Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,089, for Samuel Marsh, Massachusetts
Page 1

[Form ID] (8--1776)
SERVICE [handwritten] Mass.
Marsh, Samuel
Mary
NUMBER [handwritten] N. 17,089
CONTENTS [Blank]
Page 2

[Title] New York  3301
-------
[Two columns - untitled]
Mary Marsh
widow of Samuel March           | Sec. State       
who was an Ensign                    | Nov. 1. 1/55.
In the Massachusely [sic] line    | [illegible]for A H. Markland
for 2 years                                 | Jan 12/56
=======
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of             | Hon. I.A. Hughston
240 Dollars                                                  | March 19/56
[illegible]nis per annum, to commence on | B F Wakefiels
the 4th day of March, 1843.                        | June 13 1836  Hon E, B Morgan
=======
Certificate of Pension issued the     | Oct. 1. 1856
sixth day of December 1843            | Sec. Int. Oct 20/56
and sent to J. C. Walworth               | Hon E. B. Morgan
Burlington                                        | Dec. 6./56
Otsego County                                 | Hon E. B. Morgan 
New York                                          | Dec 15/56
======== 
(Act of March 3, 1843.)
[R]ecorded in Book A
[illegible]Vol.1 Page 109
Page 3

State of New York 
Otego County [handwritten dividing mark] {} Ss

On this 25th day of December AD 1837
personally appeared before the Hon James
Watermouth Esquire one of the Judges of
the County Courts of the County of Otsego[.]
Mary Marsh a resident of the town 
of Laurens in said County aged 83 years
last July Who being duly sworn according to law maketh the following Declaration on her oath in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions
of the act of Congress passed July 4th
1836
That her maiden name was Mary
Southw[illegible]bl that she was Born in
the town of Elizabeth born in the state
of New Jersey in the year 1754
and that in or about the year 1774
she was lawfully married to James
Burnes in the City of New York and
that he died by drowning in the
North River in April 1779 and then
again in the year 1782 in the month
of April 22d day she was again lawfully
married to Johnathn Marsh in the town of
New Burgh in Orange County New York
by the Reverend John C Close
of New Winson of the Presbyterian order
and again that her husband was in the
United States Service in Col Pickerings
Regiment then stationed at New [illegible]
or in that vicinity and that this deponent
lived and worked in Col. Pickerings family
at the time she was married to the said
Samuel Marsh and that her said husband
continued to serve in said Col Pickerings
[continued on next page]
Page 4

[statement continued from previous page]

Regiment as a soldier and that he was sometimes sent on expresses by Col Pickering overland to do difficult jobs even when there was (military?) posts and personal [illegible],

and that this deponent from old age and the consequent loss of memory cannot recall States or what officers in Col Pickerings Regiment have to her husband served under and she well  [illegible - exuuottwot] that he was gone from home in the service in Col Pickerings Regiment most all the time until the war closed in the year 1783.

And that her husband Samuel Marsh
died in the month of January 1796 at
the town of Pitstown Rensselaer County
New York and was never on the
Pension list of this U. States
and that ever since his death she
this deponent has remained unmarried and is now the widow of the said Samuel Marsh

And from Bodily infirmities and old age this deponent is unable to attend the Courts

And previous to her marriage with the said Samuel Marsh [illegible] he served in the State of Massachusetts in Col Smiths Regiment and as she believes in other Regiment in the Massachusetts line for about two years under our Presigns Commissions and then
[continued on next page]
Page 5

[continued from previous page]
resigned and afterward was again entered again in Col Pickerings Regiment and in the year 1781 she thinks her husband went to Yorktown at the taking of Cornwallis in Col. Pickerings Regiment and that this Deponent has now was said husbands Commision since his death but that it was destroyed or lost but the annexed Certification from the Hon. J. C. Edwards and is now hereunto annexed will more fully explain the war service of the said Samuel Marsh on this Jan Revision in the War Office
and for further proof of how this deponents marriage to the said Samuel Marsh reference may be had to the annexed deposition of the Reverend John Johnston of the Church Records.
-----
Subscribed and sworn this 25th day of December AD 1837. 
Before me James C  Wal[illegible] (Walworth?)
Judge of Otsego County Courts 
^Deponent - Mary Marsh [signature]
-----
I testify that the word Southwell was altered never erased and the latter intertwined in the word service before it was sworn to
[signed] J. C. Walworth
Page 6

Otsego County Ss
I certify that from the evidence
have hereto annexed and from the
Interrogatories by me put to the above
woman Declarant and her correct.
answers to the same on her oath and
from my own personal knowledge
of this declaration of the above Declarant
Mary Marsh I am well convinced
that her said Declaration is substantially true and that from Bodily infermities she is unable to attend the Courts
J C Walworth Judge
of the County Courts
Page 7

State of New York | 
Otsego County      | Ss

Elizabeth Johnson of Laurens in said Co being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is the Daughter of Mary Marsh & Samuel Marsh mentioned in the annexed Declaration of the said Mary Marsh. That Deponent was born [in corrected] on the 29th day of November AD 1788, & that Deponent was about Eight years of age when her father, the said Samuel Marsh died. That she well
remembers him and that he died at Pittstown
Renseallor [sic] County N.Y. in the year 1796. That Deponent has ever since the death of her father resided with, and since she (deponent) married, in the neighbourhood of her mother, the said Mary Marsh, and that the said Mary Marsh has 
[known?] since the decease of her said husband, been again married, but has ever since, and now is the widow of the said [Mary - crossed out] Samuel Marsh, and further
Deponent says that very many times since the death of her said father (Samuel Marsh) she has heard her said mother Mary Marsh speak frequently about her said deceased husband (Samuel Marsh) serving in the Revolutionary Army, both before and after her marriage with him, and further
deponent says that years ago she has heard
the said Mary Marsh repeatedly say that said
Samuel Marsh served in the Revolutionary
army about a year after, and [soon - crossed out] did at the time of her marriage [illegible -saith?] to him and further Deponent says not

Subscribed and sworn        |  [signature] Elizabeth Johnson
this 25th day of December |
Elizabeth Johnson               |
A D 1837 before me James |
C Warmouth Judge of         |
Otsego County Courts        |

I Certify that I am well acquainted with
Elizabeth Johnson and that she is a credible
person and entitled to full benefits [illegible] 
J C Walworth [illegible] Judge [illegible initials.]
Page 8

State of New York |
Otsego County     | Ss

Benjamin F Wakefield
of Samens in said County being duly sworn
says that he is & has for many years past
been acquainted with Widow Mary Marsh
the person making the Declaration hereunto
attached, that she was the wife of Samuel Marsh
in his lifetime, and since his death has always &
now is the widow of the said Samuel Marsh
The person also mentioned in said annexed
declaration, that she has not since his death
again married. That she the said Mary Marsh
is of respectable character & reputation, and
unquestioned confidence may be placed in what
she may testify to. That she is poor, but by
her own industry though age, she has untill
within a short time previous hereto laboured
for her own support. And further deponent
says not.
Subscribed and sworn        | B. F. Wakefield
this 25th day of December |
1837 Before me James       |
Waterworth Judge of         |
Otsego County Courts       |
---
2
I Certify that I am well acquainted
with the above named with B.F.
Wakefield and that he is very credible
intelligent[sic] person and entitled to full
credit in his statements
J C Watworth Judge
of Otsego County
Page 9

State of New York
Otsego County Clerks Office of J. Jesse Rose Clerk of
said County do hereby certify that James O. Walworth
Esqr before whom the preceeding affidavits of Mary Marsh Elizabeth Johnson and D.S. Wakefield purport to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same a
Judge in & for Otsego County duly Commissioned Sworn
And further that I am well acquainted with the
Handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe his
names subscribed to the preceding affidavits & the annexed Certificate to he his genuine handwriting & signature

Witness my hand & seal of Office this
30th day of July AD 1838
Jesse Rose Clerk
[signature below]
Page 10

18 Dec 1853

Application for benefits
of act 1836, and also
increase [illegible] under said
act.
----
Mary March wid[ow]
of Samuel
NY 1838 and 1843
----
A. H. Markland
Page 11

State of New York |
Otsego County     | Ss

On this 18 day of December
in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight
hundred and fifty five, personally appeared
before Samuel S Boone Judge of the County
Courts in and for said County Brig Wakefield ┃
of Laurens in said County and State, who being duly sworn according to law maketh the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of
the Act of Congress approved 4th of July 1836
That he is the administrator of Mary Marsh
widow of Samuel Marsh who was an Officer
and an Express Rider in the war of the
Revolution That said Samuel Marsh was an
Ensign in the Massachusetts Line from the 13th
day of November 1776 untill [sic] the 16th day of
October 1778 After which time he was appointed
as an Express Rider by Col Timothy Pickering
Mr General of the United States Army and
continued to serve in that capacity untill the
close of the war. As he has been informed and
verrily believes. That Mary Marsh was lawfully
married to said Samuel Marsh on the 22nd day
of April 1782 and that her husband Samuel Marsh
died in the month of January 1796 for Evidence
of which facts he begs to refer to the declaration
made by Mary Marsh in her life time under
Act 4th July 1836 and also the declaration upon
which she was allowed a pension under Act 7th
July 1838 and 3rd March 1843. That said ----
Page 12

[continued from previous page]

Mary Marsh died on the 22nd day of July
in the year 1844, leaving the following named
Children, Samuel Marsh, Mary P. Cooley
Anny Boston & Elizabeth Johnson,
and that the following children are now alive
and the only living children of said Mary
March Evidence of which is hereunto attached
he hereby appoints and constitutes
A. H. Markland of Washington in the district
of Columbia Attorney to prosecute the said claim
of Mary Marsh decd
Sworn and subscribed the day and year
first above written
before me  |  B. F. Wakefield
Saml S. Bonne
County Judge
------
[Printed Form attached with handwritten entries]
STATE OF NEW YORK,             |
Otsego County Clerk's Office. |
----
I, William C. Fields, CLERK of
said County, and of the Court of Record therein, do hereby certify that
Samuel S Bowne Esquire,
was on the 18th day of December 1855
[a justice of the Peace - deleted] County Judge in and for the said County of Otsego, duly authorized to
act as such, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said [Jus-tice - deleted] County Judge and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.

In Testimony  Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal of the said County and of said Courts, at Cooperstown, this 18th
day of Dec 1855
[Signed by]
Wm C Fields  CLERK.
-------
Page 13

Mary Marsh died on the 22nd day of July
in the year 1844 leaving the following named
Children, Samuel Marsh, Mary P. Cooley
Amy Boston & Elizabeth Johnson,
and that the following children are now alive
and the only living children of said Mary
March Evidence of which is hereunto attached
he hereby appoint and constitutes
A. H. Markland of Washington in the district
of Columbia Attorney to prosecute the said claim
of Mary Marsh decd
Sworn and subscribed the day and year
first above written
before me        | [signed] B. F. Wakefield
[signed] Sam S. Bonne
County Judge
Otsego County
Page 14

State of New York }
County of Otsego }ss   In Surrogate's Court

I Hiram Kinne Surrogate of the County of
Otsego do certify that at a Surrogate's Court held in and
for said County on the eighteenth day of December in the
year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five it was proved
by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to said Court that
Mary Marsh widow of Samuel March deceased died at the town of New Lisbon in said County on the 22d day of July in the
year 1844 that she left the following named children
his surviving to wit Samuel Marsh Mary P Cooley Anna
Barton & Elizabeth Johnson and that they are her only child[-]
dren her surviving all of whom are over the age of twenty one years

And I further certify that Benjamin F. Wakefield of the
town of Laurens in said County has been duly appointed
administrator of the estate of the said Mary March deceased
and is duly authorized and qualified to act as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscri[-]
ibed my name and affixed the seal of
the said Court this 18th day of December
1855
Hiram Kinne Surrogate
Page 15

NV3695
Mary Marsh
widow of Samuel
Otsego Co. NY

Husbd [illegible] died January [illegible]  (1796?)

