Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11450, William White, Conn.
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(3--1776)


SERVICE
Conn.

White, William

NUMBER
R.11450
__________________________________________________
CONTENTS
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State of Michigan
County of Kent ss

Personally appeared before me the under Joshua Bozer, one of the Judges of the Kent County Court, William White, who being duly sworn deposeth 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 his best recollection he served not less than six months as a private in the Connecticut militia and for such service I claim a pension.

Wm White

Sworn & subscribed before me 
this twentieth day of July 1849

Jos Bozer
County Judge 
Kent County
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State of Michigan}
County Kent ss}

On this twentieth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before me Joshua Bozer, one of the judges of the the County Court for the county of Kent, the same being a court of record, William White being a resident of Lowell in said County, aged eighty three years. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
 
That he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer in the militia of Connecticut during the last year or two of the war.  That he was out in the service of the United States during said war in all somewhere between six and eight months.  That he resided at Lebanon, Windham County Connecticut twenty five miles from New London another time.  That Benjamin Durgee was the captain under whose orders the militia in his neighborhood mainly acted, but he cannot tell positively whether he was a militia or continental officer.  That he was mainly employed upon scouts carrying information from New London to Hartford and other places, carrying letters & papers.  Mainly under the direction of Governor Trumbull, who 
resided near his father's (this declarants) residence.  That the people of his neighborhood whenever the coast was menaced took turns in keeping guard so all the roads and passes leading from the seacoast into the country  to prevent any communication between the enemy and the
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Tories many of whom were known to be in the country, that this declarant took his turn with the rest. That Captain Benjamin Durgee generally gave the directions about the guards & about the scoutings, that they were repeatedly called out to repel foraging parties of the enemy sent from New York to ravage the Coast. That at such times they would be absent sometimes two days & from that to two weeks. He means to be understood that when he with the others went with letters as an express they were sent by Gov Trumball. That when they were called out as guards men or on excursions to repel foragers they were acting as he thinks under the orders of Captain Benjamin Durgee or Durkee - That a regiment of division of French soldiers were quartered in his town (Lebanon) the winter before New London was burned. That this French regiment or division was commanded by a Duke or Count called Cadone as he thinks. That after the French Troops left and went South and after the French Fleet left the Sound, Arnold attacked New London and burnt it. That he also took fort Griswold, that Col. Ledyard commanded in the Fort. That he was killed. That the people of his (declarants) town volunteered for the relief & recovery of N. London. That he was one that volunteered & marched for the relief of it. That Arnold burned the town and left before they arrived. That they were out on this expedition about two days. That they were particularly engaged during the absence of the troops in beseeging Cornwallis in watching the Tories and preventing their supplying the British in New York with provisions. such as beef flour &c. That one Dunham a Tory and neighbour of declarant was taken with a drove of cattle going into N. York. That a British force had been sent to receive them
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That the party to which he belonged seized them . That he declarant was present and assisted in Dunhams capture. That a son of this Dunham named Cyress or Josiah Dunham published a paper at Windsor Vermont called he thinks the Washingtonian or some such name which paper was opposed the American government during the last war & He further states that cannot say whether or not the orders for the scouting and guard parties and all the orders under which he together with all the Militia of his town and neighbourhood acted were issued by Governor Trumball or some other general or field officer. He was young at the time and it is impressed upon his mind that Captain Durgee or Durkee (he cant say how the name was spelled) had the command and they acted under his orders but Durgee was not always present. He cannot now state the names of any other of the militia officers of his neighbourhood. At the time he can name them, but now they are out of his memory. His services were mostly rendered during the summer and fall after siege of Yorktown and the winter and spring following guarding against foraging parties & cutting off supplies to the enemy in New York. He was enrolled in what were called "minute men" and rallied whenever called upon cant say where the orders came from. He cannot state the length of time he was out at any one time but he means to be understood that he was out in actual service at least six months putting all the various times together. Sometimes he would be gone for a longer, sometimes for a shorter period. That he was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the mo of service for which he claims previous. That he laboured upon his fathers farm
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during the intervals of such service. That at that time he resided in Lebanon on the border of Windham County Connecticut. That from there he removed with his father to Tunbridge Orange Co Vermont about two year 1785 and from that place he removed to Michigan. That he has no record of his age or the time of his birth. That he has no documentary evidence to prove his service and that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He further states that he served as a private

