Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5285, Thomas Howe, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
NH
HOWE,Thomas
Betsy 
NUMBER 
R 5285
B.L.Wt 34,814-160-55
CONTENTS
(15 Blank lines)
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Vol H= 2=66
180.221
March 31
June 9 }ss
Betsey Howe, wid
Thomas Howe Pri
Capt. John Drew
Col. George Reed
N.H. Troops
Ent 12. April 1777
Dis. 30. 1780.
Revy War
Private
Col Bartlett
N. H. Mill
[illegible Lus] Feby 50
[illegible].
AD. 160 acs July 21/56
Dodge
R
N. & G. N. Eastman
Farmington,
N. H.
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Cole
Filed by S Dana Esq
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[illegible cut off Febury] 26 179 [illegible]
Turner Whitehouse
Thomas Howe by Hallow
[illegible] feet of wood
1799
of
-
March i to seven fort of wood after 1800

December 11 to seven feet of wood A-7-0

to one pound of [illegible] 0-1-0
to one [illegilbe]

Rochester; that being requested while at my daughter a few days ago to select from some old papers them
a specimen of the hand writing of the said Thomas
Home I did, after considerable examination, select the paper hereto annexed as such writing and I
have no doubt from my acquaintance with his
writing that this is his account stated
by himself and in his own hand writing with
Turner Whitehouse, at that time a resident of
said Rochester but now deceased,
I further say that I have no interest in this
claim.
Israel H Varney
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford SS
Rochester, December 25, A.D. 1855
Sworn to and subscribed this day before
me; and I certify that said Israel H. Varney is
fully entitled to credit and that I have no interest in this claim
Charles C. Hayes
Justice of the Peace
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[illegible] 1806
[illegible]

a resident of Rochester in the same county but now deceased, who was a blacksmith by trade and who had the reputation of being a Soldier in the revolutionary war, that I have seen said
Thomas Howe write and was acquainted with
his writing-- that a grand son of said Thomas Howe married a daughter of mine and they now reside in said Rochester; that being requested while at my daughter
a few days ago to select from some old papers them
a specimen of the hand writing of the said Thomas Howe I did, after considerable examination, select
the paper hereto annexed as such writing and I have no doubt from my acquaintance with his writing that this is his account stated
by himself and in his own hand writing with
Turner Whitehouse, at that time a resident of
said Rochester but now deceased,
I further say that I have no interest in this
claim.
Israel H Varney
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford SS
Rochester, December 25, A.D. 1855
Sworn to and subscribed this day before
me; and I certify that said Israel H. Varney is
fully entitled to credit and that I have no interest in this claim
Charles C. Hayes
Justice of the Peace
Page 6

I, Israel H. Varney of Rochester, in the
County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire
aged 61 years, depose and say, that I was
acquainted with Thomas Howe formerly of
Barrington, in said County and State and afterwards
a resident of Rochester in the same county but
now deceased, who was a blacksmith by trade and who had the reputation of being a soldier in
the revolutionary was, that I have seen said
Thomas Home write and was acquainted with
his writing - that a grand son of said Thomas Howe
married a daughter of mine and they now reside in
said
Rochester; that being requested while at my daughter
a few days ago to select from some old papers them
a specimen of the hand writing of the said Thomas
Home I did, after considerable examination, select
the paper hereto annexed as such writing and I
have no doubt from my acquaintance with his
writing that this is his account stated
by himself and in his own hand writing with
Turner Whitehouse, at that time a resident of
said Rochester but now deceased,
I further say that I have no interest in this
claim.
Israel H Varney
County of Strafford SS
State of New Hampshire
Rochester, December 25, A.D. 1855
Sworn to and subscribed this day before
me; and I certify that said Israel H. Varney is
fully entitled to credit and that I have no interest
in this claim
Charles C. Hayes
Justice of the Peace
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Affidant of the [illegible] shown
in case of Betsy Howe
5285
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State of New Hampshire
Strafford County ss On this 21th day of May A.D. 1855
personally appeared before me, George L. Whitehouse, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas,
within and for said County & State, the same being a Court
of Record in said State, Betsey Howe, a resident of Farmington in said County of Strafford and State aforesaid age
eighty eight years, who first being 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 on the 3d February 1853 granting
pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Thomas Howe
who was a private in the company commanded by
Captain John Drew in the second Regiment of New Hampshire troops on the Continental establishment, commanded
by Col. George Reed that said Thomas Howe enlisted
at some place in said State of New Hampshire on the 12 day
of April 1777 for the term of three years 
, or during the war and
continued in actual service in said Revolutionary war
for the term of three years and eighteen days and was on
orably discharged on the 30th day of April 1780
she further declares that she was married to the said Thomas
Howe on the 17" day of March 1832 and that her said husband
died on the 15th day of October 1838, that she was not ┃
married to him prior to the second day of Jany eighteen
over
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hundred, but at the time within stated. She further declares that she is now a widowher
Betsey Howe
mark
Witness
N. Eastman
Geo. L. Whitehouse
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year
first above written. And further certify that in my opinon the said Declarant on account of her great age and
consequent infirmity is unable to appear in open Court
for the purpose of making her said declaration
Geo. L. Whitehouse Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas for Strafford County N. H.
Page 10

I John H. Nutter, a resident of Barnstead in the county of Belknap in the state of New Hampshire upon oath declare that I was well acquainted with Thomas Howe late of Rochester in the County of Strafford in said State, declared, whose widow, Betsy Howe, is now about applying to the United States for a Pension under the existing pension laws-that said Thomas Howe died at said Rochester on or about the fifteenth day of October 1838-that I know the fact of his decease for I was present at his funeral and I saw his corpse-that I have known his said widow ever since his said death and know her to be the credible person she represents herself to be and that she has not married again since the deceased of said Thomas Howe, but has continued to be and still is the widow of Said Howe.
I further declare that I am disinterested,
John H. Nutter,
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford. Subscribed and sworn to on this 16 day of May 1855 before me. And thereby certify that through the said John H. Nutter to be a credible person and that I have no interest in this said claim.
Jeremy Wingate
Justice of Peace
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The State of New Hampshire
Strafford S. S.
Court of Common Pleas
Clerk's Office
I Reubin Hayes Jr. Clerk of said Court, hereby certify that Jeremy Wingate is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, and was such, as the time of taking of the foregoing affidavit and that the forgoing signature purporting to be his is true and genuine, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the (illegible) Court of Common Pleas is  Court of Record.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 6th day of June A.D. 1855.
R. Hayes Jr. Clerk
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I Hemking Colbath, a resident of Farmington in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire upon oath declare that I was well acquainted with Thomas Howe late of Rochester in said County and State deceased, whose widow, Betsey Howe is now about making application for a pension under the laws of the United States-that said Thomas Howe died at said Rochester on or about the fifteenth day of October 1838, that I know the fact of his (said Thomas) dying about that time for I was present, attended his funeral and saw his corpse-that I have known his said widow, Betsey Howe, ever since his decease as aforesaid, and know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be that she has not intermarried again since the decease of said Thomas Howe, but has continued to be and still is his widow and that I am a disinterested witness    Hemking Colbath

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford I subscribed and sworn to oath this 21st day of May 1855 before me and thereby certify that I know the said Hemking Colbath to be a credible person and that I have no interest in this said claim
George L. Whitehouse Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas for
Strafford County New Hampshire
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Extract from the Records of the town of Barrington in the County of Stafford and State of New Hampshire under the head of messages solemnized by John McDaniel as a Justice of the Peace in said town is the following entry vis --
Married on the seventeenth day of March A.D. 1832 Mr Thomas Howe of Rochester and Mrs Betsy Nutter of Farmington.