Married 22 apl 82 _
Ensign from 13 Nov 76
to 16 Oct. '78
____
+ Msg [illegible] remark? nss
25 Dec 1837
Page 16

In Matter of Mary
Marsh, Pension papers
Page 17

State of New York }
Orange County     } Ss

Densey Smith of Newburgh in
said County being duly sworn according to Law says
that she this Deponent is seventy one years of age that
Deponents Maiden name was Densey Corscadden, that De[-]
ponent, when young was married to Albertson Smith
whose widow she now is. Said Smith having died, that
in the year 1781 & since, until his death, Deponent was
well acquainted with Samuel Marsh, a part of the
time in Newbourgh, and with his wife (now widow) after her
removal to Pittstown. That Deponent was well
acquainted with the wife of said Samuel Marsh
her maiden name was Mary Southwick the said
Mary married one James Burns when young, that
said Mary & James lived together, untill [sic] they had
two Children, when about the year 1779 said
James was drowned in the Hudson or north river leaving
said Mary his widow, That after the death of
James Burns said Mary his widow resides
in New Burgh aforesaid to him, she became
acquainted with said Samuel Marsh who
was then a soldier in the Revolutionary Army
in the United States Service, living at a
Newburgh aforesaid. That sometime in the year
1782 (Deponent cannot recollect the month said
Samuel Marsh & said Widow Mary Burns were
Married at Newburgh aforesaid by the Reverend
John Close, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Deponent
well recounts the said Marriage of said Samuel &
Mary was present at & witnessed the ceremony
was one of the guests thereat, & at the time & before
was well acquainted with both of said parties,
with [illegible]bund said marriage of said Samuel & Mary
said Samuel Marsh was a soldier in the Revolutionary
Army and continued in such service after the marriage
[continued on next page]
Page 18

as such soldier until the close of the war in 1783. Deponent
cannot tell what Regiment said Samuel Marsh belonged
to. Deponent further says that their [sic] are several circumstances
which refreshes Deponents recollection in relation to the said
Marriage of said Samuel & Mary, & the fact of said Samuel
being and continuing in the Army as a soldier as aforesaid
of which circumstances the following are some, to wit
The fact that widow Mary Burns would marry a man at
the time a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, which was
much talked about in the neighbourhood among the acquaint[-]
ancies of said Mary. The fact that at the time of the
marriage of Said Mary & Samuel said Samuel Marsh
brought with him a band of Musick from the Army
which played for entertainment at the wedding and
the fact of the subsequent intimacy: after the war
between Deponent & Said Samuels families Deponents
husband was a Carpenter & so was said
Samuel & Sir Albertson & Samuel, worked
a great deal together on every intimate
all of which serves to the refer here Deponents recol[-]
lection of the facts above state, deponent further
says that said Mary Marsh (widow) has [illegible] visition
deponent in the death of said Samuel Marsh
and she remembers her well & further deponent says
not.
[signed] Densy X  Smith  ( X - her mark)

Subscribed & Sworn this 18th
day of July AD 1838, before
me and I hereby certify that
I am will acquainted with the
above named Densy Smith
the Deponent & that she is a very
Credible intelligent person and
Entitled to full credit in all her
statements. [Signed:] Jonas Storey Justee of the peace
Page 19

State of New York 
Orange County     ⎬Ss
John Johnston of Newburgh in said
County being duly sworn says that in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight hundred and seven he was
installed pastor of the United Congregations of Newburgh &
New Winsor in said County after the order of the Presby
terian Church of the United States, which said United
Congregations of Newburgh & New Windsor were of the same order to wit: Presbyterian - That this Deponent
then as Pastor of the said Congregations became possessed
of certain Records & Registers which continued in his possession until recently, and which are believed to be as they appear
to be the Records & Registers of the Presbyterian Church
of New Windsor from its formation, which was in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and Sixty four. And further this Deponent saith that
he has examined the said Records lately in his possession
as aforesaid once in the old Church Record of the
said Church of New Windsor which extends from
the year 1764. to the year 1796 giving the doings of
said Church, and the official acts of its several
Clergyman during that time, he found in said Book of
Records, in the Record of Marriages, the Record
of a Marriage in the words & figures following
to wit

"1782 April 22nd Samuel Marsh of Mass & Mary
Burns, widow of Newburgh," which said Record
was as he believes in the hand writing of the
Reverend John Close, who was at that time
Pastor or Clergyman of the said New Windsor
Church. And further this deponent saith, that
he has compared the above copy of the said Church
Record, with the original Record, and that it
[continued on next page]
Page 20

is an exact copy of the same, and of the whole
thereof. And further this Deponent saith that
he is now the Presbyterian Clergyman of
Newburgh, which was formerly Embraced in
the District of Country occupied by the New Windsor
Church, and further this Deponent says not -

Subscribed and sworn, this
18 day of July AD 1838 before | [signed] John Johnston
me, and I hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with the
above named John Johnston the
Deponent, and that he is a very
Credible, intelligent person, and
entitled to full credit in all his
Statements.
Story
head
[entire signature and title lined out].
Jonas Storey Justice of the peace

State of New York }
Orange County     } Ss. 
I, Lebbeuz L. Tait, Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County
of Orange, do certify that Jonas Storey before whom
the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn
was at the time of taking the same, a Justice
of the Peace in and for said County: and further
that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of the said Justice and verily believe

[continued on next page]
Page 21

that the signature to the said affidavits and
Certificate is genuine
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the said County, the 19th day
of July 1838
[An illegible circular stamp is alongside this statement]
-
[Signed] Lebbeuz L. Tait Clerk
Page 22

Samuel Marsh
W. File 17.089

Seven provision returns
issued in 1783 to the contractors
for New York & New Jersey
by Timothy Pickering, L.M.G.
and receipted by Samuel Marsh,
Express Rider; and
one receipted by John Kell.
Also two receipts for
money paid in 1782 by Timothy
Pickering, L.M.G. to Samuel
Marsh for carrying dispatches
have been removed
from said claim to be
sent to the War Department.


Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913

[Initialled] Alm
Mar. 18, 1911
Page 23

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
____
File No. ...17089
Mary Marsh
Widow of
Samuel Marsh
Express Rider Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: - Vol. M, Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

If the item of proof crossed off, as
no part of the proof to be examined, that
is relating to the service of Samuel
March in the main army under the
immediate command of his Excellency
Suel. [Genl.?] Washington, be considered by Col
Niles as an important item, I have a
copy in my own hand of that proof which
I can swear to ____ but I dont think
Col Niles will require it, or ask for
any further proof than I filed
Page 25

Let it be filed
with the case, In[illegible]
no one has a
right to limit
our search or
into any protest
whatever [illegible] age
our action
[illegible initials]
26 Mch 37

[The text above is overwritten with large handwritten notation - vertical to note above]
Official & Private
[underlined__________________]
Hon Ken. le. Thackery
Court of Pensions
Page 26

[Image shows an envelope with address, postage stamp and circular postal franking stamp]

[Address:]
Hon S. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.

[Circular franking stamp]
[mostly illegible - date may be JAN 2]
Page 27

Know all Men by these Presents, That I B. F Wakefield administrator of
the estate of Mary March---deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, she [was an -lined out] applicant for a pension from the State of New York do hereby constitute and appoint
ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested.
as also for and in behalf of all others interested in the claim or application for a pension as above mentioned
Witness my hand and seal, this 20th day of May- 1856

SEALED AND DELIVERED IN }
THE PRESENCE OF                }

I hereby annul & revoke any & all other
power of attorney & I request the Coms.
of Pensions to corrispond[sic] with Arad Joy
& to inclose to him the pension certificate
James
B.F. Wakefield Administrator.
Page 28

[Departmental envelope with handwritten notes inserted]
Envelope for Department of the Interior. Pension Office Official Business.

Notes:
Additional Evidence
Mary Marsh
Revolutionary

Presented by Hon.
E. B. Morgan  for 
Arad Joy, Ovid N. Y.
Page 29

[Note containing handwritten text]
Er3 Munyard m e

Saml. Cole Esq
Pension Office
Washington

[vertical handwritten text]
[faint handwritten text illegible]
Aror. Dec 6, 1806
Page 30

[Note with handwritten text inserted both vertically and horizontally]

[Vertical text:]
Mary Marsh - Savw[illegible]
N Y - w 1843

Ano Col. 1. 1886

[Horizontal text:]
[stamp] FREE
E B Munyan [illegible title] Mc
[address]
Law Cole Esq
Lf. Cln. Pension Office
Washington
D. C.
Page 31

[Note with handwritten text inserted both vertically, horizontally and upside down]

[Horizontal text]
Hon E. B. Morgan
[circular stamp]
OVID - N. Y.
SEP 19

Mary Marsh - 
Saml. 11-w 1843

[illegible] Col. Miles
____

A. Joy.

[Vertical text]
Hon J. C Minol
Con of Pens.
Washington D.C.

[Stamped] FREE
Page 32

this man was an Express Messenger[underlined] to carry 
gold fc and clearly not entitled as an
enlisted Express rider, it was purely a coin
contract & if paid for at all was paid.
Conl James ----
Page 33

[Pre-printed form with handwritten inserts and stamps]
[Note-top corner] Wid files

[Form ID:] 8 -- 079.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER,
[Date] .......................190....
No. Claim,...
Cert. No. 17089
Claimant, Mary
Soldier, Saml Marsh
Co....'.....Reg't......
Mass Line
ACTION AND ORDER:
Papers please
Marsh

[Rectangular stamp 1]
To Chf.   ____ Div.
Action....
---
[Date] OCT 9 1909
COMMISSIONER'
---
[Rectangular stamp 2]
ADMITTED FILES
Oct 9, 1909

Commissioner.
1838b5m10-08
Page 34

V3695 --- N. Y.

Set. to Hon. J. H. Prentiss, 16 Augt.
1838.
to same 8 March 1839
to same 21 May 1839
to same 25 Feb 1840
to same 26 Feb 1840.

Act. July 1836
Page 35

[Letter dated] Ovid July 22d 56
Sir, 
I inclose a power of attorney
from B.F. Wakefield Adminis[-]
trator of the estate of Mary March
deceased late a pensioner of New
York, as the widow of Samuel Marsh
late an Express Rider, and I ask
if it is sufficient to constitute
myself as the lawful attorney in the
case, & whether your Department
hereafter will consider me as such
attorney; I am urged by the adm[-]
inistrator to act as such attorney
I am Sir respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Arad Joy

[illegible] Ronf Minch
Comd.
Page 36

No. 8183
New York (Albany) Role
---
Mary Marsh, [illegible] who is the
widow of Samuel, who was an
Express Rider under Gen.
Pickering 2 [&?] M.G.
___
Ad Act July 4, 1836
___

2 years Express Rider
$480 per Ann
--
Co March 4, 1831.
to July 22,1844, when
the order, deducting from pay
made under Act July 7, 1838, and
3rd 1843 & June 17, 1844 at $240
per annum__

To Benj F. Wakefield, Administrator
use [illegible] Samuel Marsh, Mary P. Cooly,
Ann Barton & Elizabeth Johnson &
children &__

Thomas
Lumpkin
Present }
Page 37

[Letter address & Date]
Washington
March, 27, 1856

B.F. Wakefield Esq.
Dr Sir
I should
have said this before now
& would have done so
but that I was neglected
& called away from
the city. I saw Mr. Mealy[illegible]
land this morning &
be assures me he will
furnish me with the
evidence within desired
by to monous[sic] (testimony?), & will
then see the matter
Closed soon as may
be [signature illegible]
Couns
A. Hughton
Page 38

[Letter address and date:]
Pension Office,
March 19, 1856.

Sir,
In reply to your communication of the
18th instant, I have the honor to state that
 the administrator upon the estate of Mary Marsh
applied for an increase of allowance for the benefit
of her surviving children, on the ground that her
husband performed service in the revolutionary war,
in the capacity of Express Rider, in addition to the
service as Ensign for which she was pensioned under
act of July 7. 1838 and its supplements. This claim for in[-]
crease was suspended, and the agent (H. H. Markland)
so informed on the 12th ultimo, for the reason that no
evidence of such alleged service has been adduced; nor
does any exist among the records of this office.
I am, very respectfully
Your obt. Servant,
Minot
Commissioner

Hon. J. A. Hughston,         }
House of Representatives }
Page 39

I wish this to be filed with the
case of Mary Marsh, and of Saml.
I only envisi[on] the north as "off &
private" so as it may reach the Com-
missioner' eye:
[illegible initials]
Washington D.C
March 25th 1837.

Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Commr. of Pensions
Sir, you informed me at
my last interview with you that Mr.
Markland had written to the Hon.
Lacy of the Interior, that the claim
which Mr. Arat Joy & myself are
prosecuting before your Dept. by
the increase of pension due the chil-
dren of Saml Marsh as an Express Rider
was without merit, or that he could
show that the service was not[underlined] military.
Whenever this very wise[underlined] man, who
has taken upon himself to enlighten[underlined]
[continued on next page]
Page 40

the sale intitled [sic] of you and of our
Corps of Clerks shall adduce the
proof sharing that[underlined] service to be
Civil & not Military, and he will
allow me to be heard, or those I
represent, and your mind is then
made up against the claim, in Gods
name let the case be discarded, but
sir, I cannot suffer interlopers to
step in and prevent or try to
thwart the course of justice, particularly
one who induced the party claiming
to take the case out of my hands and
give it to him saying he could get
it allowed easily, and when failing
so to do, then attempt, as he has done
to Kill it. I must protest in conclusion
against this case being held up any longer
even if it should disulan[illegible](displace?) [illegible initials]
James Reid[illegible]
[illegible] Chaplain[?]

