Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5270, Roger Hovey, Conn.
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Hovey, Roger
Hovy, Martha

NUMBER
R 5270
--------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
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18.796
Vermont
Roger Hovey
Orange Co in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Dana of the Regt commanded
by Col Chester Chapman in the Ct 
line for 10 mos 4 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 33 Dollars 77 Cent per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of October 
1833 and Sent to
S. Short Thetford
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837. $84.42 
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 24. 16.88 
$101.30

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk
Book & Vol. 3 Page 70


[right side]
Let to W. W. Cadwell
April 28, 1840.
Page 3

16.533
Roger Hovey
Orange C Vermont

Admit
10 months & 4 days
33.77
67.54
16.88
84.42

S. Short Esq.
Thetford VT.
1
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
May 31. 1833
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the service of Roger Hovey
Period when the service was rendered
Feby 1776
July 1776
1781 - time of service or officers  not recollected

Duration of the claimant's service.
2 Months
6or 7 mo
2 or 3 mo

Rank of the claimant.
Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt Dana
Col Chapman
Capt Bowman
Col. Chester
Col Ledyard
---
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
78 years
Mansfield Connt

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Traditionary
Clergyman
living Witness

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of On this ---day of --- personally appeared (a) before ----- A. B. a resident (b) of ----- in the county of ---- and State, Territory or District of ----- aged (c) --- 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 pension made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ----, with ---- and served in the ---- (e) regiment of the ---- line, under the following named officers (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I -------------------- of the Court of ----------------------------- do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of --------------- for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ------- day of ------------------ & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ------- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, -----------Clerk of the Court of ---------------- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- of ---- & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly worn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service and the time and manner of his leaving the same as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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I Mary Seaver of Norwich in the County of 
Windsor and State of Vermont of lawful age
to wit of the age of seventy five years last April,
do depose and say, that I lived in Mansfield
State of Connecticut in the month of Feb 1783
and was present in the same month and
year and I think on the 6th day of said month
and saw Roger Hovey & Martha Freeman
united in Marriage by John Salter Esquire
I think I cannot be mistaken as to the time
for I recollect very well that they an
married about three years before I was
and I was married in the 16th day of Feb
1786, the said Roger Honey has cousin to me 
and I have been personally acquainted with
the said Roger & Martha, up to the time of his
death, and well know that they have lived
together as man & wife up to his death, I have 
lived within six or seven miles of them most
of the time since they were married untill
some time in March or April last, when they 
moved to Berlin Vermont about forty mily
from when I live, where the said Roger died
the said Roger was at our house a few
days before he moved to Berlin last spring
I was brides maid at the wedding
and say not.
Mary Seaver

I certify that I am acquainted with Mary Seaver above named
she is a respectable woman & with whose statement full credit can be given
Harry Burton Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Windsor County
At [illegible] in said County July 30
July 1839 personally appeared the within
named Mary Seaver and made
solemn Oath in due form of law,
that the within affidavit by her
subscribed in my presence, contains
the truth & nothing but the
truth Before me Harry Burton Jus Peace

State of Vermont
Windsor County
I, Lyndon N. Marsh Deputy Clerk of the
Court of Windsor County certify
that Harry Burton is a magistrate
as above, and that the foregoing signature, 
purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of this
Court, and subscribed my name this 2nd day of Augt 1839
L.A. Marsh, Deputy Clerk
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4966
Martha Hovey
Vt.
Act July 4 '36
Page 10

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress
of the 4th July, 1836

State of Vermont
County of Washington ss Montpelier in said County and State Sept. 9. 1839

On this 9th day September 1839 personally appeared before Daniel
P. Thompson Judge of Probate for the district and County of Washington
aforesaid in open court, Martha Hovey, a resident of Berlin in the
County of Washington and State of Vermont, aged eighty 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
provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That
she is the widow of Roger Hovey who was a private soldier in
the army of the revolution. that he was out at two or three different
period during the revolutionary war. that he was at the action of the
White Plains was once stationed at Boston, she often heard him
and those out with him state, but by whom he was enlisted and
under what officers he served she cannot now remember that
he served between one and two years in the whole and was
regularly discharged, the particulars of which will appear by
testimony now in the war department on which said Hovey drew
a pension previous to his death.

