Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1314, for John Pratt, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.
Pratt, John
Elizabeth

NUMBER
W.1314
B.L.Wt. 1710 -200 - Lieut.
Issued Oct. 20, 1789.
No papers. 

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left side of page:]
Date of
death not
ou aB

[right side of page:]
65
Connecticut
Elizabeth Pratt
[partly visible word, looks like widow] of John Pratt
who served in the Revolutionary 
war an an Issuing Commissary
Pned from $320
[written vertically over the above writing: Penn Line]

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
600 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
15th day of October 1850
and sent to
D. D. Addison Esq
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
[crossed out: February 2,] 1848, Page 64 Vol. A
July 29th 1848
Page 3

[on the left, part of a ribbon, binding pages together] 

No 58
Elizabeth Pratt
Wd of John
Cow
Act 29 July 1848
Marnia 1795
Page 4

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex} SS. I Elihu Spencer Clerk of the
County Court in and for the said County of Middlesex, do
hereby certify that the said Court is a Court of Record - & 
that Hear Charles C. Tyler is [^and was on the 9th day of October Inst.]
sole Judge thereof; and that the
signature of said Charles C. Tyler to the certificate hereto
annexed is his genuine handwriting

And I do further certify that Jonathan Barnes Esq
is and ever since the 20th day of June last past has been
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex, duly
commissioned (as by commission on file in my office) and as such 
Justice qualified by law to administer oaths.  And further that
I know the several signatures of the said Jonathan Barnes
upon the papers hereto annexed to be his genuine handwriting

In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of the
said County Court at Middletown in said
Middlesex County this sixteenth day of October
AD 1848.
Elihu Spencer
Clk of County Court

[on the left: round seal stamped over a small, square paper]
[seal reads: MIDDLESEX COUNTY, with a figure in the center]
Page 5

State of Connecticutt

To John Pratt of Hartford - You are Hereby Appointed Directed and Impowerd
Fourthwith to Procure beef or Pork and Carriages to transport the Same for the Troops
Orderd to Be Raised by the General Assembly, to Join the N. Army and In Case You 
Cannot Reasonably procure Such Articles for the purpose Afore Sd By Virtue of my
Warrent (from his Excelency Governer Trumbull) you are hereby Autherised and 
Impowerd to Impress and have Apprised Such Articles as you may want for the purpose 
Afore Sd.
Dated at Hartford this 26 Day of August 1777
James [illegible name] Special Comssy
Page 6

Lieut. John Pratt
Q. Master 4th Penna. Regt.
[illegible] Morison } Carlisle
Page 7

Willis house near Yorktown 3rd Sepr 17[illegible numbers]

Dr. [Dear] Jack
This momment Capt. McCurdy arived
here from town, with orders from Genl. Irvine for the
first and 4th Regiments to hold them selves in
Readiness to March at the Shortest notice, and
Order for Col Green to forward the Arms to Lancaster
as soon as possible.  what this Manoever is for I 
suppose is [illegible] the Enemy making a [word crossed out] 
the second trip towards Baltimore, this my
own Conjecture -

Mr. Beaty and Self
intends starting to Carlisle to Morrow or next day
and would have gone Sooner but on account of Mr
Beaty having the Kings evil in his upper jaw
which is got almost well.  My Compliments
to the [blank] and let him know that
we will be there soon
Adiu
S M Cullam
Lt. Pratt

[written sideways on the left margin: Presents my compliments to Col
Butler (crossed out: and) Wm. Butler & Mastr. Richd and all officers in town]
Page 8

On public Service

To
John Pratt Esqr. Commissary
Genl to the Army under
Genl Clinton's command

Express.
South End of Lake Otsego
[small round seal or stamp]

[written upside down at the bottom of the page: 
July 12 1779 Letter from Coll. Water
Page 9

