Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5831, Edmund Town, Mass.
Page 1

Mass.
Town, Edmund
Bliss, Polly (former widow)  W5831
B. L. W. 17711-160-55

ref to Bliss "his name was Solomon"
Page 2

1191
Vermont, Burlington
Polly Bliss, formerly
widow of Edmund Town
Mass, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of October 1855 and sent to J. D. Woodward
Plattsburgh New York

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act (torn)
29, 1848, Pate 34 Vol. A

(illegible notation)
Page 3

Act of Mar 3
223.974 Nov. 22d 1855
Polly Bliss widow of Solomon bliss formerly widow of Edmund Town Pensioner
Polly Bliss formerly widow of Edmund Town 
Revolutionary War

No. 17711 Mar ?/56 (written through above)

Ad: 160 acres Feby. 23,/56
Boynton

(illegible) Feb 22/56

Hon. A Sabin House of Reps.
(J. D. Woodward, Plattsburgh NY--crossed out)

Vol T. page 115
Page 4

No. 223.974

Act of March 3, 1855
Polly Bliss of Vermont
who was the 
Widow of 
Edmund Town

Bounty Land
Original Application

J. D. Woodward Atty.
Page 5

DECLARATION FOR WIDOW
Who has never received Bounty Land

State of Vermont
County of Franklin SS
On this 15th day of November 1855, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace, within and for the County aforesaid, Polly Bliss who was widow of Edmund Town, aged 85 years, a resident of the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Solomon Bliss and the widow of Edmund Town who served in the (company commanded by Captain......in the Regiment of ......Militia, commanded by Colonel--crossed out)
in the war of the Revolution as stated in her declaration (illegible) to obtain her pension under act July 29, 1848. She is now a pensioner 
under (illegible) act. Certificate dated Oct. 8, 1855. The said Edmund Town continued in actual service in said war for at least 14 days and was honorably discharged as stated in her said pension papers, to which she refers.
She further states that she was married to the said Edmund Town in Georgia Vermont on the 7th day of November 1797. and that her name before said marriage was Polly Sabin. That her said husband died at Georgia Vermont on the 24 day of August 1800, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act passes the 3d day of march 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress. She refers to her pension papers for (illegible) J. D. Woodward of Plattsburg N. Y. is duly authorized to prosecute this my claim, and to received any warrant which may be issued hereon.
Witness Josiah Ballard
Polly   X   Bliss
 her mark

AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES
Personally came Alva Sabin M. C. and Sarah Sabin residents of the County of Franklin, Vermont in the State aforesaid, who upon oath declare, that they are personally well acquainted with Mrs. Polly Bliss and saw her sign (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow, and that we have no interest in this claim except natural love and affections.
Alvah Sabin [seal]
Sarah Sabin [seal]

MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE
the foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this fifteenth day of November 1855; and I certify that I believed the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, that I know the witnesses are credible persons, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Josiah Ballard, J. P. 

State of Vermont
County of Franklin, ss
I hereby certify that Josiah Ballard Esq. before whom the foregoing declarations (covered over by seal) were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting justice of the peace within and for (covered over by seal)
aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature above is genuine.
(Seal)  In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 15th day of November 1855.
Joseph H. Brainerd, Clerk
Page 6

Hon. Alvah Sabin
Add'l Affdt.
Page 7

District of Columbia, City & County of Washington SS
Alvah Sabin member of Congress from Vermont aged sixty one years on 23d oct 1854 being duly sworn says that although he has not been able to find a record of the marriage of his mother with Edmond Town he has no doubt it took place on the seventh day of November seventeen hundred and ninety seven, the time stated by her in her declaration and he give the following as some of the reasons for his belief. That in a Family or Bible Record kept by his said mother and believes deponent to have been made more than twenty five years ago, which record is now in deponents possession and produced for comparison with this affidavit is an entry of the Birth of herself and children as follows:
Family Record Births
Polly Town, June 8 1770
Lydia Town Oct. 6, 1798
Polly Town December  1800
Daniel Sabin Nov. 16 1795
Clarissa Sabin Feby 6, 1793
Maria Sabin Nov. 4 1816
George Washington Potise Sept 7 1807
Benjamin Sabin Nov 21, 1767
Edmund Town 1758
Said Record has always been esteemed in his mother's family to be and doubtly is a correct
Page 8