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except th present and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state and that this is the first & only declaration he has ever made for the purpose of obtaining a pension from the United States for services in the revolutionary War.
Wm White

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jos Bozer
County Judge Kent County Michx

State of Michigan County of Kent ss

Mr George R Upham and Cyrian S Hooker residing in the town of Lowell in the said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William White who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be eighty three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a
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soldier of the revolution and that we fully concur in that opinion. We further say that we are both Justices of the Peace of the County of Kent and that we are disinterested.
George R Upham
C S Hooker

Sworn & subscribed the day and year first aforesaid before me
Jos Bozer 
County Judge Kent County Michx

And I the said Joshua Bozer one of the Judges of the Court aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And I do further certify that I am acquainted with George R Upham Cyprian S Hooker who have signed the foregoing certificate. That they are both residents of the said Township of Lowell in said county of Kent. That they are reputed to be Justices of the Peace of said town. That they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. I further state that William White the above named declarant under 18 miles from the place of holding the county court for this county. And that from infirmity he is in my opinion totally unable to appear in open court to make his said declaration. I further state that there is no other court of record in said county holden nearer the residence of the said White than 18 miles
Jos Bozer
County Court Judge
Kent County
Michx
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State of Michigan County of Kent ss

I Reuben H Smith Clerk of Kent County and ex Officio Clerk of the Kent County Court do hereby certify that Joshua Bozer before whom the foregoing depositions purport to have been made is one of the Judges of the Kent County Court and was at the time of taking the same, and as such duly authorized to take the same, that said County Court is a Court of record. That George R Upham and Cyprian S Hooker whose names appear written ore Justices of the Peace of said County duly commissioned & sworn

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Kent County Court this twenty first day of July A.D. 1849 
Reuben H Smith Clerk 
of Kent County & Ex Officio Clerk of Kent County Court

I Reuben H Smith Clerk as aforesaid in addition to the above, further certify, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the above named Joshua Bozer and that I have examined his signature to the foregoing depositions and believe the same to be genuine
Reuben H Smith, Clerk of
Kent County, & Ex officio Clerk of
Kent County Court
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37693
William White
Michigan

11450

Act 7 June 1832
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Act of June 7, 1832

William White.
(Mich.)
Power of Atty

To examine claim

Chas. C. Tucker.
Atty.
Present.
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Power of Atty

Jas. S. White

Chas. C. Tucker
Page 12

Know all men by these presents that I James S White of Marshall in the County of Calhoun and State Michigan have made constituted & appointed & do by these presents make constitute & appoint Charles C. Tucker Esq of the City of Washington & District of Columbia my true & lawful attorney for me & in my name to examine the records & files of the Department of War and the Pension office of the United States & to investigate the claim of the heirs William White formerly of Lebanon in the State Connecticut of whom I am one to a pension in consideration of the Service of said William White as an officer in one of the Connecticut regiments of which Ledyard was Colonel for six months or more during the war of the Revolution 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Seventh day of March [?],  1853.

Sealed & Delivered in presence of Jas S. White Moses H Goodridge 
M. Parsons 
State of Michigan 
Calhoun County [?]
Be it known that on the 7th day of March A.D. 1853 before the Subscriber a Notary Public in & for said County, personally appeared James S. White above named, acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his free act & Deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned 
of M. Parsons 
Notary Public
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September 12, 1935.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mr. R. D. Williams 
324 Monadnock Building 
San Francisco, California 

BA-J/ady 
William White 
R.11450

Dear Sir: 
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R. 11450, based upon the military service of of William White in that war. 

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of William White are not shown. 

William White applied for pension July 20, 1849 at which time he was aged eighty-three years and a resident of Lowell, Kent County, Michigan, and stated that while a resident of Lebanon, Windham County, Connecticut , he enlisted in 1781, that he served at various times on short tours, amounting to six months in all, as private in Captain Benjamin Durkee's Connecticut Company. 

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service of six months in a military capacity as required by the pension laws. 

About 1785 he moved with his father from Lebanon, Connecticut, to Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont, and from there he moved to Michigan. 

Soldier's wife, about his own age, was living in 1849, her name not given. 

In 1849 one T. White witnessed the signature of soldier in Kent County, Michigan, his age or relationship to soldier not stated. 

