Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23003, Oliver Edwards, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service Mass. [Massachusetts]
Edwards, Oliver 
Sarah
Number W 23003
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3965
New Hampshire [illegible]
Sarah Edwards widow of Oliver N.H. [New Hampshire] who served in the Revolutionary war as a private 
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.
Certificate of pension issued the 22 da of Feby [February] 1819 and sent to Hon. [honorable] C. H. Peaslee Hof[illegible]
Recorded on roll of pensioners under act February 2, 1848 Page 70 Vol. 1
Reported Feby [February] 22/49
Page 3

Sarah widow of Oliver Edwards revolution
3.18
13 sep
6.6
9.24
14
23.24

12103
[illegible] Aug [August] 2 1845
Sarah Edwards
1838
N. Hamp [New Hampshire]
M. before 1794
Ware's orderly book shews [shows] service from 13 Sept [September] 75 to June 76 under Arnold to Quebec
Adm'd [admitted] 
2 yrs pri [private]
$80
Also acts 43 & 45
Israel W Kelly  Concord  N.H. [New Hampshire]
Page 4

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss
On this thirtieth day of April A.D. 1845 personally appeared before me Matthew Harvey Judge of the United States for the District of Newhampshire [New Hampshire] Sarah Edwards a resident of Weare in the county of Hillsborough and State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire] aforesaid aged eighty four years and upwards who bring first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Oliver Edwards late of Weare aforesaid deceased who was a private in the war of the revolution she believes as follows to wit  That he was a soldier in Capt [Captain] Hubbard's company in 1775 and 1776 as she has heard him tell of being with Capt. [Captain] Hubbard.  That in 1777 he was with Capt. [Captain] Whitney and Capt [Captain] Hills that 1778 and 1779 he was in Capt. [Captain] Belknap's Company.
She further declares that she was married to the said Oliver Edwards at Henniker N. H. [New Hampshire] by the Rev [reverend] Jacob Rice then the minister of said Henniker in the winter of 1781 that her said husband died at Weare aforesaid on the fourth day of June 1829 that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January 1794 to wit at the time before mentioned.
Sarah Edwards
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Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written  before me
Matthew Harvey Judge of the United States for the District of Newhampshire [New Hampshire]
I certify that by reason of age and infirmity the said Sarah Edwards was unable to attend court and for that reason her declaration was taken at her place of residence in Weare before mentioned.
Matthew Harvey Judge of the U.S. [United States] for N.H. [New Hampshire] district
I John L Hayes clerk of the district court of the United States for the district of New Hampshire do hereby certify that the above named Matthew Harvey is Judge of said court and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court this eighth day of May A.D. 1845
John L. Hayes  Clerk
Page 6

I Josiah Edwards of Weare in the county of Hillsborough State of New Hampshire aged sixty three years and over depose and say that I am the eldest child of Oliver Edwards late of said Weare by Sarah his wife who was Sarah Howlette. The old leaf (page) hereunto annexed has been in existence and [illegible] to as the record of the births of my brothers and sisters from my earliest recollection and is in the hand writing of my late father the said Oliver Edwards who was formerly of Bolton in the State of Massachusetts.  I further depose that my father died at said Weare on the fourth day of June 1829 and left my mother the said Sarah his widow and resides within half a mile of my residence in said Weare and is still his widow not having intermarried since his decease. The following words - to wit- in, left interlined before signed and sworn
[remainder of page obscured by annexed page]
Lebanon February 20 1801 for value rec'd [received] of [illegible] to Oliver Edward twenty dollars & interest from the 10th day of March last till paid
Lebanon February 20 1801 for value rec'd [received] I promise to pay Oliver Edward twenty one dollars & sixty four cents in neat cattle with interest from last March til paid to be paid in nine months.
Josiah Edwards born May 28 1782
Jabez E. [Edwards] born Decembr [December] 6 1784
Sally E. [Edwards] born Decembr [December] 24 1786
Thomas E. [Edwards] born April 4 1790
Polly E  [Edwards] born July 8 1792
Betsy E. [Edwards] born August 16 1794
Benj'a E [Benjamin Edwards] born Decembr [December] 14 1796
Lorenzo E [Edwards] born Decembr [December] 24 1798
Ethalendy E [Edwards] born Febry [February] 26 1801
Hiram E [Edwards] born December 12 1808
Page 7