I Jonathan R. Drew Clerk of said town of Barrington depose and say that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows viz. Married by me in the 17th March 1832 Mr. Thomas Howe of Rochester and Mrs Betsy Nutter of Farmington John McDaniel Justice of the Peace.
Jonathan R. Drew Clerk of Barrington

I Jonathan R. Drew above named depose and say that I hold the office of town Clerk in the town of Barrington aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town with the exception aforesaid as certified by me.

Jonathan R. Drew Town Clerk of Barrington
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss. May [?] A.D. 1855 Subscribed and sworn to by the above begore me.
[SIGNED] James S. Marden
Justice of the Peace
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Extract from the records of the town of Barrington in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire under the head of marriage solemnized by John McDaniel as a Justice of the Peace in said town is the following entry, vis: Married on the seventeenth day of March A. D. 1832, Mr. Thomas Howe of Rochester and Mrs. Betsy Nutter of Farmington.
I Jonathan R. Drew, Clerk of said town of Barrington depose and say that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures, as follows, vis. Married by me on the 17th March 1832 Mr. Thomas Howe of Rochester and Mrs. Betsy Nutter of Farmington-John McDaniel Just of the Peace
Jonathan R. Drew Clerk of Barrington
I Jonathan R. Drew above named depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town of Barrington aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town with the exception aforesaid as certified by me.
Jonathan R. Drew Town Clerk of Barrington
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford - May 2, A. D. 1855 Subscribed and sworn to by the above before me.
James S. Marden Justice of the Peace
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The State of New Hampshire
Strafford Court of Common Pleas Clerks office
I Reubin Hayes Jr., clerk of said Court hereby certify that James S. Marden is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and was such at the time of the taking of the foregoing affidavits and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is true and genuine, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 6th day of
June A. D. 1855
R. Hayes Jr. Clerk
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We, Aaron Flagg and George Howe both of Rochester in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire upon our oaths depose and say that we
well knew Thomas Howe late of said Rochester
deceased, whose widow Betsy Howe now applies for bounty land, that said Thomas Howe died in said Rochester on or about the fifteenth day
of October, A.D. 1838, and we know that he died on or about that time because we attended his
funeral, that we have known his said widow
ever since his said death, that she has not married
since his death but is still his widow,-- that she is
the identical person she represents herself to be
that we also know that said Thomas Howe and Betsy Howe cohabited together in good repute as
husband and wife in said Rochester for more than
six years and never heard their marriage doubted or 
questioned, and we resided in their neighborhood
the whole period aforesaid and were often in their place
of abode while they lived together as aforesaid; and that
we have no interest in said Betsy Howe's claim for bounty land.
Aaron Flagg
George Howe
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss. Subscribed and duly sworn
to before me on this Eleventh
day of May A.D. 1855,
and I certify that I know said affiants to be
credible persons, and that I have no interest in said 
claim.
Jona Hussey
Justice
of the
Peace
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Affidavit of Widowhood
in case of Betsey Howe
5285
The State of New Hampshire
Stratford SS
Court of Common Pleas, Clerks office
I Reubin Hayes Jr Clerk of said Court hereby certify that
Jona Hussey is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County
duly commissioned and qualified, and was such at the time of
taking of the foregoing affidavit and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his is true and genuine: that all his official
acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the
Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court this 6th day of June AD 1855
R Hays & Clerk
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[illegible]
Decr 53
His application received 9 [illegible]
with application for
revolutionary
pension [illegible]
to acknowledgement [illegible]
received 9 June 55

N. P G N Eastman
Farmington
N.H.
This application on file with a pension case - Please have it [illegible]
Please for June 9 / 55 
[illegibl] Johnson
Mr [illegible]
Please send this case
 No 180.221
[illegible]
Rhett,
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State of New Hampshire
County of Stratford SS
---
On this Twelfth
day of May A.D. one thousand
eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared
before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the
County and State aforesaid, Betsy Howe aged eighty eight years, a resident of Farmington in the State
aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law, declares
that she is the widow of Thomas Howe deceased, who
was a private in the Infantry Company (the 5th Co.
commanded by Captain John Drew in the Continental
Regiment in the three Battalions raised in New Hampshire aforesaid, commanded by Colonel George Reed
in the war of the Revolution, that her said
husband enlisted at Barrington in said State in
or about the twelfth day of April A.D. 1777, for the
term of three years or during the war, and continued
in actual service in said war for the term of three
years and eighteen days and was honorably discharged
at West Point in the State of New York (as she believes) in
the thirtieth day of April A.D. 1780, and also that said
Thomas Howe, deceased, whose widow your applicant is
as aforesaid was a private in the Infantry company
commanded by Captain Moses Leavitt in the New
Hampshire Regiment of Detached Militia commanded
by Colonel Thomas Bartlett in said War of the Revolution
that her said husband enlisted at said Barrington
on or about the fifteenth day of July A.D. 1780 for
the term of three months and continued in actual
service in said war for the term of four months
and was honorably discharged at West Point
aforesaid on or about the fifteenth day of November
A.D. 1780
she further states that she was married to the said
Thomas Howe in Rochester
in said State of New Hampshire on the 17th
day of March A.D. 1832

by one John McDaniels of Barrington

a Justice of the Peace
and that
her name before her said marriage was Betsy Nutter, that
her said husband died at said Rochester
on the fifteenth
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day of October A.D. 1838, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and wishes the land warrant to which she may be entitled sent for her to [???], Farmington N.H.
[SIGNED] [???]
[SIGNED] Richard Nutter
[SIGNED] Charles W. Nutter
[SIGNED] Isaac Merrill
[SIGNED] Bersy Howe X Her mark

We, Richard Nutter and Charles W. Nutter both residents of Farmington in the State of New Hampshire upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Betsy Howe in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 
[SIGNED] Richard Nutter
[SIGNED] Charles W. Nutter

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I hereby certify, that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
[SIGNED] Isaac Merrill {Justice of the Peace.

