Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,084, for Gideon Tenney, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE Massachusetts
War of 1812 CONTENTS Tenney, Gideon Betsey tNUMBER W. 20,084 
B.L. Wt. 6401-160-55
Page 2

[Two columns. Left side:]

Letter to Pensioner October November 3rd 1834 for certificate and for Agent, suspending payment.
Letter to Pensioner 12 February 1835
Same 21 May 1835 
[Right side:]
Vermont 
Gideon Tenney of Rutland County in the State of Vermont who was a private and sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Wood of the Regiment: commanded by Colonel Nicholas in the Massachusetts militia for 1 year Sergeant 1 year private.
 Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 140 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April 1833 and Sent to R. Temple Esquire Rutland Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $280 00 Semi annual. allowance ending 4 September 1833 70.00 --- $350.00 = Recorded by Book E Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. ⎬ W. L. Williams Clerk, Book C Volume 3 Page 94
Page 3

[Two sides. Left side:]
Massachusetts 8522
Gideon Tenney
Rutland in the State of Vermont
was a Sergeant and private in the company commanded
Captain Wood of the regiment commanded
Colonel Nicholas in the Massachusetts line 
for one year Sergeant
and one year Private
Reduced from $140
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
the rate of 111 Dollars__Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of September
1835
and sent to Jesse Gereby Rutland Vermont
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835
Pension allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd
Clerk
Book 8 Volume 3
Page 94

[Right side:]
Transferred  to Massachusetts
from 4th September 1834-April 7 [illegible] 
Letter to same December 2, 1835 and to A. Brainard
Letter to Honorable C. Hudson House of Representatives January 18th, 1844.
Page 4

[Bottom Left:]
Volume T. 37.

[Right side:]
[largely illegible]
Boynton
[illegible] 160 [illegible] September 17, [18]55
Dodge
160
[illegible]
Betsy Tenney
Care of [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
Page 5

1228, 
Massachusetts 
Betsey Tenney widow of Gideon Tenney who served in the Revolutionary war , as a Private Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars ___Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848 former payment to be deducted --- --- Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of January 1850. and sent to  J. M. Thayer Present - 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 166 Volume 2
Page 6

Number 4280 
Gideon Tenney
Vermont 
1 year sergeant 60 
2 year private 80 
140
Said in nighbohood to be a very dubious case-
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Gideon Tenney of Rutland
in the State of
Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Table of four columns, headings:]
Period. || Duration of Service. ||  Rank, || Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
May In 1775 || 8 months || substitute || Captain wood, Colonel Ward.
March 1776 || 11 months, 19 days || ____ || Captain Sawyr, Colonel Nicholas Dyke.
May 1777 || Near 7 months || ___ || Captain Houghton, Colonel Whitney.

January 1778 || 1 Year || Sergeant || Captain Houhgton, Colonel Whitney, General Sullivan.

5. In what battles was he engaged? Rhode Island
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Northboro 
Worcester County.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective. The state he lived in not mentioned
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
James M. King
Examining clerk
Page 8

State of Massachusetts
Hampshire County SS.
On this thirty first day of March 1835 before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace duly authorised by law to administer oaths
within and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared
Betsey Tenney aged eighty three years a resident of Cummington
County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts who made oath
in due form of law that she is the identical Betsey Tenney to whom
under the provisions of the act of February 2 1848 a pension of one
hundred dollars per annum has been allowed for the services of her
late Husband Gideon Tenney a Private of the Revolutionary war
and late of Hampshire County State of Massachusetts she further
States that his pension certificate under the aforesaid act of February 2d
1848 is numbered 1228 bears date the fourteenth day of January
1850 and is made payable at the Massachusetts agency
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty
land to which she may be entitled under the act of 3rd of March 1855
never having received or known herself entitled or made application
under any previous act of Congress. In evidence of her marriage
and proof of service of her said Husband she respectfully refers to the
heretofore adduced now on file in the Pension Office and upon which
her annuity as aforesaid was granted
That since being placed
on the list of Revolutionary Pension she has not intermarried but
continues the widow of the said Gideon Tenney
Betsey Tennet-her mark
Attest Eliphalet Packard
J. B. Baldwin
Sworn to and acknowledged before me the day and year
above written and I hereby certify that I know the aforesaid
Betsey Tenney to be the identical person she alleges herself to be
Page 9

a Pensioner of the United States and at the date of the execution
of this declaration a widow and that I am not interested in
her claim as Agent Attorney or otherwise
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
State of Massachusetts Hampshire County SS
On this thirty first day of March 1855 before me the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County
and State aforesaid personally appeared Joseph B. Baldwin and
Amanda Packard residents of Cummington County of Hampshire
in the State of Massachusetts known to me as credible persons who made
oath in due form of law that Betsey Tenney who in the presence has sworn
and subscribed to the foregoing declaration is to their personal knowledge
the identical person in the provisions of the act of February 2 1848 a pension
of one hundred dollars per annum has been granted for the service of her late husband Gideon Tenney deceased a private in the revolutionary War. that
since being placed on the roll of Pensions the said Betsey Tenney has not intermarried but remains a widow that they have known her for ten years past and
derive their knowledge of the facts herein named from the following circumstances
to wit a personal acquaintance
They further state that they are disinterested witnesses
J. B. Baldwin
Amanda Packard
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
Page 10