A contract. between Mr Cleaveland & F. Hambelton viz if Mr. Cleaveland purchases & delivers a note of hand to the said Hambelton gave to Mr. David Whitmore $151: & ad unto the said Hambleton is to return a Deed of a piece of land where the said Cleaveland now lives or otherways give him or his order a deed of such land & if said note is not give up within twenty days from the 29 day of April 1806 said land is forfited to the said Hambleton 
NB said note was given on the said Cleavelands account

[illegible] April 1806
Page 8

I Josiah Edwards of Weare in the County of Hillsborough, State of New Hampshire aged sixty three years and aver depose and say that I am the eldest child of Oliver Edwards late of said Weare by Sarah his wife, who was Sarah Howlette - the old leaf (page) hereto annexed has been in existence and received to as the record of the births of my brothers and sisters from my earliest recollection and is in the hand writing of my late father, the said Oliver Edwards, who was formerly of Bolton in the State of Massachusetts - 
I further depose that my Father died at said Weare on the fourth day of June 1829 and left my mother, the said Sarah his widow and resides within half a mile of my residence in said Weare and is still his widow not having intermarried in his decease - the following words -to wit- in - left interlined before signed and sworn to 
Josiah Edward. (signature) 

I John Page of Weare N.H. aged fifty three years and aver depose and say, that I have lived in the family of the said Oliver Edwards above named thirty nine years and know that the old leaf (page) hereto annexed has been in existence ever since I have lived in said family and has been received to as the record of the children thereon named and is in the hand writing of the said Oliver Edward -

The said Oliver Edwards died at said Weare on the fourth day of June 1829 and left a widow named Sarah, who was Sarah Howlette, that she lives and continues his widow 
John Paige (signature)
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State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough Ss.   July 2nd 1845.
Personally appeared the within named Josiah Edwards and John Paige (who are credible witnesses) and severally made oath in due form of law, that the within affidavits, by them severally subscribed were true.
Before me,
Israel W. Kelly Justice [of the] Peace (signature}

I certify, that the leaf (page) purporting to be a record of the births of the Edwards children, was taken taken (sic) from the old book annexed hereto by me with the consent of Mrs Sarah Edwards and her family.
Israel W. Kelly Jus. Peace (signature)
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Family record & affts [affidavits] of J. Edwards & J. Page
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State of New Hampshire 
Merrimack ss.
I Stephen C, Badger Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State written aforesaid do hereby certify that Jacob Straw is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 14th day of June 1842, and will expire on the 14th day of June 1847, - and that his signature hereto annexed is genuine. also do hereby certify that Israel W. Kelly is a Justice of the Peace throughout the State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the ninth day of January 1843, and will expire on the ninth day of January 1848: and that his signatures hereto annexed are genuine. 
Given under my hand and the seal of the said County this 26th day of July 1845.
 S.C. Badger Clerk (signature)

[seal]
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Town Clerk & Minister of Henniker.
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I Eden B. Foster depose and say, that I am Pastor of Church in Hanniker N.H. of which the Rev. Jacob Rice was the former Pastor and hold in my possession all the known records of the Church since it was first formed.  that I have made diligent search on said records for the Marriage of Oliver Edward and Sarah Howlet, but find no such record, nor do I find the record of any marriage solemnized by the said Rev. Jacob Rice, while he was Pastor of said Church. the word he was interlined befour [before] signed 
Eden B. Foster. (signature)

I, James Caldwell, depose and say that I am Clerk of the Town of Henniker N.H. and hold in my possession the books of record belonging to said town.  that I have made diligent search for the record of marriage of Oliver Edwards and Sarah Howlet, but find no such records, nor do I find the record of any marriage as solemnized by Rev. Jacob Rice on said records.  it not being found furnishes no presumptive evidence, that the marriage did not take place.
 James Caldwell  (beautiful signature) 

State of New Hampshire 
Merrimack ss.   Nov 2nd 1844.
Personally appeared the above named Eden B. Foster Pastor of the Church and James Caldwell Clerk of the Town of Henniker and made oath in due form of law that the above affidavits by them severally subscribed were true. 
Before me 
Jacob Straw Jus Peace (signature)
Page 14

Concord N.H. July 20th 1845 
Sir.
With this you will receive declaration and proofs in the application for a pension, of Sarah - widow of Oliver Edwards late of Weare, deceased, but in time of the war was of Bolton and Harvard Mass. - under the act of July 7. 1838- 

No record of Marriage is found on the Town of Church books, but the old family record herewith annexed will (I trust) be sufficient to prove the marriage to have [taken] place in 1781  -

Her statement of Oliver Edwards being in the service with Capt Whitney, Capt Hills & Capt Belknap seems well supported by the certificate from the L*** of Mass for 12 months - 44 days   

