Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15839, for John Kennedy, New York
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
New York

Kennedy, John
Hannah

NUMBER
W15839

CONTENTS
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3.182
New York - A
Hannah Kennedy deceased widow of John Kennedy who died on the  ___in the State of who was a private in the______commanded by Captain ____of the ______commanded by _____in the ______time for the Revolutionary War. Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the State of 80 Dollars ⁓Cents per annum, to commence on the 10⁓ day of June 1831 & Ending 3 May 1846. Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of January 1853 and sent to A. Ely Arrears to the 4th of Watertown Semi-annual allowance ending N.Y. Recorded by R.McRae Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 Page 358
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
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State of New York County of Jefferson On this 2d day of April 1852 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John Kennedy a resident of the town of Le Ray in the County and State aforesaid who first being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is sixty years old the 7th of May next and is the son of John Kennedy who was a private in the war of the Revolution in the New York line and enlisted for and served during the war in Captain Wrights Company of New York Regiment commanded by Col- Philip Van Cortland for which service he received Lot No 84 in Manlius New York containing 600 acres. He has seen the Patent for this Land often and he has often heard his father describe his service but the names of his officers as above stated are upon information. He further says that according to the family history and according to the record now in the possession of his sister Sarah Spencer of Gaines Orleans County New York his father the said John Kennedy was born in Kellerson County of Down in Ireland the 14th of April 1749 and died in Broadalbin Montgomery County New York on the 10th day of June 1831. That on the 16th of November 1778 he married Hannah Olmstead whom he left a widow at his death & who remained his widow without intermarriage the remainder of her life and died in the town of Gaines in
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in the County of Orleans New York on the 3d day of May 1846. She was born in Ridgefield Connecticut as he believes on the 6th day of May 1753. Their eldest child Riggs Kennedy was born in 1781. Chloe the second in 1783, Alanson the third in 1786, Hannah the fourth in 1788, Sarah the fifth in 1790 & John the sixth (this deponent) in 1792, Abigail the seventh in 1794, Lyman the Eighth in 1797 and Polly the youngest in 1803. This deponent does not know where his father and mother were married but supposes it was Burnt Hills or Ballstown. There was a family record kept and his sister Sarah Spencer now has it as he supposes. His father lived at the Burnthills in Balltown New York during the Revolution. Since the remembrance of this declarant his father sent to Ireland and obtained the register of his birth - He further deposes and says that his father the said John Kennedy died at Broadalbin June 10th 1831 & that soon thereafter this deponent went there and that on that occasion he found a copy of the family Register made according to his present impression by his father & in his hand writing except the name of his sister Polly Kennedy which appears to be in a different hand writing. This paper has been carried in the Packet book of this declarant ever since & is very much worn, the top being entirely gone. It contains nevertheless the names & dates of the births of all the children of the said John Kennedy & Hannah Kennedy now both deceased. To identify said paper this deponent has written his name thereon
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This deponent further says that the only surviving children of the said John Kennedy and the said Hannah Kennedy both deceased are this deponent whose name is John Kennedy and Sarah Spencer a resident of Gaines Orleans County New York widow of Christopher Spencer and Abigail Mills widow of Frederic Mills who resides in Mills Corners Fulton County New York 
This deponent further deposes and declares that the object of this declaration is to obtain for himself, Sarah Spencer and Abigail Mills only surviving children of John Kennedy and Hannah Kennedy the pension which the said John Kennedy was entitled to at his death under the act of 15th May 1828 from the 3d day of March 1826 to the 10th day of June 1831 and the amount of Pension his mother was entitled to under the 3 Section of act of 4th July 1836 from said 10th day of June 1831 to the 3d day of May 1846 & for this purpose this declarant has appointed Adriel Ely of Watertown New York his attorney to present the aforesaid claim & obtain certificate or certificates therefor & do all & seeing out necessary to be done with power of substitution hereby conferring & ratifying all that this his attorney may of right do 
[signed] John Kennedy
Sworn to subscribed & acknowleged before me this 2d day of April 1852 & I certify said deponent is a man of Respectability [&] truth 
[signed] Lovinus H. Overton Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF NEW-YORK, 
Jefferson County Clerk's Office. } ss.
I. ISAAC MUNSON, Clerk of the County of Jefferson, do hereby certify that Lovinus H. Overton Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking such affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorised to take the same; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice, and verily believe that his signature thereto is genuine. 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County, this 11" day of May 1852 
[signed] Isaac Munson Clerk.
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Lydia Kenady August the 28 1779
Ridgs Kenady November the 8 of 1781
Chloe Kenady April the 21 1
Alanson Kenady August the 26  1
Hannah Kenady August 22  1
Sarah Kenady April the [illegible]1790
John Kenady May the 17 1792
Abigail Kenady November the 7
Lymon Kenady october the 1
Polly Kenady Decem
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In reply to your request of ___ received ___ for a statement of the military history of John Kennedy a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] children’s application for pension on file in this Bureau. W.F. 15.839. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Jan 1, 1777 to Jan 1782
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK. Pri. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Wright  COLONEL. Philip Van Cortland 
STATE. NY 
Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Burnt Hills, Town of Balltown or, Milton, Saratoga Co. N.Y. 
Date of application for pension, by dau. Sarah wid. Of Christopher Spencer Apr. 12, 1852. Her cl. was al. 
Residence of daughter Sarah at date of application, Gaines Orleans Co., N.Y. 
Age at date of application, (See family record) 
Remarks: Soldier was born Apr. 14, 1749 at Belleson, County Down, Ireland. He married Nov. 16, 1778, Hannah (born May 6, 1755) dau. of Ezekiel Olmsted, of Ridgeville, Conn. He died June 10, 1831 at Broadalbin, Montgomery Co. N.Y. and she died at Gaines, N.Y. May 3. 1846. 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