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Clerk
HAMPSHIRE SS.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Court of the Commonwealth
for the County of Hampshire, do certify that Eliphalet
Packard Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the ┃
certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the
Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and
acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit
is and ought to be given, to his acts and attestations done in that capacity and
that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Elphalet
Packard
and believe his signature to said
certificate
is genuine: also that the instrument hereto annexed, purports to be
duly executed and acknowledged, according to the laws of this Commonwealth, for
the purposes therein expressed.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and
affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said
Commonwealth, this third
of April
day
in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Samuel Wells, Clerk
Page 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, SS.
I, Joseph G. Kendell Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County
and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Gardner Ruggles is a 
Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified; and that his signature to the certificate, on the deposition of Joseph
Stone
hereunto annexed, is genuine, and that said
Gardner Ruggles such Justice on the day of the
date of the said certificate
GIVEN under my hand, and the seal of said County, this
twelfth - - -
day of April,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five
Joseph G. Kendall Clerk
Page 12

Extract from the Records of the town of
Hardwick, taken from Book 2 page 80 of
said Records. Said page is wholly occupied by a
Record of Marriages solemnized by Rev. Thomas Holt"
Mr Gideon Tenney of Barre to Miss Betsey Childs of Hardwick March eighth one thousand seven
hundred and ninety two,
State of Massachusetts
Town Clerk's Office
Worcester County
Hardwick April 11th, 1845
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of
the Record from the Record of Marriages in said
Office now in my custody as Town Clerk of said
Hardwick with the exception of the date which is
expressed
on the Record in fair legible figures as follows
March 8th 1792
Joseph Stone, Clerk of said town of Hardwick
I Joseph Stone above named,
depose and say that
I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Hardwick, in the
County, Town and State aforesaid and that the above is a
true Extract from the Records of Marriages in said
Hardwick, with the exception above
named as certified by me.
Joseph Stone, Clerk of said town of Hardwick
Note: The records “of the date as”
Erased and unerasure in the word “Hardwick”

Worcester ss April 12th 1845. Then Joseph Stone above
same personally appeared and made oath that the above
affidavit by him subscribed is true. Before me
Gardner Ruggles Justice of the peace
I hereby certify
that Joseph stone above named is reputable for truth and
veracity-
Gardner Ruggles Justice of the Peace
Page 13


M 11935
Betsey Tenney widow of Gideon Massachusetts  act 7 July 1838 
M 92043 
Rejected husband 1843

119.35.
[illegible] May 27, 1845
Page 14

State of Massachusetts
Hampshire County Ss.
At a Probate Court holden at Chesterfield on
the third Tuesday of May AD 1845 before the Honorable
Thomas Conkey Judge of Probate in and for the County
aforesaid personally appeared Betsey Tenney of Cummington in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn
doth on her oath make the following declaration in order
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled act granting half
pay and pensions to certain widows and certain subsequent acts and resolutions.
That she is the widow of Gideon Tenney who was a
Soldier in the Revolutionary War that his said husband
Gideon Tenney served in the revolutionary War in the
years 1775 1776 1777 1778 under Captain Wood Sawyer Ruggles and Henry.  She is unable to state when all his service was performed he was in the vicinity of Boston in 1775 and
in 1777 at the Surrender of Burgoyne and at Bennington
[illegible] age and infirmity she is unable to recollect at
what place he served for which service her said husband
Gideon Tenney received a pension from the United States
under the act of the 7th June 1832 of one hundred dollars
for further particulars of his service she must rely on the evidence 
now on file in the Pension department.
and the further declares that she was married to the said
Gideon Tenney on the eighth day of March 1792 and
that her said husband the aforesaid Gideon Tenney died
on the third day of June 1883 that she was not manned
to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred
and ninety four Viz [namely] at the time above stated
Betsey Tenney
Subscribed and sworn to this twentieth day of May
A.D. 1845. Before me Sherman Conkey Judge of Probate
Page 15

Samuel T. Lyman Register of the Court
of Probate in for said County do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings before said Court in the
matter of the application of said Betsey
Tenney for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this
20th day of May A.D. 1845
S. Lyman Register of Probate
Page 16

I Joseph B Baldwin of Cummington in the
County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say
that I was present at the death of Gideon
Tenney a pensioner of the United States and
that he died on the third day of June AD 1843
Joseph B. Baldwin
Hampshire Ss. May 19 1845 then Joseph B. Baldwin
personally appeared and made oath to the
truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire SS.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth
for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Eliphalet
Packard
Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was
at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County
duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that
full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in
that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said
Eliphalet Packard by and believe his signature to said certificate
genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court 
for said Commonwealth, this twentieth
day of
May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty five
Samuel Wells Clerk
Page 17

Gideon Tenney 
Number 4280 
1 year Sergeant
2 years private
Page 18

STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, SS.}
On this 11th day of July
A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland District
now sitting, Gideon Tenney a resident of the County of Rutland and State of
Vermont, aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7,
1832.
the
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served
as herein stated. In 1775, the first year of the revolution he lived 
at Northboro, Worcester County and on the 11 May he entered the
service as a substitute for Joel Peall who was indisposed
or eight months, in Captain Woods Company in Colonel Wards regiment
King Bigelow Major, Lieutenant Seven- marched to Cambridg and
was stationed in and about Cambridge during the eight months.
During the battle of Bunker hill he was on guard near Lechmere
point- he was discharged at Cambridge in January 1776-
In March 1776 he enlisted into Captain Sawyers Company Colonel Nicholas
Dikes Regiment and marched to Dorchester, and served there
at Dorchester point one year lacking eleven days- he
labored on the Forts at Dorchester point,-Captain Sawyer
resigned in October or November and Captain Moses  Harrington  took
his place his officers were Major Upham, Lieutenant Farrington (afterwards Captain) Lieutenant Sawin, Ensign Slaton- also
Lieutenant Outhank, Lieutenant Knowlton he was discharged about 1777 at Dorchester point-- In May 1777 his father [illegible] 
to [illegible] and he also- when it was known that Burgoyne
was coming down from Canada, he enlisted under Captain
Benjamin Nye, Colonel Cushing and marched to Bennington
where he arrived six days after the battle, and remained
there some time guarding prisoners and burying those
who died of their wounds- thence marched to resist the
invasion of Burgoyne, but was not in the action at
Saratoga- the Regiment he belonged to was kept back -he
was one of the guard to take the prisoners to Rutland 
Massachusetts he was discharged in December 1777 at Rutland, Massachusetts
he served at Rutland under Captain Henry and under Captain Ruggles
having served near seven months. In 1778 in January
he enlisted for one year and served out his time as
Sergeant in Captain Nathan Houghtons Company in Colonel Whitneys Regiment.
Page 19