That with Capt Hubbard by copy from the old manuscript, kept by Joseph Weare, as testified to by Elijah Clark, the present holder of it, was probably over a year, as all who went in Arnold's detachment to Quebec, had been in the service from or soon after the battle of Lexington in April & in the battle of Bunkerhill - and none intravened untill the next summer - For anything further in this case, please address me .
Verry respectfully - 
Your Obt. Sevt.
Israel W. Kelly  (signature)

Hon J. L. Edwards 
Commer. (Commissioner) of Pensions Washington D.C.
Page 15

I Elijah Clark of Brighton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Lawful age Depose and say that I have in my possession original Revolutionary Documents, and that I have an original Manuscript which has ever been known by credible witnesses to be the hand writing of Joseph Ware of Needham in the County of Norfolk and that I received the same in the form and situation in which it now is. of Mrs. Shepard a Daughter of the aforesaid Joseph Ware, and the manuscript commence as follows, "Joseph Ware his Book. A Journal of a March from Cambridge on an Expedition against Quebeck (Quebec), in Col. Benedick Arnolds Detachment Sept 13th 1775."
Sept 13th Marched from Cambridge in the evening & Encamped at Molding that Night." The daily account, or journal continues, with an account of the detachments, sickness, and distress on the march.  "December 29th. This Night prepared to storm the Citty in two different places. Genl. Mongomery with the York forces on one Quarter & Colo. Arnold on the other hand. accordingly about 5 of clock in the Morning began the attack   but they could not get to the wall. But Retreated Back to thare (their) quarters. Their general and two Leading officer being killed by the first from the Enemy. Colo. Arnold with his party Carried on the attack on his Quarter, and got possession of their 5 lb gun Battery and took 70 prisoners. Our Colo, being Wounded in the Beginning of the attack was carried back. The Capts themselves, then took the lead & [illegible] the enemy untill overpowered by number and surrounded.  we were obliged to surrender ourselves prisoners of War. During the attack, Capt. Kendrick and Capt. Hubbard with Capt. Morgans first Lieut. was killed. The following is a list of the Killed Wounded and taken prisoners of the American Troops at Quebeck on the 31st December 1775. Names of Officers taken prisoners, Lieut. Cole Green. Major Meggs, Major Bigelow, Adjt (Adjunct) Febezer, Capt. Mathw (Matthew) Duncan, (York Forces killed. General Mongomery, Capt. Jab. (Jacob) Cheeseman, Aid Camp (Aide de Camp) McPhersonsy
Capt. Hubbards company. killed. Capt. [illegible]. Sargt. Weston. Prisoners, Lieut Samuel Brown, Jonathan Ball, Sargt. 
over
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Meath Farmer Sargt Luther Fairbanks do. Thomas Nichols. Oliver Smith, Simeon Fobes, David Patch, Thomas Mc Intire, Benjamin Phillips, Timothy Rice, Joseph White, Aaron Neath, Wm. Chamberlain. Anthony Jones, Russell Clark, Paul Clappe, Joseph Parsons. Daniel Peter, Luke Nobles, Joseph Burr. Oliver Edwards, George Mills, 

Listed in the Kings service, Charles Maguire, Morris Nogard, John Nall.

January 1st 1776. In Prison our Allowance is a pound of hard bread, & half a pound of Pork & 6 oz of Butter." 

The last date preserved in this manuscript is of date June 6th AD 1776."

I hereby further testify that the above, and the foregoing are true extract from the original Manuscript in my care and keeping, and that the named Oliver Edwards is born on the same as before described with other in the Manuscript, and that the appearance, & the recollection of person who were knowing to the service of Joseph Ware under the Manuscript to be beyond dout a genuine original true account.

Attest. Elijah Clark  (signature)


Middlesex ss. Sept 24. 1844. Then personally appeared the above named Elijah Clark, and made oath that the foregoing certificate by him subscribed is true the reputation of said Clark for his veracity is believed to be undoubted. -
Before me Wm Warren Justice of the Peace (signature)
Page 17

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Secretary's Office, Boston September 25 1844,

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Warren was Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex; 

in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 
John C. Perry (signature)
Secretary of the Commonwealth

[along left side]
Elijah Clark Affdvt
copy from Joseph Weare's manuscript
Page 18

