Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23222, Africa Hamlin, Mass.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass.
CONTENTS
Hamlin, Africa
Susanna
NUMBER
W.23222
B.L. Wt 933-150 - Ensign
Issued Apr. 19, 1792 to
John Peck assignee
No papers
name spelled African Hamlin
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No. 3648
Maine
widow of Susanna Hamlin decd
Africa Hamlin decd
who was pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the  __ 1808
of Oxford Co in the State of Maine
who was a Ensign in the Comp commanded
by Captain __ of the Regt commanded
by Col. Shepperd in the Mass
line for 2 yrs. Increased from $120
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 240 Dollars Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Terminating 16: Jany 1839. her death
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of July
1842 & sent to one Joseph Pope Esqr
Portland Maine
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838  480
allowance ending 16 Jany 
1839. 10 mo. 12 days
20796
 [total] 687.96
Act July 7
1838.
by Theo. Smoody Clerk,
Vol. 1, Page 12
Page 3

payable to Abigail Hamlin, Almira Jones, Susanna Kilgore & Lydia Wilkins children of decd 

For Report see letter to Pen. Agent, Albert Newhall Aug. 23d 1842 


omitted to be filed July 28. 1842-- as it was sent on that day

Let, J.J. Coombs, June 9, 1852
Page 4

State of Maine
County of Oxford
On this third day of September in the year
of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally
appeared before the Honorable Stephen Emery Judge of
Probate within & for said County of Oxford, at a Special
Court holden at the Probate office in Paris in said
County of Oxford for that purpose, Susanna Hamlin
a resident of Waterford in said County of Oxford, aged
eighty two years, who being first duly sworn,
according to law, doth on her oath, make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
July 7th, 1838 entitled An act granting half pay and
pensions to certain widows; that she is the widow of
Africa Hamlin late of said Waterford deceased, who was 
a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, & served
during the whole of the Revolutionary war in the capacity
of a Private & an officer with the rank of Lieutenant
for further proof of the service of her late husband she respectfully
refers to the evidence herewith furnished & to the room
& records of the war department, not being able to
State any thing more definite of her own knowledge - 
She further declares that she was married to the said
Africa Hamlin on the eighteenth day of October in the
year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty four; that
her husband the aforesaid Africa Hamlin died on ┃
the twenty-eighth day of January eighteen hundred & eight
that she was not married to him prior to his
the service, but the marriage took place previous
to the first of January, seventeen hundred & ninety
four to wit at the time above stated, & that she
now remains & ever has remained the widow of said
Africa Hamlin
Susanna Hamlin
Sworn to & subscribed by the said Susanna Hamlin
the day & year first above written
Before Stephen Emery, Judge
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State of Maine Oxford ss. 

I the subscriber Register of the Court of Probate for said County hereby certify that Stephen Emery before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the Court of Probate afore said. I also certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the application of Susannah Hamlin for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court the sixteenth day of October A.D. 1838 Levi Stowell
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Susannah Hanlin decd 
widow of Africa

for increase of Pension under act 7th July 1838 

J. J. Coombs Feb. 24th 1853
Page 7

STATE OF MAINE. CUMBERLAND, SS. 
Probate Office, 
PORTLAND, February 20 A.D. 1852 

I Freeman Bradford REGISTER OR PROBATE. In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that Hon Elbridge Gerry is an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. within and for the County of Oxford as appears by the paper hereto annexed, that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that the COMMISSION of the said Gerry is dated July 2 A. D. 1846 and will expire July 2 A. D. 1863. 

and that the following SIGNATURE, purporting to be his is GENUINE. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the SEAL OFFICIAL of said Court, the day and year first above written. 
Freeman Bradford Register.
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State of Maine Oxford County ss. 

On this second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Almira H. Stone a resident of Waterford in the County aforesaid aged sixty years who upon oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. 