of Massachusetts mustered at Windsor and Marched soon after this to 
Smithfield, and Cumberland to Providence and served in home Island- some of
the time he commanded as Sergeant guard to take charge of
[illegible] cattle and sheep for the Army, and was discharged at Windsor
about the 1 January 1779 he never received any written discharge
he has no documentary evidence. He was in the battle of
Rhode Island under GeneralSullivan and retreated across Howland Bay
to Tivertown- General Glover and General Varnums Brigades were
there. He knew General Washington, General Putnam, General Ward Glover,
Sullivan, Vernun and many other officers of distinction. 
He was
born in Westborough (afterwards Northboro) the 16. Aug. 1759-he
has no record of his birth, but understands it was recorded at the time.
Since the revolution he has lived in Putney Ludlow Rutland and now lives 
in Brandon, where he has lived twelve years. He is known
to Rev M. Ingraham, John Conant Esquire and most of the other
inhabitants of Brandon
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present,
and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Gideon Tenney
Sworn to and subscribed the ┃
day and year aforesaid.
R. Royce Register

We Ira Ingraham a Clergyman residing in Brandon
and Seth Keeler residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Gideon Tenney who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed,
in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion.
Ira Ingraham
Seth Keeler
Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
R. Royce Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies,
that it appears to them that Ira Ingraham
who has signed the preceding
certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Brandon
and that Seth Keeler Esquire 
who has also signed the same, is a resident in Brandon
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Rodney C. Royce Register of the Court of Probate
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gideon Tenney
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
my hand and seal of office this 26th 
day of July
A. D. 1832
R. Royce Register
Page 20

State of Vermont
Rutland Ss.
On the 18 July 1832, personally came Phinehas
Whitney, andGleason Wheelock, both credible witnesses
to me known, who being duly sworn do depose and say, the said 
Whitney that he knows said Tenney served in Colonel Dikes
Regiment in 1776 and in Colonel Whitneys Regiment in 1778 in Colonel Whitneys
Regiment at Rhode Island as stated by him in this declaration and
Said Wheelock says that he knows said Tenney served eight months  in 1775 in Colonel Wards Regiment as stated by him, and that he saw said Tenney in service at Rhode Island in 1778 as Sergeant, but does
not know how long he served-Said Tenney is now present-
Sworn before me the day and year aforesaid.
R. Kemper Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County Ss.
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland
County Court do certify, that Robert Kemper
before whom the above affidavit was taken
is a Justice of peace of said County, duly
commissioned and that the above is
his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix the seal of said County this 26 July 1832
R. Pierpoint
Page 21

7483
Massachusetts
Betsey Tenney
widow of Gideon Tenney
who was a Private
in the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 100 Dollars
__Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3 day of June 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
14th day of January 1850.
and sent to
J.M Thayer
Present
Acts of March 3, 1843, and June
17, 1844.
Recorded in Book A
Volume 2 Page 39
Page 22

[Two columns. Left column:]
Payment to be made at Boston by 
Franklin Haven Esquire
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of Massachusetts
Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February
2nd, 1848, Page 165 Volume 2,
George J [illegible]

[Right side:]
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Act of March 1843
And 17 June 1844
Admitted
Act 43and 44 at
$100 per annum
Commencing 3 June 1843
at
Deducting former payments at $25.66 per annum
Admitted
Act 2 February 18 at
$100. per annum deducting as above.
J. M Thayer,
Present
Page 23

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2, 1848,
Betsey Tenney
widow of Gideon Tenney
who was a
private in the revolutionary war
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of twenty five
dollars and sixty six cents per annum, commencing on the
4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States
this 17th day of August
one thousand eight hundred and 
Examined and Countersigned
J.S. Edm
Commissioner of Pensions
By F. J.
Page 24

[Two sides. Left side:]
Enlisted January 23, 1781
Died on the 8th April 1813-
30 [illegible]
040 and 960
Israel [illegible]
6.111-1

[Right side:]
[illegible]
Act March 3
December 7 [illegible]
[illegible] M

226.338
49174
Betsey Tenney widow
Gideon Tenney private.
Captain Daniel Harringington
Colonel Elias Hassett,
Ent-1813
Rejected December 17, 1856
Gideon Tenney enlisted in Captain
Daniel Harrington company 30th Regiment 26th infantry on  [illegible] discharged on the 8th of April [illegible] [illegible] office. February 29/[18]56
[illegible]
[illegible] audiitor
Claimant,
Cummington
Massachusetts
Page 25

6401
[illegible]
Page 26

Cummington Massachusetts
December 20th
Free
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C.  
Application for bounty land
226-338
Page 27