The State of New Hampshire
Strafford S.S.        Court of Common Pleas Clerks Office
I Reubin Hayes Jr. Clerk of said Court hereby certify that Isaac Merrill is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified. And was such at the time of the taking of the foregoing affidavit and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is true and genuine; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid Court of Common Please is a Court of Record.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my and and affixed the seal of said Court this 6th day of June A.D. 1855
[SIGNED] R. Hayes Jr. Clerk
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
R. 5285

October 16, 1924

Mrs. Sheldon Morgan
Gregory Ave.
Ashtabula, Ohio

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it appears that Thomas Howe, aged 44 years and a resident of Barrington, New Hampshire, enlisted April 12, 1777, as a private in Captain John Drew's Company, Colonel George Reed's New Hampshire Regiment, was in the battle of Monmouth, and was discharged April 30, 1780.
He enlisted July 15, 1780, served in Captain Moses Levitt's Company, Colonel Thomas Bartlett's New Hampshire Regiment, and was discharged November 15, 1780.
He married March 17, 1832, in Rochester, New Hampshire, Mrs. Betsey Nutter. He died at said place October 15, 1838, and she was allowed bounty land on account of his services on her application executed May 12, 1855, while a resident of Farmington, Strafford County, New Hampshire, aged 88 years.
A grandson of the soldier married a daughter of Israel H. Varney (their names not stated). There is no further data on file relative to his family. 

Respectfully,
Commissioner
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[STAMPED] REJECTED

5285

P.O. Betsey Howe
Service: ____

Enlisted: ____, 18
Discharged: ____, 18

Application filed: ____, 18

Alleges: Claim filed after [?] list of 1851 was made
Re-enlisted: ____

Attorney: ____
P.O. ____
____ Recognized. _____ Contract
____ Cert. of Dis.       Searched for ____, 18
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3 H N H

Rev(olutionary) Army
Page 24

5776
Betsy Howe, Widow
Thomas
 N H
act Feb(ruary)  3, 1853
& G N Eastman June 11/55
(lined out:   Same July 9/55 -- Same)
(lined out:   July 17/53 Same Sep(tember) 10)
(lined out:   Same Oct(ober) 16/55
Same  Dec 15 1855
Same  Jan(uar)y 15, 1856
(lined out: G N. Eastman  July 28/57
(linedout: Hon(orable) J. Minot Mar(ch) 18/58)
Page 25

Concord NH
March 12 1858

Dr Sir
When in the office in 1855 attention was called to the application for pension of Betsey Howe, widow of Thomas, New Hampshire, Act of Feby 3rd 1853, Rev. If I recollect rightly there was satisfactory evidence of service of a Thomas Howe, and what was [?] was further evidence of identity as the husband of the applicant. Suggestion was made that specimens of his handwriting might be furnished to aid in identifying.
Since my return home the friends of the applicant have addressed me several times on the subject. They say that evidence of handwriting was forwarded, but seem to think it was not only received at the office, or, if so, not so carefully considered by me as they desired. The decease of the attorney who had principal charge of the matter
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renders impossible now to ascertain [?] what was done.
I shall be obliged if you will [?] me how the case now stands, what is wanting, so that I may communicate to them. From the statements made by acquaintances I think the claim may be right, tho' I have no personal knowledge. 
With my best regards
Yours truly
[SIGNED] J Minot

Geo C Whiting 
Comms. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 27

Hon J Minot
Mh. 18,
Page 28

Pension Office,
March 18th, 1858.

Sir:
I have received and considered the contents of your letter of the 12th instant, relative to the claim of Betsey Howe, widow of Thomas, of N.H. for pension, under the act of February 3d, 1853.
The claimant alleged two periods of service, as having been performed by her late husband, as stated in the certificate of the Secretary of State of New Hampshire, and as shown by the records and vouchers in this office; namely- three years in the second regiment of the N.H. Continental line, ending April 30th, 1780, and a tour to West Point in 1780, under Capt. Leavitt of Col Bartlett's militia regiment.
It was held by this office that the evidence produced by the claimant did not identify her late husband as the man who served three years in the continental line; but, as we had the original roll of Capt. Leavitts men in 1780, with the signature of Thomas "How" upon its face, and as this was, nominally, a "six months" service, the claimant was requested to produce 
(of course, the roll was only for that year but see State of N.H. reports in this claim) all this is just a [?]
Page 29

a specimen of her late husband's signature, that it might be compared with the one on Leavitts roll. This was done; and on the 15th of January 1856, while you were the head of this office, a letter was written to Messrs N. & G.N. Eastman, her attorneys, in which it was stated that: -- "The signature of the soldier to the muster roll of Captain Levitts company on file in this office bears no resemblance to that now [?] as the genuine signature of claimants husband. It is evidently that of another man."
Even if this signature had been that of the claimants husband, the roll shows that he did not serve six months in this tour. I therefore 
[INTERLINEATION] see all the other service in 1777, 1778, 1779 [END INTERLINEATION]
cannot perceive how this claim can be substantiated. 
The claim for bounty land was allowed on the strength of the strength of the parol traditional evidence filed in the pension case. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully
Your ob't ser't,
Commissioner

Hon. J. Minot,
Concord,
New Hampshire
Page 30

Farmington, N.H. July 22nd 1857

Hon. G. C. Whiting,   }
Comm'r of Pensions }

Dear Sir:
I wish to direct your attention to the case of Betsey Howe applicant for a pension on account of the services of her husband in the War of the Revolution.
She has rec'd her land warrant on account of said services but as yet no pension.
The evidence on file in your Office is very full, direct, and positive excluding as I believe all doubt that Thomas Howe, her said husband, was the soldier who did the duties alleged.
I hope you will yourself examine into this case.
Please let me hear from your office soon.
Respectfully Yours
[SIGNED] George N. Eastman
Atty to B. Howe
Page 31

George N. Eastman
July 18/59
Page 32

Pension Office,
July 28, 1857.

Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 22d ultima, relative to the application of Betsey How, for pension under the act of 1858. I have to refer you to my letter of the 15th of January 1856.
The claim to bounty land was allowed upon the traditional evidence of the service of Thomas How, and is by no means ad admission that he was the same man of that name who served three years in the N. Hampshire Continental Line. 

George N. Eastman, Esq,
Farmington,
N.H.

