Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,136, William Woodruff, Conn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Woodruff, William
Ruth
NUMBER 
W. 20.136
CONTENTS
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Vermont - (B.F) 1962
Ruth Woodruff,
widow of William Woodruff
Conn,
and who died on the 3d of May, 181[Page torn]
of Caledonia Co. in the State of Vermont
who was a pri. & corp in the __ comman[page torn]
by Captain ___ of the Regt comman[page torn]
by Col. Sherman in the Connecticut 
line for 12 mos. pri.
12  " corpl.

Inscribed on the Roll of Bellows Falls at the rate of 84 Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of March 1839 and sent to Hon. I. Fletcher, H. R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 - $210:00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 M '39  42:00
_____
$252.00
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 61.

Dup Certificate issued 5th March 1839 and Sent to Hon I. Fletcher. present
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I, Lemon Brockway, of Avon in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, being now of the age of seventy three years, do depose and Say, that during the years of my childhood, and until I arrived to the age of about thirty, I resided in that part of Bristol which now constitutes the town of Burlington in said County and State, that while living in said town, I was well acquainted with William Woodruff of that place, who, sometime in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight, according to my present recollection and belief, invited me to attend at his wedding, which I did accordingly attend, within a few days of receiving his said invitation, in company with a young woman named Sally  Phelps, at which time I witnessed the marriage of the said William Woodruff and Ruth Gridley, the widow of Abraham Gridley late of Farmington, deceased, by Rev. Jonathan Miller then the Congregational minister settled over the people of Burlington and now deceased. I am led to the conclusion that the marriage above referred to was attended in the year above specified from the known fact that my own marriage took place on the 5th of January seventeen hundred and ninety, which I feel confident must have occurred within two years after the marriage of said William Woodford [Woodruff].
Lemon Brockway [signature]

State of Connecticut: Hartford County ss:
Farmington February 16th AD. 1839.
Personally appeared the above named Lemon Brockway, to me known as a person of truth and veracity, who, having signed the above deposition in my presence, made oath that the same contains
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a true statement of facts, according to his best knowledge and belief, before me,
Horace Cowles Justice of Peace.
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I Certify that on application for evidence of the Service of William Woodruff I have examined the records of Settlement made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army and find his name in a Settlement made with the 8th Connecticut Regiment Isaac Sherman Esq Col before Jany 1780 where he is entered as a private and as having Commenced Service Augt 12 1777 Time of Settlement Jany 1 1780 Making 2.4.19 Wages [Pound symbol] 57.5.4 Again in the Same Regiment Commenced Service Jany 1 1780 Time of Settlement Jany 1 1781 making 12 Mo Amt of Wages [Pound symbol] 24.0.0 Again Commenced Service as Corporal in Same Regiment Jany 1 1781 Time of Settlement Decr 31 1781 Making 12 Months Amt of Wages [Pound symbol] 24.8.0 -
Henry Kilbourn Compt
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Court Augt 13 1838
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I, John North, of Farmington, in the County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, on oath depose and say - That I am 89 years of age - that I was born and have always lived in Farmington aforesaid. That I very well knew William Woodruff and Ruth Porter from their childhood until their marriage and subsequent removal from this town to Vermont - said Wm. Woodruff was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and I remember that he was in the army a long time, and while he was attached to the army I remember that he came home two or three times on furlough - that said Ruth Porter was first married to Abraham Gridley of said Farmington, and they lived together in Farmington, till the said Abraham Gridley died in consequence of a fall from a barn he was erecting - that said Gridley's death occurred in three or four years after his marriage, leaving the said Ruth a widow - that the said widow Ruth Gridley was married a short time after her first husband's death, to the said William Woodruff - that this marriage took place very soon after the close of the war, and I am confident it was more than fifty years ago - that the said Wm. Woodruff and Ruth his wife lived in Farmington together after their marriage, about ten years and had one or more children born in this town - that about ten years
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after their marriage, they removed from this town to the State of Vermont, - that I have understood and do verily believe that said Woodruff has been dead about twelve or fifteen years - and that to the best of my recollection it is twelve or fifteen years since I heard of his death. And further the deponent saith not.
John North [signature]

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. Farmington, August 10th, A.D. 1838.
Then personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid - John North, signer of the foregoing deposition, known to me as a person of clear mind and of a good character for truth and veracity, who read and signed the same and made solemn oath to the truth of the matters contained therein - before me -
Horace Cowles Justice of Peace.
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I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT Horace Cowles Esq is and for more than Six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same ; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof ; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Cowles in Court and Country. 