She further declares that she was married to the said Roger Hovey 
on the 6th day of February 1783 that her husband the said Roger
Hovey died on the 19th day of May 1839, and that she has remained
his widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by
reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Martha Hovey [signature]
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and
year above written before
Daniel S Thompson Judge of Probate

I hereby certify that Martha Hovey who has made the foregoing declaration 
is a woman of credibility and respectability
D.S. Thompson Judge of Probate

I hereby certify that Daniel P. Thompson is Judge
of Probate for the District of Washington and State of
Vermont and that the above declaration was taken in
open Court
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix the seal of the Probate Court, at Montpelier
this 9th day of the September A.D. 1839
Jeremiah S. Marston Register of Probate
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I Israel Dewey of Berlin in Washington County and State of
Vermont aged 63 years, depose testify and say that I have
been well acquainted with Roger Hovey and his wife Martha
Hovey nearly fifty years. That said Roger Hovey drew a pension
of $33, and some odd cents from government for revolutionary services
that said Roger Hovey died on the 19th day of May 1834, that
Martha Hovey who made the within declaration is the identical 
Martha Hovey, formerly wife, now widow of said
Roger Hovey, the pensioner aforesaid & that she has not remarried, a
widow ever since he death of said Roger. and further
say not.
Israel Dewey
Sworn to and subscribed this 9th day of September 1839 in open
court before me
D. Thompson Judge of Probate
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Roger Hoveys
application & certificate
July 25. 1832
16533
Page 13

State of Vermont, Orange County Probate District of Bradford

On this 25th day of July AD 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before the Probate Court for the district of
Bradford aforesaid now sitting being a Court of record
Roger Hovey of Thetford in the County of Orange & State of
Vermont aged 73 years, who being first being duly
sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States as a
private in the month of January or first of February 1776
at Mansfield in the State of Connecticut under the
following named officers & served as herein stated viz
under Capt Dana of Mansfield & Col Chapman, in
Genl Putnams Brigade as he thinks, that he was stationed
at Cambridge, was a guard on Dorchester heights was
at Roxbury a part of the time, & was dismissed at Roxbury
as he thinks a short time after the British evacuated Boston 
after serving full two months the time for which he
enlisted, about the last of March or first of April

He further declares, that at Mansfield in the State of Connecticut 
sometime in the month of July the fore part as he thinks
in 1776 he enlisted into Capt Gersham Barrows Company & Col
Chesters Regiment & marched to New York was there when
the American army left that place was stationed sometimes
at Westchester - was in the battle at the White Plains went
from White Plains to Peakskill, - from there crossed the Hudson
River, went to the forks of Delaware was discharged near Trenton
in New jersey the latter part of December 1776 by par
Page 14

He is confident that he enlisted for six or more months
at this time & that he served his full time-
He further declares, that he was drafted to ride in the militia & marched to Groton & assisted by building Fort Griswold at Groton Connecticut & served two or three months
he does not distinctly recollect which & was there when the fort was completed & believe it must have been the same year  Groton was burnt & the Fort destroyed by Arnold in the year 1781; that he served under Col.
Ledyard but does not recollect the name of the officers of his company, nor the exact time when he left the
service, but knows that he served out the period for which he was drafted & was dismissed & that he resided at
Mansfield in Connecticut at this time.  also there when Groton was burnt & Col Ledyard killed he volunteered & went to Groton but did not arrive there until the mischief was done by the traitor Arnold & returned home in five or six days-

He states that he resided at Mansfield in the State of
Connecticut when entered the [illegible] & left to which he
has resided at Hanover N.H. & Thetford where he
now resides ever since he left Mansfield which was 48
years ago. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension excepting the present & declares that his name
is not on the roll of any agency of any State-- also states
that he never received any written discharge
Roger Hovey [signature]

Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
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We Asa Burton a Clergyman & Josiah Hubbard both
resident in Thetford in the County of Orange & State of
Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Roger Hovey who has subscribed & sworn to
this above declaration; that we believe to him to be
73 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the
neighborhood when he resides to have a soldier in
the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Asa Burton 
Josiah Hubbard
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after
the investigation of the matter & attending to the deposition
of James Braman & Levi Parker, the latter of whom was
Sworn to & subscribed his deposition in Court & is a credible
person that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 
soldier & served as he states Interrogators omitted on account
of other evidence

And the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that Asa Burton who has signed the foregoing certificate
is a clergyman resident in said Thetford & that Josiah
Hubbard who has also signed the same is a resident of
said Thetford is a credible person & that the statement
is entitled to credit

I Simeon Short Clerk Register of the said Court of [illegible]
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application
of Roger Hovey for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
seal of office this 25 day of July AD 1832
Simon Short Clerk
Page 16

