Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18240, Sipeo Watson, Conn
Page 1

[printed form completed in handwriting]
(3-1776)
Service
Conn
Watson, Sipeo
Juda
Or Judah
Number
W. 18240
Page 2

[printed form completed in handwriting]

Connecticut 3064
Judah Watson
Widow of Sip Watson 
who died on the 4t March 1815
of Windham in the State of Connt
who was a Pri in the Compy commanded 
by Captain Ely in the Regt commanded 
by Prentice Conn. In the Con 
line for 2 years

============================
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 80 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

============================ 
Certificate of Pension issued the 24t day of Sept.
’39, and sent to Kinney Gallup,
Voluntown, Con.
============================ 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept.         	$680.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 	    40.00
	                                                $720.00
		                                          ===== 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the [blank]}
Recorded by R Burdine Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 80

[right page]
Let to P Agt Oct 15 1839
Let to Hon J H Brockway Mar 18 1840
Let to W C Stanton Mar 21 1849
Page 3

[handwritten]
V 4448
Judah Watson
Widow of Sipe
Con 
Act 4 July ‘36
On Roll – Ely – Huntington
4 May 77. War
Admd
2 yrs pri
80$
Kinney Gallup
Voluntown
Con.
Page 4

[handwritten]
Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836

State of Connecticut
County of Windham ss Probate District of Voluntown

On this 27th day of February AD 1839 Personally appeared before the Probate Court of the District of Voluntown now Seting Judah Watson a resident of the town of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 85 years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836.
That she is the widow of Sipeo Watson alias Sip Watson alias Zip Watson who was a private in the army of the Revolution. That he enlisted & from the best of any recollection Some time in the fore part of the month of May 1777 and immediately Joined the Continental Troops under the Command of Lt. Col Samuel Prentice and was annexed to Capt Christopher Elys Comp in the sd Lt Col Prentice Battalion. And that he my husband the said Sipeo Watson – Alias Sip Watson – alias Zip Watson enlisted During the War and served his full period of enlistment & was Discharged from the best of my recollection at the time the other Continental Soldiers were
That my husband the Said Sipeo – Alias Sip – alias Zip Watson when he enlisted was a resident of the State of Connecticut aforesaid and of the town of Plainfield in the County aforesaid
Page 5

[handwritten]
She further Declares that She was married to the said Sipeo Watson _ alias Sip Watson _alias Zip Watson on the Twenty fifth day of March in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven  That her husband the aforesaid Sipeo _ alias Sip _ alias Zip Watson died on the Fourth day of March Eighteen Hundred and Fifteen: and that she has remained a widow every Since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Juda Watson “X” Her mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year aforesaid Writen Before me
[signed] Kinney Gallup Judge
Page 6

[handwritten]
I Jepthah Harris of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 84 year and now on a visit to my Sons house in the City of Norwich in the County of New London & state aforesaid_ Being duly cautioned & sworn do Depose and say That Sipeo Watson and Juda Watson his wife moved into the Town of Plainfield aforesaid soon after the Close of the Revolutionary war & continued to reside there and in the adjoining town until the Time of the death of the said Sipeo Watson
That from the time I knew them which was soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, the time of their moving into Plainfield they always lived together as Husband & wife until the death of the sd Watson

They were reputed to have been married several years before I knew them 
[signed] Jephthah Harris

State of Connecticut
New London County Norwich Feb 20th 1839
Personally appeared Jephthah Harris signer to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber, (from the Statement of Respectable persons who are personally known to the subscriber) to be a witness whose statements are entitled to full credit & belief and made Solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
I hereby certify that the word “soon” in ninth line from top, “adjoining” Eleventh line from top & “which” in fourteenth line from top were written on an erasure before the signing of the same by the Deponent.
[illegible] Wm C Stanton Notary Public
Page 7

[handwritten]
I Elias Davis of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged about 59 years Being duly cautioned & sworn do Depose and say that in the year 1793 I first became acquainted with  Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife & from that time until the time of sd Watsons death he and Judah above named lived together as husband and wife and had when I first became acquainted with them _ several children  That the said Sipeo & Judah were reputed to have been married many years before I knew them. The said Sipeo died in the year of 1815 at Griswold aforesaid and Judah Watsson aforesaid has remained his widow ever since & now lives in Plainfield

[signed] Elias Davis

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss Griswold Feb 27th 1839
Personally appeared Elias Davis who has signed the above deposition & who is known to the subscriber, as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 8

[handwritten]
I Abram Perry of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 80 years after Being duly cautioned & sworn do Depose and say that I knew Sipeo Watson & Juda Watson and was well acquainted with sd Sipeo Watson in the time of the Revolutionary War. That the said Sipeo died Some years since at Griswold or Plainfield in which town I do not know. That Judah Watson his widow now lives in Plainfield aforesaid.
That the said Sipeo I believe was wounded while in the service. That they lived together as husband & wife until his death

[signed] Abram Perry “X” His Mark
E B Pendleton
Wm C Stanton

State of Connecticut
New London County} North Stonington Feb 1st 1839
Then Personally appeared Abram Perry who has subscribed to the above deposition by his mark testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 9

[handwritten]
I James Newkey of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 79 years & upwards being duly cautioned & sworn do depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary War as a soldier at Newport Rhode Island & on the Eastern Shores of N. J. in the Revolutionary War as stated in my declaration now in the pension office And I also served at said places at different times all of which service I did not set forth as I could not procure proof of it.
That I saw Sipeo Watson who they sometimes called Zip & sometimes Sip Watson at the time the British Evacuated the Island of Newport in the State of N.J. that he the said Sipeo Watson from the best of my recollection was at said Newport as a soldier in the Continental line of Continental Troops and that he then told me he was enlisted for during the war. That I became acquainted with the said Sipeo Watson at Newport.
That before the Revolutionary War begun I knew Judah Wheeler or a Girl whom they called Judah Wheeler & who lived in Stonington. That I did not see the said Judah Wheeler from about the time of the commencement of the war until soon after the death of her husband the said Sipeo Watson afrsd. 
The the said Judah Watson (& before marriage Judah Wheeler) was then living at a place in the town of Griswold in New London County called “Stone Hill” = Then I first saw her there at said Stone Hill I did not recollect her looks it was a great many years since I had seen
Page 10

[handwritten]
her _ I recollect that she asked me if I was not formerly of Stonington I answered her that I was. She says, “I was formerly from that town. do you not recollect me?” “This is she that was Judah Wheeler”. of Stonington”. I then recollected her.
	She then told me that as soon as her husband the sd Sipeo left the service in the Continental Army they moved from Stonington to Lisbon or Plainfield & which I do not recollect
	I then told her that I knew her husband when in the service. I never saw him after he left the service.
	The Time I saw the widow Watson as afsd was about Twenty years ago, since then I have often seen her and some of the time lived near her, She has not been married since the death of the sd Sipeo Watson but still remains his widow.
	Judah Watson of Plainfield afsd is the same identified Judah Watson above named.

