Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,896, Jonathan Wright, N. H. Vt.
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Service N.H. VT. Wright, Jonathan Number R. 11.896
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Johnathan Wright's Application for a Pension
No 38,658 Johanthan Wright decd Ohio June 7 1832
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State of Ohio Seneca County On this 18th day of June in the year 1852 Personally appeared before me Wm. Lang. Judge of the Probate Court in and for said County and State aforesaid Johnathan Wright is a resident of Seneca in the State of Ohio aged 66 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the folloing declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed on the 7th day of June in the year A.D. 1832. That he is the son of Johnathan Wright deceased that the late said father in early life resided in the State of New Hampshire and during the Revolutionary War that his said father served as a Lieutenant in said war. According to the best information and that he has heard this said father speak of his services in said war, and named his superior officers in said service, which continued the greater part of said war. and that he dose not know of any living witness that his said fathers service might be proven by. but he must mainly rely on the records for proof of his said fathers services in said war. which he believes must exist some where That he has not family record of the ages of his said fathers family. That the individuals whose afadavits are annext have know his said father a great many years. and can testify to their relationship.  That his said father died in the County of Washington in the State of New York on the seventh day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three leaving no widow. but several children (or)
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Aaron Wright, a resident of Ashtabula County in the State of Ohio. Aged 77 years Derrick J. Wright. a resident of Oakland County in the State of Mishegan aged 64 years. Patty Joiner a married daughter a resident of Ashtabula County in the State of Ohio, aged 61 years. that his said father in this lifetime never would apply for a pension. that he always said he fought for liberty and not money. and that he could and would live without it.  Declarant further states that he therefore in induced to make this application that he never before has made for said pension and that he and his brothers and sister now wants what the laws entitle them to for their said fathers services as aforesaid and he asks that the amount of pension due be paid accordingly.  
Jonathan Wright  
(Attest)
J. C. Lee
Samuel Stoner
2 witnesses
Subscribed and sworn to before before me the days and year above written. I hereby certify that J. C. Lee and Samuel Stoner who have subscribed their names as witnesses to the signature of the said Johnathan Wright. who has signed the above declaration and that the said subscribing witnesses are respectable citizens of the aforesaid County and City of Tiffin. In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Tiffin this 6th day of October 1853.  Wm. Lang
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State of Ohio Seneca County On this 3rd day of August 1852 Personally appeared before me P. Kinnamon a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid. Sarah Curtis who being first duly sworn according to law says she is over 62 years of age. and that she was well acquainted with Lieutenant Johnathan Wright who was a former resident of the State of New Hampshire deponant further states that she was acquainted with the said Johnathan Wright, from the earliest of her rememberance and that the said Wright was a married man, and that she was acquainted with his wife while living with his said husband deponant further says that they raised  a large family of children, she further states that she has heard the said Johnathan Wright relate his trials and sufferings while in the war of the Revolution and that he was always reputed and believed to have been a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army and that he died in Washington County in the State of New York. on the 7th day of January in the year 1843 and left no widow but several children (vis) Aron Wright, Johnathan Wright, Derrick J. Wright and Martha Wright now Martha Joiner and that they are all the children who are now living of the said Johnathan Wright. deponant further states that she has no interest in the pension claimed in the foregoing declaration and further she saith not.  Sarah Curtis Witness her mark X
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above stated. I further certify that Sarah Curtis who has signed the above afadavit is a woman who is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity. P. Kinnaman, Justice of the Peace
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State of Ohio Seneca County I Philip Speelman Clerk of the Court in and for said County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that P. Kinnaman whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing afadavit was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid. that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a court of record having general Jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Tiffin City this 31st day of October in the year of our Lord 1853. Philip Speelman Clerk Samuel Stoner Dept Clerk
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State of Mishegan Genesee County On this 24th day of June 1853 personally appeared before me Wm. P. Crandall a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid.  Elish Curtis of lawful age and after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was a resident of Washington County in the State of New York and that he was well acquainted with Johnathan Wright who resided in the same neighborhood as aforesaid for a great many years and that he was always believed and reputed to have been a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army and formerly resided in the State of New Hampshire according to the best information deponant had of the said Johnathan Wright, and that he died in the County of Washington and State aforesaid on the 7th day of January 1843 leaving several children of whom he is acquainted deponant further states that the original family record of the ages of the children of the said Johnathan Wright is not to be found which was in the old family Bible kept by the said Johnathan Wright and his wife who is now dead and can testify to their ages as he verily believes of those who are now living said Aron Wright was born on the 19 day of March in the year 1775 Johnathan Wright was born on the 15th day of march in the year 1786 Derrick J Wright was born on the 5th day of February in the year 1788 and Martha Wright now Joiner was born on the 16 day of June in the year 1792 deponant further states that he has interest in the aforesaid application and further he saith not.  Elisha Curtis Witness signature