[LEFT SIDE NOTATION]
This is an absurd statement
The bounty land was allowed on exactly that service
Page 33

Farmington, N.H. May 23d, 1855

Dear Sir:
Herewith you will receive Mrs Betsey Howe's application for a Pension, with some other applications which are for land. Our object in writing this note is to ask attention particularly to the Pension case. It is desired that it may not be mistaken for a land application and thereby be delayed.
Respectfully Yours
N. & G. N. Eastman

One other case (Pinkham) filed with claim Act 1855
Adams
Page 34

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford on this third day of December A. D. 1955 personally appeared before 
me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Strafford in the State aforesaid, Joseph Brown Aged seventy six years, a resident of Barrington in said County and State who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he was formerly well acquainted with Thomas Howe a blacksmith by trade and that said Howe was formerly a resident of Barrington but of the last of his lifetime of the town of Rochester, and that said Howe was a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War as my father (Edward Brown) has frequently told me. He and said Howe were in the same army of the Battles of Bunker Hill and also at Monmouth and had a furlough home between said Battles. Brown further testified that there was at the time of the revolutionary war another Thomas Howe who lived in said Barrington but that he was not in said war, and he has heard his father say and saw Brown further testifies from his own personal knowledge that said Thomas Howe the Blacksmith married one Betsy Nutter and afterwards died and left said
Page 35

Betsy a Widow who is still living and said Brown further testifies that he was personally acquainted with said Howe in her lifetime and has worked with him a great many days and has frequently heard said Howe tell the story about he and my father being in the revolutionary war together, and further that he has no interest in this claim.
Joseph Brown
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above named before me and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Joseph Brown and that he is a credable (credible) witness
Gilman Hall Justice of the Peace
Page 36

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss on this sixth day of December 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Strafford in the State aforesaid Edward Brown aged seventy eight years a resident of Barrington in said County and State who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he was formerly well acquainted with Thomas Howe a Black
Smith by trade and that said Howe was
formerly a resident of Barrington but of the
last of his lifetime of the town of Rochester
and that said Howe was a private soldier
in the Revolutionary war as my Father (Edward
Brown) has frequently told me, and that he
and said Howe were in the same Army
at the Battle of Bunker Hill and also at Monmoth[Monmouth] and that they had a furlow[furlough] there between said Battles and the said Brown further testifies that there was at the time of the Revolutionary war another Thomas Howe who lived in said Barrington but that he was not in said war as he heard his father
Page 37

say, and said Brown further testifies from
his own personal knowledge that said Thomas
Howe the Blacksmith married one Betsy
Nutter and afterwards died and left said
Betsy a widow who is still living and said
Brown further testifies that he was personally
acquainted with said Howe in his lifetime
and has worked with him a great many
days and has frequently heard said Howe
tell the story about he and my father
being in the revolutionary war together and
further that he has no interest in this Claim

Edward Brown

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above named before me.

And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Edward Brown and that he is a credible witness, but that he is old and feeble as appears by his signature above which was
written by his hand

Gilman Hall Justice of the Peace
Page 38

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford on this eighth day of December 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Strafford in the State aforesaid James Arlie aged eighty five years, a resident of Barrington in said County and State, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath declare that he was formerly well acquainted with Thomas Howe a Blacksmith by Trade and that said Howe was a resident formerly of said Barrington, but in the latter part of his lifetime was a resident of Rochester in said County and State, that said Howe
was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war
and that said Howe and Edward Brown of Barrington and one Benj[Bemjamin] Dockum
I think of Meredith of New Hampshire had a
furlow[furlough] and came to New Hampshire together before the Battle of Monmoth[Monmouth] and returned to the army again before said Battle and said Howe was gone three or four years and returned
home again to said Barrington and also that he
Page 39

well knew another Thomas Howe a resident
of said Barrington at the time of the revolution
but that he (the last named Howe) at that time
was quite an old man and was not a soldier
in said revolution, and the said James Arlen
further testifies that said Thomas Howe the
Blacksmith married one Betsy Nutter and afterwards died leaving said Betsy his widow
and who is now his widow and further that
he has no interest in this claim

Attest Gilman Hall
his mark
x
James Arlen

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above named, before me, and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said James Arlen and that he is a credible witness

Gilman Hall Justice of the Peace
Page 40

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss. On this Eighth day
of December 1855 personally appeared before
me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County of Strafford in the State aforesaid,
Achimag Watson aged Eighty nine years,
a resident of Barrington in said County and
State, who being first duly sworn according to
Law, doth on his oath declares that he was formerly well acquainted with Thomas Howe a
blacksmith by trade and that said Howe was a resident formerly of said Barrington but in the latter part of his lifetime was a resident of Rochester in said County and State that said Howe was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war that at the time of the revolution I was a resident of Dover in the
said County and adjoining said Barrington and
my Brother Benjamin Watson and Anthony
Hanson and Douglas Stacpole all of Dover was
out at the same time and I had a long acquaintance afterwards with all of the above
said men as I was appointed a deputy Sheriff
Page 41

and was well acquainted through said County
of Strafford and have talked with all of said men about said war and have no doubt in
my mind now that the above statements in
this affidavit is true and further that I have no interest in this claim

Achimag Watson

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above named, before me and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Achimag Watson and that he is a credible witness

Gilman Hill Justice of the Peace
Page 42

The State of New Hampshire
STRAFFORD SS.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Clerk's Office.

I, REUBEN HAYES, Jr., Clerk of said Court, hereby certify that Gilman Hall is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and was such, at the time of the taking of the foregoing affidavits and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is true and genuine; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this
Eleventh day of December A D. 1855

R Hayes Jr, Clerk
Page 43

Mess N & G N Eastman
Oct 16 55
Page 44

Pension Office
October 16 1855

Gentlemen
The additional evidence filed in the case
of Betsy Howe of NH is not satisfactory.
Before the case can be admitted direct evidence of her husband's service must be furnished.

1853

Mepn G N  Eastman
Farmington
N H
Page 45

John H. Nutter
Affidavit
Page 46

I Robert Woodbury of Barrington in the
County of Strafford and State of New  Hampshire, Physician, aged eighty eight years depose and say that I have resided in said Barrington for and during the whole time time the third day of June A.D. 1789 and have, during most of that time had an extensive practice in said town and vicinity, as a Physician, and have usually, during the
time aforesaid, attended the public town meetings in said town and in the time aforesaid was elected in several times to represent of said town of Bennington in the Legislature of said of state of New
Hampshire, that during all the acquaintances that I have had in said Barrington, I have never known but three persons residing therein, at any period, by the name of Thomas Howe with those three Thomas Howes, I was well acquainted and did business as a Physician in all of their families, and otherwise that the oldest man of the three was an old man when I moved into Barrington as aforesaid in 1789, and was a very talkative man, and in his stories would represent himself as having been a great sufferer in the British Navy. He said he was a native of Portsmouth N.H. but was impressed into the public service and served
in the British navy for about seven years when
Page 47

he was set at liberty or made his escape and which I do not now recollect. This man was a kind of Joiner, tho not a workman and was a very poor man. The next man in age by the name of Thomas Howe, with whom I was acquainted as afore said, was a Blacksmith by trade was a very sedate man and not disposed to talk about what he had done. The last man, by the name of Thomas Howe herein before mentioned, was the son of this sedate Thomas Howe, the Blacksmith, that the old Thomas Howe, the joiner, must have been in the time of the revolutionary war, I think and believe too old for a soldier in the public service, that Thomas Howe, the Black Smith, who was the husband of Betsey Howe, who is now applying for Pension as his widow, was of the right age for a soldier at that time, that this Thomas Howe was a good citizen, an industrious man, owned a good property in said Barrington, but many years before his death he moved from said Barrington to Rochester, an adjoining town, where he became the owner of a good farm and where he finally died - that the
last named Thomas Howe must have been born some time after revolutionary war.