family record to the extent of the entries made therein. that from old age and loss of memory his mother's recollection of the statements of Edmund Town in regard to his services is not very clear, but from the tradition in the family and deponents examination of the matter, he verily believes that the second husband of deponents said mother was the same Edmund Town whose services were stated and set forth in the Certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts dated May 8 1854. He was a man of unquestioned veracity and deponent has no doubt of the truth of his statements contained in said affidavit.
Alvah Sabin

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17th day of February 1835 and I certify that deponents is a credible witness.
A. Rockwell, Justice of the
Page 9

Hon. Alva Sabin
Affdt. June 5 1854
Page 10

I Alvah Sabin of Georgia County of Franklin and State of Vermont do depose testify and say that I am sixty years of age and that I am the eldest child of Polly Bliss of Georgia county and state aforesaid. That my Father was her first husband, his name was Benjamin Sabin, he died on the eleventh day of May A.D. 1796, as I have always understood and as is recorded in our old family Bible. My mother was married to Edmond Town of Fairfield County and state aforesaid on the seventh day of November 1797 as my Mother has often informed me, by one Frederick Bliss of (illegible), who was a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid. The said Edmond Town died at Georgia aforesaid on the 24th day of August 1800.  After this time, my Mother lived the widow of the widow of the said Edmond, deceased, untill the tenth day of May 1825 when she was married to Solomon Bliss of Georgia County and State aforesaid by me a Minister of the Gospel
Page 11

My said Mother continued to live with the said Solomon bliss as his wife untill the fifth day of September 1854 when the said Solomon Bliss died at Georgia aforesaid. I was present at his death and attended his funeral--since which time my said Mother has remained a widow and now is a widow and is still residence in Georgia aforesaid--and further deponant saith not.
Alvah Sabin

State of Vermont
County of Franklin, ss. On this fifth day of June A.D. 1854 at Georgia personally appeared Alvah Sabin and subscribed and swore to the above deposision before me
Cyrus Hotchkiss, Justice of the peace

State of Vermont, District of Georgia SS 
December 12, 1854
I James Davis, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Georgia hereby certify that Cyrus Hotchkiss whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit was on the 5th day of June 1854 a justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Franklin and as such has authority to administer oaths.
James Davis, Judge of Probate
Page 12

State of Vermont
County of Franklin SS  Be it remembered that on the tenth day of May A. D.  1825 at Gerogia County and State aforesaid Solomon Bliss of Georgia aforesaid and Polly town of Georgia aforesaid were duly joined in marriage by me.
Alvah Sabin} Minister of the Gospel

the above is a true copy of record.
A. Sabin
Page 13

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss
On this 12th day of (April=crossed out) December A. D. 1854 before the Court of Probate in and for the District of Georgia county and State aforesaid present Hon. James Davis Judge of Probate personally appeared Polly Bliss a resident of Georgia County and State aforesaid aged eighty three 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 law of the United States past on the 21 day of July A. D. 1848.
That she is the widow of Edmond Town deceased who was a private in army of the Revolution and served as follows as she has been informed and verily believes. He was born in Williamstown Massachusetts as she thinks. She was often informed by Nabby Town the sister of Edmond Town that her mother was nursed by the said Nabby at the time of her the said Pollys birth and that the said Nabby was a young girl at the time. She recollects serving several of the family when she was a child. She recollects to have heard him the said Edmond Town say that he was in the service of Colonel Brewer as a clerk before the commencement of the Revolution war. Colonel Brewer was his the said Edmonds mother's brother. She further declares that as near as she can recollect
Page 14

