Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11523, for Elijah Sprague, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
Sprague, Elijah
Nancy
NUMBER
W. 11523
B.L. Wt. 15413-160-55
CONTENTS
Page 2

Vol 82, page 25. 
127.012
Act March 3/55
May 10, 155
Nancy Sprague
widow of
Elijah Sprague
Private Joe Gordon
N. Y. Troops
Revolutionary War
Pensioned Act Feby 3. 1853
Wiscn Feby 53-5120
AD. 160 ac's Feb 6/56
Dodge
Charles C. Tucker
Present

[written diagonally across page] 
1541.3 ilp [??]  feb 11/56 

[written vertically, word or name partially missing/illegible due to damaged page] 
Ra__
Page 3

Increase 5.1 20
Wisconsin
Nancy Sprague
widow of
N Y Elijah Sprague
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Milwaukee Roll at the rate of
96 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the ["3d February, 1853." is crossed out] 
27th Feby [or July?] 1868. Ded. payts, made. 
Certificate of Pension issued
21st, day of Oct. 1868.
and sent to J.F. McMullen
Milwaukee Wis. 
Act July 27/68.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 88 Vol. H 
[signature] Herman Jergson 
Sent Clerk
Page 4

Albany
New York - 31,830. 
Elijah Sprague
of Genesee on in the State of N. York who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Collins of the Reg commanded y Col. Gordon in the N.Y. militia [crossed out word] for 2 years private - 
Reputed March 2, 1861 

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st. day of March 1841 and sent to Revd. W. H. Snyder, Castile, N.Y. 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 - $800:00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept '41 -  40.00
$840.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Ad June 7, 1832. ⎬
Recorded by S.A. Elliot Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2
Page 68.
Page 5

application of Mrs Nancy Sprague
for 
Elijah 
Revolutionary Pension
act Feb. 3. 1853
A. L. Lynde
Warsaw
New York
atty for claimant
Boynton
Recds April 16th 1870
Page 6

State of Wisconsin 
Waukesha County } On this 14th day of December 1854 personally appeared before the County Courts. of the County of 
["the County", a duplicate, is crossed out] 
Waukesha & State of Wisconsin 
Nancy Sprague a resident of Palmyra in the County of Jefferson & State aforesaid aged 67 Yr and first being 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 3rd February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war . that she is the widow of Elijah Sprague who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army & in whose favor a pension was granted after his decease of 80 dollars per annum from the 4th day of March 1831 to 26th day of February 1841 being the day of his death which pension was received by declarant as his widow. She further declares that she was married to the said Elijah Sprague at Franklin in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont in the winter of the Year 1820 in the month of February on the 16.th day ["his" is crossed out] 
Marriage she cannot now recollect as she has no record of ["he" is crossed out] a said marriage. That her name before her said marriage was Nancy Smith that her said husband died at Castile in the county of Wyoming & State of New York on the 26th day of February 1841. that she was not married to him prior to the second of January 1800 but at the time above stated by Esq Hubbard a Justice of the peace. She further declares that she is a widow & has no record of her marriage. 
Nancy Sprague 
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day & Year above written 
Martin Fields 
County Judge
Page 7

State of Wisconsin 
Waukesha County } Mary Curtis being duly sworn according to law on her oath deposeth 
that she is 48 Years of age & is daughter of Nancy Sprague and William J. Smith her first husband. that the said Nancy was married to Elijah Sprague at Franklin in the State of Vermont in the Winter of the Year 1820 by Esq Hubbard, a Justice of the peace & deponent was present at their marriage & saw them married & knows that they subsequently lived together as husband and wife in Staubridge in Canada, Levantain Falls Vermont & Stockholm & Castile in the State of New York until the death of said Elijah Sprague & the deponent further says that the said Nancy Sprague now lives in Palmyra Wisconsin & remains the widow of the said Elijah Sprague 
Mary Curtis 
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 14 day of December 1854 & I certify the deponent to be a credible witness 
Martin Fields 
County Judge
Page 8