I Frederick Hovey of Berlin in the County of 
Washington and State of Vermont, aged
43 years do depose testify and say: That
Roger Hovey late of Berlin aforesaid, who
was at the time of his decease a
Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States
at the rate of Thirty three dollars seventy
seven cents per annum was my
father and resided with me in my
house at Berlin aforesaid. That on
the 5th day of May last my house
together with most of its contents
were consumed by fire.- That
my father was in the habit of keeping
his pension certificate in an old pocket book of
his which was deposited in a case
drawers belonging to him-
This case of drawers and the pocket
book with the contents were consumed
my father died on the 19th
day of May last, and since his decease
nor since the said fire has his pocket
book or Pension certificate been seen
though this deponent & others of his
family have made diligent search
Page 17

for the same, but have not been
able to find them, or either of them
This deponent further deposes that he
fully believes the aforementioned 
pension certificate was burnt up at the
time of the burning of his house as
before stated
and further saith not.
Frederick Hovey

State of Vermont
Washington County 
Be it known that before me, on the 26th day of Sept.
1839, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County
aforesaid, duly authorized by the laws of said
State to administer oaths, personally appeared
Frederick Hovey whose name is above
written and made solemn oath, in due
form of law to the truth of the foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed

William W. Cadwell Justice Peace
Page 18

State of Vermont
Washington County
I Stilman Churchill, Clerk of the County Court of
the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
William W. Cadwell is an acting Justice of the peace
in and for said County, duly commissioned and
qualified; that his commission was dated on the first
day of December 1838 and will expire on the thirtieth
day of November A.D. 1839 and that his signature to
the foregoing affidavit I believe to be genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of 
the said County this 15th day of October
One thousand Eight hundred & thirty nine
Stillman Churchill, Clerk
Page 19

10728
Martha Hovey dec'd
Vt Roger
Act 7 July 38

L. May 19th 39
L. April 6. 41
Page 20

State of Vermont District
and County of Washington ⎬ At a Probate Court holden at
Montpelier within and for the District and County of Washington
aforesaid on this second day of March Eighteen hundred and
forty four personally appeared Frederick Hovey of Berlin in the County 
of Washington and State of Vermont Son of Roger Hovey and Martha
Hovey who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath 
make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the act of Congress passed July Seventh Eighteen hundred 
and thirty eight granting pensions to Certain Widows

That he is the son of Roger Hovey and Martha Hovey late of
Berlin in said District deceased That the said Martha Hovey
was the widow of the said Roger Hovey deceased who was a 
Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7th
Eighteen hundred and thirty two and that the said Roger Hovey
died at Berlin in said District on the nineteenth day of May
Eighteen hundred and thirty nine and that she the said Martha
Hovey was married to the said Roger Hovey in Mansfield in
the State of Connecticut on the sixth day of February
Seventeen hundred and Eighty three as he verily believes
and has always been informed and understood from the
said Roger Hovey and Martha Hovey who were the
Parents of this declarant and that their manage
was prior to the first of January Seventeen hundred
and ninety four viz namely at the time above stated
He further Declares that the said Martha Hovey
died at Berlin in said District on the sixth day
of April Eighteen hundred and forty one in the Eighty
third year of her age

And the said Frederick Horry the declarant further declares
and that he makes this declaration for the benefit of
the following named Persons Nancy Dewey of Berlin
Martha Coleman Lunnenburgh, Frederick Hovey, Berlin
Horace Hovey Worcester all in the State of Vermont and
Edmund O. Hovey of Crawfordsville Indiana, who are the only
surviving children of the said Roger & Martha Hovey deceased.
Frederick Hovey [signature]

Sworn to and Subscribed by the above named
declarant on the day and year above written. And I further Certify
Page 21

that the said declarant is a credible witness and that I
am and have been for ten years last past well acquainted with
the said declarant and believe his statements to be true.
Attest Lyman Briggs Clk & Regr

State of Vermont District
and County of Washington 
Be it known that at a
Probate Court holden at Montpelier in said District on the
second day of March Eighteen hundred and forty four
that satisfactory Evidence was Exhibited to said Court
that Martha Hovey of Berlin in said district deceased was
the widow of Roger Hovey late of said Berlin a deceased 
revolutionary pensioner of the United States and died at Berlin
in said district on the nineteenth day of May Eighteen
hundred and thirty nine Aged Eighty years and that the
said Roger Hovey was in receipt of a pension from the
United States at his decease under the act of Congress of
the Seventh day of June Eighteen hundred and thirty two