the said Edmond told her that he served through the war. She well recollects that he said that he served under Col. Brewer but whether he enlisted more than once she does not recollect to have heard him say. She declares that the sisters of the said Edmond told her that she must not expect that their brother Edmond would not make a good farmer because he had been brought up in the army and had not been in the habit of labouring on a farm. If he enlisted a second time I have not been informed and (illegible) he enlisted. she declares that she under stood that he the said Edmond served in the Massachusetts troops but does not recollect to have heard him say from which he enlisted but she believed from Williamstown Mass.  She does not recollect the names of the Captains or other officers under whom he served. she declares that her husband the said Edmond had a son before her marriage to him whose name was Edmond Brewer Town named as she always understood after Col. Brewer under whom he served and who was a relative of the family. On the seventh day of November A. D. 1797 she declares that we was married to the said Edmond Town at Georgia Vt.
Page 15

by one Fredrick Bliss Justice of the Peace. My name at this time was Polly Sabin. I was widow of Benjamin Sabin deceased. That she lives with the said Edmon Town as his wife untill the twenty fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred when he died at Georgia aforesaid. She declares that she remained a widow untill the tenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty five when she was married to Solomon Bliss with whom she lived as his wife untill the fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four when he died in the town of Georgia aforesaid leaving her a widow and that she has ever since remained and is still a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs annexed.
She authorized J. D. Woodward of Plattsburgh N. Y. to act as her Attourney in obtaining her pension Certificate.
Sworn to and subscribed to in open Court on the day and year above written. And I certify that deponant is a highly creditable person and I have no interest in the result of this claim to which the foregoing declaration relates and am not (illegible) in its prosecution.
Polly Bliss
{Judge of Probate, crossed out]
Page 16

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS
(sentence crossed out)
Cyrus Hotchkiss and Charles Williams aged 54 and 40 years of the same place being duly sworn depose and say that they were present and saw Polly Bliss sign her name to the foregoing declaration and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant that said declaration by her subscribed and sworn to is true according to her best recollection and belief.
Cyrus Hotchkiss
Charles Williams

State of Vermont
District of Georgia SS I James Davis Judge of the court of Probate hereby certify certify that on the day and year above written Cyrus Hotchkiss and Charles Williams appeared before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit.
I further certify that the foregoing declaration of Polly Bliss was sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence the day and year aforesaid.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Probate Court the day and year above written.
(seal) 
James Davis Judge

Polly Bliss who was the widow of Edmond Town under act July 29, 1848
Page 17

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section   MMHF

January 17, 1927

Mrs. Hiram Nelson
Sandwich, Illinois

Madam: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 5831 it appears that Edmund Town was born in 1758 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. his mother was the sister of Colonel David Brewer, give names of soldier's parents not stated.
While a resident of Williamstown, Massachusetts he enlisted in 1775 and served as corporal in Captain John Wright's Company, Colonel David Brewer's (his Uncle) Massachusetts Regiment, during which time he was detached to serve as waiter to Joseph Farnsworth, Adjutant Commissary General of the Northern Department, which detachment, was at the request of soldier's sister, a Mrs. Knight, because her brother was young. Length of above service was eight months.
He enlisted January 1, 1777, served a private in the sixth Company of Colonel Bailey's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged December 31, 1779. He died August 24, 1800 in Georgia, Franklin County, Vermont.
soldier married November 7, 1797 in Georgia, Vermont,

(hand written notation: "I omitted Nov. 4, 1796 as she gave this date more than once & Alvah Sabin her son sent a fam. record to show why he thought the above correct")

(hand written notation: "I did not use last sev. as given by State report as no one claimed he did it & it is not stated that (illegible) was of Williamstown")
Page 18

(he then of Fairfield, Franklin County, Vermont) Polly Sabin born June 8, 1770. She was the widow of Benjamin Sabin born November 21, 1867 and who died May 11, 1796. She married the time on May 10, 1825 in Georgia, Vermont, Solomon Bliss who died September 5, 1834. She was married the last time by her son Alvah Sabin who was a minister, and also a Member of Congress from Vermont.
She was allowed pension on account of the services of her husband, Edmund Town, on her application executed December 12, 1834 while a resident of Georgia, Vermont.
Edmund Town and his wife Polly had two children Lydia born October 6, 1798, and Polly born in December 1800 (after the death of her father).  Soldier had a son, Edmond Brewer Town, by a former wife whose name is not given.
The above noted is the only soldier named Edmund Town, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, found on the Revolutionary 
War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner

(hand written notation-"Miss Wilson and I could use this. I gave no other Sabin child named as according to family records. Clarissa who apparently is a child was b. Feb. 6, 1793 & Alvah said he was born Oct. 23-same year. Daniel Sabin was born also.")
Page 19

1759 W. 95th Street
Chicago, Ill.
Aug. 24, 1927

Pension Department
Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have an ancestor, Edmond Town who was in the Revolution and entered the service in Berkshire Co., Mass. He had a son by the same name and entered the service. I believe from the same locality or near there where his father did. For this reason I have been unable to distinguish the fathers from the son's service. I have now learned that the son who he's buried at Georgia, Vermont had a widow, Pollie (McMasters Sabing) Town who received a pension. I think that if you could send me a copy of this application for pension it would enable us to decide which service the father performed and which the son. Perhaps you can yourself tell me which the older Edmund Town performed. He died before he could have a pension.
Yours sincerely,
Nellie J. G. Fender
(Mrs. Elmer E.)

stamp: U. S. Pension Office R Aug 27, 1927
Page 20

A Fast Direct Line for Passengers
Express and Freight Between
London, Aylmer and Pt. Burwell
Connections at Pt. Burwell
with Toronto and Montreal
Steamers

General Offices of
London, Aylmer and North Shore electric Railway
(stamp-U. S. Pension Office A Mar 16, 1904)

Detroit, Mich., March 14, 1904
(stamp-Old War & Navy Files Mar 18, 1904)

Commissioner of Pension, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
Will you please give me an abstract of the services of -Towns, as given in the original application for a pension for services rendered during the Revolutionary War. His wife was Mollie, or Polly, towns, and drew his pension after his death. We do not know positively the given name of great grand-father Towns, but his grand daughter states that he was in the Revolutionary War from beginning to end. Strange as it may appear, the family have no record or remembrance of their great grand-father's given name.
Trusting that you can help us out with the desired information, so that we can obtain the abstract referred to, I am,
Yours truly,
F. Hassler, M.D.
Suite 4, Dailey Blck.

P.S. Great grand-father and great grand-mother Towns were Massachusetts people; from Topsfield, Mass., I think.
Page 21

Sandwich Ills.
Nov. 17-1926

To Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

Kindly send me the military History of Edmond Town who was born at Oxford Mass. Aug. 19-1724. He died in 1779. Married Abigail Brewer she was Bapt. March 29, 1724. Served from Williamstown Mass or from that neighborhood.
The Hoosier Vally by Niles Putnam 1912
Page b-37 his name appears as Sargt. under com. of Capt. Ephraim Williams Junior
Page 22

Fort Mars. dates Sept. 1754
Hoping the Data will help greatly.
I remain Resty. yours,
Mrs. Hiram Nelson
Sandwich Ills.
Page 23

Revy WIDOW, &C.

File No. 5831
Polly Bliss formerly widow of Edmund town
Pvt. Reb. Wars.
Act: July 29, 1848
Index: Vol. A, Page 66

[Arrangement of 1870]

1927 Jan. 17-Hist to Mrs.. Hiram Nelson MMHF
1928 June 14-Hist. to Mrs. Elmer E. Fender-Letter sent to (smudged) Div. for Civil War reply
Page 24