State of Wisconsin 
Waukesha County } Irena L Preston being duly sworn according to law on her oath deposeth & says that she is 34 Years of age & is daughter of Elijah Sprague & Nancy his wife That she was born at Staubridge in Canada and resided there with her parents & subsequently at Levantain Falls Vermont & Stockholm & Castile New York until after the death of said Elijah Sprague. That ever since her earliest recollection the said Elijah & Nancy until his decease sustained the relation of husband & wife without reproach 
That deponent was residing with her parents at Castile at the date of the death of the said Elijah & was present at his death & funeral That the said Nancy now resides in Palmyra Wisconsin & has not intermarried since the death of the said Elijah Sprague but continues his widow. That the said Elijah Sprague died at Castile New York on the 26th day of February 1841 
Irena L Preston 

Subscribed & Sworn before me this 14th day of December 1854 & certify the deponent to be a credible witness 
Martin Fields 
County Judge
Page 9

application of Nancy Sprague for Pension act of Feb 3. 1853 
S. L. Lynde 
Warsaw 
New York 
Atty for claimant
Page 10

State of New York 
Wyoming County ss  I Ezekiel Seaman being duly sworn according to law do on my oath depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Elijah Sprague who resided in Castile in said County of Wyoming - that I was his family physician previous & up to the date of his death & was called at the time of his death which was quite sudden & found him dying or recently deceased which I come positively state that his death occurred about the [blank] day of February in the year 1841 [crossed out: and the last charge on my books against said Elijah Sprague for medical services was date the day of 1841]  I do further depose & say that the said Elijah Sprague left a widow named Nancy Sprague with whom he lived as husband until his decease at Castile aforesaid as hereinbefore mentioned & that she the said Nancy Subsequently removed to Wisconsin That they had a daughter who lived with them whose name was Irena Sprague. That I cannot state positively the date of the death of said Elijah Sprague as I made no charge for services rendered at that time.
[faint signature] Ezekiel Seaman
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 7th day of March 1855 & I certify the deposed to be a credible Witness 
[signed] Anson Howard Justice of Peace
Page 11

Declaration to be made by a Widow who has never received Bounty Land.
STATE OF Wisconsin
Jefferson
COUNTY,}
On this 19th day of April 1855, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above named, personally appeared (1) Nancy Sprague - aged 67 years, a resident of Palmyra in the State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of (2) Eligh Sprague - who was a (3) Revolutionary soldier and pensioner of the United States at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum 
that he ( 4 ) as in the State of [blank] on or about the [blank] day of [blank] , 18 [blank] and continued in actual service fourteen
days, and was honorably discharged at [blank] on or about the [blank] day of February, A. D. 1820 by one Hubbard a Justice of the Peace, that her name, before her said marriage, was Nancy Smith - she begs leave to refer 
to the residince now on file in her application for a pension to * 

[*this sentence is written in the right margin] 
* place [??] her marriage the death of her said husband, the nature of the services rendered 
by him and the time and place when and where discharged, and she also state that she is an applicant for a pension under the act of 
February 3, 1853. 

that her said husband died at Castile on the 26 day of February 1841 and she is now a widow. (6) [blank] 

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she is entitled under the act of March 3, 1855, never having received Bounty Land or knowing that she is entitled except for the above service; and she hereby constitutes and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington, D. C., her at
torney to prosecute her claim and procure her warrant. Hereby authorizing and empowering her said attorney to obtain from the proper authorities at Washington City, or elsewhere, certified copies of any Army or Navy records or documents in which her said husband's services may be recorded, and to procure any
and all other evidence that may be necessary to establish her claim, as fully as if personally present; and revoking and countermanding all former authority that may have been given for the above specified purpose.
Jacob Skinner } ( 7 ) Nancy Sprague 

Sworn to, subscribed, and acknowledged before me the day and year first above written; and on the same day personally came before me Williard [or William?] S Rider [or Ricker?] , a resident of Palmyra
a resident of Jefferson County, formerly of the State of Vermont 
in the State above named, and Irena L Preston , a resident of Jefferson County, 
daughter of Elijah & Nancy Sprague 
in said State, to me known as credible witnesses, who being duly sworn, dec;are that they are personally acquainted with (2) Elijah Sprague and his wife during the lifetime of the former, and know that they lived together as man and wife, and were so reputed; and they believe that the husband of the said (1) Elijah Sprague, was the identical person who performed the service mentioned in the above declaration; that the above named (2) Elijah
Sprague is now dead, and the said (1) Nancy Sprague is now a widow. And they further swear that they are disinterested in this claim.
( 8 ) W. S. Ricker [or Rider?] 
Irene L Preston
Sworn to and subscribed before me, and I certify that I am not interested in the claim or concerned in its prosecution 
(9) Jacob Skinner
Justice of the Peace
Page 12