In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 18th day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine And I certify that the signatures of said hereunto annexed are genuine. 
Royal R Hinman [signature] Secretary.

[Seal with serrated edges folded and affixed at left]
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Hon. I. Fletcher
H.R.
Page 10

aw

July 18, 1906
L.M.H.
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Woodruff, Wm.
His name appears on a list of invalid pensioners returned by the Circuit Court for the district of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on Dec. 14, 1792, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 66.

Rank: Corporal
Regt.: 5th
Disability: Ruptured in straining, being on special command in launching boats.
Date of certificate: Oct. 1. 1792
Monthly allowance: $ 2.44 1/3
Arrears due: $100.00
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aw

Aug. 20, 1906
WJF
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Woodruff, William
His name appears on a list of Invalid pensioners on the pension list returned by the Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 117.

Rank:  Corporal
Regt: 5th Connecticut.
Disability: Wounded at the battle of Monmouth, and ruptured, by overstraining in launching boats.
When disabled: 1778 and 1781.
Residence: Bristol.
Monthly allowance: $2.45
Arrearages: $100.00
Remarks: This man does not appear on the musters of this regiment or line.
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WAR DEPARTMENT.-

This may Certify that in conformity with the Act of Congress of the 3d of March 1811, entitled, "An Act concerning Invalid Pensioners," William Woodruff, is placed on the Pension List of the United States, "at the rate of Five dollars per month, to commence on the "Twenty-fourth day of October, one thousand eight hundred & ten."

Given at the War Office of the United States, this Sixteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eleven.-

W. Eustis [signature]
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V 2047
Ruth Woodruff
1962
widow of William
Vt
Act 7. July 38
aomd.
12 mo. pri
12. - Corpl
_____
84$
_____
No deduction

Hon. J. Fletcher
H.R.
Page 16

State of Vermont
County of Caledonia

On this fifteenth day of September AD 1838 Personally Appeared before me the subscriber George W. Denison Assistant Judge of the County Court for the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont Ruth Woodruff a resident of Burke in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July. 7. 1838 - entitled "An act Granting half pay and pensions to certain Widdows - That She is the Widdow of William Woodruff late of Bristol in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticutt but more recently of Burke in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution that he resided in Bristol in said State of Connecticutt when he first went into the Army that she was acquainted with him when he first went into the Army and believes that he enlisted or  Volunteered - that she beleaves he went into the Army in the year 1777 or 8- and Continued in the same four or five years - thinks She has heard her Husband say his Regement was Commanded by Col Sherman - She further States that her said Husband was a Pensioner of the United States (an Invalid she thinks) and would refer the Commissioner of Pensions to the list of Pensions on the Vermont Pention Roll for Proof of his Services and to the
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Documentary evidence hereunto annexed - She further declares that she was a Native of Farmington in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticutt that her Maiden Name was Ruth Porter that she was first married to Abraham Gridley of sd Farmington who died in Consequence of a fall from a barn in April in 1786 - Seven years after our mariage and in November 1788 she was Married to William Woodruff that she Continued to reside with said Woodruff in said Bristoll untill the year 1796 when we removed to Vermont - that her husband the aforesaid William Woodruff died on the 3d day of May 1813 - that there is no documentary Evidence or record Proof of her Mariage except that hereunto annexed - that she was Not married to him prior to his leaving the Service but the Marriage took place Previous to the first day of January 1794 at the Time above Stated 
Ruth Woodruff [signature]

In Presents of
Isaac Denison
Matthew Cushing

Sworn and Subscribed to on the day and year above written before G.W. Denison Judge