17711

160 acres
Page 25

Bounty Land    FREE

Hon. James Minot
Commr. of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

No. 223.794

Stamped-Plattsburgh, N. Y. 3 Paid, Nov. 20
Page 26

Pens. act 29 July '48  bf

Boynton
Page 27

No. 1408
Polly Bliss
widow of Edmd. town
Vermont

J. D. Woodward Feby. 21/55
 "        "      "   April 2/55

July 29, 1848
Page 28

Plattsburgh N. Y. March 26, 1855

Sir
From the letter of A. J. Waterman late town Clerk of Williamstown Mass (enclosed) it appears that the records of that town afford no information in regard to Edmund Town. The affidavit of Francis Hutinack proves the identity of the former Husband of Mrs. Bliss with the Edmund Town who performed a Three years tour & we think his testimony in connection with the other evidence sufficient to authorise an allowance of the claim.
Respectfully yours,
J. D. Woodward

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Page 29

Town Clerk of Williamstown, Mass.
rec'd mar 24 1855
Page 30

Lenox Mass. March 19th 1855

J. D. Woodward
Washington D. C. 

Your letter dated 21st Feby. I rec'd at Williamstown and have examined the records of sd. Williamstown from the earliest down and can find nothing that can possibly do you any good-in fact I cannot find the name of Town except Johathan & Nathaniel-Coon I cannot find at all. I am not now clerk of sd. town my office having expired on the tenth of this month=but have been for four years & am well acquainted with the books having looked them over many times upon the same kind of business.
There is nothing in them for your benefit in the case.
James A. Waterman
Page 31

Hon. Alvah Sabin  (illegible) Fam, Hutinak

Family Record examined & returned to J. D. Woodward Esq.  Satisfactory to marriage before 1800

8/88 
29.33 1/3
$80 a year

16=12=40 
       15-10
       10-33
$82.66 1/3
Page 32

Edmund Town adm. 32 Vert.  48
Page 33

Polly Bliss formerly widow of Edmund Town
Vermont
adm. July 29, 1848
2 yrs pri N.Y. $80.00
per annum from
4th March 1848

Cert. to
J. D. Woodward
Plattsburgh
New York
Page 34

Brief in the case of Polly Bliss formerly widow of Edmund Town
County and State of Vermont
act July 29, 1848

Claim, original
Proof exhibited (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
The service of her husband is proved by Record, with which he is identified by the testimony of H. Hutinak who has often heard him describe his service and Joseph D. Farnsworth who knew him while in service and Hon. Alvah Sabin who knows of his reputation as a soldier of the Revolution.
Marriage proved by the production of the Family Record.
Cohabitation & general reputation of marriage proved by credible witnesses among them Hon. Alvah Sabin. Her identity, his death & her present widowhood proved by credible witnesses.
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
J. D. Woodward
Plattsburg N.Y.
Page 35

Washington d. C. Feby 17, 1855

Sir,
I enclose papers of Polly Bliss who was the widow of Edmund Town under act July 29, 1848.
Respectfully yours
J. D. Woodward

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comm. of Pens.
Page 36

Town Clerk
Georgia, Vt.
No record of Edmund Town is (illegible)
Page 37

Georgia Jan. 11th 1855

Rev, A. Sabin
Dear Sir
I have examined the Town Records and do certify the marriage of Edmond Town to Polly Sabin is not recorded in the Town Clerks office of Georgia.
Attest N. Deane
Town Clerk

I hereby certify that I know that N. Deane is the Town Clerk of the Town of Georgia Vermont.
Washington Jan. 20 1855
A. Sabin M. C.

P. B.. Your neighbour Sabin Ballard died of Malignant Small Pox on the night of the 9th of Jan. There has been many exposed, but hope that barium may prevent.
N.D.
Page 38

State of Vermont
Franklin County SS.
I joseph D. Farnsworth of Fairfax in said County now eighty three years of age being duly sworn, depose and say that I was well acquainted with Edmund Town formerly of Georgia now deceased from my boyhood until his death in eighteen hundred at Georgia in this County. He was a few years my senior in age. It was the understanding that he enlisted in the army of the United States in Col. Brewer's regiment at Williamstown Mass. He occasionally visited an older sister Mrs. Knight who was a near neighbor of my fathers. Came home in the uniform of the U. States army. I have the impression that he served two or three years. From my then early age cannot say how many but would say not less than two and have strongly the impression three. My Father Joseph Farnsworth then residing at Bennington Vt. was Assistant Commissary Genl. of the Norther Department and by the regulations of the war department
Page 39