STATE of Wisconsin 
Jefferson COUNTY,} S8. 
I, Henry F Pelton
Clerk of the Circuit ["County" is crossed out] County Court in and for the County and State above named, do hereby certify that Jacob Skinner Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits were made, and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above named, duly Elected ["commissioned" is crossed out] and sworn, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 20th day of April AD 1855
Henry, F. Pelton Clerk 
Forwarded by Jacob Skinner Palmyra Wis 

127.012 
BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
ORIGINAL CLAIM FOR LAND WARRANT. 
Mrs. Nancy Sprague 
Widow of Elijah Sprague 

CHAS C. TUCKER,
Att'y for Claimant, 
Washington, D. C. 

INSTRUCTIONS 
1. Claimant's name.
2. Soldier's name.
3. Here specify the service as follows: "in the company command by Captain [blank] in the [blank] regiment of [blank] commanded by Col. [blank] ," or " a [blank] on board of the United Stats ship [blank] commanded by [blank]  in the war of [blank] ," or as the case may be. 
4. Enlisted, volunteered, was drafted, or shipped. 
5. "Add, "that she has never before made application for Bounty Land," or "that she made an application for Bounty Land for said
service, and her claim was rejected or suspended."
6. The claimant will here state that no public or private record of her marriage exists, or can be obtained, if such is the case.
If there is a County, Town, or Church record of the marriage, a duly certified copy of such record must be sent. If there is no public, but a private or family record containing the marriage or the births of children, a duly certified copy of such record must be sent, and the magistrate will certify that it is a correct copy of the original. Parol evidence of the marriage or of co-habitation, is not admissible
until the absence of record evidence is accounted for.
7. Claimant's signature.
S. Witnesses' signatures.
9. Magistrate's signature,
Page 13

State of New York 
County of Genesee} 18. 
On this Eighteenth day of December 1849 personally appeared before me Rufus H Smith a Judge of Genesee County Court, Elijah Sprague a resident of Castile in the County of Genesee & State of New York aded 50 years & upwards, 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 Pension June 7. 1832. 
That he joined the Regiment of Militia of New York State, commissioned by Col. James Gordon, as early as the commencement of War, His Captain's name was Tyrranus Collins  
Ensign's name was Caleb Benedict. The Company of Capt. Collins was stationed at Ballstown Albany & in New York, it being on the Frontier & no other Troops nearer than Fort Drum; that on the 17th. Oct. 1779 as he seems to recollect at this distance of time, he, together with a number more belonging to Capt. Collin's Co. beside the Captain & Ensign as above & Col. James Gordon, was taken prisoner by a party of British & Indians & led to Montreal in Canada, & was retained there a prisoner of war until, as he recollects, Dec. 1781. a little more than two years, when he was exchanged, & returned home to Ballstown.     
After he arrived home Col. Gordon made returns of those who had been taken & obtained certificates of Service the reclaimants being about 160 Dollars. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the State of New York 
The reasons why he has not applied for a pension before, he declares, are; that when the first Act of Congress was affording aid to the destitute soldiers of the Revolution, he was on the ocean; that about the time that farther relief was granted he was in Canada; about fourteen years since he came from Canada to Vermont; while he resided in Vermont he tried to find out some one to testify for him, who knew what he had done but foind none. Since coming to St. Lawrence Co. in this State he has made inquiries, & something more than a year since he first heard of Enoch Wood & sent to him but he refused to testify for him till he should see him lest he might be devious [???] in the pension. In the latter part of last January he came to Enoch Woods & took his statement  under oath & has his papers prepared to send to the war department by th Loper [???] of Batavia & where they have gone to he never could learn. By inquiring at the War Office at Washington he understood that they had not been received there. That was some time last Summer, & as soon as he conveniently could  after knowing that his papers had miscarried he went about procuring them anew which was the beginning of last October 
Elijah Sprague [signature] 
Sworn to me subscribed the day and year above aforesaid before Rufus M Smith [signature] 
Genesee County Courts}
Page 14