And do further certify that it was satisfactorily proved
to said Court that the said Martha Hovey widow of
Roger Hovey deceased died at Berlin in said district on the
sixth day of April Eighteen hundred and forty one in the
Eighty third year of her age. And that the following named 
Persons are the only surviving children of the said Roger
Hovey and Martha Hovey Viz Nancy Dewey and Frederick
Hovey of Berlin Martha of Coleman Lunnenburgh, Horace Hovey 
of Worcester in the State of Vermont and Edmund O. Hovey
of Crawfordsville Indiana. And also certify that the word
"Hovey" was interlined before being signed and executed by me
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court at Montpelier this second day of
March Eighteen hundred and forty four
Attest Lyman Briggs Clk. & Regr
Page 22

State of Vermont District
and County of Washington ⎬ I hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the proceedings had before the Probate
Court for the district and County of Washington and
State of Vermont in the matter of the Application
and Declaration of Frederick Hovey son of Roger
Hovey and Martha Hovey deceased for the benefit of the 
provision of the act of Congress of the 7th July Eighteen
hundred and thirty eight to Martha Hovey deceased wife
of Roger Hovey, and do further certify that the
declarant Frederick Hovey is a son of the said
Roger Hovey and Martha Hovey deceased
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court
at Montpelier this second day of March
Eighteen hundred and forty four
Attest Lyman Briggs Clk & Regr
Page 23

5270. REJECTED
P.O.
Martha Hovey
Service: widow of Roger
Enlisted: _____ ,18
Discharged: _____ ,18 
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: ______
P.O.______
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract,
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for -----, 18
Page 24

4966
Rejected
Ju let. to W. W. Cadwell
April 28, 1840.

Act 4 July 36
Page 25

Martha Hovey
V
Rejection 
April 28, '40
Letter to W. W. Cadwell 12 Sep 1844
5270
Page 26

Montpelier March 21 AD 1844
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir, 
I have forward you the Declaration of Frederick Hoovey for the benefit of the provisions of the Act of July 7th 1838. According to his mother Mrs. Martha Hovey before her decease she having failed to apply under said Act. sometime in the fall of 1839 or the first of the winter 1940 the Declaration of Mrs. Hovey was sent to you for the benefit of the provision Act of July, 1836, and your letter of the 28th April 1840 informed me that her claim had been examined and disallowed. And the reason assigned there was she was not married until after the time of service of her husband had expired and that she would not be allowed to controvert the declaration of her husband and that she was not then entitled to the benefit of the Act of July 7 1838 her husband being alive at the passage of the Act. Since the passage of the Declaration Resolution of August 1842. I have been had to believe that the heirs of Mrs. Hovey are entitled to the benefit of the Act of 7 July 1838 she having died after the expiration of said Act as she died leaving a vested right which accured to her children and in consideration thereof Frederick Hovey a son of Mrs. Martha Hovey has made the declaration her forwarded for the benefit of himself and the other children
Page 27

as named in said Declaration which is drawn up arguable to the acquirement of the deparrtment and duly and properly authenicated by the probate court with the proper certificate and should there be anything more wanting in the case you will please advise me of what may be wanting. Arguable to your letter of the 8 Instant 
I forward endorsed my affidavit in relation to the provision certificate of the Hannah Haskell and Mrs. Abigail Sawyer for the [amoun] of pension due them under the Act of July 7 1838 full enough & I think to show that the certificate never have been received by me nor any other person to my knowledge and if it can be consistent with the department if it is very desirable that (that) the payments on said certificate might be made at the Agents office in Montpelier I am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant William W. Cadwell

P.S.  The Certificate of the Marriage of Mrs. Martha Hovey to Roger Hovey her husband was forwarded to your office with the declaration under Act of 4th July 1836 which certified I apprehend will sufficient to prove  the marriage without my knowing another if not I will procure another 
W.W. Cadwell
Page 28

State of Vermont
Probate District of Bradford ⎬ 
On this 19th day of July AD 1833
Personally appeared before the Probate 
in the County of Orange  sd [said] Court within & for said Probate
District of Bradford now sitting Roger Hovey of Thetford
in the County of Orange & State of Vermont, who made
his declaration before this Court on the 25th day of July
1832, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on
his oath make the following additional declaration
in order to obtain the provisions of the act of Congress
passed Jun 7, 1832 - that by reason of old age being
Now 74 years old & the consequent loss of memory he cannot
swear positively as to the precise length of service in every
case but according to the best of his recollection he
served not less than two months in Capt Danas Company
&  Chapmans Regiment - six months in Capt Barrows
company Col. Chesters Regiment & two months in
Col. Ledyards Regiment & four days when Groton was
Burnt Ledyard killed, the whole time as a private & for this
him he claims a pension