One Timothy White was living in 1852, his residence, age or relationship to soldier not stated.

In 1853 James S. White, one of the heirs of the
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soldier, William White, was living in Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan, his age not given.

The date and place of soldier's death not shown.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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State of Michigan
County of Kent    ⎬ SS. On this thirty first day of August 1849
personally appeared William White
before me, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his per act and
deed for the purposes therein contained.
Lucus Patterson
Notary Public ┃
[?]
State of Michigan
County of Kent    ⎬ SS. I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Lucius Pattern esq
Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgment was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name,
was at the time of so doing, a ["Justice of the Peace" crossed through] Notary Public in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the Circuit ["County" crossed through] Court,
this Twentieth day of September
one thousand eight hundred and forty nine
Reuben H Smith Clerk
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Know all Men by these Presents, 
That William White   of
have constituted 
and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute and appoint, S. J. BOWEN, of the City of Washington, my true and lawful Attorney, irrevocably, with power of substitution, for me and in my name, place, and stead, to ask, and receive of and from the United States any Bounty Land, Pensions, Money or Moneys that now is or are due to me on account of services rendered, disbursements made, or expenses incurred by me while in the service of the United States , or on any other account whatsoever, and in my name to give receipts and other sufficient discharges for such Bounty Land, Pensions, Patents, and Money due as aforesaid, and to attend to and prosecute any and all business of whatever nature I may have with or before any of the Departments of the Government or Congress, and, generally, to do any and every other act or acts, that I might or could do, were I personally present at the doing thereof: hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said Attorney shall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of August 1849 

Signed, Sealed and Delivered }
in the presence of                   }
Two Witnesses. 
Lucius Patterson & White

Will White SEAL
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["Acts of July 14, 1860, and March 3, 1873." crossed through]

11450
P. O. William White
Service: ______________

Enlisted: REJECTED , 18   .
Discharged: _________, 18   .

Application filed: 1852 Printed List gives Reasons for suspension 18 .

Alleges: " not six months service ". 
Re-enlisted: ____________
__________________________

Attorney: __________________
P. O. ______________________
____________________________
______ Recognized. ____ Contract.
______ Cert. of Dis. Searched for ________, 18   .

[Sideways text]
1934, Jan. 3 Mrs. J B Gamble advgrd.[?]
to soldiers service [Initials]
1934 - Sub. S Mrs J B Gamble adv further rel. to sols.
write [?] Mr White. - See Mr White, NZZ 596 [Initials]
1935 Sept. 12. Hist. to R. D. Williams & ref. to
Com. of Gen. Land Office A[?]
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William White
Michigan
Suspended

[Crossed through text. Illegible]

Act of June 1832

[?] S. J. Bower[?]
Noon 21/50 [?]
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January 3, 1934 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

Mrs. Joseph B. Gamble 
Box 217 
Canyon, Texas 

William White, S. 36384 
William White, R. 11450
BA-J/MMHF:MLB 

Dear Madam:   
Reference is made to your letter of December 20, 1933, in which you request to know whether or not William White, File No. S. 36384, or William White, R. 11450, was the William White who responded to the Lexington Alarm under Captain Silas Dunham. 

The papers in the above-noted pension claims have been examined and neither soldier alleged the service cited. by MLB

In order to identify the record of any other William White in whom you may be interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data are essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
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September 12, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
BA-J/ady 

Mr. R. D. Williams 
334 Monadnock Building
San Francisco, California 

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter relative to William White, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, born in 1765, a resident of Orange County, Vermont, and received land in Ohio in 1835 or a few years thereafter on account of military service. 

The Revolutionary War records have been searched and only one claim for pension found based upon service of a William White in which claim it is recorded resided in Orange County, Vermont. It is not shown, however, that he ever resided in Ohio, or that he received bounty land because of his military
service.

It is suggested that information in regard to his bounty land located in Ohio, might be obtained from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, this city. In addressing that official, it will expedite the matter if you will furnish all the date you have, particularly that part of Ohio in which the land was located.

The record of the William White of Orange County, Vermont is furnished you herewith as it may aid you in your research.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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ROSCOE, SNYDER AND PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT
R. D. WILLIAMS ASST. GENERAL FREIGHT AGENT 
324 Monadnock Bldg.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF August 29th, 1935.

Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C. 
Dearsirs:-    

Thereis a persistant legend in the family that William White (born 1765) a resident of Orange County, Vermont, served in the Revolutionary War when only twelve years old. It is however a known fact that he was granted lands in Ohio in 1835 or a few years thereafter, account of military service. So far I have been unable to determine to what body of troops he belonged. 

Will you kindly consult your records and if you are able to locate his record will you please place me in possession of such facts as the record discloses. 

Yours very truly, 
R D Williams

[Seal: "RECEIVED 1935"]
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Her other letter in which she cited 2 W. W.'s was dated Dec 20

Canyon Tex ., Dec . 18 - 1933 . 
Pension Dept
Washington , D.C

Dear Sir ; Will you kindly look for record S36384 and write me if this record belongs to WIlliam White , who responded to Lexington alarm 1775 under Capt , Silas Dunham . 

Thank you .
Mrs Joseph B. Gamble
Box 217 Canyon , Tex
Tandall , Co . 

[STAMP]
RECEIVED
DEC 21 1933
MAIL SUB - DIV . 
VETS . ADM . 
[?] 65
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6

Pension Office
April 16 , 1852

Sir :
I have the honor to return herewith the letter of Timothy White , and to inform you that the claim of Wm . White of Michigan to a pension under the Act of 7 June 1832 has never been allowed because the performance of as much as six months service by the claimant has never been established. In his original declaration he set forth the performance of certain service in Connt [ Connecticut ]. the latter part of the war . This declaration was not sustained by either the Comptroller of that State showing the performance of a either over two months service in 1782 . The certificate also showed the performance of over five months service by one of the same name in 1775 , but as he did not claim for that service , and as , agreeably to his own Statement he could not have been more than nine years old at that time , it was not sup -
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7
- poses he should be entitled to credit for that service . 

Until , therefore , he can establish six months service , either by the records or depositions of some one who had a personal Knowledge of it no allowance can be made . 

This information has been furnished Mr . Bowen of this City , the agent who filed the claim , as also to Hon ! Lewis Cass

Hon Chr E. Stuart , [ Charles Edward Stuart ]
H of Reps [ House of Representatives ]
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222
Pension Office
May 8 1850

Sr , 
In compliance with your request I here
with return the letter of [?] White relative to the claims of his father William White for the benefit of her act of June 7 , 1832 , and has the  honor to state , that of services suspended for the want of proof of service . His alleged service was attempted to the sustained by a certificate from the Comptroller
of Connecticut , on whose looks a William White was credited for 5 mon's [ months] 8 days service
in 1775 and 2 mo's [ months ] in 1782 ; But it was very evident , and on White's agent has her so informed , that the service in 1775 
could not have been served by the applicant who at that time [?] of he was but 83 in 1849 . as stated in his declaration could have been only 9 years old . If in a[?], herein that the
service in 1782 , was served by applicant [?] is not sufficient to entitle him to a pension , which is not awarded for any service less than
24 months . 
The Comptroller's certificate when  referred to in the only testimony adduced in support of the claim ; and unless it can be shown by
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Record proof and the
testimony of comrades who
served with him that he rendered as much as six months service, his claim cannot be admitted .
I have to[?]

[sideways]
Lewis Cass
May 8/56

[bottom of page]
Hon Lewis Cass
Senate [ h Hacks ? ]
Page 27

S. J. Bowen
Apr 30/50
Page 28

913
Pensioner Office
April 30 1850

Sir ,
The certificate of the Comptroller
of Connecticut in the case of William
White of Michigan has been ex -- x .
filed. It shows two month service only in
1782 . The service in 1775 was not performed
by applicant, he having been only nine years
of age at that time, unless the most satisfactory proof be presented of his having
performed at least six months in a military capacity a person cannot be allowed . 

S. J. Bowen Esq
Prest
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S, J. Bowens
Nov 24/49
Page 30

556   208
Pension Office
Nov. 24 1849

Sir , 
The declaration of William White of Michigan under act 7th June 1832
has been examined and filed. He
alleges to have served as a scout and
guard in Connecticut from 1781, in short tours amounting to at least six months ; and that he was under the orders of Captain Benjamin Durkee . There are rolls of that officers company in this office showing service during the latter part of the revolutionary war , but they do not contain the name of the applicant . Perhaps the records in the
office of the Comptroller of Connecticut , at Hartford may afford some evidence of the service, to whom I respectfully refer you.