Canissary July 12th [illegible]
11 of Clock A.M

Sir
I am this moment favoured with a Letter
from H. Glen Esqr wherein he writes me that 
"The Commissary of Issues will send to my
"base are to be forwarded to the South End of
"Lake Otsago to Commissary Pratt eight
"Barrels of Salt. That I must write to the
"Commissary acquainting him therewith
"and if he wants it he must apply to
"the General for a strong Guard to come to
"the River to guard the waggons to the
"Lake and back."  You will be pleased
to write me by the Bearer whether you
want the salt; if so you will regulate
the Guard for four waggons, upon a
supposition that you will send for it
I shall endeavor to have the waggons
in readiness by the time I expect the
Bearer back.  I am [illegible] 
Your Obt. Servt.
Chrisr. P. Yates

John Pratt Esqr.
Page 10

This is to Certify that the within John Prat
took the oath of an Assistant Commissary before me
Agreeable to a Resolve of Congress of the 10th of June 1777
Sept 9th [illegible]
James Clinton B. Genl

[written sideways:]
General Clinton 1777
Certificate Sept. 9
Oath of Fidelity
Page 11

I John Prat do acknowledge the United States of America to be
free, independant, and Sovereign States, and declare that the People thereof owe no Allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain; and I renounce refuse, and abjure
any Allegiance or Obedience to him: and I do swear, that I will, to the utmost of
my Power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States, against the said King
George the Third, his heirs and Successors, and his and their Abettors, Assistants, and
Adherents, and will serve the said United States in the Office of an Assistant Commissary 
of Issues which I now hold, with Fidelity, according to the best of my Skill,
and Understanding.  So help me God.
John Pratt A Comy [illegible]

White Plains Head-Quarters, Sept 9th 1778
Personally appeared John Prat Assistant
Commissary of Issue to the NY Brig.
and took the above oath by him subscribed, Before me. }
James Clinton B Genl
Page 12

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex } ss. Middletown October 16th 1848.
I Samuel Cooper of said Middletown being duly
Sworn depose and say, that I am sixty seven years old
and have always resided in said Middletown: That
I am the brother of Elizabeth Pratt of said Middletown, 
who has applied for a pension under the
Act of Congress of the 29th of July 1848, on account
of her husband John Pratt late of said Middletown, 
deceased, who served in the Revolutionary War:
That I was present at the marriage of the said
John Pratt and Elizabeth Pratt: That said Marriage
took place in the month of February in the
year Seventeen hundred and ninety five, but I
am not able from recollection to state the day
of the month: That at the time of said marriage
the said John Pratt had recently been a Captain
in the Army of the United States, and that he
was reputed to have served in various grades in
the Continental line of the Army during the
whole of the Revolutionary War: That I have
often heard him relate events, which occurred
while he was in the Service during the Said
War but I can not now relate the particulars:
That said John Pratt died at said Middletown 
in the month of December in the year
eighteen hundred and twenty four; and further
I say not.
Saml Cooper

Sworn to and subscribed
this 16th day of October
A.D. 1848. Before me
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace

I further certify that
Page 13

the said Samuel Cooper is a respectable and credible
witness.
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace,
Page 14

Declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the Act of Congress
of the 29th July, 1848.

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex} ss. Middletown
On this ninth -- day of October
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty eight, before the County Court in and for said
County, the same being a Court of record having a
Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Elizabeth Pratt
a resident of Middletown in said County of Middlesex,
aged seventy seven years, who being 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 the 29th of
July A.D. 1848; that she is the widow of John Pratt, 
who was a Lieutenant and an Assistant Commissary 
of Issues in the War of the Revolution; that she has always
understood and believes that the said John Pratt
enlisted in the Continental line of the Army in the 
said War soon after the commencement thereof, and
continued to serve during the said War, and that, after
the said War, he held for some years the Commission of
Captain in the Army of the United States; that she
has frequently heard the said John Pratt speak of
occurrences in the said Revolutionary War, in which
he was engaged, but she can not, at this time, state
them with any precision; that she has no means
of stating the line in which he served nor the officers
under whom he served, but she believes that
he was assistant Commissary of Issues to the New York
Brigade, in proof whereof she annexed hereto the
Oath of fidelity taken by him before Brigadier General
James Clinton, and a letter from Colonel Yates to
Page 15