We William Henry Snyder a Clergyman residing in the Town of Castile Genesee County, & Zebedia Sturtevant, in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Sprague who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. 
Wm H Snyder [signature] 
Zebedia Sturtevant [signature] 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
John D Sanders [signature]  
Justice Peace 
I am acquainted with the above named W H Snyder & Zebedia Sturtevant and consider them enabled to full credit  
John D Sanders [signature] 
J Per___ [illegible signature] 
And the said Rufus H Smith Judge of the Court as above declares his 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 he farther certifies that it appears, to him that Wm H Snyder who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Castile Genesee Co. and that Zebedia Sturtevant who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and County and that their statement is entitled to merit, being personally acquainted with them & likewise with John D Landon before whom they made oath, & know him to be a Justice of the Peace 
Rufus H Smith [signature]  
I Rufus H. Smith Judge of the Court of Genesee County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Elijah Sprague for a pension. 
The testimony where of, & have hereunto Set my hand and seal this 18th day of December 1840 - 
Rufus H. Smith [signature]  
I hereby certify that the above applicant from bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court, being about thirty miles from his County Seat dated this 18 day of December [scribbled out characters] 
Rufus H. Smith [signature] 
a judge of Genesee County Courts
Page 15

Questions 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
I was born in the year 1759. in Sharon Litchfield Co. Connecticut 
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? 
I have lost all written record of my age but it may be found in Sharon County, as I suppose, in the Church record. 
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live? 
 At Ballstown N York. I have been the ocean several years; after that a number of years in Canada; after that in Vermont; in St. Lawrence Co. N.Y. & nearly a year in Castile Genesee Co. N York 
4. How were you called into service; were you draughted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom? 
I volunteered 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia regiment as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. 
I do not distinctly recollect any but the officers already mentioned in the declaration Col. Gordon Capt Collins & Ensign Benedict. 
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
I think I received my certificate of service of Col. Gordon, who made out the returns. And when I went to sea I left my papers at Ballstown and have not had them since, & that with others is most probably destroyed. 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
Major James Wm H. Snyder  Zebedia Sturtevant
Page 16

State of New York 
Genesee County } ss: 
I, Horace W. Soper, Clerk of the said county do hereby certify that Rufus H. Smith Esq was a Judge of the county Courts at the time of taking the within declaration and affidavits and that his signatures to the foregoing certificates are genuine and I further certify that John D. Landon Esq was a Justice of the Peace of said county at the time of taking the foregoing affidavit and that his signature to the certificate of taking the same is genuine 
In Testimony whereof I have herewith subscribed my name this 22nd December 1840. 
H. Soper Clerk [signature]
Page 17

A. S. Synde
Warsaw Wyoming Co New York
Page 18

State of Vermont 
Franklin County J V. Conkin
Town Clerk of the town of Franklin in Said County do hereby depose that I have examined the records of marriages in my office & custody for proof of the marriage of Elijah Sprague and Nancy Smith and that I do not find any record of said marriage. 
Vincent. Conkin [signature] 
Town Clerk 
Franklin Vermont 
March 5th 1855 
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 5th day of March 1855 and I certify that the deponent is to me known to be the Town Clerk of said town of Franklin & is entitled to credit 
Nahum Temple [signature] Justice Peace
Page 19

State of Vermont 
Franklin County} 
[illegible seal] 
I Joseph H Brainerd Clerk of the county Court in the County of Franklin [water-damaged word] aforesaid do hereby certify that Nehum Temple was on the 5th day of March A.D. 1855 & still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Franklin duly elected & qualified to act as such magistrate and authorized to administer oaths for general purposes that the within signature purporting to be said Temples is genuine & that full faith & credit ought to be given to the official acts of said Temple. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the County Court this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eighty hundred and fifty five. Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk
Page 20

N. York 35,123
Elijah Sprague
Papers returned
At. to Mr W. H. Snyder 25. Nov 1840 [possibly 1860?] 
10011
Act June 1832
Page 21