Certificate of Secretary of Mass. [Massachusetts]
Page 19

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sept [September] 30 1844
I hereby certify that from an examination of the books and documents relating to military services in the war of the revolution which remain in this Department it appears that the name of Oliver Edwards is borne upon a payroll of Capt. [Captain] Hez Whitney Col. [colonel] Whitney from July 22 1777 3 days upon a pay roll of Capt [Captain] Sam'l [Samuel] Hill, Col [colonel] Whitney from Aug [August] 19 1777 10 days & from Oct [October] 2 1777 31 days.
The name of Oliver Edwards of Harvard is borne upon he master rolls of Capt [Captain] Eben [Ebenezer] Belknap, Col. [colonel] Wade from Jan [January] 1 1778 to Jan [January] 1 1777 12 months.
Page 20

State of Newhampshire [New Hampshire]
County of Hillsborough Town of Weare
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is requested to furnish evidence from the rolls and files in his office, of the service of my late husband in the War of the Revolution, That she has heard him mention being in the army with Capt Hubbard
Also with Capt Whitney or Col Whitney-- also with Capt Hills. Also with Capt Belknap Col Wade also with General Greene - It is my belief that he was employed a part or all the time in
the Armory Department, as I have heard him
tell of cleaning guns &c
my husbands name was Oliver Edwards, he resided in the town of Bolton Massachusetts, and learnt his trade of a gunsmith in Harvard Massachusetts-
We were Married in Henniker NH in the winter of 1781 by the Rev Jacob Rice there minister of said Henniker  He died at Weare June 4. 1829 -
I am now eighty three years old and my
memory does not serve me to state my husbands service more fully than above stated
Witness my hand this fourteenth day of September AD 1844
Sarah Edwards
Signed in presence of us
John Paige 2d
Hiram Simons
Signed by said Sarah Edwards
in my presence this 14th day of September 1844
Hiram Simons, Justice of the Peace
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587
Oliver Edwards
Page 22

And I further certify that before search made for evidence of said facts the application hereto annexed was filed in this office, in the form in which the same now appears that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge pertaining to the case.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the commonwealth the date above written.
John G. Palfrey
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 23

Brighton Mass July 20th 1886
Dear Sir
I beg leave to inform you that on Saturday the 15th of November 1845. I left in your care enclosed an original Journal of Joseph Wares
which you was [were] to forward to the Commissioner of Pensions. merely for an eye witness in support of an extract certificate previously made by me which the Commissioner stated to Mr Kelly the agent
of the case Should be returned as soon as the case was disposed of and Sir as your barer of the valuable Journal did not return it at the
time of his return, and as I have waited more
then a generous time. I must demand the
immediate return of the Journal at the expence  [expense] of Government.
Hon [honorable] Israel Kelly the agent writse [writes] me, that he is sorry to hear that the Commissioner of Pensions does not redeem his pledge made in his letter of date the 23rd Sept [September]1845 (which has above referred to) and that the case was decided, & a certificate was issued dated at the War Department Dec. [December] 4, 1835, and
that the commissioner is now detaining the manuscript for other & different purposes then that which he asked a personal examination for to wit, to obtain permanent record evidence for the War Department at Kellys expence [expense]. And Sis Mr Kelly counts up the expence [expense] which has accrued in establishing this service, to be at least $85 dollars which is to [too] much
Page 24

for a poor widow to pay, or the agent, & that the Commissioner can have no reasonable grounds for paying it, for my own post not having received any pay. I very little care whether I receive any pay or not, for what I have done in this case of Mrs. Edwards for the [illegible] of the original Journal of Joseph Wares, providing it be immediately returned. But Sir I cannot have the idea of Mr. Wares heirs calling on me again to see if the old Journal is remaining safe in my hands. I therefore must have it safely and wholly as when forwarded
Very respt your
Obt St. [respectfully your obedient servant]
Elijah Clark (signature)

Hon [honorable] William Parmenter
Boston Custom House Mass [Massachusetts]
Page 25

Concord N.H. [New Hampshire] September 28th 1848
Sir
With this you will receive the declaration of Sarah Edwards widow of Oliver Edwards who was a soldier during the revolutionary war, she had a pension for the services he rendered in Army at the rate of $80 per annum, under the Acts of 1838 & 1844 and now apply's [applies] for the benefits of the Act of Feb [February] 2d 1848.
Very respectfully your obt servt [obedient servant]
Israel W Kelly
Hon [honorable] J. L. Edwards Comm'r [commissioner] of pensions Washington D.C.
Page 26

Boston July 22 1836
Sir
I enclose two [strike out "three"] communications I have received from Elijah Clark of Brighton in relation to a journal which was left with you some month since by which you will perceive he is [illegible] to have it returned.
If it cannot conveniently be sent by hand please address it to Elijah Clark Brighton Mass [Massachusetts] as the postage will be considerable it will be [illegible] proper to send it directly to him.
I am respectfully [illegible]
Wm Parmenter