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss 
(seal)
I Joseph H. Brainard Clerk of the County Court of the County of Franklin of aforesaid, do hereby certify that Ruben Dewey was on the 28th day of July A. D. 1855 & still is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin aforesaid, duly elected & qualified to act as such magistrate, and authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. That the foregoing signature purporting to be said Dewey's is genuine. That full faith & credit ought to be given to his official
acts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the County Court aforesaid & subscribed my name officially at St. Albans in said County of Franklin this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
Joseph H. Brainerd, Clerk
Page 40

was entitled to a waiter from the time of the army.  At the request of Mrs. Knight he took Edmund Town her brother who was then young. he was with him in that capacity while serving as a soldier in Col. Brewer's regiment in the uniform of a soldier for several months. Sometimes for a few days in our family and then with the army at the north. When he left the attendance upon my father he returned to the northern army occassionally as already stated visiting his friends at Bennington. I have the impression that he enlisted more than once, at that time enlistments were made for six, nine and twelve months and more. Mr. Town was my near neighbor in the County of Franklin for several years before his death and we often conversed on the subject of the war of the revolution he relating many incidents which occured while in service of the United States as a solder. I never knew any other Edmund Town in this region, resided at
Page 41

Bennington about ten miles from Williamstown, where as I understood Town enlisted in his uncle Col. Brewer's regiment, until January 1845 when I removed to Franklin County. The universal impression that Edmund Town was a soldier of the U. States army for several years was general & prevalent as the knowledge of the man, He was often called the old soldier.
Joseph D. Farnsworth
"83"

Sworn & subscribed to before me this 28th day of July 1855 and I certify that the deponent is a increditable witness.
Reuben Dewey Just. Peace
Page 42

Polly Bliss of Vermont who was the widow of Edmund Town.
Act July 29, 1848.
Additional Evidence
J. D. Woodward Atty
Present.
Page 43

Washington D.C. Sept 30 . 1855
Sir,
I enclose additional evidence in the case of Polly Bliss of Vermont who was the widow of Edmund Town. act July 29, 1848.
Respectfully yours,
J. D. Woodward
Hm Jas Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 44

Polly Bliss 
No 1493
the widow of Edmund Town
Affidts. Medad Baker
Page 45

I Medad Baker of Georgia in the county of Franklin and State of Vermont do depose and say that I am sixty nine years of age. That I have resided in the said town of Georgia for more than sixty years and that I have been well acquainted with Polly Bliss from my boy hood and am well acquainted with her children two of whom she had by her first Husband, Benjamin Sabin, Alvah and Daniel and two of whom she had by her second Husband, Edmond Town, Lydia & Polly. I always understood and do now verily believe and never heard at questioned that the said Polly Bliss was lawfully Married to the said Edmond Town deceased. I know that she removed to the town of Fairfield and lived with the said Edmond as his wife and that she removed back
Page 46

to said Georgia with the said Edmond when he soon after died. His grave is now on the farm left by the said Polly Bliss first husband.
I was also well acquainted with the third husband of said Polly Bliss namely Soloman Bliss. I know that she lived for some eight or ten years with the said Solomon Bliss as his wife. I know that sd. Solomon Bliss died several years since and Polly Bliss still remains his widow and still resides in this said town of Georgia. 
Medad Baker

State of Vermont
Franklin County Georgia Dec. 11th A. D. 1854
Personally appeared before me Medad Baker and made solom oath to the foregoing affidavit.
Josiah Ballard Justice of the peace
Page 47

State of Vermont
District of Georgia SS
St. Albans December 12th 1854
I James Davis, ^Judge^ of the Probate Court within and for the District of Georgia aforesaid hereby certify that Josiah Ballard whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate was on the 11th day of December A. D. 1854 ^a Justice of the Peace^ and as such had authority to take deposition and administer oaths and that the said signature in my opinion is his.

