Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5419, for Samuel Nichols, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE   Conn.
Nichols, Samuel
Sibbel
NUMBER   W. 5419
B.L. Wt. 6239-100
B.L. Wt. 182-60-55
Page 2

No of orig Pay 3. 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAMS. 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
1 July 1828. 
Samuel Nichols, of Fenner, in the County of Madison in the State of New York, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain Compstocks company, in the regiment of the Connecticut line and that he does not state that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing. 
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. 
By order of the Secretary 
A. Dickinson 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 
July 2. 1828 
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Samuel Nichols in the Connecticut Line. It further appears that Samuel Nichols is not now on the pension list of any agency, and has not been so since the 3 March 1826  
Peter Hagner Aud [auditor]
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Act 1828 Settled at Treasury 
Cons’d [consolidated] with Widows A’d file # 5419
Page 4

Discharge in favor of Samuel Nichols
dated of Sept. 1783
Page 5

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the army of the revolution,” approved on the fifteenth of May 1828.  I Samuel Nichols of the town of Fenner in the County of Madison, in the State of New York, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the Army of the Revolution for & during the war & continued in its service until its termination; at which period I was a private in Captain Compstock's [Comstock] company in the second regiment of the Connecticut line commanded by Col. Heman Swift.  And I further declare that I was not on the fifteenth day of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States.  Dated June 9th 1828. 
Samuel Nichols 
Before me Otis P. Granger a Commissioner in & for the County of Madison & State of New York personally appeared this day John G. Curtis & William Doolittle of said County who did severally make oath that Samuel Nichols by whom the foregoing declaration was Subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a private in the Army of the revolution, in manner as therein stated. Witness my hand this 9th day of June 1828. 
Otis P. Granger 
Commr &c
I John G. Curtis Clerk of the County of Madison in the State of New York do certify that Otis P. Granger before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a commissioner in & for said County & duly impowered to administer oaths.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this 9th day of June 1828.
 John G. Curtis Clerk
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Fenner (Madison Co.) N.Y. June 1828. 
Dr Sir
Enclosed I send you my discharge & the accompany papers for obtaining my pension under the late law of congress. Pleas address your answer to me at Peterboro Madison County N.Y. that Post office being more convenient to me that that in the town where I reside. 
Respectfully yr 
Samuel Nichols 
Hon. R. Reid
Secretary of the Treasury 
Samuel Nichols is the name of the pensioner above subscribed
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2481
New York   A
Sibbel Nichols
Widow of Samuel Nichols who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Octr 1853 and sent to Ambrose Culver Locke N. Y.
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 80. Vol A
(1828)
Page 8

State of New York, 
COUNTY OF Madison } ss  
On this 20 day of August A.D. 1853, personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of Court of Session &c in and for the county and state aforesaid Sibbel Nichols, aged Eighty nine years a resident of the town of Fenner in the county of Madison and State of New York who being 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 approved the 3d day of February, 1853; 
Who says that she is the widow of Samuel Nichols deceased, who was a Private in the war of the Revolution, and was pensioned under the act of May 15th 1828 at the rate of $80 per annum, and was paid at the N. Y. agency. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Nichols on the 10th day of April A.D 1826 in the town of Lennox in the County of Madison in the state of New York by one Ira Dewey an acting Justice of the Peace. That she has no public or private record of her said marriage or of her said Husband's death and does not know of the existence of any such record.
She further declares that her husband, the aforesaid Samuel Nichols died in the town of Fenner in the county of Madison and ate of New York on the 18th day of December A.D. 1849. 
She further declares that she was a widow at the passage of the act, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a pension. 
“Attest” 
Lester Tucker 
J. H. Wethey
Sibbel Nichols her mark 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me, 
M Spear Justice for the Court of Sessions & Oyer & Terminers 
I hereby certify that the above named deponent is unable to attend the sitting of the Court, in consequence of the infirmities of old age; and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of this case, and am not concerned in its prosecution. 
M Spear
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State of New York
County of Madison }
On this 20th day of August A.D. 1853, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of Court of Sessions &c within and for the county and state aforesaid, Lester Tucker aged Forty Seven years, a resident of Fenner in the county of Madison and state of New York who, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say That he was well acquainted with Samuel
Nichols and Sibbel Nichols his wife of Madison County State of New York that he has been acquainted with them ever since the year A.D. 1815.  That on or about the year A.D. 1826 this deponent well recollects of hearing of the Marriage of said Samuel Nichols to one Sibbel Cranson that the said Samuel Nichols and Sibbel Nichols lived and cohabited together as Husband and wife from the time of their reputed marriage as aforesaid up to the time of the death
of said Samuel Nichols who died in the town of Fenner Madison County State of New York on the 18th day of December A.D. 1849 and that this deponent attended his funeral that at his death as aforesaid, he left the said Sibbel Nichols his widow him surviving who still remains his widow and resides in Fenner Madison County State of New York in the family of this deponent, and is the identical person who lived and cohabited with Samuel Nichols as aforesaid as his wife and who is an applicant for a pension and in whose behalf this affidavit is made that the aforesaid Samuel Nichols was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.   
Lester Tucker
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.}
M Spear Justice for the Court of Sessions & Oyers & Terminer
I certify that the above named deponent is a reputable witness; and I further certify that I have no
interest in the result of the case where this is to be used, and am not concerned in its prosecution.
M Spear
Page 10