["10011" is crossed out] 
P. O. [blank] 
Elijah Sprague 
Service: [blank] 
11524 Nancy 
Enlisted: [blank] __, 18__. 
Discharged: [blank} __, 18__.
Page 22

Onondaga County } 
I Enoch Wood of the Town of Camillus County aforesaid & state of New York being duly sworn deposeth & saith that this deposed knows Elijah Sprague now living in the Town of Castile Genesee County and state aforesaid that the said Sprague and this deponent ["resided in and" is crossed out] were born in Sharon State of Connecticut that this deponent removed to the town of Ballstown in the then county of Albany in the year 1779 where the said Sprague joined the Regiment of militia commanded by Col. James Gordon, the Captains name was Tyrannis Collins Ensigns name was Caleb Benedict 
The Company of Capt Collins was stationed at Ballstown it being on the frontier. And no other troop nearer there than fort Drum 
that on the night of the 17th October 1779 this deponent and the said Elijah Sprague together with a  number more belonging to Capt Collins Company were taken prisoners by a party of British and Indians and taken to Montreal Canada and were retained there until December 1781. Col James Gordon Capt Collins & Ensign Benedict were also taken - after we arrived home (that is at Ballstown) Col. Gordon made the returns of those that were taken and obtained Certificates of service that of this deponent & that of the said Sprague being each about 160 dollars. that the said Elijah Sprague is Older than this deponent. and that this deponent believes him to be 80 years old and that he is the same person who was taken a prisoner with this deponent- this deponent further saith not - 
Enoch Wood [signature] 
Sworn before me this 7th day October 1840 Chas Land Court of Duty [???]
Page 23

State of New York 
Onondaga County Clerks Office } ss  I William M. Clarke Deputy Clerk of the said county do certify that Charles Land before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said county, that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing and signature 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 7th day of October 1840 
[signed] W. M. Clarke Dep. Clerk 
I do hereby certify that Enoch Wood who made the within affidavit is a man entitled to full Credit being a man of truth and veracity dated this 9th day Dec 1840 
[signed] Chas Land a Justice of the peace 

Onondaga County Clerks office  I Elijah Rhodes Clerk of said County do certify that Charles Land who signed the certificate above was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his signature thereto to be genuine and that he is the same person before whom the within affidavit was taken  In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 9th day of December 1840 
[signed] E. Rhodes Clk
Page 24

State of New York 
County of Genesee } ss 
I Elijah Sprague of Castile Genesee Co. and state of New York, being eighty years old and upwards declare : that I joined the regiment of Millitia [militia] of New York state commanded by Col. James Gordon. The Captain's name was Tyrannis Collins; Ensign's name was Caleb Benedict. The Company of Capt. Collins was stationed at Ballstown New York, it being on the frontier & no other troops nearer than Fort Drum that on the night of the 17th October 1779 & together with a number more belonging to Capt. Collin's Company was taken prisoner by a party of British and Indians who carried to Montreal in Canada & was retained there as a prisoner of war untill december 1781 when I was exchanged & I returned to Ballstown the place where I was taken prisoner. Col. James Gordon, Capt. Collins, & Ensign Benedict were also taken. After we arrives home at Ballstown Col. Gordon made the returns of those who were taken & obtained certificates of service mine being about 160 Dollars. 
I farther declare that I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & that my name is not on the pension Rool [roll] of any Agency in any state, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the state of New York. 
Elijah Sprague 
Subscribed and sworn to this  6th  day of November 1840. before me Rufus H Smith a judge of Genesee County Courts

State of New York 
Genesee County } ss
I hereby Certify that the above named Elijah Sprague is unable to attend open Court in consequence of bodily infirmity Residing thirty miles from the Court House in said County, dated this 6 day of November, 1840.
[signed] Rufus H. Smith a Judge in and for said County
Page 25

We William Henry Snyder a Clergyman, and Zebedee Sturtevant both of Castile have certify that we are well acquainted with the above Elijah Sprague who has subscribed and sworn to this declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion 
Wm H. Snyder 
Zebedee Sturtevant
Page 26