6-2856
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In the matter of the Heirs of Hannah Kennedy widow of John
Adriel Ely
Watertown N.Y. Atty
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The people of the State of New-York, by the Grace of GOD, Free and Independent: To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, That in pursuance of an act of our Legislature, passed the 6th day of April, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety; entitled "An Act to carry into Effect the concurrent Resolutions and Acts of the Legislature, for granting certain Lands, promised to be given as Bounty Lands, and for other purposes therein mentioned," We have Given, Granted and Confirmed, and by these Presents Do give, Grant and Confirm unto John Kennedy all that certain Tract or Lot of Land, situate, lying and being in the County of Montgomery and in the Township of Manlius known and distinguished on a Map of the said Township, (filed by our Surveyor-General, in our Secretary's Office, agreeable to Law) by Lot Number Eighty four containing six hundred acres Together with all and singular the Rights, Hereditaments and Appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any Wise appertaining Excepting and Reserving to ourselves, all Gold and Silver Mines, and also five acres of every hundred Acres of the said Tract or Lot of Land for Highways: to have and to hold the above described and granted Premises, unto the said John Kennedy his Heirs and Assigns, as a good and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance for ever. On Condition Nevertheless, that within the Term of Seven Years, to be computed from the first day of January next ensuing the Date hereof, there shall be one actual Settlement made on the said Tract or Lot of Land hereby granted; otherwise these our Letters Patent, and the Estate hereby granted, shall cease, determine and become void. In Testimony Whereof, We have caused these our Letters to be made Patent, and the great Seal of our said State, to be hereunto affixed: WITNESS our trusty and well beloved GEORGE CLINTON, Esquire, Governor of our said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, at our City of New-York, this Sixth Day of July in the year of our LORD One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety and in the fifteenth year of our Independence. 
Approved of by the Commissioners of the Land-Office, and passed the Secretary’s Office the 5th day of August 1790 
[signed] Lewis A. Scott Secretary 
Geo. Clinton 

STATE OF NEW YORK 
Secretary's Office. }  I Certify the preceding to be a true copy of certain Letters Patent as of record in this Office, in Book of Military Patents No. 4 Page 193 and of the whole of said Letters Patent as recorded in the said book, compared therewith by me: and I further certify that on a careful examination of the records of Grants of Lands for Military Services in the Revolutionary war made by the People of this State I found but one Lot granted to John Kennedy which Lot is above described:- Given under my hand and the seal of this office at the City of Albany the first day of November A.D. 1852 
[signed] Arch. Campbell Dep. Sec. of State
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Deaths 
Poly Kennedy Departed this life 16th of febuary in the year of our Lord 1823 at 8 Ocl. P.M Aged 19 years 1 Month 23 Days in Broadalbin  
Ridgs Kennedy Departed this life November 10th 1781 Aged 2 Months 2 Days Town Redmond Massachusetts
Hannah Kennedy Departed this life Aprail 8th 1789 Aged 7 Months 17 Days Town of Milton Saratoga
Alanson Kennedy Departed this Life October the 27” 1840 Aged  years  months &   days In the town of Yates Orleans Co N.Y.
Ephraim Potter Depd this life March the 19” 1843 Aged  year  months &   days In Ellisburgh Jefferson Co N.Y.
Lydia Potter Departed this life May the 8th 1843 Aged 63 years 3 months & 10 days In Ellisburgh Jefferson Co. N.Y.
in the County Montgomery John Kennedy Departed this life June the 10 – 1831 6 Oc P.M. in the 83 year of
Lynan Kennedy Departed this life in the Town of Murry New Castle Dest N.C. [or U.C.] in the July 26 – 1833 in the 36 year of age
Electra Kennedy Departed this life Sept 5th 1839 Aged  years  Months &  days In Gates Orleans Co. N.Y.
Hannah Kennedy the Widow of the above named John Kennedy departed this life at Gaines in the County of Orleans, N.Y. 3d day of May 1846, at the age Ninety one years & 27 days at the House of her daughter Sally Spencer
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Maidges  Mariages 
Orleans County ss 
Sarah Spencer being sworn says that this record is the family record of her fathers family kept by him; that the entries of dates of births & marriages are not his hand writing but done by his direction 
[signed] Sarah Spencer
Subscribed & sworn April 12 1852 before me 
[signed] Arba Chub Justice
I certify that I saw this record taken from a Large bible said to be the family Bible 
[signed] Arba Chubb Justice
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The Genealogy of John Kennedy’s Family 1810
Births
Lydia Kennedy was Born August 18th 1779
Ridgs Kennedy was Born September 8th 1781
Chloey Kennedy was Born Aprail 24th 1783
Alanson Kennedy was Born August 26th 1786
Hannah Kennedy was Born August 22d 1788
Sarah Kennedy was Born Aprail 4th 1790
John Kennedy Jun was Born May 17th 1792
Abigail Kennedy was Born November 7th 1794
Lymon Kennedy was Born October 1th 1797
Polly Kennedy was Born December 24th 1803