State of Massachusetts ⎬ SS
County of
Hampshire
On this thirtieth day of August AD one thousand
Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace authorized to administer
oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid
Betsey Tenney aged Eighty three years a resident of
Cumminington in the State of Massachusetts who being duly
sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of
Gideon Tenney deceased who was a private in the company
commanded by Daniel Farrington Captain in the Regiment commanded by Elias Fassett in the war with
Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th
day of June 1812 that her said husband enlisted in
the spring of 1813 he is unable to say for what term
and continued in actual service in said war for the
term of six months or more and was honorably discharged she cannot say at what time
she further states that she was married to the said
Gideon Tenney on the Eighth day of March 1772
by one Thomas Holt a Clergyman and that her name
before her said marriage
was Betsey Childs
That her said husband died at Cummington in said
State of Massachusetts on the third
day of June
AD 1848 and that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining
the bounty land to which she may be entitled
under the act approved March 3d 1855
Witness
Page 28


Betsey TenneyXher mark
Hiram Holmes
J. W. Lord
We Hiram Holmes and Davis W Lowell residents
of Cummington in the State of Massachusetts
upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration
was signed and acknowledged by Betsey Tenney
in our presence and that we believe from the
appearance and statements of the applicant that she
is the identical person she represents herself to be
of
Hiram Fulmer
Davis W. Lord
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn
to and subscribed before me on the day and year above
written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible
persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself
to be and that I have no interest in the claims
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
Page 29

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
HAMPSHIRE SS.
I, Samuel Wills
Clerk of the Judicial
Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that
Eliphalet Packard Esquire, whose signature
affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date
thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County
duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and
that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations,
done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said
Eliphalet Packard
and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said
Commonwealth, this third day of
September in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
Samuel Wills
Clerk
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampshire
Town of Cummington
August 30 1853
I, Almon Mitchell depose and say that I
hold the office of Clerk of the town of Cummington
and that on the records of death in said town I find
Mr Gideon Tenney died June third one thousand eight
hundred and forty three 834. the above is a true copy of the
the record with the exception of the date which is
in fair and legible figures as follows
June 3rd 1843 83 years
Almon Mitchell
Hampshire Ss. Sworn to by the said Almon
Mitchell the day and year above written
Before me Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
Page 31

December 20, 1845
Added to case
Betsey Tenney
Doctor Crump
[illegible] to Niles 19 December
left by J. Rockwell of Massachusetts
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston
November 17 1845
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 of
Gideon Tenney of Northborough is 
borne upon a Pay Roll of Captain Manasseh
Sawyers company, in Colonel Dikes regiment for travel
from their respective town to Dorchester
Heights, as a private number of miles travel
against his name 37 said roll is dated "Dorchester
September 4, 1776. Upon a Muster roll of
Captain Harringtons Company, in Colonel Nicholas
Dikes regiment as a private of Northborough, from
December 1776, to the last of February 17
3 months. Upon a payroll of Captain Benjamin
Nyes Company in Colonel N. Sparhawkis regiment as
a private from August 21 to 25 1777 10 days including allowance of 5 days for travel- said roll is dated Barre March 27 1778 upon a Muster
roll of Captain Jotham Houghtons Company in Colonel
Whitney's Regiment as a private from July 31
to
Page 33

September 14. 1775, 1 month and 15 days
said roll is dated. Petersham February 1779
Joel Pratt named in the annexed letter
was a private in Captain Samuel Woods
Company in Colonel Jonathan Wardings regiment in
the Eight months service of 1775 but
there is no evidence upon the rolls of said Tenney as shown by the military records in this office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence all the evidence
of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of
July 9th 1845 was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, 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
John C. Pressey
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 34

Pension Office,
July 9th 1845.
Sir,
The claim of Betsey Tenney under the Act of 7th July
1838, is barred by the act of the 30th April 1844, her husband having received a pension for the entire time to
which
that act was limited.
If her claim be urged under the Act of 3rd March 1843, and 17th June 1844, the service of her husband Gideon Tenney must be established by the Certificate of the secretary of state of Massachusetts. He alleged 
he served eight months in 1775 as a substitute for Joel 
Pratt Captain Ward Colonel Clark, twelve months in 1776
under Captain Sawyer, Colonel Nicholas Dike, seven months in 1777 under Captain Nye, Colonel; Carling twelve months in 1778 as a Sergeant under Captain Houghton,
Colonel Whitney
The date of the marriage is satisfactory
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient. Servant
J. L. Edwards
Eliphalet Packard Esquire
Cummington
Massachusetts
Page 35