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Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year above written I hereby certify that Elisha Curtis who has signed the above afadavit is a person of known respectibility for truth and veracity.  Wm. P. Crandall J. P.
State of Mishegan Genesee County I Anderson Berness Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Wm. P. Crandall whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing afadavit was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and Sate aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of record having General Jurisdiction.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at [] this 24th day  of June 1853 A.Berness Clerk Genesee County Michigan
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State of Ohio Genesee County On this 30th day of September 1853 personally appeared before me R. J. Cary a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid. Fanney Smith of lawful age and after being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that she was well acquainted with Johnathan Wright residing in Washington County in the State of New York and a former resident of the State of New Hampshire deponant further states that she was acquainted with the said Johnathan Wright near sixty years and that he was reputed and believed to have been a Lieutenant in the war of the revolution that she has often heard him recount the thrilling incidences of his Revolutionary Services in said war. and that he was in the Battle of Bennington deponant further states that it was the common report of the country from the earliest of her rememberance that Old Skene a friend of Great Britain & the Tories had offered fifty dollars for the scalp of the said Lieutenant Wright she further states that she has seen his record and uniform coat and hat that he  wore in the army of the Revolution and that she has good reason to believe that he served his country thus for the reason that those facts was much spoken of by the old soldiers who was well acquainted with the said Johnathan Wright in the army and that he was a person well respected and that he died in the county of Washington in the State of New York on the 7th day of January in the year 1843 and she further states that he never would apply for a pension in his lifetime.
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She further states that there is no widow left but several children (vis) Johnathan Wright, Derrick J. Wright. Aron Wright and Patty Joiner, a married daughter and they are all the children of the said Johnathan Wright now living deponant further states that there is no family record in the possession of the above named children to her knowledge to be found. She further states that she has no interest whatsoever in the application for Johnathan Wright for his said father pension and further deponant saith not.
Fanny Smith signature
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written . I further certify that Fanney Smith who has signed the above afadavit is a woman of known respectibility for truth and veracity. R. J. Cary J.P.
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State of Ohio Genesee County I Philip Speelman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that R. J. Carey Esqs genuine signature appears to the above afadavit was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and State aforesaid duly qualified and commissioned that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Records having general jurisdiction.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Tiffin this 6th day of October 1853. Philip Speelman Clerk Samuel Stoner Dept Clerk
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Know all men by these Presents, that I Johnathan Wright of Seneca County in the State of Ohio do hereby constitute and appoint J G Turner of Seneca County in the State of Ohio, my true and lawful attorney for me and in the names of Derick Wright, Aaron Wright, and Martha Joiner, as stated in the foregoing power of attorney, executed at Conneanut in the County of Ashtabula in the State of Ohio, for to demand and secure from the treasury of the United States at the City of Washington D.C. the amount of pension due the aforesaid Johnathan Wright for his said services in the war of the Revolution from the 4th day of March 1831 to the day of his death as aforesaid, to January 7th 1843. And our said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to appoint one or more agents or attorneys under him for the special purpose above exprest. In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal this 18th day of June 1852. Attest Wm Lang, Jno Flaugher Witnesses. Jonathan Wright 
State of Ohio   ⎬ 
Seneca County⎬ Be it known that on this 18th day of June in the year 1852 before me William Lang Judge of the probate Court in and for said County and State aforesaid Personally appeared Johnathan Wright and signed the above power of Attorney to be his free act and deed for the special purpose therein exprest.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said County at the City of Tiffin this 18th day of June in the year of our Lord 1852. Wm Lang, Probate Judge.
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On this 18th day of June 1852.
State of Ohio
Seneca County} SS. Be it known that before me William Lang, Judge of the probate court in and for Seneca County in the state of Ohio. Personally appeared J. G. Turner, the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney and made oath in due form of law that he has no interest in the money he is authorised to serve by virtue of the foregoing power of attorney, ether by pledge mortgage sale asignment or transfer, and that he dose not know or believe the same has ever been so disposed of to any person whatsoever. 
/s/J. G. Turner
Sworn to and subscribed before me the undersigned the day and year above written.
[court seal affixed] In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at the City of Tiffin this 18th day of June in the year of our Lord. 1852.
/s/Wm Lang Probate Judge
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Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions &c.
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[handwritten letter]
Conneaut, Ashtabula Co. Ohio
June 26th 1854