Births
Emely Mills was Born August 31th 1815 the daughter of Abigail Mills
Sarah Matilda Spencer Daughter of Christopher & Sarah Spencer (the daughter of John Kennedy deceased) Was born at Broadalbin Montgomery County (now Fulton) March 3rd AD 1814
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Births 
John Kennedy was born at the town of Belleson County Down Ireland Apael 20th AD 1749
Hannah Olmsted the wife of Jonhn Kennedy was born at Hichfield Con May 6th AD 1755 

Births
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Rev. War Section. 
March 16, 1914. 
Mr. Charles B. Coe.
809 East Kingsley Street, 
Ann Arbor, Michigan. 
Sir:
In addition to the military history of John Kennedy, W. File No. 15,839, Rev. War, you are furnished the following data as to his children: 
Lydia. born August 28, 1779.
Ridgs. born September 6, 1781. died November 10, 1781.
Chloey. born April 24, 1783.
Alanson. born August 26, 1786, died October 27, 1840.
Hannah. born August 22, 1788, died April 8, 1789.
Sarah. born April 4, 1790, married Christopher Spencer.
John. born May 17, 1792.
Abigail. born November 7, 1794, married Frederick Mills.
Lymon. born October 11, 1797, died July 26, 1833.
Polly, born December 24, 1803, died February 16, 1823.
Very respectfully.
[signed] G. M. Saltzgaber 
Commissioner.
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1.171 
New York  - A 
John Kennedy decd of ___ in the State of ___ who was a Private in the ___commanded by Captain ___ of the ___ commanded by ___ in the line for Revolution 
Inscribed on the roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, to commence on the 3 day of March, 1826 Ending 10 June 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Jany 1853 and sent to A. Ely Watertown, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending 
{Revolutionary Claim 15 May 1828.}
Recorded by R. McRae Clerk,
Book A   Vol.   Page
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7853 
Hannah Kennedy, dcd widow of John NY
Act 4 July 1836 
Married 1778 
Hus died 10 June 1831 
Adm 2 yrs for $80 per annum, comg 10 June 1831 & ending 3d May 1846. payable John Kennedy Sarah Spencer & Abigail Mills, only surviving children 
Albany R 
A. Ely, Watertown N.Y
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Stamp: Round

Pension Office.
D
Mar 7 1914
U.S.
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809 E. Kingsby St  3/5/14
Ann Arbor Mich 
Bureau of Pensions.
In qualifying for membership in Sons of Am Revolution I would like pension record of any of following – 
Matthew D. Coe born in Haverstraw N.Y. Oct 15th 1757 died at Benton Yates Co N.Y. Dec 12 1838 
Think he saw service with second Regiment Orange Co N.Y. Militia in the Revolution.
Asa Kellogg born Sheffield Mass Feby 19th 1745 O.S. married to Lucy Powell of Sheffield He died in Galway Saratoga Co N.Y. Think he saw revolutionary service in militia of Westfield or Sheffield Mass or in
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militia of Saratoga Co N.Y. 
John Kennedy born in Ireland April 20 1849. Emigrated in 1761. settling in Saratoga Co N.Y. married to Hannah Olmsted and died at Broad Albin Montgomery Co N.Y. June 10- 1831 
Stephen Gurnee Rockland Co N.Y. married to Sarah Halstead died April 9 – 1812.
 Thanking you in advance for reply  I am 
Yours truly 
[signed] Charles B. Coe 
809 E Kingsley St
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Stamp: Round

PENSION OFFICE.
D
JAN 25 1904
U.S.
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[stamp] U.S,
OLD [illegible] NAVY FILES JAN 27 1904 

Manistee Michigan 
Jan. 22nd 1904 
To the U.S. Pension Department 
Kindly send to me a record of service rendered his country, in the war of the Revolution, by John Kennedy of either Saratoga or Montgomery County, New York State.
Said John Kennedy was born at Bellison County of Down Ireland April 20th 1749 married in 1778, Hannah Olmsted, who was born May 6th 1755 at Richfield Conn.
As I understand this Hannah Olmsted Kennedy rec’d a pension after the death
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of John Kennedy, her husband in Broadalbin (now Fulton) Montgomery Co. N.Y. June 10th 1831 until her death May or June 3rd 1846 in Gaines Orleans Co. N.Y. 
I would also like the record, if you have any, of Asa Kellogg son of Silas Kellogg and Ruth Root, his wife, born at Westfield Massachusetts Feb. 19th (O.S) 1745 who married Lucy Powell of Sheffield Mass.
Respectfully yours 
(Mrs) Ella T. Wente
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[left side]
His. to Wente Mich 

[center]
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15839 
Hannah Kennedy widow of John Kennedy Pri Rev War 
Act July 4th 36 
Index: Vol. A, Page 393 
(Arrangement of 1870.] 

[right side]
Feby 11 - 1904 
Mrs Ella F. Manistee 
1914 Mch. 16. Hist. to Charles B. Coe.   F.W.
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Kennedy
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Pension Office
October 2 1852 
Sir.
The papers in support of the Claim of the heirs of Hannah Kennedy widow of John of N. York have been examined and filed under the act of 4" July 1836, as also under 15 May 1828.
The certificate of the Secretary of State, although it shows that Kennedy enlisted in 1777 for the war, does not show that he served to the end of it, or in fact any longer than Jany ‘82. But the fact of his having received Land from the State of N.Y. and also from the General Government is conclusive that he did serve to that period and the only thing necessary now to be done, is to establish the fact that the father of the present claimant was the identical man who performed that service. To do this you should procure the testimony of old persons if possible who knew him in service or who know
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that he always had the reputation of having performed that particular service. The heirs should also state what became of the Land received by their father. Send copies of Deeds &c. 
I am respectfully 
Your obd. svt.
[signed] S. Cole for Commr.