I, Gideon Tenney of Brandon in the County of
Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 75 years, depose and
say, that on one of the last days of April, 1833,
Robert Temple Esquire late of Rutland in said County, deceased,
addressed a letter to Seth Keeler Esquire then Post Master at
said Brandon, informing him that he, Temple, had procured
pensions for several persons in that vicinity, and among others
that he had procured one for me, at the rate of one hundred
dollars per annum; and, that the said Keeler then showed
me said letter. Very soon after this notice, early in May
I repaired to Rutland for the purpose of receiving the money
then due me and was informed by M Temple for he
had not then Shown me my pension certificate) that I was
entitled to receive 200 dollars. On this occasions, M. Temple
asked me, How much money I wanted. and further, If I
could not do with less, than the 200 dollars. I answered him
that as I had the just and from a long and dangerous
illness, and was on that account much in debt, I wanted the
whole, but could do with less, and would leave 20 dollars in his
hands.
I had previously paid him for his services in procuring
my pension. He then gave me a check on the Bank of Rutland
for 180 dollars, on which the cashier paid me the money
Afterwards, in August of the same year, being in Rutland, and
wishing to anticipate my coming pension. I called again on M Temple,
who gave me another check on the Bank for 65 dollars. This
sum was in like manner paid me, and left Mr Temple on the
4th of September, 1833, still in my debts, the sum of five dollars.
Again, early in March before the 4th, 1834. I called on Mr
Temple, and received 68 dollars, for which I have supposed he
gave me a check at any rate I received the money which
left me in Mr Temples debt the sum of thirteen dollars.
At this time he remarked to me, that he should thereafter
pay no more money out of the Bank, and that we (meaning
the pensioner) must wait, until he should get money from
the Government. To which proposition, I for one, agreed.
Again, about the 4th of September, 1834, being at Rutland,
I called on Mr. Temple for more money; supposing that by
that time he had received money from the Government as he
had told of. To this application he answered, that he had
not received any money, but that he should probably get it
within a month.
At this time, and at my request,
he gave up to me my pension certificate, which was the
first time I had ever seen it: and I did not then pursue
it untill I got home to Brandon, not then, until after the
lapse of about 30 days, during which time, having been taken
sick while at Rutland, I remained ill and was incapable
of reading or of transacting any kind of business. About the
last of September, or first of October, when I had recovered from
my illness, sufficiently to sit up, I perused my certificate for
Page 36

I William Page Cashier of the Bank of Rutland, residing in
Rutland, in the County of Rutland
State of Vermont aged
fifty
five years do depose, testify
say, that in the third day of May in
thousand eight hundred thirty three, I paid to Gideon Tenney a 
cheek drawn in me as cashier of the Bank of Rutland in the
sum of one Hundred and eighty Dollars by
R. Temple late of Rutland
now dead, and on the thirty first day of August in the same year
I paid a check drawn on the
former for the sum of sixty five Dollars.
said checks are annexed to this
affidavit. I further say that after
1831 Mr Temple discontinued the practice, in most cases, of drawing 
checks on the Bank to pay Pensioners as he had before that
time done, and took
from the Bank
large sums in his own checks
and paid to the Pensioners himself-
I further say
that I have
been acquainted with Gideon Tenney for many
years
and
not
know of any other means that he could have had to have obtained 
the aforementioned check from Mr Temple, except from his pension.
William Page

State of Vermont
Putnam County Ss.
Subscribed and sworn this
23 day of April
1835
R. Royce Justice of the Peace
[two checks;}

Rutland August 31, 1833
Cashier of the BANK OF RUTLAND,
Pay Gideon Tenney or Bearer
sixty five Dollars __Cents
65 dollars__cents
R. Temple

Rutland May 2nd, 1833
Cashier of the BANK OF RUTLAND,
Pay Gideon Tenney or Bearer
One hundred eighty Dollars __Cents
180 dollars__cents
R. Temple
Page 37


the first time, and then to my surprise, discovered it to be for
140 dollars per annum
Knowing that I had never
received
that amount per annum, and also that I was not entitled to
it, as soon afterwards as I was able to write, I addressed a
letter to the Commissioner of Pensions, notifying him of the
error; and on the 3d of November, 1834, the Commissioner
wrote me, to have the Certificate returned for correction.
Accordingly about the last of November, 1834. I inclosed
my pension certificate to J. L. Edwards Commissioner of
Pensions, and lodged it in the Post Office at Brandon
whence I supposed it would be sent to its address at
Washington, and have not seen it since, nor do I know where
it is no have I any other knowledge of it.
At the time I received of Mr.. Temple the 180 dollars
above mentioned, such was my confidence in Mr Temples
supposed integrity. I signed two blanks - which he told me
was proper to enable him to draw my money; but how he
filled them up, or for what sums he made them, I never
knew
And further this deponent saith not
Gideon Tenney
State of Vermont
Rutland County Ss.
Subscribed and sworn to this 23d day of April, 1835
Before me
R. Royce Justice Peace.
And I do further depose and say, that the above mentioned
sums of 180 dollars, 65 dollars, and 68 dollars received of Robert Temple
are all, and the only monies ever received by me from any source
for or on account of the pension of 100 dollars per annum, to which
amount, and no more, I had until last fall, as above related,
and now suppose myself to be entitled. And further this deponent
saith not.
Gideon Tenney
State of Vermont
Rutland County Ss.
Subscribed and sworn to before me 
this 1st day of June 1835
R. Royce Justice of the Peace
Page 38

William Pages Gideon Tenney's Affidavits Dated 23 April 1835
Page 39

State of Vermont
Rutland County Ss.
I, Robert Pierpoint clerk of the
County Court for the County of
Rutland
certify
that Rodney C. Royce is dead for six months last past.
He was a Justice of the Peace for said County
and that his signatures to the foregoing certificate are genuine.testimony whereof
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said court at Rutland this 6th day
Of July AD 1835
R. Pierpoint
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, January 15 1850
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the
annexed attestation Eliphalet Packard
was a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Hampshire
in the said Commonwealth, duly
commissioned and qualified;
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
[illegible]
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 41