State of New York 
County of Madison } 
On this 20th day of August A.D. 1853, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Court Session within and for the county and state aforesaid, Tabitha Tucker aged Sixty Seven years, a resident of Fenner in the county of Madison and state of New York who, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say 
That she was well acquainted with Samuel Nichols of Madison County State of New York and Sibbel Nichols his wife that she became acquainted with said Samuel Nichols on or about the year A.D. 1812 that she well recollects of hearing of the Marriage of said Samuel Nichols to one Sibbel Cranson that the said Samuel Nichols and Sibbel his wife lived and cohabited together as Husband & wife from the time of their reputed marriage up to the time of the death of said Samuel Nichols who died in the town of Fenner in Madison County State of New York and that this deponent attended his funeral. That at his death as aforesaid, he left the said Sibbel Nichols his widow him surviving who still remains his widow and has not intermarried since his death and resides in the town of Fenner Madison County State of New York in the family of Lester Tucker and is the identical person who lived and cohabited together with the aforesaid Samuel Nichols as his wife and who is an applicant for a pension and in whose behalf this affidavit is made.  
That the said Samuel Nichols died on the 18th day of December A.D. 1849. That the said Samuel Nichols in his life time was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.  That the said Samuel Nichols and Sibbel Nichols bore the reputation of Husband and wife and further that she is a disinterested witness Tabetha Tucker.  
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me. 
M Spear Justice for the Court of Sessions & Oyer & Terminer 
I certify that the above named deponent is a reputable witness; and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the case where this is to be used, and am not concerned in its prosecution. M Spear
Page 11

State of New York 
County of Madison 
On this 20th day of August A.D. 1853, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of Court Sessions &c within and for the county and state aforesaid, Ruth Baldwin aged fifty one years, a resident of Lennox in the county of Madison and state of New York who, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say 
That she was well acquainted with Sibbel Cranson of Madison County State of New York that the said Sibbell Cranson was married to one Samuel Nichols of said County in the town of Lenox in the County of Madison in the State of New York on or about the 10th day of April A.D. 1826 that they were married by one Ira Dewey Esq an acting Justice of the Peace and that this deponent was present and saw the Marriage ceremony performed.   That the said Samuel Nichols and Sibbel Nichols his wife lived and cohabited together as Husband and wife from the time of their said marriage up to the time of the death of said Samuel Nichols who died in Fenner Madison County State of N. Y. on or about the 18th day of Dec A.D. 1847.  That at his death as aforesaid he left the said Sibbet Nichols his widow him surviving who still remains his widow and resides in Fenner Madison County State of New York in the family of Lester Tacker and is the identical person who was married as aforesaid and who is an applicant for a pension and in whose behalf this affidavit made.  That the said Samuel Nichols in his life time, was Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States 
Ruth Baldwin 
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year aforesaid, before me. 
M Spear Justice for the Court of Sessions & Oyer & Terminer 
I certify that the above named deponent is a reputable witness; and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the case where this is to be used, and am not concerned in its prosecution. M Spear
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State of New York 
Madison County Clerks Office ss I hereby Certify that M Spear Esqr whose name is Subscribed to the foregoing affidavits and certificates was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Court of Sessions and Oyer & Terminer in and for said County duly Elected qualified and authorized to take the same that he was one of the members of said Court and that said Court are each Court of Record of said County and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and that the foregoing his genuine Signatures. 
Witness my hand and the Seal of the Courts of Record of said County this 22 day of August 1853 
Lucius P. Clark, Clerk
Page 13