him as such Commissary; that he resided in Hartford 
in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut 
at the time when he enlisted into the Revolutionary 
Army, and she thinks that he served
a part of the time during the war in the Pennsylvania
line; that several years since she made an
Application to Congress for a pension, which was rejected 
solely on the ground that she was not married
to the said John Pratt previous to the year seventeen 
hundred and ninety four; that to the said
Application she annexed the Commissions, which
the said John Pratt held in the Revolutionary
Army, and sundry other documents tending to
prove his Revolutionary Services, that said Commissions 
and documents were not returned to her
and she can not produce them, and she therefore 
begs leave to refer for further proof of the
services of the said John Pratt in the Revolutionary
War to the Records of the War Department; 
And she further declares that she was married
to the said John Pratt on the twenty eighth day
of February in the year seventeen hundred and
ninety five; that her husband the aforesaid John
Pratt died at said Middletown on the twenty
Seventh day of December in the year eighteen hundred 
and twenty four; that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service, 
but the marriage took place previous to the
Second of January eighteen hundred, to wit, at 
the time above stated.  She further swears that
She is now a widow and that She has never before
made any application for a pension, except to Congress
as herein before stated, which was denied
on the ground above stated, to wit, that her said
Page 16

2.
marriage did not take place prior to the month
of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four.
Elizabeth Pratt

Sworn to and subscribed, 
on the day and
year above written
Before me }

Charles C. Tyler
Judge of the County Court
for Middlesex County
Page 17

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex} ss. Middletown, September 28th 1848.
I Thomas G. Mather Town Clerk of the said
Town of Middletown, and keeper of the Records thereof
do hereby certify, that it appears from the Book
containing the record of marriages in said Town, that
John Pratt and Elizabeth Cooper were married
on the Twenty eighth day of February in the year
Seventeen hundred and ninety five, and that the
Entry in the said records of the said marriage is
in the words and figures following to wit:
John Pratt & Elizabeth Cooper were married Feby 28. 1795
Thomas G. Mather
Town Clerk

Sworn to and subscribed this twenty eighth
of September A.D. One thousand eight hundred
and forty eight.
Before me
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace

I further certify that said Thomas G. Mather
is Town Clerk of the said Town of Middletown 
and Keeper of the Records thereof, and a
credible witness.
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

March 24, 1938
xxxxxx
BA-J/EEL
John Pratt - W.1314

Mrs. H. M. Skidmore
2178 - 4" Avenue
Sacramento, California

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the 
Revolutionary War record of Lieutenant John Pratt, of Connecticut.

A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made
and no record found of a John Pratt, who served as lieutenant
in the Connecticut troops, or who applied for pension while residing
in that state for service as lieutenant. However, the
record has been found of a John Pratt, who entered the service
at Hartford, Connecticut, served as lieutenant in the Pennsylvania
Line and died in Middletown, Connecticut, and whose widow
applied for pension while residing in said Middletown. The
history of that officer is furnished you herein as it may be
the Lieutenant John Pratt, in whom you are interested.
John Pratt
W/1314

The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed
in pension claim, W. 1314, based upon the military service in
the Revolutionary War of John Pratt.

The date and place of birth and names of the parents of
John Pratt are not shown.

While residing in Hartford, Connecticut, John Pratt entered 
the service in the Revolutionary War soon after its commencement. 
Sometime prior to September 9, 1778, he was an 
assistant Commissary of issues and on that date was assistant 
commistry of issues to the New York Brigade. He received 
commissions as ensign and lieutenant to rank from July 1, 1779, 
in the 4" Pennsylvania Regiment and was still serving in that
capacity in November, 1780.  In September, 1781, he was quarter- [quartermaster]

[handwritten in the right margin: ]
Mrs F. & I consulted on this serv. & she said to write it this way.
Page 19

master for the 4" Pennsylvania Regiment, March 28, 1782, he
was adjutant and lieutenant of the 5" Pennsylvania Regiment,
Colonel Richard Butler, and May 22, 1783, was appointed 
quartermaster of said regiment.