Sir
My father Jonathan Wright was a revolutionary soldier - He was a lieutenant in the New Hampshire line for about four years, and served three years after that, & until the close of the war, in Vermont - He was in Capt. Allen's Company, I think some of the time - Between two & three years ago my brother Jonathan Wright, of Reed, Ohio, Derrick Wright, of Springfield, Michigan, Aaron Wright, and myself of this place, employed one John G Turner of Tiffin Ohio as agent for us, as heirs of said soldier, to obtain from the United States such arrears of pay as may have been due him at his death and such Land warrant as he may have been entitled to for his services in said war - 
Mr Turner has been paid, by  those interested in this claim, at different times for the purpose of prosecuting it nearly $130 - and he has lately called for more, which increase as to the opinion somewhat that he is making the draw out of us and not out of the government as he should, as our claim is meritorious - 
We can learn nothing from him in regard to our claim satisfactory to us although he was furnished with money by the heirs to obtain information and testimony; he keeps it all to himself, of which I think, having paid our own money for the same we should at least be put in receipt of such information as he obtains if nothing more - 
I wish, if your convenience will allow and it shall be proper for you to do so, that you would inform me whether our father Jonathan Wright was  entitled to back pay at the time of his death and whether he was entitled to any land, and how much, and where it is located -
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Please to state what proof is lacking or on what points you still want satisfactory explanation by proof or otherwise, in the adjustment of our said claim
If it is not proper for you to answer my letter so minutely, as that before proof it might embarrass the Pension Office to do so, I respectfully beg of you to give me information fully in regard to the present state of our claim and other such information sought for above though limited as you may deem proper; for which I will cordially thank you  - Please answer me in as much haste as you can & I am quite in years & quite poor too - which is my excuse for manifesting so much anxiety and urgency
I am your Friend Very Respectfully
/s/Martha Joyner
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11,896
Jonathan Wright
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18[blank].
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank].
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank].
Alleges: Claim filed too late to be on printed list of 1852 of rejections.
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18[blank].
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[addressed envelope]
[postmark: CONNEAUT O. JUNE 26]
[margin note: Jonathan Wright Ohio sus 32] 5
Loren P. Waldo, Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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[addressed envelope]
Attica O July 16 Paid 5
Hon L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington DC
[overwritten: Jonathan Wright Ohio - sus 1832]
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No. 38.658
Jonathan Wright - dec'd Ohio
Joseph Howard Nov 26 1853
Martha Joyner July 6/54
J. G. Turner 29 Sep't 1854. 
Let Jos. Howard Nov. 3/58
11896
⇨see letters inside, supposed to be fraudulent
act June 7 1832
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[addressed envelope]
[postmark: FREMONT O. FEB 17] FREE
[margin notes: C.C. B]
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
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[addressed envelope]
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions
[margin notes: Nov. 21, 1858. Appl. of Jonathan Wright, All'd, Seneca Co., O. act '/32 original Jos. Howard, Present.]
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[addressed envelope]
[postmark: FREMONT O. FEB 14] FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions, 
Washington City, D.C.
George Miller Ohio - sus - 1828
John Taylor Ohio - sus 1832
Jonathan Wright Ohio - sus - 1832
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[handwritten letter]
Washington City,
Nov. 19, 1853. 