State of New York 
County of Cayuga } 
On this 24th of August A. D. 1853, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the county and state aforesaid, Moses Baldwin aged Fifty five years, a resident of Lennox in the county of Madison and state of New York who, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say That he was well acquainted with Samuel Nichols of Madison County State of New York, that he was acquainted with him from the year A.D. 1816 until the time of his death that the said Samuel Nichols was married to one Sibbel Cranson in the town of Lenox Madison County State of New York on or about the 10th day of April A.D. 1826 by one Ira Dewey an acting Justice of the Peace that this deponent was present & saw the Marriage Ceremony performed. That said Samuel Nichols and Sibbel Nichols his wife lived & cohabited together as Husband & wife from the time of their said marriage up to the time of the death of said Samuel Nichols who died in the town of Fenner Madison County State of New York on or about the 18th day of Dec A.D. 1849, that at his death as aforesaid he left the said Sibbel Nichols his widow him surviving who still remains his widow & resides in Fenner Madison County N. Y. in the family of Lester Tucker, that she is the identical person who was married as aforesaid and who cohabited with said Samuel Nichols as his wife that she has not intermarried since the death of her said Husband but still remains his widow. That the said Samuel Nichols in his life time was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the U.S. 
Moses Baldwin 
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
J. H. Wethey Notary Public 
I certify that the above named deponent is a reputable witness; and I further certify that I have no interest in the result of the case where this is to be used, and am not concerned in its prosecution.
J. H. Wethey Notary Public
Page 14

State of New York 
Cayuga County Clerks Office ss 
I hereby Certify that J. H. Wethey Esq whose name is Subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & Certificate was at the time of taking the same a Notary Public within & for Cayuga County duly appointed Comissioned and Sworn & authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Notary and that the foregoing are his genuine Signatures.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court of record of said County this 27th day of August 1853
E D Marion Clerk 
Cayuga County
Page 15

137,080} Act Mch 3 / 55
May 17 
Sibbel Nichols, Widow of Samuel Nichols pen.  
Was of the Rev & a Pensioner 
Act 1828 Claimant Pensioned Act Feby 3 1853 & refers to evidence on file 
A: Contl line  
Col Chandler Rev. War 
No. 182 issued Mar 31 / 56
AD: 60 Acres Mch. 6th ‘56, 
N.Y. Feb 53 248 Boynton 
Rev
J. H. Wethey 
Cortland Village N.Y.
Page 16

State of New York 
County of Madison } ss 
On this 31st day of March A. D., 1855, personally appeared before me A. C. Stone a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid  Sibbel Nichols aged Ninety one years, a Resident of Fenner in the County of Madison and State of New York who being duly sworn, according to law, declares that she is the widow of Samuel Nichols deceased, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution, and was pensioned under the act of May 15th 1828 at the rate of $80 per annum, and that she has been pensioned under the act of Feb 3 1853 at the rate of $80 per annum, as the widow of the said Samuel Nichols deceased. 
That she has no public or private record of her Marriage to her said Husband or of her Said Husbands death but that for proof of the same reference may be had to the evidence on file in the Pension Office upon which her said pension was granted.   
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Nichols in the town of Lennox in the County of Madison and State of New York on the 10th day of April A.D. 1826.  She further declares that her husband, the aforesaid Samuel Nichols died in the town of Fenner in the County of Madison and State of New York on the 18th day of December AD 1844 and that she is still a widow. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefore.  
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3, 1855. 
Sibbel  Nichols her mark 
“attest" Lester Tucker
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written, before me. 
A. C. Stone Justice Peace 
We Lester Tucker and John H. Northup, residents of Fenner in the State of New York upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sibbel Nichols 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, that she still remains the widow of Samuel Nichols deceased.  
Lester Tucker 
John H Northrup } Signatures of the Witnesses 
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 this claim. 
A. C. Stone Justice peace [seal]
Page 17