I Betsey Tenney of Cummington in the
County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts
aged Seventy eight years depose and say
that she is the widow of Gideon Linney late
of said Cummington deceased who was a
private and Sergeant in the war of the
Revolution and that he died on the third
day of June 1843 and that he was a pensioner
of the United States at the rate of one hundred
dollars per annum and that he formerly resided
in Brandon in the State of Vemont that the
the affiant has resided in the town of Cummington
about eight years and is now in receipt of a
Pension of twenty five dollars and sixty six cents per
annum and that she believes that she is entitled
to a larger pension and asks for whatever
increase it may be found she is entitled to
under any of the acts and Resolution of Congress
which are applicable to her case and that she
asks for her pension of the 7th July 1838 and the
of March 1843 and 17th June 1844 and the 2nd of
February 1848 and that she thinks her declaration
was made in May 1844. that she would refer to
the papers now on file in the Pension Office for further
particulars
Betsey Tenney X her mark
-Sworn to and Subscribed this 28th December 1847
Before me Eliphalet Justice of the Peace
Page 42

I certify that I am personally acquainted with
the within
Affiant Betsy Tenney
and that she is the same individual
that she represents herself to be in
the
foregoing affidavit Viz [namely] widow of Gideon
Tenney and a Pensioner
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peac
Page 43

Gideon Tenney 
file to Massachusetts 
Instructions to refund difference to be given
Page 44

State of Massachusetts
Franklin County Ss.
On this twenty first day of November A.D. 1835
before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said
County of Franklin, personally appeared Gideon Tenney
who on his oath, declares that he is the same person who
formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain
Samuel Woods in the Regiment commanded by Jonathan Ward
in the service of of the Massachusetts State service; that his
name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Vermont
from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides
in the State of Massachusetts (in the town of Gill, County
of Franklin aforesaid) where he intends to remain and
wishes his pension to be there payable in
future.
The following are his reasons for removing from the State of
Vermont to the State of Massachusetts
to wit,
he has become old and infirm, that he has a son resident
in Gill aforesaid, who is willing to aid and assist him the
necessaries and conveniencies of life, and for the purposes of
enjoying the privileges aforesaid he has removed from
Vermont to Massachusetts
Gideon Tenney
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid
Almon Brainard
Justice of the Peace
Page 45

State of Massachusetts
Franklin County
SS
November. 21st 1835
I George Grennell Jr. of Greenfield in said County
of lawful age depose and say that I know and have been
acquainted with Gideon Tenney, the signer of the
foregoing affidavit, that he is the same Gideon Tenney described
In the body of the foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed and sworn to.
George Grenell Jr.
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day
and year aforesaid
Almon Brainard
Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin SS. I, Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Franklin, do hereby certify that
Almon Brainard Esquire before whom the above and within
affidavits purport to have been taken and sworn to is a
Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and
qualified, and that the signatures to the certificates of
purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfied
this twenty fifth day of November A.D. 1835
E. Alvord Clerk
Page 46

Admitted 
Honorable J. Rockwell Pittsfield Massachusetts
Page 47

State of Massachusetts
Hampshire County ss
On this twenty fourth day of July 1848 personally
appeared before me Eliphalet Packard a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County Betsey Tenney a resident of Cummington in the County of Hampshire aged seventy six years
who being first duly sworn according to to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed on the second day of February 1848 granting pension
to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary
was that she is the widow of Gideon Tenney who was a
private and Sergeant in the Revolutionary war and that the
received a pension under the act of June 17th 1844 of
twenty five dollars and sixty six cents per annum
she further declares that she is still a widow
In presence of Eliphalet Packard
Betsey Tenney X her mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written
Before me
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the applicant is personally known
to me
Eliphalet Packard Justice of the Peace
Page 48

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire SS.
I Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth
for the County of Hampshire, do certify that Eliphalet Packard
Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was
at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County
duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that
full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that
capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Eliphalet Packard
and believe his signature to said certificate
genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth, this twenty fifth day of [illegible] 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
Hundred  and forty eight
[illegible] Clerk
Page 49

Seth Keeler's affidavit
Dated 29 April 1835
Page 50

I
Seth Keeler of Brandon in the County of 
Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 57 years,
depose and say, that some time in the spring
season of the year of our Lord, 1833, I well recollect
of receiving a letter from Robert Temple Esquire of
Rutland, now deceased, informing me (I being
the Post Master at said Brandon) that he had
procured pensions for several persons in said
town of Brandon, among whom, one was Gideon
Tenney; and that according to my present best
recollection and belief, said Temple informed,
that said Tinneys pension was one hundred
dollars per annum
I have searched among my papers for the letter, but cannot find
it.
It being a matter of no interest to me,
was not filed, and I presume is lost. And
further this deponent saith not.
Seth Keeler

State of Vermont,
Rutland County ss
Subscribed and sworn to this
29th day of April, 1835 and
I do hereby certify, that the said
Seth Keeler is a credible witness
Before me
A L Brown Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County
Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County
Court for the County of Rutland certify
thee Andrew L Brown is and for Six
months last past has been
Justice of the peace for said County
duly
commissioned and that his
In
Signature above is genuine,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
head
and affixed the seal of said Court at
Rutland this 6th day of July A.D. 1835
R. Pierpoint
Page 51

Phinehas Whitney's deposition
Gideon Tenney's claim
Page 52

The deposition of Phinehas Whitney of Brandon in
the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 76 years,
who deposes and says, that he has been personally acquainted with
Gideon Tenney of the same Brandon, ever since the spring
season of 1776. This deponent and the said Tenney enlisted at
that time into Captain Manassah Sawyer's Company in Colonel
Nicholas Dike's Regiment in the Massachusetts troops, for the
time of one year, which term we served out into eleven days.
We were employed during the time in erecting works of defences on
Dorchester Heights, and on Castle William and were discharged
in the spring of 1777
In 1778, this deponent was a private in Captain Willson's company
in Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment of Massachusetts troops. In the
summer of that year this deponent, with his regiment was stationed at
Rhode Island, where we remained until the latter part of the year
1779. In the Summer and fall season of 1778, this deponent
often saw the said Tenney there, and understood that he had the
command of a guard, he supposes as Sergeant, who had the
charge of a large number of public cattle and sheep, and he
recollects, that whenever the Commissary wanted cattle for the subsistence of the army, he sent to said Tenney, and that he with
some of his men drove them in from the Country, in such
numbers as was required - sometimes 20 or 30 head at a
time and this deponent has frequently seen said Tenney driving
in cattle for the use of the army as above related-- but
how long the said Tenney remained in that station, this deponent
doth not know.
And further this deponent saith not.
Phinheas Whitney