[signed] James Newkey “X” His mark

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Voluntown Feb 12 1839
Personally appeared James Newkey who has subscribed to the foregoing deposition by his mark in my Presence and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 11

[handwritten]
I William Adams of Lisbon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 86 years and upwards, A pensioner of the United Sates Being sworn according to law, Do Depose and say that I knew a man by the name of Sipeo Watson who formerly lived in Lisbon aforesaid. That at the close of the Revolutionary War I first became acquainted with said Watson, and from the time I first knew him, until he removed to Plainfield Said Sipeo Watson & Juda Watson whom he then called his wife, lived together as husband and wife. when I first knew them; and so continued to live together as husband and wife until they removed from this town to Plainfield at which Place he died, or in the town of Griswold.
	That while he lived in Lisbon aforesaid he the said Sipeo Watson & Juda Watson his wife had a number of children. the older of his sons I should think must be (if living) fifty years and upwards. 
	That from General report and from what they said when they used to live in this town they were Lawfully married but I was not at the wedding nor did not know them until after they were married
	That in 1809 I first officiated as Justice of the Peace in and for the County of New London. That it was not then the custom to keep a record of marriages. At least for Justices of the Peace to in this town
[signed] William Adams

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss Lisbon December 28 AD 1838
Personally appeared Deacon William Adams signer to the above Deposition who is known to the subscriber from the statement of credible persons who is known to the subscriber, to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made
Page 12

[handwritten]
Solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 13

[handwritten]
I Robert H Rude of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 51 years and upwards, After being duly cautioned and sworn, Do Depose and say that I am well acquainted with Juda Watson of Plainfield afrsd Widow of Sipeo Watson, That the said Sipeo & Judah lived on a farm that belonged to my Father for upwards of nineteen years. 
	That I have always known and been acquainted with Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife ever since I was a small boy until the time of sd Sipeo Watsons Death
	That the said Sipeo Watson died in the latter part of the winter or fore part of Spring 1815 and was buried on my farm.
	That From the time I first knew the said Sipeo Watson & Judah Watson they lived together as husband & wife until the time of said Watson Death, and were reputed to have been married before I knew them
	That Joseph Watson son of Sipeo & Judah Watson if now living would be about Fifty six years of age, from what he used to tell me when he was a boy. He then used to say that he was born in the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Three.
	That the sd Sipeo Watson was lame in his leg and he used to say the he was wounded while in an engagement with the enemy in the Revolutionary war and The wound on the leg was a running sore most of the Time until the time of his Death. 
[signed] Robert H. Rude
Page 14

State of Connecticut
County of Windham} ss Plainfield Jun 23d 1839
Personally appeared Robert H Rude Esq who has signed the within Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same
Before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 15

[handwritten]
I Zebulon Parkis of Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 68 years being duly cautioned and sworn according to Law do depose and say that I was born in the Town of Plainfield in the County of Windham & State afrsd and resided in Plainfield and in that vicinity until spring of 1827 when I removed to Norwich aforesaid where I now live
 	That I was acquainted with Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife who lived in Plainfield aforesaid and in that vicinity
	I knew them both from the time I was Twelve years of age until the time of the death of the said Sipeo Watson, and have since know the Wid of sd Sipeo until the present time and That the said Sipeo Watson & Judah Watson lived Together as Husband & wife from the time I first knew them until the Time of the sd Sipeo’s Death. That they were reputed to have been married before the close of the Revolutionary war some years.
	That they had several children the oldest of his sons if living would be about fifty six years of age  his name was Joseph
	The said Sipeo & Judah were when living in Plainfield near neighbors to me  That Sipeo Watson was wounded in the Revolutionary was & I have felt the Ball in his leg which he said was Shot in there when in an engagement.
Zebulon Parkis “X” his mark
Page 16

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss Norwich Feb 20th 1839
Personally appeared Zebulon Parkis who has subscribed to the within Deposition by his mark in my presence, (and from the statement of the Hon. John Hyde & others of high reputation) is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 17

[handwritten]
I Nancy Almy of Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 70 years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I have been married Fifty years and for several years before I was married I was acquainted with Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife  that they were reputed to have been married many years before I knew them & had several children before I knew them
	I was acquainted with the said Sipeo until the time of his death and that the said Judah has remained his widow ever since his death & still remains his widow
	That Judah Watson now of Plainfield in the County of Windham and state of Connecticut is the same identical Judah Watson above named
[signed] Nancy Almy  Wm C Stanton
[also printed] Nancy Almy “X” her mark

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Canterbury March 2d 1839
Personally appeared Nancy Almy who has subscribed to the above deposition and who is known to the subscriber from statement of respectable persons to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 18

[handwritten]
I Hardin Almy of Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 45 years May 1839 being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Sipeo Watson & Judah Watson his wife of Plainfield & that I was acquainted with them from the time I was a young boy until the time of the death of the said Judah Watsons husband. 
	They had several children the oldest of them Birch & Joseph & if now living Birch would be about sixty years of age & Joseph about Fifty six years of age
[signed] [illegible – does not appear to be the signature of Hardin Almy]

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Canterbury March 2d 1839
Personally appeared Hardin Almy subscriber to the above deposition & from statement of respectable persons, is known to the subscriber to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 19

[handwritten]
I Jerusha Gallup of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 90 years and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn according to law do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Sipeo Watson & Judah Watson his wife of Plainfield & that in the forepart of the Revolutionary war Manuel Kinne & David Gallup my Brother both of Plainfield Hired Sipeo Watson to Enlist into the service During the time the war should continue  That hiring a man to take their place during the war excused them from performing duty in the service
	The said Sipeo Watson Enlisted some time in the fore part of the war but I cannot tell what year it was positively & my Brother David Gallup & Manuel Kinne who was also a connection of mine by marriage were both excused from serving in the war any longer after they Hired the said Sipeo Watson to Join or enlist into the army
	That it was reputed at the time that the said Sipeo Watson was married before he [illegible] into the army for during the war I knew the said Sipeos wife  her name was Judah Watson  That the said Sipeo & Juda lived together as husband and wife until the time of the said Sipeo Death  and that Judah Watson aforesaid now lives in Plainfield and is still the Widow of Sipeo Watson aforesaid. 
[signed] Jerusha Gallup “X” His Mark
Donando Spalding
Wm C Stanton

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield Feb 27th 1839
Personally appeared Jerusha Gallup who has subscribed to the above deposition & who is known to the subscriber to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 20

[handwritten] 
I Violet Ocry of Lisbon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 88 years and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn according to speak the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth do depose and say that from the best of my recollection I moved into this town (Lisbon) Fifty Six years ago last November and I have lived here ever since.
	That I had been in this town four years lacking about Two weeks when my daughter Harriet was born and she was born on Seventeenth day of August Seventeen Hundred and Eighty six and was Fifty Two years of age August 17t 1838  This is I why I recollect the year I moved here.
	That I had a cousin by the name of Sipeo Watson who married Judah Wheeler  That the said Sipeo and the said Judah were reputed to have been married by Elisha Lothrop Esq of This Town (Lisbon) in the spring of 1777  I did not see them married but such was at that time the common report & They lived together as husband and wife from the aforesaid time until the Time of sd Sipeo Watsons Death which was I think in the spring after the September [illegible] in 1814. That at the Time of the marriage or soon after that time it was reported that the sd Sipeo Enlisted and went in the Revolutionary Army & served until the close of the war.
	The said Sipeo & Judah Watson lived in this town afsd soon after the close of the war & removed from here to Plainfield in Windham County
	That the said Sipeo Watson & Judah Watson had several children that oldest of which was named Binah Watson and (if living) would now be Sixty years of age and upwards  My Cousin Sipeo Watsons wife afsd was brought up at a Mr. Wheeler in the Town of Stonington
	That Judah Watson who now lives in the town of Plainfield in the County of
Page 21