I further Certify that the above Named declared is by reason of bodily infirmity unable to attend the Court - the Court being holden at Danvill a distance of Twenty five Miles from her residence
G.W. Denison Judge
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I Abigail Walter of Burke in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged Sixty-Seven years depose and say that I am Sister to the Widdow Ruth Woodruff of Burk - that I was present at the time of the Mairage Contract being made between the said Ruth Woodruff and William Woodruff which was in the year 1788 - that the said William Woodruff and Ruth Woodruff his Wife lived together as man and Wife untill the said William died which was in May 1813.
I further say that at the time they were married they resided in the Town of Bristol County of Hartford and State of Connecticutt some years after their Mariage they moved to Vermont -
I further say that I have lived in the home with them while they lived in Connecticutt and Vermont as much as three years
I further say that I was knowing to the said William Woodruff Serving as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution - but do not distinctly recollect how long - but Recollect his being at home in furlow.
I further say that Previous to my Sister Ruth Woodruff being married to Mr Woodruff She had been married to Mr Abraham Gridley who died I think some time in the year 1786 - that said Gridley was also in the War of the revolution - some time Previous to his death
I further say that the said Ruth Woodruff and William Woodruff had a large family of Children while they lived together say Eight daughters and further sayeth not
Abigail Walter
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State of Vermont
Caledonia County Burke September 1st AD 1838

Then Personally Appeared Abigail Walter to me Personally known to be a wooman of good morrall Caracter and Credit for truth and Veracity  and in my presents Subscribed the foregoing deposition and made Oath to the Truth of the same before me
Isaac Denison Just of Peace
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I Isaac Denison of the Town of Burke County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged Sixty years do on Oath testify and say - that I have been acquainted with Ruth Woodruff the widdow refered to in the Annexed Papers for forty years - that she was formerly a resident of Bristol Connecticutt and for many years past a Resident in this State I further Testify that she is the widdow of William Woodruff formerly of Bristol but for many years Previous to his death a resident of this State that they lived together ever after my acquaintance with them to the Period of his death which was in May 1813 as man and Wife that I was Present at the house of said Woodruff when he died - that the had a large family of Children many of whom are now living - I further Testify that said William Woodruff was as I believe an invalid Pensioner of the U. States - that said Ruth Woodruff his Widdow has never been Married since his decease but still remains his Widdow - and further deponant Sayeth not - 
Isaac Denison
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State of Vermont
Caledonia County Burke Sept the 1[illegible] AD 1838
Then Personally Appeared Isaac Denison to me Personally known to be a man of good Morrall Caracter and Credit for truth and Veracity and in my Presents Subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn Oath to the Truth of the same
before me
G.W. Denison Judge
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I - Isaac Denison of Burke in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged Sixty years do testify and Say that on the first day of Sept Instant I Cut this leaf of Paper from an old account Book handed me by the Widdow Ruth Woodruff the Person Alluded to in the annexed Papers that the Wrighting above is the hand Wrighting of William Woodruff Late husband of said Ruth Woodruff
Burke Sept 15. 1838
Isaac Denison

Sworn to before me this 15 day of Sept. 1838
G W Denison Judge
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I Isaac Denison of Burke County of Caledonia and State of Vermont aged Sixty years do Testify and say that I did on the first day of Sept-Inst Cut this leaf of Paper from an old account Book handed me by the Widdow Ruth Woodruff the Person alluded to in the Annexed papers that the Wrighting on the other side of this paper is the hand Wrighting of William Woodruff Late husband of sd Ruth Woodruff -
Burke Sept 1. 1838
Isaac Denison

State of Vermont
Caledonia County ss Burke Sept 15. 1838
Then Personally Appeared Isaac Denison to me Personally known to be a man of good Morrall Caracter and Credit for truth and Veracity and in my presents Subscribed the above Certificate and made solem Oath to the Truth of the same
before me G W Denison Judge
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Burk Sept 30 AD 18[illegible]   6/8
Wm Woodruffs Book of accompts
No 3d Price 6/8 -

Delia Woodruff 1st daughter of Wm & Ruth Woodr[page torn]
Born at Bristol Connecticut August 10th AD 1789 -

Resia Woodruff 2d do do Born at Bristol Conectic[page torn]
january 13th AD 1792 -