(seal-Probate Court Georgia District)

In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name on the day and year aforesaid.
James Davis, Judge of Prob. Court
Page 48

Col. D. B. McNiel
Affidavit
in case of
Polly Bliss

J. D. Woodward Atty.
Page 49

State of New York
Clinton County Ss:

I David B. McNiel of Plattsburgh in said County aged sixty eight years, the magistrate before whom an affidavit of Francis Hutinack was taken & sworn in the case of Polly Sabin upon the third day of June 1854, do Certify that I have for many years past been acquainted with said Francis Hutinack & believe him to have been a man of unquestioned veracity & although he lived to a great age, he had a remarkable retention memory & his intelectual qualities were as clear & bright as most men at the age of sixty years. At the time said Hutinack made his affidavit before me his comment (illegible) on the subject of the services of his Brother in Law Edmund Town in the Revolutionary War & appeared to have a thorough & clear understanding of the same. At the time he made his affidavit I have & still have the most entire confidence in his statements so far as his knowledge extended, touching the services of the said Town in the Revolutionary War. 
Hutinack has since died respected by all that knew him for his veracity & sound integrity. He was distinguished for his (illegible) & his interesting conversational powers.
D. B. McNeil

Sworn & subscribed before me this 13th day of September 1855, & I certify that deponent is a highly credible witness. 
C. C. Halsey Jus. Peace
Page 50

State of New York
Clerk's Office of Clinton County SS.

I Lewis W. Pierce, Clerk of the County Courts of said County, (the same being Courts of Record,) do hereby certify that Cornelius Halsey Esq., whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Clinton, dwelling therein, commissioned, sworn and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice of the Peace, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine and that the said intrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
(Seal)
In Testimony Whereof, I have  hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court and County this 15th day of September A. D. 1855.
L. W. Pierce
Page 51

Presumptive Record Proof of Marriages, Births of children
(Corroborations)
Page 52

State of Vermont
District of Georgia Ss.

Be it remembered that on the twenty first day of October in the year of our Lork one thousand eight hundred letters of administration were granted on the estate of Edmund Town, late of Georgia in the District oof Georgia deceased, to  Asahel Johnson of Georgia aforesaid and bonds taken as the law directed.
By Jonathan Hoit, Judge of Probate 

At a Court of Probate for the District of Georgia holden at St. Albans in said District on the 14th day of November A. D. 1806 Asahel Johnson Administrator on the estate of Edmund Town, late of Georgia deceased, exhibited an account of his administration as above, the same being examined and allowed by me.
Jonathan Hoit Judge

Ordered that the Polly town, the widow of the said deceased be paid out of the residue of the said estate the sum of one hundred and ninety six dollars for the maintenance of one infant child for the term of seven years and one other child for five years.. There then remaining of the said estate the sum of $227.23 t be divided one third part of which to be paid to the widow and the other two thirds to be divided to the children and heirs of said deceased according to law.
Jonathan Hoit Judge of Probate

State of Vermont
District of Georgia ss. Probate Office, St. Albans
January 10th A. D. 1855
I hereby certify that the foregoing are true
Page 53

and correct exhibits from the Probate Records in this office relating to the settlement of Edmund Town's estate.
(Seal)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 10th day of January A. D. 1855
James Davis, Judge of Probate
Page 54

Certificate of the Court of Probate
Page 55

At a Court of Probate holden in and for the district of Georgia in the County of Franklin and state of Vermont at the town of Franklin in said County on this 12th day of December 1854 present (illegible name crossed out) James Davis Judge of Probate It was proven to the satisfaction of said court in open court that Edmond Tow a soldier of the revolution died in the town of Georgia in said County and State on the the twenty fourth day of August A. D. 1800 leaving a widow whose name was Polly Town. That she remained a widow until the tenth day of May a. D. 1825 when she was married to Solomon Bliss of Georgia aforesaid who died in said town of Georgia on the 5th day of September a. D. 1834, leaving her a widow and she has since remained and still is a widow. The evidence addressed was satisfactory to said Court and consistant of the declaration on oath of the said widow and the affidavits of Alvah Sabin of Georgia and the evidence addressed was satisfactory to sd. court
Page 56

In witness of the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name as the Judge of said Court and affixed the seal thereof this 12th day of December 1854.
(seal)
James Davis, Judge
Page 57

Francis Hutinack
aff [illegible] June 3 1854.
Page 58

State of New York
County of Clinton Ss.