John Pratt continued to serve in the army of the United States
after the Revolutionary War and in 1785, was lieutenant
in the 1" United States Regiment; in 1787, he was quartermaster
of said 1"" United States Regiment; in 1791, he was commissioned
captain of same regiment and continued in service until shortly
before his marriage in 1795, when he resigned his commission,
exact date of his resignation not shown.

John Pratt was allowed two hundred acres of bounty land
on Warrant No. 1710, issued October 20, 1789.

In order to obtain information in regard to the location
of the land cited above, you should address The Commissioner of
the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and
furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage
and date of issuance.

John Pratt died December 27 or 28 (both dates are given ),
1824, at Middletown, Connecticut. It was stated that he was a
member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

The officer married February 28, 1795, at Middletown, 
Connecticut, Elizabeth Cooper, date and place of her birth and
names of her parents not shown. They were married by the Reverand 
Enoch Huntington, pastor of the First Church and Society
of said Middletown and their marriage was recorded on the records
of said church.

Elizabeth, widow of John Pratt, was allowed pension on her
application executed October 9, 1848, at which time she was aged
seventy-seven years and resided in Middletown, Connecticut.

The widow stated that when her husband died, he left her
with eight children.  She did not give the names of the children
and no further reference is made to them.

In 1848, Samuel Cooper, a brother of the widow, lived in
Middletown, Connecticut.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
-2-
Page 20

name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death
of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Elizabeth Pratt, widow of
John Pratt (w. 1314), you should address The Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and
cite the following data:

Elizabeth Pratt, widow of John Pratt
Certificate No. 65
Issued October 15, 1850,
Rate $600.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of July 29, 1848
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 21

W58
Elizabeth Pratt
Son
Hon S. D. Hubbard
Jany 20, 49 do.
$320 per Ann
D. Hubbard
Hon D Hubb
H R
Act 29 July 1848
Page 22

David Mitchell
Page 23

Two Commission issued to John
Pratt after the Rev. War were
returned to the Hon D. Hubbard
H R. on the 16 Oct 1849
by J L E

[written upside down at the bottom: ]
J G Berret
Page 24

Middletown, Conn. Oct. 16. 1848.
Sir,
I inclose the application of
Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt for a pension.
She requests that all communications
in relation to it may be addressed
to me,
With much respect
Your Obt Sevt.
Jonathan Barnet
Page 25

[left column of page: ]
Nov. 25/93 Hist. to
7. Baltimore Place, Atlanta, Ga.

1938. Mar 24 - Hist to
Mrs. H. M. Skidmore
EL

[central column of page: ]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1314
Elizabeth Pratt,
Widow.
John Pratt,
Issuing Com'y. Rev. War

Act: July 29-1848.
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 139 
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right column of page: ]
E. H. Roberts,
Page 26

Washington May 31st 1850
Dr Sir,
I enclose herewith a certificate from
the Secretary of State shewing nearly three
years service of John Pratt, as an Apt.
Commissary of Issues, which entitles his 
widow, Mrs Elizabeth Pratt to an increase
of pension from $320 to $600 pr. an. under 
the Act of July 29th 1848.

As Mrs Pratt's application
for an increase of pension has been filed
in your Office since September last, I 
beg that it may now be examined, and
the certificate of increase issued without 
further delay.
Mrs Pratt is on the Connecticut roll.

I am Very respectfully
Yr Mo Obt svt
W Moffett
D. D. Addison

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commr of Pensions
Page 27

Washington Sept 24 1850

D. Sir,
I enclose herewith the pension 
Certificate of Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt
of Connecticut and have to request that
the new one at the increased rate may
issue without further delay.
This claim has been before your
office upwards of twelve months.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Yr. mo. Obt St
D. D. Addison
J. L. Edwards, Esq
Com of Pension
Page 28

"1795
Febry 28. John Pratt and Elizabeth Cooper."