Adriel Ely Esq 
Watertown N.Y.
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Brief in the case of Hannah Kennedy 
Jefferson County and State of New York 
acts 15 May 1828 & 4 July 1836 
Claim, (“original,”)
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Record proof of service – 
Traditionary proof of marriage together with record evidence of the ages of the children 
(If for increase.) 
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 

Name and residence of Agent 
A. Ely Watertown N.Y

S. Cole Examining Clerk.
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Watertown Jeff Co N. York 
July 22 1852 
Hon. J. E. Heath 
Comr. of Pensions 
Sir
I inclose herewith the application of the heirs of John Kennedy for the amount of pension due their father & mother at their respective deaths, with a statement of my views of the case according to the proofs submitted & have to ask your decision thereon 
You will oblige by acknowledging the receipt of the papers 
Very Respectfully  Yr ob sert 
[signed] Adriel Ely 
atty for claimants
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No. 7853
Hannah Kennedy
Wid of John
N.Y.
Let 2 Oct. 1852  Adriel Ely
4th July 1836
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No 
John Kennedy, dcd NY
Act 15 May 1828 
Admd pri $80 per annum, com’g 3 March 1826, & Ending 10 June 1831. payable to John Kennedy  Sarah Spencer  & Abigail Mills, only surviving children

Albany 
A. Ely 
Watertown NY
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Hon J. E. Heath 
Com of Pensions 
Watertown New York Nov. 13. 1852 
Sir It appears from your letter of the 2d Ult, (inclosed for reference) that the papers in the case of the Heirs of Hannah Kennedy widow of John were not satisfactory to show that the father of these claimant is the identical man who recd for his services in the Revolution a Patent for Land. I now send herewith a copy of the Patent issued to John Kennedy with the certificate of the Secretary of State that only one Patent issued to John Kennedy & that Lot 84 of 600 acres described in said copy is the one - It follows then that if it is established by proof that the father of these claimants did receive Lot 84 described in the Secretarys certificate here with he must be the identical person who performed the service claimed
On this point I inclose herewith an affidavit of John Betts who visited the Land claimed by Kennedy under this Patent. I also send a further affidavit form Chas Thatcher & one from Abigail Mills one of the children. Since I have inc these affidavits I have ascertained from the County Clerk of Onondaga County that John Kennedy & Hannah his wife on on the 25 May 1808 conveyed one half of the Lot to Miles Beach & Dudley Farling, but having no doubt of the proof being complete without a copy of this Deed, I await your action I trust favorable on the evidence presented
Yrs Respectfully  Adriel Ely Atty for claimants
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Watertown Jefferson County New York February 1. 1853 
Hon. J.E. Heath 
Comr of Pensions 
Sir
I return herewith for consideration two certificates. They are made payable to “Sarah Spencer & Abigail Mills only surviving children of John Kennedy deceased " 
They should have been payable to John Kennedy Sarah Spencer & Abigail Mills 
By referring to the papers in the matter you will readily perceive the error
I hope it may be corrected & the Certificate returned by next mail 
Very Respectfully 
Yr ob servt
[signed] Adriel Ely 

N. B 
I perceive another error. The certificate issued under act 4th July 1836 says “ending 3d March 1846 when she died”  Mrs. Kennedy died on the 3d day of May 1846 - See the declaration & the affidavits of Mrs Spencer, Alonzo Hewitt the grave digger & the family record -
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State of New York
Secretary' Office

I certify that it appears by the Miltiary Register in this office that on the first day of January 1777 John Kennedy enlisted as a Soldier in the 2nd New York Regt commanded by Col Philip Van Cortlandt Capt. Wright's Company to serve during the War, and that he was mustered to January 1782.
And I further certify that Lot No. 84 in the Township of Manlius in the Military Tract containing 600 acres was grated to the said John Kennedy by Letters patent dated July 6, 1790

            Arch Campbell
                 Dep Sec of State
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No 7833 
Hannah Kennedy wid of John N. York 
Act 4 July 1836
let 2 Oct 52 
Adriel Ely
Watertown 
Jeff Co
N.Y.
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State of New York 
County of Fulton  ss  Abigail Mills a resident of Broadalbin County & State aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that she is the daughter of John Kennedy & Hannah Olmsted his wife that she was born the 7th November 1794 according to the record she has and of she has always been informed and believes to be true. She further says that she is the widow of Frederic Mills and that Lydia Kennedy born August 28th 1779, Riggs Kennedy born September 1781, Chloe Kennedy, April 24th 1783 Alanson Kennedy August 22 1786. Hannah Kennedy August 26th 1798 Sarah Kennedy now the widow of Christopher Spencer of Gaines New York born April 4th 1790 & John Kennedy born May the 7th 1792 were all children of the said John & Hannah Kennedy brothers & sisters of this deponent and all of them older than herself. She further deposes and says that her father the said John Kennedy died in Broadalbin aforesaid 10th of June 1831 & that her Mother the said Hannah did not marry after the death of her husband the said John Kennedy but died his widow in Gaines Orleans County May the 3d 1846 and that John Kennedy of Jefferson County New York, Sarah Spencer widow of Christopher Spencer & this deponent are the only surviving children of the said John and Hannah Kennedy both deceased and that each of them is over the age of twenty one
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[note: the following certificate is only partially shown, but is transcribed in full on a following page]
State of New-York, City and County of Albany, Clerk's office}, ss.  I, Robert S. Lay, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby 