Respected Friend - 
Enclosed is the application and evidence in support of a claim for a pension, said to have been due to Jonathan Wright, formerly a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution - now deceased - which is claimed by his son Jonathan Wright, up to the date of his Father's death - It was forwarded to me by J. G. Turner, who is, as you will see, authorized by power of attorney, to act as his agent in the prosecution of the claim - 
I am, very respectfully, Your friend
/s/Joseph Howard, 
Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Com'r of Pensions.
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Joseph Howard Nov 26/53
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[handwritten letter]
[margin note: 383]
Pension Office
Nov 26 1853

Sir
The application of Jonathan Wright Dec'd of Ohio has been examined and filed under the act of June 7 1832 - Application should be made ['the' crossed out] to the Secretary of State of NH for any evidence he may possess of his services, and if a certificate of service should be obtained, he must be identified with it, by the testimony of those who knew that he served as alledged. If her rendered meritorious service, is it not remarkable that, though he lived until  1843, he never made any application for a pension?
/s/Joseph Howard Esq Present
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July 6/54
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[handwritten letter]
[margin note: 50]
Pension Office
July 6 1852

Madam
In reply to your letter I have to inform you that the case of Jonathan Wright Dec'd of Ohio has not been allowed, the case has not been established agreably to our Regulations. Your agent has been informed what are the objections to its admission. 
/s/Mrs Martha Joyner
Conneaut Ohio
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[handwritten letter]
Fremont  Sandusky County Ohio Feby. 13, 1854
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
The Papers presented or about to be presented for the Pension of Mrs. Wright, with my name as Clerk of Common Pleas dated about 9th inst is a forgery as to the name of Miles Plain Justice of the Peace the papers were presented to me by a Person in the name of Turner. I. Objected signing the certificate (wrote by himself as he said) doubting as to the Signature of said Plain I had never seen Plain's name signed Miles Plain signed Miles Plain but Miles. W. Plain or, M. W. Plain, I then refered to some papers in my office signed by said Justices which were signed Miles. W. Plain and M. W. Plain and Compared the signatures before the Hon. John Bell Probate Judge and myself upon which Examination send Turner remarked that he would make affidavit that  he saw Justice Plain sign the same. I thereupon (the signature resembling very much Plain's signature Excepting the .W.) Signed the same. Justice Plain has since been in Fremont and upon inquiry says, that the signature to the papers purporting to be his is a forgery.
If within the rules of your office please return the papers here so that Turner may be  prosecuted
Yours very respectfully
/s/D. Capper Clk
Sandusky Com. Pleas, O.
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[handwritten letter]
Fremont, O, Feb 16 1854

Hon. L. P. Waldo
on or about the 9th of this month a Mr Turner of Seneca County presented to the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of this County a paper purporting to be made by Penina Wright and sworn to before Miles Plane a justice of the Peace the Clerk at the time doubted the genuineness of the Esq. Signature ['and' crossed out] Mr. Turner assured him he saw Plane Sign it &c once obtained the Certificate of the Clerk Swear then Esq Plane informs me he constantly never signed such a paper 
We suspect there is something wrong about it It is desirable that the paper be returned that the facts may be ascertained
The paper may be presented by Mr Howard of Washington City as he does business for Mr Turner though I believe Mr Howard would not thereby have any thing to do with forged papers
Respectfully Yours
/s/John Bell
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J G Turner  Sept 29/54
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[handwritten letter]
[margin note: 158]
Pension Office.
29th Sept. 1854. 

Sir,
In reply to yours of 22'd instant I would inform you, it is contrary to the rules of this Office to return you the papers filed in the case of Jonathan Wright, dec'd of Ohio. 
J. G. Turner Esqr.
Tiffin City, Ohio.
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[handwritten letter]
Washington City
Oct. 31. 1854.

Sir - 
I received by this mornings mail the enclosed letter from J. G. Turner. Will you have the goodness to return the papers to him in the cases named by him, as he desires?
Please return the enclosed letter to me, when you shall have complied with his request. 
Very respectfully
/s/Joseph Howard.
Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Com'r of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Jonathan Wright Ohio - sus 32
Cole
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[handwritten letter]
Tiffin City Ohio Sept 22d 1854.

Sir
In the case of Jonathan Wright, dec for a pension under act June 7th 1832. I wish to withdraw the papers in support of his pension as it is imposibal at this day, to obtain the additional evidence such as will satisfy the department. That he is the Identical man. for this reason I thought it unnecessary to obtain the certificate of the Secretary of New Hampshire. Pleas however to remit the Papers.
I am Sir very respectfully yours &c
/s/J. G. Turner. 
Hon. L. P. Waldo. Commissioner}
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Nov 3/54
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[handwritten letter]
Pension Office,
Nov. 3, 1854.

Sir,
I hereunto, in compliance with your request, return the letter of Mr. J. G. Turner requesting the return of the papers in the cases of George Miller, dec Jonathan Wright, dec and John ['Hollis' crossed out] Taylor dec late of Ohio, for whose alledged service in the Revolution, claims have been granted under the Act of June 7, 1832, and you are informed that they count, under the rules, be taken from the files.
Joseph Howard, Esq. Present.}
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[handwritten letter]
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Dear Sir
In reference to my claim for My father's Pension presented by Mr. J. G. Turner My Agent to wit Jonathan Wright who served as a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution in the State of New Hamshire for several years. And by reference to a letter from the Pension Office in this case requiring us to produce the testimony of at least one officer or soldier who served with my said father 
This I would say is almost impossible to obtain at this late day unless you unless you would do us the kindness to inform us who are the surviving Pensioners of the rangers in New Hamshire We have already filed the evidence of those who were well acquainted with my father who as always reputed to have been in the
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service as aforesaid together with the Certificate of the Secretary of New Hamshire which says there is only one Lieutenant Jonathan Wright found upon record 
I would Inform you that my father was always opposed to making any application for a pension and that is the reason his claim never was presented before. Please inform me if the evidence already known will be deemed sufficient 
I am very resp'y yours
/s/Jonathan Wright
Attica Seneca Co. Ohio
Feb 13th 1853
To Hon L. P. Waldo Commissioner