I certify that the above is a true copy of an entry
in a book, in the First page of which it is written
"This Book of Records belongs to the First
Church and Society in Middletown - Made by
Enoch Huntington Pastor of the First Church
and Society in Middletown", and in a section
of the said Book entitled, "A Record of
Persons joined in Marriage from Jany 1st
1788 by Enoch Huntington Pastor of the
First Church and Society in Middletown". 
Middletown December 5th 1838.
John R Crane
Pastor of the First Chh and Soc. in Middletown
Page 29

[On the left side of the page: ] Reprted

[On the right side of the page]
65
Connecticut
Elizabeth Pratt
widow of John Pratt
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Lieut

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
320 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
16th day of Feb. [illegible year] 
and sent to Hon. S. D. Hubbard
Houe. of Reprs.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act [illegible]
[date crossed out] 1848, Page 91 Vol. 1
29th July, book C
Page 30

[ghosting from the other side; stamp reads: FREE]

Ingham
Representatives
Washington
DC
Page 31

Middletown Decr 25th 1838
Hon. Saml Houghton

Dear Sir
I send inclosed
the Commissions of Cap Pratt deceased
and the certificate of Marriage with Elizabeth
Pratt the petitioner

We can get more evidence of Service
of it will be of any use

He was a Member of the Society of Cincinata
The certificate of which the family hear it is
herein in a [illegible] unless you think
would be particularly useful as they would prefer
not to send it
Your [illegible] duly received -: he [illegible] 
Yours truly
Chas [illegible]
Page 32

2178 - 4th Ave
Sacramento, Calif.
Feb 27 - 1938

U.S. Pension Office
Washington, DC.
Dear Sir,

Please tell me if you have
on record any date on the
the birth - marriage - or family 
of Lt. John Pratt of Connecticut, 
Revolutionary War Soldier.
If you have no data
will you advise me where
such information may be
obtained.

Thanking you I am
Very truly yours,
Mrs. H M. Skidmore

[Round Date Stamp reading: ]
RECEIVED
MAR 4 1938
MAIL SUB.DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER No. 6
Page 33

[Round seal on top of a small square of paper]

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To John Pratt Gentleman Greeting. We, Reposing special trust
and confidence in your Patriotism Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to
be a Lieutenant in the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment
in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 1st day
of Jany 1780; You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a
Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.  And
we do Strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Lieutenant.  And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions,
from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress
for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of
the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance
of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue inforce until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the 
Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.

Witness His Excellency Saml Huntington Esquire President of
the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the 22nd
day of November, 1780, and in the fifth year of our
Independance.
Sam. Huntington President

Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
Attest
Ben Stoddert  Secretary of the Board of War
Page 34

[Round seal on the left]

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To John Pratt Gentleman Greeting. We, Reposing special trust
and confidence in your Patriotism Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to
be an Ensign in the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment
in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the first day
of July 1779; You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of an
Ensign by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And
we do Strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions,
from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress
for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of
the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance
of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue inforce until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the
Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.

Witness His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esq President of
the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the thirty first 
day of July, 1780, and in the fifth year of our
Independance.
Sam. Huntington President

Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
Attest
Ben Stoddert Secretary of the Board of War
Page 35

Middletown, Conn. January 13th 1849.

Dear Sir
I wrote to you some weeks since respecting
the application of Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt for a pension,
This afternoon She sent a message to me, desiring to
know whether I had received any information from
Washington, and, if not to write again, saying that 
she feared she should not live long enough to derive
any benefit from a pension.
You will therefore excuse me for calling your
attention to the subject.

Very respectfully
Your Obt Sert.
Jonathan Barnes

Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard.
Page 36

House of Representatives
Jany 18th/49

Dhr
The pension of the accompanying
John I trust will be an apology for my
sending it to you with a request that you will 
give Mrs Prate [illegible] your early attenttion
Yours &c
S D Hubbard

Hon J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 37

Hon S D. Hubbard,
Jany 20, 49,
Page 38

237
Pension Office
January 20, 1849
1849

Sir
I have the honor to return herewith
Mr Barnes' letter and to inform you that the
papers transmitted by him in the case of
Elizabeth Pratt widow of John Pratt have
been examined and filed under the act of 29th
July 1848.