Ruth Woodruff 3d do do Born at Bristol Connecticut 
April 1st AD 1794 -

Julia Woodruff 4th do do Born at Tinmouth Vermont
February 27 AD 1797 -

Fanny Woodruff 5th do do Born at Burk Vermont
November 8th AD 1799 -

Rowany White Woodruff 6th do do Born at do do -
May 7th AD 1802 -

Rhoda Woodruff 7th do do Born at do May 22d 1805
Died aged 7 hours in fitts

Angelina Woodruff 8th do Born do April 9th 1807 -

for tooth ache Nitric acid
Cushing Cushing

22
24
___
46

Henry Cushing
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William Woodruffs
Book of Account's -
No 2d Bo[illegible] Septr. 5th 1788
Page 26

Bristol November 4th 1788 -
Wm Woodruff Married to wd Ruth Gridley of Farmington in the 28th years of their ages -

June 3d 1780 Patty Gridley was Born Daughter to Abraham Gridley Late of Farmington Deceast

May 8th 1782 Norman Gridley was Born Son Do

Septr 16th 1784 Billy Gridley was Born Son Do -

December 25th 1786 Nabby Gridley was Born Do Daughter

August 10th 1789 Delia Woodruff was Born -
Daughter to Wm Woodruff - of Bristol

January 13th 1792 Resia Woodruff was Born
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State of Vermont
Caledonia County ss I Samuel B. Mattocks clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Denison Esq is a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforeSaid duly commissioned and qualified that h[page torn] commission was dated on the first day of November AD 1837 and will expire on the last day of November AD 1838 and that his Signature to the certificate annexed to the foregoing deposition of Abigail Walter is genuine.
I further certify, that George W. Denison is one of the assistant Judges of the County Court aforeSaid duly Commissioned and qualified that his Commission was dated the 1st day of November 1837 and will expire the last day of November 1838 and that his Signature to the certificate annexed to the foregoing declaration of Ruth Woodruff and also his several Signatures annexed to the three foregoing depositions of Isaac Denison are his genuine Signatures -
Given under my hand and the Seal of Said County this 19th day of September AD 1838 -
Sam. B. Mattocks,
Clerk.
[Seal]
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V 2047
Ruth Woodruff
1962
widow of William
Vt
Act 7. July 38
aomd.
12 mo. pri
12. - Corpl
_____
84$
_____
No deduction

Hon. J. Fletcher
H.R.
Page 29

Rev. War Section 
aw
May 24, 1922.

Hon. F. W. Dallinger,
House of Representatives.

In re: William Woodruff- W. 20136,
War of Revolution.

You are advised in connection with the letter of Mr. Jay Backus Woodworth, Oxford Street, Cambridge, Mass. which his herewith returned, that from the papers in the above noted Revolutionary War pension claim, it appears that WILLIAM WOODRUFF of Bristol,  Conn., married Ruth Gridley on November 4, 1788, both then being in the twenty-eighth year of their respective ages. She was allowed pension on account of his services as Private and Corporal in Colonel Isaac Sherman's Conn. Regiment, War of Revolution.
He was allowed pension on account of a wound received at the battle of Monmouth and a rupture incurred while launching boats, while in said service. His application for pension is not on file in the Bureau owing to the destruction of papers in such claims, when the British burn-
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ed Washington in 1814.
His name appears on all the records on file in this Bureau, as Woodruff and his widow Ruth so signs. It also appears as Woodruff in the American State Papers, volume entitled Claims, pages 66 and 117, and it supposed that the word Woodworth, on page 667, of Connecticut in the Revolution, must be a typographical error, as the same book, on pages 239 and 346, give his military record under the name of Woodruff.
It is proper to add that as he was born about 1761, he could not be the father of the Revolutionary War pensioner S. 29559, William Woodworth born December 22, 1763, to whom Mr. Jay B. Woodworth referred to, nor does there appear to be a claim on file for such a person, who had the above noted son.
If however Mr Woodworth desire photostat copies of the papers in the pension claim of William Woodruff, W. 20136, the same will be furnished him under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification , if that is desired. The number of pages to be copied, is fifteen.
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The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau, by certified check, cashier's check, draft, or money order, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Very truly yours,
Washington Gardner [signature]
Commissioner.
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ALFRED L. BULWINKLE, N. C.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
May 22, 1922.
Rev MK 