[note: the following letter is mostly shown on this page, but transcribed in full on a following page]
years. She further says that she has often heard her father say that he served several years and all through the war of the Revolution and has heard her mother often tell what she had to do and suffer while her husband was gone and in service in the war Her father received a Patent for 600 acres of Land near Manlius in this State she has often seen the Patent. It was for his Revolutionary services. Neither her father or mother ever received a pension
[signed] Abigail Mills
Sworn to & subscribed this 24th day of April 1852 before me & I certify said deponent to be a woman of respectability & truth 
[signed] Charles Thatcher Justice of the peace of 

[note: the following is a second certification, transcribed in full on this page
STATE OF NEW YORK, 
Fulton County Clerk's Office, } ss.  I. PETER W PLANTZ, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Charles Thatcher Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the affidavit to which this is annexed and before whom the said affidavit purports to have been taken was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized by law to take the same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and very believe that the signature to said Jurat is his proper and genuine signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, at Johnstown, this 8th day of May 1852
[signed] Peter W. Plantz Clerk.
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[note: the following certificate is only partially shown, but is transcribed in full on a following page] State of New-York, City and County of Albany, Clerk's office}, ss. I, Robert S. Lay, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby 

years. She further says that she has often heard her father say that he served several years and all through the war of the Revolution and has heard her mother often tell what she had to do and suffer while her husband was gone and in service in the war Her father received a Patent for 600 acres of Land near Manlius in this State she has often seen the Patent. It was for his Revolutionary services. Neither her father or mother ever received a pension [signed] Abigail Mills Sworn to & subscribed this 24th day of April 1852 before me & I certify said deponent to be a woman of respectability & truth [signed] Charles Thatcher Justice of the peace of the County of Fulton and State of New York
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State of New York 
County of Albany ss  I, George Mills a resident of Albany County aforesaid aged 63 years being duly sworn depose and say that in 1813 or 1814 I was in the mercantile business in the town of Broadalbin now in the County of Fulton in the State of New York and boarded in the family of John Kennedy then a resident of that place The said Kennedy was a reputed soldier of the revolution and had received a grant of Land for his revolutionary service as I understood & have no doubt was true. I remember having seen the Patent or Deed for the Land it was a large deed & a large heavy seal attached to it I do not now remember the contents of the deed other than it conveyed land to John Kennedy which Land was situated in the western part of the State of New York. The said family were very respectable people the said John Kennedy I believe was born in Ireland; he and his wife lived together in the relation of husband and wife & raised a large family of children from my knowledge of the ages of the children & from impressions I received or from information from the old folks I have no doubt they were married before he left the service
[signed] George Mills
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2 day of July 1852 & I certify that the above named deponent is a man of respectability and truth – 
[signed] Levi Cornell Justice
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State of New-York, City and County of Albany, Clerk's office}, ss. I, Robert S. Lay, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby CERTIFY that Levi Cornell, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, and endorsed thereon, was, at the time of taking such proof or Acknowledgment a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Cornell and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment is genuine, and that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New-York. 
In Testimony Whereof, I have heretofore set my hand, and affixed my official seal, this 6th day of July 1852
[signed] R. S. Lay Clerk.
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State of New York 
County of Fulton ss
Charles Thatcher a resident of Broadalbin in the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that he is in the sixty first year of his age and is Post Master at Mills Corners in the town aforesaid: that he was well and intimately acquainted with John Kennedy, his wife and children He knew them in seventeen hundred and ninety eight and that knowledge has continued during the lives of the said Kennedy & wife & with the surviving children to the present day. The said John Kennedy was in Irishman by birth and married Hannah Olmstead daughter of Ezekiel Olmstead of Ridgeville Connecticut according to the information he has received and his best recollection & that they were married at Ballstown or Milton Saratoga County New York. from the first knowledge this deponent had of the said Kennedy, he & the said Hannah his wife lived together in the relation of husband and wife and were respectable people. This deponent knew the children of the said Kennedy & wife has often conversed with them respecting their ages. Lydia was the oldest. Her birth has been estimated for the year 1779, Riggs the next in 1781, Chloe the third 1783, Alanson in 1786, Hannah in 1788, Sarah in 1790, John in 1792, Abigail in 1797 Lyman in 1797. John Kennedy was the seventh child of the said John Kennedy & Hannah and now resides in Jefferson County New York. There was just about a years difference in the age of the said John & this deponent This deponent believes that the said John Kennedy died in 1831 or the early part of 1832 He settled accounts with him in 1831 he was then sick and died not long after.
over
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He died at Broadalbin His widow the said Hannah remained his widow without intermarriage as long as he knew her and he believes until her death. She died some six years ago at Gaines in Orleans County New York where Sarah Spencer her daughter & widow of Christopher Spencer now lives. This deponent further says that he has often heard the said John Kennedy say that he was in the war of the Revolution during the war & he knows that he received a Patent for [illegible] [crossed out: six hundred acres of Land] from the State of New York “the number of acres deponent does not now recollect” The old man showed him the Patent of & he [illegible] by said Kennedy” & has seen it often. This deponent thinks that Ezekiel Smith or Eli Smith last had the Patent. It was for Land in the town of Manlius according to his best recollection. This deponent further says according to the best of his knowledge & belief the said John Kennedy & the said Hannah Olmstead were married while he was in service & had two children born while he was in service. He has heard them both speak of being married while he was in service and talk of the hardships his wife had to endure while he was absent This deponent does not know of any person now living by whom said marriage can be proved and supposes it is not recorded in the town as that was not customary [several lines crossed out]
This deponent says that he fully believes that the said John Kennedy and the said Hannah Olmstead were married before he left the service
Page 43