The date of their marriage is
established but the Service of Claimants husband
has not been set forth in the Specific Manner 
which the regulations require, nor is the proof
of his service of the Rank he held. The papers
which Mrs Prate states were sent to Hon Wm L Storm
if withdrawn from the files of Congress
and presented to this office, may possibly
furnish some additional evidence in this 
case

We Cannot grant a pension
to Mrs Prate upon the proof now before
the Department. The name of John Pratt cannot 
be found with the office of either the
Connecticut or New York [illegible]
Hon Saml D Hubbard
House of reps
Page 39

House of Representations
Feby 2d 1849

Dhr
May I request your attention to
the application of Mrs Prate widow
of Capt John Prate. From your remarks
when I had the pleasure of seeing you at
your office I was led to expect that I
Would recieve the decision on the case 
before this

Your os
Sam D Hubbard

Hon J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Page 40

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW' S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the act of [crossed out: February 2d,] July 29th,1848
Elizabeth Pratt, of Connecticut
widow of John Pratt,
who was a Lieutenant in the revolutionary war, [illegible marks]
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of three hundred & twenty
dollars [crossed out: and cents] per annum, commencing on the
4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again
marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such
marriage.

[written diagonally over the lines of handwriting: Cancelled]
[on the left: round seal stamped over a round paper with pointed edges] 

Given at the War Office of the United States
this 16th day of February,
one thousand eight hundred and
forty-nine.

W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned
J G. Buret
for Commissioner of Pensions
Page 41

Middletown Connt.
Oct. 24th 1849


J.L. Edwards Esqr }
Com. of Pensions } Sir,

I have authorized
Mr D. D. Addison of Washington City D.C. to
endeavor to procure an increase of my pension
You will therefore let him have access to my
papers on file in your Office, in support of my
Claim, under the Act of 1848.

When the claim is increased I wish the amount
due payable to myself, or to my order,
by the U.S. Agent in Hartford Conn.

With Respect
Elizabeth Pratt
Page 42

Washington City D.C.
Novr 12th 1849.

Dr. Sir-
I am authorized (as you will perceive
from the enclosed letter) by Mrs. Elizabeth
Pratt, ^(of Connecticut,) widow of John Pratt, a pensioner under the Act of July 29th 1848, to ask a reexamination
of her claim, with a view to an increase of her
pension.

Mrs. Pratt receives a pension of $320.
per an: for the services of her husband as Lieutenant; 
but it is alleged that he was also an
Asst. Comy. of Issues, and consequently, she is
entitled to a pension of $600 per annum,
Will you do me the favor to state what further
proof, if any, will be required before the increase 
can be allowed

I am, Very respectfully
Yr.mo. obt. st
D D Addison

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Com. of Pensions
Page 43

[Round seal on the left]
[signature on the left: Elias Boudinot]

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To John Pratt Gentleman Greeting. 
We, Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents 
constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Line
in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the
first day
of July 1779.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a
Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do 
Strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Lieutenant.  And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to 
time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress
for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of
the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance
of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue inforce until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the
Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.

Witness His Excellency Elias Boudinot Esq President of
the Congress of the United States of America, at Philadelphia the 
tenth day of January A.D. 1783 and in the seventh year of our
Independance.

By Order of Congress
B Lincoln Secretary at War
Page 44

John Pratts widow
Petition of Elizabeth
Pratt to be placed
on the Pension List
under the Act of
July 7. 1838. -

Jany 7 1839
Refd to the Committee
on Revy. Pensions

Jany 4. 1840
Refd under rule to Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions

July 10, 1840 - Report vs - No 714
Sam D Hubbard

Ingham 160 Rev Pens
Page 45

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States in Congress assembled,
The petition of Elizabeth Pratt of Middletown in
the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut 
respectfully Sheweth:

That she is the widow of John Pratt who
died at said Middletown on the 28th day of December
in the year eighteen hundred and twenty 
four: That the said John Pratt served in 
various grades during the war of the Revolution in
the Army of the United States, and at the close
of the war was a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania 
Line, taking rank from the first day of 
July Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine:

That in the year 1785, he received a commission 
as Lieutenant in the first Regiment in the 
Service of the United States; and, in the year
1791, he received the Commission of a Captain
in the same Regiment.