Francis Hutinack of Schuyler Falls in siad County aged ninety four years being duly sworn says that he married a sister of Edmund Town, who formerly resided in Williamstown, Massachusetts & deponent became acquainted with siad Town in Williamstown aforesaid during the administration of the (ellegible) John Adams, & knew said Town from that time to the period of his death & was with him when he died in Georgia Vermont. that said Town was married to Polly Sabin (who was a widow at the time) in the year 1796 as deponent has been informed & believes &lived with him until his death. Deponent has frequently during the life time of said Edmund Town heard him say that he resided in Williamstown aforesaid during the Revolutionary War & entered the Army from that Town & performed several tours of service from Williamstown aforesaid one of which tours was for three years, & remember hearing him say that he served with Col. Bailey & Col. Brewer & has often heard him speak of his sufferings in the revolution, & deponent verily believed that said Town served more than four years in the Revolutionary War, that he moved from Williamstown aforesaid to Pownal Vermont from thence to Mansfield Vermont & from there to Georgia Vermont where he died leaving
Page 59

the said Polly Town a Widow, & she remained a Widow until her marriage with Mr. Bliss, with whom she resided until his death. She is the Mother of the Hon. Alvah Sabin M. C. from Vermont, said Edmund Town was always reputed in the town where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution & deponent has no doubt that he served as above stated.
Francis Hutinack

Sworn & subscribed to this 3rd day of June 1854 & I certify that deponent is a credible witness. I have no interest in the result of the claim to which this applicant (illegible) & am not concerned in its prosecution.
D. B. McNiel
Justice of the Peace
Page 60

State of New York
Clerk's Office of Clinton County ss.
I, L. W. Pierce Clerk of the County Courts of said County (the same being Courts of Record) do hereby certify that D. B. McNiel Esq. whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement a Justice of the Peace in ad for said County of Clinton, dwelling therein, commissioned, sworn and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I a well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice of the Peace, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine and that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court and County this 3d day of June A. d. 1854.
L. W. Pierce Clerk
Page 61

Secretary of Massachusetts
Record Proof of Service
by Edmund Town.
Page 62

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[Seal on top left of document]
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 8th 1854.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Edmund Town is borne on return of 8 mos. min. in Capt. John Wrights Comp. Col. David Brewer's Regt. return not dated, but name borne on Coat roll in said Capt. John Wright's Comp. Dated Roxbury Camp. Nov. 2nd 1775, as Corporal from Williamstown.
Also on Continental Army Books in 6th Comp. Col. Bailey's Regt. from January 1st 1777 to Dec. 31, 1779. 36 mos. as private from Williamstown.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Abel Holden's Comp. of six months Levies from Aug 1, 1780 to the time of their discharge 5 mos.
Page 63

And: I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears: that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 64

Georgia Vermont
April 6 - 1854
To the Secretary of Massachusetts,
Sir,
My former husband Edmund Town was born in Williamstown Mass. and entered the service from that town, and served a tour of three years as she believes during the revolutionary war under Col Brewer with the Massachusetts [illegible] and [illegible] thinks he performed another tour of service from said town, but do not recollect the officers names. My knowledge of his services is derived from what he said on the subject in his life time. I was married to him on the 4 day of November 1796 and am now a widow. Will you prepare a certificate of any services rendered by my said husband in the Mass troops during the revolutionary war and send same to my attorney J. D. Woodward Washington D.C. by mail your fee $1 enclosed. 
In presence of
Cyrus Hotchkiss Jus [Justice of} Peace
Respectfully yours
Polly Bliss