S. J. Bowen Esq
Washington
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Washington
Decr 29, 1851
Hon J E Heath
Comr Pensions

Dear Sir
The writer of the Enclosed lettre [ letter ]  is very worthy friend and constituent of mine and I shall feel much obliged if you can inform me early of the condition of the applications to which he alludes . You will please return to me his letter .

I have the honor to be
Yours Respectfully
Cha E Stuart [ Charles E Stuart ]
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Apr 29/50


S. J. Bowen atty.
Present
Page 33

Washington City April 29. 1850

Sir , 
I am again constrained to ask your attention to the claim of William White for a Pension for services rendered by him in the Revolutionary war , which claim was filed in July last in your office . On the 24th
November I received a letter from you stating that there was no proof of service to be found among the records here , when I wrote to the Comptroller of the State of
Connecticut and obtained evidence of such service, which evidence I filed in your office on the 30th of November last . Since that time I have heard nothing from the case
although I have written several letters asking that it might be disposed of .

May I now urge you to cause the same to be immediately taken up and acted upon , and the result thereof to be reported to me !

Very respectfully,
Your Off . Servt . [ Officer Servant ]
S. J. Bowen
Col. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Page 34

Washington, May 7, 1850

Sir,

I transmit you the enclosed letter, and will thank you to let me know what is the true state of the case, referred to.

Please return the letter.

I am, Sir, Respectfully 
Your Obt servt
Lew Cass

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 35

State of Connecticut
Comptroller Office
Hartford     Dec. 8th 1849

I certify that an application for evidence of the service of  William White in the war of the Revolution.  I have examined the Books & Documents relating to said war remaining in this office and find the name of said White in "A Pay Roll of the 10th Co. 8th Regt. raised by order of  "Genl. Assembly of Connecticut 1775" and opposite said name are the following entries vis :
Time enlisted  July 9
Time discharged, Dead or Deserted including time to return home Dec 17
Most Days in service    5 mos.  8 days.

I find also the name of William White in a "Pay Roll of the Eight months men who served in the 1st Connecticut Regiment in the year 1782 and opposites said name are the following entries:
Time of Enlistment    Nov 1st
Time of Discharge      Jan 1st
Length of service    2 months

Abijah Catlin
Comptroller
Page 36

Oct 10/49
Wm White.

W Allison

Susan Patterson
recd  July 30

S. J. Bowen
Atty.  Present
Page 37

Washington City   Oct 10,  1849

Sir,
I enclose herewith a Power of Attorney from Wm. White, whose claim for a Pension for services in the war of the Revolution was forwarded from Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the 4th day of July last. I respectfully request that his case may be taken up and disposed of at your earliest convenience, and that I may be informed of the result.

Respectfully,
Your Obt servt
S. J. Bowen


Col. J. L. Edwards}
Com of Pensions}
Page 38

Grand Rapids  Michigan
July 21, 1849

Sir

Under this I forward the Declaration of William White together with the certificate of C S Hooker & G R Upham as to the tradition among his neighbors to,  Whether the proofs come up to the standard required by the war department, I cannot say, not having had any experience in preparing such papers.  I drew his dictation and incorporated the facts just as he dictated them from memory.  At times his memory appeared to be lucid, but would immediately become confused rendering  a connected and systematic detail of the counts in which he participated impossible.  That he served the service is universally believed.  He has a wife about his own age and they are in circumstances of extreme destitution.  For any additional information in [    ] to the credibility of the certifying witnesses, I would refer you to the Hon. D. C. Lawrence, late of this county and now a clerk in the Patent Office at Washington. Please advise me early of the decision of the Department upon this claim.  If any defect appear in
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the papers, please inform me so that it may if possible be supplied.

Respectfully Your Obt ser.
Lucius Patterson

Commissioner of Pensions}
Washington City}
Page 40

Dec 18/49

William White
Michigan
Act 7 June 1832
suspended

1849
1775
-----
   74


S. J. Bowen
Present
Page 41

Washington, Dec 15, 1849.

Sir,

I herewith enclose the certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut showing the service of William White in the war of the Revolution, which I trust will make his case perfect.
Will you have the goodness to cause this case to be disposed of as early as convenient.
Respectfully ,
S. J. Bowen

Col. J. L. Edwards}
Comm. of Pensions}