That he continued to serve as a Captain
until he was honorably discharged a short
time previous to his marriage to your petitioner, 
which took place on the 28th day of February 
in the year 1795: 

That he retired from the Army with the
reputation of a brave and meritorious officer; but
being unacquainted with any profession but that
of arms, he was, of course, unable to turn his
attention successfully to those pursuits of civil
Page 46

life, by which wealth is acquired. At his decease,
he left eight children.
Your petitioner applies for relief; and she presumes
to urge her application on the ground that
justice should be rendered to the family of a man,
who spent his best days in the service of his
country, and who, if he were living, would be
entitled to participate in the beneficent provision, 
which has been made for the surviving
officers of the Revolution.
she begs leave farther to suggest, that although 
she can not bring her case within the
letter of the Act of Congress of July 7. 1838, because 
her marriage did not take place within
the time specified in that act; yet, in consideration 
of the time when her husband left
the Army, and the fact that her marriage
was only thirteen months later in point of
time than the period, prescribed by that Act,
she may with propriety insist, that she comes
within the spirit of the Act, and ought to share
in the bounty, which it bestows.
She therefore prays to be placed on the
list of pensioners under that Act in the same
manner as if her marriage had been sol- [solemnized]
Page 47

[solemnized] emnized prior to the first of January in the
year seventeen hundred and ninety four,
or that Congress would grant such other
or farther relief as may be equitable and
expedient.

Dated at Middletown the 6th day
of December A.D. 1838.

Elizabeth Pratt
Page 48

Department of State,
Washington, 20th May, 1850.

Sir:
In answer to your inquiry respecting
the military service of John Pratt, I have
to state, that the only evidence of it which
the papers in this Department appear to
afford, is as follows
In six Returns, from the Deputy
Commissaries General of Issues for the
Northern Department, of various dates in
1778 and 1779, he is named as an Assistant
Commissary of Issues. The earliest of these
Returns is entitled, "for September 1778",
and the latest, "in September 1779."

In eleven Returns, from the said
Commissaries General, of various dates in
1778 and 1779, he is named as an
Issuing Commissary.  The earliest of these
Return is entitled, "for August, 1778"
and the latest, "in July 1779."

In an Account of provisions received
from Connecticut from the 6th of February"
to the 11th of May, 1781", is entered, "64
Page 49

"barrels of beef from Mr. Pratt A.C. Issues.
" at Danbury".
In a paper dated "Fort Sullivan, October
3d 1779, Major Douw, Deputy Quarter
Master General, is requested to deliver
a quantity of paper to "Commissary Pratt."

In a letter to General Washington of the
10th of September, 1782, signed, "Richard
Butler, Colonel 5th Pennsylvania Regiment," 
is the following passage. "I beg leave to 
"introduce the bearer, Lieutenant Pratt, of
"the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment."

In a letter to the same, of the 22d of
April, 1783, signed, "R. Butler, Colonel
3d Pennsylvania Regiment," is a request
that "Lieutenant Pratt" of that Regiment
should be appointed a Quarter Master.
From the Order Books of General Washington
it appears that he was appointed as such
on the 22d of May 1783.

In a "return of the first Regiment in
"the service of the United States commanded
"by Brigadier General Harmar," dated, 
December 1, 1787, "Lieutenant Pratt" is
named as a Quarter Master to said
regiment.
Page 50

A Return dated, "Carlisle, March 28th,
1782", is signed "John Pratt Lieutenant
and Adjutant," and "R. Butler Colonel
5th Pennsylvania Regiment."

The John Pratt, who, according to a
Return of James Gray, Deputy Commissary
General of Issues, was, on the 1st of December
1778, stationed, as an Assistant Commissary
of Issues, at Schoharie [New York], is therein said
to have been of Hartford, Connecticut.

I am, Sir, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
M. Clayton

D. D. Addison, Esquire,
Washington, 
D.C.