State of Vermont,
Rutland County S.
Subscribed and sworn before me, this 7th day
of May, 1835. And I do hereby certify, that
I am well acquainted with the said Phinehas Whitney
and that he is reputed to be a man of truth
and veracity.
M. Carlisle Justice of the Peace
Page 53

Ebenezer Wheelock's deposition Gideon Tenney's claim.
Page 54

the deposition of Eleazer Wheelock of Rutland in
the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 77 years,
who depose and says, that he has been acquainted with
Gideon Tenney now residing in Brandon in said County
in the year 1775.
This deponent was then a private in
Captain Moses Wheelock's Company in Colonel Jonathan Ward’s Regiment of the Massachusetts Line, and stationed at Old Cambridge, for eight months.
This deponent well remembers that the said Gideon Tenney 
was at said Cambridge at the time above mentioned,
as a private in Captain Samuel Woods company in Colonel Ward's Regiment
We were out for the term of eight months; and at the end of the
term, which was in December, we were all discharged together
I was out in the service myself, at that time eight months, and
I verily believe that said Tenney was in the service at that time
for the same term
This deponent was further acquainted with said Tenney in
the service at Rhode Island, in 1778, where the said Tenney was a Sergeant. This deponent was in the service there, for the
term of six weeks, and know the said Tenney there in the
capacity of a Sergeant in Captain Jotham Houghton's Company
and in Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment.
And further this deponent saith not
Eleazer Wheelock

State of Vermont
Rutland County, Ss.
Be it known, that on this third day of July
1835, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County of Rutland personally appeared Eleazer Wheelock who subscribed the preceeding [sic] deposition in my presence, and made solemn
oath that the facts therein contained all the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that I
am well acquainted with the deponent and that he is reputed
to be a man of truth and veracity.
S. Tost, Justice of the peace
Page 55

Phineas whitney
Eleazer Wheelock and 
Oliver Wolcott
Depositions
Page 56

The deposition of Oliver Wolcott of Pittsford
in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont,
aged 74 years, who, being duly sworn according to
law, deposes and says, that he knows Gideon Tenney
of Brandon in said County, and has been personally
and well acquainted with him ever since about
the first of January, 1778.
Deponent was at that
time on duty as a private Soldier in Captain Adam
Henry's Company at Old Rutland in Massachusetts,
guarding the Convention Troops then detained as prisoners
of war at that place. Deponent served in said
capacity at that place for the term of three months,
and during all that time he knew the said Gideon Tenney
who was there in the like capacity as this deponent,
and in the same company. That the said Company was
relieved from their guard duty about the first of April
1778, when the soldiers composing it were discharged
from further service at that time and all returned
to their several homes, as deponent supposes.
And this deponent further testifies and says, the said Captain Henry was succeeded in the command of said Company
Captain Timothy Ruggles who command about two months,
of the latter part of the said three months.
the Guard, at that time, was only a Captains Guard
And further this deponent saith not.
Oliver Wolcott X his mark

State of Vermont,
Rutland County S.

On this 1st day of June, 1835, personally appeared
the above named Oliver Wolcott, and made solemn oath, that the
preceeding deposition by him subscribed contains the
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And I do
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said
Wolcott, and believe him to be a credible witness
W. Royce Justice of the Peace
Page 57

State of Vermont
Rulland County
I, Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court
for the County of Rutland Certify that Martin Calish
Solomon Foot and Rodney C Royce are and for six months
last past have been Justices of the peace for said
County duly commissioned and that I believe their
signed to the foregoing certificate are
Genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court at Rutland this 6th day
of July A.D. 1835
R. Pierpoint
Page 58

Washington City DC
January 14th 1850.
Sir.
I herewith return the
certificate of Betsey Tenney of Massachusetts widow of Gideon 
under act of 2nd February1848
for the purpose of obtaining
new certificates under joint resolution of July 1st 1848.
Very  Respectfully
J. M. Thayer
Colonel Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 59

Free 
J.L. Edwards Esquire 
Commissioner on pensions 
Washington City
[stamp upper left:]
Brandon Vermont
February

Vermont February 16
Page 60

Brandon February 4. 1805
Dear Sir 
Not hearing from you for several month, led me to fear
that my letter had not arrived at Washington, on seeing your letter
informing me that their was a mistake in the computation of my pension and requesting return of my certificate for correction I immediately wrote you a letter and enclosed my certificate as you requested. If Sir, you 
have not received it be so good as to inform me what after receiving my certification in September and finding it to be 40 dollars over what he informed me he has obtained forms, I was supprised [sic] and wrote to the President the [illegible] 
Bank at Burlington, requesting him to inform me by letter how much Mr. Temple had drawn from the bank in my name. He wrote me he had paid him in my name 490 dollars which is 177 dollars over what he ever paid me in checks on his bank, I did not receive the letter from Burlington till after I wrote you or I should have given you this information in my letter. Mr. Temple always directed me to sign blank orders and receipts which I did. I never
Saw him write a line in the blank.
Sir, any communication from you will be thankfully received and every attention paid to them.
by your most obedient and humble servant
Gideon Penney
J.L. Edwards
City Washington
Page 61