Windham is the same Identical Judah Watson aforesaid named & is the widow of Sipeo Watson afsd and that the said Judah is 85 years of age & upwards
[signed] Violet Ocry “X” her mark
Signed in the presence of 
Duranda Ocry
Wm C Stanton

State of Connecticut 
New London County} ss Lisbon Feb 19t 1839 
Personally appeared Violet Ocry who has subscribed to the above and foregoing Deposition and  who is known to the subscriber (from the Statement of the Reverend Levi Nelson, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, The Rev. Mr Nelsons Wife & other respectable persons known to the Subscriber) to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me 
[signed] Wm C Stanton 
Notary Public
Page 22

[handwritten]
I Bethena Wilson of Lisbon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 81 years and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say that I moved into this Town early in the Revolutionary war soon after its commencement and have lived here ever since. That soon after I moved into this town I became acquainted with Judah Watson who was the wife of Sipeo Watson   that is she the sd Judah worked for me & when at work for me used to tell me that She and Sipeo, whom the People sometimes called Sip & sometimes Zip Watson were married together  she might have told me who married them & if she did tell me the name of the person that married them I have forgotten it. But I know she used to tell me that they were married & Such was then the common report & it is now believed that they were lawfully married  Sipeo her husband used to work for my husband after Sipeo came out of the Army  That they lived together from the spring of 1777 the time they were reported to have been married until the death of the sd Sipeo Watson which was in the spring after the great September Gale in 1814 (Except when in service) That Judah Watson of Plainfield is the same Identical Juda Watson whom I have above named
	That they lived together as Husband & wife from the reputed time of their marriage until the time of sd Watsons death as above stated except the time said Watson was in the army.
[signed] Bethena Wilson “X” her mark
Page 23

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss Lisbon Feb 19th 1839 
Personally appeared Bethena Wilson who subscribed to the foregoing Deposition in my presence by her mark and (from the Statement of Deacon William Adams & family & other respectable persons known to the Subscriber)  who is known to the subscriber to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 24

[handwritten] 
I Mary Wilson of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 84 years being duly cautioned and sworn according to Law Do Depose and say that My Fathers name was Elisha Lothrop & always lived in the town of Lisbon until his Death. That he was a Justice of the Peace & often was called on to Join persons in Marriage  That is was his custom to keep a record of the persons he married but what has become of the record kept by him I do not know
That when I lived with my Father in Lisbon aforesaid I knew Sipeo Watson called Sip & sometime Zip. And I knew Juda Watson his wife   That soon after the close of the war the sd Sipeo Watson & Judah his wife moved into the town of Lisbon aforesaid & lived there Two or Three years or more _ That from the best of my recollection the said Sipeo and Judah had several children and the oldest of which if now Living I should think would be upwards of Fifty five year of age and perhaps Sixty year of age.
That it appears to me that the said Sipeo Watson & Judah were married at my Fathers home and by him & that I was present and saw them married and that it was when I was between Twenty and Twenty Two or Twenty Three years of age. but I cannot positively affirm to it. Yet I believe it was so. That they were married as above stated
That Judah Watson widow of Sipeo Watson who now lives in Plainfield is the same Identical Judah Watson above named
[signed] Mary Wilson
Page 25


State of Connecticut 
New London County} ss Lisbon Feb 18 1839 
Personally appeared Mrs Mary Wilson who has signed the foregoing Deposition and  who is known to the subscriber as be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me 
[signed] Wm C Stanton 
Notary Public
Page 26

[handwritten]
I Lettis Lamb of Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 76 years  & upwards, after being duly cautioned & sworn according to law do depose and say, That is was born in the town of Groton (as my mother used to tell me) in Connecticut and when I was ten years of age I recollect that went over to Stonington with my Master & Mistress to Ephraim Wheelers and there I became  acquainted with Judah Wheeler a girl of my own color who was brought up at the Wheelers  She was then a woman Grown  this was before the war begun. That as near as I can recollect, about one year after the Independence of the United States was declared the afsd Judah Wheelers Mother, (whose name was Mazzy Laten), told me that her daughter Judah was married to a man by the name of Sipeo Watson
	I have known Judah Watson afsd from the time I got acquainted with her as afsd until this time, and I know Judah Watson now of Plainfield is the same Identical Judah Watson above named
	That I did not see the said Judah from the time I saw her at the Wheelers afsd until about the close of the war and she then told me that she was married & laughed at me about getting married
	That Judah Watson’s oldest child if now living must be sixty years of age or upwards
[signed] Lettis Lamb “X” Her Mark
Page 27

State of Connecticut 
New London County} ss Norwich March 19th 1839 
Personally appeared Lettis Lamb who subscribed to the within Deposition by her mark in my presence and from the Statement of Walter Rose Esq & other respectable men of Norwich who are known to the Subscriber, the sd Lettis Lamb is a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me 
[signed] Wm C Stanton 
Notary Public
Page 28

[handwritten]
State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Probate District of Voluntown
I John F. Bacon Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Voluntown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the case of the Application of the Widow Judah Watson for a pension.
In Testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty ninth day of March Anno Domini one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty nine and on the sd day have affixed the Seal of Said Court
[signed] John F Bacon Clerk of Probate
Page 29

[handwritten]
[left page]
1930 – Oct 16. Hist to Adj Gen Carbon Copy of letter under C. H. Bridges in Misc. File EEL

[right page]
[printed form completed in handwriting]
Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 18240
Judah Watson 
Widow of Sip. Watson
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: - Vol. M, Page 310
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

[handwritten]
Pens office
Sept 26 1839
Enroll act
4 July 1836 – 
Lucinda Miles
Sarah Watson
Page 31

[printed form completed in handwriting]
War Department, 
Pension Office,
Sept 26 1839.

Sir:
        Be pleased to inscribe on your roll the name of Lucinda Miles formerly widow of Darcus Hickok, decd who was a [illegible] at the rate of 100 dollars and [blank] cents per annum; commencing on the 4th March, 1831, under the 3d section of the act of July 4, 1836, and pay her pension up to the time of the last semi-annual payment, if she should be still living and unmarried, and, if not, you will pay the money due up to the day of her death, or her marriage, as the case may be.
	Pensions under the above act are to be paid immediately on the production of the proper vouchers.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

To the Agent for paying Pensions
at Hartford, Con
You will be please, also, to inscribe on your rolls the following named persons, and pay them agreeably to the rates set opposite to their names respectively:
Names./Rank./Annual Amount./Commencement of Pension.
Sarah Watson widow of Sip Watson/Pri/$80.00/4th March 1831
Page 32

[handwritten]
4448
So Kinney Gallup
July 17 '39
Act 4 July 36
Page 33

[handwritten]
Sir Enclosed is the Papers in Case of Judah Watson of Plainfield Please give me information of their reception at the Pension Office
[signed] Kinney Gallup


Voluntown
April 6th 1839
Page 34

[handwritten]
[left margin]
Sept 14
Ct
Addl Proof
Judah Watson

[upper left corner]
Voluntown Ct
Sept 7 [illegible]

[upper right corner]
Free

[center]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D. C.
Page 35

[handwritten]
Voluntown Sept 7th 1839

J L Edwards Esq Sir
Enclosed I Send the Explanatory Declaration of Judah Watson for a pension  wishing you to pay as speedy attention to it as you can consistent with your regulations – as the old Lady is much infirmed.