[continued on next page]
Page 41

[continued from above]

Apl, 12, 1839
Page 42

State of New York }
Otsego County      } Ss
Town of Laurens    }
Daniel Richardson of
Davenport Delaware County being duly Sworn
says that he this deponent become acquaint-
ed with Samuel Marsh a Revolutionary Soldier
after and before he was married to (Widow)
Mary Burns. That he has before made an
affidavit for Mary Marsh Widow of said
Samuel Marsh now deceased in Relation
to her application for a pension. That in
addition to the facts in said affidavit contained
which facts Deponent well recollects this depo-nent further testifies, That said Samuel Marsh
was an Ensign in the State of Massachusetts, from
which State the said Marsh Came to Newburgh
and then again went into the service as a Soldier
as this deponent now recollects (but owing to the
length of time since deponent Cannot be positive)
in the 2nd Regiment under the command of
Col. Tupper. That after doing service some
time in Col. Tuppers Regiment said Marsh
being found to be a trusty man, and faithful
to the interest of his County was taken or
Selected by Pickering as an express to carry
money from place to place for the benefit of
the Army then located in different parts of
the County, but during which time deponent
did not understand that his said Marsh's grade
was more than a private Soldier, and being
found to be a faithful and trusty soldier he
was selected by Pickering for the purposes
aforesaid, and Deponent further says that
during the time said Samuel Marsh, was
not carrying Expresses &c for said Pickering
he performed Service in the Army as a
Soldier in the Regiment aforesaid as depo-
nent recollects, and deponent further says that
he understood that said Pickering belonged while
at Newburgh to the Quarter Master Department
but that he was called Colonel, and this deponent

[continued on next page]
Page 43

[continued from previous page]

understood that he held a Colonels Commission
and he was the person by whom the said Marsh
was taken out of the Ranks of the army by
and sent as an express as aforesaid, and
Deponent further says that he was well
acquainted with said Samuel Marsh both
before & after his marriage as aforesaid
that both before & after his marriage said
Samuel Marsh Continued in the service
as a soldier as aforesaid, and was in
the army as aforesaid, all the time
said Deponent knew him said Marsh
until the close of the war in 1783. and
further this deponent says not

Sworn & Subscribed this 10th day of
1839. Before me and I do                   | [signed] Daniel Richardson
duly Certify that the Deponent said
said Daniel Richardson is a man of
Credit and full confidence and
credit is & is due to his
Statement under oath-
[signed] Walter Fitch Justice of the peace

State of New York
Otsego  
County ⎬ Ss
I Jesse Rose clerk of said
County do hereby certify
that Walter Fitch Esquire before whom the foregoing
affidavit purports to have been sworn was
on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of
the peace in and for said County duly Elected
and sworn and authorized to take the same
and further that I am well acquainted with
the hand writing of said Justice and verily
believe his signature affixed thereto is genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office
this 12th day of April 1839
Jesse Rose Clerk
Page 44

[Initials illegible]
Caveat
Page 45

I wish the pension department not to recognise
A H. Markland of the City of Washington DC or J.A.
Hughton of the House of Representatives as my attorneys
to prosecute the claim of Mary Marsh to [illegible] amass of
pension by virtue of the service of her late husband
Samuel Marsh as Express in the Revolutionary service
and I hereby revoke and annul the powers of Attorney heretofore given them

Laurens May 20th 1856
B F. Wakefield Administrator
Page 46

July 1835

Hon. J. H. Prentiss
[illegible initials]
Page 47

State of New York  }
Otsego County       }

On this 6th day of February AD 1839
Daniel Richardson a Resident of Devenport
in Delaware County aged 76 years being first
duly sworn according to law deposeth and says
that he is a Revolutionary pensioner of the United
States and that he well knew Samuel Marsh
in the Revolutionary war in 1776, 1777 & 1778 in
the State of Massachusetts and that he was
then an Ensign he thinks in Col Smiths Regiment
and again in the year 1781 & 1782 he this
deponent served in the army of the United States
on the Hudson River in the State of
New York where he again know Samuel Marsh
at or near New Burgh and that he was attached to
Col Tuppers Regiment as this deponent believes
this deponent belonged to Col Patersons
Regiment at the same place and the said
Samuel Marsh was married to the widow
Mary Burns in April 1782 and that there
was a band of Music Taken from the Corps
of Artillery and played for the wedding
and that Samuel Marsh was after that
Taken into the service under Col Pickering
in the Quarter Master department and then
served One year and some months to the close
of the war and this deponent well recollects
that the said Samuel Marsh was often selected
after his marriage by Col. Pickering to send
as an express through the wilderness to
Philadelphia for money and supplies for the
Army and that he was considered a
men of great bravery and a very[sic] thorough
man and that he was in several engagements
and when the knews[sic] of peace came Col
Pickering sent him Samuel Marsh Express
in the Knight[sic] to carry the confirmation of
Peace to Governor George Clinton
to Poughkeepsie and on that night in
Page 48

[continued from previous page]
he asx[illegible] that his first child was born which
was a daughter and this deponent well
recollects that he frequently saw Samuel
Marsh in the service untill [sic] the close of
the war after his marriage and that
his wife remained in Col Pickerings family
untill the close of the war as deponent
believes
[Signed by:] David Richardson

Sworn and Subscribed
this 6th day of February
AD 1839 before me
Walter Fitch Justice of the Peace


I Certify that Daniel Richardson who subscribed
the above affidavit I am well acquainted with
and that he is a credible person and
Entitled to full credit
[Signed by:] Walter Fitch | Justice of
the Peace

State of New York }
Otsego County   Ss }  I Jesse Rose Clerk of said County
do hereby certify that Walter Fitch Esqr before whom
the above affidavit purports to have been sworn
was on the day of the date of the same a Justice
of the peace in for said County duly Elected &
qualified and that I am well acquainted with
the Handwriting of said Justice and verily believe
his name subscribed to the above certificate of affidavit
his genuine Signature
Witness my hand & seal of office
8th day of February AD 1839
Jesse Rose Clerk
Page 49

State of New York,
Otsego County ss ⎬ I, Jesse Rose clerk of said County
do hereby certify that Walter Fitch Esqr before whom
the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn
was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of
the peace in and for said County duly Elected
and qualified and further that I am well
acquainted with the hand writing of the said
Justice and verily believe his name subscribed
to the annexed affidavit and certificate of credibility
to be his genuine handwriting and Signatures
Witness my hand seal of office
this 8th day of February 1839.
Jesse Rose Clerk
Page 50

[Circular stamp in top-left corner - illegible]
[Horizontal text:]
Mary Marsh

Issue Dup: Cert.
[illegible] Again
[Initials] J D W.

Hon. J. H. Prentiss
[initials] H R.

[Vertical text - overwrites horizontal text]
Hon J. H. Prentiss H. R
Washington D. C.

[Vertical text - upside down]
FREE [Stamp]
18 May 1840
Page 51

State of New York }
Otsego County     } Ss
Benjamin F. Wakefield of
Laurens in said County being duly sworn deposeth and
saith that he has acted as the agent and correspondent
of Mary Marsh in procuring a pension under the
widows pension act. That he is informed by a letter
from the Hon. J. H. Prentiss that a certificate
was granted to said Mary Marsh on the 27th
day of March last past and forwarded by said
Prentiss to this deponent at Laurens in said
County. And this deponent further saith
that he has never received said certificate or
and certificate relating to said pension nor
has any communication with a certificate
enclosed been received at the post office
at Laurens directed to this deponent
as he is informed by the post master at
Laurens and believes to be true and
further this deponent saith not
Subscribed and sworn
this 18th day of May 1840 B F. Wakefield
Before me
L.S. Chatfield Commissioner of Deeds
Page 52

State of New York }
Otsego County     } Ss

I Abel Morse Post Master
at Laurens in the County of Otsego, do hereby certify
that no letter or other communication with a certificate
or other paper enclosed was received at said Post Office
addressed to Benjamin F. Wakefield of Mary Marsh between
the 27th day of March last past and the date hereof
May 18th 1840
[signed:]  Abel Morse  P. M
Page 53

State of New York }
Otsego County      } Ss
Mary Marsh of Laurens
in the County of Otsego being duly sworn
deposeth and saith she is a pensioner to whom
a certificate [sic] was issued on the 27th day of March
last as she is informed by a letter addressed by
J L Edwards Esq. to the Hon J H Prentiss of the
House of Representation of May 7. 1840 And this
deponent further saith that she has never Rec[-]
eived said certifficate nor any certifficate
relating to her pension from the pension office
at Washington and she is informed by the Past
Master at Laurens that no communication due
cited to her has been received at the post office
at Laurens since the said 27th day of March
last past and further this deponent saith not
Subscribed and sworn
this 18th day of May 1840 | [signed:] Mary Marsh
Before me -------
L.S. Chatfield Com.. of Deeds
Page 54

State of New York }
Otsego County      } Ss
I Jesse Rose Clerk of the said County
Do hereby certify that Levi S. Chatfield esq
before whom the annexed affidavits purports to have been sworn
was at the date thereof a Commissioner of Deeds in & for the
County of Otsego duly commissioned & sworn and duly
authorized to administer oaths. And further that I am well
acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner 
I verily believe his name subscribed thereto is his genuine
Signature. Witness my hand & seal of office this
18th day of May A.D. 1840-
Jesse Rose Clerk
by Thomas Pearlee Deputy
Page 55

[Letter dated:]  May 18 1840
Dear Sir
I received your letter under date of May 7th
with the communication of Mr Edward of
the pension office stating that the certificate
granted to Mary Marsh had been forwarded

I have never received the certificate and
in compliance with the direction of Mr. Edward
I found the enclosed affidavits in order to obtain
a new certificate. If you will take the
trouble to see that the affidavits are presented
at the Pension office with your certificate
that the paper was forwarded you will very
oblige
Your obt Sevt.
B. F. Wakefield

I certify that the Pension Certificate referred
to in the forgoing affidavits, was [ineligible]
by me for the Comissioner of Pensions
J. L. Edwards Esq. about the time of its date,
and by me was transmitted though the mail to the
address of Benj. F. Wakefield, Laurens, Otsego, 
N. York  [Signed:] M. H. Prentiss.
of the H. of Reps. [underlined]
May 22, 1840. [underlined]
Page 56

Extract from Vol 3 of Ancient manuscripts, the same Vol and manuscripts have several times been in
the pension office, and extracts there made from
it and accepted and certified as original, auth[-]
thentic manuscripts, in the hands of Arad Joy of Ovid N Y
======
[page below divided into 3 columns: Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 || ]

[Col 1]   | Filed  ||
[Col 1] Vol 3, Page 35 | "Waste Book of Timothy Pickering
"Quarter Master General 1782
"Septr. 1782"

[Col 1] Page 35 " 'trv" | "Andrew Dunscomb Dr to cash for 1480 Dollars
" In Mr Morris' notes 940
" Bank notes 20
" Gold 520 sent him
" by Sam.l Marsh express this day | 1,480 ||
 
[Col 1] " See loose [illegible]rec of chasillineand[illegible] "mache Sept 19 1782}   | " Mr. John Keefe late A. D. 2. M Dr. to cash" for one 80 dollar note of Mr  Morris sent him this day by Samuel Marsh Express | 80 ||
 
[Col1] " 'tr | "Sam'l Marsh Express Dr to cash for nine dollars "6th" | 9 ||

[Col 1] " 'tr v | "Sami Marsh Express Dr to cash for 4 dollars | 4 ||

[Col 1] Page 40 | Page headed " June 29 1782" || 
[Col 1] "Ch'd to " | "28th" ||
[Col 1] " P.A " |  ||
[Col 1] " 'tr, | "Paid Samuel Marsh Express one dollar on acct. | 1 ||

[Col 1] Page 43 - | Page headed " June 13 1782" |  ||
[Col 1] 'tr, | "Paid Samuel Marsh Express rider on account | 16 ||
[Col 1] " v " | "Paid Peter Anspach (by the hand of Samuel Marsh)} |  ||
[Col 1] "tr" | Express eighty hard dollars, & one hundred dollars }in bank notes } | 180 ||