STATE OF NEW-YORK, 
Clerk's Office, 
Madison County, } ss. 
I LUCIUS P. CLARK, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that A. C. Stone Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected or appointed, and qualified, and authorized by the laws of said State to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the signature to the said certificate is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of said State, that I have no interest.  
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed by official seal, the 9th day of May 1855 
Lucius P. Clark Clerk -
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME   Nichols, Samuel   GRADE   Private    LINE   Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER  6239   ACREAGE  100   ISSUED Apr 9 1791
and Wt. No. 182-60-55
To not shown
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.
Page 19

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. 
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department . Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States. 
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY. 
L. W. B. 
W. 5419. 
1, 25779 - 1812. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 
WASHINGTON, D. C., 
March 11, 1897. 
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of Samuel Nichols and John Jaywood, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, and of Moses Rice, a soldier of the War of 1812, you are advised that a very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of John Haywood has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension records on file in this Bureau. 
Sibbel, widow of Samuel Nichols, made an application for pension on August 20, 1853, at which time she was 89 years of age and residing at Fenner, N. Y., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary War, length of service not stated); a part of the time he served under Capt. Comstock and Col. Swift. Place of his enlistment not stated. 
Moses Rice made an application for pension on October 15, 1850, at which time he was 65 years of age and residing at Habersham, Ga., and his pension was allowed for disability (rheumatism) incurred while serving in Capt. Cleveland's Company, Col. Grove's Regt., Ga. Militia, War of 1812. ( Length of service not stated). He enlisted in Franklin Co., Ga. 
Very respectfully,
Commissioner 
Mr. Melvin A. Rice, 
19 Smith St., 
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Page 20

Mr. Webster 
Sam’l Nichols, File No. 14.022, was a Vermont Soldier born in Mass, but served in Vermont State troops. 
The open claim is by Sam’l Nichols, who served in Conn line, of Continental &c  and claims service for much longer time than the other. 
The widows claim File No. 5419, claims from Fenner, Madison Co. N.Y. from where the Conn soldier claimed and where she alleged he Died.  She makes no
Page 21

[unreadable] her husband was a pensioner &c. 
The two evidently belong together. 
L. Holtzlander 
Mch 11/80
Page 22

182
60 acres
Page 23

Pen Act 53 N.Y.
Boynton
Page 24

Pension Office
February 28th 1856.
Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 20 inst;
Page 25

[stamp] CORTLAND VILLAGE N. Y. MAY 14
137080
FREE
Hon L.P. Waldo 
Comiss of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 26

Pension Office 
Oct. 13 /56 
Sir. 
Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner.
Respectfully S. Col 
for Comr
F. Burt Esqr 
3 Aud Present 
Samuel Nichols 
Act 15th May 1828 
$80.00 per annum. 
Died 18th December 1849 11 Paid to his death 
F Burt Auditor
Page 27

5419 
Samuel Nichols 
June 9, 1828 
Fenner N. Y. 
Capt Comstock 
Col Heman Swift 
2 Conn to end of war 
Dec. 18, 1849  
married Apr 10. 1826 
Sibbel Cranson 
N Bal
Page 28

O. W. AND N. DIVISION. 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Searched by Hales 
Claim No. 
Certificate No. 
Claimant. 
Soldier Moses Rice 
Service 1812 Commodore Perry U.S.N. 
Additional service. 
No. Claim, New Records. 
No. Claim, Old Records 
Remarks Not W. 
257799 I. 
no other I.  
not Navy I or W. 
No B. L. for Navy service 
Not 1812 W or S. 
FEB 9 1897 
Chief of Division.
Page 29

30 N. Church St. 
Cortland, N.Y. 
Commission of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir, 
Will you kindly give me the War Record of Samuel Nichols.  He was born in Norwich Conn. 
He enlisted April 19 1777 and was wounded in the Battle of Monmouth.   He served through the war and I would be greatly obliged for the details of this service, as given in his pension application. 
Yours respectfully 
Mrs James D. Sherwood. 
September 11" 1900
Page 30