Rutland Vermont 6 August 1835
Sir,
Your letter of the 1st instant, advising that
Gideon Tenney is restored to the pension list at 60 and
40, making 100 dollars per annum, is received. This amount
corresponds with what W. Tenney has always claimed
that he was entitled to, and I presume will be so far
satisfactory
In reference to his Pension Certificate, which you
remark should be returned for correction, I beg leave to
refer you to his deposition sworn on the 23 April last
and lately transmitted by me to you, in which he testifies,
that on the 3 November, 1834, the Commissioner of Pensions
wrote him, for the same purpose; and, that about the last
of that month, the enclosed his certificate, addressed to
J.L. Edwards, and lodged it in the Post Office at Brandon
whence he supposed it was regularly sent to its address at
Washington, and that since that time he has not sent
nor has he any other knowledge of it should not this
proof be satisfactory, as to the loss of the certificate I will
procure such other and further testimony as may be
required and in Mr. Tenneys power.
The opinion you have been pleased to express
respecting the reimbursement of the 120 dollars overdrawn by
M r.Temple is so different from what Mr Tenney had been
advised to expect, that I feel impelled, respectfully
to solicit your attention again to the subject.
The pension to which Mr. Tenney was entitled, under the act
of 7 June 1832, seems to have been admitted to be 100 dollars.
This sum is stated, both in the printed pension roll, and
by the Commissioner in his letter of the 1st instant, now before me
And it would seem that both these decisions with have
been made up on the same testimony, or at least, on
that which was similar, and which proved the same
quantum of service. But the amount of pension
actually received by Mr. Tenney was 100 dollars per annum
only. On [illegible] to the deposition of Seth Keeler Esquire
Page 62

dated 29 April last, he swears that Mr Temple informed him
that that was the amount to which Tenney was entitled. Tenney
himself in his deposition above refered [sic] to, swears that he always
supposed 100 dollars was the amount of his pension, and goes into
a history of the manner in which Temple paid him his several
stipends; and this statement is corroborated by the testimony
of William Page Esquire Cashier of the Bank, and this whose agency several of the payments were made. The result then seems to be, that Tenney has actually received but 100 dollars per annum for his pension. Moreover it sums that Temple
was in the habit of retaining in his own custody the certificates
of the pensioners in his custody, and that he kept Tenney's
among the rest and refering [sic] again to his deposition, Tenney
swears that he never saw, and that Temple did not surrender
his certificate, until the 4 September, 1834; that he Tenney
did not know the tenor of the certificate, until some 30 days
after the date, that immediately upon ascertaining its contents
he apprised the Commissioner of Pensions, that the certificate
was for 140. But, Mr.. Tenney did not even suggest at that
time, that Mr Temple had drawn that sum in his name.
-
And here, too, let it be observed, that Mr Tenney's means of obtaining money
from all sources, are further testified to by the Cashier of the Bank
who has been long acquainted with him and his affairs. He could
not therefore have received any part of the 40 dollars by collusion
with Temple nor is it perceivable how he could have received it
in any other manner. He must then have been ignorant of the
fraud; and if so it would be unjust upon plain principles to make
him suffer for the wrong done by Temple
Again, it is conceived, that there is an obvious analogy between
this case, and the supposititioned ones. Tenney's name had been
used by Temple to draw money out of the Treasury to the amount of 40 dollars a year for seven years; and so had the names of James Ledget and many others, been also used by him for the same purpose. Mr. Temple had therefore received money tho[ugh] the name of Ledget, as well as that of Tenney. In both cases, the act was fraudulent and in both cases, too, the persons whose names were thus used were undoubtedly equally ignorant of the transaction. unless then,
the knowledge of the fraud can be fastened upon Tenney, it will
Page 63

not be easy, I imagine, to discover the distinction between the
cases. It may be said, indeed, that Tenney should have known
the purport of the powers signed, which authorised Temple to
Draw 70 dolls every half year.
To which, it may be answered, if the unsuspecting confidence in the [illegible] of the papers thus signed
without inspection, were not a sufficient excuse; yet, Tenney
has purged himself, by his oath of all knowledge of their
fraudulent contents, and should be regarded as the dupe, and
not the convict of Temples crimes.
Besides, it is improbable that the Secretary of War himself could have supposed the Certificate to have been issued for 140 dollars: else, how, it may be asked, could he have asserted, in his report to the Senate, that the pensioner was entitled to but 100 dollars.
Had Tenney participated with Temple in this portion of his ill-gotten gains, his claim would stand, unquestionably, without merits, and he could not reasonably complain, had he been stricken off altogether.
As it is however, he respectfully insists, that the 40 dollars should be placed on the same footing with the other cases of fraud, and charged to Temples estate.
from every view, therefore, which I have been able to take of
the case, the justice or equity of calling upon Mr. Tenney to reimburse the Treasury for money that never came to his hands, nor to his use, is not perceived, although his name has been
made the innocent medium of speculation, like that of James
Ledget, Prince Robinson, and numerous other persons
I cannot but indulge the hope, therefore, that you will be pleased to favor Mr. Tenney with a review of the testimony I forwarded on the 21 ultimo, and that upon a reconsideration of his case, you
will find it to be in your power to restore him, as well to
his back pay, as you have already done to the future.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
[illegible] Gove

To
Honorable James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington