 for one hundred and eighty six dollars 67 each. Payable one one third in money one third in neat cattle and one third in grain and delivered at his dwelling house in Franklin the second note payable in AD 1821 on the 6th day of September one third in money one third in neat cattle and one third grain, the other note given for $186.67 payable in AD 1822 on the 6th day of September on third in money
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in neet cattle and one third in grain all goods and merchantable all to be delivered at his dwelling house in Franklin and if the above three described notes be paid according to the tenor thereof then this obligation to be null & void otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect in Law. 
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Elijah Pratt (LS)
Thomas Hill
Caleb Hill  witnesses

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
Franklin July 4 AD 1818
The personally appeared Elijah Pratt signed & scriber of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me
Samuel Peckham, Justice of the peace

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS 
Franklin  6th July AD 1822
The above and foregoing is a true copy of record.
Attest Samuel Hubbard Town Clerk
Page 30

State of Vermont 
Franklin County SS
Franklin 6th July AD 1822

I hereby further certify that by the Laws of the State of Vermont A Town Clerk has not any seal of office.
Samuel Hubbard Town Clerk

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS

Franklin 6th July AD 1822
I Joshua Peckham Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Franklin and residing in the Town of Franklin in said County do certify that I am personally acquainted with Samuel Hubbard that the foregoing signatures are in his own proper hand writing and that he is the Town Clerk in & for said Town of Franklin his the charge & keeping of all the Town records & that full faith & credit is to be given to all his certificates relating to the records of the town. I further certify by the Laws of this State a Town Clerk has not any seal of Office-there there is no seal office for the Town Clerk of Franklin-that all attestations & certificates are taken & recorded in our Courts of record and (illegible) without a seal from the several town clerks in this state.
Joshua Peckham Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Elijah Pratt and his family of his daughters is an Idiot & has recently buried another daughter who was an idiot. Mr. Pratt is feeble in Health & his whole family are in caple of rendering (illegible) much of any support.
Joshua Peckham Justice of the Peace
Page 31

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
On this 16 day of July 1822 personally appeared before me Seth Wetmore Justice of the for the whole State Samuel Hubbard Esqr aged 57 years the Mortgager named in the annexed mortgage deed from Elijah Pratt of Lot No. 6 in the second range of lots in Franklin, and  on oath do say that the said deed so executed was to secure the payment of the purchase money which the said Pratt contracted to give for said lot the sum mentioned in said deed are the true & only sums for which the said land was sold to said Pratt. That said Pratt paid no other consideration whatever. That said lot was a wild lot in a state of nature no improvements made thereon ^at the time said Pratt went into possession of said lot and that said Pratt never paid one cent of principal or interest on said purchase. That said Pratt is poor & destitute of the common necessaries of life-his family among others consist of one daughter who is an Idiot & unable to render support. That within about a month since the said Pratt had another daughter died who was also an Idiot and unable to render any support ^ in her life time but has been for a long time at great expense to said Pratt.
Samuel Hubbard
Subscribed & sworn before me the day & year aforesaid and I further Certify that I am personally acquainted Samuel Hubbard Esq the deponent-that he is a credible witness-he has for more than twenty years hold the Office of Town Clerk and Justice of the peace in the Town of Franklin.
Seth Wetmore Jus. Peace
Page 32

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
On this 16th day of July one thousand eight hundred & twenty two before me the subscriber Justice of the Peace for the whole State Gardner Dwinell who being by me first sworn according to Law doth on his oath depose and say that he the Gardner Dwinell is one of the Selectmen & overseer of the poor for the Town of Franklin in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont and is personally acquainted with Elijah Pratt and his family residing in & inhabitants of said Town of Franklin. the said Pratts family is an unfortunate one. He has had two daughters which were idiots & incapable of taking care of themselves. One of their daughters he has recently buried. the other is on his hands at expense. I am of opinion & firmly believe that should the said Pratt become sick or otherwise unable to labor that himself & whole family would have to be supported by the Town of Franklin as he has no one of his family capable of rendering any assistance excepting his wife & she is feeble in body & mind and no one capable of taking charge of the family without assistance.
Gardner Dwinell
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year above said and I further Certify that said Dwinell is a creditable witness.
Seth Wetmore Jus. Peace
Page 33

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
Franklin County Clerks Office 
July 17th AD 1822, I Horace Janes Clerk of the County Court in the County of Franklin do hereby 
Certify that Joshua Peckham Esq. of Franklin is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly appointed by the Legislature of this State and that Seth Wetmore Esq. of St. Albans is one of the Executive Council and by the virtue thereof a Justice of the Peace and Signs. by these respectively in the own proper hand writing.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Public seal of said County
Horace Janes Clerk
Page 34

St. Albans March 19    Free

Hon. J. L. Edwards
War department
Pension Office
City Washington
Page 35

St. Albans (Vermont) March 19th 1822
Hon. J. L. Edward
In July 1820 I made by declaration under the act of Congress of May 1820 in which I stated I was in possession of 140 acres of land purchase of Samuel Hubbard Esq. for $560 and mortgaged to him for the same and nothing paid. In August 1821 I rec'd a letter dated war department Pension office August 4 1821 in which you observed "You are hereby informed that you must produce an authenticated copy of the mortgage mentioned in your statement before a final decision can be had in your case". I immediately transmitted an authenticated copy of the mortgage but have not received any answer. At the present March County court Mr. Hubbard the mortgager commenced his action of Ejectment to recover the seizen & possession of the 140 acres of land mentioned in my statement or schedule of property well knowing that I had no means to pay the mortgage, therefore no defense to make-knowing also to attempt a defense would enhance the cost. I made default as will appear by the Judgt. of Court here enclosed. I also stated in my schedule that my wife was 62 years of agge and has been weakly for 20 years. one of my daughters 16 years of age was healthy another of the same age a cripple and another daughter aged 28 years a cripple & helpless. since which my wife has declined in health and wholly unable to render me any assistance. My two daughters cripples cannot render me any assistance in support of my family but on the contrary are a heavy expense to me. The daughters who I stated was 16 years of age and enjoying health is now 18 years of age and by our law has arrived at full age and I have no longer any controll over her services. The situation of my family is such that unless I receive a support from the United States I must call on the inhabitants of the town where I reside for a support. My wife and two children totally helpless and I have no other children to render any assistance my health declining I trust the Secretary of War will consider my situation. Respectfully
Elijah Pratt