5.419 
WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 5419 
Sibbel Nichols 
Widow  
Samuel Nichols 
Pvt Rev. War  
Act: Feby 3 / 53 
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 85 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 31

Mar 11. 1897 - History to - M. A. Rice Brooklyn. N. Y. 
Oct. 1. 1900  Mrs. Jas D. Sherwood Cortland N.Y.
Page 32

OWN CCL HNR.
[stamp] U. S. P. B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES JAN 27 1894
BOARD OF ELECTIONS, 
No 19 SMITH STREET, 
BROOKLYN , N. Y., Jan. 22, 1897. 189 
Hon. D. I. Murphy, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE JAN 25 1897
Dear Sir: 
Would you kindly give me any certification relative to the actual service during the Revolution of the two following named men, ancestors of mine: first, Samuel Nichols, born at Norwalk, Conn., January 9, 1758, married Hannah Resseguie, July 23, 1777, died Fenner, New-York, Dec. 18, 1849; and second, John Haywood, born Winchendon, Mass., February 20, 1760, married Hannah Poore, March 16, 1787, died Vermont (probably Springfield), April 25, 1825? 
If the furnishing of the above information is outside of your department, or too severe a tax upon your bureau, would you kindly advise me? I shall, of course, be glad to defray all customary expenses. 
Respectfully, Melvin A Rice
N. B. -- Would you kindly advise me to whom I should apply for a certification of the service of Moses Rice under Commodore Perry in the War of 1812, during which he received wounds which resulted in his death.
Page 33

Brief in the case of Mrs Sibbel Nichols widow of Samuel, Madison County and State of N. York act of Feb 3, 1853 
Claim, (original, or for increase.) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Husband a pensioner under the act of 1828 at $80 per annum Pension paid to his death Dec. 18. 1849 
Allowed $80 per annum 
Commencing Feb 3, 1853 
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 
Marriage proved by Lester Tucker, Tabitha Tucker, Ruth Baldwin, & Mosses Baldwin residents of said County certified to be credible persons 
Death proved by Auditors report 
Identity credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent 
Ambrose Culver 
Locke 
Cayuga N.Y. 
Examining Clerk. 
J. L. Gray
Page 34

Locke, Cayuga N.Y. 
Sept 2d 1853 
Sir 
I send you herewith Enclosed the application of Sibbel Nichols & Betsy Shoemaker for pension under 2d Sec. Act Feb 3 1853 and when acted upon please inform me of the result.   
I am very Respect Your obt. Servt 
Ambrose Culver
L. P. Waldo 
Commr Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 35

197,080
Page 36

Cortland Village N.Y. 
May 14" 1855 
Sir
I send you herewith enclosed the application of Sibbel Nichols widow Samuel Nichols deceased for Land Bounty under act of March 3 1855. 
When acted upon lease the Report to me forward. 
I am Very Respectfully Your Obt Srvt   
J. H. Wethey 
Hon L. P. Waldo 
Comiss of Pensions Washington
Page 37

Samuel Nichols N.Y.
Clarkville NY 
Mon 
Mr. Cole
Commissioner of Pensions 
City of Washington D. C.
Page 38

Clockville Madison C. March 1st 1850 
Dear Sir widow Sibbel Nichols wishes to Draw the Back pay of her late Husband Samuel Nichols who was a pensioner,  he died last December, his son Samuel Nichols Jr has got his fathers pension certificate and refuses to to let the widow have it so that she can draw the back pay, now please inform me what course the widow can pursue and obtain the money.  The widow is poor and is the second wife of the said pensioner, & Married since 1820 and as I believe cannot Draw a pension on her own account.  If she can please say so to me by return of mail, all the necessary proof can be made only the Widow cannot procure the certificate, this son of the pensioner was at the funeral of his father and took the certificate and refuses to give it up, or to let any one have it and the old widow is thrown back upon her relatives for support without means.  She has no son and only one daughter.  I should Judge the widow was Near 90 years old the back pay only amounts to some 20 or 30 dollars at most.   The old Pensioner Drew all up to the 4th of September last 1849.  Your early answer will much oblige am yours &c 
S. Chapman for the widow
J. L. Edwards  
Commission of Pensions