I further state that I have no knowledge of either of said Thomas Howes having been in the public service in the Revolution, but think of Thomas Howe the elder had
Page 48

been a soldier I should have heard the story from him tho. it might not have been 10 with regard to the
Blacksmith, for the reasons before given
I further
state that although I have done considerable business with each of said three Thomas Howes I
have no knowledge of having the signature of either
of them in my possession and that I have no
interest in this claim for a Pension
Robert Woodbury [signed]
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss Subscribed and sworn to, on
this ninth day of October 1855, before me,
and I certify that I am well acquainted with said
Robert Woodbury, the said affiant and know him
to be a credible person
Nehemiah Eastman Justice Peace is
Page 49

I, John H. Nutter a resident of Barnstead in the
County of Belknap and State of New Hampshire
aged sixty six years, depose and say that I well
knew Thomas Howe of Rochester in said State, formerly of Barrington N.H. who was the husband
of Betsy Howe now of Farmington N.H. widow:
that in the winter of 1836 I called on said Howe
relative to certain private business and
while at said Howe's residence our conversation
turned on the war of the Revolution, said Howe
then said he had served in said war and
was entitled to a pension from the U.S. Government for his services therein but had made
no application for the same because he
had money enough to carry him through
life: that he had aided in obtaining the liberties
of his country and was satisfied.
John H. Nutter [signed]
Page 50

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss. Subscribed and sworn to on this third day of October 1855, before me; and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said John H. Nutter the aforesaid affiant and
know him to be a credible person

(signed) Nehemiah Eastman Jus(tice of the) Peace
Page 51

State of New Hampshire.
STRAFFORD COUNTY, SS  COURT OF PROBATE.
REGISTER'S OFFICE, DOVER.

I, JOHN H WHITE, Register of said Court, hereby certify that Nehemiah Eastman is a Justice of the Peace & Quorum throughout said state (lined out-- within and for said County), duly commissioned and qualified, and was such at the time of the taking of the foregoing and annexed affidavits; that his commission is dated June 21 A. D. 1854, and will expire in five years from that date; that the signature purporting to be his on the foregoing and annexed papers are true and genuine; that all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit, and
that the aforesaid Court of Probate is a Court of Record.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eleventh day of October A. D. 1855.

(signed) John H. White {Register of Probate 
 for  County of Strafford
Page 52

Farmington N.H. Sep. 3(r)d 1855
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir
We send with this additional evidence as to the identity of the Thomas Howe, who was a revolutionary soldier and the husband of Betsey How(e), an applicant for a Pension. The late Commissioner Waldo was not satisfied that this woman's husband Thomas Howe was the soldier who served in the war-- we hope the affidavits now sent will remove all doubt in the premises, if there was any doubt before-- or grounds of doubt-

Respectfully yours &c
(signed) N. & G.N. Eastman
Page 53

N & G.N. Eastman
Sept. 10
Page 54

Pension Office,
September 10, 1855.

Sir, 

I have received the additional proof
in the case of Betsey Howe, widow of
Thomas, of New Hampshire - Act February
3, 1853-

It is evident that the certificate of service
in this case embraces at least two (crossed out --different) men: and the claimant is not identified as the widow of either the man who served in Reeds or the one who served in Evans Regiment.   Has claimant no old papers left by her husband which would serve to identify him with a portion of the certified service?  Can she produce his genuine signature?  Our rolls contain the signature of one of the soldiers - by comparing it with that produced by claimant, some evidence might be decided upon the point of identity

I am &c
(signed) N & G.N. Eastman, Esq2(uir)r(e)

Farmington N. H.
Page 55

Affidavit 
John Cater
Page 56

I Solomon Waldron a resident of
Barrington in the State of New Hampshire
aged sixty seven years depose and say
that I once knew a Mr. Thomas Howe
of Barrington aforesaid     Chairmaker
who was quite an old man when I first
knew him-- that he was accustomed to
relate to me and others about his impressment  before the War of the Revolution while in London on board an English Frigate; that I never heard that he had ever served in the American Army in said War either from him or any one else: that he employed me once to write out a portion of his life but I never learned from him of any service in the American Army as aforesaid

That I further state that I have heard of another Thomas Howe who once lived in said Barrington but afterwards moved into Rochester N.H. where he married as I am told a Mrs Betsy Nutter

(signed) Solomon Waldron
Page 57

State of New Hampshire
County of Stafford  ss  - Sworn to and subscribed
before me on this first day of September A.D. 1855:   and I certify that I know the affiant Solomon Waldron to be a credible person

(signed) George N. Eastman - Justice of the Peace.
Page 58

I Jeremiah Kingman of Barrington in the
State of New Hampshire, aged sixty two years
depose and say that I was born and have always lived in Barrington aforesaid: that I knew one Thomas Howe a resident in said town who was by trade a chairmaker: that said Howe was quite advanced in age when I first
became acquainted with him being then
probably about sixty years of age. that said
Howe was accustomed to talk with me
and others much about his having been
impressed before the War of the Revolution
and compelled to serve on board an
English Frigate, that when he was so
impressed he was in London: that he
always had much to relate of his service
on board said ship; that I never learned
from him any one else of his having
ever served in the American Army
in said Revolutionary War or been a
soldier therein
---
I further state that I also knew
in some degree another Thomas Howe
who also once lived in said town and who
afterwards removed thence and became
resident of Rochester in said State that
Page 59

when I first knew this last named Howe
he was a resident of Rochester and he then
was about sixty years of age
(signed)  Jeremiah Kingman


State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss --. The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me on this first day of September A.D. 1855: and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person.

(signed) George N. Eastman Justice of the Peace
-
Page 60

State of New Hampshire.
STRAFFORD COUNTY, SS.  {COURT OF PROBATE.
{REGISTER'S OFFICE, DOVER.