[Col 1] Vol 3: Page 431 |
[Col 1 - to  Col 2 and 3] "Dr Col Timothy Pickering in private account with Samuel Hodgson Cr"
[Col 1 - 2] 1783 Samel. By cash rec'd  f Samuel Marsh in Notes | 200 ||
[Col 1] Page 425 |"1783 June 4 To Cash forwarded by Saml. Marsh 200 ||
[Col 1 -2 3 ||]  "Dr Col Timothy Pickering 2.M.G  In a compliance[?] with Samuel Hodgdon A.2.m for cash Rec'd & forwarded Cr
[Col 1] Page 436 | "1783 June 3 By Cash forwarded by Sam.l Marsh | 4100 ||
Page 57

State of New York }
County of Seneca } Ss
Arad Joy of Ovid New York after
being duly sworn according to law, deposed and says that
he writes the within extract, and that they are true ext[-]
racts according to his best understanding and belief,
and that the extract from Vol 3 of manuscript,
deponent has several times presented at the
Pension Office, from which extracts have there
son made [signed by:] Arad Joy

Sworn and subscribed before me
this 30th day of July 1856
Cordis Dunlop Justice of the
Peace in & for Seneca County

I certify that I compaised the within extracts with the
original manuscrips in his hands, and then to be true
extracts. I further certify that Arad Joy above mentioned
is a respectable person and a trustworthy witness, & I
verily believe has sworn to the truth only, I
[remainder of affidavit is obscured by the certification statement below:]

State of New York, }
Seneca County Clerk's Office.   }SS.
I, ISAAC FULLER, Clerk of said County of Seneca, and also Clerk of the
County Court thereof, the same being a Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that ...
Gordis Dunlap Esq before whom the annexed
Affidavit of Arad Joy -----
purports to have been sworn, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said
County, duly qualified, and authorized by the laws of said State, to administer Oaths and
Affirmations generally. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said
Justice, and verily believe his signatures to the annexed Certificate and Jurat to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this 31st day of July 1856
[signed:] Isaac Fuller Clerk.
Page 58

State of New York }
County of Seneca } Ss
Arad Joy of Ovid New York after
being duly sworn according to law, depose and says that
he wrote the within extract, and that they are true ext[-]
tracts according to his best understanding and belief,
and that the extract from Vol 3 of manuscript,
this deponent has several times presented at the
Pension Office, from which extracts have there
on made
[Signed:] Arad Joy

Sworn and subscribed before me
this 30th day of July 1856
Cordis Dunlop Justice of the
Peace in and for Seneca County

I certify that I compaired the within extracts with the
original manuscrips in his hands, & found them to be true
extracts. I further certify that Arad Joy above mentioned
is a respectable person and a trustworthy witness, & I
verily believe, has sworn as sworn to the truth only, I
further certify that I have no part in the agency of
this claim, nor have I any interest in it -
Gordis Dunlay Justice
of the Peace in for
Seneca County
Page 59

[text on page mostly faint and illegible]

James Marsh
Express Rider
--------------
Cat Notes
=======
Page 60

[Doc Title centered] Proof

[First paragraph divided in two columns\
[col 1] Col Pickerings Boky [sic] Estimates Page 15.
[col 2] "Estimates of Tents and Knapsack for the 
main army, 1781."
Express riders |1/2 wall tents = 3 | Common Tents = 1

[Second paragraph] entire content crossed out [deleted]

[Third paragraph]
Sep 30, 1781 | P. Auspach to Col Pickering, Phil. Sep 30 1781.
  [do]             | xxx "as soon as I can obtain as much
                     | cash as will be Marsh's expense, shall
                     | send him off with a thousand blank spare
                     | certificates".
Sep 26, 1781 | P. Ampach to Col Pickering, Phil - Sep 26 1781.
  [do]             | xxx "this should have forwarded by 
                     | Marsh the express but could not obtain 
                     | a farthing of money to bear his expenses", xx
Page 61

[First paragraph divided into 2 columns]
[para 1:] Oct 11, 1781. | " Public Service
"  | Col Tim Pickering 
 " | L.M.G.
 " | J. S. Marsh.  Head Quarters.
 " | P. Anspark to Col Pickering, Phil. Oct 11, 1781
 " | x x x "Samuel Marsh the bearer has
 " | one thousand blank spaie[illegible] certificates x x x
 " | x x x x shall not be above five or six days
 " | after Marsh."

[Second paragraph divided into 2 columns]
[blank] | 1782
Old Ms.      | Dr. "Peter Anspach,
Vol3. p268. | " To Timothy Pickering, L.M.G.

[Third paragraph divided into 4 columns. Col 1 heading = Date | Col 2 heading = blank | Col 3 heading = Dollars || Col 4 heading = 10th]
1782 |
Mar 22 | To cash for Samuel Marsh for 2pr leather Breaches & 3 pr yarn hose del'd by D. Wister || 12 | 30/"
May 13. | To Ditto for Samuel Marsh for horseshoeing  || [blank | 45/"
June 19 | To Ditto remitted by Samuel Marsh in bank notes 100 Ds [$s] and cash 80 Ds [$s]  || 180 | [0 cents]
July 8.    | for Samuel Marsh for amt paid him 14th June Cash || 16 | 0
Dec 25.  | To Ditto paid to by Samuel Marsh for amount used by him by S. Miles , 15th Oct last || 5 | 0
1783.
Jan 28.   | To Ditto paid of xx [illegible] Samuel Marsh in Sep, Oct. & Nov last. || 54 | 32
January | To Ditto paid of to the following person during this present month for sundry articles of clothing delivered them by Christ of Mary. Viz Samuel Marsh, 11, 7 || blank | blank
Blank | x  x  x  x  x  x ||
Page 62

1783
[Paragraph divided into 4 columns. Col 1 heading = Date | Col 2 heading = blank | Col 3 heading = Dollars || Col 4 heading = cents]
Jany 28. | To cash paid jen[intelligible] to Samuel Marsh cash adv. him 15th Oct last by J Milan.  || 2 | "/"
ditto  | To ditto paid Jn [illegible] Wills for him [illegible] 15th Oct cash G S. Mills || 5 | "/"
ditto | To ditto paid [intelligible] to Samuel Marsh in the month of Sepr & Oct last || 12 | 11/"
Blank | Deduct 12 11/100 Dollars, being the amount considered by Peter Murpash & Henry Dently by whom I xxx[illegible] said fee advanced to Samuel Marsh and xxx by the Quarter Master General. || 12 | 11/"

[remainder of page reduced to 2 columns - no headings]
Col Pickering Book & [illegible] page 95.85 1782. | 
An Estimate of the persons & deponents remaining
for age with the claim any, and of the
quantities no pay for them during the
[illegible] Campaign 1782.
Guides & Expenses must be provided for, six
of each will probably be reached during the Campaign


6 Guides each finding himself a horse
at 10/- [shillings] per day is north [British pound symbol] 90.0.0 [Pounds. Shillings. Pence.]
6 Expresses the (the public finding them horses)1/6 [1 Pound and 6 shillings] ($1.25) each per day  6p. 10. 0
Per Mth th [British Pound symbol] 157. 10
for 8 months [British Pound symbol] 1260.0.0

Page 71. | Rations usually drawn or allowed: Expresses each one.
Page 87. | Riding and both horses.  Expresses. Six.
Page 63

[Two columns - Date | Notes-Letters]
1782 |
June 5. | Peter Anspach to Col Pickering June 5, 1782. New Windsor.
| Sir, 
| Here we are without a farthing of money  - have been running about town for near two hours before I could borrow even as much as four dollars to enable this bearer (who is charged with dispatches of importance from Head Quarters to travel to Philad--" 

June 9th 1782. | "Col Pickering CMG.
 |
 | Sp S. Marsh. Philada- "
 |
 | "Sir,
 | Marsh is just agoin to eat
 | out without a farthing of money. You will
 | therefore please to pay him at Philadelphia for
 | going down & coming back, but how he will get 
 | along with a copper in his pocket, I do not know.
 | I am Sir,
 | Your most Obedient Serv
 | (signed) Peter Anspach
 | Col Pickering June 9th 1782, "
 | L M [illegible initials?].  (New Windsor)
 |
June 24,1782 | Peter Anspach to Col Pickering, New Windsor, June 24, 1782.
 | Dr Sir,
 | Going this 14th with S Marsh
 | with One hundred & eight dollars came to hand.
 |  x    x    x    x 
 | Your assist most Obd Servant
 | Col Pickering.  (Signed) Peter Anspach.
 | Lualds, [illegible]
 | (Philadelphia)
Page 64

[Page has two columns - Date/Page No. | Notes]

 | "Waste Book of Timothy Pickering
Old Mps | Quarter Master General. 1782."
W 3/60 | Previously filed
1782 | 
June 14. | Paid Peter Anspach by the hands of Samuel 
Page 43. | Marsh Express eight hard dollars and 
               | one hundred dollars in bank notes.
June 14.  | Paid Samuel Marsh express rider
Page 43. | on account $16
June 28.  | Paid Samuel Marsch Express, one dollar on acct.
Page No
Sep 5.     | Andrew Dunscomb Dr to cash for 1480 dollars
J page 35.| sent him by Samuel Marsh express this day.
Sep 5.     | Mr John Keese, late A. D. M. Dr to cash for 
page 35, | one 80 dollar note Mr Morris sent
               | him this day by Saml Marsh Express.
Sep 5.     | Saml Marsh Express to cash for nine dollars.
Sep 6. page 35 | Saml Marsh Express to cash 4 dollars.

                | Extracts from Col Pickering Letters
Letter Book | Mr Peter Anspach.
K. p. 31.   | Philadr. June  14, 1782.
June 14, 1782 | After paring down my demands
time after time, I have at last been obliged
to ask simply for a small supply for contingencies
at the office. By Marsh, who is the bearer
of this I send you one hundred dollars
in small bank notes, and eight dollars
in cash: by Dember who will I expect leave
this next Monday, I shall send you a
trifle more, these will enable you to send
off an express or defray any other small and
[continued on next page]
Page 65

indespensible charges, until I can obtain
a further supply, for which I am encouraged
to hope.
I have paid Marsh $16 on his own
account for which he is to settle with you.
X X  X  X  X   X
The unlooked for destruction of your trade, and
the considerable delay of the State in ability
their taxes, have received[illegible] all these
embarrassments[illegible].

He, (Mr Morris) nevertheless does by no
means defain. All the engagements I have
made he will enable me to fulfill eventually.
They are not to be considered as old debt
but paid as such [illegible] as [illegible]. can supply [illegible]
men[illegible] for which he encourages me. I have,
and [illegible] my stay here.
I will write you & others by Courier
I am your obedient servant
Your friend & lender[illegible]
(signed) Tim Pickering, Esq.

[2 columns | Letter]
Letter Book | Mr. Peter Auspach
R. S. 65        | Philadelphia, June 28, 1782
June 28.th "82| Dr Sir,
                     | I have received your faconn[illegible] of this 
                     | 24th by Marsh.  x  x  x x  x x   xx
                     | I am Do [ditto?]
                     | (Signed ) Tim Pickering, DMG."
Page 66

[Page contains 2 columns: Col 1 date and reference data, | Col 2 Letters and notes.]

Letter Book  | Colonel Neilson DMn
K. p.167.       | New Windsor, Aug 24' 82 evening
Aug 24th, 82 | x   x   x   x
                     | P. S. The Commander in Chief deciding[?] to
  | Six relays of horses at Morristown and
  | Trenton, to expedite the conveyance of expresses
  | from Camp to Philadelphia and back. If you
  | can obtain a couple of said horses of each
  | [illegible] flush[?], it will do. I have desired this
  | Forman to inform you whether he can provide
  | two for Morristown; should the rider,
  | who is entrusted with the despatches fail,
  | by sickness or accident, you will in that case
  | furnish an express as well as horses. --
  | Plan to favor me with an [illegible] answer[?] on
  | the subject.
  | (Signed) S. Pickering M.G.

Sep. 8. 1782.|  (Letter from Mr Dunscomb)
   | Newburgh September 8th 1782.
  | Sir,
  | Upon the receipt of yours by Marsh
  | I went to Smith & assigned him the balance
  | of his account x  x  x  x  x  x 
  | Your & Obd Servant, 
  | (Signed) An Dunscomb
Page 67

[Page contains 2 columns: Col 1 date and reference data, | Col 2 Letters and notes.]