The answers to the interrogators prescribed by the War department
& propounded by the Court he answers that he
was born at Mansfield in the State of Connecticut
year 1759 that he supposes there is a record of his age in
the said town of Mansfield & he has one in his family
Bible that he lived in the said town of Mansfield when
called into service - that in the year 1784, he moved from sd [said]
Mansfield to the town of [illegible] in the State of Newhampshire
them from which place he removed to Thetford when he does
now & and has resided about 23 years ago - 
that he enlisted or entered the service voluntarily each time
except when he first went to Groton & served under Col
Ledyard at which time he was drafted - as held in his
declaration - that he cannot be more particular then
he has been in stating the names of Officers, Regiments
& circumstances of services-- I never rec'd any written
discharge, has no documentary evidence of his service
And he refers to Hon Jedidiah P. Buckingham, Hon Lyman
Fitch, Thos Kendrick, Post Master, persons in his neighborhood. 
as persons in his neighborhood who can testify as
to his character for truth veracity & their belief of his
his services as a soldier of the revolution
Sworn to & subscribe
July 19, 1833-
Roger Hovey
Page 29

I, Simeon Short Regt of the said Probate
Court do hereby certify that on this 19th day
of July AD 1833, Roger Hovey duly Subscribed &
was sworn to the within foregoing additional
declaration - answer to interrogatories as
propounded by the Court

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court
Simeon Short Clk
Page 30

I James Braman of Berlin County of Washington State of Vermont aged Seventy four years do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Roger Hovey of Shetford County of Orange & State of enlisted with Capt. Gershow Barrows company Col. [Loliu] Chester's Regiment in the month of August the exact day i doust recollect, [served] I suppose for eight months - I have a letter dated August 18th 1776 which stated he had enlisted previous to that day in the line of Connecticut State Troops, Thay I was in the same Company I saw him while in service- lives in the hospital sick the cause in& I was sick & lay by the side of me for about a fortnight, where he got letter & joined the Regiment again, after which I did not see him until after his return home, which was in the month of January of --I doust know such he enlisted previous to August, the first notice I had of his enlistment was the letter to which I refer alone, I was confined in the hospital form June until I was discharged in October following & did not see [soldier] Hovey until he came into the hospital- he enlisted in the town of Mansfield State of Connecticut - I also know that he was drafted & served three months in building Fort Griswold in the Militia of the State of Connecticut & I served the same time in the same company, the company was commanded by Capt. Hall & Col. Ledyard Regiment & were discharged at Groton before Fort was taken  and burnt by Arnold about a fortnight before as near as I can recollect- James Braman

State of Vermont
Washington County SS. 
Montpelier July 11, 1832 
Personally appeared James Braman signer of the foregoing Deposition and was duly sworn to the truth of the same as therein stated before me 
Abel Knapp Justice of the Peace
Page 31

I certify that said Braman is a man of
truth & veracity -
A. Knapp Jus. of Peace

State of Vermont
Washington County -
I Joshua Gail Clerk of Washington
County Court do hereby certify that Ariel  
Knapp Esqr before whom the foregoing 
& within affidavit was taken
is a Justice of the Peace duly
appointed & acting under the
Authority of this State and that
his name thereto is his own
proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & the Seal of said Court this 12th
day of July A.D. 1832
Att. Jos Gail Clerk

I Levi Parker of Thetford in the County of Orange & State of
Vermont aged 75 years last August hereby certify that I was
knowing to Roger Hovey, who now resides in Thetford Vermont
serving in Capt James Davis Company in February & March
1776 at Cambridge near Boston, as I served in the same company
at the same time I think he served two months as that may
the period of enlistment. Our time of service was out about
the first of April & further say not -
Levi Parker
Sworn to & subscribed in Court the day
year aforesaid
Page 32

State of Connecticut  August 22nd 1839
County of Tolland
Town of Mansfield ⎬
I, Frederick F. Hanks Town Clerk
of the Town of Mansfield in the County of Tolland and State of
Connecticut, do certify that I now hold the office of
Town Clerk of the town of Mansfield aforesaid - that I
have held said office of town Clerk in said town since
the third day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty six - 
that I have this day made search and examination
for a register of record of the marriage of Roger Hovey
to Martha Freeman among the records of marriages in
my office and can find no record or registry thereof
of any date - I have also examined the records of births
in my said office and can find no record recognizing
the relation of husband and wife as existing
between said Roger Hovey and Martha Freeman prior
to January seventeen hundred and ninety four or
at any other period - And I also certify that the
records of marriages do not appear and are
not so regular and full as to raise a presumption
against an alleged marriage within said town of
Mansfield which is not found thereon
Attest Frederick F. Hanks Town Clerk