Your Obedient Servt.
[signed] Kinney Gallup
Page 36

[handwritten]
[left margin]
Aug 22. 1840
Judah Watson]
Ct [illegible] Act
Act 1836 Ct
No 3064

[upper left corner]
[faint round stamp illegible print]

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D C

[center] 
[stamp that reads FREE]
Page 37

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington Ct
Page 38

[handwritten]
Voluntown August 17t 1840

Sir,
	Accompanying this you will have a details Statement, by me made before the Court of Probate of the District of Voluntown, setting forth the proceedings in the case of Judah Watson and one Benjamin Bacon of Plainfield which I forwarded to your Honor, with a view of setting before you the Truth (according to the best of my recollection & knowledge) and to refute the charges made against me stating that I had Demanded $500 for my service, &c
	I should have forwarded it before this, but, as I was desirous of letting Judah know what I had stated (and not treat her as unfair as she and her attorney have me) I have put it off from time to time waiting a Convenient opportunity to see her, and my occupation for the support of my family being that of a Farmer, I felt it my duty to attend to it in the season of it, which has caused the delay.
	I would respectfully ask you Honor to Carefully Examine my Declaration & the proof annexed and just inform me whether it is satisfactory to you  to meet the Charges against me by Judah Watson of Plainfield  Exhonorate me from the falsity of such charges 
 I am sir very
Page 39

[handwritten]
Respectfully
Your most obedient and
Humble Servant
[signed] Wm C Stanton

To
Hon
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

P.S.
Sir, I have the names of a number of person who have applied to me to assist in obtaining proof of the service, for them in order to obtain pensions and which on Examination & full investigation, I found to my satisfaction were not entitle to a pension   one or more of those I have recently been informed is now about applying for a pension, that a man has been to her and agreed to get her a pension
If it will be of any service to the Department I will give you the names of the applicants and the result of my reseraches for them
Resp yours
Wm C Stanton
Hon
J L Edwards
Comm Pensions
Page 40

[handwritten]
[top left corner]
[illegible]
March 13

[left margin]
Mar 21 1840
Wilson

[top right corner]
Free

[center]
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Voluntown March 13t 1840
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, Through the politeness of Hon Joseph Eaton of Plainfield I was notified day before yesterday that a paper was got up and signed by Judah Watson of Plainfield stating that I had demanded “$500.” of her for services of obtaining a pension certificate for her.
	I consider such a statement as tending to injure my personal character at any place where it may be published.
	I deny such a charge, and will here but say it is utterly and totally false. I am NOT guilty of such an Act.
	If your Honor will inform me whether such a statement has been made to your Honor and give me a statement of such Charges I feel bound from a sense of duty to defend my personal character which I consider nearer and dearer to me that riches
I am sir very Respectfully your most obt & Humble Servant
[signed]
Wm C Stanton

Hon J L Edwards 
Comm. Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Plainfield Ct
March 13

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Hon J. L. Edwards
Comm. Of Pen
Washington
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Plainfield P. Office, Ct
March 13th 1840

Sir
It will be unnecessary for you to act on the application of Judah Watson, for a new certificate, which application I forwarded last Monday through the Hon. J. H. Brockway
Wm C. Stanton who wrongfully held the certificate, has this morning given it up, and she is now in possession of the Certificate.
Yours [illegible]
[signed] Benjamin Bacon [illegible]
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Mar 18. 1840.
Juda Watson
Ct.
Wilson

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Free
J. H. Brockway

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J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm Pensions
Washington

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Hon J. H. Brockway
H. R.
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Washington March 16. 1840
Sir
Enclosed I send you Juda Watsons application for a pension. Please inform me as soon as convenient of the result 
I am Sir
Your obed. & humble Servt
[signed] John H Brockway