And your declarant states that she is one of the surviving children of Africa Hamlin & Susanna Hamlin both deceased. She has reason to believe and doth verily believe that her late father was an officer in the Army of the Revolution. that he served to the end of the war and was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and died on the tenth day of January AD 1808. She further declares that her said father Africa Hamlin was a Pay Master in the Revolution the latter part of his service and that he ranked as a Lieut as she has reason to believe. She further declares that her mother Susanna Hamlin survived her father and remained a widow to the time of her death, and that she was placed on the
Page 9

pension roll of the Maine Agency under the act aforesaid at the rate of $240.00 per annum which pension she continued to receive to the 16th day of January 1839 the time of her death and that she was not married after the death of her husband aforesaid 

She further states that Abigail Hamlin, Poladore Hamlin, Almira H. Stone and Lydia Wilkins are the children and only surviving children of the said Susanna Hamlin deceased 

She therefore claims an increase of Pension as due her late mother Susanna Hamlin to be computed for his staff service in the Army of the Revolution, and she refers the commissioner to the original declaration of her mother now in the Pension Office in Washington, 
Almira A. Stone 

Oxford ss. Then personally appeared on the day and year first above written the above named Almira Stone and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her signed Before me 
Elbridge Gerry Just. Peace
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STATE OF MAINE. PROBATE COURT. Cumberland County, ss. 

Be it Known, That on this January sixth day of 1852 it has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That Susanna Hamlin late of Waterford was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, and that she died at said Waterford on the sixteenth day of January 1839.And that she is the widow of Africa Hamlin deceased, and that Abigail Hamlin, Poladore Hamlin, Almira H. Stone and Lydia Wilkins are the children and the only surviving children of said Susanna Hamlin, deceased, 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this Sixth day of January in the year 1852  

Freeman Bradford 
Register of Probate for Cumberland County.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Groton Aug. 17th 1838 

Extract from the records of the Town of Groton, County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid viz. "a list of Marriages returned by Rev. Daniel Chaplin to the Town Clerk of Groton One thousand seven hundred & eighty five October eighteenth, Africa Hamlin of Harvard to Susanna Stone of Groton " 

I hereby certify that the above is atrue   extract from the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "1785. Oct. 15

John Boynton Town Clerk of Groton 

I John Boynton, above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception of the date above named as certified by me 
John Boynton 

Middlesex ss. August 17. 1838. Then personally  appeared John Boynton known to me to be the a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the him subscribed foregoing by - 

Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace & Quorum in & for said County of Middlesex
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Middlesex County Ss 

I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid hereby certify that Bradford Russell Esq is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature within written is his genuine signature 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty fifth day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
   Isaac Fiske  Reg
the the word "August" now & "September" inserted by me. 
Isaac Fiske [Reg? or Esq?]
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Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 23222 
Susanna Hamlin Wid of Africa Hamlin 
Ensign Mass Line --- 

Act July 7th 1838 
Index: Vol. A, Page 317
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

1894 June 

Hist to R G Carter 
Mt Pleasant DC --- 
1894 Sept. 20 sent to Hon. H. F. Andrews Audubon, Iowa
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Maine 3648 

Susanna Hamlin widow of Africa Hamlin,decd   who was a pensioner under the Act of ---
and who died on the ---- 1808 of Oxford Co in the State of Maine who was a Sergeant in the Co commanded by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded by Col. Shepperd in the Mass line for 2 years 

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1839  & sent to Levi Whittman
Norway Maine - 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $360.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 39 60.00 --- 
$420.00 
Recorded by D.M. Curdy  Clerk
A. Vol 1. Page 12
Page 16

Letter to Levi Whitman 31 May '41 
"" Charles Whitman Nov 8 , 1841

let to Levi Whitmore
Feby 4, '41
Page 17

Africa Hamlin Ensign Mass. Bounty Land? 
   GMC

1 Feb 41 

Africa Hamlin is Returned on the list of Officers as an Ensign of the 4th Masstts Regiment- a Land Warrant issued to him assigned 
April 19th 1792 

W G
Page 18

Africa Hamlin Ensign Mass Line -  bounty land 27. July '42

Land Want W. 933, for 150 acres, and issued the 19th April 1782 to John Peek, assignee of Africa Hamlin who was an Ensign in the 4th Regt of the Massts [Massachusetts] Line

W.G
Page 19

Susanna Hamlin act 7 July 38 Me. Last pd?
Names of her children?  GrC
27 July '36

Died 16 Jany 1839 paid in the 3d Apr 1839

Abigail Hamlin 
Poladore Hamlin 
Almira Stone       the children
Susanna Kilgore 
Lydia Wilkins

6,7,9
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REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE. 
O. W. & N. DIV. 
MEMORANDA.

 Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below. 
Full name of soldier: Africa Hamlin Lieut 
Place of residence before service; (Town, county, and State, if possible.) Pembroke Mass. 
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.) Waterford, Maine
Date of death (as near as possible): 1808 - Christian name of widow: Unknown
Did either he or his widow receive a pension? think he did 

Remarks: was a member of Society of Cincinnatti 

Your name and address: R G Carter, USA 16th Lt Sxt'd near Park St
Page 21

Payment to be made 
at
by
Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of 
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year. 


Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Page by Vol. Clerk.
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Widow's Pension.
 I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Susanna Hamlin decd of Maine widow of Africa Hamlin decd who was an Ensign in the Revolution and died on the --- day  of 1808 was inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Two hundred & forty dollars and cents per annum, commencing on the 4 March 1836 and terminating on the  16 January 1809 when she died & payable to Abigail Hamlin
Poladore Hamlin Almira  Stone, Susanna Kilgore & Lydia Wilkins children of said Susanna Hamlin dec'd  [crossed out: 4th day of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married before the last mentioned date in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death]

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 28 day of July one thousand eight hundred and  [blank]
 Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.
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War Department Pension Office 
March 13. 1839 

Sir,I have examined the claim of Mrs Susanna Hamlin, widow of Africa Hamlin decd who claims for the services of her deceased husband, as an Ensign and Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Line 

The rolls of Col. Shepherd's Regiment, shew that Africa Hamlin enlisted for the war, Jany 1777 was promoted to a Sergeant Sept 1777 

I also find that he was paid as a Sergeant Major in 1781. After that period I do not find his name. I would therefore refer you to the
secretary of the Commonwealth of Massts [Massachusetts] for further proof of his service in a higher grade The final settlement of his accounts will shew his grade, The papers remain on file. 

I am respectfully, Your obt servt 
J L Edwards 

Mr Levi Whitman Norway Maine
Page 24

Sec'ys Office Boston
April 1. 1839 
Every document & paper containing evidence of service in Major [?unton?] troops in the Revolution subsequent to the year 1780 is in the possession of the Pension department at Washington 

John P. Bigelow Thomas 

[upside down]
J.L Edwards Bureau of Pensions

Mr. Levi Whitman
Norway, Maine
Page 25

July 27. 1842

S Hamlin '38
S. Dolen '32

Dep by Jos Pope
Portland Maine
Page 26

Susannah Hanlin or Hamblin had a pension certificate for the service of her husband, Africa Hamlin as Sergeant at the rate of $120 per annum under the act of July 1838. Her Husband was Ensign in Col Larnards Regt from Jany 1781 to the close of the War and was a member of the Cincinnati, said Susannah Hamblin died January 16. 1839 

Her children request a certificate of pension to be granted to them for what would have been due to her for the service of her husband as Ensign from March 4. 1836 to Jany 16. 1839- deducting what was paid for his service as Sergeant 

Mrs Hamlin was on the roll of the Maine Agency.- 
Joseph Pope
Page 27

I Alden Bradford of Boston, County of Suffolk & State Massachusetts, aged Seventy four years, and a member of the Society of Cincinnati in the said State of Massachusetts &  one of the standing Committee thereof & am well acquainted with the record & books of said Society & that the name Africa Hamlin is borne in said record, as a member thereof & of the rank & grade of ensign - that he is an original subscriber & member & that the said Society was reformed in May 1783 - & that none were members originally, but officers in the Continental army at that time
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line 

Alden Bradford 
State of Massachusetts Suffolk Co Boston, May 11th 1840. Subscribed & sworn to the before me 1
Henry Clark . Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Secretary's Office May 11. 1840 

I hereby certify that Henry Clark, whose name above is by him written, is a Justice of the peace for the County of Suffolk 

Witness the Seal of the State John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 29

Susanna Hamlin decd 
Me.
Act 7 July 38 Increased to 2 years Ensign 
$240 

from 4 March 36 to 16 Jany '39 the day of her death deducting what has been paid to to Abigail & Polodore Hamlin - Almira Stone Susan Kilgore & Lydia Wilkins children of Susanna Hamlin decd 
Jos. Popes Esqr
Portland  Me.
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office, July 5th 1842.