[Stamp reads:]
PENSION OFFICE 
U S.
M
MAY 23 1922

Chief, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Herewith for your information and return is a self-explanatory letter from Professor Jay B. Woodworth who desires to receive a photostat copy of a pension certificate issued to an ancestor of his named William Woodworth (or Woodruff) which was dated October 1, 1792.
Your compliance with his request, if possible, will be appreciated.
Very sincerely yours,
Fred W. Dallinger [signature]

returned
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I George W. Denison officiate Judge of Caledonia County Court do Certify that I am well acquainted with Ruth Woodruff Abigail Walter and Isaac Deniso[page torn] Esqr all of Burke aforesaid and that they are each of them persons of truth and veracity and that they are each of them persons entitled to full faith and Cre[page torn]
Burke Septr 21, 1838. G.W. Denison Judge
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Vermont, Caledonia County,
Lyndon, Sept 22d 1838.

Honl. J. L. Edwards,
Sir,
enclosed I forward the petition and vouchers of Ruth Woodruff, widow of William Woodruff, late a pensioner of the United States. For the services of William Woodruff, you are refered to the evedence filed by him now in your office. An early attention is requested, as the petitioner is in destitute circumstances, dependent solely upon charity for support.-
I have the honour to be, Sir, your Humble Servant,
Isaac Fletcher.

P.S. I also enclose a certificate signed by William Eustis, dated the 16th day of July 1811, entitling the above named William Woodruff to a pension of five dollars per month.
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Mr. William Woodruff.
Burke, Vt.
War-Office.
July 16th 1811.

Sir
In consequence of your application to be placed on the Pension List of the United States having come from the District of Vermont, your name was placed on the Roll of that Agency and provision made accordingly to pay your Stipend there up to the 5th of September next. To enable you to receive it, I herewith transmit you a formal Certificate of your being inscribed on the Pension List of the United States.
Your Letter addrest to the Secretary of War, dated at Hartford June 5th 1811, has been received, and, agreably to the desire therein exprest, your name will be transferred to the Roll of the Connecticut Agency after September next, and the respective Agents will notified accordingly.
I am, Sir, respectfully,
Your obedient Servant
Nat. Cutting

26
16
____
156
26
_____
416
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Burlington Cy
Aug 2[illegible]

18 3/4

Mr. Matthew Cushing
Burke Hollow
Vermont
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Burlington August 21st 1838
Mr Cushing Sir
Yours of the 30 July came to hand soon after - But as their was a compensation in it I have delayed writing until this time in order to get some knowledge of the fact you asked for -- Their is no record of any Marriage in the town books of any date previous to 1821 by the Rev Jonathan Miller or any other person -- The law of the State did not compel Clergimen or any other one (but the parties) & that was seldom done to see that a Marriage was put on record previous to 1820 -- I have search the town records of Bristol & can find no Marriage of that description there -- The Church records of Mr Miller are generly burnt by accident a few years since ---
So that I send you no knowledge of the fact

Yours respectfully Marcus H Upson Town Clerk
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Woodruff
Page 39

House of Representatives
Jany. 18, 1839.

Honl. J.L. Edwards,
Sir,
Last fall in Oct or Novr. to the best of my recollection I enclosed to your address from Lyndon, Caledonia County Vermont, the application of the Widow Woodruff of Burke, Caledonia County Vermont, for a pension, I have had no return, please to inform me of the disposition of the case.
I have the honour to be your Obt. & humble Sert.
I. Fletcher
Page 40

House of Representatives
Jany. 28. 1839.