State of Connecticut Tolland County
Mansfield Probate District. August 24th 1839
Sworn to and subscribed before me John Fitch Judge of the Court
of Probate for the District of Mansfield in the County and State aforesaid
on the day and year above written.
I further certify that the Deponent is a credible person and his
statement entitled to credit - And that he is Town Clerk as
aforesaid-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand officially and caused the seal of said
Court to be hereto affixed -
John Fitch Judge of Probate
Attest Edmund Freeman Clerk
Page 33

FREE
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City Washington D.C.

Feb 6 1840 4966
Vt
4 July 1836
Martha Hovey
[illegible]

[postmark]
MONTPELIER
JAN 31
Page 34

Montpelier January 30th 1840
Hon J. L Edwards

Sir, 
I forward you enclosed
the Declaration of Martha Hovey Widow of Roger
Hovey to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress 4th 
July 1836 also the affidavits of 3 Individuals who
were present at the time of her marriage together with
the affidavits of Mrs. Dewey & that of Frederick Hovey
taken on account of the certificate of Mr Hoveys having been
burnt therefore the same was not returned to the
Auditors office when the balance due him at the time
of his decease was paid to his widow due on the
4 September last. I have had the papers sometime
in my possession and have not forwarded on the account
that the balance due Mrs. Hovey was not paid till
after the agents quarter account - ending 30th September
was closed and that you would be able to see from
his semiannual Report that Mr Hovey died at the
time she declared by her declaration and that of
Mrs. Dewey & Mr. Hovey. You will confer a
favour by giving her papers as early attention as
consistent.
I am Sir Very Respectfully yours
William W. Cadwell

N.B.
I sometime since forwarded the declaration of Elijah Nye &
Testimony which I have not heard from place to notify me of the
result of said Application and very much oblige. Very respectfully yours
William W. Cadwell
Page 35

State of Connecticut Tolland County
Mansfield Probate District, August 22d 1839
I Anna Dimmick of Mansfield in the County
of Tolland and State of Connecticut - aged eighty one
years - do testify and say, that I was well
acquainted with Roger Hovey and Martha Freeman
now Martha Hovey, both formerly of said Mansfield
They were married in said Mansfield by John
Satter Esquire a Justice of the Peace, in the
winter of seventeen hundred and eighty two, three
February 1783 I was at their wedding and saw
them married. Soon after their marriage
they removed from said Mansfield to Hanover
in the State of New Hampshire
I have been informed, that they removed
some years ago from said Hanover into the
State of Vermont - I was cousin to the
said Martha and we were very intimate
Anna Dimmick

State of Connecticut Tolland County
Mansfield Probate District, August 22 1889
Sworn to and subscribed before me John Fitch Judge of
the Court of Probate for the District of Mansfield in the County
and State aforesaid on the day and year above written
I further certify that the deponent is a credible
person and her statement entitled to full credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand officially, and caused the seal of said
Court to be hereto affixed -
John Fitch Judge of Probate,

Attest, Edmund Freeman Clerk
Page 36

State of Connecticut Tolland County
Manfield Probate District. August 22d 1839
I Hannah Waldo of Mansfield in the County
of Tolland and State of Connecticut, aged
eighty six years do testify and say that I
---
was well acquainted with Roger Hovey and
Martha Freeman now Martha Hovey, both formerly
of said Mansfield - They were married in
said Mansfeld by John Satter Esquire a Justice
of the Peace, in the winter of Seventeen hundred
and eighty two, three Viz February 1783
I was at their wedding and saw them
married. Soon after their marrige they
removed from said Mansfield to Hanover
in the State of New Hampshire-- I have
understood and been credibly informed, that
some time since, they removed from said
Hanover into the State of Vermont-
Hannah Waldo

State of Connecticut Tolland County
Mansfield Probate District. August 22nd 1839
Sworn to and subscribed before me John Fitch
Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Mansfield in
the County and State aforesaid, on the day and year above written
I further certify that the Deponent is a credible
person and her statement entitled to full credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand officially, and caused the
seal of said Court to be hereto affixed
John Fish Judge of Probate
Attest
Edmund Freeman Clerk