5.120 
Wisconsin 
Nancy Sprague, widow of Elijah, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private  
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80. dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificate of Pension issued 20th day of April 1855. and sent to A. S. Synde [J. L. Lynde ???] Warsaw N. Y. 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 201. Vol. a 
(32) [or possibly illegible initials] 

Sent to Pension Agent July 10. 1858 
" " [dittos - Sent to] W. J Allen Sept 2 [scribbled] 
" " [dittos - Sent to] Pen Agent April 6 1850 
Sent & affidavitts against Pension Agent in Wisconsin. for extortion on file with the letters of that agency
Page 27

N. York. 
See let to Rev: W. H Snyder 
Jany. 22. 1841 

Recd 30 Jany 81
Page 28

Castile 23d Dec. 1840 
Sir 
I have endeavored as far as circumstances would permit to go according to the forms you sent me. Justice Lane amended his certificate in which he neglected to state the credibility of Enoch Wood & that is again certified to by the County Clerk in the county where he resides. If any thing new be added to ___ either the statement of the bodily infirmity of Mr Sprague the declarant, I would state that he was taken with palsy last spring & is yet in a very infirm state so that without help he cannot get into a sleigh & out ["without ___" - two words are crossed out] again I did not suppose that you would require us to ___ his life to take him to open court, as the County court is 30 miles away. I would not state it as a reason why the application should be granted but if it appears that Mr Sprague is entitled to a pension his case is one of extreme necessity & it is just that government should give something to those who entered the perils of our country their justice & mercy would meet in giving to Mr Sprague.  Whatever disposal you make of these papers, please direct to me at Castile Genesee Co. 
Respectfully yours Wm Henry Snyder 
Mrs F L Edwards
Page 29

Perry 6th Nov. 1840. 
Sir 
After some delay in obtaining the documents I have at last placed the papers of Mr Sprague in a situation to reach you from whom he [craves?] assistance in his extreme want. I should have sent herewith a certified list from under the Comptrollers hand containing the names of Mr Sprague and those who were taken with him but as you have a list precisely as it would be if I should get it, sent by Enoch Wood who was taken with Mr Sprague & stands recorded alongside of him on the comtroller's [comptroller's] book. I would therefore refer to the list of names sent by Mr Enoch Wood as testimony from under the comptroller's hand that Mr Sprague's name is recorded on the books in which an account was kept of those who bore part in the Revolution. If this is not sufficient I can send for it to Albany which I will do at your bidding. In the mean time I shall wait for your order at Castile 
Wm H Snyder
Page 30

15.413

160 Acres
Page 31

Payment to be made at
Miles author by C.H. Larkin Esq. 
Agent for paying Pensions
in the agency of Wisconsin
Payable on the 4th of Sept.
and 4 of March
Recorder in Pensions office 
in the Roll of Pensions
under act of Feby 3rd 1853. 
Page 201 Vol. a - 
G.J. Getty
Clerk
Page 32

Copy 
Department of the Interior 
Widows Pension 
I certify that in conformity with the second section of the act of Feby 3rd 1853. 
Nancy Sprague widow of Elijah Soprague who was a private in the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of eighty dollars per annum commencing on the 3rd day of Feby 1853. and continuing for life unless she should again marry in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage 
Department of State L. S. [handwritten copy of a seal] 
___ at the Department of the Interior this twentieth day of Aril in thousand eight hundred and fifty-five 
R McClelland 
Secretary of the Interior 
Examined & cimtersogmed - 
L. P. Waldo__ [last one or two letters are scribbled over] 
Commissioner of [crossed out word] Pensions
Page 33

Pension Agency 
Milwaukee Aug 23d 1858 
Sir 
As regards the charges of Mr W. J. Allen acting as attorney for Mrs. Nancy Sprague. Charging that I had charged fifty cents for administering an Oath. And also for incourteous treatment in the discharge of my official duties. 
In answer to these charges I have to inform you that I have not charged Mrs Sprague Mr Allen her attorney or any one else fifty cents for administering an oath: When I am requested by the ally of a pensioner to draw the requisite papers and take an acknowledgment of the Same: I have usually charged fifty cents: I beg to refer you to the vouchers of Mrs Sprague for payment made on the 4 of March last: you will there learn that Mr Allen the Atty of Mrs. Sprague took the Oath before a Notary Public and not before me. as regards my incourteous treatment to Pensioners or anyone else having business with this Agency- I have ever intended to treat them gentlemanly and kindly. and to afford them every facility in my power to enable them to draw their Pension Money- Mrs. Sprague Mr Allen her Atty or any other person having business with this agency have never intimated or expressed one word of dissatisfaction 
Very Respectfully Your Obd Servt 
Chas C Larken Agent 
Com Geo C Whiting Comm. of Pens}
Page 34