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Africa Hamlin is borne on Several Muster Rolls of the Field, Staff and Commissioned officers of Col Wm Shepard Regt for the month of August October, November and December 1781. and January 1782, as Ensign in Capt Simon Larned. Company, and on the Company Rolls for the month of August, Sept. October November 1781 and January 1782, on all which is borne the date of his Commission as Ensign January 1st 1781. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written 

John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 31

May 29 1841

Me
[Addesstt?]
Susan Hamlin

[on side]
Norway Me
May 24 1841    L E
Page 32

Norway Me. May 24th 1841 

James L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir I enclose you the deposition of Joseph Wardwell Esq in aid of the claim of the heirs of Mrs Susan Hamlin late of Waterford for an increase of the pension allowed her as the widow of Africa Hamlin. The names of the heirs are returned to your office, I presume, with the power of Atty for obtaining the pension allowed 

I observe the Justice has not given a certificate of reputation-- I think Judge Parris 2d Comptroller knows the witness & I presume will establish his reputation- I think there can be no reasonable doubt of Mr Hamlin's having been an officer as stated 

Very Respectfully your Obdt. Svt 
Levi Whitman 
P.S.  The reason of delay to forward this deposition was the expectation of further testimony
L. W.
Page 33

I Joseph Wardwell of Rumford in the County of Oxford & State of Maine of lawful age do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Africa Hamlin late of Waterford in said County deceased, & that said Hamlin was an Ensign in the Revolutionary War & that of frequently saw said Hamlin as Segt  during the last year of said War & have great reason to believe that he served in said war is an Officer for the space of the three years prior to the close of said War & I further say that I am eighty one years 
Jos. Wardwell

Oxford Ss 
Signed & sworn to on the twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & forty one. 
 Before me Lyman Rawson Justice Peace
Page 34

State of Maine Oxford County ss 

I Joseph G. Cole Clerk of the Judicial Court within and for the County of Oxford hereby certify that Lyman Rawson whose genuine signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Oxford 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Western District Court this thirty first day of March A.D. 1841 
Joseph G. Cole Clerk as aforesaid
Page 35

Jan 6 1841
Me. 
Add Pff [Additional proof]
Mary Whitman

[written sideways]
Norway, ME
Jany 1, 1841

Free
James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 36

Norway, Me, Debr 31st 1840 

Hon J. L. Edwards Esq

Sir 
Yours of the 2d inst, informing me that the names of Ebenezer Whitmarsh & Joshua Pool are not borne on rolls of Lt. Shaw as alleged by Pool in his deposition was received in due course of mail. 

I have seen Mr Pool who is of the age of 79 years & a man of undoubted veracity & he says his recollection is clear & that he was not mistaken - the service was performed in 1779 in Col. Sproat's regiment under Lt. Shaw - Mr Pool is himself a pensioner - his certificate is No 13335 recorded Book E Vol. 1 Page 43- perhaps by reference to the papers in his case you my obtain more satisfactory information
Page 37

I can furnish no further information as to the last term of service - you will therefore decide as you consider proper & right -

while I am writing to you I wish to inquire at the request of the heirs of the Mrs Susan Hamlin whether her children can now receive the pension to which she if living would be entitled 

you will find by reference to the papers in her case, that she applied for a pension as the widow of an officer & made what proof she could, but as you found no record of her husband being an officer the proof was not satisfactory to you 

Since the death of Mrs Hamlin her heirs have examined the Records of the Massachusetts Cincinnati society & find that he was an Ensign & a member of  that society- I enclose the deposition of Alden Bradford Esqr proving the fact -  will you please examine the case &  inform me on the subject 

very Respectfully your Obed Svt 
Levi Whitman
Page 38

Me Apl 22
addl Paper
Susanna Hamlin
7 July No. 3792


[written sideways]
Norway Me. 
April 17 1839

free

Hon. James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Dist. Col.
Page 39