This deponent cannot doubt it any more than any fact which his eyes did not see. The only surviving children of the said John & Hannah according to his knowledge and John Kennedy of Jefferson County New York Sarah Spencer widow of Christopher Spencer of Gaines Orleans County New York and Abigail Mills widow of Frederic Mills a resident & Broadalbin Fulton County New York He further deposes and says that he makes this affidavit for the benefit of the surviving children of the said John Kennedy deceased and that he is entirely disinterested in any claim they may have for balance of pension due their father or mother both now deceased 
[signed] Charles Thatcher
Sworn & subscribed this 29th day of April 1852 of before me and I certify said deponent is a man of highly respectable & a man of unquestionable veracity 
[signed] William Kennedy Justice of the Peace 

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
Fulton County Clerk's Office, } ss.  I, PETER W PLANTZ, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that William Kennedy Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the affidavit to which this is annexed and before whom the said affidavit purports to be taken at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized by law to take the same. And I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to said Jurat is his proper and genuine signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, at Johnstown, this 8th day of May 1852
[signed] Peter W. Plantz Clerk
Page 44

Watertown Jeff Co New York 
July 21 1852 
In the matter of John Kennedy decd 
John Kennedy, Abigail Mills & Sarah Spencer surviving children of the said John Kennedy claim as follows:
First that their father was a warsman in the Revolution & that it is proved by the Certificate of the Comptroller of New York that Daniel Kennedy there served & by the affidavits of Charles Thatcher & George Mills, who said the Patent for the land recd by Kennedy & described in the Comptroller’s Certificate & by the affidavits of all the children that the father of these applicants was the identical John Kennedy named in said certificate. This being proved they next claim, that the said John Kennedy their father married Hannah Olmstead their mother, while in the service. They have failed to find a record of the marriage. They were married in the State of New York where it was not customary at the time they were married to record marriages. At this late day, living witnesses of the Ceremony cannot be found, but proof to my mind stronger is produced. It is the family record, dated 1810, showing that two of the children Lydia & Riggs were born while the said Daniel was in the service - the eldest in 1779 & the next in 1781. The truthfulness of this record is made to appear by the affidavits of George Mills & Charles Thatcher who knew them from their own childhood. This evidence I have no doubt, establishes the date of the marriage prior to the close of Kennedys’ service. The service being
Page 45

proved & the marriage prior to its termination it follows that Mrs Kennedy was entitled at the death of her husband, the pension which might have been allowed him under the act of May 15th 1828 from 3d March 1826 to June 10th 1831 when he died. For proof that said Kennedy died on the 10th June 1831 see Mr Thatcher’s affidavit who says that he settled with him in 1831 & that he was then sick and died not long after. The Children also testify to it & the family record shows it - If the marriage took place previous to the expiration of Kennedy's service, as I think is clearly foreseen then Mrs Kennedy was also entitled to a pension under the provisions of the third section of the act of July 4th 1836 of $80 per annum from the time her husband died 10 June 1831 to the time of her death which is clearly established by the family record & the affidavit of Alonzo Hewitt who had her grave dug, to have taken place on the 3d day of May 1846. As attorney then for the above named children of John & Hannah Kennedy I ask that they be allowed the pension to which their parents were entitled at their death - at the rate of $80 per annum commencing 3d March 1826 & terminating 3d May 1846 
Respectfully yr ob servt 
[signed] Adriel Ely
Atty for claimants

To the Hon J. E. Heath 
Comr of Pensions
Page 46

State of New York 
Fulton County ss John Betts a resident of the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that he is sixty three years old and has been well acquainted with the late John Kennedy & his family from sometime in the year 1796 up to the time of his death & to the present time with the survivors. He has frequently heard the said Kennedy tell of his services in the war of the Revolution and this deponent knows that the said Kennedy bore the reputation of having been a soldier of the Revolution in the neighborhood where he lived. This deponent further says that he has heard the said Kennedy often say that he received a Patent for Land from Government and that he had been out to see it and that the Lot was in the town of Manlius. This Deponent has seen the Lot said to have been granted the said Kennedy in said Manlius  This deponent further says that from the reputation the said Kennedy sustained among his neighbors for a man of respectability and truth and from the general belief of those who know him that he had been a soldier of the Revolution & had received a large tract of Land in the western part of the State of New York for his services, he has no hesitation in saying that he firmly believes that John Kennedy who married Hannah Olmsted & the father of Abigail Mills of this County, Sarah Spencer of Orleans & John Kennedy of Jefferson who he is informed are applicants for the Pension due their said father is the identical John Kennedy who served during
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the war of the Revolution. This deponent further says that he has no interest whatever in the claim for a pension now prosecuting by said children and is entirely disinterested & that he knows of no person now living who knew Mr Kennedy while in service & further says not 
[signed] John Betts
Sworn & subscribed before me this 18th day of October 1852 & I certify that the aforesaid deponent is a man of unquestionable truth and veracity 
[signed] Charles Thatcher Justice of the peace 