1 prev 2 [illegible] Co.
[illegible] 26” Feb. 41 3 in to
2 [illegible]
“Boynton”
Page 35

Palmyra, Wisconsin 
June 30th 1858. 
Hon Jacob Thompson 
Sec. of Interior U. S. 
Dear Sir: 
At the urgent request of an aged and infirm old lady . I thus trespass on your attentions for a few moments 
Nancy Sprague is an aged widow about seventy four years old, her husband, was a Revolutionary soldier and she now draws a small pension under the 2nd Sec. of the act of February 3rd 1853. in relation to widow's pensions - $80 per annum - that pension is her only support from year to year and it costs her about eight
Page 36

dollars annually to draw it. 
The old lady is now too dessipped [dissipated?] to go to Milwaukee (35 miles) - the pension agency for Wisconsin transfers she has to get papers made out here at great cost then send a reliable person there to draw it for her. this effort exacts fifty cents out of her pension for administering an oath to such person in delivering him the pension, and serves and threatened on the 4th of March last that that would be the last time he would pay pensions on papers. I am credibly informed that from all pensioners who draw their pensions in person he exacts three per cent, all on the ground that it is legal: Now this object in writing you this letter is to request you
Page 37

to let the old lady know if such conduct is legal and to beseech you to admonish the pension agent to be a little more civil and attentive to his duties, For if there are any persons in this Country that deserve kindness and attention, the relicts of the Revolutionary soldiers deserve it, men who endangered ___ sacrificed everything from principle for American Independence. 
You may think this old lady's complaints frivolous, but sir, think on an old lady seventy four years of age and wholly depending upon her eighty dollars per annum for her support and that fifty cents not only taken
Page 38

from her wrongfully (as she thinks) but with the abuse and insolence peculiar to a little man "dressed in a little brief authority" and abusing such inhumanly  his petit trust. 
Hoping that you will right these wrongs complained of, with respect I remain 
Yours Respectfully 
William J. Allen 
Hon. Jacob Thompson Washington D. C.
Page 39

Oct. 26.77 P.A. Voucher "0.0" 
For payment 
Due $5.87 
Bills ___ 
Met 28.78. P. A. Pens. If not in file in this Office. To file his If. of its less, with voucher "0.0" ___ 

Died Dept. 25. 1877. 
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 11523 
Nancy Sprague 
Wid of Elijah Sprague 
Priv Rev War 
Act: Febry 3d /53 
Index:- Vol. M, Page 234 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 40

feb 8 1841 
N.Y. 
Addlff 
Elijah Sprague, 

Mr J L Edwards Esq 
Commr of Pensions 
Washington
Page 41

Castile 30th January 1841. 
Sir 
You will find the original declaration herein inclosed &, I would state that as I did not expect they would be of any farther use at Washington I took down down statements of  Mr Sprague, with a pencile, in order to make out the answers which the form you sent me requires. I would likewise state that in drawing the declaration I may somewhat have varied the form of expression but have tried to give the same in substance. 
Respectfully Yours 
Wm H Snyder 
Mr J L Edwards Esqr 
A.B. I expect to have this mailed at Perry but wish you to direct your answer to Castile 
Yours Wm H Snyder
Page 42

Increase 5.120. 
Brief in the Case of Nancy Sprague Widow of Elijah  
Rev. 
Outagamie County and State of Menasha Wisconsin 
mil [initials?] 
T he Act Feb 3. 1853 
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE 
PROOF EXHIBITED, 
A pensioner roll of Wisconsin as $80.00 per Annum. 
___ Certificate retained . She claims increase by Act of July 27. 1868. 
Personal Identity - Widowhood - known 
Admitted Oct 17. 1868. to a pension at $96. per Annum - to commence July 27. 1868 deducting payr price.
W. E. Trask Examining Clerk. 
Name and residence of Agent. 
A J McMullen 
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Page 43