Norway, Me. April 18 1839 
Hon. J. L. Edwards 

Sir I have forwarded the enclosed letter from you to Mr Bigelow secretary of State Massachusetts, & received it returned and ansd as you will notice - 

I can furnish no further proof & you will make the certificate as it ought to be under the evidence in your possession 

That Mr Hamlin served until termination of the war & was discharged as an officer as stated I have myself no doubt, but I can furnish you with no further proof of the fact 

He was until his death a member of the Cincinati [sic] Society of Massachusetts - you will have the goodness to make me return as soon as may be
Very Respectfully Your obt svt Levi Whitman
Page 40

2792 
Susanna Hamlin widow of Africa 
Maine 
Act 7 July 1838 

Married 1788 
died 1808 
Allow 2ys Sergeant 
Mass line Col Shepperd $120 per annum 

Gen Whitman Norway Me
Page 41

I Samuel Davis of Standish in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine being now in the seventy seventh year of my age, do testify depose and say, that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one, I was a Soldier in the service of the United States and at that time I was stationed at, and in the Neighborhood of West Point in the State New York. I at that time became acquainted with one Africa Hamlin who was, when I first became acquainted with him a sergeant Major in the service of the United States, and that in the same year he the said Hamlin was promoted to the office of Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Isaac Pope and the fourth Massachusetts Regiment, the same Company to which I belonged) and that he the said Hamlin remained an officer in said Company untill I was discharged from the service in December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three 
Samuel Davis 

Cumberland Ss  On the twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight him ed and thirty eight the aforesaid, deponent was examined and cautioned and sworn agreeably to Law to the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed, taken at the request of Susanna Hamlin and to by her need for the purpose
Page 42

I David Stone of Sweden, County of Oxford & State of Maine, aged seventy seven years on oath say that I was a soldier in the revolutionary war for the term of six months, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine; that I served in Capt. Holbrook's company, Col. Shepherd regiment; that when I entered the service the late Lieutenant Africa Hamlin of Waterford in said County of Oxford was Sergeant Major in the Regiment & said Hamlin continued to act as Sergeant Major until he said Hamlin was appointed to an office with the rank either of Ensign or Lieutenant - I further say that I returned from the service to my home in Harvard, County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & that said Hamlin returned to his father's house in said town of Harvard at the close of the war I understood that he continued in Commission until his discharge at the close of the war
David Stone 

State of Maine Oxford Ss
On the eighth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty- eight personally appeared David Stone, & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed & I hereby certify that said Stone is man of good reputation for truth

before me Levi Whitman Justice of the Peace
Page 43

I Thaddeus Brown of Waterford, County of Oxford &  State of Maine, aged seventy-eight years on oath say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary army for the term of six months in the year seventeen hundred eighty - that I served in Capt. Fowle's Company Col. Smith's Regiment & General Glovers Brigade - that while I was in the service the late Lieutenant Africa Hamlin was Sargeant Major in a Regiment in the same  Brigade - that after my discharge I left the Army returned to my home in Harvard, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & remained there until the termination of the war, & that at the end of the war said Africa Hamlin returned to his home in said Harvard, as I understood he held the commission of Lieutenant 
Thads Brown 

State of Maine Oxford SS 
on the eighth day of September in the year of our  Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight Personally appeared Thaddeus Brown a man of good reputation for truth and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed 

before me Levi Whitman Justice of the Peace
Page 44

State of Maine. Oxford County ss.

 I Thomas Clark, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that Levi Whitman Esquire, whose genuine signatures are annexed to the foregoing Depositions of David Stone & Thaddeus Brown, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Oxford 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this 16th day of October A D. 1838. 
Thomas Clark, Clerk of Oxford County Courts-
Page 45

of obtaining a pension from the United States & hereby certify that the deponent is a man of good moral character - and a [professor?] of Religion 
Green Cram Justice of the peace Cumberland County 

State of Maine Cumberland Ss. 

I Charles Fox Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Cumberland and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Green Cram Esquire is a magistrate, and duly commissioned to act as such, in & for said County; and that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas this thirteenth day of October 1838 

Charles Fox Clerk of the Judicial Courts in for the County of Cumberland