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm Pensions.
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State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Probate District of Voluntown
At a court of Probate holden within, and for the Probate District aforesaid on the 4th day of April 1840. 
	Present Harvey Campbell Judge.
	Be it known that before the Court of Probate aforesaid personally appeared William C. Stanton of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, and being duly examined, cautioned and sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following Statement in relation to the charges brought against him by Judah Watson and her Attorney Benjamin Bacon of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aforesaid, as related to the said Stanton by the Hon. Joseph Eaton Esqr. Judge of the County Court for the County of Windham and State aforesaid at the last session of said County Court at Brooklyn in said County; the substance of which statement as made by said Judge Eaton, to said Stanton, he the said Stanton declares to be as near as he can recollect in the following words to wit; That Benjamin Bacon aforesaid had procured an instrument of writing which said writing was signed by Judah Watson aforesaid and sworn to before him the said Joseph Eaton, as Judge of the Court of Probate of the District of Plainfield, setting forth and stating that the said William C. Stanton had demanded of Judah Watson the exorbitant sum of Five Hundred Dollars for obtaining the Pension Certificate of the said Judah; and also a Document of writing which was signed by the Select Men and Civil Authority of the town of Plainfield aforesaid the contents of which last Document he, the said Stanton has not been made distinctly acquainted with although he asked one who signed as a Justice of the Peace, in relation to the contents of it; and this
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said Justice said to said Stanton that he did not read the instrument but that Benjamin Bacon aforesaid, it was merely stating that the sum of $500.00 was exorbitant to demand for so small a service rendered or words to that effect.
	Now in relation to the representation made to the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, the said Stanton makes the following Statement relative to his proceedings in the case of Judah Watson aforesaid. The said Stanton declares that the first time he ever heard of a person by the name of Judah Watson was (from the best of his recollection) in the Spring of 1838, at which time, word came to the said Stanton and (as he thinks) from the family of Thomas D. Gallup of Plainfield aforesaid, that there was a colored woman in Plainfield by the name of Judah Watson who wanted him the said Stanton to assist her in proving the services of Seipio Watson her Husband and her marriage to the said Seipio: That sometime in the summer of 1838 some one sent to him again to go and see her, stating that she was poor and nobody would help her; That he the said Stanton having as much business as he could well attend to, did not go to see her; That they or someone sent again, and Capt. Jonathan Stanton saw her on the subject, whether he went especially on that business, or called when out on other business I cannot tell: That sometime in the month of September or October 1838, the said Jonathan Stanton came to me and said he had engaged to assist Judah Watson (it being the person above named) and that he the said Jonathan Stanton had found several witnesses to prove their living together as Husband and Wife, the death Seipio &c. and requested me to take their Depositions, which I did. The said Jonathan Stanton spent several days with me and then said he wished me to procure such other evidence as I could find by inquiry &c. He said, it would make less expense, than for him to go with me
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to all the places. He gave me the statement of Judah in relation to her claim, and I proceeded at sundry times to take testimony in the case of Judah Watson for said Jonathan Stanton, or at his request, no person saying to me, or I to him or them any thing about pay for my services.
	After I had obtained what proof I could hear of, in the vicinity where she resided, I sent and saw her. She then gave me the names of others with whom, she said she used to be acquainted, many of whom I found, and some of her own color, who said, and (if I mistake not) testified that they were related to her. I never to my recollection went to see her alone, always taking some one with me and most generally Mr. Thomas D. Gallup of Plainfield who resided near where Judah lived or worked. 
	That (if I mistake not) I often said to Mr. Gallup that if the Department granted Judah a Certificate he, the said Stanton would notify the proper authority of Plainfield, where the money was drawn and have her an overseer appointed to take charge of her business for her, as no doubt some evil minded person might wrong her out of her Pension, if she should have the care of it.
	That when the Certificate was received, he repaired to Judah and made out her papers: That the name proved to be returned to Hartford Sarah (he thinks) instead of Judah; that before the error was corrected, he the said Stanton was notified that the Pension could not be paid until March 1840.
	That on the 13th day of Feb. 1840 Judah Watson gave Thomas D. Gallup an order on me to pay over to him Twenty Dollars; it did not name, or say, out of her Pension. I did not accept it, nor have I yet; nor has she now or ever had, any money in my hands, to satisfy such an order with.
	That at the time the order was written, I was at her house and in company with Jonathan Stanton and Thomas D. Gallup; That Mr. Gallup then said, that there
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had been a fuss with Judah about her things, and she had given Benjamin Bacon a power of attorney to get her things for her of one Phebe Rude (if I mistake not) with whom she had been living; that at that time, Judah agreed to be at Mr. Gallup’s house on the 3rd of March at night and stay until the next day. I agreed to meet her there at the aforesaid time, and on the morning of 4th of March, I was to make out her pensions power for her to draw her money.
	That a short time after the foregoing agreement was made Benjamin Bacon came to my house in company with Thomas D Gallup, and in the course of the evening, the said Bacon took me aside in private and informed me that he had a power of Attorney from Judah to demand of me her pension Certificate but said Mr. Bacon, “I had as leave let you keep it and get the money as to take it myself, only let me know when your account is settled.” I then replied to said Bacon and Stated to him that I had no objected to his or any one else settling the account for her, and stated to him her agreement and mine, of meeting to make her power &c. all which, he said, was perfectly right; he said all was right and nothing unfair or wrong on my part and he approved of the arrangement. Then Mr. Bacon and myself agreed, that when I got the money, for me to notify said Bacon and set any place and time to settle my account and pay over the money and the said Bacon and all parties concerned were to meet and settle the business.
	That at the time set, I went to Mr Gallup’s in Plainfield as I agreed, and Judah Watson did not appear. I inquired of Mr Gallup’s family where she was? (This was on the evening of the 3rd of March 1840.) They said they expected her there and that she left the key to her house there and had gone to Benjamin Bacons to assist in making some candles; but that Judah said, she would be back there that night. -
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I waited until it was presumed she would not be there. it was so late; and although I was much out of health at the time, yet I took my horse, and rode down to Mr. Bacon’s a distance of about two miles, I should think, and on inquiring of said Bacon, if Judah was there, he said no! in rather a rough tone. Whether I asked him where she was or not, I cannot say, as I discovered all was not right. 
	Said Bacon asked me to walk in. I did, and he very soon said Judah had concluded not to give a power to draw her money then “to any one” I think he expressed it. 
	Feeling much out of health, I thought I would return to Mr Gallup’s again or Mr Stringer’s tavern, and put up until morning: the former place, being more on my way, I chose that and returned. As I started to go out of the house at Benjamin Bacon’s, says Mr. Back, “I suppose I have a right to demand that Certificate of you,” punching the fire at the time he uttered the words. I replied, very well; at the same time moving out of the house. He says “I’ll settle your account now.” I replied to him I had not the account with me, which was the fact. He says, “I suppose you’ve got the Certificate with you?” I replied to him that I did not always carry such papers with me. I had the Certificate in my pocket at this time, yet I did not tell him that I had, or had not, but made him the answer aforesaid. As I was closing the outside door he hollowed to me and says, “Won’t you stay all night?” To which, I replied that I had other business to attend to. (I did not feel disposed to stay where I met with so cool a reception, as I did there.) As I left, I said to him, that I would see him again, as soon as business would permit.
	Having, some time before agreed to convey a man to Hartford on the 6th or 7th of March, and after this agreement was summoned
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I had to drive during nights to accomplish and meet my engagements; and after all, did not arrive at Brooklyn until the 11th in the forenoon, which was as soon as I could consistently get there, and to accomplish this, drove two nights, all night long. I gave my reasons to the Court and was honorably excused for not being there at the hour. After being discharged from Court, on my way home, I called at Stringers Inn in Plainfield, and there found Mr. Bacon in the Bar room. I said to him that I have Judah’s Certificate with me, and if he would give me a writing to indemnify me from all harm should she, or some one for her, call on me and demand the Certificate, he might have it, to which he consented; but finally, we agreed to go to Judah’s house and for me to deliver the Certificate to her, and put it into her own hands myself, in his presence. –
	We went up to Judah’s. I said to Judah, “I have got your Pension Certificate from the War Department which I now deliver up to you and into your own hands,” handing the Certificate to her at the same time. I could not prevail on her to take the Certificate from me. She said “I don’t know” “I don’t know.” Mr. Bacon then says to her, “Judah. take it” “that is right.” She hesitated. Bacon then says “It is right for you to take it; it is your certificate.”
	After my persuading her, and Bacon telling her she might take it and that it was right, she did take the Certificate into her hands. I offered then to make her power without any compensation, only by their paying me for the Blank, which I paid two cents for, and she might empower whom she pleased and send by whom she would; But her attorney, Bacon said no; and all was so. I then left the house leaving Judah and Bacon there alone. -
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	The reason I assign for not delivering up her Certificate to Bacon are, 1st, that he never did, first nor last, make of me a lawful demand for it, and 2nd that the power of Attorney which she gave him to demand of me her Certificate, was not acknowledged before any proper authority. Her mark was to it and two witnesses; but it was not acknowledged, and it bore no evidence of ever having been acknowledged. –
	I do further state that I never went to see Judah but that I took some on with me and most generally Thomas D. Gallup. I never demanded of Judah Watson or her Attorney or any other person in her name, a single Cent for my services; nor did I ever make any bargain with her, about her Pension; nor did I ever say a word to her concerning pay for getting her Pension Certificate; nor did I ever name anything about to her, but once, and that was, when I delivered her Pension Certificate up to her after she had received and took the Certificate. I asked her in the presence of Benjamin Bacon, the following questions:
Judah Watson: Did I ever, directly or indirectly, demand or ask of you, one cent for my services in obtaining your Pension Certificate?
To which question, she answered, “No; you never did.”
Mr Bacon replied to her answer and said, “No; she never so stated as ever I knew of.”
	I had not then, nor have I since to this day, named to Bacon, that I knew any thing had been sent to Washington against me.
In the foregoing statements, the facts and proceedings in the case are detailed, as nearly as I can recollect them.
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me
[signed] Harvey Campbell Judge
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I Judah Watson of Plainfield in the County of Windham aged 89 do depose and say that the foregoing Declaration of William C. Stanton, having been read to me by Harvey Campbell a Justice of Peace and Judge of Probate, I do depose and say the facts set forth in said Stantons Declaration, are true so far as I am acquainted with them and especially that of his not having demanded of me any sum for his services in obtaining my Pension Certificate, nor do I consider he has in any way dealt unfair with me in relation thereto.
[signed] Judah Watson “X” her mark
Plainfield Aug. 12th 1840. 