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comm'r [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 27

W. Clarks for return of Journal
Page 28

(Copy of the Commissioners letter)
Pension Office Sept. [September] 23, 1845.
Sir
The claim of Sarah Edwards for a pension as the widow of Oliver Edwards has been examined and the papers filed. The proof of Marriage and for fourteen months Eight days service is satisfactory, but be portion of service alleged to have been performed under Capt [Captain] Hubbard, and supported by certified extract from a Journal of Joseph Wares cannot be admitted untill [until] an inspection of that Journal satisfies the office that it is correct. There is no disposition to question the correctness of the extract furnished by Mr Clark on the contrary his integrity is admitted, but it is a rule of Office that no extract or Copy of a private record can be received as evidence. If you will transmit to this office the original journal alluded to it shall be returned as soon as the case is disposed of
I am most respectfully
Your Obet svt [obedient servant]
J L Edwards

Israel W Kelly Esq
Concord,
N. [New] Hampshire
Page 29

Nov [November] 29 48
care of Sarah Edwards

Hon. [Honorable] J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 30

Brighton Mass. [Massachusetts] Nov [November] 15th 1845
Dear Sir
The original Journal herewith of Joseph Wares
you will pleas to immediately compare with the extract made in the case of Oliver Edwards, as mentioned in your letter of date Sept 23d 1845, addressed to Israel W Kelly Esq of Concord New Hampshire. You will also deliver to the barer those two Books, the property of the children of Capt [Captain] Samuel Frost sent on for examination in the case of Mehitable Heywood and he will return them to me
Very respt [respectfully] your obt svt [obedient servant]
Elijah Clark

Hon [honorable] J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 31

9751.
New Hampshire
Sarah Edwards,
widow of Oliver Edwards,
who was a pensioner under the Act of {blank}
and who died on the 4 June, 1829
of Hillsboro in the State of N.H.
who was a private in the {blank}
commanded by Captain {blank} of the {blank}
commanded by {blank} in 
the N. Hampshire line for 2 years
Mass.

Inscribed on the Roll of Concord
at the rate of
80 Dollars {blank}
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4. day of 
dec 1845 and sent to S. W. Kelly
concord, N.H.

Total amount, $400.00

(Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by Wm Stewart - Clerk.
Book D  Vol. -- Page 29.
Page 32

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23,003
Sarah Edwards
Widow of Oliver Edwards
Priv (Private} Rev. War

Act Feb 2. 1848
Index: - Vol. A, Page 210

[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 33

12103
V
Sarah Edwards
Let. to N.H.  I W Kelly Sept 23 1845


 Act of July 1839
Page 34

7442
New Hampshire
Sarah Edwards
widow of Oliver Edwards
who was a private,
in the N. Hampshire line.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars - 
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
4 day of Dec 1845
and sent to Israel W. Kelly,
Concord, N. H.

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
& 17 June 1844

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 15.

[right side]
Let. (letter) to Joseph Clark
Augt 24th '46
Page 35

Sarah Edwards
aa 
7442
Page 36

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough SS.}

On this twenty sixth day of September 1848. personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Sarah Edwards, a resident of Weare in the County of Hillsborough, aged eighty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War;
That she is the widow of Oliver Edwards, who was a private in the War of the Revolution, and died on the 4th day of June, 1829, and that she is the identical Sarah Edwards, which has been pensioned under the act of July 7, 1838, March 3rd 1843, and 17th June 1844, and has been paid at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, at the agency in Concord, State of New Hampshire. 
She further declares that she is still a widow
Sarah Edwards 
her X mark

Witness
Betsey Page
Israel W. Kelly
Page 37

Sworn and subscribed on the day and
year above within written. Before
Israel W. Kelly (signature) Justice Peace

I further certify, that the aforesaid deponent is personally known to me.
Israel W. Kelly (signature) Justice Peace
Page 38

[seal]
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
Office of Secretary of State. 

I, Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Israel W. Kelly - is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Hillsborough duly Commissioned and qualified, and duly authorized by the Laws of said State to administer Oaths, take the acknowledgement of Deeds &c. His Commission was dated on the Seventh day of December 1847 and will expire on the Seventh day of December 1852 and his signature, as such, to the annexed instrument is genuine.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of the State, this 29th day of Sept 1848 . 
Thomas P. Treadwell (signature) Secretary of State.