Oct 15, 1782. | (Letter from Col Miles.)
                      | Philadr Oct 15, 1782.
                      | x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x
                      | I have sent by Marsh 2500 dollars in
                      | Mr Morris notes x  x  x  x  x
                      | I am Sir
                      | Your Obd & Abl Servt.
                      |(signed) Saml Miles I L M.
  | I have given March five dollars which
  |is charged to your account."
  | (From Col Picking)

Letter Book   | Mr. Anspach & Mr Wolfe
K. p. 306        | Philadelphia Nov 30. 1782
Nov 30, 1782.| Sir,
                      | Herewith I send you by Samuel March
                      |express, four thousand dollars in Mr Morris
                      |notes dated this day & payable in sixty days,
                      |for the use of the department, particularly
                      |the paying of the wages due to the Contractors
                      |teamsters & waggoners.
                      |  x  x  x  x  x
                      | I am do [ditto]
                      | (signed) J. Pickering. D M G.
                      | (From P. Anspach)
Dec 4, 1782   |   Newburgh, December 4, 1782
                      | x x x x x Marsh has this morning arrived
                      | with bills of exchange to account[illegible] of four thousand 
                      | dollars &  x  x  x
                      | Your most Obd Serv[ant]
                      | (signed) Peter Auspach.
Page 68

[Page contains 2 columns: Col 1 date and reference data, | Col 2 Letters and notes.]
  | (Provision returns) 
1783. | 
  "      | February.  Whole month.  Previously filed.
  "      | March.               ditto               ditto
  "      | April.                  ditto         Now filed
  "      | May                    ditto              ditto
  "      | June                   ditto               ditto 
  "      | July                    ditto               ditto 
  "      | August               ditto         Previously filed
  "      | November         ditto               ditto
  | (In all 8 provision returns)
  | 
Letter Book  | (From Col Pickering)
L. p.139.        | Samuel Hodgdon Esq A.L.M
April 7. 1783 | Newburgh April 7, 1783.
                    "| Dr Sir,
                    "| by the post yesterday I received your
                    "| favors of the 1st  2d & 3d instance.
                    "| On the 5th I wrote you by Marsh
                    "| my express, desiring the cash on hand wished[?]
                    "| be sent by him, & that a farther supply
                    "| if obtained might be forwarded soon after.
                    "| x  x  x  x  Dio[?] a pity you hired[underlined] a horse. 
                    "| for Kell it would have been better to
                    "| purchase outright: if Kell had not been
                    "| heedless [sic] he would have delivered him to
                    "| Marsh to ride to Philadelphia last week.
                    "I I have charged him to watch an
                    "| opportunity of selling him back.  x  x  x  x
                    "| I remain dear Sir,
                    "| affectionally Yours
                    "| (Signed ) T. Pickering. L M G.
Page 69

[Page contains 2 columns: Col 1 date and reference data, | Col 2 Letters and notes.]

April 8, 1783.| (From Mr. Hodgdon)
                    "| Philadelphia. 8th April 1783.
                    "| Dear Sir,
                    "| This morning in bed six o'clock I
                    "| I received yours by Marsh. x  x  x  x
                    "| Your most Ob. Sev
                    "|  Sam Hodgdon.
                    "| Col Pickering, LMG  Aprl 2 Mastxx[illegible]

April 22,1783 | (From Mr Hodgdon.)
                   "| Philadelphia 22nd 1783
                   "| Dear Sir
                   "| By Marsh & Kell you will receive
                   "| five thousand dollars. x  x  x  x  x
                   "| Your friend and very humble Sevt
                   "| (Signed) Sam Hodgdon
                   "| Colonel Pickering,
                    | The filing of the above letter in Col
                    | Pickerings hundunly[illegible], is as follows:
                    |
                   "| "Major Hodgdon A L.M.
                   "|  April 22, 1783.
                   "| Recd.[underlined] 26th -- (no answer)
                   "| acknowledge this receipt of
                   "| mine of this 20th relative to
                   "| the march & the British position[illegible] 
                   "| - seners.[illegible]
                   "| Jonxx.[illegible] do Money[illegible] by
                   "| Marsh & Kell.
Page 70

From Col Pickering
Samuel Hodgdon Esq A.L.M.
[illegible] May 28, 1783.
Letter Book
L.p.199.
May  27, 1783
Dear Sir,
The horse you procured for Kell, and which we finally purchased for public use, I intended to have kept here as an Express horse; but Mrs. White had let the white had
taken him away before my arrival. I wish
he may not have been sold when Marsh arrives.
Should it be so, I request you will send
him hither by Marsh, And if he is in
any degree bothered with cash or packets,
purchase a pair of saddle bags, on 
my private account, which receiving part of
the load may lay across the back
of the lead horse, provided you will secure the
them with a [illegible].
Should the public horse be sold, &
you can meet with a horse that will
answer for my own riding & a [illegible],Gray by him for me & send him on by Marsh.
× × × Should Genl Lincoln have any
copies of the late address of Congress to send
to the army, Marsh can bring them. At least
let the half dozen [illegible] be sent by him if not forwarded before.
I am dear sir, your friend & humble Svt.
(signed) T. Pickering DMG
Page 71

Old Mp [illegible]
S. 425, 431, 436.
1783
"Col Timothy Pickering in Private account
with Samuel Hodgdon"
June 1. by cash recd to S. Marsh in notes
$200.00
June 4. to Cash forwarded by by Saml Marsh $200
June 3. By Cash forwarded by Saml Marsh 4,00.00
[illegible] Col Pickering
Samuel Hodgdon Esqr A.LM.
Newburgh June 12, 1783
Letter Book
L p 231.
June 12, 1783
By Marsh I received your [illegible] of the 3d 4th & 5th.
The notes sent by Marsh are gone; for
expecting Kell before this time (according to
your advice) I directed all officers going
home who had forage due, to be paid off; Some officers yet remain, on whose account I shall be embarassed if Kell does not
arrive to day.  I remain, Dear Sir
with great sincerity Tom.
(signed)
T. Pickering [illegible]
June 5, 1783
(from S. Hodgdon)
Copy of the filing in Col. [illegible] handwriting
"S. Hodgdon, A. L. M.
June 5, 1783.
Has rec'd money - sends
some by Marsh & will
forward more by Kell
[illegible] 12th "
Page 72

(copy)
Dr Col Pickering QM Genl in acct with Samuel
Hodgdon AQM for monies forwarded for use his Dept
[table below]
Date 1783 | By whom forwarded | No. Vouchers | Dollars | Ninetieths
April 11 | James Boyer | 1 | 17253 | 37
April 22 | Jn Kell & Sam'l Marsh | 2 | 5000 | --
June 3 | Saml Marsh | 3 | 4100 | --
June 10 | [illegible] Kell. | 4 | 5000 | --
|| 4 | 31353 | 37
The original is filed with this

Errors Excepted this
first day of July 1783
(signed) Sam Hodgen.
Q. Master,
Return of all persons employed in the Quarter Master General department with the Main Army under the immediate command of His Excellency
General Washington
[table below]
Names of  persons employed | How employed | Where | on what conditions | Revoke

Robert Dunn | Director of Express | |Main Army | |
Over
Page 73

Dr Col Pickering QM Genl in acct with Samuel
Hodgdon AQM for monies forwarded for use his Department
[table below]
Date 1783 | By whom forwarded | No. Vouchers | Dollars | Ninetieths
April 11 | James Boyer | 1 | 17253 | 37
April 22 | Jn Kell & Sam'l Marsh | 2 | 5000 | --
June 3 | Saml Marsh | 3 | 4100 | --
June 10 | [illegible] Kell. | 4 | 5000 | --
|| 4 | 31353 | 37

Errors Excepted this
first day of July 1783
Sam Hodgen
{illegible] Q. Master,
Page 74

Return of all persons employed in the Quarter Master General department with the main
Army under the immediate command of his
Excellency General Washington
[table follows]
Names of persons
employed | How employed | Where | on what conditions |[illegible]
Robert Dunn | Director of Express | Main Army | 1 30/90 per day |
Samuel Marsh | Express | ditto | 1 30/90 per day |
Moses Lyon | Express | ditto | 1 30/90 per day |
Filed and dated and dated August 1781
District of Columbia ss Arad Joy after being duly sworn says that his son hinted up and collected mostly the originals from which the attached (Seven Sheets) Seven Sheets of extracts were made. it was intended to find all there was in support of the claim of Samuel Marsh Express Rider, and this deponent has no recollection of any others except what is filed,
that he has carefully compared the extracts with the originals and he believes them to be true extracts.
The above extract on this page were written by this deponent, and are intended to be true extracts, Vol 2 from which they were made has several times been in the pension
office & has been examined by Col Niles, the only reason that it was not brought, was the great bother & dificulty in bringing it ^ and the risk & fear of losing it. Iwould that it was here to give the name of 326 Officers and men in the return referred to above,
the one extract above, being all known to be in said 2nd Vol referring to Samuel Marsh
and that too was a reason for not bringing it.
Arad Joy
Sworn before me this
11th day of February 1857
C. W.C. Dunnington, J. P.
Page 75

No evidence in the office of the Sec [illegible]
Page 76

Department of State
Washington, Nov. 3. 1855.
Sir,
In reply to your note of the 1st instant,
I have to inform you, that no evidence can be
found on file in this Dept, of the service of
Samuel Marsh, as an Express Rider, in the
war of the Revolution.
To ascertain whether he served in "any other
capacity", would require a greater expenditure
of time and labor, than can be devoted to the
subject. Before an examination of the records can be made, the Department must be informed of the particular branch of the public service, in which, the applicant claims to have been Employed
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
 J. Thomas
assistant Secretary
Hon J. Minot
Com. of Pensions
Page 77

Laurens July 16th 1856
Dear Sir
Will the deportment give me an answer
to my request as to having a change of
Attorneys in the claim of the Widow Mary Marsh
for services of her late husband Samuel Marsh as
Express and return my letters which I sent
enclosed from the Hon J A Hughston and
much oblige
Your humble Servant
B F Wakefield Administrator
Page 78

Mary Marsh
Feby 17, 1857
Col Niles
17 Feb 1857
Page 79

Washington City Feb 17th 1857
George Whiting Esq
Comm of Pensions

In reference to the letter addressed to me
by the Secretary of the Interior concerning the case of Mary Marsh widow of Samuel of NY 1838 ad, I have to state that I have in my possession the original books and papers of
Timothy Pickering who was a QM Genl during the war of the revolution. I find in the accounts a charge against Saml Marsh for shoeing his house by the public Smith, also receipts for packages which he promises to deliver,
also various charges against the United States for money paid Saml Marsh for going to different places as Express, also a charge for money paid Saml Marsh for "sundry services as express." In all the recepts I do not find that he signed as having held any grade or office in the Continental line.
I am Sir Very Respectfully your [illegible]
A. H. Markland
Page 80

Washington, DC.
March 18th 1857
Hon. J. C. Whiting Comm of Pensions
Sir,
I drop you these few lines, being unable to visit your office by sickness. I have received
from Mr. Joy a complaining letter about my dereliction in not pushing the claim for increase of pension claimed by the children of Mrs. Mary Marsh Dec of N. York, widow of Saml Marsh as an Express Rider. The administrator has lost all patience and the heirs are grumbling.  What can I do? 

I am really sick twice sick with the delay on the
part of your Dept to dispose of the ^only question inscribed it, i.e. was the service military or Civil.  Mr Joy came some thousand miles, in the dead of winter to bring
his books to establish the character of that service. The evidence when he first investigated the case displayed great
labor and ingenuity to make it appear that the service was civil. He has been (as I am informed) after fully examining it
convinced that it was military and pronounced his opinion to that effect. You did not deem it proper to review his opinion, killing the case now [illegible] the papers and his view of the case, and you do not think proper to
review his second examination but [illegible] the parties interested in a glorious state of suspense, when thirty
Page 81

minutes more dispose of it Will you give and that small sum of your precious time and decide upon it. If the case is one of merit in God's name let the children have their rights, if it is worthless throw it overboard. I have been worried to death by this case from the beginning some two year since, to the present time, effort being made to get the case out of my hands which for to time by the positive assurance that the person I allude to had the service [illegible] it through in a few weeks or months when he knew he had no such [illegible].
I am very respy
Th Lumpkin
Agent for Arad Joy Esq
-
Page 82

That the expences were advanced to Express
riders, is evident from the first letter in
the proof, Sept 30. '81 P Amspach to Col Pickering
he says "as soon as I can obtain as much
cash as will bear Marshs [sic] expence, shall send
him" H

1781Sept | Marsh is shown to be in service from above
                  on 11 Oct' 81 it seems Marsh was sent as above alluded to
                 6 Expresses were to be provided for as Maris Lyon states
                   See reference book of estimates 95 page you have it.
June '82   | Peter Anspach says, here we are without a farthing
                  of money, after 2 hours running, he borrowed $4 to
                  pay S. Marshs [sic] expenses, he requests Col P. to
                  pay him $6 for his expenses

                 | It is evident that those receipts were given for cash
                   advance for expenses

                 | Waste Book
28 page    | Pd [paid] Joseph McClintoch, returning as an 
                 | Express from Phil? to Newburgh for his expenses | $10.
35 page    | Pd Joseph McClintoch going to Morristown
                 | & Phild as express for expenses                             | $16.
425           | Pd John Kell for Expenses                                       | [$] 4
46             | Pd Saml Lovell Expenses to Boston                        | [$]20.