I, JOHN H. WHITE, Register of said Court, hereby certify that George N. Eastman is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and was such at the time of the taking of the foregoing and annexed affidavits; that his commission is dated August 4th A. D. 1851, and will expire in five years from that date; that the signatures
purporting to be his on the foregoing and annexed papers are true and genuine; that all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid Court of Probate is a Court of Record.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September  AD 1855

(signed) John H. White {Register of Probate 
 {for said County of Strafford
Page 61

State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford  ss

On this thirty first day of August A.D. 1855
personally appeared before me a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County of Strafford 
and State aforesaid, John Cater aged eighty
years a resident of Barrington in said
County and State who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath declare that he was formerly well acquainted with Thomas Howe who was a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War,  that said Thomas Howe was a resident of the same town of Barrington as he has always understood when he went into the public service

that at a period long after he come out of
the service said Howe purchased a farm in
the Town of Rochester adjoining said Caters
farm in Barrington aforesaid and for many
years said Howe & Cater resided on these farms

that while he (said Howe) there resided on said
farm he married Betsy Nutter and afterwards
died leaving said Betsey his widow who is still
living - that he never knew any other Thomas
Howe, who went from said Barrington into the
Revolutionary war, or who pretended that he had been a Revolutionary Soldier, altho(ugh) he has resided in said Barrington from his youth  

over
Page 62

and he further declares that he has not an
interest in this Claim
(signed)  John Cater

Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above named before me
and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said John Cater, and that he is a
highly respectable man and a creditable witness

(signed)  George McDaniel Justice (of the) Peace
Page 63

State of New Hampshire.
STRAFFORD COUNTY, SS. {COURT OF PROBATE.
{REGISTER'S OFFICE DOVER.

I, JOHN H WHITE, Register of said Court, hereby certify that George M. Daniel is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and was such at the time of the taking of the foregoing and annexed affidavit 
(lined out -- that his commission is dated
A D 185 , and will expire in five years from that date)  ; that the signature purporting to be his on the foregoing and annexed paper is true and genuine; that all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit, and
that the aforesaid Court of Probate is a Court of Record.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September A. D. 1855
(signed)  John H. White {Register of Probate 
{for said County of Strafford
Page 64

July 17/55
Page 65

Pension Office 
July 17 1855

Gentlemen 

Of course I can have no objection to your
filing any description of evidence that you may think likely to establish the case of Betsey Howe, I can not now, however, give any opinion as to whether or not it will be conclusive in his favor 


1853  NH

Messrs N & G Eastman
Farmington
N H
Page 66

Farmington N.H. July 13th 1855

Sir, 

Yours of 9 inst(ant). in relation to the application of Betsey Howe, widow of Tho(ma)s Howe has been received. You say - "I am not in possession of any evidence that either "(of two Thomas Howes)" of the soldiers
mentioned in the certificate of the Secretary
of State of N.H. was the husband of the applicant. To establish this fact the testimony of those who know of his service must be  furnished

To which we reply that it is hardly to be presumed that after the lapse of almost eighty years from the time of the service that witnesses can be produced "of those who know(double underlined) of his service"  and therefore, if we are to be confined to that solitary point(single underline)  the case may as well be abandoned, but we shall claim the right, and hope you will admit it, to proceed according to the rules of law, where the best evidence in a case cannot be produced, without any fault of ours, to introduce secondary evidence. We can, probably, prove by positive and negative evidence these facts and circumstances  1 by the word, a copy of which you now have, that the soldier(underlined) we claim under was a citizen and resident of Barrington(underlined) 
N.H. when he entered the public service, that no other Thomas Howe(underlined) at or about that time entered the public service, (if any other who did) who was a citizen
Page 67

(citi)zen of the same Barrington

2(n)d  That this(underlined) Thomas Howe living in said Barrington was acquainted with Capt(ain) John Drew, who was his Captain in the Revolution, a citizen of the adjoining town of Barnstead, before they went into the public service and always after had the reputation of being one of Drew soldiers.

3(r)d That this(underlined) Thomas Howe all his lifetime, after his return from the public service had the reputation of being a soldier of the revolution. He was a good citizen after peace took place as he had been a good soldier during his long service in the war, accumulated
a good estate and was an independent
farmer and when the law of 1818 was passed giving Pensions to certain revolutionary soldiers, his neighbours wish(e)d him to do as some(underlined) others, did, convey his estate in order that he might be a poor(underlined) man so as to take the benefit of that act - which he despised to do - manfully saying that he did not shoulder his musket and fight for money, but(--)he fought for liberty(underlined) 
liberty &c. &c. and also many other circumstances that
can(')t now be mentioned -

The writer believes that all these facts and circumstances can be proved and probably, many others of a similar nature, tho(ugh), he does not of his(underlined) own knowledge undertake to say what can be proved, as he has made but little enquiry about it and those who have informed him so far as they have, may possibly
Page 68

be under some mistake in relation to their
facts &c,

We think, seriously, if the question was raised
in the form of an Issue to a Jury whether this(underlined) Thomas Howe, who was Betsey Howes husband, was the revolutionary soldier as we have alleged, that we could satisfy that Jury and obtain their verdict in
our favor   The fact, which appears of Record that Thomas Howe(underlined) was of Barrington (underlined) and that this
womans husband    at the time of the revolution was of that town tho(ugh) at a subsequent period he become a citizen of Rochester, N.H. goes far to prove the identity(underlined) of the man and this committed? with other facts & circumstances that can be proved we think would satisfy a Jury-

What we wish, therefore, to know(underlined), is whether(underlined) we may be permitted(underlined) to produce(underlined) to the Commissioner(underlined) evidence (underlined) of the character(underlined)  above (underlined) intimated(underlined). If-- so we will proceed to take it in due form, otherwise we stop here and let the old Lady suffer in her poverty until the gets to her grave-

It may not be improper here to say that since the death of her husband and the scattering of his estate, she is really a poor widow-

We do not wish to trouble you to write us on
this (all following underlined--if we may be permitted to furnish (crossed out-- aforesaid) the kind of evidence here above intimated--), but if we are not permitted so to do, please inform us

Respectfully yours &c
(signed) N & G.N. Eastman
Page 69

N and G N Eastman 
July 9/55
Page 70

Pension Office
July 9 1855
Gentlemen,
The Record of the service of one or more men
named Thomas Howe has been received and
filed with the papers in the case of Betsey
Howe under the  Feby 3 1853,
I am not in possession of any evidence that
either of the soldiers mentioned in the certificate
of the Secretary of State of N H was the husband
of the applicant
To establish this fact the
testimony of these who knew of
his service must be furnished
1853. NH
Messes N & G N Eastman
Farmington
N H
Page 71

Farmington, N.H. June 30th 1855

Sir,
The application of Betsey Howe for a Pension as
mentioned in yours to us of the 11th [illegible] was sent without the evidence of service by mistake in the
person who sent it. We have now procured the
proper evidence as we think, and herewith send
it to you-
One delay in procuring it has been unavoidable for which we are very sorry on account of the
infirmity of the applicant-
Respectfully yours
N.& G.N. Eastman
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 72

Nov. 1 1780
See Muster rolls
in Pension office
Levitts Company
log book

State of of New Hampshire
Secretary of States Office
I do 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 office, it appears that the name of "Thomas Howe" is borne upon "an exact Muster Roll of Capt John
Drew's Company"
in the manner as follows viz

Army rolls Vol 3 Book I page 29
"No. 44 | names of men Thomas Howe | place of abode Barrington | age 44 | time of entry May 12 | Bounty paid £ 20 | mileage paid £ 0.16.8"