I Jeptha Harris  of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, being thirty nine years of age and engaged according to law, depose and say, that I now present and have heard the foregoing Declaration of William C. Stanton read in the presence of Judah Watson, and she said the Declaration was true in every respect; and that a Deposition was then written and read to her the said Judah and she said it was true and right, and that she would subscribe to such a Deposition and make her oath thereto, That Harvey Campbell Esqr was present & copied the said Deposition as above, which said Deposition is precisely in the words of the first one written & that she, on its being read to her, said it was every word true, but she would sign no paper; on being asked the reason why, she rendered no reason but said she would not sign it neither would she sign any paper whatever and continued to say that William C. Stantons Declaration was every word true, so far as she was acquainted.
[signed] Jeptha Harris “X” his mark
Plainfield Aug. 12th 1840.

Windham County ss Plainfield August 12tth 1840
Personally appeared Jeptha Harris Jr and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, before me, and I consider him entitled to full credit and belief.
Sworn to & subscribed before Harvey Campbell Justice of the Peace
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I Nathan Harris of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, being of the age of Twenty-seven years, depose and say, that I am present and was, during the proceedings and hear the conversation mentioned in the Deposition of Jeptha Harris Jr and that said Deposition is essentially and literally turn in all its parts. 
[signed] Nathan Harris “X” his mark
In presence of 
Harvey Campbell
Jeptha Harris “X” his mark 
Plainfield August 12th 1840.

Windham County ss Plainfield Aug. 12th 1840.
Personally appeared Nathan Harris  and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, before me, and I consider him entitled to full credit and belief.
Sworn to & subscribed before Harvey Campbell Justice of the Peace 

To whom it may concern.
F. Harvey Campbell, Judge of Probate for the District of Voluntown, in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, on my oath of office, depose and say, that, at the request of William C. Stanton I went with him, on yesterday the 12th instant to Plainfield, as a Justice of the Peace for said County of Windham for the purpose of taking Depositions in relation to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed, and the charges therein stated to have been set forth against him the said Stanton while assisting in obtaining a Pension for Judah Watson of said Plainfield. Soon after calling at Judah’s aforesaid the above named Deponents Jeptha Harris Jr and Nathan Harris, both neighbors of the said Judah casually called in, and Judah immediately asked and introduced them into the room where we were sitting. The foregoing statement of the said Stanton was then audibly and slowly read and explained
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To her and apparently to her full comprehension and understanding, when she immediately declared that, so far as she was acquainted with the fact it was substantially true, on being asked if she would testify and make oath to the truth of said statement she said she would. I then wrote the foregoing Deposition for her to sign, which Deposition, embodies the substance of what she had reiterated a number of times, and only that; and what she afterwards as repeatedly reiterated as she had before done: But when the pen was presented to her, with which to make her mark, she recoiled and evidenced, both by work and deed a settled determination not to sign it. She said she would sign no more papers. All this transpired in the immediate presence of said Jeptha Jr & Nathan Harris. Said I to Judah, “as you are free to declare that the statement of William C. Stanton is turn, what harm do you anticipate from signing a Deposition to that effect?” Said she, “I have met with trouble by signing papers already: I have said I would sign no more of them, and I cannot violate my work. I should think my word would do as well, and I now say that the said Stantons statement is true as far as I know the facts; that he never said one word to me in relation to pay for his services. & he has always treated me handsomely and fair in every thing relating to my Pension. 
	I then took the foregoing Depositions of Jeptha Harris Jr and Nathan Harris who were present and heard the conversation. The said Stanton & myself then went to Thomas D. Gallup’s and I took his Deposition which is hereunto appended. We then returned to Voluntown late in the evening.
[signed] Harvey Campbell Judge of Probate
Of the District of Voluntown
Voluntown Aug. 13th 1840.
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I Thomas D. Gallup of Plainfield in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut being of the age of Forty-eight years and engaged according to law depose and say. that during the time that William C. Stanton was assisting in obtaining a Pension for Judah Watson, he the said Stanton frequently call & staid at my house and I always went with him and did not know of his ever going to see Judah aforesaid, except when I went with him, which I did a number of times: and furthermore that in all the visits I made with the said Stanton to Judah Watson’s aforesaid, I never heard him the said Stanton say one word to her the said Judah concerning pay for obtaining her pension, nor she to him. Furthermore I depose & say that, while the said Stanton was endeavoring to collect proof for the purpose of obtaining a pension for the said Judah, he the said Stanton told me that, a pension would do Judah but little good unless she had some judicious person to take care of it for her and that if he succeeded in the application he should notify the Select-Men of Plainfield of the fact, that they might appoint an Overseer over the said Judah, to prevent her money from being squandered. Furthermore, I have heard the said Judah frequently say that is he the said Stanton did succeed and obtain a pension for her, he should be well paid for it.
[signed] Thomas D. Gallup

Windham County ss Plainfield Aug. 12th 1840.
Personally appeared Thomas D. Gallup and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed and I consider him entitled to full credit and belief.
Sworn to & subscribed before Harvey Campbell Justice of the Peace.
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Juda Watsons
application
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State of Connecticut Windham County ss
Probate District of Plainfield, ss Plainfield.

On this seventh day of March A.D. 1840, before a Court of Probate held at Plainfield in and for the district of Plainfield, present Joseph Eaton Esquire Judge of said Probate Court, personally appeared Judah Watson, of said town of Plainfield, to this Court well known; who on her oath, declares, that she is the same person who is the widow of Sipeo Watson a private soldier of the revolutionary war, and who served in the said war of revolution, as stated and set forth  in her original application for a pension, now on file, in the Office of the Secretary of War to wit in the company commanded by Captains, now not recollected in the Regiment commended by Col. Not known in the service of the U.S. as verily believes; and that in consequence of the death of the said Sipeo Watson, the husband of the said Judah Watson the proof of his services and death; and proof of the said marriage , is on file, the name of the said Judah Watson was placed on the pension roll of the state of Connecticut, by virtue of provisions of the Act of Congress of 4th of July 1836 as a pensioner to receive as a pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum during life. She further swears, that she received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, in common form, which certificate was dated on about the [blank] day of September 1839 as near as the applicant recollects.
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The precise day when said certificate was date, this applicant cannot now state.
	The applicant, on her oath, doth further state that she is very old and infirm, having arrived at the age of 87 years; and that she is wholly poor and destitute, and up to the time of receiving said certificate, she was more or less supported by public [struck through] charity; that to obtain her grant of Pension, it became necessary for her to employ some person to procure the evidence, and draw up her declarations and for that purpose she did employ William C. Stanton of the town of Voluntown in said County, who did sent to the War office, her said papers, and did process her said certificate.
	This applicant doth on her oath further state, that the said Stanton now illegally withholds from her, the aforesaid certificate and will not give it up to her, nor allow her to have any benefit of the same: she has repeatedly demanded said certificate, by herself and by an authorised Agent, and the said Stanton still wholly refuses to give up said certificate and fraudulently and most oppressively demands
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Five hundred dollars, for the mere labor of obtaining the same. This demand is so unreasonable and unjust, that the said Applicant cannot consent to its gratifications. She is willing to pay the said Stanton every reasonable charge, but to be deprived of her whole pension, and this pretence ought not to be submitted to. Yet the said Stanton holds said certificate for the sole purpose of compelling this applicant to pay said extortionate charge.
	If she is compelled to bring an action against said Stanton for the recovery of the said Certificate, her present advanced age indicates to her, that she could never live to see the end of such a suit, and would also, in her feeble condition, be deprived of bread.
	She therefore respectfully prays that the Secretary of War would cancel her old certificate now in the possession of Wm C. Stanton, as the same is lost to her; and therefore issue a new certificate for the same amount as was expressed in said old certificate. That she has never drawn any money on her said certificate
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This applicant sees no other adequate means of redress. This illegal and fraudulent withholding of her certificate, is a distruction of it, for all her purposes. She cannot intrust the said Staunton to draw her money, under her power of attorney, because she knows full well, that she could never obtain the money without a resort to a Court of law, and then much of it would be lost in expenses.
[signed] Juda Watson “X” her mark