Honl. J.L. Edwards,
Sir,
By your communication of the 26. of Jany. I am informed that "the claim of Mrs. Ruth Woodruff widow of William Woodruff deceased has been examined and her papers put on file under the act of July 7. 1838 and that the papers on which her late husband was allowed an invalid pension were distroyed during the last war, which will render it necessary to set forth and establish the services for which the claim is asserted"
By this communication I understand the only point to be established by the petitioner is the service as a soldier of William Woodruff in whose right the petitioner claims the benefit of the act of July 7. 1838.
Permit me, Sir, respectfully to call your attention once more to this case. I can not but believe, that some error has intervened. The evedence which your communication acknowledges to have once existed, and the enclosure to which it alludes remaining in your department, is the very evedence upon which I would explicitly rely to establish the fact of the service of Woodruff as a soldier in any court
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of law or equity in the United States, and that beyond legal doubts or contradictions. The evedence which would establish the fact were Woodruff living and applying for a pension legally establishes the same fact for the petitioner for the claim in Woodruff's right through him. Your communication says, that "the papers on which her late husband was allowed an invalid pension were distroyed &C." What were these papers which were distroyed and what did they prove? Most obviously they were evedences of Woodruffs service as a soldier, &  proved this fact to the satisfaction of Govt. or Govt. never would have granted him an invalid pension. The Department admits these papers to have been in their custody, and that they have been distroyed. As this was without the knowledge, privity or latches of the petitioner every legal intendment is in her favour. I have a right to presume, that among these papers were the muster roll, the pay roll & Woodruffs regular discharge, at all events that there was satisfactory evedence of Woodruff's service as a soldier or he would never been adjudged to be entittled to an invalid pension; in short that the evedence was conclusive of the fact now in issue, or Govt. would never from time to time & year to year have paid Woodruff his pension to the time of his death. Every payment of Woodruffs pension was an acknowledgement of his services.
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What stronger or more plenary proof can the petitioner offer than the grant of an invalid pension to Woodruff her husband, and the payment of this pension to the time of his death? Every payment of the pension was a new acknowledgement of Woodruff's service, binding and conclusive, as would be the production of the pay rolls themselves, and Woodruffs receipt upon them. In adjudging Woodruff entitled to an invalid pension the commissioner must necessaryly have found the fact of his service, and this finding is conclusive upon Government unless impeached for fraud.
How then stands the case? The petitioner shews, by the acknowledgement of the Department, that there were once on file papers, that proved satisfactorily the service of Woodruff, even to the Govt. themselves. That upon this evedence the commissioner of Pensions granted a pension to Woodruff. That this pension was paid up to the time of Woodruffs decease. That this evedence was in the custody of Govt. & distroyed. I ask after a lapse of more than half a century what stronger evedence can the petitioner adduce? The case appears so plain it is imposible for me to believe, that error has not intervened. Would any court of law or equity require more proof? Does not the petitioner bring herself within the letter, and spirit of the 1st rule under the very
Page 43

act the benefit of which she claims? viz. "Applicants must produce the best proof the nature of the case will allow as to the service of the deceased soldier" &C.
After the Department has suffered the evedence of Woodruff's service, once filed with them, and upon which they granted the pension & paid it till Woodruff's decease to be distroyed, to require the petitioner to furnish it anew is an act of peculiar hardship, and in this case would be an act of great injustice. The petitioner is an aged infirm woman, a town pauper, residing in the extreme part of Vermont; the enlistment of Woodruff was in Connecticut, & the services rendered hundreds of miles, distant from the petitioner, and more than half a century ago. The remote distance of country, and the great length of time render it almost certain that no other evedence of Woodruffs service, than what I have alluded to can be produced, to say nothing of the pecuniary inibility of the petitioner to obtain it.
I have the honour to be your Obt. Sert.
I. Fletcher

amd. 30 Jan. 1839
Page 44

Ho of Reps Feby 21. 1839

Sir
Enclosed I send you copies of depositions proving the services & marriage of Wm Woodruff
I have no doubt they will prove satisfactory
The widow is in an abject state of poverty and if entitled, no one needs a pension more, or is more worthy of it. I trust you will give the evidence all due consideration.
Respy yours,
I. Fletcher

N.B. As I shall leave the city sometime about the middle of next week, I would request if convenient an answer before that time
I.F.
Page 45

Issue dup. cert. on the within.
Hon. I. Fletcher
Prest.
Page 46

I Isaac Fletcher certify that on the 2d day of March instant I received a certificate from the Pension office for a Pension for the Widow Ruth Woodruff of Burke Vermont at Eighty dollars a year for five year, which certificate I have either lost or mislaid, I hereby request the [paper torn]mmissioner to issue a duplicate, and if I should find the original certificate, I will return the same forthwith without delay to the Pension office

Isaac Fletcher
Washington March 6th 1839.
Member of House of Representatives of the U.S.
Page 47

V
Let. to Hon Isaac Fletcher, Jany 26, 1839
do. to same 30 Jan. 1839
Page 48

Rev 
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20136
Ruth Woodruff
Widow of
William Woodruff
Corp Rev. War
Act July 7th 1838
Index : Vol. M, Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1922 May 24. Hon. F.W. Dallinger
aw