State of New York 
Fulton County ss  Abigail Mills a resident of the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that she is a daughter of John Kennedy & Hannah his wife both deceased and with her brother John & sister Sarah have applied for the balance of the pension their father & mother were entitled to at the time of their decease & have employed Adreil Ely Esq of Watertown their attorney in the matter & that she is informed by him that it is required by the Comr of Pensions, that the heirs should state “what has become of the Land received by their father” & also that the “testimony of old persons
Page 48

who knew their father in service should be procured" This deponent does not know of any person living who knew her father while in service & believes all who served with him have been along time dead. she further deposes and says that she has no knowledge of any disposition of the land by her father: that he frequently talked of going into possession of it; that not long before his death he gave the Patent or Deed to one Dudley Smith who wished to examine the lot with a view of buying it or assisting her father in some way respecting it. Mr Smith has become from age & debility so weak in mind that he can give no intelligent account about it or in fact any thing else. It is supposed the Deed was in the possession of Eli Smith his son who is dead + that it is in the hand of some of the members of that family who are residing in distant parts of the Country This deponent has often seen the Patent or Deed & knows that it was for six hundred acres in the town of Manlius and that her father said he received it for his services in the war of the Revolution – 
[signed] Abigail Mills
Sworn & subscribed this day of October 1852 before me & I certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Mrs Mills & that she is a woman of respectability & truth 
[signed] Charles Thatcher Justice of the peace
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State of New York
County of Fulton ss
Charles Thatcher a resident of the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that he has heretofore at the request of the children of John Kennedy made an affidavit to certain facts in relation to his family & the revolutionary services of the said Kennedy which facts in relation to his service were derived from frequent conversation with him on the subject and his knowledge of the Patent the said Kennedy received from the State of New York. This fact he knew because he had seen the Patent. He now states in addition to what he has heretofore said that since the death of the said Kennedy at the request of his children he tried to find the Deed and for that purpose called on Dudley Smith & Ezekiel his son: that Dudley Smith having lost his memory could tell nothing about it & Ezekiel could not find it but did not know that it might be among some of his papers & having a very large quantity of them did not examine them all. It is the impression of this deponent from what he has heard on the subject that old Mr Dudley Smith had the Deed & that it is now in the possession of some of the family. This deponent entertain no doubt but John Kennedy aforesaid did serve in the New York line of the Revolutionary Army & recd a Patent of 600 acres of Land in Manlius therefore
Sworn & subscribed this 18 day of October 1852

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
Fulton County Clerk's Office, } SS.  I, PETER W. PLANTZ, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Charles Thatcher & William Kennedy Esquires whose named is subscribed to the Jurats of the affidavits to which this is annexed and before whom the said affidavits purports to have been taken was at the dates of the same, Justices of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized by law to take the same. And I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justices, and verily believe that the signatures to said Jurats is their proper and genuine signatures. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, at Johnstown, this 8th day of November 1852 
[signed] Peter W. Plantz Clerk
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State of New York County of Fulton ss Charles Thatcher a resident of the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that he has heretofore at the request of the children of John Kennedy made an affidavit to certain facts in relation to his family & the revolutionary services of the said Kennedy which facts in relation to his service were derived from frequent conversation with him on the subject and his knowledge of the Patent the said Kennedy received from the State of New York. This fact he knew because he had seen the Patent. He now states in addition to what he has heretofore said that since the death of the said Kennedy at the request of his children he tried to find the Deed and for that purpose called on Dudley Smith & Ezekiel his son: that Dudley Smith having lost his memory could tell nothing about it & Ezekiel could not find it but did not know that it might be among some of his papers & having a very large quantity of them did not examine them all. It is the impression of this deponent from what he has heard on the subject that old Mr Dudley Smith had the Deed & that it is now in the possession of some of the family. This deponent entertain no doubt but John Kennedy aforesaid did serve in the New York line of the Revolutionary Army & recd a Patent of 600 acres of Land in Manlius therefore 
[signed] Charles Thatcher
Sworn & subscribed this 18 day of October 1852 before me & I certify that said deponent is a Justice of the Peace & Post Master & that his statements are entitled to full belief 
[signed] William Kennedy, Justice of the peace
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Hon J. E. Heath
Watertown Jeff. Co. N.Y. Jany 20, 1853
Com of Pensions
Sir On the 22d July last I filed in your
office a claim for pension due Hannah Kennedy widow
of John Kennedy at his decease. On the 2 Oct. last I recd a
communication by letter from your Department stating that the
claim under the act of 15 May 1828 & 4 July 1836 had been
examined & filed. The fact that Kennedy recd Land from the
State of New York & also from the Genl Govt is conclusive
that he served to that period "(the end of the war)" & the only
thing necessary to be done is to establish the fact that the
father of these claimants was the identical man who
performed this service". To do this you should procure
the testimony of old persons if possible who knew him in service
& that he had always the reputation of having
performed that particular service", "The Heirs should
also state what has become of the land recd by their
father & send copies of Deeds
To remove the aforesaid objection I procured several affidavits, one of which was from John Betts who knew 
Kennedy as early as 1796, knew the reputation of Kennedy as a
soldier of the Revolution who had received Land for his
services, had seen the Patent for the same & had been
on to the Lot in the town of Manlius, I also procured
a copy of the Patent for 600 acres with a cert. of the Secretary
New York that no other person of the name of Kennedy
had recd Land from the State of New York. All doubt I
believe must be removed by these papers; they were
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mailed to your direction on the
13th Nov last & I presume are
on file. The object of this Letter is to
obtain speedy action in this case
I have transacted business
with the Pension office from 1819 to the
present day -  I have prepared & 
presented a great number of claims
during this period - I have never presented
a claim but what I supposed & believed
to be a just one. I have ever been treated
with kindness, & respect & I do not
now remember of asking a favor from
the Department. Under these circumstances
I hope I may be pardoned
for asking as I do now that the
case of the heirs of Hannah Kennedy
widow of John Kennedy may be
taken up & decided. I have entrusted
this Letter to my attorney Thos Lumpkin Esq
requesting him to present it with such
considerations as he may suggest
in favor of granting my request
Very Respectfully
Yr ob servt
Adriel Ely
Page 53