Vol 4 p.189
Also his name is borne upon an "account of the
Bounties and Supplies paid by several towns to soldiers
in the years 1777, 1778 & 1779, which sums were deducted
from the soldiers Depreciation --Jan 1780" in manner as follows "Barrington, Thomas Howe £45.. 1.7"

Vol 6 p 2
Also his name is borne upon a "return of the
soldiers Enlisted into the Continental Army in the three
Battallions Raised in the State of New Hampshire for
three years, or during the war, out of the first Regiment
in the County of Strafford, whereof Stephen Evans in Col"
in the manner following - "Barrington for three years
Thomas How - Capt Drew "

Vol 4 p 392
Also his name appears
among the "Accounts
Individuals," in manner
as follows -
"Thomas Howe for loss at Ticonderoga £11..13..  4"
Page 73

Vol 2 Book I Page 4
Also his name is borne upon a roll of the
2d Regt commanded by Col Geo Reed for yrs
1777, 1778 & 1779 " under the head of 5th Co" as follows
Rank amount of [illegible Deponation]
" Thomas How Private 171. 30
Vol 2
book 1
Page 53
also his name is borne upon a roll of the
2d Regt commanded by Col George Reed for 1780."
under the head of 5th Co. as follows
Thomas How
Rank
private
amount of wages
26.60
Vol 7
1-206
Also his name appears upon an abstract
of the pay Roll of Capt Moses Leavitts Company
in Col Thomas Bartletts Regiment marched
from the State of New Hampshire & joined the
Continental Army at West Point August 1780
as follows - Thomas How ) 564 / 18 "
Also his name is borne in a book of
accounts
called Reeds Regimental Ledger
follows
Page 74

page 181
5th Co
Thomas How (3 years) Barrington [illegible]
---
To Barrington for Bounty & Supplies
paid by the Continent in 1777
8 12
ditto in 80 / ditto in 1779 - 24 / 5 4 
 
To balance delivered by Leigh
To his part of Rum, Sugar & ditto
to an order on Treasurer for $ 120
To a certificate given for the Ballance
1730 June
1782 Paid by Capt Carr 4 / 2
Aug 23  gave him a certificate for 7, 15. 10
45 | 1 | 7
13 | 16 | -
0 | 0 | -
1 | - | -
3 | - | -
 2 | 6 | 5
265 | 4 | -
8
Page 82
Contra
Co
Engaged By 8 months & 18 days in 17.4 -
April 12 1777 By 12 months in 1778
24. - 
Engaged April 30th By 12 months in 1779
24. -
65 | 4 | -
By 4 months in 1780
8

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said State this twenty eight day of June 1855
Lemuel N. Patter
Secretary of State
Page 75

Farmington N.H. Dec 21" 1855
Sir,
I'm nearly to yours of 15" [illegible]. We have to say that soon after the reception of yours of [illegible, possible "Scht"].10"1855 are made in effort to find some signature of Thomas Howe, the former husband of the applicant, Betsey Howe, for a pension, but did not see need in more than one or two cases. At a [illegible] period, we learned that Judge Minot was to be or was at Concord N.H. and for the fanfare of getting the judge to see what we had, we sent them to a friend of ours at that place - S. Dana Big, with a design, if horrible, to get the judge to come here [illegible written over crossed out illegible word] with such signatures as might be found among the old north there (or hunting, if you had, at Worthington, so there might be some genuine ones at Concord) but afterwards we were informed that the Judge did not go into the office at Concord for the above fanfare. We soon afterwards learned that S Dana contemplated visiting Washing county in the session of Congress and therefore, we let those papers remain with him in order, if he on the whole he should go to Washington, he could carry them with him and if happen, in the form they were, present them to the Pension office for examination.
In the meantime we direct our employees to make further search and after spending several days, they found one case only, which is that of the several of the Howe to John Cater - and when we learned it to be certain that S Dana would go to Washington, we sent that paper to him, so that he has all of the signatures that we can yet find, and we suppose that he has before this time presented them to the office. It was this circumstance that made us say in a former communication, that [following word underlined] this evidence would reach the Pension office this - another [illegible, looks like Charmed] [unknown marking followed by gap] We
[end of paper]
Page 76

We have no other wish in this, or any other case, but
to establish the truth and if we had any doubt that
Thomas Howe, the Black Smith- this applicants 
husband was the man that did the duty we claim for,
we would at once abandon the case. It may however, be said, it is misterious, that more signatures of this
man cant be found, if the history of the man is looked into for a moment that mistry will disappear-
He was brought up, being a poor boy at the trade of
a Black smith, by old King Foss, who governed Barrington in those days, with as much tyranny as any
Dictator ever did any people; He went into the army
before he had a family - after peace took place and
he got home alive, went at once on to a farm in
Barrington- was prosperous, became wealthy,
was a good citizen- made no debt- had no 
accounts at the stores &c but always paid cash for
what he wanted, and thus he lived to a great age
when he died. Mechanecks books- Traders books &c
in the vicinity where he lived at that time, have been
searched in vain to find his signature to settlements
and the like-
But what of signatures - From our experience in
such matters, we would not hang a cat, or refuse
pound of bull beef to a dog, on the similitude, or
dissimilitude of the hand of the same man at 
different periods of twenty or forty years apart - How
many men has the writer known, who at the
age of 21 had to make his [illegible], but who at the
age of 30, was a good penman and good business men-
However, this case is with the Department-
Let our opinions be what they may the
responsibility rest there-
Respectfully yours &c
N.& G.N. Eastman
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Page 77

Dec. 21- 1855
Sir,
We do most sincerely hope that a decision
may be had at once, in the Pension Case of Ruth
McCrillis, to often mentioned heretofore.
Yours ae
N.& G.N. Eastman
Page 78

Farmington N H. Dec. 12th 1855
To the Commissioner
of Pensions
Sir,
You will receive with
this communication four additional affidavits in support of the claim of Betsey
Howe (widow of Thos. Howe) for a Pension,
which we hope will be satisfactory. You
will notice that two of these witnesses were
very old men- one of them 89 years & the other 85, and both swear to their personal acquaintance with Thos. Howe the Blacksmith and to their knowledge that this Thos. Howe was a soldier in the war of the revolution- What more can be wanted?
It has been communicated to us that the hand
writing of this Thomas Howe might be of
service in this case; but a very little writing
of this man can be found and what we
have may reach you through another
channel, if what we here produce is not
entirely satisfactory-
The writer of this is not personally acquainted with these two old men, but I am
with all of the others, and more respectable witnesses than they are not to be found
in the Country and their old men are men
of fair repute and their recollections are represented
to be perfectly good-
Respectfully yours &
N & G.N. Eastman
N. Eastman
---
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Pensioner: Betsey Howe
Dates

    The creator compiled or maintained the parent series, Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, between ca. 1800–ca. 1912.