I can show you 20 or may be 30 charges
       of cash advanced to pay expenses
Gideon Sempkins is not on my rolls
Page 83

[Letter - from address:] Ovid N.Y. Aug 26, '56
Sir
20 days since I mailed to you, through Hon E. B.
Morgan, proof in the case of Mary  Marsh wid'
of Samuel Express Rider, pardon me for
asking you to please report to me
I am respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Arad Joy

Hon J. Minch
Comd
Ovid Sept 4 '56
Sir
Yours of Augt. 29. I have before me, the papers
were filed by Hon E. B. Morgan in person on
the 9th of August, he informed me that Mr
Cole had been absent & just returned, that the
case should be attended to "early" &C &C [Etc?]
Your Obd. Servt
Arad Joy
Page 84

[Letter - from address and date:] House of Reps. March 18th. 1856.
Hon. J. Minot,
Court of Pensions,
Sir:
The Administrator of the estate of
Mary Marsh widow of Samuel Marsh, who was
granted a pension for his services in the revolutionary
war, desires one to ascertain from you what the
condition of the case is. he employed a gentleman
named Markland of this city to attend to it, please
inform me what he has done with it & if it has not
been increased, what is required now to obtain the
increase asked for.
I am Sir very Respy. Yours &c.
J. A. Hughston
Page 85

Ovid N. Y. Nov 15th 1856

Sir
The information in your of the 1st October in the case of Mary Marsh addressed to Hon. E. B. Morgan lead one to hope for an early report in the case of Mary Marsh, be pleased to allow me to call your attention to that claim, & to ask a report.
I am most respectfully your obt. servt.
Arad Joy

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Page 86

War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 25, 1840

Sir,
In answer to the inquiry in the enclosed letter respecting the claim of W. Mary Marsh, viz. what difference there would be in her pension under the act of July 4, 1836 and that of July 7, 1838, I have the honor to state that the pension under the former act would commence on the 4th of March 1831; under the latter, not until the 4th of March 1836.  Under the act of 1838 it is limited to five years; under that of 1836 it continues during the life of the pensioner.
I have honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obt. sevt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. H. Prentiss
House of Representatives
Page 87

A. H.. Markland
Washington
Oct 20, 1856

Declines to prosecute further, the claim of Mary Marsh, widow of Samuel Marsh for a pension under the act off 7 July 1838, for reasons stated.

Resp. refd. to the
Comm. of Pensions
Geo. C. Whiting, CC

(illegible)
20 Oct 1856
Page 88

Washington City Oct 20 1856
Hon. Robt. McClelland
Secretary of the Interior

I decline the further prosecution of the pension claim of Mary Marsh widow of Samuel Marsh of New York under the act of 7th Juy 1838, admitted, for the reason that I am fully satisfied the character of service as Express Rider was not such as contemplated by the pension laws, he was merely a messenger hired by the Quarter Master General as the exigency of the times required, he was never enlisted or bound by military discipline, I have recently received evidence showing that fact conclusively.
I am Sir Very Respectfully
your obt. servt.
A. H. Markland
Page 89

Marsh N.Y.  Aug 13
(illegible)

Free     Jno. H. Prentiss M.C.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City


(round stamp.  Aug.
 Cooperstown, NY)
Page 90

Cooperstown, N.Y.
Aug. 9 1838

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir:
The enclosed papers refer to the application of widow Mary Marsh for a pension. The (illegible sentences.) for respect of widow, which is her (illegible) . The (illegible) is by a personal witness and (illegible) proof. I cannot believe there will be any thing (illegible) to produce a certficate but should there be, you will please communicate the (illegible) to me. The certificate may be forwarded to my office.
With high respect
Jno H. Prentiss
Page 91

Jno. H. Prentiss M. C.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. Pensions
Washington D. C. 

May 20
Jurat
N.Y.
Page 92

Cooperstown, May14, 1829

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir
This person having charge of the (illegible) of widow Mary Marsh of Laurens, in this Co. an applicant for a Pension, have handed me the enclosed afft. to (illegible) the (illegible), This statement is (illegible) made, as required by your letter of the 8th of March. In furnishing this document, they are confident that the whole case will be before you so as to (illegible) the (illegible) and inform applicant to the (illegible words) for the services of (illegible) husband. You will be pleased to give the subject your early attentions and oblige.
Your obt. svt.
Jno. H, Prentiss
Page 93

Washington D C.
Oct. 25th 1855

Sir,
I herewith enclose a letter from Mr. Wakefield the administrator of the late Mrs. Mary Marsh, widow off Samuel N. York, allowed under act of 7th July 1838, as an ensign. My purpose is to get a re-examination of this case with a view of granting the children of said Marsh an increase of pension as an Express Rider. I wish to claim the benefit of such rolls in your office as (illegible) threw light on the subject. In a letter from the Dept dated 26 Feb. 1840 it is alleged that if he served in the capacity of Express Rider, employed by Col. Pickering Qr. Master General, it was in a Civil and not Military character, and would not be certified.  I am informed to the contrary and hope the Dept. may give the case the
Page 94

most liberal construction in the re-examination.
I have the honor to be
Very respy.
 Th. Lumpkin

P.S. Two (illegible) certify that he the said Samuel Marsh performed service after his marriage=The claim was asserted under Act of 4th July 1836. May it not then be allowed under the said act? 
T.L.
Page 95


Sir,
Your letter of Dec. 15, 1856, addressed to Hon. E. B. Morgan, rejecting the application for an increase of pension in the case of the widow of the late Saml. Marsh, has been placed in my hands.
It appears from the journal of the old Congress (Vol 3 page 416) that Congress taking into consideration "the Report the (illegible) in the Post Office" resolved to discharge all Express riders belonging to that department; that by the ordinance of regulating the post office" passed Oct 18, 1782. (J. O. C. Vol 4, p. 93) the Qtr. Master General and his deputies were authorized to furnish extra ordinary expresses which authority was repealed by the Ordinance of Dec. 24, 1782 (J. O. C. Vol 4, p 126) and it was then resolved. "That the Quarter Master General furnish all extra ordinary expresses when the service requires them, any ordinance or resolution of Congress to the contrary not with standing."
As it is clear from the context that all of these acts of Congress refer to the Post Office Department it is difficult to perceive what application they have to the case of Saml Marsh, for whom it is not claimed that he served in that Department, but was an Express rider attached to the main army.
Page 96

The Congress did not intend to abolish expresses with the army is evident after the testimony of Col. Pickering himself.
In a letter addressed to Col Hugh Hughes D. Q. M. for New York, dated Camp Tapan, Oct. 1, 1780
he writes,  "By resolution of Congress passed the present year no standing expresses were to be employed except I think with the army, but this has not been directly complied with, tho I wish it my be attended to as far as possible; I have given an answer above as to their allowance"
(Noted in margin: Letter Book A. p. 111, Oct 1, 1780)
On the 5th of October 1780 Col. Pickering made out the form of appointment for 
Express riders, as follows:
" To Mr. William Dunn
You are hereby appointed an Express rider in the service of the United States with the main army, to continue during the pleasure of the Quarter Master Genl. You are carefully to convey all such dispatches as shall be given you for that purpose, and in general to obey such order, as you shall from time to time receive from the Commander in Chief or the Quarter master General or his Deputy. You are to be furnished with a Continental horse which is to be exchanged in camp and on the road whenever the good of the

(noted in margin: Letter Book A. p. 129 Oct 5 1780)
Page 97

You and your riders are to be furnished with Continental horses, which are to be exchanged in camp or on the road whenever the good of the service shall require it; to which all Deputy Quarter Masters and their assistants are desired & directed to pay proper attention".
Given under my hand at Camp the fifth day of October 1780.
(Signed) T. Pickering

N.B. The like form given to the other expresses named.
(noted in margin-Letter Book A. p. 130, Oct. 5th 1780)

To Mr. Robert Dunn
You are hereby appointed Director of the company of Expresses serving with the main Army. You are daily to examine and see that they are furnished with suitable horses and the things that are requisite to enable them properly to perform their duties; to send every rider to his proper town, so that each may do his proper share of duty in the most equal manner; to keep a register of the time when the riders go out and return and to examine their horse, when they came in, and if any do not return in due season or if their horse appears to be ill used, you are to report the same to me.
You are to obey all orders of the Commander in Chief and that Quarter Master General and his Deputy and are yourself to ride as an Express who thereto required by either.
Page 98

You and your riders are to be furnished with Continental horses, which are to be exchanged in  camp or on the road whenever the good of the service shall require it; to which all Deputy Quarter Masters and their assistants are desired & directed to pay proper attention.
Given under my hand at Camp the fifth day of October 1780.
(Signed) T. Pickering

Eleven Express riders were appointed at this time, some of whom continued in service to the close of the war and are frequently mentioned in Col. Pickering letter in connection with Saml. Marsh who was afterwards enlisted with them.
By the new regulation (J. O. C. Vol 3 p. 493) Express riders were allowed "one two have wagon or two both horses". 
(noted in margin-Letter Book A. p.29)

In a letter addressed to Col. Carrington, D.Q.M.G. to the Southern Army dated Philadelphia July 12, 1782 Col. Pickering writes
I have been favored with your letter of the 7th of May last. I do not think it any misfortune to the public that they Expresses through Virginia are dropped. For some time past the National Expresses have been of very little use, yet on this chain had been fixed by order of the Commander in Chief. I chose to speak to the Secretary of war on the subject, but he considered it
(noted in margin-Letter Book K, p. 86 July 12, 1782)
Page 99

as wholly under the discretion of the department. I have wrote to Mr. Leate to discontinue the expresses thru Maryland.
I am (signed) T. Pickering Q.M.G.

We have here the contemporaneous decision of the Secretary of War, that the matter of the expresses was wholly under the discretion of Col. Pickering's department and we find the Quarter Master General acting accordingly and dissolving the chain through Maryland and expressing himself content with its abolishing in Virginia, although established by the Commander in Chief.
It is evident therefore that Col. Pickering had power to enlist express riders at the time of Saml. Marsh's marriage which took place April 22, 1782.
Gen. Washinton left Philadelphia about the middle of April, 1782 and took up his Head Quarters in Newburgh. Col. Pickering however, remained in Philadelphia until near the end of August 1782, endeavoring to raise money to pay off the troops.