W M Cole will hand
this to one of the young
examiners to be examined
under his direction & the
case is near its turn I
would like to accomodate
W Lumpkin
JEH
Page 54

State of New York
County of Orleans
Sarah Spencer a resident
of Gaines in the County and State aforesaid
being duly sworn deposes and says that
she is the widow of Christopher Spencer and a
daughter of John Kennedy deceased; that
her father the said John Kennedy married Hannah Olmsted daughter of Ezekiel
Olmsted of Ridgeville Connecticut according to a family register she has and according to
the understanding & belief of the family on
the 6th day of November 1778. She further says
that as she has heard her parents say the
said John Kennedy was born in Ireland and
during the war of the Revolution resided
at Burnt hills town of Balltown or Milton
in Saratoga County New York and that he
was engaged in the Revolutionary service during the whole war and that they were
married while he was in service and
that they had two children born before he
left the service viz: Lydia Kennedy
who was born according to the aforesaid
register at Milton Saratoga County New York
(where she supposes her father & mother were married )
August 28th 1779 & Riggs Kennedy
who was born September 3d 1781, She further
deposes and says that three of her sisters &
two of her brothers were born before her and
that she was born on the 4th day of April
1790. She further says that her father received
a Patent for 600 acres of Land on account
of his services in the war of the Revolution
    over
Page 55

and that her father the said John
Kennedy died at Broadalbin Montgomery
County New York on the 10th day of June
1831 and that her mother the said Hannah Kennedy his widow never married
after the death of her said husband but
died his widow at Gaines in the County
of Orleans aforesaid on the third day of
May 1846 and that herself, Abigail
Mills and John Kennedy are the
surviving children of the said John & Hannah Kennedy both deceased.
That she has a family record and that
the death of her Parents is truly set down
therein & the entries of the time of their
death made therein about the time
or not long after the time of such death
She further says that said record is true
and accurate in all & every particular
so far as of her own knowledge she could know
and she has no doubt of its entire accuracy.
and that she has taken said Record
from the Bible to accompany this declaration 
of facts & for the sake of identity has
written her name on the same -
She makes this declaration in order
that herself brother & sister may obtain
the pension due their father & mother
at their death neither of whom ever
to her knowledge or belief received
a pension or applied for one
Page 56

Sarah Spencer
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 12th day
of April 1852 and I
certify that Mrs Spencer
above named affiant
is a Lady of respectability
& truth-
Arba Chubb justice
Orleans County ss
Alonzo Hewett being duly sworn says that
he was acquainted with Hannah Kennedy the
mother of Sarah Spencer that he was present at
her death - that he got her grave dug &
assisted at her funeral that she died the 3d
day of May 1846 in the town of Gaines in said
County & further saith not
Alonzo Hewit 
subscribed & sworn April
12 1852 before me
Arba Chubb Justice
.
STATE OF NEW-YORK.                          SS
ORLEANS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, 
I hereby certify that Arba Chubb  Esq. before
whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace
in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; and
that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that his signature subscribed
to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my Official
Seal, at Albion, this 24 day of May 1852
D.H. Cole
Clerk.
Page 57

        Sarah Spencer
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 12th day
of April 1852 and
certify that Mrs Spencer
above named affiant
is a Lady of respectability
& truth
Arba Chubb   Justice

Orleans County ss
Alonzo Hewitt being duly sworn says that
he was acquainted with Hannah Kennedy the
mother of Sarah Spencer that he was present
at her death-- that he got her grave dug &
assisted at her funeral that she died the 3d
day of May 1846 in the town of Gaines in said
County & further saith not
Alonzo Hewit
Subscribed & sworn April
1852 before me
Arba Chubb Justice
seal the Certificate over the
Riband if you please
Page 58

State of New York 
Secretary's Office 
I certify that it appears by the Military Register in this Office that on the first day of January 1777 John Kennedy enlisted as a Soldier in the 2d New York Regt. commanded by Col Philip Van Cortlandt Capt. Wrights Company to serve during the War, and that he was mustered to January 1782. 
And I further certify that Lot No 84 in in the Township of Manlius in the Military Tract containing 600 acres was granted to the said John Kennedy by Letters patent dated July 6, 1790 
[signed] Archd Campbell Dep Sec of State

fees 2/-