Revolutionary War 
Application for Increase of Pension under Section 13. Act of July 27. 1868 
McM [initials] 
Nancy Sprague 
Widow of Elijah Sprague 
J. F. McMullen Attorney Milwaukee Wis.
Page 44

(N.) 
Declaration of Increase of Pension, 
(Under Section 13, Act of July 27, 1868,) 
STATE OF WISCONSIN 
county of ["Winnebago" is crossed out] Outagamie } 88. 
On this Twenty Third day of August A. D. One Thousand Eight hundred and sixty eight personally appeared before me ["N" is scribbled out] A clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, Nancy Sprague aged 82 years, a resident of Menasha in the State of Wisconsin, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical Nancy Sprague, widow of Elijah Sprague to whom was granted Pension Certificate No. [blank] payable at Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the rate of eighty dollars per Year ["month" is crossed out] issued under the Act of Feby 3 1853: that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the Act of July 27, 1868; and hereby constitutes and appoints J. F McMullen of Milwaukee Wis, my attorney to prosecute this claim and to receive Certificate which may issue in my name thereon that I am still a widow, and that my original pension certificate was lost. My P.O. Address is Menasha, County of Winnebago State of Wisconsin 
Nancy Sprague 
[Declarant's Signature,] 
Also personally appeared P D Richards and C H L Hamer residents of the County of ["Winnebago" is crossed out] Outagamie and State of Wisconsin, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present, and saw Nancy Sprague sign her name [[words blacked out]] to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant, and their acquaintance with her that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim, that she is still a widow and has not remarried since death of said Sprague 
Signature of Witnesses { P D Richards C H L Hamer 
Sworn to, and subscribed before me this Twenty Third day of September A. D. 1868 and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim. And further certify that the words Winnebago have been Erased before signing 
Herman Steffen Clerk of Circuit Court
Page 45

Brief in the case of Nancy Sprague, widow of Elijah, 
Jefferson County and State of WIsconsin, 
Claim, ("original," ["or 'for increase,'" is crossed out]) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Husband was pensioner under the Act of 5 June, 1832. (at the pay of $80.00 per ann: One witness testifies he was present at her Marriage and witnesses testify to general reputation & cohabitation. Pensioner died 27 Feby 1841. as per the Affiants of three witnesses & the report of the Huir Christon [???] . 
Intention for Entity is established by the Affidavits of two Credible Affiants.  
(If for increase.) 
Has Additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 
[blank] 
A. L. Lynde, Esqr 
Warsaw, N.Y. 
Name and residence of Agent 
J R Upton, Examining Clerk.
Page 46

Apl. 16 /55 
Nancy Sprague, 
No 5639. widow of 
Elijah. 
Jefferson Co. 
Wis: 
Act of ___ 
$80. Per An : 
Com: Feby; 3d 1853 
Revy 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Pension Office, Official Business, 
A. L. Lynde, 
Warsaw. N.Y.
Page 47

35128 
Elijah Sprague 
Act. 1832 
Col Gordon Capt. Collins } New York Militia 
Prisoner in Canada from 17 Oct. 1780 to Nov 1782 
In Comptrollers Certificace of New York 
Admitted 
Private 2 years $80 
Recd W. H. Snyder 
Castile N.Y.
Page 48

Pension Office 
April 18 1855. 
Sir Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid or the date of his death. 
Very Respectfully, 
L P Waldo 
Commissioner 
D 27 Feb 41 

Mr Randall
R. J. Atkinson Esqr. 
Third Auditor Treasury } 

[written sideways]
"Boynton"
Page 49

Elijah Sprague died 27 Feb 1841 paid in full 
Robt Atkinson Auditor
Page 50

STATE OF NEW YORK, WYOMING COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } SS. 
I CERTIFY That Anson Howard Esquire, was, at the date of the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that the signature to said certificate is genuine. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 4th day of April A. D. 1858. 
N. P. Currier Clerk.