(noted in margin-Spark's Life of Washington)
It was after Washingtons return to Newburgh that the proposition to establish a monarchy was made to him, growing out of the discontent of the troops at not being paid, it was a critical period for the country & expresses were in constant requisition between Head Quarters & Congress 
(note in margin-See letter to Neilson)
Page 100

far from the joy of the troops being settled (illegible) in accordance with established rates and the rates of the department & not by an account current, I beg respectfully to say that at the period it was impossible to settle regularly with anybody, and that there persons who received anything received it on account current until the Quarter Master Genl. was able to make a settlement in full with them. This statement is
shown to be covered by the extracts Nesmith transmitted and is (illegible) a matter of history.  The correspondence shown that Col. Pickering & other officers were in the habit of supplying Marsh with money whence circumstances required it.
The proof on file in this case shows that Samuel marsh performed service as an express rider for more than two years, a period of uninterupted service wholly in reconcilable with the idea that it was rendered in contract.
We find that his name appears on a return of persons (illegible) of the Quarter Master General's Dept. with the main army in August 1781; and that he was in service in September and October of that year and consequently through the campaign of '81
(note in margein'1781, 1 August
September, October)
Page 101

(Note in margin-1782, March)
That he was supplied with "leather breeches and yarn hose" from the public store in March, 1782; 
(note in margin-Mar.)
that in May '82 his horse was shod at public expense-this strangest possible proof that he was not serving on contract, because those persons entitled to horses were also entitled to have them shod at public expense and we have seen from Col. Pickering's form of appointments that each express rider was to be furnished with a continental horse.
(note in margin- June)
In June '82 Marsh's whereabouts can be traced nearly every day.
(note-June 9)
"Leave New Windsor for Phil. with only a coffer in his pocket". (see Auspach's letter)
(note-June 14)
Is in Philadelphia. Col. Pickering pays him, $16
(note-June 24)
Is in New Windsor (Auspach letter)
(note-June 28)
Is in Philadelphia (Col. Pickering letter)
(note-July 8)
He was still in service (see Auspach a/c)
Does the signing of a sec. in July 1782 debar the party from the benefits of a years subsequent service?
(note-August)
He must have been in service in August his position on the Express (illegible) in September.
(note-September)
 Col. Pickering & Mr. Dunn came to mention him in their letters and his name appears on an account book.
(note-Oct.) Mentioned by Col. Miles
(note-November) Col. Pickering's letter
(note-December) Mr. Auspach letter
Page 102

1783
January   See Mr. Auspachs accounts
February     Provision return
March        ditto
April           ditto Col. Pickering, Mr. Hodgdon letters & a/c
May           ditto         ditto
June           ditto        ditto                   ditto
July            ditto
August          ditto
November   ditto
In all 8 provision returns

It appears that Samuel marsh served as an Express rider to the Main Army for more than two years, or in the Q. M. G. Department. 
(margin note-Washington D. C. Jany. 7, '57)
You will find upon careful examination that the statement contained in the letters are sustained by proof.
I am most respectfully 
Your Obd. Servt.
Arad Joy
Page 103

NL C
Hon John H Prentiss
Washington City
(post mark-Cooperstown, NY- Mar
Page 104

Larens March 18th 1840
Dr Sir
I have been favoured with the Line from the Pension Office which informed me that Mary March can obtain a pension under the Law of 1838 and I accordingly forward to you her Declaration under that Law and wish you to hand in the declaration to the Office and request the forwarding a Certificate as soon as Possible.  You will please inform Mr Edwards that the widow states in her Declaration that she supports that her late Husbands service after marriage from Mr. Edwards Letter is such as would not entitle to a pension under that Law. She states that it was no service.
Your humble servant
Ben. F. Wakefield
Page 105

War Department
Pension Office
August 16th 1838
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Mrs. Mary Marsh, widow of Samuel Marsh deceased, has been examined and her papers filed in this office.
The evidence is sufficient to establish the service of her late husband as Ensign from the 13th of October 1776 to November 16, 1778, and that she was married to him on the 22nd of April 1782. But no term of service subsequent to the marriage is set forth as to period, length and grade, &c. as required by the rules, and established by satisfactory proof. She alleges that she lived in Colonel Pickering's family, and that her late husband served in his regiment from 1781 to the close of the war. Colonel Pickering belonged to the Quarter Master's Department and did not command a regiment from 1781 to the close of the war. These are but few staff rolls in this office, and none which show the service of Colonel Pickering. But it is highly probably if the claimant's late husband belonged to the stafff of the Massachusetts line, evidence mayy be obtained from the "Army Books" remaining in the office of the Secretary
Page 106

of Massachusetts

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your obd. servt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. H. Prestiss
Cooperstown N. York
(Massachusetts crossed out)
Page 107

Laurens January 3rd 1856
Dr Sir
As administrator of the estate of Widow Mary Marsh decd. I have authorized A. G. Markland of the City of Washington to prosecute the claim of the late widow to back pension by virtue of the services of her late husband, Saml. Marsh in the war of the revolution as Express rider but as he is a stranger to me, I request that Mr. Markland should not be considered authorized to receive any Certificate or money which the department may acknowledge due to such claim untill so ordered by me.
Respectfully your
Obt. Servt.
B. F. Wakefield }administrator
Page 108

Mary Marsh N.Y.
allowed with 
Act of 4th July '36
or 7 July '38
Page 109

Laurens Oct 19th 1856
Dr Sir
I am informed that the heirs of the late widow Mary Marsh on entitled to a pension for services of their Father Samuel Marsh as Express rider (as can be show from the records in the Pension Office). Samuel Marsh was an officer and an express Rider in the war of the Revolution. that Samuel Marsh was an Ensign in the Massachusetts Line from the 13th day of November 1776 untill the 16th day of October 1778 after which time he was appointed as an Express rider by Col. Timothy Pickering Qu. Msr. Genl. of the United States Army and continued to serve in that capacity untill the close of the war and now there are four living children of Mary &  Samuel Marsh and I am credibly informed that they are entitled to back pay or pension and I wish you to search the records immediately and inform me length of time they can draw and what amount and I can make a Declaration as Administrator ^or agent of the Widow and allow such Pension in such case I will pay you liberally for your services, please attend to once  and answer me immediately.
B.F. Wakefield
Laurens Otsego NY
Page 110

Ovid N. Y. Sept.18 1856

Sir
On the 9th of August last Hon. E. B. Morgan filed a large amount of proof in the case of Mary Marsh, widow of Samuel late a pensioner of New York, not having rec'd your report & 6 weeks having past. I beg leave to write & to respectfully ask you to please report to me.
I am respectfully
Your obd. Serv.
Arad Joy

Hon. J. Minot
Comm.
Page 111

3922 Aug 29 '43
NY Mar 3d 1843
Mary Marsh

Burlington NY Aug 24



Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commiss. of Pensions
Washinton
Page 112

State of New York Otsego County
Town of Burlington
August 24th 1843

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I send you the Declaration (illegible) of Mary Marsh under the act of March 3d '43 and in June last I sent you the declaration of Caroline Matthew under the same Act and July 17th I sent you the Declaration of Lois Story under this same Act, for which I have not yet received any answers or returns. You will send t59o this undersigned at Burlington N. Y.
I am yours with obv. Respect
J. G. (illegible)
Page 113

Ovid N. Y. Feb. 23d 1857
Sir,
It is ten days since I last saw you, I have heard not a word as yet as the Mary Marsh claim. I know that you are besieged on all sides, but the croud are far behind me, as I have been seven weeks winding my was up to your desk, and now with one hand on it, I presume you will get clear of me,  take up the Marsh claim at once. I am sure if you do, you will find it plain and easy & but a short job, not one hours work, & when once you haveexamined it, shure I am that you will pronounce it (as I do) a claim as fully made out and as jus. a claim as any ever admitted.
I am dear Sir Your
Obd. Servt
Arad Joy

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Page 114

The Hon. G. C. Whiting will personally oblige me by taking up and disposing of the case alluded to by Mr. Joy.
Tenth March (illegible)
Th. Lumpkin
28th Feb 1857
Page 115

M Widerson

File there with the case of Mary wid. of Saml. Marsh-
N. Y. Rev Act.
until called for
16 June 18?
Page 116

Washington, May 4, 1837
Received of the Commissioner of Pensions Two original Receipts of Samuel Marsh, one numbered 192 and dated May 15, 1782, the other numbered 219, dated July 8, 1782, for sums paid to said Samuel Marsh by Timothy Pickering Q. M. G. which receipts were submitted by me to the Pension office, at the request of the Commissioner in the case of Mary Marsh, decd, late of New York, then pending for increase for service of her husband as an Express Rider.

See the receipts on the other page
Page 117

Copy
No. 192. New Windsor May 15th 1782 Recd. of Timothy Pickering, Q. M. G & P. Anspach, fourteen dollars, being for carrying dispatches from Hd. Quarters at Newburgh to Rhode Island and returning from there with dispatches for the Commander in Chief, having signed another rect. for the same, of this tenor and date.
Samuel Marsh

Copy
No. 219 New Windsor July 8th, 1782-Recd. of Timothy Pickering, Q. M. G. & P. Anspach, forty two dollars in full for going twice to Philad. and once to Elizabeth Town with public dispatches from the Commander in Chief, having signed another rect. for the same, of this tenor and date.
(No signature)
Page 118

Washington April 26, 1856
B. F. Wakefield, Esq.
Dr Sir
I am in the receipt of your letter of the 9th and although we are always subjected to some considerable delay in & also at easy things in a (illegible) may be, yet I had overlooked the matter until a few days since.
Mr. Markland has shown me original papers which in my opinion are ample & sufficient to insure an allowance of the claim. The papers are (illegible) papers of which fact he will make and file an affidavit when the evidence is prosecuted further (illegible) of the Commissioner.
Page 119

& consist of memorandum of Timothy Pickering Quartermaster relative to the employment of Saml. Marsh as Express rider for the army & of accounts which have (illegible) to moving advanced to & paid out by Saml. Marsh & others from time to time. & Also of receipts given by (illegible).
As I understand it there is no (illegible) or new Possibility that counterparts of this evidence exist & I dont believe the N. York gentlemen engaged pension business the public records being at fault. Has it in his power to furnish evidence  of a satisfactory character.
I ought to say to you that M.r Markland (illegible) unjustly has got the idea & I cant dissuade from indulging it. That you mean if you can to check him in the matter and he authorized
Page 120

me to say he will not furnish the evidence to the department unless you give me the most unqualified assurance & (illegible) that after the certificate is obtained you will give me a power of Atty. to draw the money & pay said Markland the amount he was to have by the original contract which I believe was our half the sum obtained.
When you giving that because assurance he will furnish the evidence & will regard me as having assured what is (illegible) to a reasonal responsibility, (illegible) is a position today the least not very agreeable to be placed in & (illegible) no do it unless you very much desire me to do so.
Please answer without delay
A Hughston
Page 121

Ovid N. Y. August 6, 1856
Sir
The proof herewith commences 13th June 1782 and ends November 1783 about 17 months. I refer to the papers on file & to a power of atty. to me, from the administrator, rec'd by you on the 24th July '56. See your book of entry, case of Mary Marsh
I am most respectfully
Your obd. Servt.
Arad Joy

I have proof as early as 1781 and a large amount of proof after that date

Hon. J. Minot
Comr.
Page 122

Brief in the case of Mary Marsh, dead, who 
was the widow of Samuel.
Otsego County and State of New York
Act July 4, 1836

Claim, ("original" or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original)-Increase

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by the Rolls? If either, state the substance.
On the 27th of March, 1840, Mary Marsh was pensioned for two years service of her husband (who died in 1796) as an Ensign in the Line of Massachusetts, which service was shown, by the Rolls in this office, to have been from Nov. 13, 1776 to Oct 16, 1778. She, however, claimed under the Act of July 4, 1836, alleging that prior to her marriage, which took place April 22d 1782, Marsh entered the service as an Express Rider under the authority of Timothy Pickering, Q. M. G., in whose family she resided, and was thus engaged to the end of the war. The service of an Express rider was not satisfactorily established, and hence the application under the Act of 1836 was rejected. But the attorneys in the case have recently filed original papers, and contracts from original papers which belonged to Col. Pickering, showing very conclusively that Marsh served as an Express Rider with the Main Army under Gen. Washington from Sept. 30,1781 to Nov. 13, 1783, and was associated with Moses Lyon and Robert Dunn--the former of whom was pensioned under the Act of July 4, 1836, and directed the arrears to be paid to the Administrator for the use of surviving children.
Name and residence of Agency
T. Lumpkin, Esq., Present
W. Ogden Niles, Examining Clerk
Page 123

25 December 1837-Mary Marsh, married to Samuel Marsh in 1782, who was in the U S Service under Col. Pickering, then stationed at N. Windsor. deponent lived & worked in Col. Pickering's family at the time of her marriage to Marsh. That her husband was sometimes sent on expresses by Col. Pickering order to different places where there was military posts & Garrisons &c.-She cannot give the names of other officers. Her husband continued in service most of the time to the close of the war in 1783-He died in 1796.
Previous to her marriage her said husband served in Col. Smith's Massachusetts Regt. & she
 believes in another Regt. for 2 years as an ensign, resigned & enlisted in Col. Pickering's Regt. in 1781. Thinks he was at the surrender of Cornwallis at York Town
Page 124

2

Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Mary Marsh was born in 1788, and 8 years when her father died. Has frequently heard her mother speak of her father's service was in the war of the Revolution both before and after her marriage with him. served again after their marriage.