Signed in presents of 
Joseph Eaton
Benjamin Bacon

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court, the day & Year above mentioned.
[signed] Joseph Eaton Judge of Probate for Plainfield District
Attest John F. Gordon Clerk
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I Benjamin Bacon of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, depose and say that Judah Watson, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, by affixing thereto her mark, in my presence is the identical Juda Watson who has received a pension certificate, described in her foregoing declaration. She is a colored woman, about 87 years old, can neither read nor write – She is very infirm and poor. William C. Staunton holds her certificate of pension and refuses to give it up. At her requests, I have twice demanded of said Staunton, the said certificate for her, but the said Staunton wholly refuses to deliver up the same. 
	The first demand was made on the 14th day of Feby 1840 and the 2d demand was made on the 3d day of March 1840. and I offered, in her behalf to pay said Staunton all reasonable demands. I hold a power of attorney from her which I then exhibited to said Staunton but he would not deliver up said Certificate and he still holds the same. no many has been drawn on said Certificate
March 7. 1840.    [Signed] Benjamin Bacon
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Windham County ss Canterbury March 7th 1840. Personally appeared Benjamin Bacon signer of the foregoing affidavit, and made oath to the truth of the same, and I certify that the said Applicant is a credible witness. 
Attest [signed] Andrew T. Judson Justice of the Peace.  

The subscriber being Civil authority, of the town of Plainfield certify that the above mentioned Juda Watson is a resident of Plainfield and we fully believe the declaration She has made as above. The claim made by Mr Staunton is oppressive and a new certificate ought to be issued.
[signed] Francis B Johnson
[signed] Henry Sabin
Justice of the Peace
[signed] Amos Witten
[signed] Jos. S. Gladding
We the subscribers, Select men of Plainfield concur in the foregoing statement.
[signed]  E. C. Eaton
[signed] Aaron A. Creery
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[this section was written, then struck out]
I certify that Joseph Eaton Esq whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate on the above page is a justice of the Peace for the County of Windham. 
[end of section that was struck out]

This may certify that the persons whose names are above [illegible] as Justices of the Peace are well known to the subscriber and that the signatures are in their own proper hand writing & that they are Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham 
	And also that the [illegible section]
Attest [signed] John F. Gordon Clerk
This may certify that John Gordon is Clerk of the Court of Probate for Plainfield District and that full faith and credit is to given to his [illegible] as such & that the above signature is [illegible] his own proper [illegible] writing and that it [illegible]

[left margin]
His
certificate
of September
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[illegible] of [illegible] is the [illegible] Seal of the Court
[signed] Joseph Eaton Judge of Probate
Plainfield District
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Explanatory Statement of Judah Watson of Plainfield Windham County Connecticut 
	After being duly cautioned and sworn according to law She Declares that she is now about 86 years of age  That in answer to the objection to her marriage & the reasons why she nor her husband Sipeo Watson Deceased did not in the lifetime of her husband make out and keep a correct record in writing of her marriage to Sipeo Watson as alleged in her Declaration for a pension, now in the pension office, is that neither She nor her husband could either read or write even their own names  She further Declares that she still remains the Identical widow of Sipeo Watson Decd. 
[signed] Judah Watson “X” her mark
Subscribed in presence of
[signed] Thomas D Gallup
Wm C Stanton

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Then personally appeared Judah Watson who has by her mark in my presence to the above Explanatory Statement in Instrument and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton Notary Public

I do further certify that from the statement of very many person residing in the vicinity of Judah Watson widow of Sipeo Watson her character as for truth & veracity is not doubted but by all considered as good as any other person is for truth & veracity
[signed]
Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
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I Wm Stringer of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 66 years being duly cautioned and sworn do Depose and say that I have known and been acquainted with Sipeo Watson late of Plainfield aforesaid Deceased for about 45 years or I would be understood that I became acquainted with him about 45 years ago & from that time to the time of his death he and his wife Judah Watson lived together as husband and wife and when I first knew them they had a number of children The oldest of whom I should Judge would be if now living sixty years of age & perhaps older  The said Sipeo used to work for me a great deal in his lifetime and his wife Judah used to be at my house a great deal of the time when he was at work for me  They could not either read or write  I consider the character of [illegible] Judah Watson to be good & Consider her statements entitled to full credit & belief. 
[signed] William Stringer

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss  Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared William Stringer signee to the above Deposition, who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public.
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I Gurdon Buck of Columbia in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut aged about 69 years after being duly cautioned and sworn according to law do Depose and say that I from the time of my boyhood was well and intimately acquainted with Sipeo Watson of That part of Norwich which is now Lisbon and of Plainfield. That sd Watson was an inhabitant of Plainfield Windham County; That I always resided until the time of his death which was about Twenty five years ago (or as near as I can recollect)  That after the war of the Revolution the said Sipeo Watson moved into the town of Lisbon (or which was Norwich) as Lisbon is part of the town which was formerly Norwich in New London County and after residing there a few years removed back to Plainfield afsd & resided a number of years & then to Griswold &c.
That the said Sipeo Watson and Juda his wife were reputed to have been Lawfully married and I always heard them called Husband and wife from the time I was a small boy until the Time of sd Sipeos Death and  have always heard her called the widow Watson ever since Sipeos death  That they always lived together as Husband and wife and had a family of Children  some of their Children have some years ago Labored for me. I never heard their marriage doubted or disputed
That the character of Juda Watson aforesd is good and I Consider her statements at all times & in all places entitled to full credit and belief. 
[signed] Gurdon Buck
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State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss  Columbia August 23rd  1839
Personally appeared Gurdon Buck signee to the within Deposition and is known to the subscriber (by statement of various persons of respectable character with whom the subscriber is personally acquainted) to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public.
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[handwritten]
I Martha Smith of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 50 years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose and say That I knew Sipeo Watson in his life time & have since his death been well acquainted with Judah Watson his widow. As long ago as I can recollect I always heard Sipeo Watson and Judah acknowledged as lawful Husband and wife. They always lived together from the time I first knew them until Sipeo’s death as Husband & wife & since Sipeo her husband died She has remained his widow and has not been married again. But still remains the widow of Sipeo Watson Decd. Judah Watson aforesaid is a very conscientious person and I consider her statements at all time entitled to full credit and belief –
[signed] Martha Smith