Access: Unrestricted
Use: Unrestricted
Page 79

SHELDON MORGAN
ASHTABULA, OHIO
Gregory Ave.
Sept. 18, 1924.
Secy of Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me
the Rev. War record of Thomas
Howe of Barrington, N.H. and
also a list of his children.
Yours respectfully.
Mrs. Sheldon Morgan

[Round stamp]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE 8 SEP 20 1924
Page 80

State of New Hampshire.
STRAFFORD COUNTY, SS.
{ COURT OF PROBATE. REGISTER'S OFFICE, DOVER.
I, JOHN H. WHITE, Register of said Court, hereby certify that
Charles C. Hayes is a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and was such at
the time of the taking of the following and annexed affidavits--;
that his commission is dated June 26th
A. D. 1855, and will expire in five years from that date; that the signature
purporting to be his on the following and annexed papers are true and genuine;
that all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit, and
that the aforesaid Court of Probate is a Court of Record.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court, this twenty sixth
day of
december A. D. 1855.
John H. White, {Register of Probate for said County of Strafford.

heirs, executors and administrators, shall, and will warrant the same to the said
Dearborn Jewett his--heirs
and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal
the Twelvth day of december in the year of
---
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty five
Signed Seal'd and delivered in
presence of us -
Thomas Howe
Louis McDuffee
George Stagg
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Pensioner: Betsey Howe
Page 81


I Louis McDuffee
of Rochester in the
County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire
of the age of forty nine years, depose and
say that I was acquainted with Thomas Howe
formerly of Rochester, Blacksmith, That I witnessed
a deed signed by said How conveying one twenty
second part of a Sawmill to one Dearborn Jewett
of said Rochester Dated Dec. 12th A.D. 1825, And
I further say that at that time I know of no
other person by the name of Thomas How - Neither
have I any interest in this claim, nor do I
expect any benefit in any way from the results,
be they what they may - 
Rochester Dec. 25, 1855- Louis McDuffee
State of New Hampshire- Strafford County ss
Rochester, December 25 A.D. 1855 Sworn to and subscribed this day
before me and I certify that said Louis McDuffee is fully entitled to credit
Charles C. Hayes, Justice of the Peace
Refer to John P. Hale & James Bell U.S. Secretary
whatsoever : And that I myself my--
heirs, executors and administrators, shall, and will warrant the same to the said
Dearborn Jewett his
heirs and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever
.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal
the Twelfth day of december in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty five
Signed Seal'd and delivered in
presence of us-
Thomas Howe
Louis McDuffee
George Stagg
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Page 82

AI / Machine-Generated
(3 months ago)
KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I
Thomas Howe of Rochester
the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire
Black Smith -
For and in consideration of the sum of Forty Dollars
to me in hand, before the delivery hereof, well and truly paid by Dearborn Jewett
of the same Rochester Husbandman
the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have given, granted, bargained; sold and by
[illegible]resents do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff convey and confirm unto the
Dearborn Jewett his - heirs
and assigns forever,
one day being the one and twenty second part of
the saw Mill at the upper Saw Mill falls at the
Village in Squamanagonie together with that pro
portion of the Falls, privaledges and Iron work- belonging
to said Mill being one day in said Mill as
heresaid which said Mill consists of twenty two days
to the month
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said granted premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances
to the same, belonging to him the said Dearborn Jewett his
heirs and assigns to his & their only proper use and benefit forever : And I
the said Thomas Howe for me my heirs, executors and administrators
do hereby covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Dearborn
Jewett his -
heirs and assigns, that until the delivery hereof I am
the lawful owner of the said premises, am seized and possessed thereof in my own right
in fee-simple, and have full power and lawful authority to grant and convey the same in
manner aforesaid : That the said premises are free and clear of all and every incumbrance
whatsoever : And that I myself my
---
-
-
-
heirs, executors and administrators, shall, and will warrant the same to the said
Dearborn Jewett his-
---
heirs and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal
the Twelfth day of december in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty five
Signed Seal and delivered in
presence of us
Thomas Howe
Louis McDuffee
George Stagg
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Page 83

Deed
How to Jerrett


6
2
2
C
⌨ ⌨
Page 84

 Rocheter Febuary 14 1814
this day Settled all accounts with John Cater  
and Received one dollar in full of all demands to this date per me
Thomas Howe
of
relation to my personal acquaintance with and
knowledge of Thomas Howe, who was formerly a resident
of the aforesaid town of Barrington, but who
in the latter part of his life resided in Rochester
in said county which affidavit was given on the
application of Betsey Howe, widow of said Thomas
Howe, for a pension as the widow of a Revolutionary
Soldier-
And I now state under oath in addition to what I
have before stated in relation to the same subject that the
same identical Thomas Howe was the person with
whom I settled on the 14 day of February 1814 and who
on that settlement wrote with his own hand, signed
and gave to me the paper hereto annexed bearing date
on that day and purporting to be a receipt in full of
all demands, by said Thomas Howe against me to that
date which said receipt was kept in my possession
and under my control, until it was called out on the
aforesaid application of said Betsey Howe for a pension
as herein before stated, and I further state that I
have no interest in this claim John Cater
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford ss Barrington December
25 A.D. 1855
Sworn to and subscribed this
day before me; and I certify that said John
Cater is fully entitled to credit and that I have
no interest in this claim,
Charles C. Hayes
Justice of the Peace
ence as
presence of us -
Louis W Duffee
George Stagg
●
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Page 85

Thomas Howe
Feb 14 1814
Thomas Howe
Netts
Deed
How to Jerrett
Page 86


I John Cater of
Barrington, in the County
of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, depose
and say that I am the identical person by the name of
John Cater who heretofore gave an affidavit in
relation to my personal acquaintance with and
knowledge of Thomas Howe, who was formerly a
resident of the aforesaid town of Barrington, but who
in the latter part of his life resided in Rochester
in said county which affidavit was given on the
application of Betsey Howe, widow of said Thomas
Home, for a pension as the widow of a Revolutionary
Soldier-
And I now state under oath in addition to what I
have before stated in relation to the same subject that the
same identical Thomas Howe was the person with
whom I settled on the 14 day of February 1814 and who
on that settlement wrote with his own hand, signed
and gave to me the paper hereto annexed bearing date ┃
on that day and purporting to be a receipt in full of
1
all demands, by said Thomas Howe against me to that ┃
date which said receipt was kept in my possession
and under my control until it was called out on the
aforesaid application of said Betsey Home for a pension
as herein before stated, and I further state that I
have no interest in this claim John Cater
State of New Hampshire
County of Strafford
25 A.D. 1855
ss
Ravington December
Sworn to and subscribed this
day before me; and I certify that said John
Cater is fully entitled to credit and that I have
no interest in this claim, Charles C. Hayes
Justice of the Peace
L
presence of us
Louis Wife
George Stall
to