Daisy Smith, was well acquainted with Saml. Marsh from 1781 to his death. That Mary Marsh became acquainted with Saml. Marsh while he was in service & war married to him in 1782, which fact she well recollects. Marsh was a soldier & continued in service after marriage to the close of the war. does not know what Regt. he belonged to (deponent maintains several circumstances which enable her to know Marsh was in service at the date of his marriage &c.)
Page 125

John Johnson, Clergyman gives record of marriage April 22, 1782

6 Feby. 1839, Daniel Richardson knew Marsh in service in 1776-7-8 in Col. Smith's Regt. as an Ensign. In 1781 & 1782 deponent was serving on the (illegible) River & he again saw Marsh at or near Newburgh, that he was attached to Col Tappan Regiment; deponent belonged to Col. Putnam's. Marsh was married in Apl.1782, a band of music was taken from the Artillery & played with wedding--Marsh was after that taken into the service under Col. Pickering in the Quarter Master(s) department & then served one year & some months to the close of the war. He well recollects that Marsh was often selected ^after his marriage by Col. Pickering to send as an Express through the wilderness to Philadelphia for money & supplies for the army.  When the news of peace arrived Col. Pickering sent Marsh as an Express to bring the information to 
Gen. Clinton. The night he carried the dispatch his first child, a daughter was born.
Page 126

Daniel Richardson again refers to Marsh's service as an ensign in the Massachusetts line & says that after doing service some time in Col. Tappan Regt. said Marsh being found trusty & faithful was selected by Col. Pickering as an Express to carry money from place to place for the benefit of the army &c. *but during which time deponent did not understand that his grade was more than a private soldier* but being trusty & was selected as express, & that during the time Marsh was not engaged as express "he performed service in the army as a soldier* Pickering belongs to the Q. M. Department & was called Col. that Marsh was taken out of the ranks by Col. Pickering to serve as aforesaid & Marsh served before & after marriage

* underlined sentences
Page 127

5373  A
New York
Mary Marsh, dec'd
widow of Samuel
who died on the......of......in the State of.....who was a Express Rider in the .........commanded by Captain.............of the ...............commanded by ......Mass. in the Revolution line for 2 years
Inscribe on the Roll of Albany at the rate of $480. Dollars 00 Cents per annum,, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 and end 22d July 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of April 1857 and sent to Thomas Lumpkin Present.
Arrears to the 4tth of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Deducting former payments at the rate of $240. per annum under acts July 7, 1838, March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844
G. T. Getty, Clerk
Vol. 2  Pag(paper torn)
Stamp-Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the
Page 128

S Crippen   May 23d: /59
Page 129

(left side)

Let. to Hon. J. H. Prentiss
Maay 7th 1840
Duplicate certificate issued 22d
May 1849 & sent to Hon. J. H. Prentiss
House of Representatives

(right side)
Albany 5207
Mary Marsh
widow of Samuel Marsh
(who was a pensioner under the Act of --crossed out)
and died in the month of January 1796 at Otsego Co., in the State of N York who was an Ensign in the company commanded by Captain.......of the regt. commanded by Col. Smith in the Mass line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 240 Dollars ----Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of March 1860 and sent to Hon. J. H. Prentiss, H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1860  960.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept.   120.00
$1080.00 
Act July 7, 1838
(paper torn) by D. Brown
   A. Vol. 2, Page 90
Page 130

Laurens June 18th 1856
Dr Sir
As administrator of the Estate of widow Mary Marsh died I commenced the prosecution of a claim of amass of pension due her by virtue of the services of her late husband Samuel Marsh as Express Rider ^in the revolutionary services, for the benefit of her surviving heirs by an agent in Washington by the name of A H. Markland who informed me that he had in his possession unequivocal testimony of the services of Saml. Marsh as Express Rider as he had his own signature to receipts and to official documents which he would furnish. (That no other man had or could have) but for this evidence I must enter into an agreement to pay him the one half of the money which should be allowed on the claim and after writing to the Department and being answered that there was no evidence of the service in the Office and then consulting the heirs it was considered best to make an agreement with Markland to furnish the evidence and agree to pay him his price asked. He then (some six months since) agreed to go on and put in the required evidence. I heard nothing more from him for about one month where Mr. Markland wrote me that on reflection he considered that the contract between us now, not sufficiently binding to (illegible)  him to furnish the evidence (over)
Page 131

but if I would give I. A. Hughston power of Atty to prosecute the claim with the department directing him to pay over the one half obtained, he would then furnish the evidence for him and it would be satisfactory. I complied and appointed I. A. Hughston as Atty. Mr. Markland then stated he would furnish evidence of service. The next day, (evidence of which I send Mr. Hughson letter of March 27th/56). Then I heard nothing more untill April 26th (one month) when Mr. Hughston forwarded me the letter which I have here also enclosed off March 26 which states that Markland had shown him original papers which on sufficient in his opinion amply sufficient to establish an allowance of the claim but Mr. Markland authorized him to say to me that he would not furnish the evidence to the department unless I would give him additional assurances which you will please read from Mr. Hughston's letter within, and after due reflection I thought but not to follow Mr. Markland any further in the matter at present and sent in a revocation of the authority of Mr. Markland & Mr. Hughston to act further in the prosecution of the ^above claim and I have since had an introduction to a Mr. Arad Joy of Seneca Co. NY who has shown me evidence of the service of Saml. Marsh as Express by his own signature to receipts and other documents
Page 132

as Express more than one dozen times and he states that if your honor will consider Mr. Markland and Mr. Hughston's authority honorable revoked in the prosecution of the above claim so that they may not have access to his papers he will consent to put in the evidence and accept the power of Atty. from me and do the business for a fair compensation as the heirs are miserably poor, and I wish you to answer this immediately once if all right Mr. Joy will pun in the required evidence.
The letters within from Mr. Hughston and Markland to me you will please return to me as soon as convenient.
Very Respectfully
B. F. Wakefield
P.S. Mr. Markland will doubtless be very much displeased with the change of Attys and if he could have access to the papers of his successor he would endeavor to retard the progress of the claim it is therefore desired if the change be made that Mr. Markland should not be permitted in the matter
B. F. W.
Page 133

Treasury Department
(illegible-stained) Auditors Office
April 29th 1859

Sir
In reply to your letter of the 21st inst. I have to state that the pension of Mrs. Mary Marsh was by the pension certificate was made payable to Bejamin Wakefield adm. for the benefit of Saml. Marsh. Mary P. Cooly, Anna Barton, Elizbth. Johnson and any other surviving children. You will therefore have to apply to the Commissioner of Pensions for a copy of their authority for considering him the administrator in the case.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
R. J. (illegible)
Auditor

S. Crippen Esq.
Cooperstown, New York
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
You will perceive from the above letter that the papers in question are in the pension office.
Benjamin F. Wakefield is not the ^lawful administrator.
Page 134

of Mrs. Marsh. Letters of Administration were duly granted to Samuel Marsh her son on the 17 day of Mch 1845 as appears by the Records in the surrogates office. No letters have ever been granted to Wakefield or to any other person except her son and if he has furnished papers to that effect by which he has obtained a pension certificate, they are not genuine-or at least no record of them is to be fofund in the surrogates office.
I desire to ferret out this matter & for the heirs of Mrs. Marsh by whom I am employed for that purpose-Mr. Wakefield has drawn nearly $5000. in money from the Pension Agency at Albany without any lawful authority as we believe for doing so.
Will you be so good as to furnish me with a copy of the evidence on file in the pension office of the appointment of Mr. Wakefield as Adm. of Mary Marsh so that we may be informed how he obtained his authority to receive the pension money in this case.
Very Respectfully yours
Schuyler Crippen

(stamp-Pension Office-May 7 1859)

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Cooperstown-May 3d 1859

Mr. Wakefield resided in our County and if anything wrong has taken place the money can probably be secured by him or his friends--if properly attended to.
Page 135

War Department,
Pension Office
October 9th 1837
Sir
At your request I herewith return John Dunbar's power of Attorney.
All the information which this office affords in relation to the case of Samuel Marsh is that he was commissioned as Ensign on the 13th day of November 1776, and was discharged from the service on the 16th of Octr. 1778.
The letter containing the inquiry I also now return.
I have the honor to be very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. H. Prentiss
House of Representatives
Page 136

(right side)

16 Mch 1840
6727
Mary Marsh
Act July 7 1838

Married 22 April 1782
Husband died January 1796

Col. Smith Mass. Line

Ensign from 13 Nov 1776 til 16 Oct. 1778

Admitted Ensign 2 years

Hon. J. H. Prentiss H. R. NY

(left side)
Hon. J. H. Prentiss
H. R.
Page 137

Declaration in order to obtain benfits of the Act of Congress of July 7th 1838

State of New York
Otsego County Ss.
On this 16th day of March 1840 personally appeared before the Hon. James C. Walworth, on of the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of the said County of Otsego Mary Marsh a resident of the town of Laurens in said county of Otsego aged eighty six years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions under 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 Samuel Marsh deceased who was an Ensign in the war of the revolution and served in Col. Smith's regiment in the State of Massachusetts and as she believes in other Regiments in that state under his ensigns Commission in the Massachusetts line for about two years and then resigned his commission in the year 1778 and again in the year 1781.She thinks her husband enlisted in  Col. Pickering's ^Regiment as a private soldier   and was at Yorktown at the takeing of Cornwallis and that he served in said Col. Pickering's Regiment untill some time in the year 1782 in the State of New York at or near Newburgh and this declarant does not know but longer and that she has had and seen her said husband's commission service his (illegible) but it is now lost or destroyed or that she does not know what has become of it and that on the 25th day of December 1837
Page 138

this Declarant made her declaration before the aforesaid Judge J. C. Wadsworth in order to obtain her Pension under the provision of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 under said Section of the aforesaid Act and has facted as she believes for the (illeible) of Satisfactory proof of her late husband's service after his marriage in April 1782 and her said declaration and affidavits of Elizabeth Johnson Benjamin Wakefield Daisy Smith and John Johnson and the Certificate James L. Edward are record all on file in the Pension Office in Washington City and for more certainly she wishes to before as that declaration was made before this Declarants (illegible) was so far impaired by the infirmities of the age as they (illegible)
And she further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Samuel Marsh at the Corner of N and burch Orange County N.Y. on 22d 1782^ was of spring, but the Revnd. John Clouse of New Windson at Capt. Pickering's house in the year seventeen hundred eighty two in April 22d day. And that her husband died in the month of January A.D. 1796 in the town of Pittsboro in Ste. N. York.
That the said marriage as she now thinks did not take place prior to his leaving the regular service but the said marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit at this time as above stated.
Page 139

And that she has not intermarried but continued as the widow of the said Samuel Marsh. She further states that she was (illegible) supposed that her aforesaid husband served after her marriage in April 1782 but in that she may have been mistaken as to such service as(illegible words) and therefore claims nothing for any such services in this application.
Mary Marsh
Sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written that (illegible) regiment and (illegible) was intralined before signing.
J. C. Walworth, Judge of Otsego County Courts

And the said Judge doth hereby certify and (illegible) his opinion after a full investigation
of all the matters that the above declarant on her oath has fairly stated the facts and the said Judge is personally and well acquainted with the aforesaid declarant Mary Marsh and that she is a credible person and entitled to full credit in her statements and that from bodily infirmities is unable to attend the Courts
J. C. Walworth Judge of Otsego County Courts
Page 140

State of New York
Otsego County Ss
I Jesse Rose Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in said County it being a Court of record to Certify that James C. Walworth esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date thereof a Judge of the Court aforesaid duly Commissioned & sworn And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said judge and verily believe his signature affixed thereto and to the certificate of credibility is genuine.
Witness my hand & seal office this 18th day of March 1840
Jesse Rose,Clerk

Imprint of Seal
Page 141

Declaration to obtain the benefits of Act of March 3, 1843
State of New York
Otsego County Ss.
On the 5th day of August 11843 personally appeared before the undersigned Samual H. Harrington a Justice of the Peace of the town of Laurens in Otsego County Mary Marsh a resident of the said town of New Lisbon in the County of Otsego aged eighty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of pensioners who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Samuel Marsh who was an Ensign in the Massachusetts line of Militia the particulars of his service she cannot now recollect but his service of a part of his time in Col. Pickering's Regiment either as an officer or a private on the Hudson River and that she received under the act of July 7th 1838 her the sum of two hundred and forty Dollars a year for the term of five years.
She further declares that she is still the widow of the said Samuel Marsh.
Mary Marsh
Sworn and subscribed on the fifth day of August 1843 before me
Samuel H. Harrington
Justice of the Peace
Page 142

State of New York
Otsego County ss
I Samuel Russell clerk of said County do hereby certify that Samuel H Harrington Esqr before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified and further that I am well
acquainted with the handwriting of said lintier [justice?] and verily believe his signature to the written aft [affidavit] and the certificate annexed to be genuine
Witness my hand & seal of office
this 23d day of Aug AD 1843
Saml Russell Clerk


[Envelope - upside down with numerous handwritten annotations at 90 degrees to address] 
[Sender:] Mount Vernon Jeffery ph Jan 6

[Addressee:] To Judge Holworth 
Burlington Guin
Albeq Co. esq 

[Handwritten Notations at 90 degrees to address]
[1] 3922 Any [illegible] 1843

[2] Mary Marsh
$240

[3] 3307
109
Albany

[4] H. G. Walworth
Burlington
Otsego Co
NY