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared Miss Martha Smith signer to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 71

[handwritten]
I Ruth Smith of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 79 years being duly sworn according to law do depose and say That I have been acquainted with Sipeo Watson and Judah his wife for Forty years & upwards. When I first knew them they were living together as husband & wife & Had several children. They continued to live together from the time I first knew them, until the time of Sipeo’s Death as Husband and wife & since his death the sd Judah has lived single & has remained the widow of said Sipeo Watson. I consider Judah Watson widow of Sipeo Watson aforesaid To be a person who is entitled to full credit and belief in all her statements
[signed] Ruth Smith

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared Mrs Ruth Smith signer to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same 
Before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 72

[handwritten]
I Joseph Whipple of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 72 years and upwards, being duly cautioned and sworn according to law do Depose and say That I was married to Huldah Clark of Lisbon Feb 3d 1791 By “Anobruo Lee Clerk” at Presbyterian Church Hanover Society and he was also Pastor of sd church. I do further Testify and say that Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife moved from Canterbury to this Town and resided in a house of mind and Resided in a house of mine for four years. Sipeo & Judah used to work for me and my family.  During the time they living in my house and Ever after that until the time of the death of sd Sipeo Labored for me more or less  That Judah Watson now of Plainfield is the Identical widow of Sipeo Watson aforesaid. Sipeo Watson nor his wife Juda could not either of them “ever” write their names  They had several children – when they moved into my home they had two or three children.
	Widow Judah Watsons character as to truth and veracity I consider good.
	That the time they moved into my house as aforesaid was the spring after I was marred which was April 1791.
[signed] Joseph Whipple 

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared Joseph Whipple signer to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit & belief & made solemn oath to the Truth of the same 
Before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 73

[handwritten]
I HuldahWhipple of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 76 years and upwards, wife of Joseph Whipple who has signed the foregoing Deposition in my presence and which Deposition I have this day heard read.

I do further Testify and said (after being duly cautioned and sworn) that I do know the fact contained in the aforesaid Deposition signed by my husband to be true in all of its parts
[signed] Huldah Whipple “X” her mark

[signed] Thomas D Gallup
[signed] Wm C Stanton 

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared Huldah Whipple who has by her mark subscribed to the above Deposition and who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 74

[handwritten]
I Lamuel Woodward of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 61 years being duly cautioned and sworn do Depose and say That I first became acquainted with Sipeo Watson and Judah Watson his wife forty years ago or more. That when I first became acquainted with the said Sipeo & Judah they were living together as husband and wife and had a number of children
	From the time I first knew them, until the death of the said Sipeo, they lived together as husband and wife since the death of Sipeo Watson the said Judah has remained his widow and still remains the widow of Sipeo Watson Decd.
	I consider the character of Wid Judah Watson afsd good and her statements entitle to credit and belief
signed] Lemuel Woodward 

State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Plainfield August 20th 1839
Personally appeared Lamuel Woodward signer to the above Deposition, known to the subscriber as a witness entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 75

[handwritten]
I Henry R Robbins Clerk of the Town of Lisbon do hereby certify that in answer to the five interrogations propounded by the War Department
1st The Official caracter and term (Elisha Lathrop) held the office of Justice of the Peace
Ans  The books in this office show that the Town of Lisbon was incorporated  into a separated Township from Norwich  1786 (May Session)  That from the Time until the 1787 the book of Records in this office acknowledged Elisha Lathrop as a Justice of the Peace for New London County. (2nd within what periods the examination is made Ans. The examination was made this day by me  3d What evidence they afford of the Marriage in Question at the designated Period any other period to 1820. (Ans. No Evidence).
4th There is but an imperfect record of Marriages & Births in this office. the earliest Marriage shown by the records in this office was solemnized in 1771 in Norwich by a minister of the Gospel
No Evidence whatever appears of record of marriages solemnized by Justices of the Peace prior to 1820
5th Whether the records (if they do not furnish the evidence sought) appear to be so regular & full as to raise a presumption against an alleged marriage with the Town, County or Parish which is not found thereon. Ans This Questions is fully answered in the answer to the 4th Question  That they are not so full as to raise a presumption against any alleged marriage
Town Clerk’s Office
Lisbon Aug 28th 1839
Certified & Signed by
Henry R Robbins
Town Clerk
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[handwritten]
“New London County of Norwich January 13th 1777
Personally appeared Comfort Chopman signer and Sealed to the witness Instrument and acknowledged the same to his free act and deed before me
Elisha Lathrop
Justice of the Peace”

Town Clerks Office Norwich
Connecticut August 29th 1839  This may certify that 
the above is a true extract from the Records of deeds of this town
Attest [signed] Simeon Thomas
Town Clerk

This may certify that similar acknowledgements as the above are found on the records from the year 1769 to 1786 before Elisha Lathrop Justice of the Peace
[signed] Simeon Thomas Town Clerk

2d 
The examination of the records of this town were made tween the first and twenty-ninths of his month (August 1839)
3d
There is no record of the marriage of Sipeo Watson and Judah Wheeler on the Records of this town
4th
There is no record of the Children of Sipeo and Judah Watson on the Records of this Town.
5th 
There is no record to raise any presumption against the Marriage of Sipeo & Judah Watson

Attest [signed] Simeon Thomas
Town Clerk
Norwich August 29 1839
Page 77

[Handwritten]
I Mary Wilson of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 84 years  and upwards being duly cautioned and sworn do Depose and say That in my Deposition given for Judah Waston Wid. Of Sipeo Watson Decd I stated that my father always lived in the town of Lisbon  I now wish to explain on that point. Lisbon was once a part of the Town of Norwich & my Father always resided with the Limits of that part of Norwich which is now Lisbon. I should have made this distinction in my former Declaration. The present Town of Lisbon was set off from Horwich from the of my recollection about the year 1786
My Father died in the Month of April 1788  That he kept a record of his official Proceedings and after his death on an examination for his records it was found that they were partially destroyed by rats  This was a few years after his death and that part of the records which were not destroyed as afsd I cannot tell what has become of them but my impression is they were Many years ago destroyed  I am the only child of my Father, Elisha Lathrop Esq that is now living
I, on reflection, do more fully and Distinctly recollect the marriage of Sipeo Watson to Judah Wheeler. When I gave my former Deposition for Wid Watson It was a subject that I had not thought of for a great many years but since Last Feb. I have reflected on that subject and do now fully [illegible] what I stated in my former Deposition to be a part that I was present at my fathers house & saw the sd Sipeo & Judah
Page 78

[handwritten]
Lawfully joined in marriage and withing the years specified in my former Declaration & I do now fully assist the time of the marriage from the best of my recollection to have been Sixty Two years ago or there abouts. I recollect that it was before the Division of the Town of Norwich and Lisbon some years –
[signed] Mary Wilson  

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss Griswold August 26th 1839
Personally appeared Wid. Mary Wilson signer to the foregoing Deposition & who is known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the Truth of the same before me
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public
Page 79

[handwritten]
State of Connecticut
Windham County} ss Voluntown

I Wm C. Stanton a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the Matter of the Application of Judah Watson of Plainfield Widow of Sipeo Watson Decd. for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and this 4th day of September 1839 and have affixed my Notarial Seal
[signed] Wm C Stanton
Notary Public